Podcasts about Employment

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Wsz-rgYJeTgCatch Jonathan on tour in Australia As the Middle East enters another moment of acute tension — with one of Trump's advisers saying there is a “90% chance we see kinetic action in the next few weeks” — Yonit speaks with Barak Ravid, diplomatic correspondent for Axios and Channel 12, about what is happening now and what Donald Trump may be weighing as events continue to unfold. From geopolitics to technology, Yonit is then joined by Noreena Hertz — academic, economist, and bestselling author — for a conversation about the future of jobs in the age of AI, why women may be particularly vulnerable to unemployment, and how these technological shifts are exacerbating antisemitism. Plus: a sports edition of Mensch and Chutzpah — crossing borders and disciplines, from American and European arenas to stories that run from basketball courts to bobsleigh tracks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In January of 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") voted to rescind its Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace, an over-200-page document from the Biden-era EEOC that aimed to interpret what constitutes "workplace harassment" under federal law. But what does it mean that this guidance has been removed? Is harassment  now lawful? Are things that were considered to be harassment no longer illegal? How should  workplaces navigate future harassment claims without this guide?   Employment attorneys Mary Charlton and Chad Ayers respond to these crucial questions that many employers are now grappling with. Mary and Chad provide background on the EEOC's role in the federal government, then explain what this removal will look like in practice and how  organizations can best navigate this new landscape.  Tune in to hear Mary and Chad explore:  How the guidance helped to determine what constitutes "workplace harassment"  Who is most affected by the lack of this resource  How the withdrawal of the guidance was highly unorthodox  How Illinois law's protections and requirements can help offset the rescinded federal interpretations  What steps employers can take to avoid harassment claims in the absence of this guidance  The EEOC's actions have left employers and employees alike with a lack of clarity surrounding harassment law. Drop in on Mary and Chad's conversation if you'd like to know how your business can move forward in this new uncertainty.  Stay Connected and Learn More  Read Mary and Chad's blog, "The EEOC Just Retracted Its Harassment Guidance. Does That Mean Guardrails on Workplace Harassment Are Now Gone?"  Mary Charlton  Chad Ayers The Prinz Law Firm

In this episode of Just Compensation, Megan Monson and Amy C. Schwind discuss legal considerations regarding commission payment, covering the key components of commission plans. They advise against ambiguity in plans by suggesting employers prepare clear, written commission plans that define eligibility, earning criteria, calculation, and payment timing while complying with state wage-and-hour and tax laws. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Amy C. Schwind, Senior Counsel, Employment

The Gavel Podcast is the official podcast of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc., and is dedicated to keeping you updated on the operations of the Legion of Honor and connecting you to stories from our brotherhood. To find out more from the Fraternity, you can always check out our website at www.sigmanu.org. Also consider following us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | FlickrHave feedback or a question about this episode? Want to submit an idea for a future topic you'd like to see covered? Contact the Gavel Podcast team at news@sigmanu.org. Hosts for this EpisodeChristopher Brenton - Beta Tau Chapter (North Carolina State) Alumnus and Sigma Nu Fraternity's Director of CommunicationsTodd Denson - Lambda Lambda Chapter (Nicholls State) Alumnus and Sigma Nu Fraternity's Director of Alumni Advisory ProgramsGuest for this EpisodeJason Dooley - Iota Pi Chapter (Kennesaw State) Alumnus and Division Commander for the Southeast Alpha DivisionJamison Keller - Lambda Chi Chapter (Cal State San Bernardino) Alumnus and Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Georgia TechChris Graham - Zeta Psi Chapter (Lamar) Alumnus and Division Commander for the South Central DivisionDr. Sean Killion - Mu Pi Chapter (Jefferson) Alumnus and Division Commander for the Northeast Beta DivisionBill Geddy - Theta Kappa Chapter (Georgia Southern) Alumnus and Division Commander for the Southeast Beta DivisionEpisode ReferencesAlumni Best Practices Library - A compendium of chapter best practices across a number of different categories of operations impacting alumni volunteers.Best Practices Library - A compendium of chapter best practices across a number of different categories of operations impacting collegiate chapters and officers.General ResourcesProspective Member Referral - Do you know a young man who would be an ideal candidate for Sigma Nu? Please submit a membership referral.Employment and Staff Hiring Resources - If you are interested in learning more about working for the Fraternity as a consultant. Please visit the employment webpage for resources and access to the position application. The application deadlines are October 15 and March 1. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Contact Scott Smith at scott.smith@sigmanu.org for more information.Become a Volunteer - Learn more and take the next steps to become a volunteer for the Fraternity.Establish or Serve an Alumni Chapter - Learn more about how to help establish and maintain an Alumni Chapter.Organize an Alumni Club - Learn more about how to become engaged with or set up an Alumni Club.Donate to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation - Give a gift to help advance the Fraternity's honorable Mission.

Self Created Valuation Boosts Apple Announces new Podcast push AI – A breakdown Playing them like a fiddle – Warner Brothers PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Warm-Up - A NEW CTP just announced - China releasing new AI models - AI - A breakdown - we are on overload - Big Employment news.... Markets - Self Created Valuation Boosts - Apple Announces new Podcast push - Playing them like a fiddle - Warner Brothers Quick Note - Going to rip up the playbook on something this week on TDI Podcast. Anyone who owns an annuity should listen to what is about to come on next Sundays show.....  No Agenda... Olympics - Anything to discuss? MONEY FOR ALL - The average tax refund is 10.9% higher so far this season, compared to about the same point in 2025, according to early filing data from the IRS. - The 2026 tax season opened Jan. 26, and the average refund amount was $2,290 as of Feb. 6, up from $2,065 about one year prior, the IRS reported Friday night. - As of Feb. 6, the total amount refunded was more than $16.9 billion, up 1.9% compared to last year, according to the IRS release. That figure reflects current-year returns only. - This is partly because there were excess-witholdings from last year on the rules changed and paycheck withholdings were not adjusted. This is a one time situation.. Emplyment - 4.3% - "Better" than expected payrolls number - A major revision was released last Wednesday. Overall 2025 job growth was much weaker than initially reported. The total net change for the full year 2025 was revised down from +584,000 jobs to just +181,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted) — an average of only about 15,000 jobs added per month instead of ~49,000. This made 2025 one of the weakest years for job creation in recent non-recession periods. - Employment levels were consistently overstated throughout 2025 by roughly 800,000 to over 1 million jobs, peaking around mid-year. For example: By March 2025, the level was revised down by 898,000. By December 2025 (preliminary), down by 1,029,000. - Monthly changes were also adjusted downward in most cases (e.g., August's originally reported -26,000 became a larger loss of -70,000; September's +108,000 became +76,000). - The revisions reflect normal annual benchmarking, but this one was unusually large (larger than the typical 0.2% average over the prior decade), likely due to factors like overestimation of business births or other data mismatches. - In short, the data reveals that the U.S. labor market in 2025 was significantly softer than the monthly headlines suggested at the time — job growth was overstated by a substantial margin, painting a picture of a much weaker employment picture for the year. AI Updates - While U.S. markets have been focused on the impact of Anthropic and Altruist's tools on software and financial services, China's tech giants have released AI models this week that have shown advancements in robotics and video generation. - Google is reporting that China's AI models are just MONTHS behind western models - However - is this progress? In a video demo, Alibaba showed a robot with pincers for hands that appeared to be able to count oranges, pick them up and place them in a basket. It was also shown taking milk out of a fridge. - Alibaba on Monday unveiled a new artificial intelligence model Qwen 3.5 designed to execute complex tasks independently, with big improvements in performance and cost that the Chinese tech giant claims beat major U.S. rival models on several benchmarks. - Zhipu AI — which trades as Knowledge Atlas Technology in Hong Kong said the model approaches Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.5 in coding benchmarks while surpassing Google's Gemini 3 Pro on some tests. - Shares of MiniMax also jumped Thursday after it launched its updated M2.5 open-source model with enhanced AI agent tools. Grok Update - Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, has been gaining ground in the U.S. over the past months, data showed, even as it draws global censure and regulatory scrutiny after being used to generate a wave of non-consensual sexualized images of women and minors. - U.S. market share of the tool rose to 17.8% last month from 14% in December, and 1.9% in January 2025, according to data from research firm Apptopia. - Men are still the largest % users of Grok ~ 78% (down from 89% in April 2025) AI Market Share - ChatGPT's share slumped to 52.9% last month from 80.9% in January last year, while Gemini's grew to 29.4% from 17.3% over the same period. AI Market Share InfoGrapic and AI Understanding - Have we gone through this? - At its core, AI is technology that lets machines perform tasks that normally require human intelligence — things like understanding language, recognizing images, making decisions, or solving problems. - Modern AI (especially since ~2022) is dominated by machine learning — systems that learn patterns from huge amounts of data instead of being explicitly programmed rule-by-rule. - Inference is the "using" or "applying" phase of AI — when a trained model takes new input and produces an output / prediction / answer. Contrast with training (the "learning" phase): ------ Training ? Like a student studying for years: very compute-heavy, expensive, done once (or rarely) on massive servers/GPUs, adjusts billions of parameters based on examples. ------ Inference ? Like the student taking a test or doing their job: much faster, cheaper, runs on your phone/laptop/cloud, uses the fixed knowledge from training to respond instantly. - gentic AI takes regular AI (like chat models) to the next level: instead of just answering questions or generating text, these systems act autonomously to achieve goals with minimal human help. "Agentic" comes from "agency" — the ability to make decisions, plan, use tools, take actions, adapt, and even learn from results — like a smart digital employee rather than just a smart answer machine. AI Infographic Last AI Item - A shortage of memory chips is hammering profits, derailing corporate plans, and inflating price tags on various products, with the crunch expected to get worse. - The fundamental reason for the squeeze is the buildout of AI data centers, with companies like Alphabet and OpenAI buying up large shares of memory chip production, leaving consumer electronics producers fighting over a dwindling supply. - The resulting price spikes are causing concern, with some warning of "RAMmageddon" and others predicting that memory chip prices will go "parabolic", bringing lavish profits to some companies but painful prices to the rest of the electronics sector. Here is something: - Gallup will no longer track presidential approval ratings after nearly 90 years - Founded by George Gallup in 1935, the Washington, DC-based management company began tracking the president's job performance 88 years ago. - Gallup told USA TODAY it will no longer publish "favorability ratings of political figures," a decision it said "reflects an evolution in how Gallup focuses its public research and thought leadership." - Gallup said the ratings are now "widely produced, aggregated and interpreted, and no longer represent an area where Gallup can make its most distinctive contribution." - "Our commitment is to long-term, methodologically sound research on issues and conditions that shape people's lives," the company wrote, adding that its work will continue through the Gallup Poll Social Series, the Gallup Quarterly Business Review, the World Poll and more. - Seems like they are unable to SHAPE opinion due to social media etc.....? Apple Podcast Update - Big news! - Apple on Monday announced that it will bring a new integrated video podcast experience to Apple Podcasts this spring. - The move comes as video viewership continues to reshape podcasting. About 37% of people over age 12 watch video podcasts monthly, according to Edison Research. - The update brings Apple Podcasts more in-line with its competitors Spotify, YouTube and now Netflix, which have increasingly leaned into video podcasting. -“Twenty years ago, Apple helped take podcasting mainstream by adding podcasts to iTunes, and more than a decade ago, we introduced the dedicated Apple Podcasts app,” said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, in a statement. “ - By bringing a category-leading video experience to Apple Podcasts, we're putting creators in full control of their content and how they build their businesses, while making it easier than ever for audiences to listen to or watch podcasts.” M&A - Texas Instruments Inc. has reached an agreement to buy Silicon Laboratories Inc. for about $7.5 billion, deepening its exposure to several markets for chips. - Silicon Labs investors will receive $231 in cash for each share of the company's common stock and the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027. - The transaction still needs to win approval by investors in Silicon Labs and shares of Silicon Labs surged by 51% to $206.48 after the announcement. Inflation - This helps - PepsiCo, will cut prices on core brands such as Lay's and Doritos by up to 15% following a consumer backlash against several previous price hikes, the snacks and beverage maker said on Tuesday after it topped fourth-quarter results. Miran - Moving - Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran is leaving his post as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, CNBC has confirmed. - He joined the CEA in January 2025, but had been on leave from that post since last September when he filled the unexpired term of former Fed Governor Adriana Kugler.- He reamins on Fed board No Biggie???? - There are some astonishing cased being reported of Bad AI in the operating room - JNJ's TruDi Navigation System - Since AI was added to the device, the FDA has received unconfirmed reports of at least 100 malfunctions and adverse events. - At least 10 people were injured between late 2021 and November 2025, according to the reports. Most allegedly involved errors in which the TruDi Navigation System misinformed surgeons about the location of their instruments while they were using them inside patients' heads during operations. - Cerebrospinal fluid reportedly leaked from one patient's nose. In another reported case, a surgeon mistakenly punctured the base of a patient's skull. In two other cases, patients each allegedly suffered strokes after a major artery was accidentally injured. Cuba - The main airport has putt out a bulletin that they are out of Jet Fuel - Blackouts and lack of other fuels are creating big problems - No airlines have stopped running at this point, but many will as they cannot refuel - This is a bigger problem for cargo planes (supplies) that may not be able to risk flying to Cuba as they will not be able to get out. Dalio Warning -  Legendary investor Ray Dalio said on Tuesday the world was “on the brink” of a capital war. - He said central banks and sovereign wealth funds were already preparing for measures like foreign exchange and capital controls. - "When money is weaponized using measures like trade embargoes, blocking access to capital markets, or using ownership of debt as leverage." - “Capital, money, matters,” Dalio said Tuesday. “We're seeing capital controls … taking place all over the world today, and who will experience that is questionable. So, we are on the brink — that doesn't mean we are in [a capital war now], but it means that it's a logical concern.” - Could this be why gold and siver are being hoarded (physical assets over digital currency? - Is China's edict to banks to diversify away from US Treasuries a sign? Self Boosted Valuation - Waymo is aiming to raise about $16 billion in a financing-round that would value it at nearly $110 billion, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. - Alphabet would provide about $13 billion to the autonomous driving firm while the rest would come from investors including Sequoia Capital, DST Global and Dragoneer Investment Group, the report added. - Soooooo - Waymo is a unit of Alphabet.... Alphabet providing 80% of the funding that boosts valuations..... Hmmmmmmmm Warner Brothers -  Warner Bros Discovery Inc is considering reopening sale talks with Paramount Skydance Corp after receiving its amended offer. - The Warner Bros board is discussing whether Paramount could offer a path to a superior deal, which may ignite a second bidding war with Netflix Inc. - Paramount submitted amended terms that addressed several concerns, including covering a fee owed to Netflix and offering to backstop a Warner Bros debt refinancing. Economics Coming Up - Short Week - plenty of Reports - Wednesday - Durable Goods, Housing Starts, Industrial Production, FOMC Minutes - Thursday - Philly Fed, Initial Claims - Friday: PCE, Personal Income and Spending, GDP for Q4 (3.6%) ----- New Home Sales, UMich Feb Final   Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? ANNOUNCING THE THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN for CATERPILLAR Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt!     FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS   See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter

It's Q&A Wednesday—your questions drive the show. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff break down what's moving markets right now, key economic and Fed signals to watch this week, and the practical portfolio decisions that matter most (risk, allocations, income, taxes, and retirement timing). Drop your question in the live chatroom and we'll tackle as many as we can. Topics we often cover: market volatility & trend levels, rates/inflation, sector rotation, retirement income, tax strategy, ETFs vs. individual bonds, and avoiding emotional decision-making. Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Wrapping Earnings Season w Highest Revenue Growth Ever 4:38 - Markets Bounce off 100-DMA 6:47 - What's Next for Crude Oil & Energy Stocks? 9:40 - How Much Money is "Enough" to Retire On? 17:48 - Study: Coffee & Dementia 19:06 - Work Benefits vs Medicare 20:41 - Capital Allocation in Current Markets 23:19 - How to Plan for 2027 25:14 - Bloom Energy & Fuel Cell Tech 26:21 - Price Floor Effects on Trading, Employment & Metals 29:56 - Extended Car Warranty Pros & Cons 31:27 - How Much Trust in Forward Guidance? 32:55 - Is Palantir Over Sold? (Yes) 33:35 - Datacenter Rage vs Fiber Optics 35:00 - Corporate Stock Buy Backs vs AI Cap-Ex Spending 35:54 - Planning to Retire at 56 36:52 - Should You Wait Until 74 for Social Security? 39:09 - Market Rotation Velocity 40:28 - Coming Attractions ------- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/3xyx42x5s44 ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "Seasonality: Buy Signal And Investing Outcomes" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/seasonality-buy-signal-and-investing-outcomes/ "Technology Stocks: Dead Or An Opportunity?" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/technology-stocks-dead-or-an-opportunity/ ------- Watch our previous show, "Bank, Brokerage, or Corporate Trustee? (It's a Matter of Trust)," here: https://youtube.com/live/MU8qVbSiqxY?feature=share -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "1100-DMA Bounce: Range-Bound Markets & Energy Risk," is here: https://youtu.be/EJVtzKwAMG4 ------- Visit our E-book Library (no library card required!) https://realinvestmentadvice.com/ria-e-guide-library/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #SP500 #TechnicalAnalysis #MovingAverages #EnergyStocks #QandAWednesday #MarketOutlook #PortfolioRisk #RetirementPlanning #InvestingEducation

A controversial new bill making it easier for workers to be classified as contractors is now law. Barrister Mai Chen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Coles has been taken to court by the ACCC for ‘utterly misleading’ consumers on grocery prices. SEEK is putting its stake in Employment Hero up for sale… ending an eight year startup partnership right after their courtroom drama. Sushi Sushi has been snapped up by Japan’s Genki for $160 million, taking the humble Aussie hand roll global. _ Download the free app (App Store): http://bit.ly/FluxAppStore Download the free app (Google Play): http://bit.ly/FluxappGooglePlay Daily newsletter: https://bit.ly/fluxnewsletter Flux on Instagram: http://bit.ly/fluxinsta Flux on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flux.finance —- The content in this podcast reflects the views and opinions of the hosts, and is intended for personal and not commercial use. We do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, statement or other information provided or distributed in these episodes.__See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employment lawyer Patrick Dolan of Conti and Dolan joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss today's mixed job market, non-compete agreements, worker misclassification and take listener questions.

Irish critical infrastructure specialist, Turnua, has announced a new partnership with Future Academy to launch the Turnua Future Academy, a digital skills and innovation hub focused on developing AI and digital skills for enterprises and students alike. Based at Turnua's Critical Infrastructure Hub in Naas, County Kildare, the partnership is designed to give students and professionals practical experience in digital, AI, and innovation skills within a real-world infrastructure environment. The Turnua Future Academy is Turnua's innovation and capability hub, connecting students, small businesses, and large enterprises with future skills through real-world building rather than classroom learning. Delivered within Turnua's purpose-built Critical Infrastructure Hub, the project will support a range of programmes focused on practical learning and real-world application. These include hands-on innovation camps for Transition Year students as well as digital and AI workshops and readiness diagnostics for enterprises. This blended approach is designed to strengthen links between education, industry, and community, while ensuring learning remains grounded in current and emerging technology needs. For SMEs and enterprise teams, the Turnua Future Academy will deliver practical AI and digital build workshops designed to help organisations adopt modern technologies with confidence. These sessions focus on developing real outputs, such as digital tools, automations, and AI-powered solutions, created during guided, hands-on workshops. This is complemented by a Digital and AI Readiness Diagnostic, which supports business leaders in understanding digital maturity, identifying capability gaps, and developing a clear, actionable roadmap aligned to organisational goals. The Transition Year (TY) Innovation Build Camps will place students inside the type of environment where modern digital systems, AI workloads, and infrastructure are designed and operated. Working in teams, students will have the ability to share ideas, identify opportunities, build prototypes, and pitch their final concepts to community partners with the goal of developing confidence and practical capabilities. The TY programme is supported by engagement with businesses, who provide real-world challenges and act as project sponsors. A recent report from Microsoft and Trinity College Dublin estimates that AI adoption could add €250 billion to Ireland's GDP by 2035. However, the same report also highlighted a lack of expertise and uncertainty around structured deployment as key barriers to AI adoption in Ireland. Meanwhile, the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment has set an ambition for 75 percent of all businesses in Ireland to be using AI, cloud, and big data by 2030. The collaboration between Turnua and Future Academy will help address the country's AI skills shortages and better equip the Irish workforce, from students to seasoned professionals. Speaking about the partnership, David Cox, Founder and Managing Director of Turnua, said: "We are very excited to launch this programme in partnership with Future Academy. I am personally passionate about equipping younger generations to better navigate the digital landscape aligned with the future of work. The Turnua Future Academy brings us one step closer to bridging the digital skills gap in a modern Irish workforce." Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, added: "Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Ireland's homegrown entrepreneurs to succeed in global markets, and this includes a focus on boosting productivity and embracing the true potential of digital tools like AI. Turnua's partnership with Future Academy is a fantastic example of how Irish companies are proactively addressing digital skills needs by providing a hands-on environment for AI and digital transformation at their Naas hub. This partnership will support them to future-proof their own operations, while also providing an important resource for ...

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Brennan returns to the podcast to talk about heart-first leadership and what empathy looks like in action in higher education workplaces. Inspired by his article, “How To Be the Leader Everyone Actually Wants To Work For,” he shares several ways leaders can support overwhelmed teams and build psychological safety on campus. The conversation introduces the LASER method as a framework for listening to, acknowledging, and following up on concerns, offering higher ed professionals realistic strategies for improving morale, retention, and day-to-day team culture.

