Podcasts about Embrace

John 18:1-11 We live in an age obsessed with comfort and the avoidance of pain. But Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, faced the most bitter cup imaginable—and chose to drink it. Pastor Chuck Swindoll walks through John 18:1–11, the scene of Jesus' arrest, to examine the cup the Father gave His Son to drink. In Christ's submission lies the model for every believer who must choose obedience when the cost is high. Learn from your Savior's example. Embrace the path of obedience—even when it hurts—and find the strength that comes from trusting God.

John 18:1-11 We live in an age obsessed with comfort and the avoidance of pain. But Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, faced the most bitter cup imaginable—and chose to drink it. Pastor Chuck Swindoll walks through John 18:1–11, the scene of Jesus' arrest, to examine the cup the Father gave His Son to drink. In Christ's submission lies the model for every believer who must choose obedience when the cost is high. Learn from your Savior's example. Embrace the path of obedience—even when it hurts—and find the strength that comes from trusting God.

John 18:1-11 We live in an age obsessed with comfort and the avoidance of pain. But Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, faced the most bitter cup imaginable—and chose to drink it. Pastor Chuck Swindoll walks through John 18:1–11, the scene of Jesus' arrest, to examine the cup the Father gave His Son to drink. In Christ's submission lies the model for every believer who must choose obedience when the cost is high. Learn from your Savior's example. Embrace the path of obedience—even when it hurts—and find the strength that comes from trusting God.

Caleb interviews leadership expert Eric Termuende and the discussion centers on the intentional construction of company culture, specifically focusing on how small business owners can foster trust and open communication within their teams. Termuende emphasizes that leaders do not need to possess all the answers but should instead empower their employees to help navigate uncertainty. He highlights the importance of genuine personal relationships and clarity of vision over transactional management styles.  Key Takeaways: Deepen the sense of trust within your team and actively work to remove friction to better handle future uncertainty. Clearly define and communicate your company's end goal so every team member understands exactly what they are working toward. Foster stronger team connectivity by getting to know your colleagues on a personal level and building genuine relationships beyond work tasks. Embrace a leadership style that prioritizes asking insightful questions and learning over always feeling the need to have the right answers. Empower your team to contribute their unique perspectives by crowdsourcing the best practices for reaching your established goals. Connect with Eric: https://erictermuende.com/?shem=isphe%2C Connect with Auman Landscape

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, LG or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Deepti: The ability to rise after setbacks and turn challenges into opportunities.Billions of toothpaste tubes end up in landfills every year, creating an environmental burden that's hard to ignore. Recognizing this, Deepti Brambl, Founder of Kaylaan, developed an innovative alternative: toothpaste tablets. The eco-friendly product eliminates the need for plastic packaging while providing a healthier, more sustainable oral care solution.“Toothpaste tablets are not a new concept,” Deepti explained in today's episode, “but for me, it was important to come up with a solution that is not just plastic-friendly but also chemical-free. All of our products are natural, which ties back to how I was raised.”Kaylaan has also expanded into mouthwash tablets and patented bamboo electric toothbrushes, solidifying their commitment to green innovation. The toothbrushes, with recycled plastic handles to combat mold growth, are fully compostable striking the balance between sustainability and practicality.This eco-conscious ethos stems from Deepti's Nepalese heritage, where everything was reused. After moving to the U.S., she was struck by the plastic waste culture and wanted to create an alternative that redefined oral care. She started small, testing products on Etsy. Her toothpaste tablets stood out, quickly becoming a bestseller thanks to community feedback.The company's community-centered approach is evident in the evolution of their product line, including fluoride-based formulas, strawberry- and watermelon-flavored tablets for kids, and neem-based tablets. Customers' input continues to shape Kaylaan's innovations: “Whoever came to us with requests, we worked on it,” Deepti noted.In just a few years, Kaylaan has earned B Corp certification twice, reflecting its strong commitment to sustainability. Revenue from crowdfunding has been instrumental in scaling operations. Deepti highlighted how funds from a $45,000 raise helped move the company into a new facility, upgrade machines, and achieve compliance with FDA and GMP protocols.Currently, Kaylaan is raising capital through regulated investment crowdfunding on Honeycomb Credit. This presents an exciting opportunity for sustainability-minded investors to support Deepti's vision of redefining oral care.Deepti's journey exemplifies the power of mission-driven innovation. By tackling environmental challenges head-on, Kaylaan is demonstrating how purpose and profitability can coexist in harmony.tl;dr:Kaylaan develops eco-friendly toothpaste tablets to reduce waste and promote sustainable dental care.Deepti Brambl draws inspiration from her Nepalese heritage to drive innovation at Kaylaan.Crowdfunding on Honeycomb Credit has empowered Kaylaan to scale operations and achieve regulatory compliance.Customer feedback has shaped Kaylaan's diverse products, including fluoride-based and neem-flavored options.Deepti's resilience and passion for sustainability have propelled Kaylaan's mission to new heights.How to Develop Resilience As a SuperpowerDeepti's superpower is resilience—the ability to rise after setbacks and turn challenges into opportunities. She explained, “You fall as many times as possible, because that's where real creativity, real strength, and real learning happen.” Her perseverance fuels Kaylaan, as Deepti embraces obstacles as steppingstones for growth, strength, and creativity.Deepti vividly recounted the 10-hour ordeal of relocating a 5,000-pound tablet-press machine to a new manufacturing facility. After renting a forklift that couldn't manage the task, she worked with a team of local professionals to resolve the situation. Despite setbacks, her persistence resulted in more efficient production and significant quality improvements for Kaylaan's products.Tips to Develop Resilience:View challenges as opportunities for creativity and growth.Accept failure as part of learning and keep moving forward.Build strong community and business relationships for support during tough circumstances.Prioritize preparation upfront to avoid costly mistakes later.Embrace the idea that obstacles are a pathway to innovation and strength.By following Deepti's example and advice, you can make resilience a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileDeepti Brambl (she/her):Founder, KaylaanAbout Kaylaan: We make oral care better for people and the planet. Our toothpaste tablets eliminate plastic tube waste, reduce water consumption, and deliver clinically effective results — proof that a daily habit as simple as brushing your teeth can be part of a more sustainable world.Website: kaylaan.comCompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/kaylaantoothpasteCompany Twitter Handle: @KaylaanTabsInstagram Handle: @kaylaantoothpasteOther URL: invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/Kaylaan-2Biographical Information: Deepti Brambl, originally from the Himalayas, is the founder and lead engineer behind Kaylaan, a B Corp‑certified sustainable oral care company based in New York. Deepti has been featured in publications like Happi Magazine, Long Island Press, CanvasRebel, and on the “Founders, Unfiltered” podcast. On the Happi Podcast, she discussed Kaylaan's innovative approach to oral care and eco-packaging, positioning the brand at the intersection of sustainability and consumer convenience.LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/deeptibramblSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include Fureelz, High Desert Gear, and Climatize. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact Members(We're grateful for every one of these community champions who make this work possible.)Brian Christie, Brainsy | Cameron Neil, Lend For Good | Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | John Berlet, CORE Tax Deeds, LLC. | Justin Starbird, The Aebli Group | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Mike Babbit | Coledger Solutions | Mike Green, Envirosult | Nick Degnan, Unlimit Ventures | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.How to Score the Economic Health of Your Community: On Friday, June 26th at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, we'll share a recording of a brilliant webinar led by Michael Shuman, publisher of the Main Street Journal, hosted by Jen Risley of AMIBA. You can watch it when it plays on SuperCrowd.tv. Download and install the app to your Roku or Amazon Fire TV device in advance!Join the SuperCrowd Impact League! You can be recognized for making impact investments via Reg CF. See how your activity compares to your peers. It's free. Win valuable prizes. Start now!SuperCrowd Impact Member Networking Session: Impact (and, of course, Max-Impact) Members of the SuperCrowd are invited to a private networking session on July 14th at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT. Mark your calendar. We'll send private emails to Impact Members with registration details. Upgrade to Impact Membership today!SuperCrowdHour, July 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on “How to Make a Splash With Your Campaign Launch.” Drawing on his extensive experience helping entrepreneurs and impact-driven founders succeed in investment crowdfunding, Devin will share proven strategies for creating momentum and attracting attention when launching a crowdfunding campaign. In this session, he'll explore how founders can prepare for a successful launch, build excitement before going live, engage their networks effectively, and generate the early traction that often determines long-term campaign success. Attendees will learn practical tactics for storytelling, outreach, media engagement, and community building, along with common mistakes that can limit visibility and investor interest. Whether you're preparing for your first crowdfunding raise or looking to improve the performance of a future campaign, this SuperCrowdHour will provide actionable insights to help you launch with confidence and maximize your campaign's impact from day one. Register now!SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™: This August 25–27, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will gather for a three-day, broadcast-quality global experience focused on disciplined capital formation, regulated investment crowdfunding, and purpose-driven growth. We're bringing together leading voices in impact investing, compliance, digital marketing, and circular economy innovation to deliver practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies. The event culminates in the PurposeBuilt100™ Showcase, recognizing 100 of the fastest-growing purpose-driven companies in the U.S. Register now to secure your seat and get all the details. August 25–27, streaming worldwide.Share the application for the PurposeBuilt100™: Purpose-driven founders deserve recognition. The PurposeBuilt100™ application window is now open—celebrating the fastest-growing companies building profit with purpose. If you know a founder creating real impact and real growth, please share this opportunity. Applications are free and confidential. Explore the program and apply today: PurposeBuilt100.com.Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Register Now! October 20th and 21st will be the Crowdfunding Professional Association Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit for 2026. This is the event of the year for everyone in the crowdfunding ecosystem.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 10,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.Manage the volume of emails you receive from us by clicking here.We share educational information—not investment advice. Some links may generate compensation. See our full disclosure.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

The Democrat's continue to embrace candidates for political office that are extremely far left and we might be stunned in the upcoming mid terms because of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz talk with kitchen expert Cyndy Cantley, principal designer of Cantley & Company. Cyndy joins the show to share her wealth of knowledge on building bespoke, beautifully functional kitchens that stand the test of time, drawing from a legendary career that includes a Bon Appétit magazine cover feature early in her business. The hosts pick Cyndy's brain about shifting kitchen trends—from the cringe-worthy pink laminates of the past to modern hyper-functional layouts—and get her top recommendations for cabinetry, countertop materials, and space planning. Embrace the English Inset: To design a kitchen that looks gorgeous decades later, stick to timeless styles like simple English flush inset cabinetry. Limit your options rather than getting overwhelmed by hundreds of trendy door styles. Prioritize Drawers Over Doors: Base cabinets with deep drawers are far superior to standard doors for storage because they eliminate the need to move items in the front to get to the back, making heavy pots and pans completely accessible. The Case for Clear Islands: If space permits, aim for a clean kitchen island devoid of sinks, cooktops, or appliances. An uninterrupted surface creates an ideal multi-use environment for meal prep, serving, homework, and entertaining. Design for Reality, Not a Dream: Avoid tailoring an expensive kitchen remodel around an idealized version of your lifestyle. If you only host formal dinners twice a year, don't sacrifice daily functionality for features meant only for entertaining. The Magic of Real Stone: Don't let builders scare you away from natural marble. It's far more resilient than people think, ages with a beautiful European patina, and chips can easily be blended because it is solid rock. 00:34 – Introduction to kitchen expert Cyndy Cantley. 01:17 – Cyndy's serendipitous start: Designing a show house kitchen that led to a project for award-winning chef Frank Stitt and a Bon Appétit cover. 03:24 – The history of kitchen design trends, from pink Corian and pickled wood to painted finishes. 06:04 – Falling in love with English inset cabinetry and keeping a portfolio timeless. 09:17 – The anatomy of a cabinet door: Rails, styles, and maintaining perfect proportions. 11:16 – Understanding the standard 4-inch toe kick and aligning it with major American appliances. 12:24 – The functionality of wide drawers vs. standard doors and pull-outs. 14:48 – Smart corner solutions: Why swing-out organizers beat old-school lazy Susans. 16:35 – High-value internal inserts worth your budget: Alphabetical spice drawers, dual cutlery organization, and tray dividers. 25:00 – Designing for pets: Incorporating custom dog bowl cubbies built with slab scraps. 28:39 – Smart alternative storage: Utilizing ceiling-height cabinets and 12-to-15-inch deep floor-to-ceiling dish cabinets. 30:36 – Appliance garages, coffee stations, and pocket door mechanics. 36:38 – The truth about microwave placement, microwave drawers, and hidden panel-ready fridges. 47:36 – Countertop deep-dive: Falling in love with marble, managing budgets, and color matching slabs. 55:34 – Choosing kitchen flooring: The warmth of wood vs. traditional cold tiles. 56:45 – Kitchen hardware layout tips: Mixing knobs, drop pulls, and custom backplates. 01:00:06 – Functional spatial rules: Why right-handed cooks should always place dishwashers on the left and trash pull-outs on the right. Mentioned in This Episode Cantley & Company: Cyndy's custom design studio specializing in bespoke cabinetry and space design. Frank Stitt's Kitchen: The career-launching project featured on the cover of Bon Appétit. Calacatta & Carrara Marble: The pros, cons, and budgeting realities of high-movement stones. Instagram: @cantleytoulman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the key to greater confidence, stronger relationships, and more success isn't avoiding awkward moments—but embracing them? In this re-release episode of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer sits down with Henna Pryor, workplace performance expert and author of Good Awkward, to explore how stepping outside your comfort zone can help you build what she calls your "social muscles." Tune in to learn practical strategies to navigate uncomfortable situations, develop greater confidence, strengthen your connections, and unlock new opportunities for growth both personally and professionally. Key Takeaways: Why awkward moments can be valuable opportunities for growth How to build confidence through action Practical ways to strengthen your social muscles Strategies for creating deeper and more meaningful connections How discomfort can become a catalyst for success ABOUT HENNA PRYOR Henna Pryor, CSP is a dynamic Workplace Performance Expert who speaks and writes about performance mindset, interpersonal dynamics, high-impact communication, and embracing bumps in a world that keeps optimizing for smoothness. She's a regular Expert Columnist for Inc. Magazine, 18x award-winning author of Good Awkward, and an in-demand global keynote speaker. Her playful personality and insightful talks blend 2 decades of working with corporate leaders and teams, with a fresh, science-based approach to taking more strategic risks and boosting social and mental fitness for success at work. Connect with Henna: Order Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hennapryor/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hennapryor/  Website: https://pryoritygroup.com/  About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer: Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting organizations and individuals on their journeys for more happiness and success. She is the author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business November 19, 2024). With Kristel's healthcare background, she provides data driven actionable strategies to leverage happiness and high-power habits to drive growth mindsets, peak performance, profitability, well-being and a culture of excellence. Kristel's keynotes provide insights to "Live Greatly" while promoting leadership development and team building.   Kristel is the creator and host of her global top self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant having practiced clinically in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel has a unique perspective into attaining a mindset for more happiness and success. Kristel has presented to groups from the American Gas Association, Bank of America, bp, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Santander Bank and many more. Kristel has been featured in Forbes, Forest & Bluff Magazine, Authority Magazine & Podcast Magazine and she has appeared on ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago, Fox 4's WDAF-TV's Great Day KC, and Ticker News. Kristel lives in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area and she can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here. Website: www.livegreatly.co  Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co  LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Click HERE to check out Kristel's corporate wellness and leadership blog Click HERE to check out Kristel's Travel and Wellness Blog Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions.  Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations.  They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests.  Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content.  Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.

