Podcasts about equally

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Jay Berkowitz, Founder and CEO of Ten Golden Rules, helps law firms implement the Law Firm Success Formula to attract qualified prospects, convert more opportunities, and build five-star operations. Driven by a strong desire to win, Jay applies his competitive nature to helping clients rank higher, sign more cases, earn stronger reviews, and generate valuable referrals. In this conversation, Jay introduces The AI Visibility Optimization Framework—Collect Prospect FAQs, Publish Answers Regularly, Become an Expert on Reddit & Quora, and Blog on Customer-Generated Topics. He explains how businesses can identify real customer questions from sales calls, intake conversations, and AI-generated transcripts, then answer them through videos, blogs, FAQs, and social content. Jay also discusses optimizing websites and Google Business Profiles, responding quickly and empathetically to inquiries, and delivering five-star service that generates reviews and referrals. He shares how referrals, conference speaking, webinars, podcasts, and high-value content drive agency growth and how EOS helped him develop leaders as the company expanded. — Implement the Law Firm Success Formula with Jay Berkowitz  Good day. Steve Preda here with the Management Blueprint, and my guest today is Jay Berkowitz, the Founder and CEO of Ten Golden Rules, a two-time Inc. 5000 digital marketing agency that helps law firms generate more qualified leads and clients. Jay, welcome to the show.  Thank you so much. Great to be here, Steve.  So we already talked a little bit about it, but I was really curious about why you focus on law firms. There are so many marketing agencies out there, but I’ve never seen anyone that focused on such a narrow niche. And then I’m going to link it to my favorite question. So what is your personal Why, and how are you manifesting it in your Ten Golden Rules agency? And maybe there’s a connection to law firms as well?  Well, I’ll start with my personal Why, and my personal Why is I really like to win. And I’ve done the StrengthsFinder and different psychology tests, and I’m in the top—whatever—one or five percentile of people who are competitive. And so I was competitive in sports, but I really want to do well in business, and I want my clients to do well. Like, I really, really hate it if my client’s not right at the top of Google and if my client’s not growing in more new cases signed every month.  So that seems to be a really great fit for the business I’m in, which is helping clients with growth strategies, part of which is the marketing piece, getting new traffic to their website. Part of it is conversion, so we do a lot of work with our clients on getting a higher percentage of the folks who do show up to call, to click, to fill out a form. And then we work with their intake teams on converting those opportunities. And the final piece we work with them is really running a five-star operation—meaning that they’re getting more five-star Google reviews and getting more referrals from past clients and referral partners. So we do a lot of work in those three pieces of the business to help law firms grow, and I really want them to win because when they win, I win. Selfishly.  No, I love it. I love it. So are you like an outsourced marketing department and marketing-sales department for these law firms? How do you see yourselves? What is the role that you fulfill?  Yeah, I mean, we are a consulting agency. So first and foremost, we’re going to help them strategically figure out where to focus. And we have a fully functioning digital marketing agency, so we do websites and SEO and Local Services Ads and pay-per-click and social media and video and lots of AI. And then as a part of our consulting practice, we help with intake consulting that I mentioned before and five-star operations. And a big part of that is just finding the right partners because we’ll do high-level intake coaching and point out if they’re not answering the phone, if they’re not putting the right people on the phone, and then we’ll connect them with one of the top intake coaches in the legal industry.  If their back end is a little rough and needs some help, there’s a number of partners. Like, for example, there’s a really great software called Case Status we recommend to all of our clients. And imagine Case Status is an app. So, like, when we all order an Uber or order food, we get updates. “Hey, your driver’s been selected. Your driver will be here in 10 minutes. Your driver’s waiting outside. Do you want to have a conversation with your driver? What temperature do you want?”  And so there’s a great app called Case Status, which can manage the case in an app format that consumers are really used to. “Hey, we got your MRI booked, and here’s the location, and here’s the time. Don’t forget your MRI is tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. Here’s the location. If you can’t make the MRI, click here. Hey, we got your MRI. We forwarded it to the next surgeon,” in a case of a car accident. So using that software helps our firms get five-star Google ratings and lots more referrals, and that’s just one small piece of the pie.  So within the niche of law firms, is this even a narrower niche of injury law firms that you work with?  Yeah, it’s funny because when, as a business person, you go from working on 200 SIC codes and you pick one, “I’m only going to work with lawyers,” everybody always asks, like, “Which niche within the niche are you?” But by the nature of our business, 50% or 60% is personal injury, just because those guys are really invested in marketing. They spend a lot of time and money on it, and we’ve built a little reputation.  But we also have estate firms and family lawyers, criminal attorneys, sex abuse lawyers, securities attorneys. So I always say 50% is personal injury and 50% is everybody else who deals with consumers. Because for the most part, the B2B lawyers, they’re not going to spend a lot on marketing. But we have done some beautiful websites for them.  Very interesting. I have kind of a tangential question, but you may be able to help me answer it because I’m obviously wondering about it. I always see these billboards with the injury law firms promoting themselves, and I get if someone gets in a car accident and there’s a billboard above them, then it’s going to be an obvious thing for them to call, but it probably doesn’t happen that often. So how are these billboards so good for lawyers, or is it just a myth and they’re just wasting their money on it?  No. I think the math is pretty compelling, and the average personal injury firm will make between $10,000 and $20,000 on average on cases. Then there will be one or two or three, what they call whales, every year. So a terrible incident where, like, a FedEx truck or a commercial vehicle hits a family and there’s serious injuries or death involved, and it’s a multimillion-dollar case.  So the lawyers make a third of all the revenue that comes in on those cases, and they do a lot of work and they have a lot of expenses too. But when there’s millions of dollars at stake for just one case, these guys can afford the TV advertising, the billboard advertising, and the digital marketing that they do with us.  So it’s not just a billboard. Yeah. Billboard is just a visible one. It’s basically the general idea that they do a lot of advertising because being top of mind is important.  Yeah, for sure. And if, God forbid, someone you knew had an accident, you’d start noticing that every second ad on TV is also personal injury.  Yeah. Yeah. That’s true. That’s true. So let’s talk about frameworks because that’s what this podcast is about. Business blueprints or concepts that you have developed, you observed, something that helps you make sense or streamline the ideas that you deal with in your business. Anything that comes to mind, something that can be explained in three to five steps?  Yes. Well, I touched on it a little bit a minute ago, and we call it our Law Firm Success Formula. And the first part is attract, the second part is convert, and the third part is five-star operations. But I’ll spend a couple more minutes on it. So the attract piece is, first and foremost, you’ve got to have your website dialed in. You have to have a contemporary website. If your website’s more than five years old, it just sends a subtle, even subconscious message to folks that you’re not current, and the design times change over time.  And also, Google’s functionality is going to change, or the functionality of your website, as it’s friendly to Google, particularly your mobile website, if it’s five years old, is not going to be the current best practice. And Google’s going to come and test your mobile website, and they’re going to send negative ratings back to the algorithm, and you’re going to show up less in the searches. Equally important is your Google Business Profile. And that’s your Google Maps address. And that has to be up-to-date and optimized and constantly updated with new content and blogs and videos and information and photos from your location because I always say that you don’t own your Google Maps, you lease it from Google, but it’s a second and very powerful web presence that a firm can have.  So we do a lot of work on the websites, on the Google Maps, and there’s a whole SEO protocol around local SEO that surrounds the Google Maps listing and how you’re listed on your website and how you’re linked to by local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce and business associations and bar associations. And then the next piece is getting your message out there and optimizing for the AI. And so the AI today that’s important in my part of the business is the SEO AI, or a lot of us are calling it AEO, answer engine optimization. So a lot of the work we’re doing with our clients is answering questions on video, and those videos go on YouTube, and then we also use the video on a blog on the website.  And you can use those videos throughout the internet, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter. Very importantly, add a video to your Google Maps every week. So we generally shoot a series of at least a dozen videos with the client every quarter and have them answer questions. Because again, when you’re asking questions of Google or ChatGPT or Claude, “Who’s the best car accident attorney if I was hit in an Uber?” So we literally answer that question, and the attorney will say, “One of the things I’m getting asked all the time now is, who’s the best car accident attorney if I’m hit in an Uber? Do I need a car accident attorney?” And they’ll go on to answer that question, but literally, we put the question in the video.  The question goes on their blog, goes on their website, goes on their Facebook, their Twitter. So it’s a very effective strategy to target the AEO, or the answer engine optimization. And by the way, there’s a couple other pieces that are very important to come up in the AI. So number one is answering questions. Number two is becoming an expert, so getting written up in journals and your bar association, your Chamber of Commerce, whatever industry you’re in, getting on Wikipedias and things like that, and answering questions on Reddit and Quora, which are the answer engine websites. And then the final piece is some technical stuff you can do on your website, as simple as adding frequently asked questions. Most people only have five FAQs on their website. You should have 50 or 100 today in this world of answer engine optimization.  So the first piece in our formula is attracting traffic to the website and getting the brand right. And then the second piece is conversion. And I mentioned things like answering the phone. Super critical today that you answer the phone. And I know that sounds obvious, but Google’s actually tracking how long it takes you to answer the phone when someone clicks off a Google ad or a Google Maps listing. And if it takes more than 15 seconds and three rings, Google’s going to, again, downgrade you for future listings. And it’s not nefarious. There’s nothing negative. It’s just like when people use Google, Google wants them to have a successful experience.  Yeah.  So if they’re looking for a car accident lawyer or a shoe repair or a pizza, if you don’t answer the phone quickly, the next time, they’re going to put you down a little bit lower in the listings. So conversion is a multifaceted program that we help our clients with: answering the phone, answering the phone with empathy, answering the phone with a professional who can handle the call, not somebody who’s a busy trial attorney or a busy paralegal, and they don’t even want to take calls. So you really need a professional who’s trained to convert those opportunities.  And then we’ve also built some software to optimize any missed calls, and we even have a software when people fill out a form on the website, it immediately sends a text to the intake team so you can call them back. Because we’ve all had that experience where you fill out the form on the website, and you wait five minutes, 10 minutes, an hour, a day. Well, by then, you forgot whose form you filled out, and you filled out a couple other forms on other law firms’ websites or other marketing agencies’ or consultants’ websites, right? So very important that we have the software that immediately texts the form information to the intake team.  They can call the person right back. And then the final piece, I talked about five-star operations, and we have several programs to help our clients get more Google reviews and get more referrals from their existing clients and their referral partners. And one of the subtle things that a lot of people don’t do, and this is the easiest, most cost-effective marketing piece, is just sending out a monthly newsletter.  I mean, every business and every law firm and every marketing agency has to have a monthly newsletter. It’s very inexpensive. You can use Mailchimp or Constant Contact and send out some valuable information, some of your community activities, if you’re speaking at the Chamber of Commerce or your bar association, or I’m speaking at an industry conference. And every time I send out a newsletter, I get two or three calls. “Oh, Jay, I was meaning to call you. We want to redo our website.” Or, “Jay, would you be on my podcast?” Thank you for that, Steve. And just being top of mind increases your business opportunities, those referrals. So there’s a number of those programs that we do to help our clients get more five-star Google reviews and more high-value referrals.  That’s fantastic. You’re really very systematic about it. I mean, this is a huge framework, so I don’t know if we can promote it. It’s not going to be easy to promote all parts of it. But I really like the AEO optimization element: answering questions, becoming an expert on Wikipedia, Reddit, Quora, and the FAQs. Is there anything else there in this AEO optimization that may be important?  Well, the first part about answering questions, I can give you a couple clues there. One of the areas to get questions is to monitor the questions you take on a regular basis. And we use an AI called Fathom that records all my phone calls. And it creates a transcript, and I asked another AI, like a Claude or one of the AIs, to read all 200 most recent sales calls and transcribe all of the questions that I answered more than once. And there were several questions that I answered 20, 30 times and several that I answered two, three, four times.  It came up with 269 questions that I get asked on a regular basis on my sales calls, and now we’re systematically answering those questions on videos and blogs and content on our website because we know those are the questions that we get asked on a frequent basis by people who are interested in our products and services. So if you can find the true questions that you’re asked, I often joke that Margaret, the receptionist, you should give her a little clipboard beside her desk, and every question that comes in through the intake department, you want her to write it down and then hand that off to your marketing department and write a blog post.  Because literally, the questions that people are asking about car accidents or divorces or consulting services or marketing blueprints, those are the questions that people are asking Google, ChatGPT, and Claude. So if you proactively collect and answer the questions, that’s very powerful. And then in the expertise area, things you can do like getting in Wikipedia's, which is hard to get. You really have to be a known public figure today to get approved for a Wikipedia. But Grok has its own Grokipedia, and there’s several other pedias out there. Just making sure that you’re properly listed in all of your industry association listings and your local business associations.  When you just take a look at who’s linking to your competitors, you’re going to find a list of 200 websites that link to and list your competitors, and you can get listed in all those places, in most of those places, because there’s multiple chambers of commerce and business associations and bar associations in every region. And that’s true for every business, not just for lawyers. And then the final piece about the five-star operations, the simplest insight there is if you want lots of five-star reviews, you have to run a five-star business. You have to think of yourself like a five-star hotel.  And when you show up at The Ritz or The Four Seasons, which I’m lucky enough to do a couple times a year because I go to lawyer conferences, and those guys don’t fool around. Even as you pull up, they’re like, “Oh, welcome, Mr. Berkowitz.” I’m like, “How do they know that?” Probably because I told them what type of car I was coming in. Or they’ll ask you, “Are you staying here?” And your name is Mr. Berkowitz. And then as soon as the person hands your bags off and they take you to reception, you’re Mr. Berkowitz for the rest of your stay. They know who you are.  They recognize the staff are trained to give you that high level of service. And then when you go over to the concierge, there’s someone whose whole job is to make your visit great and get you fantastic dinner reservations and nurture your whole relationship, get you theater tickets or concert tickets. So if you think of your business as a five-star operation from the first time they call to every conversation, they should know Mr. Berkowitz. They should be able to pull up your file. They should know what the status of your business relationship is or your legal case.  And in fact, we recommend the software I talked about earlier, so they’re proactively sending you updates on your case. You don’t even have to call in. And the number one bar complaint is, “My lawyer doesn’t answer the phone and doesn’t give me updates on the status of my case.” And I think that’s true for every business. So if you’re proactively sending out updates and information to your clients, they’re proactively happy as opposed to reactively trying to chase you down.  Basically, you cannot fake being a good business. You have to be a good business. But it’s good to be reminded of what it takes to be a five-star service-oriented.  Yeah, you’re right. Yeah. Five years ago, you could fake it. Today, you can’t fake it. The Google reviews are omnipresent, and I think in 70 or 80% of businesses. I saw a data point the other day, people look at Google reviews before they work with a company.  Yeah. That is true. That is true. Well, thanks for reminding me. So what drives growth in your marketing agency business?  I think there’s three big chunks of business opportunities for us. The first one, and the best one for everybody, is always referrals. And so I do a lot of hard work to nurture my referral base. As a matter of fact, I’ve even created my own sort of networking group, if you will, of other people who call on the same types of businesses that I do. And I make sure that I reach out to them and have a quick Zoom call. I met with two of them this morning on just a half-hour Zoom call, finding out what’s up in their life, what type of referrals they’re looking for, and asking how I can give, and giving as many referrals as I get.  So building those relationships, we call it know, like, and trust in networking. And constantly building those relationships and then spending time with them at the industry conferences to really put a focus that I think I made a mistake and I ignored that up until the last four or five years. And now I spend more time at a conference on the trade show floor with the other vendors as I do trying to meet the attorneys, because if you build a relationship with a vendor who has 200 clients, you can get 200 referrals. If you build a relationship with a one-off prospect, you can get one.  Maybe he’ll refer you to someone he does business with. But really building those relationships, those referral relationships, has been fruitful for me. And then the second piece is those trade shows. And there’s an expression we use in my mastermind, which is, “Stage time is money time.” And if you can become an expert and develop a book and a presentation and get featured at your industry conference, that’s the best way to attend those conferences. And if you haven’t spoken on stage at your industry conference, I highly recommend it.  There’s about 10 benefits that you don’t even know about, that people reach out to you beforehand, even before the conference, to book you on their podcast or book a meeting with you or introduce you to someone. At the conference itself, there’s often a green room, which is a private area where you can do some business, where the other speakers are, and often the media is also in the green room. So you’ve got access to some of the most influential influencers at the conference itself. And then obviously, after you’re on stage, everyone wants to be your best friend if you do a good job, if your presentation is high value.  Yeah.  So that’s one of the best conference hacks. And then we try and do everything to optimize having a booth and having a presence at the conference or whatever we’re doing there. We often host a party or a dinner as well. And a lot of times, we do that with our vendor friends that I talked about earlier. And it really gives you a chance to stand out at the conference itself.  And then the third piece is marketing. We’ve been very fortunate and successful. We started a webinar series six years ago, and every month for six years, without fail, we’ve done a webinar. SEO for lawyers, pay-per-click for lawyers, social media for lawyers, video for lawyers, and then branching out into things like EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System. We do an annual business planning webinar. And thankfully, about two years ago, February, one of those videos took off on YouTube.  Something in the algorithm, it just loved it, and people were watching a long time on this video, and they were watching other videos after they watched this video. And I used to be so proud because I had 2,000 or 3,000 people who watched my webinars, and this one started going to 20,000, 30,000. Today, I believe it’s been viewed 95,000 times. It’s called the Top 10 Hottest Technology Tips for Attorneys, and that one seemed to pull the whole channel with it. So now, on a regular basis, we’ll get 50,000 or 60,000 views each month, and our overall channel’s up to 1,300,000 or 1,400,000 views on YouTube.  So creating high-value content has been a great sort of foundation for us, and then we’ll also market that in several different ways. We send emails: “Hey, please come to our monthly live-streaming event. We’ve got a great panel. We’re going to teach you all about the latest technologies in AI for lawyers.” And then those panel partners will promote the event as well. And then we send the emails in advance to the webinar. We post on our LinkedIn, my personal LinkedIn, company Facebook, Jay’s Facebook, Twitter, company Twitter.  And then after, “Hey, a lot of people said they missed the webinar. They couldn’t get the link to work. Here’s a replay of the webinar.” And then we take snippets from the webinar and put it in our social media. So that and a weekly podcast has been very, very powerful inbound marketing and thought leadership marketing for the firm.  Love it. That’s really cool. You’ve got some good processes, and thanks for sharing. This is interesting, the 10 technology tips. And it’s got a good title for sure, and I’m sure that it’s a good niche as well, and well done doing this. So no business is perfect, of course. What is something that you’re actively trying to figure out in your business?  Well, I’ve been spectacularly unsuccessful at hiring salespeople. And a number of my friends in my mastermind say the best day of their life is when they hire a salesperson who can sell better than them. We have a great sales process, and we have a great sales team, but I haven’t yet found the person who’s a little bit more effective in nurturing and closing the sales. So I definitely have some work to do still in building a sales team.  Yeah. I mean, you’re two times Inc. 5000, so you must be growing fast. And in fact, I saw that you doubled the number of employees in the last couple of years. How do you make sure that the leadership is growing with the number of employees? How are you growing your leaders?  Well, Steve, thank you, because that’s one of my favorite topics. And we’re big proponents of EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, and the book Traction. And by the way, my hot tip to anyone who’s hearing this and is a business owner: don’t read the book Traction first. Read this book, Get a Grip. Because Get a Grip tells you the story of Traction, but it’s told as a story. And if you’re the founder, what EOS calls a visionary, Traction’s more like an operations manual, and that’s for your COO, your chief operating officer. So read Get a Grip, and then we got started three or four years ago self-implementing EOS.  Yeah.  And two and a half years ago, we hired an implementer and did a full-scale EOS, Entrepreneurial Operating System, integration into our business. And that was when we were around 10 or 12 people. And when you’re a small business, five, six, seven employees, all of them can report to the CEO, and we had very hands-on training. And as the business grew and we got to 10 or 12, that’s where you’re supposed to develop leadership specialties.  And obviously, 12 people can’t report to you, and you’re getting busier in sales and marketing and speaking and flying all over the place. So as we built this EOS leadership team, it’s been a real fantastic awakening for me because now there’s people who are very, very competent at what they do. They’re leading each of our departments, and I don’t have to sit in all the seats anymore. I found people who are better than me, smarter than me at what they do to lead each of those teams.  That’s pretty cool. That’s pretty cool. So if someone is running a law firm out there and listening to all that advice and they’d like to learn more, where should they go and where can they connect with you?  Well, the easiest thing is to go to tengoldenrules.com, or I’m Jay Berkowitz on most of the social media because when a new social media comes out, I always grab the name Jay Berkowitz. And probably much to the chagrin of a couple guys who are probably more important than me, Professor Jay Berkowitz and Chiropractor Jay Berkowitz. And if you guys are hearing this, I’m sorry, Dr. Jay Berkowitz, but I’ve got the Twitter and the Facebook and the LinkedIn handle.  Yeah. That’s pretty cool. Actually, I was wondering because this podcast has been running for six years, and I had the recollection that I had a Jay Berkowitz on this show four or five years ago, and I had to make sure that it wasn’t you. So it’s funny that you mentioned this. Yeah. That’s awesome. So this is pretty impressive, not just as a law firm or a law firm owner, but anyone.  I mean, these ideas that, Jay, you shared with us—how to attract people on your website, how to leverage AI and become an expert and create those FAQs and harvest them from your sales conversations, and then how you build a five-star operation so that you actually retain those clients and get them to refer and give you testimonials—that’s very, very valuable stuff. So I recommend all of you to look into implementing some of this stuff or reach out to Jay at one of the Jay Berkowitz handles or on the Ten Golden Rules website.  So, Jay, thank you for coming and sharing your ideas and experiences and frameworks, particularly frameworks. And if you enjoyed listening, then stay tuned because every week I bring a couple of amazing entrepreneurs to this show. So thanks, Jay, for coming, and thank you for listening.  You’re welcome, Steve. Thanks for having me.  Thank you. Important Links: Jay's LinkedIn Jay's website