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this Quick Tip episode, Fiona explores a simple but powerful question: are we actually making time for creativity?From putting physical limits on phone scrolling to rethinking what we do with small pockets of time, this episode is a gentle reminder that creativity doesn't need hours, perfection, or big plans. Sometimes it just needs 15 minutes.Fiona shares practical ways to reclaim those moments, reduce friction, and make space for creativity, curiosity and calm in everyday life.You'll learn:Why stopping scrolling isn't enough without replacing it intentionallyHow 15 minutes, five times a week can change how you think and feelSimple, low-effort ways to bring creativity back into your routineHow to remove friction so creative habits actually stickA grounding listen for anyone feeling time-poor, overstimulated, or disconnected from their creative self.⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: hello@mydailybusiness.comWebsite: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:That Paper Joint collage classesGroup Coaching 2026AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️ Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️ Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA. We also love Descript. Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.

Ireland made a giant leap in the evolution of its space, innovation and advanced manufacturing ecosystem with the official launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, the country's first European Space Agency (ESA) Phi-Lab, headquartered at Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar. The new facility, run in collaboration with the AMBER Centre at Trinity College Dublin, is to be Ireland's national platform for space technology development, anchoring the country's ambitions within Europe's fast-growing space economy. The launch forms part of a wider national commitment to the European Space Agency, with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment committing €170 million in investment to ESA over the next five years. The establishment of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland in Mullingar represents a flagship element of that investment, translating policy ambition into tangible national infrastructure designed to accelerate space-enabled innovation, industrial competitiveness and high-value job creation. ESA Phi-Lab Ireland was formally launched by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, who unveiled a commemorative plaque at IMR's Advanced Manufacturing Lab. Produced using a space-grade additive manufactured material mounted on a local piece of 6,500-year-old Irish Bog Oak, the plaque heralds Ireland's formal entry into ESA's elite network of applied space-innovation centres, and reflects Ireland's growing role in shaping Europe's future space ambitions and technologies. ESA Phi-Lab Ireland forms part of the European Space Agency's Phi-Lab initiative, whose mission is to bring research closer to commercialisation by bridging disruptive research and commercial needs. In direct response to needs coming from the commercial world, the Phi-Lab Network matures technologies in advanced manufacturing, materials discovery, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics. These technologies have direct application across in-space and terrestrial manufacturing, agriculture, energy systems, climate innovation, and critical infrastructure, positioning the new Mullingar-based centre at the intersection of space research and real-world industrial impact. Speaking at the launch, Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR, described the new Phi-Lab as a defining moment for Ireland's innovation landscape. "Today marks a significant milestone in Ireland's space and innovation ambition. IMR is proud to lead the launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, establishing it as a national platform for space technology development. This facility positions Ireland at the forefront of European space-enabled innovation, where advanced manufacturing, AI and data-driven technologies can be developed, tested and commercialised for global impact. Ultimately, this is about translating world-class research into real economic and societal value." Minister Burke said the launch reflects Ireland's accelerating momentum within Europe's space and Deep Tech sectors. "ESA Phi-Lab Ireland strengthens Ireland's position, and the midlands region, as a hub for advanced research, innovation and high-value enterprise. It demonstrates our long-term commitment to supporting cutting-edge technologies that will drive competitiveness, create skilled jobs and deliver solutions to global challenges, from advanced manufacturing to industrial transformation. The Government's €170 million commitment to ESA over the next five years is about ensuring Ireland plays a leading role in Europe's space future." At the event, Minister Burke announced the first supported companies by ESA Phi-Lab Ireland – MBRYONICS and Ubotica Technologies – both having been selected from a highly-competitive Open Call last year. Minister Burke also announced the second Open Call for Proposals, which will continue to fund cutting-edge research in Irish industry across the entire life-cycle from materials discovery and testing to the scaled production of components optimised for the unique and challenging environment of space...

Youth skills NPO, Afrika Tikkun has sounded a new and chilling warning as it projects that nearly five million young South Africans will vanish. The organisation says, the youngsters will not be leaving the country, and they will not be going into hiding, but they will effectively "disappear" from our economy. These are the matriculants of 2025 and the graduates of years past who, after months of silence from employers, are finally giving up. They are slipping into the shadows of the "Not in Education, Employment, or Training" category, becoming economically invisible and socially disconnected. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Chief Operations Officer of Afrika Tikkun,Tiyani Mohlaba

Affordability in Vancouver has improved by roughly 37% from its 2023 peak. Monthly mortgage payments on an average home have fallen by about $1,500, dropping from roughly $5,600 to $4,100. That's a material shift, bringing affordability back to early-2022 levels. Historically, when affordability sat here, transaction volumes were meaningfully higher. While payments remain well above pre-pandemic norms, the direction of travel matters—and for buyers watching the market closely, this is the most constructive affordability backdrop in years.But beneath that surface improvement, cracks are forming. Developers—arguably the most forward-looking participants in housing—are pulling back sharply. Land sales, an early indicator of future housing supply, have collapsed well below historical norms. When developers stop buying land, it's rarely about today's headlines; it's a judgment call on whether prices, financing, and demand will justify risk years down the road. The implication is uncomfortable: fewer projects today guarantees tighter supply later, particularly as population growth and confidence eventually normalize.Employment data adds another layer of complexity. Canada's labor market is cooling, but not in the way past downturns looked. Job losses are emerging in traditional sectors, yet unemployment hasn't spiked because the workforce itself is shrinking—driven by retirements and slower population growth. That structural shift matters. Slower labor growth caps wage growth, which in turn limits housing demand over the long run. At the same time, uneven job creation across provinces may quietly redirect housing and rental demand to where employment is strongest.On the rental front, the story is finally turning for tenants. Asking rents have fallen for more than a year and recently hit multi-year lows, with Vancouver among the steepest declines. Yet even here, the rate of decline is slowing—hinting that rental markets may be approaching stabilization.Governments, facing slowing activity, are stepping in with incentives. Programs like Nova Scotia's ultra-low down payment initiative underscore a key theme of the episode: these policies are less a sign of strength than a response to economic fragility. They don't solve affordability at its root; they increase leverage in an already indebted system.Add rising home insurance costs—driven by aging housing stock and extreme weather—and the cost pressures on ownership and rental housing continue to build, even as headline prices soften.The takeaway is clear: today's market is defined by contradictions. Affordability is improving, but demand remains hesitant. Supply is being quietly choked off. Costs are shifting rather than disappearing. And interest rates, once the dominant force, may now be the least volatile variable.This episode isn't about calling a top or a bottom. It's about understanding where the next pressure points are forming—and why the decisions being made today may shape Canada's housing landscape for the next decade. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Interview recorded - 12th of February, 2026On this episode of the WTFinance podcast I had the pleasure of welcoming back Clive Thompson. Clive has experience in the wealth management industry & has a unique insight into central banks.During our conversation we spoke about the current economic outlook, bond market issues, precious metals boom, DOGE, physical precious metals and more. I hope you enjoy!0:00 - Introduction2:14 - Current economic outlook5:13 - Bond market issues7:40 - Precious metals boom16:35 - DOGE18:45 - Weak US employment24:03 - Employment disconnect26:12 - Universal income27:47 - Major precious metals top?34:10 - Precious metals ranging35:45 - Physical precious metals40:40 - One message to takeaway?Clive has 47 years of experience in finance & wealth management. This encompasses structuring and advice relating to quoted investments, Private Equity investments, family businesses, tax, residency, real estate, inheritance, Wills, legal, lending, Trusts, Companies and Foundations and all kinds of personal and private advice. He has been actively involved for decades in the arena of Trust structures. This often involved negotiating and discussing the contracts relating to the sale of family companies.Clive's latest position before retirement was as Managing Director in the Anglophone Private Clients Department of Union Bancaire Privée, UBP SA, based in Geneva. He was responsible for wealth management services provided to a small number of wealthy English and French speaking families.Clive continues to remain very active in the world of wealth, with a strong focus on Private Equity, and direct Equity Investing via the global stock markets. His passion is the financial analysis of Balance Sheets, P&Ls, Cash Flow and business projections. Clive loves examining business opportunities, like Private Equity, and digging into the fundamentals of quoted companies to achieve a market beating performance.Clive Thompson - YouTube - @clivethompson-jc9my LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-thompson-661997251/Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9aye4wQ8OkWTFinance - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wtfinancee/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/67rpmjG92PNBW0doLyPvfniTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wtfinance/id1554934665?uo=4Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnthonyFatseas

The dollar continues to lose value. What does this mean for your money? The Kraft-Heinz corporate split is on hold. Why is the food giant sticking together? Finally, the latest US jobs report was released this week. Why are the latest numbers high on hope?

The main topic with Dana Peffer of Sgt. Peffer's Cafe Italian was the games voters and the legislature are playing with minimum wage and the impact that has on small business owners.  All of the other annyoing questions I asked her had to do with dropping glasses, too-small plates, whether today's teens are good workers, and more.

Today, Ireland made a giant leap in the evolution of its space, innovation and advanced manufacturing ecosystem with the official launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, the country's first European Space Agency (ESA) 'Phi-Lab', headquartered at Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar. The new facility, run in collaboration with the AMBER Centre at Trinity College Dublin, is to be Ireland's national platform for space technology development, anchoring the country's ambitions within Europe's fast-growing space economy. The launch forms part of a wider national commitment to the European Space Agency, with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment committing €170 million in investment to ESA over the next five years. The establishment of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland in Mullingar represents a flagship element of that investment, translating policy ambition into tangible national infrastructure designed to accelerate space-enabled innovation, industrial competitiveness and high-value job creation. ESA Phi-Lab Ireland was formally launched by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, who unveiled a commemorative plaque at IMR's Advanced Manufacturing Lab. Produced using a space-grade additive manufactured material mounted on a local piece of 6,500-year-old Irish Bog Oak, the plaque heralds Ireland's formal entry into ESA's elite network of applied space-innovation centres, and reflects Ireland's growing role in shaping Europe's future space ambitions and technologies. ESA Phi-Lab Ireland forms part of the European Space Agency's Phi-Lab initiative, whose mission is to bring research closer to commercialisation by bridging disruptive research and commercial needs. In direct response to needs coming from the commercial world, the Phi-Lab Network matures technologies in advanced manufacturing, materials discovery, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics. These technologies have direct application across in-space and terrestrial manufacturing, agriculture, energy systems, climate innovation, and critical infrastructure, positioning the new Mullingar-based centre at the intersection of space research and real-world industrial impact. Speaking at the launch, Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR, described the new Phi-Lab as a defining moment for Ireland's innovation landscape. "Today marks a significant milestone in Ireland's space and innovation ambition. IMR is proud to lead the launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, establishing it as a national platform for space technology development. This facility positions Ireland at the forefront of European space-enabled innovation, where advanced manufacturing, AI and data-driven technologies can be developed, tested and commercialised for global impact. Ultimately, this is about translating world-class research into real economic and societal value." Minister Burke said the launch reflects Ireland's accelerating momentum within Europe's space and Deep Tech sectors. "ESA Phi-Lab Ireland strengthens Ireland's position, and the midlands region, as a hub for advanced research, innovation and high-value enterprise. It demonstrates our long-term commitment to supporting cutting-edge technologies that will drive competitiveness, create skilled jobs and deliver solutions to global challenges, from advanced manufacturing to industrial transformation. The Government's €170 million commitment to ESA over the next five years is about ensuring Ireland plays a leading role in Europe's space future." At the event, Minister Burke announced the first supported companies by ESA Phi-Lab Ireland – MBRYONICS and Ubotica Technologies – both having been selected from a highly-competitive 'Open Call' last year. Minister Burke also announced the second Open Call for Proposals, which will continue to fund cutting-edge research in Irish industry across the entire life-cycle from materials discovery and testing to the scaled production of components optimised for the unique and challenging environme...