Networking gets a bad reputation. And honestly? It's earned it.For most people, the word conjures images of awkward small talk, business cards nobody keeps, and conversations that feel more like auditions than actual human connection. It feels transactional. It feels fake. And for a lot of women, especially, it feels like a game they were never taught how to play.But what if the problem isn't networking itself — it's the way we've been taught to think about it?On the 2B Bolder Podcast, host Mary Killelea sits down with Monique Kelley — professor, consultant, and author of Redefining Networking: How to Lead with Your Unique Value, an Amazon #1 Bestseller in Business Ethics — to completely reframe what networking is, what it isn't, and why getting it right might be the single most important career move you make.Monique is a two-time PRNEWS Top Women in PR award recipient, a founding member of CHIEF, and has been featured in FOX and Fast Company. She's built a career working with some of the biggest names in biopharma — Pfizer, Roche, Lilly, Johnson & Johnson — not by chasing opportunities, but by building meaningful relationships that opened doors long after the conversation ended. Today she teaches the only Career Readiness course at Boston University's College of Communication, shaping how the next generation of professionals show up, connect, and lead.This conversation covers it all — her career journey from a pre-med detour into communications and healthcare PR, the moment she stepped in to present to a major client when her boss was out and realized that relationships matter just as much as the deck, and the pivots that took her from agency life to in-house roles to fractional consulting and eventually the classroom.Mary and Monique dig into the real stuff:What most people fundamentally get wrong about networking — and why that misunderstanding is costing them real opportunitiesWhat "leading with your value" actually means in practice, not just as a concept but as a daily behaviorA clear, three-step framework for defining your unique value, choosing the right audience, and showing up consistently — on LinkedIn and beyondWhy your network isn't a list of contacts. It's a living system of people who understand what you bring and actively want to advocate for youHow to build a network from scratch when you feel like you have nothing to offer and nowhere to startWhy remote work and meeting overload are making organic connection harder than ever — and what to do about itThe truth about "I don't have time to network" (spoiler: it's a prioritization issue, not a time issue)What Monique is seeing right now across executives, students, and mid-career professionals — and the specific behaviors she notices in women who are actually building momentumWhat she teaches her Career Readiness students at BU that experienced professionals desperately need to hearAnd the one thing she wishes she had understood earlier about building a career that lastsWhether you're in the middle of a career transition, feeling stuck in a role that no longer fits, or just dreading the next industry event — this episode will completely shift how you think about connection, value, and what it actually means to build a career on your own terms.

Caleb talks with branding expert John Dalton about how contractors can move beyond basic advertising and build a brand that actually connects. Dalton explains why strong branding starts with the customer's emotional experience, not just a list of services. He shares the importance of "Clarity plus Consistency," the value of vehicle wraps for tradespeople, and why simple, direct messaging beats clever marketing every time. Key Takeaways: Sell the emotional experience and the "feeling" your work provides rather than just the technical features of your service. Prioritize your vehicle wraps as your most valuable marketing asset by ensuring they are clear, clean, and legible from a distance. Adopt a "less is more" philosophy by removing at least one unnecessary element from every design to improve clarity and reduce cognitive overload. Ensure absolute consistency across your brand by using the exact same fonts and color tones for every customer-facing piece of media. Embrace humility by admitting when you lack expertise in areas like marketing and proactively seeking guidance from professionals to grow. Connect with Auman Landscape

What did you think of this episode?What is your therefore factor in your writing? Today's guest shares the story behind her book and tips to empower your writing.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in. During this episode, you'll learn the story behind Serah and the First ChristmasToday's guest, Tama Fortner, is an ECPA award-winning author of more than sixty titles, including her latest, Serah and the First Christmas (Zonderkidz, 2026). She has collaborated with leading voices in Christian publishing to create inspirational books for all ages and lives near Nashville with her husband and two feisty pups who are convinced they're people too.Tama, please share the story behind Serah and the First Christmas.1. What was the inspiration for Serah and her story? How do the biblical stories of Rachel and Rebekah factor into both the inspiration and the plot of the story?   2. Why does Serah feel invisible? How is feeling invisible a universal feeling? How does Jesus rescue us from invisibility?  3. What is the “therefore” factor? How should it affect our approach to the stories of the Bible, as both believers and as writers?  4. When we struggle with feeling invisible ourselves, as writers, what hope can we take from Serah's story? Tips for Writers:1. Turn off the noise. Allow time and space for stillness. It's in the stillness that God speaks and creativity blooms.  2. Don't be afraid to write ugly. The best writing happens in the rewriting and editing process.  3. Embrace the power of the question “What if?” and ask it often! (What if lots of women were shepherds in Bible times, not just Rachel and Rebekah? What if a little girl wanted to be a shepherd so that she didn't feel so invisible? What if she snuck out to the fields one night and heard the angels' message about Jesus? What if she found not only Jesus that night but discovered a whole new way to live?) What will the listeners gain from your book? My hope and prayer is that readers (and writers reading the book) will remember that not only are we and our efforts never invisible to God, but we also have the joy of seeing others and helping them know that they, too, are never invisible to God. Listener giveaway…https://www.tamafortner.com/freebiesSerah and the First Christmas. Available wherever books are sold or at https://www.zonderkidz.com/book/9780310167907/serah-and-the-first-christmas/ You can find out more below.https://www.zonderkidz.com/book/9780310167907/serah-and-the-first-christmas/ https://www.tamafortner.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TamaFortnerBooks/ https://www.instagram.com/tamafortnerbooks/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamafortner/ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tama-fortner https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/589006.Tama_Fortner https://www.tiktok.com/@tamafortnerbooks Visit  Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, "Temptation," by discussing various temptations with experts in their respective fields and how they overcome them. Abdu Murray joined us to discuss toxic empathy and biblical compassion. He explained how believers can speak truth with love, resist tribalism, and follow Jesus' example of caring for others without enabling harmful behaviors. Abdu specializes in addressing the intersection of religious faith and emerging cultural trends and serves as the President of Embrace the Truth. Dan Seaborn also joined the conversation to address the temptation for couples to live like glorified roommates. He highlighted that honest communication, listening without defensiveness, and deeper surrender to Christ can help spouses nurture their marriages. Dan is the founder of Winning At Home, Inc. Additionally, Lana Silk spoke about the severe oppression facing Iran. She noted that suffering is not limited to Christians but affects the entire nation, while believers endure added persecution for their faith. Lana is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Transform Iran. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Lana Silk [ 12:10 ]Dan Seaborn [ 21:08 ]Abdu Murray [ 35:08 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What separates people who achieve remarkable results with AI from those who struggle to get reliable, accurate, or useful outcomes from the exact same tools?In this episode of Product Rising, host Shannon Peavey sits down with Stanford researcher and BigSpin AI founder Moritz Sudhof to explore one of the most overlooked challenges in AI adoption: the human factor.Drawing on research conducted with Stanford professor and Bigspin co-founder Chris Potts, Moritz shares surprising findings from the analysis of tens of thousands of real-world AI conversations. Their work reveals that the difference between successful and unsuccessful AI use often has less to do with the model itself and more to do with how people interact with it.Why do expert users encounter more AI failures than novices, yet achieve dramatically better outcomes? Why do so many users unknowingly accept flawed outputs? And what skills, behaviors, and product design choices can help close the growing divide between AI power users and everyone else?This conversation explores the emerging field of AI fluency, the risks of treating AI like an oracle or a vending machine, and why the future of successful AI products depends on designing not just the model, but the interaction between humans and machines.Moritz is part of our exclusive Product Rising series on AI Ethics, Safety & Responsibility, where host Shannon Peavey speaks with researchers, builders, policymakers, and practitioners working to shape a future where AI delivers meaningful value while preserving human judgment, agency, and trust.Whether you're a product leader, founder, builder, manager, or everyday AI user, this episode offers practical insights into how to get better outcomes from AI and why your own behavior may be one of the most important variables in the equation.CHAPTERS00:00 Why Some People Get Better Results from AI01:22 Moritz's Journey: From Language Research to AI Products03:42 AI Is Not a Human Replacement06:49 The Coaching Experiment That Changed Everything09:14 Same AI, Different Outcomes10:43 Designing User Behavior, Not Just AI Behavior12:13 The Research Behind AI Fluency15:14 The User Fluency Paradox17:01 Why Expert Users See More Failures19:18 Invisible Failures and Silent Mistakes21:12 The Skills Every AI User Needs21:55 Embrace the Skeptic Mindset23:22 The Biggest Misconceptions About AI25:42 The Vending Machine Problem26:16 The Growing Divide Between AI Users28:08 Introducing Bigspin30:47 Bringing Product Builders Back Into the Room32:33 Why AI Adoption Isn't a Tool Rollout34:45 Passengers vs. Pilots36:24 Improving Your AI Outcomes Today37:49 What Product Builders Should Demand40:16 Advice for Product Leaders Building AI Products42:00 We're Designing Interactions Now43:15 Final Thoughts and Where to Learn More

Today's story contains mention of self-destructive ideation, and self harm. Please listen at your own discretion.When a friend drags Jay to his first pride event, he has to come to terms with aspects about himself and his dark past.Today's story is the second and final part of “The Embrace” by Lou le Loup, a biologist and internet wolf who writes in his free time as a hobby. He posts his work to his Furaffinity.Read by Carrizo, Your Coyote in the Court.thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google PodcastsIf you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.https://thevoice.dog/episode/the-embrace-by-lou-le-loup-part-2-of-2

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, "Temptation," by discussing various temptations with experts in their respective fields and how they overcome them. Abdu Murray joined us to discuss toxic empathy and biblical compassion. He explained how believers can speak truth with love, resist tribalism, and follow Jesus' example of caring for others without enabling harmful behaviors. Abdu specializes in addressing the intersection of religious faith and emerging cultural trends and serves as the President of Embrace the Truth. Dan Seaborn also joined the conversation to address the temptation for couples to live like glorified roommates. He highlighted that honest communication, listening without defensiveness, and deeper surrender to Christ can help spouses nurture their marriages. Dan is the founder of Winning At Home, Inc. Additionally, Lana Silk spoke about the severe oppression facing Iran. She noted that suffering is not limited to Christians but affects the entire nation, while believers endure added persecution for their faith. Lana is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Transform Iran. You can listen to the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Lana Silk [ 12:10 ]Dan Seaborn [ 21:08 ]Abdu Murray [ 35:08 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this inspiring episode of Authority on Demand Podcast (formerly Authors On Mission Podcast), host Danielle Hutchinson sits down with Sayen Gates, author, shadow life coach, and founder of Shadow Corner. Sayen shares her powerful journey from a strict religious upbringing to helping others embrace their authentic selves through healing, self-discovery, and shadow work.In this heartfelt conversation, Sayen discusses the lessons behind her books Breaking the Silence and Perspectives on Cancer, the importance of vulnerability in writing, and how personal struggles can become a source of strength and purpose. She also shares practical advice for aspiring authors who are afraid to tell their stories and offers a glimpse into her upcoming book focused on mind, body, and spirit.✨ Key Takeaways:• Transform pain into purpose through self-reflection• Embrace vulnerability as a pathway to healing• Build self-worth by honoring your unique journey• Share your story—it may be exactly what someone else needs to hearTune in for an inspiring conversation about courage, healing, authenticity, and the power of breaking the silence.Connect with Sayen Gates:Email: witchesbrewfam@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadowlifecoaching/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadowcornerlifecoaching/

2 Samuel 9:1–13 We live in a world of earning and deserving. Promotions come to those who perform. Favor goes to those with the right background. But grace—true grace—operates by a completely different economy. It seeks out the undeserving and pulls them to the table. From 2 Samuel 9, Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the remarkable story of Mephibosheth, a crippled outcast brought to eat at King David's table as one of his own sons. In this obscure Old Testament story lives the clearest picture of how God's grace works. See yourself in Mephibosheth. Embrace the grace God extends to you freely, and enjoy the life available to those who sit at His table!