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by entrepreneur Rachel Hill, whose journey takes us from building and selling a multi site childcare business to breathing new life into a closed model village and launching a new consumer brand almost by accident. Rachel started Hillside Childcare at just 26, converting a granny flat into a 16 place nursery as a way of helping to pay a new mortgage. That first nursery eventually became a four site operation looking after 299 children. What makes Rachel's story particularly interesting is not simply the growth. It is what she learnt about making a business repeatable, creating a strong culture, managing one of the largest costs in a people intensive business and, ultimately, building a company capable of operating without her. That last point became particularly important when Rachel decided to sell. After years of being the person everyone turned to when something went wrong, the pressures following COVID left her questioning whether she still wanted to be the one responsible for fixing every problem. The decision to sell came remarkably quickly. During a dog walk, Rachel decided it was time. Rather than formally taking the business to market, she approached an established buyer directly through LinkedIn. Five months later, the deal was complete. Rachel handled much of an intensive due diligence process herself because she wanted to protect her staff and families from unnecessary uncertainty. She also rejected the first offer, negotiated a price she was comfortable with and ultimately achieved a clean exit with a one off payment and no requirement to remain with the business. One of the standout lessons from the conversation is this: A business that can operate without its owner is not only easier to run. It can also be considerably more valuable when the time comes to sell. Rachel had developed systems, policies, procedures and a management structure that meant Hillside was not completely dependent upon her day to day involvement. That independence became an important asset during the sale. But selling Hillside did not mean Rachel stopped being entrepreneurial. While the sale was taking place, she bought Bondville Model Village, a closed and run down one acre attraction containing around 200 miniature buildings. Rachel saw the potential in an underdog. After months of renovation, Bondville reopened, but the first version of the business model was not right. Trying to operate throughout the year meant the winter numbers simply did not work. Rather than persist with the original plan, Rachel changed it. Bondville became a seasonal attraction, creating a business model better suited to customer behaviour and the economics of the site. That willingness to change direction appears again in Rachel's latest venture. Unable to find the right candles for Bondville's gift shop, she created her own. The result was 45 by Rachel Hill, a range of candles inspired by the model village, each incorporating a miniature keepsake and its own story. They repeatedly sold out, leading Rachel to explore how the range could grow beyond Bondville through a dedicated Shopify store. In this episode Kevin and Rachel discuss: • How a 16 place nursery became a four site childcare group serving 299 children • Why replication and strong operating systems were critical to growing Hillside • How Rachel maintained consistency as the business expanded across multiple locations • Why staffing became one of the toughest challenges in the business, particularly after COVID • The importance of culture and creating genuine buy in from the team • Why Rachel closely monitored staff wages as a percentage of turnover • The pressures that come when the founder remains the organisation's ultimate problem solver • What finally prompted Rachel to sell Hillside • Why she chose an off market approach rather than putting the business openly up for sale • How she approached a potential acquirer directly through LinkedIn • What five months of due diligence looked like from the seller's side • Why Rachel kept the sale confidential from the wider team during the process • How she valued the business using profit multiples and property values • Why being prepared to reject the first offer mattered • The value of building a company capable of running without its owner • Why Rachel bought a closed model village while simultaneously selling another business • How Bondville was renovated and relaunched • Why Rachel abandoned the original year round operating model • The importance of accepting quickly when the economics of an idea do not work • How a product created to solve a problem in Bondville's gift shop became a new business opportunity • Why Rachel believes entrepreneurs should benchmark themselves against the best rather than simply comparing themselves with local competitors • The value of hiring people who are stronger than you in the areas where you are weak The one key thing Build the business so that it does not need you. Rachel's experience with Hillside demonstrates why owner independence matters long before an exit is being considered. Systems, procedures, capable managers and a strong culture helped Rachel grow across multiple sites. They also meant that when she eventually decided to sell, the buyer was acquiring a functioning business rather than simply buying Rachel's job. For any owner manager thinking about ScaleUp, that creates an important question: If you disappeared from the business for three months tomorrow, what would stop working? The answers are likely to point directly towards the systems, people and responsibilities that need attention next. Rachel's ScaleUp philosophy Rachel describes her approach as "go big or go home." Rather than benchmarking yourself only against the businesses around you, she believes in looking at the organisations doing something exceptionally well and asking what can be learnt from them. Equally, founders do not have to be good at everything. Rachel recognises her own strengths as creative and entrepreneurial and brings in people who can handle areas where she is weaker, including technology. That allows the founder to spend more time doing the things where they can create the greatest value. Before you listen Most founders I speak to feel busy but frustrated. Plenty is happening, but they are frustrated that they are not moving forward at the rate they want to. Their success creates more options, pulling them and their teams in different directions. Here is what more than 500 interviews on ScaleUp Radio have taught me: The founders who scale choose less, and deliver all of it. That is what the G90 Summit is for. It is a structured half day where we cut through everything competing for your attention, agree the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days and build the rhythm to make sure they do. From the frustration and chaos of more, through the discipline of less, to the rhythm of done. Quarterly. Virtual. £97 a seat. Visit Smart90.co.uk/summit Listen to the episode Listen to the full conversation with Rachel to hear the story behind Hillside Childcare, the realities of selling a business, the reinvention of Bondville and the entrepreneurial thinking behind 45 by Rachel Hill. Make sure you do not miss future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you know somebody with an interesting ScaleUp story, you can nominate them as a future guest for ScaleUp Radio. Intro recording script The required ScaleUp Radio opening, G90 Summit message and closing make this longer than a genuine 60 second read, so I've prioritised retaining the wording and message you specified rather than artificially rushing it. Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by Rachel Hill. Rachel's entrepreneurial journey has taken her from starting a 16 place nursery at the age of 26 to building Hillside Childcare into a four site business looking after 299 children, before selling it in an off market deal completed in just five months. And there's a really important ScaleUp message in Rachel's story. One of the things that made Hillside valuable was that the business had been built to operate without Rachel. We talk about the systems and culture that made that possible, the reality of managing staffing in a people intensive business, what due diligence was really like and why Rachel was prepared to reject the first offer. We also hear what happened next, because while selling Hillside Rachel bought and revitalised Bondville Model Village, changed its business model when the original numbers did not work and has since created another venture, 45 by Rachel Hill. Rachel's philosophy is simple: go big or go home. Look beyond the competition immediately around you, learn from the best and hire people who are better than you in the areas where you are weak. Before we get into it, most founders I speak to feel busy but frustrated. Plenty happening, but frustrated that they are not moving forward at the rate they want to. This is because their success leads to more options, pulling them and their teams in different directions. Here's what more than 500 interviews on this show have taught me: the founders who scale choose less, and deliver all of it. That's what the G90 Summit is for. A structured half day where we cut through everything competing for your attention, agree the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and build the rhythm to make sure they do. From the frustration and chaos of more, through the discipline of less, to the rhythm of done. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat. Smart90.co.uk/summit. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts, and why not give us a follow. You can also nominate a guest for ScaleUp Radio if you know someone with an interesting ScaleUp story. You can find how in the shownotes. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Rachel. Social media collateral Could your business still run properly if you disappeared for three months? That question sits at the heart of my latest ScaleUp Radio conversation with Rachel Hill. Rachel started Hillside Childcare at 26 with a 16 place nursery. She went on to build it into four sites supporting 299 children before selling the business in an off market deal completed in just five months. There are some strong lessons here for any SME owner manager thinking about Business Strategy, Leadership Development and building a company that is less dependent on its founder. A few that stood out: ✅ Build systems before you need them Policies, procedures and a capable management team allowed Rachel to replicate the Hillside model while protecting consistency across multiple locations. ✅ Founder dependency affects value One of Hillside's strongest assets at sale was its ability to operate without Rachel. If everything still comes back to you, you may have created a demanding job rather than a genuinely scalable business. ✅ Know the numbers and change course When Rachel discovered Bondville's year round model was not financially sustainable, she changed it rather than defending the original plan. Good Business Strategy sometimes means admitting the model needs to change. ✅ Hire around your weaknesses Rachel knows where she creates value and brings in people who are stronger in areas where she is not. That is a valuable Leadership Development lesson as a company grows. And perhaps the biggest takeaway: The founders who create the most valuable businesses gradually make themselves less essential to the everyday operation of them. There is plenty more in the episode, including the sale process, due diligence, staffing challenges, negotiation, Bondville Model Village and the creation of 45 by Rachel Hill. Listen to the full Rachel Hill episode of ScaleUp Radio here: [EPISODE LINK] #ScaleUpRadio #Smart90 #StopTheDrift #G90Summit #BusinessStrategy #LeadershipDevelopment #90DayPlanning #SMEGrowth ScaleUp Radio LinkedIn Business Page ScaleUp Radio's latest episode features entrepreneur Rachel Hill, founder of Hillside Childcare and the entrepreneur behind Bondville Model Village and 45 by Rachel Hill. The conversation covers scaling Hillside from a 16 place nursery to four sites serving 299 children, developing systems and teams, managing staffing challenges and preparing a business to operate without its owner. Rachel also discusses the five month off market sale of Hillside, the due diligence and negotiation process, and the lessons she has applied to her subsequent ventures. Listen to the episode and explore the ScaleUp Radio archive here: [ARCHIVE LINK] Single promotional message / key takeaway: The one key thing is to build a business that can run without you. The systems and people that reduce founder dependency today can become some of the most valuable assets in the business tomorrow.   ScaleUp Radio Rachel Hill - September 01 VIEW RECORDING - 65 mins (No highlights) Meeting Purpose Interview Rachel Hill on her entrepreneurial journey and business sale. Key Takeaways Built & Exited Hillside Childcare: Grew a single 16-place nursery into a 4-site, 299-child operation, then sold it in a 5-month, off-market deal to protect staff and families. Acquired & Revitalized Bondville: Purchased a closed model village, transforming it into a profitable, nostalgic attraction by pivoting from a failed year-round model to a seasonal one. Launched "45 by Rachel Hill": Created a successful candle brand for the Bondville gift shop, inspired by the village and featuring miniature keepsakes, with plans for a Shopify store. Core Philosophy: "Go big or go home"—benchmark against global leaders, not local competitors, and hire for weaknesses (e.g., IT) to focus on creative strengths. Topics Hillside Childcare: Building & Scaling Origin: Started at age 26 by converting a granny flat into a 16-place nursery to pay a new mortgage. Growth Strategy:  Replication: Applied a proven operational model to new sites. Acquisition: Bought out two failing nurseries, converting a 16-place operation into a 299-child business across four sites. Systems: Used robust policies and procedures to ensure brand consistency across all locations. Success Drivers:  Passion: Deep personal care for staff and families. Efficiency: Maintained a 60–70% staff wage-to-turnover ratio, a key profit driver. Culture: Created a family-like environment with strong team buy-in. Key Challenge: Staffing was the hardest part, especially post-COVID, due to a decline in candidate quality. Exiting Hillside Childcare Motivation: Burnout from being the sole "problem solver" and a feeling of no longer being able to fix issues post-COVID. Sale Process:  Decision: Impulsive; made on a dog walk and executed immediately. Method: Off-market; contacted a specific, established acquirer directly via LinkedIn. Timeline: 5 months from decision to completion. Due Diligence (DD):  Challenge: Handled the intense DD process alone to protect staff and families from uncertainty. Tactic: Framed DD requests to managers as a "thorough health check." Negotiation & Terms:  Valuation: Used industry formulas (e.g., 4x profit) and building values to set a price. Outcome: Rejected the first offer to secure a higher, satisfactory price. Structure: One-off payment, not staged. No stay-on requirement. Key Asset: The business's ability to run without the owner was a major value enhancer. Current Ventures: Bondville & "45 by Rachel Hill" Bondville Model Village:  Acquisition: Purchased a closed, run-down model village (1 acre, 200 buildings) while selling Hillside. Revitalization: Saw the "underdog" potential and spent months on renovation before reopening. Lesson: Pivoted from a failed year-round model to a seasonal one after realizing winter revenue was unsustainable. "45 by Rachel Hill" (Candle Brand):  Origin: Created candles for the Bondville gift shop after failing to find suitable products. Product: Three scents inspired by the village, each with a miniature keepsake and a story card. Performance: High demand; sold out repeatedly. Future: Launching a Shopify store to scale production and sales. Next Steps Rachel Hill:  Launch the "45 by Rachel Hill" Shopify store. Scale candle production to meet high demand. Continue building the Bondville Model Village brand on social media.   Additional Resources Websites and Social Media Rachel Hill's own account: Instagram - @Rachel_Merry_Hill Connect with Bondville Model Village Bondville Model Village (VisitBondville.com) Instagram - @BondvilleModelVillage_ Facebook – Bondville Model Village