Help Stop The Genocide In American Ghettos Podcast is a platform for ordinary law abiding citizens from Emmanuel Barbee friends list and from his social groups who are Black Artists, African Artists, Allied Healthcare professionals, Church Leaders, and Black Entrepreneurs, African Entrepreneurs who want to promote their products and services to our listeners from the global community. This no holds-barred talk show focuses on promoting Grassroots Community Advocacy, Business, Finance, Health, Community-Based Solutions, Employment, Social Issues, Political Issues, Black Issues, African Issues and Christianity which speaks to the interests of our listeners. Broadcasting on multiple social networks throughout the United States and around the globe. This show will provide insight on how our creative abilities can be used to create economic tangibles in our communities, neighborhoods and in Black countries. The Grass Roots Community Activist Movement is about uniting the African American community and the African Immigrant community in Chicago and eventually throughout the Diaspora. I'm not just online trying to sell my book, selling items from my virtual store or just trying to get donations for my film project but rather to recruit like minded Black Americans, like minded African Immigrants within America to help me build the best African American business within the United States of America called the Grass Roots Community Activist Institute of Chicago. Our objective is for us to build our own network so that we can support each other in business. #NotAnother34Years #M1

“Value is back,” the headlines say—so investors rush from mega-cap growth into “boring” staples, utilities, and healthcare. But here's the problem: sector labels aren't valuation metrics. In many cases, the so-called “value rotation” is an illusion—because investors may be rotating into expensive stocks while selling the actual value hiding inside “growth.” Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down why value and growth aren't mutually exclusive, and why the market's favorite shortcut—“defensives = value, tech = growth”—can lead to costly portfolio mistakes. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Employment Numbers Surprise 6:01 - Why We're Setting Up for a Dollar Rally 14:05 - Gasoline Price Comparisons 15:59 - Value Stocks & Market Rotations 19:36 - Defining "Growth" vs "Value" 21:22 - Buying the Future, not the Past 22:38 - The Problem w Forward Earnings 28:06 - How Passive Flows Drive Markets Higher 32:01 - Overbought Markets Can Remain So for a Long Time 35:01 - How the Dow Industrials Have Shifted 37:57 - Employment is Not as Strong as Hoped (It's garbage) 39:57 - Expect Revisions Next Year 43:11 - Friday Inflation-Truflation Report Preview 45:34 - ISM Index Anecdotal Evidence Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Portfolio Manger, Michael Lebowitz, CFA Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/2133YnloEBo?feature=share ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "BLS Labor Report Defies Consensus" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/bls-labor-report-defies-consensus/ --- Watch our previous show, "Q&A Wednesday: You Ask 'em, We'll Answer," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sI0zNQTCyE&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Dollar Rally Risk - Overbought Markets," is here: https://youtu.be/ioOGa5YHzDI ------- Visit our E-book Library (no library card required!) https://realinvestmentadvice.com/ria-e-guide-library/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #USdollar #MarketTechnicalAnalysis #MeanReversion #PortfolioRiskManagement #GoldAndSilver #ValueInvesting #StockMarket #PortfolioStrategy #Valuation #InvestingEducation

In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John is joined by Biz Williams, a seasoned professional in the HR tech space. Biz shares her journey through various roles in HR, her experiences with imposter syndrome, and her transition to entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights the importance of financial acumen in HR, the role of HR in business success, and the impact of tax credits on hiring practices. Biz emphasizes the need for effective communication between HR and leadership and the value of understanding business operations to drive success.ABOUT BIZBiz has been in the HR Tech space for 14 years - supporting talent acquisition, applicant tracking, onboarding, flex shift work and now the compliance side with tax credits, I9, Unemployment Claims Management and Employment & Wage Verifications. She created Ryze, a tax credit mapping tool in December, 2024 and merged with HRlogics in June, 2025 coming on board as CRO.

"Value is back," the headlines say—so investors rush from mega-cap growth into "boring" staples, utilities, and healthcare. But here's the problem: sector labels aren't valuation metrics. In many cases, the so-called "value rotation" is an illusion—because investors may be rotating into expensive stocks while selling the actual value hiding inside "growth." Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down why value and growth aren't mutually exclusive, and why the market's favorite shortcut—"defensives = value, tech = growth"—can lead to costly portfolio mistakes. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Employment Numbers Surprise 6:01 - Why We're Setting Up for a Dollar Rally 14:05 - Gasoline Price Comparisons 15:59 - Value Stocks & Market Rotations 19:36 - Defining "Growth" vs "Value" 21:22 - Buying the Future, not the Past 22:38 - The Problem w Forward Earnings 28:06 - How Passive Flows Drive Markets Higher 32:01 - Overbought Markets Can Remain So for a Long Time 35:01 - How the Dow Industrials Have Shifted 37:57 - Employment is Not as Strong as Hoped (It's garbage) 39:57 - Expect Revisions Next Year 43:11 - Friday Inflation-Truflation Report Preview 45:34 - ISM Index Anecdotal Evidence Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Portfolio Manger, Michael Lebowitz, CFA Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/2133YnloEBo?feature=share ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "BLS Labor Report Defies Consensus" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/bls-labor-report-defies-consensus/ --- Watch our previous show, "Q&A Wednesday: You Ask 'em, We'll Answer," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sI0zNQTCyE&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Dollar Rally Risk - Overbought Markets," is here: https://youtu.be/ioOGa5YHzDI ------- Visit our E-book Library (no library card required!) https://realinvestmentadvice.com/ria-e-guide-library/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #USdollar #MarketTechnicalAnalysis #MeanReversion #PortfolioRiskManagement #GoldAndSilver #ValueInvesting #StockMarket #PortfolioStrategy #Valuation #InvestingEducation

In this episode of WealthVest: The Weekly Bull&Bear, Drew and Tim discuss employment data, the global bond market, deficits, inflation, and critical mineral price floors.WealthVest – based in Bozeman, MT– is a financial services marketing and distribution firm specializing in fixed and fixed index annuities from many high-quality insurance companies. WealthVest provides the tools, resources, practice management support, and products that financial professionals need to provide their clients a predictable retirement that has their best interest in mind.Hosts: Drew Dokken, Tim PierottiAlbum Artwork: Matt LueckShow Editing and Production: Matt LueckDisclosure: The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the hosts and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of WealthVest. The mere appearance of Content on the Site does not constitute an endorsement by WealthVest. The Content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. WealthVest does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the Content.WealthVest does not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any sites listed or linked to in any Content. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning. Investment and investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  Shelley Panton is a potter, ceramicist, and owner of The Panton Store, a beloved lifestyle and home boutique in Toora, Gippsland. In this episode, she shares the down-to-earth story of building her business from scratch and making the bold move from inner-city Melbourne to regional Victoria.You'll learn:How early collaborations (like the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival) helped put her store on the map with the right audienceWhy trusting your intuition combined with looking at the data is crucial for making big business decisionsThe reality of running a bricks-and-mortar retail business and why sometimes you need to see your space empty to know it's time to move onHow she's built a thriving business in regional Australia and what that tree change has meant for her family and the business⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  Connect with The Panton Store: Instagram: @thepantonstoreOnline Store: The Panton StorePhysical Store: 31 Stanley St, Toora VICConnect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: hello@mydailybusiness.comWebsite: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️ Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️ Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA. We also love Descript. Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment, Tim Wilson, has accused Premier Jacinta Allan of "turning a blind eye" amid the release of a bombshell CFMEU report.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of employing people didn't go up as much as predicted. At one level, that's too bad since who doesn't want a bigger raise? But if you're worried about interest rates or want inflation to come down, you may see this differently, which may be a bigger story than news of disappointing retail sales. Plus, South African farmers are turning to China for sales, and job market expectations improved in January.

The cost of employing people didn't go up as much as predicted. At one level, that's too bad since who doesn't want a bigger raise? But if you're worried about interest rates or want inflation to come down, you may see this differently, which may be a bigger story than news of disappointing retail sales. Plus, South African farmers are turning to China for sales, and job market expectations improved in January.

We regularly look at macro economic data to forecast interest rates. Interest rates affect one of the three main variable associated with any project. Those three variables are construction costs, capital costs and rent. Everything else is a rounding error by comparison. We are expecting new payroll data from the bureau of labor and statistics later this week. However, those numbers are full of approximations and adjustments. To me, the most reliable data actually comes from private enterprise which is the real time payroll data from ADP. The ADP data is not a survey or a statistical sample. It's the real data taken from real payroll transactions in the past month. We're going to start with the employment data and then look at bond yields. We know that the Fed funds rate has dropped 75 basis points in the past year. But the yield on the 10 year treasury has hardly budged in spite of everything that has happened. So let's start with the payroll info and analyze from there. The latest ADP National Employment Report, released on February 4, 2026, indicates a significantly cooling U.S. labor market. Private sector employment grew by only 22,000 jobs in January, falling well short of the Dow Jones consensus forecast of 45,000.If we look by sector, the modest growth was almost entirely propped up by Education and Health Services, which added 74,000 jobs. Without this surge, the overall private sector numbers would have been negative.Treasury yields generally shifted lower as the market reacted to the signs of a rapidly cooling labor market. This trend was amplified by a "flight to safety" as investors moved out of riskier assets like equities and into the relative security of government bonds.------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Shaun Belongie is the CEO of New Belgium Brewery. He previously served as VP of Marketing for New Belgium before becoming CMO and then CEO in 2023. Shaun has over 20 years of CPG experience, having managed marketing innovation and brand direction for iconic companies like Nestle Purina and Kraft Foods. He's helped build and maintain New Belgium's human-powered business model as the brand grows and expands, all the while stewarding the brewery's legacy and people-centric culture. Shaun joins Roy to discuss the challenges and opportunities during his journey from CMO to CEO, the differences between working at a large CPG brand versus a smaller, more nimble company, how New Belgium embodies and enacts their foundational values, and much more. Highlights from our conversation include: Shaun's transition from CMO to CEO at New Belgium (3:35)Challenges he's confronted as New Belgium's CEO (6:14)Shaun's experience serving as New Belgium's CMO (9:53)Shaun's perspective on building and shaping culture as CEO (12:09)New Belgium's human-powered business model (14:55)Maintaining authentic values throughout periods of growth (16:16)How his son's health crisis inspired him to think differently about life and leadership (18:35)Leadership lessons that carried over from Shaun's Kraft and Purina days (21:11)How changes in the industry are affecting Shaun's approach to hiring (23:08)Leadership qualities that Shaun seeks in his senior executive team (25:01)How technology fits into his strategic plan (25:48)Guidance he'd offer to somebody early in their career (28:18)What Shaun's most excited about in the future (30:13)Visit HowIHire.com for transcripts and more on this episode.Follow Roy Notowitz and Noto Group Executive Search on LinkedIn for updates and featured career opportunities.Subscribe to How I Hire:AppleSpotifyAmazon