After months of dedicated training, it's easy to believe race day will go exactly as planned. But the reality is that setbacks happen. Whether it's an injury, a mechanical issue, nutrition problems, or simply a bad day, every athlete eventually faces adversity. In this episode, Coach Stephen Horan shares how the setbacks in his own athletic journey transformed not only his mindset, but also the way he coaches others through challenging times. Stephen breaks down his three-step philosophy for navigating setbacks and turning them into opportunities for growth. From honest self-assessment and micro-analysis, to pursuing 1% improvements each day, and finally learning when and how to reset, Stephen provides a practical framework that athletes can apply both in sport and in life. This episode is a reminder that setbacks don't define your journey, how you respond to them does. Embrace the lesson. Trust the process. The comeback is always stronger than the setback.

What if the real secret to a lasting writing career isn't talent or luck, but learning to thrive in the mess? Why are in-person events worthwhile even if the maths doesn't add up? How do you protect your creativity when the machines never sleep and the community is at one another's throats? With Mark Leslie Lefebvre In the intro, Has AI Already Killed Non-Fiction [Tim Ferriss]; 9 ways that AI would disrupt authors and the publishing industry over the next decade; Pivoting towards The Transformation Economy; and Who do you serve? This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Mark Leslie Lefebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as non-fiction travel and books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. His latest book is Stark Realities: Stacked Up Lessons Every Writer Needs to Know About the Business of Writing and Publishing. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Why print and in-person events are making a comeback for indie authors The case for (and against) licensing your voice clone through ElevenLabs Why we keep selling books in person when the numbers rarely add up Measuring success by creative satisfaction rather than money Being honest about author earnings and the fear of being truly seen Managing stress, divisiveness, and the noise around AI You can find Mark at MarkLeslie.ca. Transcript of the interview with Mark Leslie Lefebvre Jo: Mark Leslie Lefebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as non-fiction travel and books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. His latest book is Stark Realities: Stacked Up Lessons Every Writer Needs to Know About the Business of Writing and Publishing. Welcome back to the show, Mark. Mark: Oh, hey, Jo. It's always an awesome time chatting with you. Jo: You've been on the show lots of times over the years, but the last time was in September 2024, when we talked about selling books in person. So give us a bit of an update. What does your writing and publishing business look like at the moment? How do you manage it alongside the day job and everything else you do? Mark: Oh my God. Well, sleep is—no rest for the wicked, maybe. I'll sleep when I'm dead. It's so funny, it was just this last weekend in Waterloo. I was at Waterloo Book Fest, and somebody came up to my table—another author from one of the other tables—and said, “I heard you on the The Creative Penn Podcast. And then when you mentioned something about Waterloo, I said, ‘He can't be from Waterloo.' And then when you mentioned the skeleton, I said, ‘I know where he lives.'” Jo: That's scary. Mark: So I love the fact that there are so many of your listeners all over the world, and that's usually how people know me. No matter what else I've done, it's like, “Oh, you've been on Joanna Penn's podcast.” I'll say, “Yes, I have.” You know what's really funny? The last time I was on the podcast, we were talking about A Book in Hand, which I was supposed to release that year. Jo: Yes. Mark: I just added another 5,000 words to it this morning. Jo: Wait, it's still not published? Mark: No, and it's so funny. I actually have the first 60,000 words of it with an editor right now, and I told her I'd get her the rest of it, which I thought would be another 20,000 words, by the end of June. But I think it's going to hit 100,000. Here's the weird thing that happened with this. This is trying to accumulate my life of book selling, as well as doubling down on doing in-person events in the last several years. I thought I was going to have the book done in 2024. I ran into some issues where I didn't back it up properly. It was an old version, and I accidentally overwrote the only version I had. Jo: So, for everyone listening, Mark—how many decades have you been an author and a publisher? How come you're still missing deadlines and still not backing up your work properly? Mark: Yes, this is a lesson: no matter how long you've been doing something, you can still make boneheaded errors. So if you, dear listener, have made mistakes, just know that this old guy who's been doing this since the mid-'80s still makes mistakes like that. Don't beat yourself up. I probably did something worse. Anyway, that book I thought was going to be maybe 40, 45,000 words, it's going to be bigger than Wide for the Win—close to 100,000 words. Here's a really important lesson I learned in that, Jo. I thought the book would be something. It became something else. Through my own experiences of doing more in-person events, book signings, and library event. Also in talking to awesome folks like Johnny B. Truant, Katie Cross, Todd Fahnestock, and so many other authors I know, and seeing what Ben Wolf is up to, and a whole bunch of different people who are doing in-person events. In creating case studies for how they interact specifically with a bookstore or library, or how they do in-person selling—I really think the book wasn't ready then. It's like the recipe wasn't ready. I still needed to play with some things. I do sincerely have faith, since I got it into the editorial process, that this will be the year the book actually gets released. Jo: As you said, there are some really good lessons there around sometimes the book not being quite ready. I'd bought an early version from the StoryBundle, which is how I got this book as well, actually. Mark: Yes. Jo: That's another tip for people—storybundle.com. You can go and find some great bundles there. I was also thinking, as you were talking, that maybe one of the reasons this book about in-person events has got so big is because that's a real trend in the community. It feels like indies, we've moved… Back in the day, I said, “I'm not doing print. No way.” This was the early days of digital, because print was really hard back then. So I was like, “Oh, and we've got all the advantages doing digital, so I'm just going to focus on that.” It feels like the pendulum has swung, perhaps even more with the ease of mass production of digital with AI. The focus on print and in person is getting stronger and stronger. Do you think that's happening? Mark: Oh, yes, 100%. I did print in 2004. It was really hard back then, so that's gotten easier. I think there are a few reasons. One of the reasons is, yes, digital made it so much easier for indie authors to get out there and break into the community. But the reality is that print books still outsell e-books in general—overall—despite the fact that indie authors can make six and seven figures a year from selling e-books alone on a single platform. So print has never really gone away. It was just never something indie authors attended to. They were in a different business than traditional publishers were in. And second, obviously I've got these gorgeous books that you've created on Kickstarter, because I like the beautiful books. I've never stopped buying print books. I actually buy more print books. I read more because of audiobooks and e-books, but I buy more print books, especially when I can get a nice signed copy. Then the other reason comes back, again, to your advice—something I've been following for the longest time, and you've long been saying. I do repeat this, and I try my best to offer attribution to you every time I use it: to double down on your humanity, particularly in this age of digital generation and the ability for even non-writers to leverage tools to create content. I think it's so much more important for me, as a creative who will never be able to catch up with the machines, to exploit my humanity. I mean, we both have digital voices of ourselves, right? There's a digital Mark Leslie Lefebvre voice that people can use, and I'm making money off it because people are able to license it through ElevenLabs. But when I'm there in person, so far the holograms aren't good enough to fool people. I think I'm not just selling a book to somebody; I want to create an experience where, “Oh, I'm talking to the author, and we're signing a book together, and we're taking a selfie together.” For me, there's that tactile experience that's really enriching. And it may not be something that lines my pockets as easily, because the investment is more significant. For every $10 I make, it costs me six or seven dollars, as opposed to an e-book, where the cost is amortised in the most beautiful way over millions of copies. Jo: There are a few things there. First of all, let's talk about that ElevenLabs voice licensing, because, as you say, I also have a voice clone. Bones of the Deep, the latest book, that's my voice clone. I haven't gone with the licensing, partly because you don't have control over what someone can do with it. So, for example, someone could create Nazi content, or content that I might not agree with, in my voice. So how have you got over that? Because part of me really does want to license my voice, and the other part doesn't. Mark: This is a great question, Jo, and I'm glad you asked it. It's the same reason I don't worry about people stealing my books—adding DRM onto my e-books and things like that. I may as well make some money off it, because let's be honest: you and I, our voices are out there. Thousands of hours of our voices, right? In your podcast, my podcast, in various interviews we've done over the years. The technology exists for someone to make a copy of my voice themselves anyway. The tools exist. They can do it easily, so why not do it myself and at least make money? I'm actually getting money deposited into my account. Not a lot—maybe $30, $18, something like that every week. Again, I've taken a lot of my non-fiction books that I haven't had the time to record myself, as I like to do, and I can at least load those to ElevenLabs and make my voice the default voice. But wouldn't it be great to be able to listen to my book in your voice? It would sound so much better. Because you can do that. When you listen to a book on that platform, you can choose my voice if you'd rather hear it in my voice, or you can choose Burt Reynolds' voice, or some other folks who've licensed theirs. Again, for me, the whole concept of wide publishing has always been important. It's another small revenue stream that's adding to my numerous revenue streams. So I guess that's how I've justified just licensing the voice. If someone's going to do something with my voice that I can't control, they can do it regardless of whether or not I put it out there myself. Jo: I agree with you. That could happen, and neither of us is famous enough that it's likely to happen anyway. I do quite like the idea of people using our voices, say, for other books for authors, because that would make sense—that's where we fit in the niche. I will rethink that, because I think it's interesting. I wanted to come back to print books. You said sometimes there are easier ways to line your pockets, and I think that's funny. So, getting into the book, this leapt out at me quite near the beginning: Why do we keep doing this when the maths almost never adds up? Mark: Oh, I have a perfect example of that from an event I did a couple of weekends ago in Burlington, Ontario. I think it was a $60 table fee. It was a new event. I believe I made $90 or $95 in sales. So even after the costs of printing and all that stuff, I really didn't make money. I made my table back, which is always a good thing. There were a few encounters I had with people who were really excited to find my Canadian Werewolf series of books, and just so thrilled to get started. Among the four of them, they bought one copy, but they were going to pass it amongst each other. You know what? Okay, they bought a single copy, and I was like, “Well, the e-book is permanently free online. You don't even have to buy a copy”—which is anti-selling. I just want them to read the book and enjoy it. But if they read it and pass it along and start talking about it, they could become readers for a long time. It's an eight-book series, with the ninth book coming out later this year. There was another encounter I had that day. A woman and her teenage daughter came in, and they were looking at my traditionally published books that I buy at a reduced price from a local bookstore and resell. They were looking at these true ghost story books I had, and they were pointing: “Do you have that one?” “Yes, I have this one, I have that one.” And the mother's like, “Well, she collects all your books, and she wants to make sure she has them.” We had this conversation, and she was so excited to meet me in person and to get a signed copy of the book. That experience was such a vanity moment for me as an author. We're lonely. I'm a big loser. Nobody's buying my books. We're always down on ourselves. So that investment of time and energy, in order to get that little pat on the back or that feeling of, “Wow, I really connected with someone who likes my stuff”—those moments are really precious. They're difficult to explain if you only look at the world in a financial way. I guess I'm fortunate enough that I do have enough income from numerous streams, including the consulting I do part-time, that it's okay if not every bookish endeavour leads to more money in my pocket at the end of the day. I can still have these authentic connections with people, which I think is one of the reasons I'm a storyteller. Yes, it's the stories I have to tell, but it's also putting the story into somebody else's hands and eyes and heart and mind. Jo: You're very giving like that. You have that sense about you, whereas I'm just a curmudgeon in the corner. Mark: That is not true. Jo: It is, generally. I don't do events like you do for readers. Mark: But that's because it takes a lot out of you. Jo: Yes, but that doesn't matter. Why do I write? I write for me. Mark: Ah, very good. Jo: At the end of the day—just being entirely selfish about this—when people say, “Oh, if you won the lottery, what would you do?” I'm like, “Well, I'd do pretty much what I'm doing now.” Mark: Yes, I'd just do the same. Of course, I'd write more books. Jo: I'd write more books. So this is where I'm trying to get to for people as well: measuring success in a different way. You were talking about measuring success by how that girl loved your books, and how you feel when someone says they love your books. With Bones of the Deep, this thriller I've just done, I feel like I had the benefit of that book before anyone even read it. As soon as it was finished, I made a nice proof copy from BookVault, and I held it in my hand and said, “I made this. I'm proud of the story, I wrote the story, and it's outside my head now.” I feel like I'm creatively satisfied in that moment. Then, of course, the Kickstarter was great, and I love that the books are going out around the world, but— I think the happiest I felt was that moment of finishing—that creative satisfaction of holding the book in my hand. You know what I mean? Mark: 100%, Jo. I cannot agree with you enough. I love so many aspects of writing. Yes, the connection with people is amazing. But I often say this when I'm doing my one-on-one consulting with authors: focus on the projects that mean the most to you, those passion projects. The process of writing, and the painful rewriting and editing and all the things you go through—when you finish that book, like you said, you hold it in your hands and it is a thing of beauty. It's a huge achievement. You've won. Whether or not you sell a single copy, you've won by doing it. Everything else is gravy: the sales, the money in your pocket or not, the reviews, positive or not, the people who say, “Oh my God, Bones of the Deep, thank you for writing this book. I'm so glad you introduced this into the world and into my life.” Anything beyond the creation itself, which is a pure joy—I love it so much. It's just why I get up at 5:30 every morning and write for hours before the rest of my day begins. I try to get stuff done before the rest of the world wakes up. I want to get the writing done first, when I have the most energy to give myself to the page. Then the rest of the day is kind of gravy for me too. Jo: You talk there about giving yourself to the page, but in Stark Realities— You talk about the fear of truly being seen. What do you mean by that, and how do you manage that feeling? Mark: For anyone who has written anything—fiction, non-fiction, memoir in particular, since it's a bit more closely tied to reality—it's exposing yourself to the world. I'll never forget an interview I did with Canadian science fiction author Julie E. Czerneda, who, before being a fiction writer, was writing biology textbooks, but her real passion was science fiction and fiction. When her first novel came out, she said, “It's like standing naked on the front lawn.” When you release a book, even a novel, people look at it and they're going to judge you and rate you. I remember early on, Jo—we knew each other through Twitter, I think, where we initially met, and then interacted with and finally met in person at London Book Fair. I think you and I have a very similar reaction. When people know us as positive and upbeat and out there helping authors in the community, and then they read our fiction, they go, “Well, Jo, you burned a nun alive on page one.” Or, “Mark, what kind of… they're drinking from the skulls of dead people? What the heck is going on with you two?” We are exposing parts of ourselves in our fiction and non-fiction. That's a fear I embrace, but also never get over, if that makes any sense. I write scary stories because I'm a big chicken. So maybe the entire process is just cheap therapy for me. Or not cheap, because it's an expensive pastime, isn't it? Jo: It certainly can be, but I agree. I struggle with fear of judgment still. I think it's also because we do this in public, which comes back to the financial side of things. We do a lot of this in public, and then people judge us on our author businesses too. You could look at Bones of the Deep, which was just on Kickstarter, and compare my Kickstarter to another author's Kickstarter for a fiction book, and judge one or the other person based on numbers. I feel like this is because you and I have done so much in public—for me, almost 20 years, and for you, like 40 years or whatever. Maybe 30 years. You look that old. Mark: Listen there, dearie. Get off my lawn. Jo: Yes, get off my lawn—with those skeletons you have on your lawn. Mark: Yes. They're no longer in my closet. Jo: They're not in your closet. I wonder if that also plays a part of it—the pros and cons of doing this business in public. Mark: Yes, that is a part of it. One thing I try to be very clear about, because there's so much FOMO and so much out there about people thinking that everyone else is making a million dollars from their books and “I'm the only loser who's not”—I try to be clear that I have never made more than a mid-five figures as an author from my author earnings, ever. I haven't yet hit six figures. One of the reasons I try to be transparent in sharing that is I don't want people to think that everyone else is a six- and seven-figure success story, and they're the only one who's only made $100 last year on their books. The reality is, 90 to 99% of the people who are writing and publishing are not going to earn a significant amount of money. I realise I'm also very, very lucky that I've earned this much, and it's taken a long time. I just shared this in a Substack post I posted yesterday: it was 10 years of rejections before I got $5 for my first short story that was published in '92. It wasn't until 2001 that I finally made pro rate, six cents US a word, for a short story that, ironically, Julie Czerneda bought from me back in the day. For me, I've been lucky that it's always been a long, slow slog. It's been a marathon, and I've never instantly sprinted across any dramatic finish line. I've had some really phenomenal moments—doing a book signing in a Costco, walking into Walmart and seeing my books there. Even last night at the Burlington Public Library, going, “Wow, they have eight of my books here—four of my self-published books and four of my traditionally published books, in two different sections.” I was like, “That's kind of cool.” So I've had these amazing moments as a writer, but I've never had the blockbuster—the Brandon Sanderson, or even the Dungeon Crawler Carl, Matt Dinniman, kind of moments. I still think I've had a very fortunate and lucky journey. Even if I wasn't making the money I'm making, I'd still be writing, and I'm sure you would be too. Jo: Oh, yes, for sure. I actually think the thing most of us would probably let go is the marketing. If