Just because something can be measured doesn't mean it deserves equal weight when you're thinking about your health. Episode #277

1. The agent becomes the interface; the device becomes secondary.Facebook's Muse points toward a different relationship with computing: delegate a task rather than navigate an application. A persistent agent operates a computer in the cloud, while glasses, earphones or a phone provide access. Hardware doesn't disappear, but the device becomes less important than the agent available through it. Microsoft's announcement of autopilot is the same in a work context.2. Free AI could change the economics of the industry.Muse's proposed transaction-funded model challenges the assumption that useful AI requires a subscription. If shopping commissions can support a free personal agent, Meta could bring delegated work to a mass audience. That puts pressure on both paid AI services and the device ecosystems through which people access them. The opportunity is substantial, though competitors can respond.3. Responsibility for AI safety starts with its builders.Jensen Huang's challenge, central to the discussion, is that companies claiming their products cannot be controlled should not release them. Safety requires engineering, testing and enforceable limits. Regulation can establish obligations, but it cannot substitute for the technical controls needed to meet them.4. The fight over regulation is also about competition and liability.Global rules could protect the public, but they could also entrench established companies and encourage a compliance-based defence of harmful outcomes. Those possibilities deserve scrutiny. So do the commercial interests of regulation's opponents: NVIDIA benefits from continued AI expansion. Neither side's business interests automatically prove or disprove its arguments.5. Technical control and social consequences are different questions.The conversation's sharpest disagreement concerns what can be known before deployment. Laboratory stress tests do not necessarily describe how released products behave. Equally, controlling a product's operation does not establish every consequence of its widespread use. The challenge is to preserve experimentation while learning from actual outcomes and holding the responsible people and companies accountable. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thatwastheweek.com/subscribe

As we all know, one of the key characteristics of somebody working in any user focused field is a fascination with people. How they think, what motivates them, how they make decisions. But that fascination should not just be focused on others, we should apply it to ourselves too.It is easy to go through life oblivious to what we are doing and why we are doing it. But as we become more self-aware, we also begin to understand more how others are likely to respond too.As an early adopter of any new technology, I have learned that what I go through when wrapping my head around a new tool is likely to be the experience of others slightly further down the road.This is why I have been particularly interested in my own use of AI, especially relating to using AI to inform my decision making.The contradiction in how I use AII have noticed a contradiction in my behavior when using AI and I suspect it is one that many of us share.When I ask AI about a subject I know little about, I have a tendency to accept its recommendations and responses without question. Meanwhile, if I talk to it about user experience design or conversion optimization, I am much more critical of its responses.I recognize its limitations such as its lack of context, its inability to pick up on subtle signals, and its fixation on one particular approach to the problem. Equally, I am much more aware of its proclivity to agree with me and to be overly confident in its responses.The conclusion is obvious. If I am not impressed by AI's responses on a subject I know deeply, I should not place too much trust in its responses on a subject I know little about. There is no reason to assume it knows more about a subject I am unfamiliar with than a subject I am an expert in.Where AI falls short in the real worldFurthermore, this shows that in truth, AI's real world knowledge is still fairly limited. Sure, it might excel at every benchmark under the sun, but when it comes to the complexities of real world human decision making, it is relatively poor.It doesn't know when to challenge and when to encourage, or when to ask for more information and when to just take action. It cannot make judgment calls or handle internal politics.It is great at presenting options, but it lacks judgment in its recommendations. It can write a set of compelling cases for a subject, but it has no idea which will sway the decision maker.But it has taken me, and I suspect all of us, time to identify the edges of what AI can and cannot do. This has been true of every new technology we have ever invented as a species. We are always exploring the edges of what is possible.Why many people are having a rough time right nowSo, why do I raise this? Well, it is to encourage you that things will get better, because at the moment many people are not having a good time.Take for example a member of the Agency Academy who was telling us about a meeting she had recently where the client was validating everything she said with Claude. Or others who have had their work picked apart by an AI.Then, of course, there is the naive belief of some executives that AI allows them to avoid recruiting or even to lay people off.Heck, I am even feeling the impact myself. The amount of coaching I have been doing has plummeted because of AI. Why hire a coach when you can just ask AI?Why I am not worriedBut I am not really worried about that. I am not worried, because I know it will pass, and it already is beginning to.Like us early adopters, who have begun to identify the edges of what AI can do, everybody will eventually come to the same understanding.In time, people will begin to trust the judgment of AI less than they trust the experts. They will realize that AI is most effective when it is used by those experts.The desktop publishing lessonApologies if you have heard me tell this story before, but when I was at university, desktop publishing became a thing. There was panic among those of us studying graphic design because suddenly anybody could create a flyer, brochure or poster. Why hire a graphic designer when you can just do it yourself?And indeed, for a while it was tough, but in time people realized that although they had an amazing new tool, it didn't replace an expert. After one too many posters with Comic Sans and clip art, people realized that they needed a graphic designer.Be patient, and watch your own hypocrisySo I would encourage you to be patient as people work out the limitations of AI, and to be aware of your own hypocrisy. You cannot get annoyed at people for using AI rather than trusting you, when you then use AI in the same way in other fields rather than asking an expert.Don't get me wrong, people won't stop using AI, and I am not expecting my coaching levels to ever return to what they were before. But I am confident that in time people will realize that AI doesn't replace human judgment, understand the complexity of a work environment, or tell you when you are the problem, which trust me, I will do.

Main content starts at 27:30.All of us have had experiences of bad leadership. This might involve a bad team leader at work, a poor leader in a group project or poor leadership within an organisation. Equally, the vast majority of us have had amazing leaders who we enjoy working with, we develop a positive relationship with and they bring the best out in us. This leads us to question what actually is the difference between a bad leader and a good leader. Emotional intelligence is one explanation. Therefore, in this business psychology podcast episode, you'll learn what is emotional intelligence, how does emotional intelligence make better leaders and how this knowledge can be used by aspiring and qualified psychologists alike. If you enjoy learning about applied psychology, the psychology of leadership and more, then this will be a great episode for you.In the psychology news section, you'll learn about psychedelic co-therapy, we feel more similar to our future selves than our past selves, and how do we make sense of the extraordinary. LISTEN NOW!If you want to support the podcast, please check out:FREE AND EXCLUSIVE 8 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK BOXSET- https://www.subscribepage.io/psychologyboxsetPersonality Psychology and Individual Differences- https://www.connorwhiteley.net/personality-psychology-and-individual-differences Available from all major eBook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it. Also available as an AI-narrated audiobook from selected audiobook platforms and libraries systems. For example, Kobo, Spotify, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Overdrive, Baker and Taylor and Bibliotheca. Patreon- patreon.com/ThePsychologyWorldPodcast#emotionalintelligence #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipskills #leadership #emotionalintelligencetips #emotionalintelligenceskills #personality #businesspsychology #psychology #psychology_facts #psychologyfacts #psychologyfact #psychologystudent #psychologystudents #podcast #podcasts #short #organisationalpsychology #industrialpsychology