Comment on the Show by Sending Mark a Text Message.What happens when the pursuit of the American Dream turns into a nightmare under an abusive employment contract? In this gripping episode of the Employee Survival Guide®, Mark Carey uncovers the use of abusive employment practices faced by immigrant nurses and the employment contracts they enter into in the case of Magtolls v. United Staffing Registry, Inc. These dedicated professionals, seeking a better life, found themselves ensnared in exploitative employment contracts that led to a federal class action lawsuit, highlighting the dire need for employee rights education in today's workforce. As Mark dissects the oppressive terms of these employment contracts, listeners will learn about the staggering $90,000 penalty for quitting before fulfilling a grueling 6,000-hour work commitment. This episode reveals how such agreements can create conditions akin to forced labor, where underpayment, overwhelming workloads, and threats of deportation become the norm. The discussion goes beyond the courtroom, shedding light on the broader implications of coercive employment practices that many workers face in various industries. The court's ruling that deemed these employment contracts unenforceable serves as a pivotal moment in the fight against employment discrimination and exploitation. Mark emphasizes the importance of understanding employment contracts and the rights that workers have, urging listeners to scrutinize their own agreements and recognize potential hidden dangers. This episode is not just about a legal case; it's a clarion call for employee empowerment and advocacy in the face of workplace challenges. Join us as we navigate the complexities of employment law, delve into the realities of workplace discrimination, and equip you with the knowledge to stand up for your rights. Whether you're facing a hostile work environment, negotiating severance packages, employment contract negotiation, or simply trying to understand your legal rights at work, this episode is packed with insights that can help you survive and thrive in your career. Don't miss this essential guide to navigating employment disputes and ensuring you have the tools to protect yourself in the workplace. Listen now to the Employee Survival Guide® and transform your understanding of employment contracts, workplace rights, and the vital steps you can take to advocate for yourself in an ever-changing work landscape. Empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of employment law and ensure that your pursuit of a fulfilling career does not come at the cost of your dignity and rights.  If you enjoyed this episode of the Employee Survival Guide please like us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We would really appreciate if you could leave a review of this podcast on your favorite podcast player such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Leaving a review will inform other listeners you found the content on this podcast is important in the area of employment law in the United States. For more information, please contact our employment attorneys at Carey & Associates, P.C. at 203-255-4150, www.capclaw.com.Disclaimer: For educational use only, not intended to be legal advice.

The Ministry of Social Development is planning to cut the number of security guards at Work and Income offices throughout the country. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

In this episode, Leah Jackson, assistant director of editorial strategy at HigherEdJobs, joins the podcast to discuss keeping momentum after being hired. Drawing from her articles “4 Ways to Prepare for Your New Job” and “Starting a New Job? Consider These Strategies for Success,” the conversation focuses on how higher education professionals can prepare for a new role and carry that energy into the early days on the job, from onboarding basics and understanding campus culture to building relationships, staying organized, and setting realistic goals for the first weeks and months. The discussion also references the article "How to Introduce Yourself" by HigherEdJobs contributor Justin Zackal.

Don and Tom step away from pure investing talk to explore how AI, layoffs, and stagnant wages are reshaping career paths—especially for young people and midlife career changers. Drawing on a Wall Street Journal article, they make the case that skilled trades and blue-collar careers are increasingly attractive alternatives to vulnerable white-collar jobs. They discuss service advisor roles, union trades, and apprenticeship paths, then pivot to listener questions on Robinhood bonuses, switching to financial advising later in life, and the risks of moving from AVGE to AVGV. Throughout, they emphasize self-knowledge, discipline, and long-term thinking—whether choosing a career or building a portfolio. 0:04 Why this episode is about earning money, not just investing 0:31 Encouraging parents to rethink college-only career paths 1:15 AI, layoffs, and the shrinking white-collar job market 2:32 Crash Champions and the rise of service advisor careers 3:31 Don's dealership days and why he left the car business 5:12 Learning to drive stick shift the hard way 6:46 Apprenticeships, $60K starting pay, and growth potential 7:34 Work-life balance in blue-collar vs. white-collar jobs 8:36 Why contractors struggle with communication and planning 9:05 Demand for skilled trades and handyman services 9:47 Labor shortages: factory, construction, and auto techs 10:36 Demographics and the retirement of skilled workers 11:35 Pensions, unions, and taking responsibility for retirement 12:45 Finding yourself in your 20s and career experimentation 13:04 New Tales Told plug and early radio career story 14:23 Listener: Robinhood bonuses and disciplined investing 15:41 Why Robinhood encourages risky behavior 17:23 Listener: Becoming a financial advisor at 55 18:31 Barriers to entry and starting an independent RIA 19:14 Why people skills matter more than math skills 20:45 How AI will reshape the advisory profession 22:07 Shift from brokerage to fiduciary advising 23:18 Listener: Switching from AVGE to AVGV 24:47 Risk tolerance and fund volatility 26:31 Splitting funds and managing behavioral risk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this Quick Tip episode, Fiona introduces the concept of regret minimisation and why it can be one of the most grounding decision-making tools for business and life.Rather than asking “what's the safest option?” or “what will everyone else think?”, this episode invites you to look ahead and ask what future you would regret not doing. Especially when you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid of making the wrong move.This is not about reckless decisions or chasing every idea. It's about clarity, perspective, and choosing in a way that aligns with your values and long-term wellbeing.You'll learn:What regret minimisation really means and where it comes fromHow to use it when you're at a crossroads in business or lifeWhy fear of short-term discomfort often hides deeper long-term regretHow to make decisions that future you will thank you forA reflective, practical listen for anyone navigating change, uncertainty, or a big decision.⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: hello@mydailybusiness.comWebsite: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️ Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️ Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA. We also love Descript. Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.

Amidst a swathe of government shutdowns and mass redundancies in the United States of America, Alexandra Petri decided she would find out for herself. 

In this conversation, Henning Meyer and Mark Blyth discuss the significant developments and challenges of the Trump administration over the past year, including geopolitical shifts, the impact of technology on labour markets, immigration policies, and the evolving dynamics of US politics. They also explore Europe's strategic position in response to these changes and the implications of digital regulation as a key battleground between the US and Europe.

Jordan Shapiro joins Diane King Hall to assess the state of the U.S. labor market. In the wake of a delayed January jobs report, Jordan delves a "little deeper" into the data that was reported, including the Challenger-Job cuts hitting the highest levels since 2009. He points to companies' leveraging technology, ways to streamline productivity and shifting areas of employment within their organizations. Jordan says employees are "more hesitant" to look for jobs now citing a "low hire, low fire" environment. He adds that some cuts at bigger companies could be a response to "over-hiring" in the post-pandemic spree to attain talent. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – / schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – / schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - / schwab-network About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, launched under Brazil's G20 Presidency in 2024, seeks to accelerate progress towards ending extreme poverty and hunger while tackling inequality. Bringing together over 200 members including governments, international organisations, and other partners, the Alliance aims to mobilise political commitment, align public and private financing, and promote evidence-based policy solutions that are country-led and centred on those most affected.  In this episode, we unpack the Alliance's mandate and early achievements, explore how it supports countries in identifying needs and scaling proven policy instruments, and discuss what lies ahead as the Global Alliance moves from coordination to large-scale implementation.  Meet our guests:  Renato Domith Godinho, Director, Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty Support Mechanism  Kevin Watkins, Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics In our Quick Wins segment, we speak with Raphaël Duteau, Manager for AI and Data Ethics at Employment and Social Development Canada, about the opportunities Artificial Intelligence presents for social protection. He also shares insights on the AI Hub launched under the Digital Convergence Initiative.  References:  Resource | Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty  Resource | AI Hub  Webinar recording | The AI Hub for Social Protection - supporting responsible AI in social protection 

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, Matthew Roberts, CalChamber Associate General Counsel for Labor and Employment, welcomes CalChamber Employment Law Expert Sharon Novak for a timely conversation on wearable technology in the workplace. What begins with a seemingly simple scenario — an employee shows up to work wearing prescription smart glasses — quickly opens the door to complex issues around privacy, recording, disability accommodation and policy gaps many employers don't realize they have yet. Read more at https://advocacy.calchamber.com/2026/02/05/what-employers-should-know-about-wearable-technologies-in-the-workplace .

Could the rural equivalent of tinder targetted at health professionals help attract doctors to remote areas and keep them there. The boss of one health organisation thinks so.

⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️  In this coaching episode, Fiona reflects on what 10 years in business has really taught her, beyond the highlights, milestones and metrics.This is an honest conversation about growth, adaptability, identity, expectations, community and the long road of building something that lasts. Fiona shares what's worked, what hasn't, what surprised her most, and why staying connected to your values matters more than ever as your business evolves.Whether you're in your first year or your twentieth, this episode is a reminder that sustainable businesses are built slowly, thoughtfully, and often in seasons of uncertainty.You'll learn:What 10 years in business actually teaches you that no course or shortcut canHow to adapt without losing yourself or your valuesWhy community and connection are essential for long-term business resilienceHow to rethink success beyond speed, scale and external validationA grounding listen for business owners navigating growth, change, or the quiet middle stretch of building something meaningful.⭐️⭐️   Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️   Connect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: hello@mydailybusiness.comWebsite: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:AI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses ⭐️⭐️ Join Group Coaching for 2026 ⭐️⭐️ Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA. We also love Descript. Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.

As Career Education Report embarks on its next one hundred episodes, host Jason Altmire sits down with Colorado's Governor Jared Polis to discuss how states can better align higher education systems with workforce and economic outcome. Drawing on his experience as Colorado's governor and Chair of the National Governors Association, Polis outlines a bipartisan approach to workforce development that emphasizes credential value, employer engagement, and clear pathways from education to employment. This episode is a must-listen for higher education leaders focused on workforce alignment and student success.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website.

(Lander, WY) – The KOVE 1330 AM / 107.7 FM Today in the 10 interview series Coffee Time continued today with host Vince Tropea, who recently spoke with Joy Lane and Rusty Harris, who stopped by to chat about the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services’ upcoming Employment Expo. The Expo will take place at CWC on February 24 from 9 AM to 3 PM in the Robert A. Peck Arts Center. In part 1 of the interview, Lane and Harris chat about what interested businesses/employers need to know if they would like to take part in the Expo to look for potential employees. (Registration for employers is due by February 18.) Check out the full Coffee Time interview with Lane and Harris below, and stay tuned for part 2, which will cover more details for the job seekers themselves. Be sure to tune in to Today in the 10 and Coffee Time interviews every morning from 7:00 to 9:00 AM on KOVE 1330 AM / 107.7 FM, or stream it live right here.