we won the lottery, we'd carry on with all the creative stuff, the writing, the community stuff, and we'd just literally do no marketing at all. Mark: Well, yes, of course. Or potentially say, “Oh, here, ad agency, here's some money. You just run it, whatever. Let me know if it works or not. I don't care.” Jo: That's a much better idea. Mark: At least I've got the extra disposable income, so I may as well, because I'm helping the world when my books are out there. I know my books will help people. I really honestly think that as storytellers—whether it's fiction or non-fiction, we're still storytellers—what we do in writing and podcasting and all the things we do, the re-sharing on social media, is really helping connect people. I think that is one of the most profound things we can do as writers. And I mean that the writing, in and of itself, is a reward. Jo: Like you said, we met on Twitter when Twitter was what it was back in the day. I do very, very little social media now. But you just mentioned your Substack, and you also have your podcast, Stark Reflections. So how are you balancing what you put on each? I only do this podcast now. I don't even blog. I write books, obviously, and then I do the podcast. So what are you doing differently on Substack to the podcast, and what part do they play in income and marketing? Mark: Great question. I realise most people have never heard of me, or read or listened to the things I put out into the world. And I've been a longtime fan of “reduce, reuse, recycle my IP.” My podcast is not as long-running as yours, but I'm in my ninth year, and I've not missed a single Friday in the full eight years, or eight and a half by now, that I've been doing this. Every week I reflect on what I learned from an interview, or I'll reflect on something you've posted and say, “This episode is not an interview, but Jo said this last week, and I'm going to talk about it.” The podcast itself takes a lot of work. I still do all of it myself, and I know I probably shouldn't, but I like doing it, so it's one of those tasks I enjoy. I also have reflections that aren't going to come out vocally but might come out in writing. Sometimes in the morning I'm not in the mood to write the novel or the non-fiction book I'm writing, but I'm writing some tangent. I just let the creative monster go. I find that re-sharing… I might have reflected on something for a couple of minutes at the end of an interview, but I really want to expand upon it, so I write the Substack article. I try to reuse some of that content. Someone's going to enjoy seeing it on a short video clip I share on YouTube, or whatever the platform is. Someone else is going to listen to it on a podcast, wherever they listen to podcasts, and someone else is going to want to read it. It could be the same information, just shared in a slightly different way, to potentially get it out to other people. So for me, it's part of that wide publishing mentality. I'm trying not to completely duplicate the work, although I am duplicating some of it. I'll give you an example. Hey, Canadian listeners—if you have not registered for Public Lending Right in Canada, please put something in your calendar for February 2027, because the deadline's over. It was May 1st of 2026. Put it in your calendar for next year. I even had somebody at this writers' event I was at this last weekend say, “You mentioned something in a presentation you did for the Canadian Authors Association about Public Lending Right, and thank you, because now I get thousands of dollars a year from this.” So just look up Public Lending Right. I've been saying stuff about Public Lending Right for at least 10 years now. Every time I get my beautiful multi-four-figure cheque from them in February every year, I post on social media and remind authors to check it out. I know it exists in the UK, and it exists in 36 countries in the world—just not the US. Jo: Not the US. Mark: They don't have a programme like this, probably because the big publishers—and probably one of the authors' associations—think that libraries are cannibalising book sales, which is not true. It's been proven time and time again, and that lobbying has prevented it from happening. Whereas here in Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Writers' Union of Canada worked hard to make this happen. Anyway, I talk about something like Public Lending Right and I feel like I must have said this so much that people are sick of it, but every single time I mention it, someone goes, “Oh my God, thanks for saying that. I never heard it.” That's a good reminder, especially for folks like you and me. We know the basics. We know what an ISBN is. We know KDP Select means you can't put the e-book on any other retailer, or even sell it on your own website. We know all these things, but it's hard for us to remember that there are folks coming to this for the very first time who've never heard it, even though we feel like, “Oh my God, I've said this till I'm blue in the face.” I think I got that from retail. When I worked in retail, I recognised that somebody's going to come in and ask for “that blue book that Reese Witherspoon was talking about,” or Oprah was talking about, or whatever. And you do your darn best to help them figure it out rather than mock them. I try to take the same approach when people ask me those questions, because I'm trying to remember what it was like when I honestly did not know the answer, and having someone take the time to help me. I've been very, very lucky that I've had a lot of people take the time to help me. I'll never forget—God rest her soul—Nancy Kilpatrick, a horror writer here from Canada who passed away a few years ago. She gave me a blurb for my very first book in 2004 because she'd acquired one of my short stories for an anthology she'd edited. I was trying to call my short story collection an anthology, and she very kindly took me aside and said, “It's not an anthology if it's a single author. An anthology is a…” Jo: I didn't know that until, like, last year. I got that wrong as well. There are lots of words like that. I want to circle back, because you didn't really answer earlier about the time management. You just mentioned YouTube, on top of Substack and all the things you do. You also have a day job at Draft2Digital—it's part-time, right? You also do part-time at the university, teaching publishing, right? You do all kinds of things. How do you manage your time with all of that? Mark: Well, I mismanage my time more than I manage it, Jo. That's the God's honest truth. Fortunately, most of the things I have that aren't scheduled—like, scheduled to do this lecture at this time, or scheduled to have this meeting at this particular time with Draft2Digital—most of my work is very flexible. I do not work a regular 9:00 to 5:00, Monday to Friday. Well, I never did. I always worked way more. But I have a very flexible schedule. Every single day is a work day, and every single day is a play day for me. So I'm very, very lucky. I do schedule in the very important things, particularly where somebody else is reliant upon me—meetings and connections and stuff like that. Then I make the time first thing in the morning to get the writing done. Everything else is not as important, and it's part of… I guess it's part of playing. You know, like the social media sharing. I don't look at social media as marketing. I just look at it as another way to connect with people, with other creatives, and with readers potentially, all six people who read my stuff. I probably could do a better job of managing my time. I've tried several times over the years to adapt processes to make it better, but I consistently default back to what I do, and so far I guess I've been getting away with it. So I was like, “Do I want to waste more time trying to come up with a process, or do I just want to roll with it?” Because so far I haven't killed myself doing it, and I've been enjoying the journey. So, if it ain't broke… Jo: I think that's the point, if it doesn't feel like it's broken. Having known you for a long time now, and we work together—obviously we co-wrote The Relaxed Author—you do work very, very differently to me. You definitely are a little bit more chaotic. I'm chaotic in some ways too. Mark: Oh, you're very generous. “A little bit chaotic.” Thanks. That was generous, Jo. Jo: You're chaotic in your work practices and scheduling and all that, which I couldn't cope with very well. Even though I feel like a part of my brain is very chaotic—the creative side, I guess, can be quite chaotic—I think I'm actually quite controlling and very scheduled in my work practices. As you say, for someone else on the outside, it might feel to me like you have too many balls in the air. But if you don't feel that, then that's the way of working that works for you. So this is another important thing, isn't it? You can't adapt to what other people say your life should look like. It's what feels good to you. Mark: Oh, for sure. One thing I know about my procrastination tendency is that panic and fear motivate me. So, a deadline—”I have to get this into a publisher by this date, I have to get this manuscript to an editor by that date”—I'm motivated by fear. And I'm afraid of everything, so I guess I'm always motivated. Jo: But I also know that when you hear the word “deadline”—and I know a lot of people who do this—the deadline means you get it in on the deadline, or the day before the deadline. To me, a deadline means I have it ready a month earlier. Mark: I love that. I've done that a few times and shocked myself. I actually had a pre-order up—with the audiobook, the print, and the e-book—a month in advance, and I didn't know what to do with myself. I was like, “Well, what am I going to do now in the next month?” Jo: Work on the next thing. Mark: But I'm so used to working on it up to the last second that I was kind of like, “What do I do?” That actually caught me by surprise, and I honestly felt weird. I was like, “I've never felt this before.” I'm really lucky. I know you have a very supportive and amazing partner, and so do I. My partner, scarily enough, is maybe a bigger procrastinator than me, so she never gives me a hard time. She supports me, and I do the same thing with her own work. I'm up all night with her at the last minute so we can get something turned in. So, fortunately, we really understand one another, and we don't give each other a hard time. We just go, “Well, got away with it again. I guess I'm not going to change my ways.” Jo: We made it. And again, that's the point. You and I could stand up in front of people, both hold up the last book we wrote, and say, “We made this,” and our processes are completely different. Our brains are completely different. We come from different countries. There are lots of things that are different, and yet we both made a book. So hopefully that encourages people. You don't have to do anything that we're telling you, or anyone else tells you. But if you want to be an author, at some point you have to produce a book. Mark: Exactly. As Brian in the classic Monty Python film gets them to say: “Yes, we are all different.” Embrace that difference. I think that's such a powerful reminder that there is no one process for getting anything done. Jo: Given that we co-wrote The Relaxed Author back in 2021—and we did that because we had another show, and we were talking, and we said, “Oh, everyone's stressed and the anxiety levels are really high, and we think there's a better path”—we co-wrote that book, which I think is still a very good book. Definitely people should get it. Interestingly, I think the stress and anxiety might actually be higher now than it was. So what do you think the main stresses are in the community now? You also see a lot with Draft2Digital, I guess, as well. Mark: Oh, for sure. Honestly, Jo, I'm so glad we wrote that book, because I actually pick it up every once in a while to remind myself of the things we tried to help others with. Again, it's therapy for me as well, so I'm so glad we did it. I think we're 10, if not 100, times more stressed. The world events and things going on, the divisiveness—not just in the world in general, in politics and everything else, but the divisiveness in the author community. The witch-hunting that happens, people trying to tear down other authors either because they're successful, or because, “Oh my God, you dared use a new technology.” All of these things are happening, and everyone's at one another's throats. I need to pick that book up and reread it. I'm a lot more stressed than I was. I'm just getting over shingles, which is… Jo: Oh. Which is actually related to stress as well, isn't it? Mark: It is, yes. I was in LA for Writers of the Future—I'm a judge for that science fiction and fantasy conference. I went right from LA, like a week in LA, which was a phenomenal experience getting to mentor the winners. And I mean, come on, it's a free trip to Hollywood, hanging out with Kevin Anderson, having beers and stuff like that. Then I came back to the Toronto Indie Author Conference, run by Tao Wong, here in Toronto. I went right from the airport—didn't even go home—straight to the hotel, because I kicked into another conference. We did a display on how to set up an in-person booth, so I ended up having to hand-bomb boxes, blocks down the street from where I was parked. My chest was really sore when I got home on the Monday, and I thought it was because I hadn't used these muscles, because I'm not in the best shape. Then I took my shirt off and went, “Oh, there's a rash there.” Liz goes, “You have shingles.” Because the pain in my chest, which I thought was the muscle, was actually underneath. I'm one of those lucky people that it's taken the full five weeks, and I'm still in pain even afterwards. So, again, public notice: if you're an older person like me, and there's a vaccine available for shingles, you may want to consider it. Jo: Yep, get it. Mark: Oh my God, it hurts. But, yes, the stress, I think, is higher—even though I didn't know I was feeling it. It was happy stress, right? I was stressed out because I'm there in Hollywood, helping people and doing some good things, and then I'm doing the same thing, interacting with some amazing authors at the Toronto Indie Author Conference. I didn't feel anxious stress. I was happy stress. Is that a thing? Jo: I think possibly… your physical body masks stress, physical stress, because you enjoy all of that stuff. Whereas someone like me, I'll feel it quicker and withdraw. Although I say that, back probably a decade ago, Jonathan would say to me, “You're going too fast, and you're going to hit the wall. And when you hit the wall, it's not going to be fun.” And I did hit the wall. Then, probably in 2021—I mean, that was when I just started going into menopause, and obviously we had the pandemic, and I wrote Pilgrimage, and I was doing all those walks, which I think really helped me. I learned a lot about maybe stopping that before it happened. Becca Syme obviously talks a lot about this too. But I find it interesting with you, because I think you're so positively happy with these events you do that it might mask your physical symptoms in a different way. That's really hard to watch out for. I'll give a tip to you and everyone else listening: schedule the calendar, and look at your calendar and go, “I can't go back-to-back-to-back. I have to put in some rest days.” Mark: Well, thank you. You know, Jo, you and Becca Syme are two of my best unpaid therapists. I appreciate that. Jo: You just don't listen, Mark. Mark: Or sometimes I do. Jo: Just coming back to the community, and the divisiveness there is primarily over AI at the moment, I think that's one of the biggest things. And the arbitrary lines as to what you're allowed to use it for and what you're not allowed to use it for, which is just kind of crazy. Obviously, you know I've opted out of that whole discussion now. How do you think we can move through this [divisiveness over AI], move on? We remember when it was trad versus indie, and then it was wide versus KU. So this will pass—it's just hard, when you're in it, to know when it might pass. Mark: Yes. I think the more generic advice—for whatever may come, whatever has come—is: why are you doing this? Why are you a writer? Heads down, focus on what gives you pleasure, and do that, because everything else is noise. All the marketing tactics and strategies, and all the people yelling at one another. Write your books. Do the things that motivate you. Do the things that give you that intrinsic reward. It's hard to ignore. I get it, it is hard to ignore. I have difficulty ignoring the haters and the yelling and the screaming that happens, but I do my best. Like this morning, when I was in the throes of my manuscript and I looked up and went, “Oh my God, I've got to shower. I'm going to be talking to Jo soon, I should comb my hair”—which I have none of. Because I was so in my book that everything else melted away. That, for me as a storyteller, as a writer, is one of the most beautiful places to be. Jo: I think you're absolutely right. I have a little thing that pops up in my calendar sometimes which says, “If you're feeling all of these things, just go create something.” The moment you refocus on creation—whatever that means to you—things change. It changes the energy. That, or go for a walk. That's my other tip. Mark: Outside. And I have to say, Jo, Pilgrimage is still one of the most profound and powerful books you've written, and you've written a lot of amazing ones. Jo: Oh, you're very sweet. Mark: That one really resonates, not just for me, but with Liz. Because one of the things we often do when we get stressed is go for a walk, ideally in nature. The vitamin N. I think there's something really profound in that, and it really helps me a lot. And again, sometimes going for a walk listening to your podcast, or an audiobook, or sometimes just attending to the environment. A tip I picked up years ago from Brooklyn author Denis Hamill was: go for a walk with your character. Listen to what they see. What do they comment on? How do they approach this environment that you've seen a million times? How do they see it? What do they notice that you don't notice? That's such an incredible experience of creativity—when you're not writing, but writing. That really helps me a lot. Jo: Oh, nice one. Okay, so your latest book is Stark Realities, but you have so many more. Where can people find you and your books and your podcast online? Mark: Jo, you can find everything you want to know about me—and stuff you don't want to know about me—over at MarkLeslie.ca. It links to all the other places from there. Jo: Brilliant. Thanks again for your time, Mark. That was great. Mark: Thanks so much, Jo. Bye-bye. The post Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset With Mark Leslie Lefebvre first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Iso Joe Johnson react to Giannis saying he doesn’t want to leave Milwaukee, OKC trades Aaron Wiggins to Hawks and Timberwolves set their market for Jaden McDaniels! Timeline:00:00 - Introduction04:30 - Giannis doesn’t want to leave Milwaukee 28:55 - OKC trading Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks39:00 - Timberwolves will only trade Jaden McDaniels for Nikola Jokic or Giannis (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Change begins softer. In this episode, Dr. Tarryn MacCarthy offers a powerful reminder for high-achieving healthcare professionals and women in dentistry carrying stress, pressure, and constant change. When something no longer feels right in your practice, body, relationships, team, or life, it is easy to meet that moment with shame, fear, or self-judgment. But what if that same moment could become the start of something better?Through honest stories from hiking, coaching, family life, and dental practice leadership, Dr. Tarryn shows how the lens you choose can shape what happens next. This episode brings a fresh look at burnout, leadership stress, work-life balance, and personal growth with more compassion, courage, and self-trust. Choose the lens that does not just move you forward, but makes you lighter as you rise.Show notes:(2:19) Choosing how you want to feel(6:16) Empowered versus disempowered thinking(8:09) The Vermont hike lesson(12:14) Change as a real opportunity(16:03) Team stress in dental practices(18:18) Courage to leave what no longer fits(26:14) Outro_______________________IMPORTANT LINKS:Empower Her Retreat:Dates: October 1–4, 2026Location: Taos, New MexicoWebsite: empowerherretreat.orgConnect with Dr. MacCarthy:Email: tarryn@drtarrynmaccarthy.comBook a call with Tarryn:https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/happiness-and-prosperity-strategy-callUnlock your inner peace and reclaim joy in your profession with the Nervous System Regulation For Dentists Course: https://www.thebizofhappiness.com/calmPlease join my Facebook group, Business Of Happiness Hive, so we can all take this journey to find fulfillment and happiness together. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2047152905700283Where to find me:Website: www.thebizofhappiness.comFacebook: facebook.com/thebusinessofhappinessIG: @thebizofhappinessIt would mean the world to me if you subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with your friends, co-workers, and families. This will help the trajectory of this podcast and allow others who are seeking true happiness to find the podcast.