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features the article “Managing Poa annua on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Greens” written by Chris Neff, Senior Agronomist, East Region and Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., Professor, University of Tennessee. Poa annua is one of the most persistent and disruptive weeds in ultradwarf bermudagrass greens. In this article, we explain why Poa annua thrives, how it impacts putting green playability and performance, and the cultural, chemical and routine maintenance practices that can help keep it under control. Success depends not on a single herbicide, but on an integrated management program that promotes healthy bermudagrass year-round. Key Takeaways: Poa annua is problematic in ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens because the plant characteristics and timing of active growth for the two grasses are so different. Fully eradicating Poa annua from ultradwarf greens is very challenging, so the goal for most courses is to minimize its presence and impact on playability. Pre and postemergence herbicides are part of successful control, but resistance is an issue and herbicides alone cannot solve Poa annua problems. Cultural practices and growing environments that favor dense and healthy ultradwarf greens are a critical part of any Poa annua control strategy. Poa annua remains one of the most persistent and disruptive weeds in ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens, particularly throughout the Southeast. From a consulting perspective, it is less a question of whether Poa annua will be an issue and more a matter of how well it is managed within the system. Its biological advantages, rapid germination, prolific seed production and adaptability to low mowing heights make it uniquely suited to exploit weaknesses in bermudagrass stands, especially during seasonal transitions. The primary issue Poa annua presents is inconsistency. Bermudagrass and Poa annua differ significantly in growth habit, color, leaf texture and seasonal performance. These differences manifest most noticeably on the putting surface, where uniformity is paramount. Poa annua tends to produce a lighter green color and a more upright growth habit, creating a mottled appearance that is often unacceptable to golfers. The differences in growth habit and timing of optimal growth also lead to bumpy surfaces, especially when Poa annua is growing actively in shoulder seasons while bermudagrass is growing slowly or is fully dormant. Early spring can be especially problematic in the Southeast because conditions are ideal for Poa annua while bermudagrass is often worn down by winter play. Aggressive Poa annua seedhead production, particularly in late winter and spring, adds to the variability in ball roll. Even under intensive management, seedheads can disrupt smoothness and trueness, leading to dissatisfaction among golfers. Beyond aesthetics and playability, Poa annua also introduces agronomic challenges. It is inherently less heat and drought tolerant than bermudagrass. As temperatures rise in late spring and early summer, Poa annua often declines rapidly, often leaving voids in the putting surface. This decline is typically accelerated by disease pressure during hot, wet and humid conditions, as stressed Poa annua becomes highly susceptible to pathogens. The resulting voids reduce surface uniformity and create opportunities for further weed encroachment. Another agronomic issue is that when Poa annua is actively growing during cooler weather, ultradwarf bermudagrass greens are growing slowly, if at all. Mowing and/or rolling can help minimize the impact of Poa annua plants on ball roll, but these practices can also increase wear on the desired bermudagrass, which can lead to more opportunities for Poa annua to gain ground. As the population of Poa annua in the putting greens increases, these and other agronomic issues become more challenging to manage, so keeping Poa annua under control as much as possible is the primary goal. Fertility Program Achieving this level of surface dominance begins with a carefully balanced fertility program designed to sustain consistent growth without encouraging excessive thatch accumulation or unwanted vertical elongation. Nitrogen applications should be delivered in light, frequent increments to promote steady lateral spread and recovery, rather than flushes of growth that can lead to scalping or increased disease susceptibility. Equally important, potassium should be maintained at adequate levels to enhance plant resilience, particularly in the face of summer stressors such as heat, traffic, and periodic drought. Elevated soil phosphorus levels have been associated with increased Poa annua populations in closely mown turfgrass environments (Guertal & McElroy, 2018). Excessive phosphorus can provide a competitive advantage to Poa annua, allowing it to establish and persist more readily in putting greens and other intensively managed turf areas. For this reason, phosphorus applications should be guided by soil test results and targeted to maintain levels within agronomically appropriate ranges, thereby promoting the competitiveness of the desired bermudagrass while reducing conditions that may favor Poa annua encroachment. Rutgers University turfgrass research has noted that elevated soil pH can be associated with increased Poa annua pressure in creeping bentgrass, making pH management an important cultural tool in suppression programs (McNally et al., 2024). Maintaining soil pH in a slightly more acidic range can help strengthen bermudagrass competitiveness and reduce Poa annua populations over time. Moisture Management Moisture management is equally critical in tipping the competitive balance toward bermudagrass during the summer months. Excessively wet conditions, whether from overwatering, poor drainage or prolonged rainfall, create an environment highly conducive to Poa annua germination, survival, and eventual reestablishment. In contrast, firm, well-drained surfaces inherently favor bermudagrass by promoting deeper rooting, improved oxygen exchange, and greater heat and traffic stress tolerance. Superintendents should target a consistently moderate soil moisture profile, carefully balancing the need to prevent drought-induced stress with the equally important goal of avoiding prolonged saturation. This requires a disciplined, responsive irrigation approach, in which water is applied based on plant demand and environmental conditions rather than on fixed schedules. Allowing the surface to dry down between irrigation events not only enhances firmness and playability but also puts Poa annua at a competitive disadvantage, encouraging bermudagrass to expand laterally and occupy available space. Using portable moisture meters to guide putting green irrigation can significantly improve the precision and effectiveness of this program. By providing real-time, site-specific data, these tools allow superintendents to make informed irrigation decisions that optimize water-use efficiency and maintain optimal rootzone moisture. Improving surface and subsurface drainage is also an effective part of Poa annua control. Areas of putting greens that tend to gather and hold more water are often where a high amount of Poa annua encroachment is observed during cooler and wetter periods, so any projects that can be done to improve drainage will enhance bermudagrass health and limit the amount of moisture available for Poa annua. Cultural Practices Cultural practices during the summer should be intentionally structured to enhance the density and vigor of bermudagrass and actively disrupt the life cycle of Poa annua. Topdressing and aeration are fundamental practices for maintaining healthy ultradwarf greens, and they place Poa annua at a relative disadvantage by limiting the amount of moisture that is held in the upper portion of the putting green rootzone. Incorporating vertical mowing and grooming into the program refines surface quality and triggers new shoot growth for improved density and increased surface smoothness. The frequency, intensity and timing of all cultural practices should be carefully managed to maintain bermudagrass vigor and allow adequate recovery time. Excessive stress weakens the competitive advantage of bermudagrass, creating favorable conditions for Poa annua germination, establishment and long-term persistence. Slightly raising the mowing height on ultradwarf putting greens heading into fall can help improve Poa annua control by reducing mechanical stress on the turf. Healthier, less-stressed bermudagrass develops greater density and is better able to compete with Poa annua. The additional leaf tissue will also help maintain bermudagrass density and coverage through the winter, when wear can create voids for Poa annua to occupy going into spring. Minimizing shade on ultradwarf putting greens is another important “cultural practice” that will help minimize Poa annua issues. Bermudagrass requires high light levels to maintain density and vigor, whereas Poa annua can persist under lower light conditions. Trees or surrounding vegetation that intercept sunlight will weaken bermudagrass and create favorable conditions for Poa annua establishment. Increasing sunlight through selective tree pruning or removal can strengthen bermudagrass competitiveness and should be considered an important component of any long-term Poa annua management program. Herbicides While routine maintenance practices that support bermudagrass health form the foundation of Poa annua control, a well-structured herbicide program is essential for long-term success. Preemergence herbicides are the cornerstone of this approach. Applications should be timed to coincide with declining soil temperatures in late summer and early fall, typically when temperatures at the 2-inch depth consistently fall below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Poa annua emergence typically occurs when 24-hour mean soil temperatures are sustained at or below 66 degrees Fahrenheit (Taylor et al., 2021). Application timing is critical: Treatments made too early may break down before peak germination, while those made too late will fail to provide effective control. Sequential applications will be required to sustain an effective chemical barrier throughout the shoulder seasons when Poa annua can most easily invade ultradwarf putting greens. Once soil temperatures are below 66 degrees Fahrenheit, applications should deliver both pre and postemergence control from varying mode-of-action groups. Advanced management programs frequently incorporate tank-mixing and rotational sequencing of multiple herbicide modes of action across the preemergence and postemergence spectrum. For example, the preemergence herbicide methiozolin (PoaCure) can be alternated with pronamide (Kerb) to balance soil residual activity, while herbicides such as amicarbazone (Xonerate) and flazasulfuron (Katana) can offer postemergence activity. Some turfgrass managers have expressed curiosity about herbicides that may be effective for controlling Poa annua but are not labeled for use on putting greens. In fact, some of these products have been studied for Poa annua control on ultradwarf greens in research settings for this reason. It is important to remember that research putting greens are not subjected to many of the stressors commonly found on golf courses, primarily traffic and shade. Additionally, the herbicide label is the law when it comes to any application. Many courses throughout the Southeast are plagued with herbicide-resistant Poa annua on putting greens, particularly populations that are not controlled with Group 2 herbicides such as foramsulfuron (Revolver). From a resistance management standpoint, rotating herbicides across distinct sites of action is not optional, it is essential. Repeated reliance on a single mode of action, particularly within ALS-inhibiting chemistries, has contributed to documented cases of resistance in Poa annua populations. A diversified, programmatic approach that integrates multiple chemistries not only improves short-term control but also preserves long-term herbicide efficacy. To expand the modes of action available for Poa annua control, some superintendents have considered or applied nonselective herbicides to dormant ultradwarf putting greens where this use is not explicitly prohibited by the product label. This type of application carries substantial risk, it is not recommended by the authors of this article, and we do not believe it should be considered a viable management option. Although bermudagrass may appear fully dormant, herbicides can still translocate to the crowns and roots, increasing the risk of turf injury, delayed spring greenup and reduced recovery. Any use of nonselective herbicides should be evaluated carefully based on product label requirements, turfgrass condition, environmental conditions, and the potential impact on spring transition. Successful implementation of an herbicide program to control Poa annua requires precise attention to turfgrass tolerance, environmental conditions and product label guidance and restrictions. Ultradwarf bermudagrass exhibits variable sensitivity to many postemergence chemistries, particularly when it is under stress or during spring transition. Applications made during periods of fluctuating temperatures, low carbohydrate reserves, or reduced growth can result in chlorosis, thinning or delayed recovery from dormancy. As such, rate selection, application interval and environmental timing must be carefully calibrated to balance effective Poa annua suppression with acceptable levels of bermudagrass safety. Managing the Presence of Poa annua Despite best efforts, many facilities will continue to contend with significant Poa annua populations in their ultradwarf greens, particularly during the fall, winter and early spring. In these situations, the focus must shift from eradication to minimizing the impact on playability. This requires a thoughtful, integrated approach that addresses both agronomic considerations and golfer expectations. During the cooler months, Poa annua will become more pronounced on putting surfaces. Mowing and rolling are essential for controlling its vertical growth and maintaining smoothness, but there must be a balance between managing the impact of Poa annua on playability and wearing down the desired bermudagrass that is growing slowly or not at all. Rolling can help mitigate the impact of seedheads and improve ball roll consistency without placing as much additional stress on the bermudagrass as mowing would, but excessive rolling during periods of slow bermudagrass growth can lead to turf thinning, particularly around putting green edges, which can lead to more Poa annua becoming established. When Poa annua populations are still scattered and individual plants are small, hand removal can be one of the most practical and precise tools available. While this process is labor intensive, physically removing isolated plants before they expand or produce seed can help protect surface uniformity without potentially weakening the bermudagrass base with herbicide applications. The key is timing. Plants should be removed by the roots while they are small enough to leave only minimal disruption to the surface, followed by careful repair so the surrounding bermudagrass can quickly knit back into the void. Bermudagrass is uniquely adapted to tolerate and respond favorably to frequent, low mowing during periods of active growth when supported by adequate fertility and moisture. Under these conditions, the turf exhibits improved density, finer texture and greater resiliency to traffic and environmental stress when mowed lower. On the other hand, Poa annua is less tolerant of sustained low mowing heights as temperatures rise and environmental pressures increase. As bermudagrass growing conditions improve, frequent low mowing further weakens Poa annua plants and reduces seedhead production. Superintendents should capitalize on this opportunity in late spring and early summer by implementing mowing practices that promote bermudagrass performance without overextending the plant. This includes maintaining sharp, well-adjusted equipment to ensure clean cuts and avoiding abrupt mowing height changes that could induce stress. Transition Back to Bermudagrass As temperatures begin to rise in spring, the transition back to bermudagrass dominance presents both challenges and opportunities. This is often the most volatile period for putting green performance, as declining Poa annua and emerging bermudagrass compete for space. Patience and restraint are essential during this time. Aggressive practices aimed at removing Poa annua too quickly can lead to unacceptable surface disruption, while insufficient management may delay bermudagrass recovery. Gradual adjustments in cultural practices such as verticutting and topdressing, can facilitate a smoother transition. Increasing nitrogen inputs to favor bermudagrass, combined with strategic aeration and topdressing, can accelerate recovery from winter and encourage the bermudagrass to fill voids left by declining Poa annua. Continued use of PGRs may be warranted to suppress any remaining Poa annua populations and maintain surface consistency. Conclusion Communicating with stakeholders is also a key component of successful Poa annua management. Golfers must understand the challenges of maintaining ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens in regions with high Poa annua pressure. Setting realistic expectations and providing clear explanations of management strategies can go a long way in fostering support and reducing frustration during transitional periods. Ultimately, managing Poa annua in ultradwarf putting greens is a year-round endeavor that requires a proactive, integrated approach. There is no single solution, and success is rarely defined by complete eradication. Instead, the goal is to minimize impact on playability and aesthetics while promoting the long-term health and dominance of bermudagrass. Superintendents who embrace this philosophy by combining sound agronomic practices with strategic chemical inputs and effective communication will be best positioned to navigate the challenges Poa annua presents. While it may never be fully eliminated, the influence of Poa annua can be managed to a level that allows for consistently high-quality putting surfaces, even under the most demanding conditions. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. For a complete list of references as well as supplementary photos, read this article in the August / September 2026 issue of Tennessee Turfgrass magazine on www.TheTurfZone.com The post Managing Poa annua on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Greens appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JUSTIN CASSE | THE MAN BEHIND THE MILLIONSBehind the glamour of thoroughbred racing is a world of extraordinary wealth, high-stakes decisions and relationships built on absolute trust.Justin Casse operates at the very heart of that world.Born into one of thoroughbred racing's most celebrated dynasties, Justin has forged his own reputation as a premier bloodstock agent and trusted advisor to elite owners, breeders and investors around the globe.From identifying exceptional bloodlines and future champions to negotiating multimillion-dollar acquisitions, developing breeding strategies and managing racing portfolios, Justin combines industry expertise with something far harder to teach: instinct.In an industry where fortunes can change in moments, his ability to recognise greatness before others see it has earned him a reputation as a true kingmaker of the sport.But Justin's story extends far beyond racing and financial success. He speaks openly about the pressure and resilience required to operate at the highest level, his commitment to mental health and wellness, and the lessons learned through both extraordinary victories and devastating losses.Equally important is his dedication to thoroughbred welfare. Responsible ownership extends beyond the racetrack, and Justin supports accredited aftercare programs for every horse he purchases, helping ensure their wellbeing long after their racing careers have ended.In this exclusive conversation, Justin takes us behind the gates of one of the world's most private and affluent industries revealing the instinct, strategy, relationships, risks and human stories that exist far beyond the pageantry of race day.A rare look inside the world of thoroughbred racing, from someone who knows it from the inside out.#JustinCasse #ThoroughbredRacing #HorseRacing #Bloodstock #HorseRacingIndustry #Luxury #Equestrian #Racehorse #BehindTheScenes #TheOfficialConcept

The ANC has vowed to appeal the Electoral Court's decision against the party. The matter was brought by the ANC against the Electoral Commission. The party had cited technical glitches on the IEC's system, for failing to submit its list of over 180 councillor candidates for the November polls. The ANC missed the commission's 28 August deadline to submit its candidates list citing technical glitches. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News senior political reporter Ntebo Mokobo and Legal Director at The Institute of Election Management Services in Africa Nkululeko Tselane.

We assess the pupils in almost every significantly unwell or injured patient - but how much are they really telling us? It is easy to document 'pupils equal and reactive' and move on, yet a changing pupil may be one of the earliest outward signs of a developing intracranial catastrophe. Equally, anisocoria in a completely well patient may be longstanding and entirely benign. In this Roadside to Resus episode, we work through the anatomy and physiology of the pupillary light reflex before applying it to three important clinical situations: the blown pupil following a significant head injury, unequal or irregular pupils in a patient with a GCS of 15, and bilaterally fixed and dilated pupils in and following cardiac arrest, along with a deep dive into the evidence base.  We discuss how to decide which pupil is abnormal, the warning signs of third nerve palsy and Horner's syndrome, ocular and drug-related causes, and why serial change matters more than an isolated measurement. We also explore automated pupillometry, what the NPi can add, and why fixed pupils should never be used alone to determine futility or neurological prognosis.  Once again we'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback either on the website or via X @TheResusRoom! Simon. Rob & James

The Brewers and Rays are in. Friday night, both clubs punched their playoff tickets. Celebrations were somewhat muted and that's probably not surprising as they both have much bigger goals -- including winning their divisions and earning No. 1 seeds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Parents You've Got This - The Expert Guide to Parenthood Podcast we are talking about speech and language development in babies and children. From first words to full sentences there is nothing more magic than hearing your little one talk for the first time. Equally it can be really challenging if your child has difficulties speaking and communicating. Joining us this week as we interview Speech Pathologist Danielle Swinnerton who shares her practical tips to help support your child's speech development. We discuss:- What is considered normal speech development for babies and young children- When should we expect our child to begin talking- The first sounds/words your baby may make- Key milestones when it comes to speech in a baby, toddler and preschooler- When a parent should be concerned if their child is not talking- Danielle's tips to help your child develop their speech - Common sounds which children find more difficult to say- Lifestyle factors which could be impacting your child's speech- Do dummies and screen time impact your child's ability to talk- When a speech therapist might be a good idea for your child- Do speech delays resolve on their own or do parents need to seek support- What a typical speech therapy consult entails- Bilingual parents - the impact on a child's language and speech development- Tips for children who have stutters or lisps Never forget Parents You've Got This Parents You've Got This - The Expert Guide To Parenthood Podcast is proudly supported by Mustela natural origin skincare, by parents' side since 1950.Follow us Social: Instagram: @parentsyouvegotthis_auThreads @parentsyouvegotthis_auTikTok: @partentsyouvegotthis_auFacebook: @parentsyouvegotthis__________________________________Parents You've Got This offers antenatal and postnatal parenting education and Masterclasses from the planning phase to early preschool. Learn more: ⁠⁠parentsyouvegotthis.com.au⁠⁠Credits: Producer Dean Thomas, Camera person Tim Hehir, Content and Hosts Parents You've Got This

'I've been so sick for the past six weeks, literally unable to leave my bed as my body was so weak. Equally, I accepted that I must rest to heal. I appreciate your kindness, my friend, during my time of need.'- Amazing Sasha ASMR.Subscribe today if you love ASMR and become a Deluxe Amazing Sasha ASMR Podcast Subscriber for exclusive content. Deluxe episodes are only available on Spotify. *Watch me on YouTube: Amazing Sasha ASMR

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Story Clark, founder of TravelStorys GPS, about how mobile audio storytelling is transforming the way visitors experience destinations. Drawing from her background in conservation and history, Story shares how her platform helps travelers connect more deeply to place through immersive, location-based audio tours. We explore how destinations can stand out in a crowded digital landscape, the power of storytelling as a driver of memory and engagement, and how collaboration and shared platforms can elevate both small and large communities alike. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Story's background in conservation and history inspired a mission to reconnect people to place Why storytelling is the "currency of memory" and how it drives deeper visitor engagement How mobile audio tours create immersive, hands-free experiences that enhance—not distract from—travel What differentiates a high-quality audio tour from DIY solutions and why user experience matters How shared platforms create visibility and opportunity for destinations of all sizes Why analytics and data collection are critical for proving tourism impact and guiding strategy What tools like QR codes and scavenger hunts can deepen engagement and capture valuable visitor insights Storytelling as the Foundation for Connection Story Clark built her company around a simple but powerful idea: people are losing their connection to place. She shares how her work in conservation and history revealed a growing disconnect between individuals and their surroundings, inspiring her to create a platform that uses storytelling to bridge that gap. Rather than focusing on facts alone, her approach emphasizes narrative—because stories are what people remember, share, and carry with them long after a visit.  Through mobile audio tours that sync with a visitor's location, Story and her team help destinations bring their stories to life in real time. As travelers walk, drive, or explore, they hear stories tied directly to what they're experiencing, creating a deeper emotional and sensory connection. This approach turns the smartphone into a tool for engagement rather than distraction, allowing visitors to stay present while still learning and discovering.  Designing for Experience, Not Just Technology In a crowded marketplace filled with apps and digital tools, Story explains that differentiation comes down to experience. She emphasizes the importance of quality storytelling, thoughtful production, and a deep understanding of user behavior. Her team acts as an advocate for the end user, helping destinations shape stories that resonate and are delivered at the right moment to maximize impact.  Equally important is the support and partnership provided to clients. Story highlights how many organizations underestimate the complexity of creating effective audio experiences and benefit from guided processes, production expertise, and ongoing collaboration. This hands-on approach ensures that each tour not only meets technical standards but also delivers a compelling and memorable experience for visitors.  Collaboration, Data, and the Future of Visitor Engagement A central theme throughout the conversation is collaboration, both between destinations and across marketing channels. Story's shared platform model allows multiple destinations to benefit from collective visibility, creating a "rising tide lifts all boats" effect. Smaller communities gain exposure alongside larger destinations, while travelers enjoy a seamless experience across regions.  Beyond storytelling, Story is focused on helping destinations better understand and influence visitor behavior. By integrating tools like QR codes, scavenger hunts, and user surveys, her platform provides actionable data and insights. This allows organizations to move beyond inspiration to measurable impact—demonstrating how engagement translates into longer stays, increased spending, and stronger community connections.  Resources: Website: travelstorys.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/storyclark/ Contact: story@travelstorysgps.com 