On today's Legally Speaking Podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Lloyd Clarke. Lloyd is a Partner and the Head of Employment & Business Disputes at Attwells Solicitors. He has wide-ranging experience across property, employment and business law. Lloyd is known for his practical, down-to-earth approach with clients. He is passionate about how changes in property and employment law are affecting both individuals and small businesses. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Lloyd discussing:- Digital Footprints Being More Permanent Than They Appear- Nuance in belief protection- Employing Clear Policies and Training- The Dangers of Reputational Harm- Social Media & Online Presence MonitoringConnect with Lloyd Clarke here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-clarke-2bb41b47

What happens when workforce innovation stops focusing on individuals alone—and starts supporting entire families? In this episode of Manager Minute, Carol Pankow sits down with Lucas Halverson and Kathy Davis of ServiceSource to explore Families Achieving Self-Sufficiency Together (FASST)—a Disability Innovation Fund initiative that's connecting VR, TANF, employers, and community partners in a powerful new way. You'll hear how FASST: ·       Tackles generational poverty through a family-centered employment model ·       Supports disconnected youth and adults with disabilities across multiple states ·       Complements VR services without duplicating them ·       Uses AI-powered job matching and strong employer partnerships ·       Creates real solutions during Order of Selection and funding constraints This conversation is a must-listen for VR leaders, program managers, and partners looking for scalable, practical models that expand impact without expanding cost.   Listen Here   Full Transcript:   {Music} Lucas: The big goal is to break the cycle of poverty. We want to create lasting self-sufficiency, reduce the need for benefits and things of that nature.   Kathy: The beauty of this project is that it was originally designed for six sites across multiple states.   Lucas: We don't intend as a program to supplant programs that already exist, but we do intend to supplement or fill the gaps that exist.   Kathy: We are one as part of this project, and you would not have to pay fee for service or contract us. We're already being paid through the grant.   Intro Voice: Manager Minute, brought to you by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center. Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host, Carol Pankow.   Carol: Welcome to the manager minute. In today's episode, we're diving into one of the exciting initiatives funded through the Rehab Services Administration's Disability Innovation Fund 21st Century Workforce Grants. And these grants were designed to spark new ideas and scalable strategies that help youth and adults with disabilities prepare for and succeed in today's rapidly changing world of work. From artificial intelligence and virtual reality to cross-system partnerships and new ways of engaging employers. These projects are testing innovative models that could reshape how we think about disability employment for the 21st century. And one of those projects, launched just this past year, is led by ServiceSource, and it's taking a unique approach to helping families move toward self-sufficiency and employment. And joining me today to talk about it are Lucas Halverson, project director, and Kathy Davis, one of the key leaders behind this groundbreaking effort. So how goes it, Lucas?   Lucas: Hey, good morning Carol. Everything's going very well. Thank you so much for inviting us to talk about our project today. We're extremely excited to be here to talk about our project Families Achieving Self-sufficiency Together. We also call it fasst with two S's. So thanks again for having us.   Carol: You bet. How about you, Kathy? How are you doing?   Kathy: I'm doing great, Carol, thanks so much for having us. We are definitely excited to speak with you about our grant, which is short for that Disability Innovation Fund.   Carol: Excellent. Yeah, I've had a lot of experience talking with other DIF grantees in like the C.D.E.F. We always give them the little alphabet soup label, but there have been different focuses each year that RSA had released the Disability Innovation Fund grant. So it's been really fun to catch up and see what things are happening. So let's dig in. So before we get into the details of your project, Lucas, could you tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be involved in this work?   Lucas: Yeah, absolutely. So my entire professional career is related to helping others. That started as an employment development specialist right after my bachelor's degree, focusing on all things employment placement, support services, community based, competitive, integrated employment. I transitioned from that into helping individuals with more significant disabilities prepare for employment. I've done a little bit of group and individual substance abuse counseling, but largely the last 15 years or so, I've been in the world of vocational rehabilitation in a variety of roles, both on the public side and the private sector side, and was happy through those wonderful years to get my master's degree in rehab counseling and my certified rehabilitation counselor credential. So to present day, I've been with ServiceSorce for over ten years, and when the grant was awarded, I looked at it as an opportunity to still stay in the world that I love of helping people, but knew it would expand my skills and really looked at it as an opportunity to bring a pretty large proposal to life. And so here we are, fresh into the second year of our project and seeing all of that happen. So very exciting.   Carol: It's very cool. I love finding people's stories, like how you found your way into this world of work, because we all came in a long and winding road different ways, but make it in. And then once you're in, you're kind of hooked. It's hard to leave. So, Kathy, how about you? How did you come to be involved in this work?   Kathy: Well, same. I love people's stories about how they find their vocation. And I have also been serving individuals with disabilities for a very long time, well over 20 years. I started as a volunteer in high school with Easter Seals, and from there, I did volunteer work with therapeutic horseback riding. I eventually also went back to school and got my master's in rehab counseling and became a nonprofit community mental health counselor and a traumatic brain injury program manager. And because of my background in counseling and also a previous master's degree in economics, when the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was being discussed,  and the emphasis changed to or included employers. My econ background and my master's rehab counseling background made me a little bit of a unicorn, and I was hired by a Blind services agency around 2012. And then I also did business relations for them. And then I was hired to start the first business relations program at one of the VR agencies. And really, my golden thread throughout all of my career has been starting new programs. No matter what role I've been in. I love new things, I love innovation, and so DIF has been a perfect fit for me. I'm also working on my doctorate degree, almost finished with that and doing a Pre-ETS dissertation. So I have a really strong interest in evaluation. And so evaluation actually brought me to this project. And I serve as an internal evaluator for it.   Carol: Wow, you are a unicorn. Let me say that is exciting. Very fun. Thanks for sharing that. So when you two first saw the grant announcement, what caught your attention and made you want to apply?   Lucas: Yeah. So this DIF grant cycle the F grant cycle was the first time nonprofit organizations were eligible to apply. So it was a unique opportunity for ServiceSource. And so our program development team recognized that our agency had the capacity to try to take this on, and also the expertise to successfully apply with a strong proposal, but then also administer and monitor the program successfully. So our organization, ServiceSource, is a leading service provider and employer for individuals with disabilities. So it made us well positioned to deliver impactful outcomes under this project. The DIF grant in general definitely aligns very closely with our mission and our vision and our values. And we have affiliated organizational model that we felt would provide a strategic advantage with this project. So it's allowing us to have a fairly large geographic reach. We have several teams across the country all working together on this project, and it also allows us to leverage partnerships and resources that have already been in existence across these teams and these affiliates to have the greatest impact that we can. And so really, the alignment and the capacity gave us confidence that we could do what this grant needed us to do. And so we're in that second year and really getting rocking and rolling now.   Carol: Yeah, I hadn't realized that ServiceSource had such a big footprint because I was familiar with the work ServiceSource did in Florida, and Tina down in Florida and working with the Florida General Agency. In fact, we did a podcast about that and that particular model, and I knew there were little fingers of that kind of had spread out, I believe, into a few different states, but I hadn't realized, like, really how expansive ServiceSource was. So that is an excellent point that it really positioned you well for this. Now your project family is achieving self-sufficiency together. As you said FASST with the two S's. So no, we don't have a typo. If they read the transcript later, we didn't have a spelling error. It is the FASST you really launched at the end of June. I know that first year is always a very big planning year and getting things ready. Can you give us a quick overview of what the initiative is about, and really what motivated your focus on families?   Lucas: Yeah, absolutely. Really the high level focus aims to help disconnected youth and disconnected adults with disabilities achieve competitive, integrated employment. In addition, you know, using early intervention workforce reintegration strategies to support long term success. That's where the whole self-sufficiency piece comes in, uniquely for our project. But overall, FASST is, as I mentioned, a multi-state initiative, and we want to empower disconnected adults and youth with disabilities. Our core focus is individuals that are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF. So that's part of our eligibility requirement. And the ultimate focus is to remove barriers to employment and to independence. And so we do that by connecting families to community partners such as vocational rehabilitation, training providers, employers. But we also have staff that assist the individuals we're serving, build those critical skills such as job readiness, financial capability. And we have a case manager component to the team. Each team has a case manager to help with that kind of wraparound, holistic approach, to try to knock down as many barriers as possible. The big goal is to break the cycle of poverty, looking at kind of that two generational approach. We want to create lasting self-sufficiency, reduce the need for benefits and things of that nature. So pretty big goals. But we have a solid team that I'm confident can hit those goals with us.   Kathy: So and related to goals, we really our project has three overall goals. And as Lucas mentioned, it is to connect disconnected adults to find and retain that competitive integrated employment. But I'll also add that we want to have at least one high quality indicator as part of that employment, and we're helping to support them to retain their employment for at least 90 days. But we're also tracking beyond 90 days. And that's one of the really exciting and fun parts of this project. Unlike vocational rehabilitation, where you'd see a closure at 90 days, we're able to support individuals for the remainder of the project if that's what it takes to help them maintain their employment. The second overarching goal that we have is for the youth, disconnected youth ages 14 to 24. Our goal is to help them gain work skills and then either enter employment or enter education and or complete education. And then finally, the third goal would be to build the system's capacity with all of our partners to sustain our model and be able to serve more TANF recipients.   Carol: I like your holistic approach that you guys have brought up. I know back in the day, as customers would come in the door, and I was working at State Services for the Blind in Minnesota. You're looking at employment, but it's hard to just talk employment right off the get go. If people don't have food or your housing is unstable or you have all the other issues, so you've got to kind of connect all the pieces together. Employment obviously is a very important piece of this, but it isn't the only piece. You got to have it all work together.   Lucas: You make a great point, because I realized I didn't touch on the motivation to focus on families as part of this, and it's largely what you just described. You know, we recognize that families are key support systems for the individuals that we're serving. Families strongly influence decisions about anything but including employment and training, career paths. And so our whole focus is trying to have an alignment to that. And again, with our case management, part of our staffing, looking at the barriers, making sure they're addressed to increase those chances of success, because just as you said, there's not transportation, there's not a job. If there's not a house over your head, there's not a job if you don't have food. So all caregiver responsibilities and so the family tie in is really looking at barriers that affect the family. So could be the parent could be a child. But we know how it impacts the household. It creates kind of that ripple effect. And so not addressing it holistically could be a key piece missing. And so kind of the core motivation I guess to capitalize on that is to increase skills, of course, relating to employment, but also to again try to reduce the reliance on benefits as part of that. So knocking down barriers, helping go to work, reducing that need. And one of the key points with our project is as things are evolving, it does align with some of the current different federal agency initiatives. So, for example, children and families is emphasizing employment as a pathway to self-sufficiency. So that's very close to what we're looking at. And another example is Health and Human Services. They're looking at employment and family as the foundation of economic and social well-being. So our project really kind of just fits and plugs into that, because that is what our goal is with the larger focus. But I do think the holistic piece is extremely valuable for this project and will continue to be.   Carol: Yeah, you guys are definitely ahead of the curve because when I saw that that you guys had picked TANF, you know, at first I'm like, well that's interesting. Like how did you come to that? You know, to decide you were going to focus on those folks eligible for TANF and kind of make that the centerpiece?   Lucas: Yeah. So the program development folks that really dug into the proposal, part of the application process did a lot of research and found that largely there was a disconnect. There are a lot of folks that are eligible for TANF or receiving TANF that were appropriate for other agencies, such as vocational rehab, just as one example. But the tie in often wasn't there. It wasn't happening. And so, as Kathy mentioned, one of our goals is to hopefully have some better pipelines for that. So for folks and entities that are naturally working with individuals with TANF to understanding no important programs such as vocational rehab exist and what that looks like and what the scope is and what they can help with. So it just kind of was a noticed need and kind of became one of the key parts of, of this proposal when it was getting all put together.   Carol: I think that's brilliant because you always look at kind of VR can be the best kept secret. People say that all the time, and even though it seems like it would be apparent, like, why wouldn't you, you know, get connected with VR and you're in this program. People don't know that. And it's not necessary that the staff may be working in TANF, even know about VR or what's going on. We don't always do the best job at connecting with all the different partners and other folk out there.   Lucas: Another part of that decision to again, ServiceSource operating many programs across the country. There are a couple TANF specific programs that ServiceSource operated for many years, one being in Virginia that partners with the Virginia Department of Social Services, and then another unrelated program in Denver in Colorado. So there's already some knowledge base of that in addition to the research they all did. So it helped us kind of align with one of our corporate strategic goals of expansion and wanting to increase our support to individuals that are eligible for TANF. And so it kind of checked a, checked a lot of mini boxes, both there being a need and interest from our company with our goal of expanding and serving, you know, additional individuals. So it kind of presented just almost a natural opportunity, I guess, as it was all coming together. And I think it gives, you know, a pretty solid opportunity to try to interrupt the generational poverty that exists within families.   Carol: Well, that's where the magic happens. There's nothing better than having a project that fits with your own corporate mission. You know, the stars are aligned, things all sync up. It's not like you're having to kind of fit round, peg in a square hole or whatever, the square peg in a round hole, because it's all aligned really well. Now, I understand you recently received approval to expand your focus to include disconnected youth such as those in foster care, the justice system. How does that change the picture of your work going forward?   Lucas: Yeah, so kind of a really cool example. So with the DIF grants, one of the key focuses on being innovative and being flexible in changing with what you're finding during your project. And so very early on, not long after we launched the project and began some large increased efforts with outreach almost immediately, there were a handful of situations that involve youth that met the larger definition of disconnected, but didn't quite meet our project eligibility of being in a household that had a parent or guardian eligible for TANF benefits. And so we originally had intended to focus on those youth later in the project. But we talked about it and we did not want to exclude individuals. We knew we had the expertise and interest to serve, and we certainly did not want to risk coming back in the months or years ahead trying to find them. You know, it's kind of like the hot potato. If you have youth that are interested, now is the time. And so we worked with our project officer from RSA and they were very supportive of us expanding our focus to the broader definition of disconnected youth a little bit sooner than we originally planned, of course, but so that expansion includes youth now that are in foster care, the justice system that are low income or don't have stable housing. And so they don't have to have that TANF tie in for, for that kind of subgroup, but still relates very directly to our mission of serving the disconnected youth and adults within the project.   Carol: Yeah, I like that. You recognize that, you know, and take advantage of that as you're seeing that. And that's kind of the beauty of these projects, because they do ebb and flow based on how things are rolling and what you write in a proposal. As everything comes to fruition, you realize different things and you're like, oh, you know, maybe we get to pivot or do something a little differently or whatever that may be, or make this addition and it just makes the project better. I love the flexibility that RSA has with the projects to allow that kind of expansion and changes as you're going along. So I understand you've got six teams working across six states under this shared framework. How does that structure work, and what have you learned so far about coordinating across all these different regions?   Lucas: Yeah, I'm proud and very happy to report that it's been working incredibly well so far. It's kind of a new experience for our organization as well because it's bringing together multiple affiliated teams, but working collectively on the same project at the same time with shared goals. So from the start, when Kathy and I were putting this all together, one of the elements that really wasn't negotiable was building a sense of community within our team. Since we're all working on the same grant, have the same expectations. We knew if everybody was working in their own silo, it would be, you know, highly unnecessary and really counterproductive to what we're wanting to do. So we spent a lot of time in the earlier stages and continue to with emphasizing cross team collaboration. It's really kind of the key driver to our success and our continued success. And so some of the efforts to make this team that's spread across the country feel like we're all sitting in the same office space together, is having weekly meetings. So Kathy and I lead a weekly meeting with all the grant funded staff, their supervisors, the executive directors for the different affiliates, other subject matter experts from our organization, and then different contractors as necessary that are on the project. And we focus on anything and everything relating to the project, so it could be updates, progress, best practices, things that seem to be going well, maybe things that we need to work a little better on any process reviews we need to do. So we go through just anything that's relevant each week, keeps that engagement there, keeps everybody, you know, interacting. And beyond that, we also knew that with having some external contractors on the project that we really needed that to be bought in from the staff as well. And so we had kick off meetings with each contractor, both with our large group and then with each individual team, really just to build rapport, clarify roles, responsibilities, expectations, how it was going to work, what the goals were, and just start those relationships strong as well. You know, there's so much going on when you launch a project that we didn't want our external folks not to feel a partner like our internal folks. And so that's been going remarkably well. And then lastly, the last comment I'll make on this is that we also recognize that because we have really three position types that are working directly with the individuals we're serving, again, spread out across the country. We really wanted them to feel together and not, again, not separate. And so each position has its own community of practice. They meet monthly, they share best practices. They discuss challenges, Brainstorm ideas. For example, case manager in Florida found a gem of a resource that's national. There's no reason our case manager in Utah should have to spend time finding that as well. They talk about it. They you know, hey, I found this. This is great. It might help each other. And so those meetings we've had a lot of positive response on and Kathy and I hop on, if they have a topic they want us to discuss or, you know, problem solve with them. And so we've really felt that's helped bridge that large geographic distance across the teams. And we're hoping that, you know, turns into high quality and impactful services for the folks we're serving efficiently, serving our individuals and not having multiple people having to spend the same time on the same need.   Kathy: Yeah, I'll add something here, too, from an evaluation perspective. You might be familiar that when you start a new program and it develops into a fully developed, successful project and program, and then you start sharing it nationally. Inevitably, someone will, from another state or another agency outside of your region will say, well, that could never work for us because we're, you know, we have these resources or we're serving this population. The beauty of this project is that it was originally designed for six sites across multiple states. And so our implementation really is across varying populations and community resources. And so this project has such strong potential for successful implementation across multiple states and contexts. So we're very excited that we're really documenting everything that we're doing. We'll have a toolkit when we complete the project, and we're really looking forward to sharing what we're doing and how to do it with others.   Carol: And that's a really important piece to RSA. It's one of the things you write to in the project, like how is this going to be sustained past the project ending? Like how can you then, you know, transfer this information to other folks and they can implement it. So I can see where that was very appealing to them as they're looking at evaluating the different proposals that shoot. Here's a group looking at six states. So you mentioned, Lucas, Utah and Florida. What are the other four states that you're in?   Lucas: Yeah. So we're  in Delaware, North Carolina and Virginia. And we're right now in the process of bringing on a team in Colorado. We have the approval. We're just doing the logistics of what it takes to bring them on. That's one of the ServiceSource teams that has an experienced TANF program. And so we looked at that as another opportunity to be able to already leverage existing relationships and expertise to just tie right into what we were already planning to do in the Colorado team was just a little bit newer to ServiceSource, so they weren't part of the original proposal because they weren't here quite yet, but they now are. So we're extremely excited to have some additional folks joining the team and fitting right into what we're doing.   Carol: That's very cool. I know one of your partners. Our Ability, brings some cutting edge tech into the mix with AI powered job matching and training. How is that partnership helping you engage employers and job seekers in new ways?   Lucas: Yeah, so I think as we all know, the workforce development is just kind of an ever evolving landscape. So bringing Our Ability in, I'm extremely excited. John Robinson, the CEO from Our Ability, is part of our project. And at the core of our partnership is the innovative use of technology. They have a portal that's called Jobs Ability, that uses generative AI to connect job seekers to employment based on their interests, their skills, their expertise. So the system helps focus on the challenge of both unemployment but also underemployment among folks with disabilities. And their platform reaches 15,000 people with disabilities each month, which to me is pretty remarkable. That's a lot of folks consistently visiting and using their resources. And so the job matching will assist with better connections between the individuals were serving and getting into the work world, or trying to help upgrade or increase their employment in a system that's already proven, which, you know, helps with efficiency. They already know it works. And so by us leveraging their extensive employer network within the system, you know, we're really focused on fostering the employment opportunities that encourage and again, increase self-sufficiency.   Kathy: Just kind of expanding on what the Jobs Ability portal will mean for our customers. We'll be able to assist our job seekers with creating quality resumes that are keyed in on skills and experience, and there is an AI matching protocol that really matches their preferences and experiences and skills with job descriptions. It's a proprietary AI system, and so we're really excited about how participants are going to be able to be matched with jobs that actually match their skills. These are real jobs, competitive wages. As we said, we have high quality indicators for our outcomes, including wages. And if you think about it, this is a win for our participants as well as our employers, because they are going to be able to actually tap into qualified individuals with disabilities who meet the skills and experience that they are seeking.   Carol: I love AI. I know there's people I've done different podcasts around, different AI initiatives, and some people have different feelings about AI. I know there's kind of the you have the dark side of it, but this sounds super cool. I had not heard of this company. And about this proprietary software. I think that's very interesting and super smart of you to leverage something already out there, proven tested, can be used right away. Instead of you trying to like, go down the road of creating something and doing all of that, you don't need to waste, you know, time and energy in that when you've got something already done. Now, I know no large project like this starts without a few hurdles. What have been some of your biggest challenges so far, and how are you navigating maybe any kind of overlap with other services or agencies?   Kathy: As you said, VR is a well-kept secret. Many times that's what we hear. And so being experienced with that, when we started the project, we knew the outreach was going to be key. And so we did not wait to start our outreach. And Lucas and I developed a very thorough support system and toolkit for our staff to help them really be purposeful about their outreach. And as soon as people were hired, one of the first things they were told to do after they were up and running with knowledge about the project was to start outreach. And honestly, I think we've become an outreach machine and we're really keeping track of hundreds, hundreds of contacts across our six locations that we've made and also just really analyzing which of those resources are turning into pipelines of referrals. And so I think we're going to be learning a lot about that. One of the things that we also knew from the beginning is that we needed to tailor our outreach to the audience. So we have a library of outreach materials for students, for VR, for employers, for schools and parents. So there's many ways that we have. We also are created outreach in other languages. So we're definitely doing our best to reach as many people as we can about this project, and also equipping our staff to be able to speak about it, to really understand it and to be able to keep track of what we're doing to reach the populations that and stakeholders that we're going to serve.   Carol: Very cool.   Lucas: I was going to talk about the overlap with other agencies. It's been a very real discussion with our teams because, you know, how does FASST fit in with other programs that might do similar types of work. And so, you know, it's an ongoing discussion, teaching staff the significance of a comparable benefit, a very familiar term for our friends that have been in the VR world before. We don't intend as a program to supplant programs that already exist, but we do intend to supplement or fill the gaps that exist. Maybe we can move faster within a process to help somebody now that while they'll go through a process that takes a little bit longer, or maybe we can support someone a little bit longer, like Kathy said before, you know, if someone has a VR counselor and at 90 days, VR is comfortable with closing them, but maybe they might need a little bit more support. That might be a gap we can fill or a little bit more job coaching or financial literacy or something like that. And so we really focused on the design of our project to try to rapidly engage individuals as much as we can. We can serve someone start to finish on our own as a project. We don't have to have a built in external component, but we recognize the significance of resource connection, obviously. So both now and down the road for folks, if they're not receiving our support, knowing what resources exist, who can help with different things. And so it's still an ongoing process. So part of that outreach, Kathy mentioned hundreds and hundreds of outreach. We have to hit folks with the right info that makes sense to them. And so for as long as this project's going, I think it will always be a focal point for us to make sure that, you know, it's just clear what we do and what we don't do and what we can do to just try to support agencies and programs that do exist already, but then also knowing we can do a pretty good job on our own if we had to, so.   Carol: So let's hone in a little bit. You've talked a lot about outreach and have mentioned VR, but let's talk about those VR partnerships. How are your teams building relationships at the state and local level, and what can VR agencies gain from working with your project?   Lucas: Yeah, so the teams have done a really good job focusing on building relationships with vocational rehab. Again, trying to listen to what the needs are, what they're seeing as needs, and then versus, you know, collaboration of what we can offer teams that are working on having regular check ins set up. As with any agency, you know, some relationships have been a little more natural than others. But continuing to work together to try to establish those pipelines and that knowledge base of our existence, and then also that need for the individuals that are eligible for TANF. And so I always kind of say, you know, what's in it for VR agencies? And from my perspective, at least, our project can increase access to services and resources that could make service delivery easier or more efficient or more effective, which should then lead to increase or better outcomes. That's the goal. One of our objectives, as Kathy touched on, is to establish a system that connects. Connects the folks eligible for TANF and other entities such as vocational rehab. And so we're really continuing to focus on that and going to continue to ramp that up throughout the project. As the more, you know, line level relationships exist with the different offices and the different staff. And we've learned that adults with disabilities receiving TANF benefits are often best served by VR. As I mentioned, you know, programs can be complex sometimes, and so trying to smooth that out a little bit might be helpful for them. So we kind of see an additional potential to have connect VR teams with employers. We just talked about our ability and John and his team. They have very robust employer connections across the country. And so that'll be a regular interaction. So we might be able to connect some employers. Some of our interest is connecting educational partners as well. So looking at programs that can help foster people to get into good jobs and, you know, and other stakeholders of course, as well. So we kind of see it as a very big collaboration opportunity for our teams. And I really think at the end of the day, it really just to me looks at shared impact. So we work together. How can we all show that the good work everybody's doing is impactful and supporting the individuals that are coming to us that are needing that support?   Carol: It takes a village. It really does.   Lucas: It does. It takes a village. And we have one team, the state they're in recently. Just last month went on order of selection. And so we're using that as another opportunity to be a support because at least I know us in this podcast know when going on Order of Selection, the most significant disabilities have to be focused first. And so those individuals with less significant disabilities are typically the ones that have to wait. And we can serve them. So that team is working with their VR agency to make sure that's known, so that if they have folks going on the waiting list, that it might be a great opportunity to shift them to us and we can support them while they're on the waiting list. And whenever the time would come for that release, we can just catch up together and see where we're at.   Carol: That's a perfect example of really great collaboration, I love that. That I'm glad you mentioned that.   Kathy: Yeah, I just want to mention too, it's kind of tied into that. The reason we're seeing agencies start to use Order of Selection is because of increasing costs. This project would not cost BR to use our services because we're funded through the grant. So if you need an employment service provider, we are one as part of this project and you would not have to pay fee for service or contract us. We're already being paid through the grant, so it really helps with cost.   Carol: Yeah that's perfect. So as you guys look at the year ahead, what are your priorities and what does success look like for FASST as you continue to grow and refine your model?   Lucas: Many things, but I think largely continuing to strengthen the project. You know, we're still relatively new in implementation. And so we've learned a lot and will continue to learn a lot. And so we just really want to make sure we're maximizing the positive impact of the individuals we're serving. First of all, strengthen develop clear pathways. The end goal would be for this to be replicable at the end to scale our model effectively. And so I really think this second year, now that the team's together, everybody's getting comfortable with our process. This year is really where the car starts driving full speed, is how I feel. And I know Kathy, you have some ideas on quality and partnerships too, right?   Kathy: Definitely. As an internal evaluator, I'm looking at quality of this project. I want to make sure that we're ensuring fidelity to our model and the key components of our model and project, and we're going to be making adjustments throughout the next year, especially based on the needs of our participants and even our staff. And we're going to be capitalizing on our successes and sharing best practices across our teams through those communities of practice that Lucas talked about. We want to be consistent in implementing our project across the teams and our locations. So again, we have process documents and we're making sure that we're doing things similarly across our locations. And then we're definitely going to be collecting data. We've already started that process, and we want to make sure that we can demonstrate our outcomes so that we can inform our improvements and just really develop that replicable model in the end. And then as far as collaborations and partnerships go, we're working with our local partners to strengthen our connections and expand resources for our disconnected youth and adults with disabilities. So really looking forward to the next year being strengthening of our program and proving our model.   Carol: Well spoken like a true evaluator indeed, I love that. Oh, that is good stuff. So how could our listeners learn more about your work or connect with the FASST team? Do you have a website or something you could share with us.   Lucas: Yeah, so there's a few ways. So if someone's wanting to get connected to Kathy and I quick, we have an email. It's FASST, which is FASST@ServiceSource.org. Comes directly to Kathy and I, and we can answer questions if it's specific to a team, a referral, something like that. We get it out to the appropriate folks across the different teams. We do have a website. There's a lot of hyphens in it, but so largely it's ServiceSource.org/families-achieving-sufficiency-together. The hyphens had to be in there. So it's a little much if someone's trying to write it down. So I don't know if there's a way to have that posted somehow.   Carol: Yeah, we'll definitely put that in when we post the podcast. We can put that in the transcript too, to have the website linked right there.   Lucas: And then, also always like to put a plug in for the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials, or NCRTM. They have a website for all DIF grantees that provides information about the project so you can see any of the grant cycles, what they're doing, where they're located, and of course, ours being one of them. So it has information and also ties folks back to our project site as well.   Carol: Well, Heather Servais will sure appreciate that shout out to them. They have great stuff. I sure appreciate you both very much. This is interesting. It'll be fun to catch up with you in a year or so and see, like now that you said you're kind of going full speed ahead to see where things land, I appreciate you.   Kathy: Thank you.   Lucas: Thank you so much.   {Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time. One minute at a time. Brought to you by the VRTAC. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.   Lucas: The contents of this discussion were developed under Grant H421F240144 from the US Department of Education Department. The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models or other activities described or discussed in this discussion. The contents of this discussion may contain examples of adaptations of, and links to, resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The. The department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. The content of this discussion does not necessarily represent the policy of the department. This publication is not intended to represent the views or policy, or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by any federal agency. Edgar. 75.620.   Carol: Well, thank you both. I really appreciate you. Good job.   Kathy: Thanks Carol.   Lucas: Thank you so much.   Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time. One minute at a time. Brought to you by the VRTAC. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.