In this episode of All Rise, Abdu Murray sits down with Bethel McGrew for a wide-ranging conversation about why Jesus continues to haunt the modern imagination.  From Jordan Peterson, Tom Holland, and Bart Ehrman to Michael Jackson, populism, AI, beauty, and the crisis of trust in our institutions, the conversation explores why Christianity keeps reappearing at the center of our cultural questions—and why the Gospels still speak with such surprising power.  Keep up with Bethel through her Substack at https://www.furtherup.net/ or X/Twitter https://x.com/BMcGrewvy.     Learn about Abdu's urgent new book, Fake ID: How AI and Identity Ideology Are Collapsing Reality—And What to Do About It (David C Cook, 2026) at https://realitycollapsebook.com/.   

From the Vault: Episode 22 of The Dave Durand Show. Growth always comes with challenges. In this episode, Dave discusses the growing pains we must embrace in order to develop as leaders, professionals, and individuals. Plus, listener Q&A.

How to Stop Fear is the key to unlocking your true potential. In this motivational speech, we delve into the common barriers fear creates and how you can break through them to achieve greatness. Whether you struggle with self-doubt, anxiety, or hesitation, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical steps to transform your mindset. Join us as we explore inspiring stories and empowering techniques that can change your life forever. Are you ready to face your fears and step into your power? Listen now and embark on a journey towards fearless living! #motivation #fearless #selfimprovement #courage #mindset #inspiration #overcomingfear #personaldevelopment #success #growth how to stop fear, motivational speech, overcoming fear, fearless living, embrace courage, self improvement, motivational content, personal growth, inspiration, mindset change, fear and anxiety, transform your life, unlock your potential, take action, confidence building, success mindset, dealing with fear, overcome self doubt, motivation for life, life changing advice, positive thinking, achieve greatness, fear management, face your fears, mental strength, bold living, empowerment, motivational speaker, inner strength, growth mindset, inspire others, resilience, self help, courageous living, breakthrough fear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is practicing music hard? Why aren't you making more progress than you think you should? There's a mindset skill that is essential to understand and embrace before any other tips or approaches will have any effect on you getting better and better at music. If you enjoyed this, please give it a rating and review on the podcast app of your choice.  You can find all episodes of this podcast at https://www.davidlanemusic.com/toolkit You can follow David Lane AND the Musician Toolkit podcast on Facebook @DavidMLaneMusic, on Instagram and TikTok @DavidLaneMusic, and on YouTube @davidlanemusic1

We live in a world of earning and deserving. Promotions come to those who perform. Favour goes to those with the right background. But grace—true grace—operates by a completely different economy. It seeks out the undeserving and pulls them to the table.From 2 Samuel 9, Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the remarkable story of Mephibosheth, a crippled outcast brought to eat at King David's table as one of his own sons. In this obscure Old Testament story lives the clearest picture of how God's grace works.See yourself in Mephibosheth. Embrace the grace God extends to you freely, and enjoy the life available to those who sit at His table!

Today's story contains mention of self-destructive ideation, and self harm. Please listen at your own discretion.When a friend drags Jay to his first pride event, he has to come to terms with aspects about himself and his dark past.Today's story is the first of two parts of “The Embrace” by Lou le Loup, a biologist and internet wolf who writes in his free time as a hobby. He posts his work to his Furaffinity.Read by Carrizo, Your Coyote in the Court.thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google PodcastsIf you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.https://thevoice.dog/episode/the-embrace-by-lou-le-loup-part-1-of-2

We live in a world of earning and deserving. Promotions come to those who perform. Favor goes to those with the right background. But grace—true grace—operates by a completely different economy. It seeks out the undeserving and pulls them to the table.From 2 Samuel 9, Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the remarkable story of Mephibosheth, a crippled outcast brought to eat at King David's table as one of his own sons. In this obscure Old Testament story lives the clearest picture of how God's grace works.See yourself in Mephibosheth. Embrace the grace God extends to you freely, and enjoy the life available to those who sit at His table! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/82/29?v=20251111

Travis continues in Summer at Embrace with a closer look at the story of Mary & Martha and anxiety.#iamembraceEmbrace is one church, made up of multiple campuses and network churches. We exist to relentlessly reach the next person for Jesus.Give Herehttps://www.iamembrace.com/giveStay ConnectedWebsite: iamembrace.comEmbrace Church Facebook: facebook.com/iamembraceEmbrace Church Instagram: instagram.com/iamembraceAdam Weber YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adamaweberAdam Weber Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adamaweberAdam Weber Instagram: instagram.com/adamaweber

"You are not just an ordinary person. You are an anointed member of the body of Christ." — Bishop Ray Willis Are you living a subnormal Christian life while waiting for a move of God? Bishop Ray Willis delivers a powerful, challenging, and humorous message on the true identity and authority of the believer. Discover why the Church is the most powerful entity on earth and how to stop sitting on the sidelines and start demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in your everyday life. +++++++ You can find our service times on our website: https://www.anctally.com/ You can find sermon highlights on Twitter here: https://x.com/allnationstally

Watch Pastor Dale this week as he continues our series, One Book 2026: Galatians. In this week's message, Dale talks about how we have the freedom to embrace our truest identity as a Child of God and a Person of Worth.