Let's just hope the MyProtein packaging I just saw was some mistake or they've got some explaining to do! THG (aka the company formerly known as The Hut Group) recently updated the public markets by releasing its H1 2026 results. I'll be utilizing all available publicly disclosed information to obviously update you on the recent performance of THG Nutrition division, which includes the world's largest online sports nutrition brand MyProtein. Additionally, due to the THG Ingenuity demerger action occurring at the end of 2024, the up-to-date THG portfolio configuration now would be described as a global, cash generative, health and wellness consumer brands group. During the first half of 2026, THG Nutrition revenue was approximately $444 million, which increased 9.2% YoY. THG Nutrition delivered its sixth consecutive quarter of revenue growth. Moreover, momentum was said to be broad-based across sales channels and categories (especially outside of the core protein range like creatine). But I'll dive into several strategic decisions impacting MyProtein including its global digital sales channel strategy, offline retail expansion efforts, product licensing strategy, and let's just say A LOT is riding on the success of the MyProtein global rebrand that delivered across 2023 and 2024. But within this earnings presentation deck there was this picture of MyProtein products that had a very different visual identity, which are an 180-degree turnback in the other direction. THG Nutrition still mainly deploys a global digital-first commerce strategy, with around 84% of its total revenue coming from direct-to-consumer, online marketplaces, and social commerce…but MyProtein has continued to invest in offline retail partnerships where it places a limited (or exclusive) SKU range as part of a bigger demand generation strategy. Although the most highlighted commercial strategy (utilized for offline retail expansion) continues to surround the development of MyProtein products that are sold under licensing arrangements. When done correctly, these types of retail partnerships boost customer touchpoints and broaden brand appeal. Nonetheless, this ambitious level of offline retail expansion globally will undoubtedly help drive a more diversified retail mix over the next few years. Equally, MyProtein continues to lean heavily into international product collaborations. THG Nutrition recently expanded the successful partnership with global confectionary giant Mars Incorporated. But since those MyProtein and Mars co-branded products are whey protein, I'll outlook how THG Nutrition attempts to mitigate elevated whey protein input prices. Lastly, I'll discuss if MyProtein or any of THG Nutrition is an M&A target.

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Ben and Ted discuss the upcoming election and a choice between Republican policy achievements and what the more progressive or left-wing direction within the Democratic Party. Much of the latter half of the podcast is devoted to examining statements and positions attributed to Talarico Republican statements regarding taxes, border security, law enforcement, energy policy, and economic issues. Media coverage of the convention, including criticism of major news networks and discussion of an interview with CNN host Caitlin Collins. Criticism of Texas Democratic politician James Talarico, focusing on past statements about capitalism, criminal justice reform, prisons, religion, and social issues. Debate over whether Talarico's public positions align with mainstream Texas voters. Discussion of campaign spending and the Texas race involving Ken Paxton, including references to Republican political strategy leading up to the election. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Mamas,  Do you ever feel guilty because you parent one of your kids differently than another?  Maybe one child needs more structure while another thrives with independence. One needs reassurance and connection, while another needs you to step back and give them space.  And then comes the mom guilt…  Am I being fair?  Today we're talking about an important reminder for moms raising multiple children:  “Sometimes loving your children equally means showing up for them differently.”  Because equal love doesn't always mean equal parenting.  Our kids are individuals. They have different personalities, challenges, strengths, triggers and emotional needs…and part of intentional parenting is learning who each child is and what they need from us in this season of their life.  In this episode, we're talking about  ✨ Letting go of the pressure to parent every child exactly the same   ✨Recognizing the difference between fair and equal   ✨Releasing the mom guilt that can creep in when one child needs more of you than another.  We'll also talk about why your parenting approach has to evolve as your kids grow. What worked when they were eight may not work when they're thirteen, and what one child needs from you may look completely different from what their sibling needs. 

Mercosur, CETA, TTIP, the EU's trade policy can sometimes feel very far away from the people who are actually affected by its decisions. In EU jargon, trade policy is an exclusive EU competence. This means that the European Union negotiates and concludes trade agreements with partner countries. Then, the rules apply across the whole of the EU.But as we know, European regions are highly diverse, and they are equally divided over the benefits of free trade agreements.How can we take into account the different regional interests in this area?A podcast by Europod, in cooperation with ESPON, an EU-funded programme that bridges research with policiesTo read more about the ESPON report on the impact of trade agreements on regions: https://www.espon.eu/publications/starter-free-trade-agreements-mercosurFollow us on:LinkedIn•. Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Marchand, a professional basketball coach currently serving as head coach of the Fukushima Firebones in Japan's B-League. Ryan discussed his coaching journey from the NBA and G-League to overseas opportunities in Taiwan, where he had considerable success, and his successful turnaround of the Fukushima team from last place to the finals.A few key themes emerged from the conversation with Ryan. First, dynamic coaching requires adapting systems to the strengths of the personnel rather than forcing players into a rigid style of play. Whether utilizing smaller, faster lineups or bigger, more physical groups, the focus is on "solving the game" through live repetitions and decision-making, with the majority of practice time dedicated to game-like situations rather than scripted drills. Equally important is building a strong culture through authentic leadership, consistent accountability, and an environment that players enjoy being part of. Trust is established when standards apply to everyone, from the end of the bench to the team's star imports. The team's identity is also rooted in pace, using elite conditioning and a deep 12-man rotation as a competitive advantage to wear opponents down over the course of a game and expose weaknesses in their depth.

We're running one of our favorite episodes from The Business of You archives. If you missed it the first time, or just want to listen again, check this one out! What do all great brands have in common? They create a meaningful experience for their customers — something in which Stuart Snyder is an expert. Stu is the founder and president of Snyder Media Group, LLC, creating content and providing strategic guidance to media, live entertainment, and start-up companies. Chances are, you're already familiar with Stu's work. Maybe you watched Cartoon Network or Adult Swim during his long tenure at Turner Broadcasting System. Perhaps you've seen a film he helped bring to screens, such as "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" or "Reservoir Dogs." Or maybe you've attended Disney on Ice or a Ringling Brothers show.  Most recently, Stu is the co-owner of Beal's Lobster Pier, an iconic restaurant and lobster pier on Mount Desert Island, Maine, and Chairman and CEO of the newly launched Sumo Championship League, bringing professional sumo to arenas across the U.S. The one thing that all of Stu's projects have in common is that they offer people memorable experiences. Exceed Your Customers' Expectations Stu lives by the rule of over-delivering. When people walk into his restaurant, he aims to put a smile on their face — whether that's with great customer service, decorations on their takeout box, or an extra gift with their order. It might even involve taking the customers for a walk to show them where the lobsters arrive. It's all about the experience and making them feel connected to your brand. When you exceed expectations, that's what turns customers into advocates. Equally important is how you deal with customers when things go wrong. Stu personally responds to every review of his restaurant, positive or negative. If it's positive, he thanks them for coming in. If it's not, he uses it as a learning opportunity and lets the customer know how he plans to correct the issue. The most important thing is to make your customers feel heard and taken care of. Building an Entrepreneurial Team As any business owner knows, building a team comes with its fair share of challenges. It can be difficult to keep everyone on the same page moving toward your vision. Stu takes a unique approach, encouraging his team to think like entrepreneurs — to look for out-of-the-box solutions, be creative, and take calculated risks. If you're the leader, it's your job to give your team direction. But you should also listen to their input on that direction. Set targets together so everyone stays accountable. In the hiring process, Stu recommends focusing on personality just as much as (if not more than) their work experience. Get to know the person, his or her communication style, and interests. Would the prospect get along with the other people on your team? Are communication styles compatible? Look for people who want positive relationships with their professional peers. Strong connections within your team make for a healthier business. Enjoy this episode with Stu Snyder… Soundbytes 16:29–16:45 "I do think the connection and making people feel special, making people become advocates for your show or advocates for your brand is very important. Over-delivering is critical." 46:35–47:03 "Now, does a business plan need to be 50 pages? Heck no. But I still believe in the principle of producing a plan, a business plan, that outlines — for the individual's own sake — clarity of what they're trying to achieve and why they're trying to achieve it. Because whether you go and raise capital or want to raise money or want to enter a marketplace, someone's going to ask you for a document: 'Let me see something.'" Quotes "How do we make people feel special, especially in a world that we're living in, where I think people are looking for that." "Being a leader was encouraging my team to think as entrepreneurs." "Never take yourself too seriously." "Your team needs direction. They need to know where they're headed." "If I'm making a hiring decision after one hour, I'm not doing my job." Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Connect with Stu Snyder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartsnyder/ Website: https://stuartsnyder.com Email: stu@stuartsnyder.com Connect with brandiD Find out how top leaders are increasing their authority, impact, and income online. Listen to our private podcast, The Professional Presence Podcast: https://thebrandid.com/professional-presence-podcast Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form/

An overflowing task manager and a crowded-out calendar are rarely ever caused by using the wrong tools. The problem happened well before you entered the task or added the appointment to your task manager or calendar.  And that's what we're looking at this week.  Links: Email Me | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Linkedin   Learn more about my Productivity Academy Get Your Copy Of Your Time, Your Way: Time Well Managed, Life Well Lived    Apollo 13 Lunar Module Start-up Procedures   The Working With… Weekly Newsletter Carl Pullein Learning Centre Carl's YouTube Channel Carl Pullein Coaching Programmes Subscribe to my Substack  The Working With… Podcast Previous episodes page Script |431 Hello, and welcome to episode 431 of the Your Time, Your Way Podcast. A podcast to answer all your questions about productivity, time management, self-development, and goal planning. My name is Carl Pullein, and I am your host of this show.  If you were to look at your appointments for tomorrow right now, how much time do you have that is not already committed? Two, three, four hours?  Now look at your task manager: how many tasks are overdue or scheduled for tomorrow?  In the uncommitted time you have tomorrow, are you confident you can complete all those tasks?  Most people who do this little exercise, if they are being honest with themselves, will answer “no chance”.  And this is the top reason why so many people are struggling with time management and productivity today. And there is a word for it: Overcommitted.  It's not the tools they use or any other complex reason. It's simply because they've allowed themselves to become overcommitted.  This week, I'm looking at how this happens and what you can do to unravel the problem so you are operating within your natural capacity, not overworked or under pressure, and not feeling like you are sinking under the weight of unrealistic deadlines and commitments.  So, to get us started, let me hand you over to the Mystery Podcast Voice for this week's question.  This week's question comes from Douglas. Douglas asks, “Hi, Carl, I know you tell people to keep their task manager clean and tight, but I find that impossible. I'm collecting 20 or more things into my inbox each day; I often have 4 or 5 hours of meetings, and I have to deal with at least 130 emails and messages each day. How would you get all that under control?” Hi Douglas, thank you for your question.  I did some quick maths on the numbers you provided and noticed that if you are collecting, on average, 25 new tasks a day, have 130 emails and messages to deal with and only have 3 ½ hours of non-meeting time each day, that would mean you would have only 1 minute and 13 seconds to spend on each item.  Yet those numbers assume you are not taking time for lunch or coffee or a glass of water. If you were to include a 30-minute lunch break and 15 minutes to get water and coffee each day, that would leave you with less than a minute available for each email, message, and task.  Is that realistic?  Based on that quick calculation, the issue here is one of capacity. You've no capacity left. All that's needed to completely destroy your day is an urgent, last-minute meeting request, an issue that prevents you from doing any of your planned work or simply an IT problem that doesn't allow you to do the work you planned.  I can assure you, Douglas, you are not alone here.  There are millions of people all around the world struggling with the same thing. They're overcommitted.  Which is why it's completely irrelevant what tools you're using.  The first thing I would advise someone in this situation is to do the maths I did above. Now, I know I do not have all the information. I don't know what work you do, your position in the company, or whether you lead a team.  But what I do know is you've gone beyond your natural capacity, and now you will be building up enormous backlogs. You will be struggling to meet your deadlines, and I bet when you get home you're exhausted.  This exercise will tell you how much capacity you have.  If the meetings you attend each day are non-negotiable, you will need to find a way to reduce the number of tasks you receive. Which means you will likely have to do something uncomfortable.  Reject requests.  Now I know this is very hard to do. Nobody likes disappointing someone. But the choice is: either you disappoint them when they ask, or you disappoint them when you cannot deliver what you promised on time. And I think failing to deliver on your commitments is the bigger disappointment. Think of it this way. If you say no and they ask someone else who can deliver, then you've actually helped them.  Sure, your pride may be slightly hurt, but this isn't about your pride. This is about setting yourself realistic expectations on what you can and cannot do.  However, there is another possible solution. Cap your daily meetings. If, when you do the little exercise on how much non-committed time you have, you realise that you will need four hours of meeting-free time each day, then you cap your meeting time at 3 hours per day.  This will then leave you with 4 or 5 hours for your tasks.  Now there are various ways to do this. You could use a calendar service such as Calendly or Acuity to open blocks of time for people to schedule meetings with you, or you could tell people that you've reached your meeting limit for the day and ask if you could meet on another day.  You will be surprised how accommodating people can be.  Another consideration is to reduce the meeting times to 30 minutes. This has the added advantage that people will get to the point much faster, and you'll find you still cover everything that needs to be covered.  I've learned many things over the years I've been coaching and helping people with their time management and productivity, but one of those lessons stands out: Every “yes” has an invisible “no”.  In other words, every time you accept another commitment, whether it is a meeting or a piece of work, you are saying no to something else you could have done with that time.  But it goes beyond that. Meetings have a nasty habit of generating more commitments. Another meeting, more emails and tasks, for example.  And pieces of work generate what Cal Newport calls “admin costs”; these are the little extra tasks, such as finding information, following up, and answering questions. They are the invisible “nos” rarely ever considered.  So in your situation, Douglas, there are a few questions to ask yourself: Do all your regular meetings require your presence? If not, perhaps you could drop one or two of them. If you can, don't allow the saved time to be replaced by other meetings. Protect that time. Save it for the things you have prioritised.  The goal here is to gradually withdraw from these meetings.  If you manage a team, perhaps you could delegate attendance at some of these meetings to one of your team members. They can then report back to you with a summary of what happened.  What are you collecting? You mentioned that you collect around 20 new items on average each day. That seems like a lot. What are you collecting?  There are some things that will need to be collected; you may need to contact someone for information or organise the purchase of new equipment.  But if you are collecting emails to respond to and articles to read, then your task manager is not the best place for them. Emails and messages have their own self-contained apps. Keep everything within these walls. For instance, if you have a Slack message to reply to but need to think about it first, flag the message. Or you can use Claude or ChatGPT to find all your unresponded messages for today. You could even set this up as an automation  With email, it's easier. You can create an Action folder for emails you need to respond to and drop them in there. Then give yourself some time later in the day to respond to them.  The goal here is to reduce the pressure on your capacity, and one of the fastest ways to do that is to reduce friction points.  For example, if you get an email you feel you should respond to and then move it to your task manager, that's a lot of additional time—remember “admin cost”? It's far faster to drag and drop it into an Action folder.  A great question to ask yourself is: What has to come out of my week to make it more realistic?  Juggling your current commitments around, fiddling with your task manager or trying new tools is not addressing the real issue.  The real issue is a capacity one. You're trying to do far more than you can do. You won't find the solution until you address that.  I would begin with: How much time do you need to stay on top of your work? That could be an extra five or six hours a week. Now you have something tangible to work with.  For those of you who have watched the film Apollo 13, there's a scene where the character Ken Mattingly is in the lunar module flight simulator, and they are trying to find a start-up procedure that would not draw more than 20 amps.  This meant they had to find out what they could turn on and what they could not.  After hours of testing, they finally had a start-up procedure that draws just under 20 amps.  I will put a link to the clip in the show notes, as it is a great illustration of what we sometimes have to do with the time we have. It's finite, and often the only things we can do are the essentials. There's no time for the “would like to do” or low-value tasks.  In many ways, an issue we all share is that we think time is infinite, when it's the opposite. It's finite, and how we allocate our time each day is largely our choice.  The key is understanding that there are always trade-offs and consequences when we allocate our time. If we say yes to one thing, we say no to another, whether we are consciously aware of it or not.  As I am writing this script, I am not responding to an urgent email or talking with my family. Equally, when I am chatting with my wife, I am not writing feedback for my coaching clients.  So, Douglas, look at your calendar. How are you allocating your time each week? What can you remove to free up time for the things you want to spend it on?  It won't be easy, and you will feel uncomfortable doing it. However, I can assure you that it is possible and when you have done it, you will feel lighter, more focused and appreciate your time in ways you've never considered. Plus, the bonus is that other people will begin respecting your time more than they do today.  Thank you for your question, and thank you to you too for listening. It just remains for me now to wish you all a very, very productive week.   