In this week's episode of WSJ's Take On the Week, co-hosts Telis Demos and Miriam Gottfried are joined by WSJ economics reporter Justin Lahart to discuss why gold has smashed records, and how global instability and the "Sell America" trade has fueled the rally. Next, they look ahead to Amazon's earnings to see if the e-commerce giant can prove AI investments are boosting the bottom line, as Meta did, or if ongoing layoffs signal deeper issues in the labor market. Justin also previews this week's jobs report and explains why an upcoming benchmark revision might rewrite our understanding of the past year's job growth. Then after the break, Telis and Justin are joined by Erik Brynjolfsson, director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, to unpack whether AI is actually killing jobs. Brynjolfsson shares his research into how his research has found a decline in entry-level roles, but argues a productivity boom is imminent. Later, we ask him a fun question written by Google's Gemini app.  This is WSJ's Take On the Week where co-hosts Telis Demos, Heard on the Street's banking and money columnist, and Miriam Gottfried, WSJ's private equity reporter, cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy and finance—the big trades, key players and business news ahead. Have an idea for a future guest or episode? How can we better help you take on the week? We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at takeontheweek@wsj.com. To watch the video version of this episode, visit our WSJ Podcasts YouTube channel or the video page of WSJ.com Further Reading A Weaker Dollar Has Always Been Part of Trump's Plan Dollar Gains, Yen Falls, After Bessent Says Strong Currency Is U.S. Policy Dollar Extends Slide After Trump Says He Isn't Worried About Declines Meta Reports Record Sales, Massive Spending Hike on AI Buildout Amazon to Lay Off Around 16,000 Corporate Employees For more coverage of the markets and your investments, head to WSJ.com, WSJ's Heard on The Street Column, and WSJ's Live Markets blog. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Follow Miriam Gottfried here and Telis Demos here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, Matthew Roberts, Associate General Counsel for Labor and Employment at the California Chamber of Commerce, is joined by CalChamber Employment Law Counsel Vanessa Greene to discuss why now is the best time to audit, update, and rethink your handbook strategy.

What At-Will Employment really means for small business owners. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/594-claudia-stjohn-at-will-employment/ At-will employment gives small business owners flexibility, but misunderstandings around documentation, retaliation, and protected classes can quickly turn a termination into a lawsuit. Most small business owners believe "at-will employment" means they can fire an employee at any time for any reason, but that misunderstanding is one of the fastest paths to an expensive legal dispute. In this episode, Henry Lopez is joined by returning guest Claudia St. John, founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, to break down what at-will employment really means under U.S. law. They explain why at-will employment is not a free pass to terminate employees without consequences, and how common mistakes (like poor documentation, vague termination explanations, and retaliation) create legal risk even when the employer's decision was justified. Claudia shares real-world examples from her HR consulting practice, emphasizing why documentation of performance issues is critical, how progressive discipline policies can accidentally undermine at-will status, and why honesty during termination conversations actually reduces lawsuits. As Claudia notes, "If an employee is surprised, they're far more likely to sue." Henry and Claudia also discuss employee handbooks, offer letters, EPLI insurance, and when small businesses should consider professional HR support. This episode is a must-listen for any business owner who manages employees and wants to reduce risk while still leading with fairness and professionalism. Claudia St. John is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, a national HR consulting firm that helps small and mid-sized businesses navigate compliance, hiring, and employee management with practical, evidence-based guidance. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

uest Author: Paul GregoryHeadline: A Helping Hand: The Gregorys Meet the OswaldsSummary: In June 1962, the Texas Employment Office asked Pete Gregory to evaluate Lee Harvey Oswald's Russian fluency. Impressed by Lee's fluency despite his poor grammar, Pete wrote a recommendation and introduced Lee to his son Paul, who began taking Russian lessons from Marina to help the impoverished couple.Article: In June 1962, Lee Harvey Oswald arrived at Pete Gregory's office in a heavy wool suit during the Texas heat, seeking certification of his Russian language skills to avoid manual labor. Pete confirmed Oswald's fluency, though he noted the grammar was poor and uncharacteristic of a trained spy, and subsequently introduced Lee to his son Paul, who began visiting the Oswalds' duplex for Russian conversation lessons with Marina to provide them with modest financial support.