Embrace your calling to the ministry of reconciliation.

Proclaiming His Excellencies '28: Embrace Risky Evangelism (Luke 5:1-11) Sam Download

The cross-national correlation between gender equality and lower fertility is exceptionally strong (r ≈ 0.81). After the 1960s, a unique mating regime spread across parts of the world—with female emancipation, individual mate choice, and effective birth control—followed by a continuing rise in singlehood and declining fertility. Almost all women still want to reproduce, but many struggle to find a good-enough partner. This article argues from an evolutionary perspective that many men's utility to “free women” has been so diminished that solving the fertility crisis by increasing pair-bonding rates seems unfeasible. A viable means for aiding the survival of low-fertility nations could be to provide women with the economic and social resources necessary for them to conclude that having children alone makes for a better life than remaining childless. Such policies would likely exacerbate male marginalization, but new technologies are on the horizon that could offer men reproductive equality.

2 Samuel 9:1–13 We live in a world of earning and deserving. Promotions come to those who perform. Favor goes to those with the right background. But grace—true grace—operates by a completely different economy. It seeks out the undeserving and pulls them to the table. From 2 Samuel 9, Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the remarkable story of Mephibosheth, a crippled outcast brought to eat at King David's table as one of his own sons. In this obscure Old Testament story lives the clearest picture of how God's grace works. See yourself in Mephibosheth. Embrace the grace God extends to you freely, and enjoy the life available to those who sit at His table!

In Part 2 of this bold and unfiltered conversation, Eve welcomes back Cidney Green for a deep dive into kink exploration, fetish psychology, ethical non-monogamy, BDSM, fantasy versus reality, communication, consent, and sexuality. Cidney Green, creator of the viral “Pussy Over Pain” movement and author of All 3 In Me, shares raw insights on phone sex, fetish stigma, healing through BDSM, open relationships, jealousy, threesomes, and the role of honest communication in creating healthy, fulfilling intimate relationships. One of the most powerful moments in this episode is a role-play in which Eve and Cidney demonstrate how a couple might navigate a conversation about ethical non-monogamy and the possibility of inviting a third person into their relationship or bedroom. Through this realistic example, they model healthy communication, curiosity, boundary-setting, consent, emotional safety, and how to discuss fantasies without judgment. Rather than promoting any particular relationship structure, the conversation highlights that consensual non-monogamy, open relationships, and threesomes can be approached ethically when all parties communicate openly and enthusiastically consent. In this episode, you'll learn about: • BDSM and fetish exploration• Fetish psychology and kink stigma• Ethical non-monogamy, open relationships, and polyamory• How to talk to your partner about a threesome• Introducing a third partner into a relationship• Relationship communication and emotional safety• Consent, boundaries, and negotiation skills• Sexual empowerment and pleasure• Women's pleasure and orgasm equality• Fantasy versus reality in sexuality• Healing, growth, and self-discovery through intimacy If you're interested in sex education, ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, threesomes, kink, BDSM, relationship communication, sexual wellness, consent, body positivity, and authentic conversations about pleasure, this episode is for you. Connect with Guest:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecidneygInstagram: @thecidneyg website: all3inme | Discover Liberation Today — Explore, Embrace, Empower ASN Lifestyle Magazine Awards – Best EducatorVote for Eve Website: Please Me! Podcast WebsiteSubstack: Please Me! SubstackPatreon: Please Me! Patreon The code for cakes now for 10% off is Cakes-PLEASEME 30-Day Self Pleasure & Body Reconnection PracticesDownload the Free Practices Sexual Longevity ProtocolSexual Longevity Protocol Affiliate Deals & Partners:Sexual Wellness Deals & Resources Shameless Care Parlor Games SDC.com Lady Pump Share your story or expertise on relationships, sexual health, and personal growth:Be a Guest on Please Me! Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We live in a world of earning and deserving. Promotions come to those who perform. Favour goes to those with the right background. But grace—true grace—operates by a completely different economy. It seeks out the undeserving and pulls them to the table.From 2 Samuel 9, Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the remarkable story of Mephibosheth, a crippled outcast brought to eat at King David's table as one of his own sons. In this obscure Old Testament story lives the clearest picture of how God's grace works.See yourself in Mephibosheth. Embrace the grace God extends to you freely, and enjoy the life available to those who sit at His table!

2 Samuel 9:1–13 We live in a world of earning and deserving. Promotions come to those who perform. Favor goes to those with the right background. But grace—true grace—operates by a completely different economy. It seeks out the undeserving and pulls them to the table. From 2 Samuel 9, Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the remarkable story of Mephibosheth, a crippled outcast brought to eat at King David's table as one of his own sons. In this obscure Old Testament story lives the clearest picture of how God's grace works. See yourself in Mephibosheth. Embrace the grace God extends to you freely, and enjoy the life available to those who sit at His table!

The Journey of a C10 Blazer Enthusiast: From Passion to Performance In the world of custom cars, few stories resonate as deeply as that of David Carroll and his C10 Blazer. For many, cars are more than just a mode of transportation; they are a passion, a hobby, and often, a way of life. In this blog post, we will dive into David's journey, exploring how his early experiences with cars shaped his love for square bodies and led him to create a pro-touring autocross machine. From Childhood Dreams to Car Culture David's fascination with vehicles began at a young age, influenced heavily by his father, a boat racer in the late sixties and early seventies. Growing up in Morgan Hill, California, David spent countless hours in the garage with his dad, learning the ins and outs of engines and mechanics. "I grew up with go-karts and dirt bikes... I was outside in the dirt behind a wheel somewhere," he recalls, establishing a foundation for his lifelong love of speed and engineering. As a child, he was captivated by older V8 engines, particularly flatheads, thanks to his neighbor Mike Sanders, a retired mechanic. David's early exposure to classic cars, including a family owned C30 dually, helped solidify his passion. His fond memories of driving a square body to school, where he was known for giving rides to friends, further deepened his connection to these iconic vehicles. The Blazer: A Dream Project David's journey took a significant turn when he discovered a C10 Blazer that he envisioned transforming into a high-performance vehicle. But before that transformation could begin, he had to navigate his sentimental attachment to the vehicles of his past. "There's a truck when I was growing up that my dad had at the boat shop. I want to find that truck," David shared, showcasing the emotional ties that often accompany classic car enthusiasts. After purchasing the C10 Blazer in July 2020, David's goal was clear: to convert it into a versatile machine that could handle everything from family outings to racing events. He aimed for a balance between a beach cruiser and a performance vehicle. "I wanted it to be user-friendly, super versatile," he explained, highlighting the practicality that often drives car modifications. The Transformation ProcessThe initial steps of transforming his Blazer involved a thorough restoration. David decided to remove the camo paint job that covered the original okra white color, revealing the vehicle's true identity. However, as he delved into the project, he discovered more rust than anticipated, leading to a full repaint and replacement of body panels. Every decision David made was rooted in his desire to honor the vehicle's history while enhancing its performance. Working closely with experts at No Limit Engineering, David opted for a combination of bolt-ons and a K5 four-wheel drive frame, ensuring that his Blazer could not only look stunning but also perform exceptionally. His dedication paid off when he debuted the vehicle at a local show, despite not having completed all the upgrades. This event marked a pivotal moment in his journey, igniting a snowball effect of passion and determination. The Thrill of Autocross One of the most thrilling aspects of David's journey has been participating in autocross events. The thrill of taking his modified Blazer around the track, pushing its limits, and experiencing the performance firsthand has become a key part of his automotive journey. "I wanted to be able to race with it... I want to go to power tour, I want to go to LS Fest," he stated, underscoring his commitment to integrating racing into his automotive lifestyle. David's story is not just about the cars; it's about the community and connections he has forged along the way. From fellow enthusiasts to industry experts, these relationships have influenced his journey and driven him to continue pushing the boundaries of what his Blazer can achieve. Key Takeaways for Automotive Enthusiasts 1. **Follow Your Passion:** David's journey underscores the importance of pursuing what you love. Whether it's restoring a classic car or building a performance machine, passion fuels creativity and success. 2. **Embrace the Process:** Restoration projects can uncover unexpected challenges, but embracing the journey is part of the fun. Each step brings new learning opportunities, enriching your experience. 3. **Community Matters:** Engaging with fellow enthusiasts and industry experts can provide support, knowledge, and inspiration. Share your journey and learn from others who share your passion. 4. **Be Versatile:** Whether you're building a family-friendly vehicle or a high-performance racer, versatility is key. Consider how your vehicle will be used and adapt accordingly. Conclusion David Carroll's journey with his C10 Blazer is a testament to the passion and dedication of automotive enthusiasts. From early childhood memories to racing aspirations, his story inspires anyone interested in cars. As he continues to refine and enhance his vehicle, David serves as a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination. For more insights and stories from the automotive world, keep following our blog. Want to dive deeper into the world of classic cars? Check out our related posts on restoration tips and performance upgrades!

I am moving to Pennsylvania after over 20 years in Virginia. The process has taught me a few things about my relationship with stuff, asking for help, and the memories that are in us. Today I'm sharing the top five things I've learned about decluttering while moving. Resources Mentioned: Join your local Buy Nothing group Related Episodes: Episode 189: Unmotivated to Declutter? Try the Move-Out and Vacation Declutter Methods to Make Progress Faster Episode 126: Drowning in Toys? Embrace a “Borrow, Don't Buy” Mentality by Using Toy Libraries - with Lisa Bourven from The Toy Nest Episode 11: Holding onto EVERYTHING Sentimental? 3 Decluttering Hacks you HAVE to Try *** I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Contact - > info@simplebyemmy.com  Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/ Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm   *** Don't Know Where to Start? *** 5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/ 5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/ Get podcast playlists for decluttering mindset, tactical decluttering tips, ADHD, getting kids & family on board, and more! https://www.listennotes.com/@momsovercomingoverwhelm/playlists/ Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you! Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (coming soon- Pittsburgh, PA)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme

Do you ever wish you could fast forward your life through the hard parts just to get to the good stuff? In this episode of The Art of Living Big, Betsy reminds us that getting forged during the tough times is actually part of our reclamation. Skipping over that part would be a disservice to our growth, resilience and strength. Maybe that is where the saying ‘no pain, no gain’ came from? Enjoy the listen and embrace the process:) Transcript:  Welcome to The Art of Living Big, where we explore how to live intentionally and with more joy. I’m Betsy P, your host, master, coach, and creator of the Navigate Method. Here to help you listen in to your true desires, elevate your standards, and live life to the fullest. Now, let’s go live big. Hi, everyone. Welcome to the show today. I have been doing… I, I’ve been on w- I’ve been on what I call a podcast tour. So I have been on a podcast tour where I am guests on people’s podcasts. I’ll be sharing those so you can listen if you’re interested, but it’s been really fun. We’ve had dozens of them scheduled, and I have been doing, , it feels like a podcast a day. I did one yesterday. I did one this morning, early this morning. And so as I’ve been doing that, there has been something that’s been coming up, and I thought, “You know what? This keeps coming up in all these conversations, and I feel like it’s a really good conversation to have together here on the show.” And I think even if you are , if you’re listening , and you’re thinking like, “I’m single,” or, “I’m happily married,” this, the… I, wanna say it like this, like the, root of what I’m saying can kind of overlap lots of situations even though the dynamic that I’m gonna explain it in is gonna be about your marriage, okay? With a- w- your partnership, your relationship, whatever that looks like. And I’m gonna try and relate back to other things just so you can kinda see how this overlays lots of things, as, as things do. You know? Nothing is in a vacuum, as they say. So one of the things that keeps coming up in these conversations is about what I hear from so many women, and it is that they know that they would like to leave their husband. And they say like, “If, if you could just wave a magic wand. , I just wanna be down the street in my apartment and settled and be through this thing. I don’t wanna have to actually go through this thing. I just wanna be done with it.” And I hear this over and over and over again, and I have said this. I have said this so many times in my journal. When I look back in my journals, it’s, it, , there is c- so often, like these exact words. , “I am so clear that I don’t wanna be here. I’m so clear that this feels terrible, and I don’t wanna go through what I have to go through in order to get to where I wanna be. And if I could just snap my fingers and be there, then absolutely that is what I would do.” And I think, you know, I think this process is hard. Any time you are moving from one place to another place that you wanna be, whether it’s a big move, leaving a relationship, changing your career, it is hard. And being in the middle of it is hard, and deciding you’re gonna step into what you know is gonna be like a little hurricane before you get to where you wanna go is really hard But what I realized when I started hearing this repeatedly is that there is something underneath that wish. There is something that’s really important, and I want to talk about that. You guys have … You may have heard me talk about this earlier in the year, but on January 1st of this year, I woke up and I was, I was mad. I was I woke up, like, big mad, and I don’t ever wake up mad. , I don’t wanna say ever, never, ’cause I did one day on January 1st, but I, I That is not a typical thing. Like, I’m pretty, , springy out of bed and happy-go-lucky. But this year, I woke up and I was mad. And I woke up mad and I thought, “This is really weird,” because I love, , the, the beginning of a week, the first of a month. Give me the beginning of a year, , I’m like, fresh starts. Like, I love all that stuff, you know? I love setting goals and I love, like, all, of what n- New Year’s means. And so it was weird to me that I felt so angry, and the first thing I thought was that I was mad at my former husband. And that was a weird feeling, because I don’t really think about him. And I realized that I was The, the feeling felt so im- , urgent. It felt very urgent, and my instinct really was, like, it’s the first of the year. I have the day off. There’s a lot to celebrate. I need to just put this aside. Like, brush it asi- you know how we do., I’m gonna focus on other things. And then I thought, “No, no, no. Let me sit. I wanna get, I wanna get big, big mad. I wanna figure this out. , Why is this at my doorstep?” And so I sat. Like you may know, I have my, my thinking chair. And so I sat in my chair and I thought about it, and I thought about it, and I let myself feel it, all the places it was in my body, where it was settling, h- what it felt to me like it looked like, like, how the weight of it, like, all the things. And after some time of noodling through what was actually happening, I realized something. It was that I wasn’t mad at him. I was mad at me. I was mad at all those times, all those different circumstances where I should have stood up for myself, where I should have risen from my seat and said, “No more,” and walked away, where I should have said something and I didn’t. And what I recognized after some time was that in each of those situations that I was mad at And that morning, it just, all these instances came into my mind, and what I realized was that each version of me in those situations I was remembering, that version of me that stayed in that difficult situation, was a version of me that was adapting and changing. And she wasn’t always adapting and changing to my detriment. You know, when I, thought back of all these instances, and I was… I thought, “I’m mad at him for this, and I’m mad at him for that, and I’m mad at him,” and I realized I was mad at me for not standing up and leaving. I was mad at me for allowing someone to treat me that way. And when I really sat with it, I realized that I was growing into the version of me who could finally choose herself. And when it was finally time to leave, the version of myself that was resolute and clear and ready for what was next was forged because of those moments. She didn’t stay longer because she was unable. She stayed longer because she ne- needed to be fortified to be able to make a different choice. You know, th- just like you in your marriage or at your work or whatever it is that you’re going through, there are so many moments, you know, when, when you think like, “I knew something wasn’t right. Like, I felt it. I had the knowing, but I didn’t act on it.” And I think that is what had made me so mad on January 1st. I was mad at all the moments that I had the knowing and I didn’t do anything. But it really changed everything when I got this different perspective, that those moments, those versions of me that stayed even though I knew something was wrong, they weren’t weak. It was me adapting. It was me gathering evidence. It was me becoming a version of myself that would eventually be the version of myself that sits here now. So when I felt the anger on January 1st, I,, I was angry at all the places where I had the knowing and didn’t act But those versions of me weren’t weak, they were adapting. . We think of adapting like it’s something that happens to us, like it’s defeat. But adaptation can actually be one of the most powerful things that you can do as a human. It is how we survive. It is, it is how we evolve. It is how we become whoever we need to be for the next moment. And I want you to think about the different versions of yourself. You know, not the versions that people see, the versions that you know about. You know, the versions of you that maybe knew something was wrong, but didn’t have the language for it yet. I found this in my marriage, that having the language for things made really complicated, hurtful experiences make more sense. Language is so important, and I think there is a version of you that likely didn’t believe that you deserved better, right? There’s a version of you that rationalized and minimized and made excuses. There is a version of you that people-pleased so close to the sun that you disappeared a little bit every single day. Do you see what I’m saying? Those versions of you aren’t, failures. They’re like … It’s like a way station, ? They’re the place where you had to learn something, where you gathered a whole bunch of evidence, and where you built the muscle of knowing that something didn’t feel right, even when you weren’t ready to act on it. I think that distinction is really important, because we can know something but still not be ready to act on it, and that is an okay place to be. What’s important is that we are honest with ourselves about our knowing. And every single one of those versions of you are necessary. , Every single moment of, staying small, every single moment of adaptation, , every single moment of where you knew but didn’t act is really important, because they led somewhere. So I couldn’t have gotten to the place that I got without being in the place that I was. That version of me, I feel like I’m kinda going around the horse a million times, but that version of me was made up of all those other versions, right? She was the accumulated learning of a woman who had tried everything else, and she was the resolved version of someone who had finally, gotten to the point where staying was more painful than leaving. And that is the thing that I think women are missing when they say, “I just wanna be divorced without going through the process.” And I understand, , I get it, the process is hard, but the process is also what makes you strong. The process is what forges you. And, you know, when I, when I say that, I think about, like, pottery. You know, like real pottery. When a potter makes a piece of pottery, a bowl or a cup, they don’t just decide it’s gonna be a bowl and then it’s a bowl. They have to work with the clay. ? They do that thing on the wheel like in Ghost, right? They, have to feel places where it’s too thick and it’s too thin, and sometimes they have to squish it all down and remake it and start over. And then you have to be really careful and take it into a kiln, right? Where it’s, , thousands of degrees, and the heat is what makes it hard. It’s the heat that actually… I mean, the, it’s the pressure that gives it the shape, but it’s, the heat of it that makes it strong So going through that process, like I don’t wanna go through it, that’s, it’s, it is the reclamation. It’s the good part. It feels bad, but it is the part that is making you into the version of you that is the beautiful piece of pottery. And if you’ve been wondering about your marriage for a long time, or a big decision for a long time, if you’re someone who has felt the knowing and not acted on it yet, or if you have been waiting for permission to leave, or waiting for something else to happen, or if you’re somebody who’s, , in the process right now, and you’re in the middle of it, and it is hard, I want you to know that every version of you that adapted, every version of you that stayed through something hard, that was you becoming something. That was you gathering evidence. That was you building the strength and the clarity that you would have what you needed for what came next. And, , I think about this sometime as I’m making this decision to move. , It’s hard. There’s a lot of things that I’m weighing. There’s things that I never even thought were important until I got to the place where I had to decide. There are versions of me that I have imagined that I’m not sure if they’ll exist in one place or the other. And so I know that going through a move, like I don’t wanna pack, I don’t wanna… All of that is what it’s gonna take to get to the other side. The expense, the, struggle, the hard work of doing it. Now, remarkably, it is remarkably easier than leaving a long-term partnership. But in so many ways it’s similar. But what I’ve learned, and what you learn when you go through any hard thing, it’s that if you could just have waved a magic wand and gotten through it, you wouldn’t be somebody who could sustain it. You’d, be a different person, and not the kind of person who could be on the other side. I know that I’ve gotta go through making this hard decision on whether to move or not, which I know is a very small thing, but it feels big. It feels big. And I’m not so much worried about making a right or wrong decision, but I am worried about all the work it’s gonna take to get to wherever I wanna go. And I know that when I go through that, I will know myself better, I will learn more about myself, I will know that I can survive minor inconveniences and hard things, and that I can make a decision, and I can stick with that decision, and that I can have a voice, and I can do things that I wanna do. And that is the process. That’s what the process gives you, and that’s what going through it creates for you. So if you have been in the wanting to leave but not in the processing place right now, “I wanna leave, but I don’t wanna go through the process of leaving,” I want you to know something. The process, it isn’t punishment. It’s, it’s not a tax that you have to pay to get to the other side. It is a process that is the thing that makes you. It is the thing that takes all of those other versions of you, all of those other moments of staying small, and gathering, and knowing, and it turns them into something unbreakable. You’re not weak for having stayed. You’re strong because you stayed. You’re strong because you learned, and you’re strong because you finally got to the point where you were ready And so if you’re in that right now, and you’re tired, and you’re scared, and you’re grieving, I want you to know that you are being forged. Every hard conversation that you show up to, every piece of paperwork, every moment where you have to be stronger than you thought you could be, that is the pottery wheel. That’s the kiln. That’s where you becoming the version of yourself that can build a new life is being forged. So you already know this on some level. You already know that you just can’t skip ahead over the hard parts. I wish we could and end up on the other side unchanged. I remember saying to my sister, “I don’t want this to change me. I don’t want to be changed.” And she said, “You already are.” And I thought, “Oh, so true.” Maybe going through the hard part is a way of reclaiming ourselves. You already know that becoming someone new takes time, and heat, and pressure. And you already know that the strength that you’re gonna have on the other side of this is something that you have to earn. And I want you to listen to that knowing. I want you to trust it. And I think when you can do that, that is how you live a big life. Thanks so much for being here with me this week. I love you guys so much. I will see you next week Thanks for joining me on The Art of Living Big. I hope today’s episode sparked something within you, maybe pushed you to dream a little bit bigger and live a little larger. Don’t forget to subscribe. Leave us a review and share this podcast with someone you know who might need a little inspiration today. You can find me over on Instagram at Betsy Pake and on my YouTube channel. Remember, the world is vast. Your potential is endless, and your life, it’s yours to shape. Until next time, keep reaching, keep exploring, and keep living big.

Embrace the energy of the solstice cycle change to realign your spirit and steps. In this session, Robyn Benelli shares a Reiki Journey designed to help you pause, listen, gather, and update your intentions with inner honesty. Discover how whole-body listening and automatic writing activate your divine mind, heart mind, and gut mind to reveal your life-giving path forward. Key Insights The Power of the Grounded Pause: Taking a moment to step out of daily pressure creates a sacred space for your true wisdom to rise. Activating Reiki during a pause shifts you out of striving and opens you to receive love and guidance. Activating Your Multiple Minds: True alignment occurs when you listen on a deeper level across your whole self. Activating your divine mind, head mind, heart mind, gut mind, and earth mind synchronizes your intuition and intellect, allowing you to process life experiences with massive clarity. Information in Every Experience: Every aspect of your journey carries valuable data for your soul's evolution. Inspiration, resistance, delays, fatigue, and joy are all filled with information that helps you understand exactly what you need and what you are ready for right now. Updating Intention as Alignment: Your dreams naturally grow stronger when they include your current truth and respect your present capacity. Updating your intention releases old, mismatched pressures and delivers a life-giving, honest path forward that matches your timeline. People Also Ask, FAQ What is the Pause, Listen, Gather, and Move Forward Reiki method? It is a structured Reiki practice that can be done as a deep journey or quickly on the fly. By pausing to activate Reiki, listening with your whole body, gathering wisdom from your experiences, and updating your intentions, you can confidently choose an honest next step aligned with your current capacity. How do you use automatic writing during a Reiki journey? Automatic writing is a practice where you activate the Reiki flow and allow questions or guidance to stream through your pen without analytical filtering. It serves as a beautiful tool during the "listening" and "gathering" phases to capture the quiet, authentic truth of your energy and your guides. Why is updating an intention considered an act of alignment in Reiki? Because you are a completely different person now than you were at the beginning of a cycle. Updating your intention allows your goals to evolve alongside your personal growth, ensuring that your path remains grounded, honest, and perfectly matched to your current capacity and true timing. Connect with Robyn and Colleen Website: https://reikilifestyle.com Podcast: https://reikilifestyle.com/podcast/ Community: Join our next Distance Reiki Share: https://reikilifestyle.com/reiki-share/ **DISCLAIMER** This episode is not a substitute for seeking professional medical care but is offered for relaxation and stress reduction, which supports the body's natural healing capabilities. Reiki is a complement to and never a replacement for professional medical care. Colleen and Robyn are not licensed professional healthcare providers and urge you to always seek out the appropriate physical and mental help professional healthcare providers may offer. Results vary by individual.

Destiny has come: After being officially crowned the hardest hardcore band of all time in our official tournament bracket… We're finally joined by the great Pete Morcey, vocalist of 100 DEMONS for a long form, sit-down interview.We're ALSO joined by special guest co-host Dan Seely of King Nine, for his historic 5th full-length appearance on a HardLore episode.We start from the beginning of Pete's nearly 40 year musical career, from making the “definitive American oi record” in Forced Reality, spearheading heavy hardcore in Connecticut with Higher Force, joining 100 Demons and writing the iconic self-titled record, his dark folk masterpiece that is Murmur's The Boundless Black, all the way to now singing for Blood For Blood, and making 100 Demons' first record in 22 years, Embrace the Black Light.Thanks to Pete, Dan, and the Detroit Masonic Temple for having us.__________HardLore: A Knotfest Series, fueled by Monster Energy.Edited by Steven Grise (https://www.instagram.com/iamonenineseven/) • Title sequence by Nicholas Marzluf (https://www.instagram.com/marzluf/)• Join the HARDLORE PATREON to watch every single weekly episode early and ad-free, alongside exclusive monthly episodes: https://patreon.com/hardlorepod • Join the HARDLORE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/jA9rppggef • Get 10% off GUILTY PARTY site-wide with code HARDLORE and grab some of our favorite clothing brands of all time: https://www.guiltyparty.co/ • Get 10% off MILLS VINTAGE site-wide with code HARDLORE: https://www.millsvintageusa.com/• Get tickets for LOUDER THAN LIFE Festival! Can't wait to see you all there: https://louderthanlifefestival.com/.________________00:00:00 - Start00:01:22 - Pete Morcey00:02:51 - Finding Punk & Hardcore in Connecticut00:17:50 - FORCED REALITY, Pete's First Band, Defining American Oi!00:14:28 - Jocko Willink & The Connecticut Skinhead Crew00:29:00 - Forced Reality S/T & Tours00:33:22 - Sean Martin00:34:57 - HIGHER FORCE, Connecticut's First HARD Band00:39:42 - Higher Force's Very Confusing Discography00:43:08 - Pete Morcey: Classically Trained Opera Singer00:48:00 - The End of Higher Force & Beginning of 100 DEMONS00:51:50 - Morcey's Restaurant & The Tuna Pita00:54:00 - Pardon this interruption…00:57:03 - The Lost Higher Force LP00:59:27 - 100 DEMONS - Self-Titled01:08:36 - His Fathers Son to Cold Wind of the Crossroads01:14:50 - Recording New 100 Demons after 22 Years01:21:00 - Larry Dwyer's Cinnamon Challenge01:24:24 - Growing as a Vocalist & Lyricist01:31:17 - Pete's Haunted House01:37:35 - A Visit From Bo01:46:55 - Joining Blood for Blood01:54:50 - MURMUR (Pete's Masterpiece)02:03:24 - IG! And the IGfits!02:10:13 - Pete's Most Personal Creative Endeavor02:20:55 - Top 4 Hardcore Records