(8/27/26) Mike and cohost - actress Olive O'Connell along with Chloe Penny welcome back Louisiana based actress Presley Richardson to ConversationsRadio! Most known for her role as Christine on Disney's Pretty Freekin Scary where her humor and charm quickly made her a fan favorite. Presley has honed her acting craft and her hard work and her commitment is reflected in numerous projects including her starring role as ‘Olvia' in Madison Wolfe's short film 'Acorn, Iowa.' Equally impressive is Presley's role as ‘Bennett' - fighting with rival children to take control of an abandoned theme park after a virus kills all of earths adults in ‘The Park' – written and directed by Shal Ngo. Presley can be seen in 'Reasonable Doubt' episode S3-E3 (Run This Town.} With a natural ability to bring authenticity and emotional depth her performances, Presley delivers command performances in heartfelt, character-driven stories. In ‘Casey Makes a Mixtape' Presley plays the lead character ‘Casey' in this nostalgic coming-of-age feature set in 1980s Texas, before MP3s when cassette tapes were the norm and you had to record your own mix of your favorite music. Written and directed by Blake Calhoun and filmed entirely in Texas, it's described as a love letter to small-town summers, mixtapes, and messy growing pains. Great to have Presley Richardson back on the podcast. Beyond acting, Presley is passionate about music and storytelling, influences that guide her creative journey as her career continues to grow. She is one to keep on your radar.​ You can follow Presley on Instagram @presley_richardson Enjoy the Podcast!      

It is easy to forget that the Church is as important as Christ. He founded it. He died to give birth to it. It is inseparable from Christ. We need the church and the church needs us. 

Episode Notes This week, while this episode is nominally about the Odyssey, only Grace saw it so we mostly want to talk about Hades 2 again. It expands into discussion of Greek mythology as a whole, but not before a detour into Postman Pat fics because we saw some things. We also talk a lot about garden centers, which are pretty great. We also answer hard hitting questions, like: Is James a fake anime fan? What Fish should Nick fall in love with? Is 'who is the bottom?' really one of the oldest questions in Philosophy? Also the Patreon is back up! For £1 a month you can get early access to our show (as soon as they are edited) and a sneak peek into what we're covering next. Plus, you can commission us to do dramatic readings of stories of your choice! Enjoying the show? Got a fic you'd like us to read? Hate the show and you want to tell us anyway? Come find us on our social media; tumblr: the-shipping-forecasters tiktok: 'theshippingforecast' instagram: 'fanficsandchill' Bluesky: ShipForecast.bsky.social twitter theshipforecast

The success of a merger or acquisition depends on more than just the details of the transaction. Equally important is how the people involved experience the change—the founders, staff, and clients alike. In this episode, host Stephen de Man welcomes Amy DeTolla, founder and CEO of Aureus Advantage, and Josh Bartholomew, head of business development at Bluespring Wealth Partners, to discuss best practices for M&A, such as defining success before evaluating partners, preserving organizational culture, aligning incentives, and overcommunicating throughout the entire process. Tune in for practical advice on navigating the human side of M&A.

SYNOPSIS:What if the autonomic nervous system is more than a mechanism to regulate – and part of the extraordinary way our bodies are in relationship with one another?In this expansive conversation, dance/movement therapist, human rights psychotherapist and author Dr. Amber Elizabeth Gray joins Ali Mezey to explore the autonomic nervous system through the lenses of Polyvagal Theory, movement, trauma, relationship and the lived intelligence of the body. Drawing on nearly three decades of work with survivors of torture, war and human rights abuses – as well as her long collaboration and exchange of ideas with Stephen Porges – Amber takes the conversation beyond simplified notions of sympathetic “bad,” parasympathetic “good,” and regulation as the goal. Instead, she invites listeners into a nervous system that protects, mobilizes, settles, connects, plays, dances, loves – and continually responds to the bodies and world around it. Ali and Amber explore the vagus nerve and the promises and controversies of Polyvagal Theory; why “safety” isn't equally available to every body; the danger of privileging particular nervous-system states; and what changes when survival responses are understood not as failures, but as expressions of an organism doing its best to remain whole. Amber also shares how movement became central to her work with profoundly traumatized people, and how her own embodied inquiry has led her toward a practice of restoration, reclamation and resistance. Along the way, the conversation wanders – as bodies do – through whales and dolphins, evolution, intuition, pattern recognition, the natural world, and the possibility that our nervous systems may be far less individual than we imagine. Ultimately, this is a conversation about relationship: within our bodies, between bodies, and between ourselves and the larger living world. What becomes possible when we stop trying simply to “regulate” the nervous system and begin listening to the complexity, creativity and intelligence of what it is already doing?To subscribe now, click hereTo be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:Website: https://www.alimezey.comPersonal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on renowned Family Constellation Facilitator, Stephan Hausner's work with transgenerational influences on illnessFOR MORE DR AMBER ELIZABETH GRAY: BIO: Dr. Amber Elizabeth Gray is an award-winning dance movement therapist, human rights psychotherapist, and Continuum teacher. She has worked for 29 years with survivors of human rights abuses, war, torture, natural disasters,  and historical and intergenerational trauma. Equally artist, advocate, author, educator, poet, mystic and therapist, she, her clients, Ancestors and mentors co-create, ongoing, survivor- & Spirit-centered, Polyvagal-informed approaches to DMT for trauma and resilience  that are holistic and emergent. A lover of all things wild, Amber regularly facilitates eco-somatic and movement retreats for survivors  and caregivers. She brings her RightToEmbody human rights and  BodyOfChange planetary rights work to survivors, therapists, educators, change agents and advocates worldwide.  Her book, Polyvagal-Informed Restorative Movement Psychotherapy: Roots, Rhythm, and Reciprocity will be released August 11, 2026.CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNTED COPY HERE AMBER SOCIALS:Website: | https://ambergray.com/Facebook: | Amber Elizabeth Gray YouTube: | Amber Gray@ambergray127LinkedIn: | Dr. Amber Elizabeth L. GrayInstagram: | Restorativeresources PREVIOUS TBBP EPISODES WITH AMBER:Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of Whales...REPRISEDTrauma Healing, Somatic Psychology, and Human Rights Advocacy: LIVE AUDIENCE Q&A RECORDING W/ AMBER GRAYEarth Body Meditation: Rooting into Beloved Ground w/ AMBER GRAYDEFINITIONS, RESOURCES & INSPIRATION:Nervous System & Polyvagal TheoryAutonomic nervous system (ANS): The part of the nervous system that largely regulates involuntary bodily functions – including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing patterns, temperature regulation and sexual arousal. It continually responds to conditions inside and outside the body, helping us mobilize, rest, protect ourselves, connect and adapt.Somatic nervous system: The part of the peripheral nervous system primarily involved in voluntary movement and in carrying sensory information between the body and central nervous system. It allows us to consciously move skeletal muscles and perceive sensations such as touch, pressure, temperature, pain and body position.Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems: Two major divisions of the autonomic nervous system that work together to continually adjust bodily functions. The sympathetic nervous system is often associated with mobilization and action, while the parasympathetic is often associated with rest, digestion and restoration. These are not simple opposites or “on/off” systems; both participate dynamically in healthy functioning, movement, relationship and responses to our environment.Ventral vagal: Within Polyvagal Theory, a term for vagal pathways associated with the nucleus ambiguus in the brainstem and with social engagement, connection, physiological flexibility and the capacity to remain engaged with others in conditions of relative safety.Dorsal vagal: Within Polyvagal Theory, a term for vagal pathways associated with the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the brainstem. The theory associates these pathways wit...

A miraculous thing often happens just as I am preparing to leave a client meeting. The formal discussion is over. I have closed my organiser, packed away my pen and mentally moved on to the next appointment. Then the client casually drops a major insight, hidden concern or vital piece of information on me. Naturally, this creates a small panic. The meeting is obviously finished, I am already packed up and I cannot easily reopen everything and start scribbling furiously without looking slightly ridiculous. I have to hold the information in my head until I am out of sight and can record it before it disappears. This kept happening until I finally realised the problem was not the client. The problem was me. I was ending the sales call too efficiently. I was not creating enough space for the buyer's brain to catch up with the conversation. The final five minutes of a sales meeting are not dead time. They are often where the truth finally turns up. Why do buyers reveal important information at the end of a sales meeting? Buyers often reveal the best information at the end because their brains are still processing the meeting long after the salesperson thinks the discussion is finished. We salespeople do this all day. We ask questions, uncover needs, identify gaps, explore consequences and navigate toward the next step. We are familiar with the process. The buyer is not. Most buyers spend far more time being assaulted by amateur pitch merchants than speaking with professional salespeople. They are used to suppliers battering them with slides, data, features, company history and product propaganda. When they finally meet someone who asks intelligent questions, they have to think. That thinking takes time. In Japan, buyers may also avoid expressing concerns too directly during the formal part of the meeting. Once the pressure drops and everyone starts preparing to leave, they may finally mention the real obstacle. It could be an internal opponent, a budget issue, a failed previous attempt or a decision-maker who has not yet appeared. Do now: Do not mentally check out when the meeting appears to be over. The most valuable comment may still be coming. What is the difference between a pitch person and a professional salesperson? Pitch people talk at buyers. Professional salespeople help buyers think. There is a vast difference between the two. Pitch people believe selling means doing all the talking. Their strategy is to smash the buyer with enough information, enthusiasm and verbal force to wrestle them to the ground and get the order form signed. They talk about their company. They talk about their solution. They talk about their technology. They talk about themselves. Then they wonder why the buyer says, "We will think about it." Professional salespeople ask intelligent questions and listen carefully to the answers. They are looking for the gap between where the buyer is now and where the buyer wants to be. More importantly, they help the buyer discover why remaining in the current situation is dangerous, expensive or strategically foolish. If I simply tell the buyer that life will be grim unless they buy my solution, they will naturally think, "Of course he would say that. He is trying to sell me something." But when the buyer reaches that conclusion personally, the idea has far greater power. Do now: Stop trying to overpower buyers with information. Ask questions that help them recognise the problem for themselves. How can sales questions create urgency? Strong sales questions make the cost of delay visible, because buyers rarely act until doing nothing begins to look more dangerous than taking action. During the sales conversation, we are exploring where the buyer is now, where they want to be and what is blocking the path between those two points. The buyer may already know there is a gap. That does not mean they feel any urgency. They may believe they can solve the problem internally. Perhaps they can. Given a hundred years, almost anyone can eventually reach a goal. The real questions are how long it will take, what it will cost and what opportunities will be lost while they are fumbling around trying to do it themselves. Suppose the buyer is struggling to retain key employees. I might ask: "If there was a way to prevent your key people being poached by the current horde of ravenous recruiters constantly scouring firms like yours for bodies to move to your competitors, would that help protect the stability of your business?" That language is deliberate. "Poached." "Horde." "Ravenous." "Competitors." "Instability." I am painting a word picture. I want the buyer to see the commercial danger clearly. Do now: Ask what happens if the buyer leaves the problem untouched for another six or twelve months. Why should salespeople explore the buyer's personal interest? Every business decision has a personal dimension, because the buyer's reputation, career and internal credibility may rise or fall with the outcome. We naturally ask what solving the problem will do for the organisation. Will it improve revenue? Reduce cost? Retain talent? Protect customers? Increase productivity? We should also ask what success will mean for the person sitting across from us. If the project succeeds, will they gain credibility with senior management? Will they be seen as someone who solved a stubborn problem? Will their team perform better? Will their life become easier? Equally, what happens to them if the initiative fails? A buyer may like our solution but fear becoming the person who sponsored an unsuccessful project. They may need more evidence, internal support or reassurance before they are willing to put their name behind it. This can be particularly important in Japan, where consensus-building, internal alignment and reputational risk often carry enormous weight. We are not trying to manipulate personal ambition. We are trying to understand the complete decision. Do now: Ask how solving the problem will help both the organisation and the individual buyer. Why is silence so powerful at the end of a sales meeting? Silence forces the salesperson to stop performing and gives the buyer enough space to think, remember and finally say what matters. Salespeople are often terrified of silence. The moment the conversation slows down, they leap in to rescue it. They add another explanation, repeat the benefits, provide an extra example or begin garnishing an answer that was already perfectly adequate. This is usually a mistake. At the end of the meeting, stop talking. Sit there for a moment. Look at the buyer. Let the silence become slightly uncomfortable. Fifteen seconds is a very long time when nobody is speaking, but that is precisely why it works. The buyer's brain has room to keep processing the conversation. Then ask: "Is there anything else I should know before I come back to you with our proposal?" After that, shut up. Do not explain the question. Do not add examples. Do not rescue the buyer. The silence may reveal the chief financial officer hates the idea, the budget is disappearing, a competitor is already involved or the project failed badly three years ago. Do now: Ask one final question and remain silent long enough to receive a real answer. How should salespeople use the final five minutes of the call? The final five minutes should be protected as a deliberate discovery stage, not wasted on hurried packing and polite small talk. In Japan, there is a strong chance we will need to return with a detailed proposal, customised solution or additional information for other stakeholders. This is exactly why the final five minutes matter. Before leaving, summarise what you have understood. Confirm the buyer's desired result, the major obstacles and the next step. Then pause. Do not immediately grab your bag and charge toward the lift. Use a simple closing sequence: Confirm where the buyer is now. Confirm where they want to be. Clarify what is blocking progress. Agree on the next step and timing. Ask what else you need to know. Shut up and wait. That last piece of information may completely change the proposal. Without it, you may return with a beautifully prepared, technically accurate and commercially useless document that solves the wrong problem. Do now: Reserve the final five minutes of every sales meeting for silence, reflection and one last discovery question. Conclusion The formal end of the sales meeting is not necessarily the real end of the sales meeting. The buyer's brain may still be digesting your questions, connecting ideas and recognising consequences. When the pressure drops, the truth often slips out. Professional salespeople understand this. Pitch people are too busy packing up their laptop. Once the discussion is complete, confirm the next step and then ask: "Is there anything else I should know before I come back to you with our proposal?" Then stop talking. Do not add. Do not garnish. Do not expand. Just sit there and let the buyer think. You will be surprised by what comes out. I must say, I always am. Author Bio Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" in 2018 and 2021 and received the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2012. As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver programmes globally across leadership, communication, sales and presentations, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including the bestsellers Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery and Japan Presentations Mastery, together with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His books have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō（ザ営業）, Purezen no Tatsujin（プレゼンの達人）, Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō（トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう）and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā（現代版「人を動かす」リーダー）. Greg publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook and X and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are followed by executives seeking practical strategies for succeeding in Japan.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Unicorn Growth Formula: Operational Focus, Founder Mindset, and AI Restructuring with Cornelius SchmahlIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Cornelius Schmahl, the Founder of Unicorn Coach, angel investor, and former interim COO at Uber Moscow, to examine the distinct operational mechanics that separate hyper-growth billion-dollar enterprises from standard middle-market companies. Cornelius, a veteran scale-up executive and founder performance strategist, details how scaling a business requires an intentional alignment of psychological grounding, ruthless operational focus, and AI-driven organizational restructuring. This conversation delivers an essential strategic blueprint for founders, C-suite executives, and private equity advisors who want to eliminate operational fat, optimize executive decision-making, and leverage advanced automation to build agile, high-valuation enterprises.The Architecture of Hyper-Growth: Unlocking High-Leverage Execution and AI RestructuringThe primary bottleneck preventing mid-market companies and venture-backed startups from achieving exponential scale is a failure of executive focus, where leadership spreads critical capital and labor across low-yielding initiatives. Cornelius Schmahl explains that true high-leverage execution demands applying the 80/20 rule to ruthlessly "trim the fat"—identifying the core 20% of products, services, and operational touchpoints that generate the majority of enterprise value and cutting non-essential distractions. By auditing operations to isolate the company's most defensible asset, executives can rebuild corporate processes around automated software engines, consolidating legacy workflows and dramatically reducing administrative overhead. Rebuilding an organization around its core value proposition allows mid-sized enterprises to operate with lean, high-performing teams, freeing up capital while empowering founders to focus on visionary strategy.Equally critical to scaling an enterprise is the mental clarity and psychological resilience of the chief executive, whose internal state directly impacts every capital allocation decision. High-pressure corporate environments routinely induce founder burnout, leading to decision fatigue, unforced strategic errors, and systemic organizational drag. Integrating micro-habits like five-minute daily meditation sessions, structured breathwork protocols, and targeted executive coaching provides leaders with the psychological grounding necessary to navigate high-stakes market volatility calmly. Addressing personal blind spots and emotional triggers prevents leaders from making fear-based choices, turning personal self-regulation into a high-ROI executive skill that protects company culture and preserves long-term enterprise value.Ultimately, sustaining hyper-growth requires founders to distinguish between vanity metrics and true high-leverage business activities, ensuring every operational unit directly advances the primary corporate objective. Re-engineering legacy organizational charts through artificial intelligence and automated workflow pipelines enables companies to transition from bloated administrative overhead to agile, tech-enabled execution. By combining sharp market positioning, disciplined executive mental habits, and automated backend infrastructure, leadership can accelerate profit margins while reducing reliance on key individuals. When disciplined psychological grounding, ruthless operational focus, and AI-driven process automation are synthesized into a single growth framework, an enterprise eliminates operational friction, protects its bottom line, and predictably multiplies its market valuation.About Cornelius SchmahlCornelius Schmahl is the Founder of Unicorn Coach, an active angel investor, and an international scale-up strategist. Drawing from extensive executive experience—including serving as interim COO at Uber Moscow and coaching high-growth founders across Europe and North America—Cornelius specializes in helping business leaders scale operations and optimize performance. He is a recognized thought leader focused on helping executives eliminate operational bloat, master high-stakes decision-making, and deploy artificial intelligence to build sustainable, high-valuation enterprises.About Unicorn CoachUnicorn Coach is an elite executive advisory firm and scale-up consultancy engineered to help founders, C-suite executives, and solo entrepreneurs overcome operational scaling plateaus. The firm specializes in delivering comprehensive business audits, AI-driven process restructuring, high-leverage operational mapping, and founder mental performance coaching. Through specialized workshops and tailored strategic advisory programs, Unicorn Coach enables business leaders to trim operational fat, eliminate administrative debt, and maximize enterprise equity.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeUnicorn Coach Official Website: unicorn.coachCornelius Schmahl on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cornelius-peter-schmahlKey Episode HighlightsThe High-ROI Skill of Executive Meditation: Utilizing brief, daily mindfulness and breathwork protocols to enhance psychological clarity and eliminate costly decision-making errors.Ruthlessly Trimming Operational Fat: Applying the 80/20 rule to identify core value drivers, eliminate low-yield product lines, and optimize capital allocation.Rebuilding Operations Around AI: Restructuring legacy company workflows with artificial intelligence to reduce administrative overhead and scale lean, agile teams.Unicorn Founder Domain Mastery: Leveraging deep industry experience and extreme operational focus to capture dominant market share in competitive sectors.Aligning Business Architecture with Founder Vision: Designing scalable corporate frameworks that remove operational headaches and allow leadership to focus on high-value innovation.ConclusionThe conversation with Cornelius Schmahl reinforces that building a high-value, sustainable enterprise requires a balanced synthesis of executive self-regulation, sharp operational focus, and modern tech integration. By standardizing internal corporate governance, eliminating non-essential workflows, and leveraging automated software tools, business leaders can transform an overwhelming daily operation into a highly structured, self-sustaining growth engine.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Leslye Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She also writes award-winning fantasy and paranormal romance as L. Penelope. Equally left and right-brained, she studied filmmaking and computer science in college and sometimes dreams in HTML. She hosts the My Imaginary Friends podcast, co-hosts the Ink and Magic podcast, and lives in Maryland with her feline dependents. Her latest novel is: THE INEVITABLE UNDOING OF ZAHARA DOUGLASS.  For more on Leslye Penelope, follow her on Instagram: @leslyepenelopeIntro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

What if the biggest obstacle to your next level of success isn't your strategy—but your inability to let go? In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and real estate leader Ben Lalez for an honest conversation about delegation, identity, enoughness, the loneliness of leadership, and why learning to stop chasing can be one of the hardest—and most important—skills a high performer ever develops. In this episode, you'll learn: Why strong businesses are built on strong foundations—not heroic leaders The emotional challenge of letting go of control as your business grows How coaching accelerated Ben's growth and saved him costly mistakes The hidden personal costs of relentless ambition Why delegation creates freedom instead of sacrificing performance The unexpected lessons that came from taking a month-long sabbatical How to balance contentment with continued ambition Why "enoughness" may be the greatest challenge successful entrepreneurs ever face If you've built a successful business but still struggle to slow down, trust others, or feel like you've finally arrived, this conversation will challenge the way you think about ambition, leadership, and what success is really supposed to feel like. Time Stamps: 00:00: The hidden foundation every entrepreneur overlooks 7:59: Why holding on too long can quietly destroy your business 10:15: The painful personal cost of building a successful company 17:17: The coaching investment that completely changed Ben's trajectory 22:53: What success was actually costing him during his busiest years 28:37: The surprising truth Ben discovered after taking a month off 35:28: The conversation every high performer needs to have about "enoughness" I help high performers get unstuck and out of their own way to unlock their potential.  Apply for Private 1:1 Coaching: If you're successful on paper but feel misaligned, overwhelmed, or stuck at your next level, private coaching may be the fastest path forward. Click here to apply to work with me. Follow me on Instagram: @thepaulsalter Watch on YouTube: @thepaulsalter Join me in the M19 Mastermind: Click here to apply. Tell them Paul sent you. More About Ben Lalez Ben started his real estate career flipping houses in Chicago's up-and-coming West Side neighborhoods in 2010. He has since taken his construction background and leveraged it to help people with all sorts of real estate needs. Ben owns and operates a property management company as well as a small general contracting company. With Ben, you are not only getting a knowledgeable and assertive partner in your real estate transaction but someone who understands the nuts and bolts of a property. Ben prides himself on understanding his clients' needs, wants, and aesthetics and works to ensure his clients find the right balance of all three. Ben has a strong desire to see his clients living in the home of their dreams. Equally, he wants to make sure that you own your home and not the other way around. He prides himself on working his hardest to ensure that whether you are buying, selling, renting, or investing that you understand how the transaction will affect you, your family, and your finances in the short and long term. Connect with Ben on Instagram here (@thebenlalezteam) Learn more about Ben by visiting his website here.

Prince Andrew offered a series of explanations for why Virginia Roberts Giuffre's allegations could not be true, but many of them only intensified public skepticism. During his disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew said he had no recollection of meeting Giuffre and claimed he had been at a Pizza Express in Woking with his daughter on the night she said they had been together. His most widely ridiculed explanation concerned Giuffre's description of him sweating heavily while dancing. Andrew insisted that he could not have been sweating because a medical condition, supposedly connected to his service in the Falklands War, had temporarily left him unable to perspire. Rather than discrediting Giuffre's account, the unusual and unsupported explanation became one of the defining moments of the interview.Equally damaging was Andrew's attempt to cast doubt on the photograph showing him with his arm around Giuffre's waist inside Ghislaine Maxwell's London home. Although he acknowledged that the man in the picture appeared to be him, he questioned whether the image had been manipulated and pointed to details such as the position of his hand and the clothing he was wearing. The argument was difficult to reconcile with his insistence that he had no memory of meeting Giuffre, because he was simultaneously denying the encounter while trying to explain why the photographic evidence might not be genuine. Later disclosures reportedly provided further support for the photograph's authenticity, making Andrew's efforts to dismiss it appear even less credible. Together, the sweating defense and the attack on the photograph transformed his denials from a legal and reputational strategy into symbols of how implausible his broader account had become.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes Joel Salatin to the show. Joel Salatin is a self described Christian Libertarian Environmentalist Capitalist Lunatic Farmer. Salatin describes a deeply distorted US agricultural landscape, where massive oversupply of corn and soybeans coexists with a historic cattle shortage. Half of domestic corn goes to ethanol, not food, and China's pursuit of self-sufficiency is eroding soybean exports, yet government bailouts keep older, risk-averse farmers locked into unprofitable cropping cycles. This parasitic dependence on subsidies props up unneeded production while stifling the market signals that would otherwise push farmers toward cattle, a switch he demonstrated could be highly profitable and capital-efficient. The fertilizer and energy shocks from Middle East conflicts further expose the fragility of input-dependent farming. Salatin noted that rising fuel costs drive farm bankruptcies and accelerate land consolidation into the hands of patient capital, including family offices and billionaires. He emphasized that genuine food security is not threatened by lack of production but by water scarcity and desertification driven by vegetative loss from overgrazing and continuous cropping. Instead, he champions a biological paradigm of farming that builds soil through cover crops, intensive rotational grazing, and on-farm composting to eliminate synthetic inputs. His own Polyface Farms exemplifies this model, integrating livestock, forest, and direct marketing to create a resilient, local carbon economy. Salatin contends that the path forward lies not in propping up the failing industrial system but in entrepreneurial adoption of regenerative practices that mimic nature's nutrient cycles and restore hydrological balance. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:51 – State of North American Agriculture 00:02:04 – Financial Struggles and Bailouts 00:03:02 – Cattle Herd Shortage Issues 00:03:55 – China Food Self-Sufficiency Plans 00:08:26 – Transitioning Soybean Farms to Cattle 00:11:40 – Conversion Costs and Payback 00:18:49 – Bailouts and Market Disconnect 00:24:20 – Screw Worm and Cattle Imports 00:29:00 – Localized Fertilizer and Carbon Cycles 00:35:15 – Impact of Fertilizer Shortages 00:41:23 – Water Issues and Vegetation 00:45:55 – Corn To Soybeans 00:47:00 – Energy Impacts on Farmers 00:55:00 – Water Rights & Investors 01:03:10 – Polyface Farms Operations Guest Links: Website: https://www.thelunaticfarmer.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polyfacefarm X: https://x.com/JoelSalatin Joel Salatin, 68, dubs himself a Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer. Admirers hail him as the world’s most famous farmer, the high priest of the pasture, and Virginia’s most eclectic thinker since Thomas Jefferson. Detractors label him a bio-terrorist, Typhoid Mary, charlatan, and starvation advocate. Armed with high school and college debate trophies, 16 published books, and a thriving multi-generational family farm, Salatin draws on decades of food, farming, and fantasy to captivate global audiences. Equally at home herding cows or keynoting for Wall Street CEOs, he covers profitable regenerative farming techniques alongside cultural debates like orthodoxy versus heresy. A staple on radio and podcasts for preppers, homesteaders, ecological farmers, and foodies, Salatin blends practical, can-do entrepreneurial solutions with passionate sustainability advocacy.

At age 16, violinist Ariana Kim made her debut with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and at age 24, she was appointed acting concertmaster of the Louisiana Philharmonic.  Ariana made her New York recital debut at Carnegie's Weill Hall during her doctoral studies at Juilliard and she is now a tenured professor at Cornell University.  Equally devoted to contemporary and long-established literature, Ariana held a 10-year position with the New York New Music Ensemble Ne(x)tworks and she is currently in her 19th season with The Knights. The 2024-2025 season brought a 6-performance residency at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and she gave a rare performance of Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 1 at Jordan Hall in Boston with the Cornell Symphony.  Her solo album, (un)common thread, explores improvisation through the lens of Mozart and Beethoven sonatas alongside world folk music, with collaborators Roger Moseley (fortepiano) and Shane Shanahan (percussion) was recently released on Tiger Turn Records.  

The year 1970 stands as a monumental chapter in the annals of American football, encapsulating a series of transformative events that irrevocably altered the landscape of the sport. This episode meticulously examines these pivotal shifts, particularly highlighting the remarkable resurgence of George Blanda, a quarterback whose age-defying performance at the age of 43 not only astonished fans but also earned him the prestigious title of Male Athlete of the Year. Furthermore, we delve into the inception of Monday Night Football, a groundbreaking television phenomenon that commenced on September 18, 1970, captivating audiences and setting the stage for a new era in sports broadcasting. Alongside these narratives, we explore the profound impacts of desegregation in college football, exemplified by USC's historic victory over Alabama, which significantly influenced the dynamics of Southern football. As we traverse through these compelling stories, we invite our audience to reflect on the enduring legacy of the 1970 season, a year that truly changed the course of football history.Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-StarsDrop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.comMiss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. The 1970 American football season is a pivotal chapter in the history of the sport, characterized by transcendent achievements and transformative changes that reverberate through the annals of football lore. The advent of Monday Night Football on September 18, 1970, represented a seismic shift in how the game was consumed by the public. This inaugural broadcast, featuring the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns, was not merely a sporting event; it was a cultural milestone that bridged the gap between entertainment and athletics. With Keith Jackson at the helm of commentary, accompanied by the distinctive voices of Dandy Don Meredith and Howard Cosell, the game introduced a new paradigm of sports broadcasting that emphasized personality, analysis, and fan engagement—elements that are now essential to the viewing experience. Central to the narrative of this season is George Blanda, whose remarkable resilience defied the conventions of age and performance in professional sports. At 43 years of age, Blanda's unexpected return to the field as an emergency quarterback for the Oakland Raiders culminated in a series of thrilling performances that not only secured victories but also etched his name in the record books as the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year—the first football player to receive this honor. His journey serves as a poignant reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the capacity for excellence irrespective of age, challenging preconceived notions about longevity in professional athletics. Equally significant were the developments within college football, where the 1970 season bore witness to a watershed moment in the integration of the sport. The USC versus Alabama game became emblematic of the social changes sweeping across the nation, as the Trojans' resounding victory catalyzed a shift towards desegregation in collegiate athletics. Concurrently, Nebraska's ascendance to national prominence, culminating in their first consensus national championship, exemplified the evolving competitive landscape of college football. The confluence of these narratives—the innovation of Monday Night Football, Blanda's legendary performances, and the pivotal college games—collectively delineate a season that not only redefined the sport but also left an indelible mark on American culture, setting the stage for the future of football.

Anna Lively is a historian of modern Ireland, Britain, and Russia. Awarded her PhD in History from the University of Edinburgh in 2022, she is currently a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History at the University of Strathclyde. Prior to this she held the Roy Foster Irish Government Research Fellowship in the History and Culture of Ireland at Hertford College, University of Oxford, and was a Teaching Fellow in Modern History at the University of Aberdeen. She has published in multiple journals on the centenary of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and on the Irish Save the Children Fund. From the late nineteenth century, Ireland featured prominently in Russian liberal, conservative, and radical debates about land politics, self-determination, and empire. Equally, Irish commentators from across the political spectrum used Russia as a lens onto questions of imperialism, anti-imperialism, and socialism. But while the Irish and Russian revolutionary contexts are well-studied in isolation, their myriad political, social, and cultural entanglements are not.Drawing on extensive Russian and Irish archival accounts, newspapers, diaries, letters, memoirs, literary, and visual sources, Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905-1923 (Oxford UP, 2026) looks in both directions at Irish responses to Russian revolutionary change and at representations of Ireland in Russian-language texts from the 1905 Russian Revolution to the end of the Irish Civil War in 1923. The result is a unique account of international engagement in revolutionary Russia and Ireland and of how Ireland was imagined beyond the Anglophone world. This mutual, if selective and conditional, engagement reflected wider technological changes in news communication and the expansion of international news agencies. Diasporic networks, including in Britain and the US, helped to shape Russo-Irish relations and Irish publications and political actors engaged with different parts of the Russian empire, including Ukraine, Finland, and Poland.Through five thematic chapters, the book considers Russo-Irish relations from contrasting and often overlooked angles, including Irish eyewitness experiences on the Eastern front during World War One and religious perspectives. Using a transnational methodology and expansive source base, the book offers a fresh angle on the entangled history of revolutions in the early twentieth century and the translation of news and ideas across borders. Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905–1923 will be published in September 2026 with Oxford University Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Anna Lively is a historian of modern Ireland, Britain, and Russia. Awarded her PhD in History from the University of Edinburgh in 2022, she is currently a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History at the University of Strathclyde. Prior to this she held the Roy Foster Irish Government Research Fellowship in the History and Culture of Ireland at Hertford College, University of Oxford, and was a Teaching Fellow in Modern History at the University of Aberdeen. She has published in multiple journals on the centenary of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and on the Irish Save the Children Fund. From the late nineteenth century, Ireland featured prominently in Russian liberal, conservative, and radical debates about land politics, self-determination, and empire. Equally, Irish commentators from across the political spectrum used Russia as a lens onto questions of imperialism, anti-imperialism, and socialism. But while the Irish and Russian revolutionary contexts are well-studied in isolation, their myriad political, social, and cultural entanglements are not.Drawing on extensive Russian and Irish archival accounts, newspapers, diaries, letters, memoirs, literary, and visual sources, Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905-1923 (Oxford UP, 2026) looks in both directions at Irish responses to Russian revolutionary change and at representations of Ireland in Russian-language texts from the 1905 Russian Revolution to the end of the Irish Civil War in 1923. The result is a unique account of international engagement in revolutionary Russia and Ireland and of how Ireland was imagined beyond the Anglophone world. This mutual, if selective and conditional, engagement reflected wider technological changes in news communication and the expansion of international news agencies. Diasporic networks, including in Britain and the US, helped to shape Russo-Irish relations and Irish publications and political actors engaged with different parts of the Russian empire, including Ukraine, Finland, and Poland.Through five thematic chapters, the book considers Russo-Irish relations from contrasting and often overlooked angles, including Irish eyewitness experiences on the Eastern front during World War One and religious perspectives. Using a transnational methodology and expansive source base, the book offers a fresh angle on the entangled history of revolutions in the early twentieth century and the translation of news and ideas across borders. Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905–1923 will be published in September 2026 with Oxford University Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Anna Lively is a historian of modern Ireland, Britain, and Russia. Awarded her PhD in History from the University of Edinburgh in 2022, she is currently a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History at the University of Strathclyde. Prior to this she held the Roy Foster Irish Government Research Fellowship in the History and Culture of Ireland at Hertford College, University of Oxford, and was a Teaching Fellow in Modern History at the University of Aberdeen. She has published in multiple journals on the centenary of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and on the Irish Save the Children Fund. From the late nineteenth century, Ireland featured prominently in Russian liberal, conservative, and radical debates about land politics, self-determination, and empire. Equally, Irish commentators from across the political spectrum used Russia as a lens onto questions of imperialism, anti-imperialism, and socialism. But while the Irish and Russian revolutionary contexts are well-studied in isolation, their myriad political, social, and cultural entanglements are not.Drawing on extensive Russian and Irish archival accounts, newspapers, diaries, letters, memoirs, literary, and visual sources, Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905-1923 (Oxford UP, 2026) looks in both directions at Irish responses to Russian revolutionary change and at representations of Ireland in Russian-language texts from the 1905 Russian Revolution to the end of the Irish Civil War in 1923. The result is a unique account of international engagement in revolutionary Russia and Ireland and of how Ireland was imagined beyond the Anglophone world. This mutual, if selective and conditional, engagement reflected wider technological changes in news communication and the expansion of international news agencies. Diasporic networks, including in Britain and the US, helped to shape Russo-Irish relations and Irish publications and political actors engaged with different parts of the Russian empire, including Ukraine, Finland, and Poland.Through five thematic chapters, the book considers Russo-Irish relations from contrasting and often overlooked angles, including Irish eyewitness experiences on the Eastern front during World War One and religious perspectives. Using a transnational methodology and expansive source base, the book offers a fresh angle on the entangled history of revolutions in the early twentieth century and the translation of news and ideas across borders. Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905–1923 will be published in September 2026 with Oxford University Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

Talked reading, writing, and No Man’s Sky. Also, when I went to sign off, I noticed the recording stopped at 18 minutes. It’s possible I did that when I pulled the phone out of my pocket. Equally likely that it … Continue reading →

Anna Lively is a historian of modern Ireland, Britain, and Russia. Awarded her PhD in History from the University of Edinburgh in 2022, she is currently a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in History at the University of Strathclyde. Prior to this she held the Roy Foster Irish Government Research Fellowship in the History and Culture of Ireland at Hertford College, University of Oxford, and was a Teaching Fellow in Modern History at the University of Aberdeen. She has published in multiple journals on the centenary of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and on the Irish Save the Children Fund. From the late nineteenth century, Ireland featured prominently in Russian liberal, conservative, and radical debates about land politics, self-determination, and empire. Equally, Irish commentators from across the political spectrum used Russia as a lens onto questions of imperialism, anti-imperialism, and socialism. But while the Irish and Russian revolutionary contexts are well-studied in isolation, their myriad political, social, and cultural entanglements are not.Drawing on extensive Russian and Irish archival accounts, newspapers, diaries, letters, memoirs, literary, and visual sources, Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905-1923 (Oxford UP, 2026) looks in both directions at Irish responses to Russian revolutionary change and at representations of Ireland in Russian-language texts from the 1905 Russian Revolution to the end of the Irish Civil War in 1923. The result is a unique account of international engagement in revolutionary Russia and Ireland and of how Ireland was imagined beyond the Anglophone world. This mutual, if selective and conditional, engagement reflected wider technological changes in news communication and the expansion of international news agencies. Diasporic networks, including in Britain and the US, helped to shape Russo-Irish relations and Irish publications and political actors engaged with different parts of the Russian empire, including Ukraine, Finland, and Poland.Through five thematic chapters, the book considers Russo-Irish relations from contrasting and often overlooked angles, including Irish eyewitness experiences on the Eastern front during World War One and religious perspectives. Using a transnational methodology and expansive source base, the book offers a fresh angle on the entangled history of revolutions in the early twentieth century and the translation of news and ideas across borders. Revolutionary Connections: Russia and Ireland, 1905–1923 will be published in September 2026 with Oxford University Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's becoming increasingly clear that how we talk about climate change matters as much as the science or policy itself. The words we use carry weight, and climate communicator Susan Joy Hassol says specific word choices, like “heat-trapping pollution” rather than “greenhouse gases,” can cut through polarization and help messages resonate with a wider range of people. Equally important is listening to what people and communities need to better handle the impacts from climate disruption. And different audiences need different approaches. For example: adults can help children process climate fear and grief without overwhelming them by offering age-appropriate honesty paired with validation of their emotions. Good communication can be one of the most effective forms of climate action. Guests:  Robin Cooper, Co-Founder and President, Climate Psychiatry Alliance Elizabeth Yeampierre, Attorney; Executive Director, UPROSE  Susan Joy Hassol, Director, Climate Communication Highlights: 00:00 Introduction  2:14 Robin Cooper on climate related mental health issues young people have 5:16 Robin Cooper on how adults can help young people in their lives 12:22 Robin Cooper on having multiple conversations with young people about climate 15:57 Robin Cooper on next steps after identifying climate anxieties in young people 19:46 Elizabeth Yeampierre on what it took to get Sunset Park Solar going 29:33 Elizabeth Yeampierre on building community trust and listening 31:40 Elizabeth Yeampierre on working with other communities  36:11 Susan Joy Hassol on not using the phrase “climate change”  39:52 Susan Joy Hassol on the phrase “natural disasters”  46:11 Susan Joy Hassol on dealing with hostility when discussing climate For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit our ⁠⁠⁠episode page⁠⁠⁠ at climateone.org *** Join Climate One for an electric conversation on September 1 at 6 p.m. between PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and California State Senator Scott Wiener about energy affordability, outages, and whether cities like San Francisco are ready to break up with the investor owned utility model. Tickets available at climateone.org/events *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠⁠⁠Sign up today⁠⁠⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠⁠⁠Multitude⁠⁠⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠⁠⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's becoming increasingly clear that how we talk about climate change matters as much as the science or policy itself. The words we use carry weight, and climate communicator Susan Joy Hassol says specific word choices, like “heat-trapping pollution” rather than “greenhouse gases,” can cut through polarization and help messages resonate with a wider range of people. Equally important is listening to what people and communities need to better handle the impacts from climate disruption. And different audiences need different approaches. For example: adults can help children process climate fear and grief without overwhelming them by offering age-appropriate honesty paired with validation of their emotions. Good communication can be one of the most effective forms of climate action. Guests:  Robin Cooper, Co-Founder and President, Climate Psychiatry Alliance Elizabeth Yeampierre, Attorney; Executive Director, UPROSE  Susan Joy Hassol, Director, Climate Communication Highlights: 00:00 Introduction  2:14 Robin Cooper on climate related mental health issues young people have 5:16 Robin Cooper on how adults can help young people in their lives 12:22 Robin Cooper on having multiple conversations with young people about climate 15:57 Robin Cooper on next steps after identifying climate anxieties in young people 19:46 Elizabeth Yeampierre on what it took to get Sunset Park Solar going 29:33 Elizabeth Yeampierre on building community trust and listening 31:40 Elizabeth Yeampierre on working with other communities  36:11 Susan Joy Hassol on not using the phrase “climate change”  39:52 Susan Joy Hassol on the phrase “natural disasters”  46:11 Susan Joy Hassol on dealing with hostility when discussing climate For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠ at climateone.org *** Join Climate One for an electric conversation on September 1 at 6 p.m. between PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and California State Senator Scott Wiener about energy affordability, outages, and whether cities like San Francisco are ready to break up with the investor owned utility model. Tickets available at ⁠climateone.org/events⁠ *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠, you'll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up today⁠⁠⁠⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Multitude⁠⁠⁠⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠⁠⁠⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

//The Wire//1800Z July 16, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: UKRAINIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE ON RUSSIAN SHIPPING IN BLACK SEA, RUSSIA RETALIATES BY STRIKING UKRAINIAN SHIPPING. WILDFIRES CONTINUE TO SPREAD IN CANADA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Europe: The war in Ukraine has continued to expand, with attacks on Russian merchant vessels remaining constant in the Black Sea. Russia has likewise retaliated by striking Ukrainian vessels also located within the Black Sea, as well as several port cities in southwestern Ukraine.Middle East: The war continues as before, with regular strikes taking place in the coastal regions which have been host to targeting for several days. Last night the US struck the port of Bandar Abbas again, and the Iranians have responded with attacks on Kuwait, which continued sporadically overnight.Analyst Comment: One aspect of the war that has not escalated for now, has been the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. After the initial mutual strikes two days ago, the Saudi's have chosen to back off of this line of effort, probably because they realized how bad of an idea it is to start a fight with the Houthis right now. That Saudi East-West Pipeline is the main asset that is keeping Saudi Arabia in the global oil market right now, and the Houthis can very easily threaten their main revenue source.Canada: Over the past few days, wildfires have continued to spread throughout the nation. As of this morning, at total of 859x wildfires are actively burning nationwide in Canada, most of which are clustered in Ontario, Qeubec, and the Northwest Territories. Of these active fires, 63x are out of control with zero percent containment. Evacuations of thousands of rural and tribal areas have been ordered over thousands of square miles, and air quality alerts have been issued for much of the American northeast and mid-Atlantic due to the smoke.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Though not exactly grabbing front page headlines, the war in Ukraine has continued to expand and become increasingly more serious during this year's summer offensive.Numbers are hard to independently verify, but the Ukrainians claim a total of 136x Russian vessels have been struck so far during this Black Sea targeting campaign since it began last week. This number seems a little high, but what is undeniable is that the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have become a new front during this war...for both sides, as demonstrated by the Russians now targeting Ukrainian ships. Equally important is the impact this is having on the broader Russian oil market. Previous strikes on petroleum refineries resulted in fuel shortages throughout Russia, which have varied by severity and location. Striking tankers in the Black Sea really only impacts the petroleum export market, and the long-term impacts of this will be interesting to follow. Like it or not, the concept of globalization has functioned as designed, and most nations are linked to each other in ways that are not readily apparent at first. Russia mostly exports oil to India and China, and their exports have remained high during the Persian Gulf crisis. So Ukraine, in striking the oil intended for China, is directly playing a hand in the Gulf War...a conflict thousands of miles away. How this will manifest over the next few weeks will be important. Gas prices in the US have been MUCH cheaper than they should be, due to a long list of factors, one of which has been the Chinese dipping into their own reserves to sharply reduce their demand. Ukraine strikes ships intended for China, and China now has to either dip into their reserves more...or buy more oil from the Middle East, and demand goes up in an already restricted supply chain. The Gulf War is still hot to some degree, and the miniscule flow of oil that had begun to trickle out of the Gulf during the ceasefire has once again slowed to a drip...and now that Ukraine is striking Russian oil intended for China, an already tight oil market is probably going to be squeezed even harder.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

John Kinzer still remembers sitting in a closed meeting at MCI, presenting revenue results, when something unexpected caught his attention. It wasn't the numbers he was reporting—it was the questions coming from the FP&A team. Listening to their discussion, he realized, “I also want to see that side of it,” Kinzer tells us. That moment led him from revenue reporting into business planning, where a manager helped shape the analytical skills that would define his career.Looking back, Kinzer tells us those early experiences proved invaluable. Long-distance telephone plans behaved much like today's subscription businesses, exposing him to churn analysis, lifetime value, customer acquisition costs, and cohort analysis long before SaaS became commonplace.Equally important was another lesson from a mentor: always look 18 to 24 months ahead. If you're no longer learning, growing, or able to see your next opportunity, it's time to start thinking about what's next, Kinzer tells us. That advice influenced several career decisions, including his move into the dot-com world, where he participated in his first IPO by helping write an S-1 and develop the company's long-term financial model.The same long-term mindset later shaped an even more difficult decision. After being passed over for his first CFO opportunity, Kinzer tells us he resisted the urge to react emotionally. Instead, he focused on developing new skills, particularly investor relations, believing the experience would prepare him for the future whether the opportunity came internally or elsewhere.For Kinzer, career progression has never been about chasing titles. It's been about continually putting himself in positions where learning comes first—and trusting that leadership opportunities eventually follow.

1028. Laura answers a listener's question about investing a lump sum or using a dollar-cost averaging (DCA) strategy. Find out what DCA is and its pros and cons whether you have a little or a lot to invest.Key takeawaysDollar-cost averaging (DCA) is a simple strategy where you invest a consistent amount at regular intervals.DCA benefits include reducing market risk, needing smaller amounts of cash, and making investing less emotional.DCA can also be a wise strategy when you have a large amount to invest, such as a cash windfall. The main DCA downside is potential missed growth when the market is rising over time.Making a lump sum investment can be wise when your finances are in good shape, don't need to be systematic, have a high risk tolerance, and want to maximize returns.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.