Today's show should be bookmarked as the only economic message conservatives should give to young voters. America's affordability crisis didn't happen by accident. Decades of government intervention, Federal Reserve manipulation, corporate favoritism, and monopoly creation have transformed America into a stagflationary economy where young people can no longer afford homes, health care, education, or family formation. Why are housing prices at historic highs? Why is health care becoming unattainable? Why are wages failing to keep pace with inflation? And why do both political parties seem incapable of addressing the root causes? I argue that government-created monopolies, asset bubbles, artificial stock market inflation, foreign labor preferences, and crony capitalism have concentrated wealth while hollowing out the middle class. I lay out a vision and message for restoring true market competition, affordability, and economic opportunity before an entire generation turns toward socialism or worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blair shares what stuck in his mind about marketing success from listening to a recent podcast interview with Rory Sutherland on Liam Curley's Undisputed Authority.   Links "Embrace the Marketing Mess" article by Blair Enns for winwithoutpitching.com Rory Sutherland podcast interview on Liam Curley's Undisputed Authority

Andrea and Master Mingtong Gu talk about why stress does not just go away because you understand it. When fear, pressure, and old survival patterns stay active too long, they settle into the body and begin to feel normal. Their conversation opens up a different path, one rooted in energy, qigong, presence, and the move from contraction into flow.   If stress keeps pulling you back into the same internal state, this episode offers a way to think about healing that is less about forcing and more about changing what your body has learned to hold. ✨ Learn more about Master Mingtong Gu: https://chicenter.com/Recorded: May 11th, 2026Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Stress Lives in the Body01:04 - Meet Master Mingtong Gu02:19 - Qigong vs Tai Chi Explained04:26 - Everything Is Energy07:44 - Three Kinds of Practice08:38 - Awareness Connection Union11:21 - Body as the Gateway11:46 - Guided Meditation16:16 - Listening to Discomfort18:46 - Embrace the Discomfort25:35 - Movement as Meditation27:08 - Open Energy Gently28:13 - Spine Mobility 29:17 - Hips and Repetition30:43 - From Healing to Connection31:33 - Healing Without Fixation on Outcomes34:30 - Embodied Awakening Purpose36:27 - Intention Into Practice38:11 - Practice in the Modern World40:17 - Empaths and Energy Labels44:47 -  Coming Home to Embodied Awakening Book48:08 - Self Healing Anywhere48:57 - Programs and Farewell✨ Meet Andrea in July at Omega! ✨Our event is: Radical Rest Reset --Restore Sleep, Energy & Inner BalanceWith Jillian Pransky, Andrea Kennedy, Tom Francescott, and Robert Moss. Check it out here: https://www.eomega.org/workshops/radical-rest-resetAndrea's Links: https://beacons.ai/andrea_kennedyAndrea's Reiki Business Success Course:https://www.mainstreamreiki.com/reiki-business-success-courseVisit our websiteVisit our Amazon Shop  Sponsored by The Mainstream Reiki Community https://members.mainstreamreiki.com/HealthyLine offers revolutionary PEMF  and far-infrared mats. Get 10% off and free shipping in the continental US with code "Mainstream10FS". What Resonates? is produced by Twisted Spur MediaAndrea may earn money through Amazon for qualifying purchases.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program do not  reflect those of the podcast or anyone affiliated with its production. This program is presented for entertainment purposes only. The utilization of the information provided is at the listener's own discretion.

Are hormones really just about hot flashes and libido?In this eye-opening episode of the Wise Divine Women Podcast, Dana Irvine sits down with functional medicine practitioner, yoga instructor, and menopause educator Cindy Dupuie to discuss one of the most important—and misunderstood—topics in women's health: hormone replacement therapy, bone health, brain health, and aging well.Cindy shares her personal journey into early menopause at age 43 and how her experience led her to become passionate about helping women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Together, Dana and Cindy explore the evolving science around hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the lasting impact of the Women's Health Initiative study, and why so many women are still struggling to access informed care today. In this conversation, you'll learn:✨ Why estrogen affects every organ system in the body✨ The connection between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and gut health✨ How hormone health influences bone density, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function✨ Why osteoporosis prevention must start before symptoms appear✨ The importance of strength training, protein, and lifestyle habits during menopause✨ Common misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy✨ How to become a stronger advocate for your own health care✨ Why women need to understand their lab work and ask better questions✨ The role of functional and integrative practitioners in supporting healthy aging✨ How community and education empower women through menopause and beyondDana and Cindy also discuss the importance of personalized care, looking beyond symptoms, and creating a strong foundation through nutrition, movement, stress management, sleep, and hormone balance.Instagram @cindy_dupuie https://www.instagram.com/cindy_dupuie/Website alivingbalance.net https://alivingbalance.netYouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@alivingbalanceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdupuie/Course: Grace In Transition for Women Of A Certain Age https://alivingbalance.net/course/Download Lab Checklist for The Pause Years https://mailchi.mp/ec838eef0e74/lab-checklistTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to women's health, menopause, and hormonal balance02:00 - Cindy's journey from dietetics to functional medicine for women's wellness05:00 - How estrogen impacts cell function and overall health08:00 - The gap in conventional hormone management practices11:00 - The Dutch Test and hormone monitoring innovations14:00 - The critical connection between gut health and hormones17:00 - Why HRT is like the “icing on the cake” in a foundation of health20:00 - Navigating conversations with healthcare providers about hormone therapy23:00 - The importance of baseline blood tests for preventative health26:00 - The impact of hormones on bone density and osteoporosis risk30:00 - Common barriers in accessing hormone care in the U.S. and Canada33:00 - Strategies for women over 60 to maintain vitality and independence37:00 - The role of lifestyle factors (stress, sleep, exercise) in hormonal and bone health41:00 - Key lab markers to assess bone health and inflammation44:00 - The importance of multifaceted approaches: diet, sleep, stress, and hormones48:00 - Community programs and online courses for women of a certain age“Take a breath and stay curious” — Embrace continuous learning and compassionate advocacy for your health.

In this Ask George episode, we tackle the ultimate debate in dental practice ownership: have you built a highly profitable business, or just a high-paying job? Dr. George Hariri breaks down the reality of "key man risk," proving that if your office relies on your personal clinical energy to generate revenue, you are acting as an employee. For a future owner, making the shift to CEO requires mastering advanced dental practice management so your team performs efficiently without your oversight.This ultimate survival guide for mastering dental practice ownership shows you exactly how to shift from a stressful owner-driven clinical model to an autonomous, team-driven powerhouse. To achieve sustainable dental practice growth, implement KPI accountability:Missed Call Rate: Track front office metrics to capture inbound leads.Reactive Retention: Consistently monitor your overdue recare efforts.Proactive Retention: Push daily hygiene reappointments past a 90% target.To cement your dental practice ownership, delegate case acceptance entirely. When hygienists are calibrated to co-diagnose, they educate patients before you arrive, massively boosting dental practice profitability. We also highlight why the associate to owner transition fails without an Office Manager handling HR and payroll, ensuring scaling does not create more work. Embrace entrepreneurship for dentists by building systems that leverage your team's time.Ready to take the next step in your dental practice journey? Visit https://sharedpractices.com to learn more about our Buyer Representation and Coaching services, designed to help dentists buy, grow, and optimize profitable practices. You can also use our Free Look to evaluate dental practice opportunities with real data before making a decision. For daily Dental Moneyball insights, strategy tips, and updates, follow us across our social channels.

The inimitable Milo gives us his unique rant on how he turned ex-gay, how the Trump movement lost its mojo, and why an unhinged Candace Owens is the best Candace Owens and the only hope for America right now. (2:02) Damnatio Memoriae(4:51) Turning to Faith(6:32) Waking Up to Hell(9:08) God Implanted in Everyone(10:50) Epistemological Crisis(13:00) Catholicism as Western Defense(16:08) The Case of Candace Owens(22:25) Candace as Anointed(28:23) MAGA's Original Sin(33:31) What Was It All For?(37:44) Trump Didn't Think He'd Win(44:20) America's Best and Worst(47:02) Embrace the Iconoclasts If you’re tired of broken healthcare you need to choose the right pharmacy. Check them out at allfamilypharmacy.com/dinesh and use code DINESH10 to save 10% off your next order. Leave the old “buy and hold” crypto strategy behind at https://DineshCrypto.com ! Purchase crypto with military grade encryption and American customer service. Hundreds of crypto holders have saved MILLIONS thanks to BlockTrustIRA’s Animus AI. Visit https://DineshCrypto.com and receive up to $2,500 in FREE bonus crypto! America has nearly 39 trillion dollars in debt! Are you protected from this pending disaster? Go to http://DineshGold.com and get up to 10% in bonus gold or silver. I’m on substack! Check out what I have to say here: https://dineshdsouza.substack.com/ For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial (706) 262-4774 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/dinesh" Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Dinesh D'Souza is an author and filmmaker. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he was a senior domestic policy analyst in the Reagan administration. He also served as a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is the author of many bestselling books, including "Illiberal Education," "What's So Great About Christianity," "America: Imagine a World Without Her," "The Roots of Obama's Rage," "Death of a Nation," and "United States of Socialism." His documentary films "2016: Obama's America," "America," "Hillary's America," "Death of a Nation," and "Trump Card" are among the highest-grossing political documentaries of all time. He and his wife Debbie are also executive producers of the acclaimed feature film "Infidel." — Want to connect with Dinesh D'Souza online for more hard-hitting analysis of current events in America? Here’s how: Get Dinesh unfiltered, uncensored and unchained on Locals: https://dinesh.locals.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsouzadinesh Twitter: https://twitter.com/dineshdsouza Rumble: https://rumble.com/dineshdsouza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dineshjdsouzaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer explores how to trust life even when it breaks your heart. She talks about grief, healing, and trust following the loss of her son and father. Rosemerry shares how her daily poetry practice and spiritual teachings helped her navigate profound loss, embracing both sorrow and joy. She discusses her book All the Honey, the power of acceptance, and the mantra “adjust.” Rosemerry also discusses how openness, love, and small daily practices can support us through life's darkest moments. Have you ever ended the day feeling like your choices didn't quite match the person you wanted to be? Maybe you slipped into autopilot, or self-doubt made it harder to stick to your goals. If so, The Six Saboteurs of Self-Control can help you recognize the hidden patterns that quietly derail your progress and offers simple, effective strategies to move past them. If you're ready to take back control and make meaningful, lasting change, download your free copy at oneyoufeed.net/ebook. Key Takeaways: Exploration of grief and its complexities following profound loss. The healing process and the importance of trust in navigating emotional pain. The role of poetry in expressing and processing human emotions. Discussion of the parable of the two wolves and its relevance to personal struggles. The interplay of joy and sorrow in life and art, as reflected in Rosemarie's poetry. The significance of acceptance and openness in facing life's challenges. Personal stories illustrating moments of beauty amid grief. The concept of emotional triggers and their role in fostering mindfulness. The importance of asking reflective questions to guide daily actions and decisions. Strategies for integrating spiritual practices into everyday life to support emotional well-being. For full show notes:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this conversation with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, check out these other episodes: ⁠How to Embrace Life's Paradoxes with Rosemerry Wahtola-Trommer⁠ ⁠How to Embrace the Sacredness of Everyday Life with Mirabai Starr⁠ By purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed, and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you! This episode is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brodo Broth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Shop the best broth on the planet with Brodo.  Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brodo.com/TOYF⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 20% off your first subscription order and use code TOYF for an additional $10 off. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Refresh your wardrobe with Quince by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. ⁠⁠Shopify⁠⁠ – The commerce platform that helps you build, grow, and manage your business all in one place. Start your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠shopify.com/feed.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠David Protein⁠⁠ bars deliver up to 28g of protein for just 150 calories—without sacrificing taste! For a limited time, our listeners can receive this special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to ⁠⁠www.davidprotein.com/FEED⁠⁠ ⁠Alma⁠ has a directory of 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Visit ⁠helloalma.com⁠ to learn more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aura Frames⁠⁠⁠⁠: Named #1 by Wirecutter, you can save on the gifts moms love by visiting AuraFrames.com. For a limited time, listeners can get 25 dollars off their best-selling Carver Mat frame with code FEED. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Rocket Money⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at ⁠⁠⁠⁠rocketmoney.com/feed⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Taskrabbit:⁠⁠⁠⁠ When life happens, your to-do list grows. Get ahead of it now and get fifteen dollars off your first task at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Taskrabbit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on the Taskrabbit app using promo code FEED. Taskers book up fast, especially for same-day tasks, so book trusted home help today. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hello Fresh⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices