Podcasts about establishing

This week's Alliance Q&A is one I think a lot of you will relate to, even if you've never said it out loud. A member named Eric brought a question on behalf of a close friend who's in a genuinely rough season with his marriage, arguments about a job, about help around the house, about who's doing enough for the kids. Rather than treat it as a surface-level scheduling problem, we spent this entire episode digging into what's actually happening underneath, because I've coached enough men to know the surface complaint is almost never the real issue. We get into the real needs driving most marital conflict, why a woman needs to feel seen, heard, and safe, and why a man needs respect, appreciation, and physical affection, and what happens when both partners stop meeting those needs and start reacting to each other instead. I introduce the concept of the emotional bank account, a term I credit to researcher John Gottman, and share a personal example of learning the hard way that not all acts of service are created equal. We also talk through "nice guy syndrome" and its unattractive cousin, people-pleasing, and I introduce a book that's helped me completely reframe how I show up for Jessica: G.S. Youngblood's three-part framework of responding instead of reacting, leading with structure, and always providing safety.   Timeline Summary [1:02] Introducing today's Alliance Q&A and the friend's marriage situation Eric is bringing forward [2:24] The staggering statistic: only about 12% of married couples have a genuinely thriving marriage [3:16] Eric lays out the surface-level arguments: the job, help around the house, time with the kids [6:19] Establishing the marriage timeline and when things started to unravel [8:16] Asking whether the job is really the issue, or just where the resentment gets pointed [8:38] Larry announces the first-ever Dad Edge Day with the Arizona Cardinals, November 15th [10:40] The real needs at play: seen, heard, and safe for her; respected, appreciated, and affection for him [12:14] Whether he's actually meeting those needs, and the common trap of guessing instead of asking [13:58] The reactive cycle: unmet needs on one side triggering unattractive behavior on the other [15:09] Introducing the five love languages and why they aren't one-size-fits-all [15:51] Introducing the emotional bank account and why not all acts of service move the needle [16:09] Larry's own car wash story, and the moment he learned what actually mattered to his wife [18:49] The question worth asking your spouse: what exactly is happening when you feel most loved [21:41] Naming "nice guy syndrome" and the pattern of doing things with a hidden expectation attached [23:22] Confirming he's a people pleaser, and why that trait is deeply unattractive to a woman [23:48] Introducing G.S. Youngblood's book and its three-part framework for masculine leadership [24:07] The first principle: respond, don't react [24:26] The second principle: lead with structure instead of asking open-ended questions [25:54] The third principle: always provide safety through calm, grounded tonality [26:20] Wrapping up and reflecting on how these ideas apply directly to Eric's friend [27:33] Reminders: Roommates to Soulmates starting September 16th, and the Business Boardroom Brotherhood preview   Five Key Takeaways Surface-level arguments, about a job, about chores, are rarely the real issue. Almost always, there's an unmet need underneath that both partners are struggling to name directly. A woman's core needs tend to center on feeling seen, heard, and safe. A man's core needs tend to center on respect, appreciation, and physical affection. When either side stops meeting those needs, both partners start reacting instead of connecting. Not all acts of service are created equal. The emotional bank account concept means some gestures barely register while others, often smaller and more specific, become huge needle-movers. Ask your spouse directly what actually makes them feel loved. "Nice guy syndrome" and people-pleasing are deeply unattractive traits, not because kindness is bad, but because doing things with a hidden expectation attached (do this, then maybe she'll be nice to me) isn't genuine generosity. A grounded, masculine approach to leadership in a relationship comes down to three things: responding instead of reacting, leading with structure instead of vague open-ended questions, and consistently providing emotional safety through your tone and presence.   Links & Resources The Masculine in Relationship: A Blueprint for Inspiring the Trust, Lust, and Devotion of a Strong Woman by G.S. Youngblood: https://www.amazon.com/Masculine-Relationship-Inspiring-Devotion-Woman/dp/1699443386 The Dad Edge Day at State Farm Stadium: https://thedadedge.com/nfl The Dad Edge Podcast: https://thedadedge.com/1528 The Dad Edge Boardroom Mastermind: https://thedadedge.com/guest   Closing If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this: stop guessing at what your spouse needs and just ask. Eric's friend, like so many of us at some point, has been doing things with the hope that they'll move the needle, without ever finding out what actually would. Go ask your wife directly what she was doing, and what you were doing, the last time she felt most loved and connected to you, and then go do more of that. Go out and live legendary.  

Establishing the right systems in your practice creates consistency, profitability, and freedom in ways that individual effort is never going to. Kiera talks about the difference between systems and the people using them, how to know if you need a new system, why the right system equals scalability, and more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team Listeners. This is Kiera. And today I want to just go back to basics with you because I think that this is such an important thing because we talk so much about systems, but I think people want systems and we talk about systems and like what are systems? And like what is the difference between a system and needing to train people? And I think that there's just this like back and forth in our worlds where we think like, hey, if I get a system, everything's gonna work. Or   Hey, if I get the right people and train them, then it's all going to work. And I think that they go hand in hand. And so today I wanted to kind of break down, dispel, disseminate, and like what exactly is a system? What exactly should we train? How do we put these two things together? And how do you really get the freedom that you're looking for? Like, we're about to roll into a mastermind and I was building the content. So spoiler alert, if you're not a part of our in-person masterminds, get your booties over into Dental A Team because we do meet twice a year and have a leadership mastermind where doctors and OMs get together with myself.   our entire consulting team, and we really talk about things off record. So there's no cameras, there's no recording in there, and it's just a rift area. And I was working on like what do dentists really want? And it's the control paradox. They want control, but the way you get control is by knowing that your systems are working for you and people are reporting. You don't want to actually do all the pieces, but you want it to report back to you and you want to know things are being done your way. Yes or yes yes. Like, am I speaking to you? And do I know you? I hope so. Because I absolutely love dentists. I want to just give you a giant hug and I want to remind you.   That you are doing better than you think you are. I want to remind you that there is an easier path than what you're doing. And I wish I could find somebody that was the Kiera Dent for dental consulting companies. I wish, I wish I could find her. I had a client tell me today, he said, Kiera, you have blessed the world of dentistry in so many ways. And I take that as such a huge compliment because not only did we make their practice better, but that doctor is literally working seven to three, four days a week, taking home several millions a year, living their best life, being with their kids, and to be able to give someone their life back.   Be able to help grow them personally and professionally, that is the greatest gift in honor. And so I am so honored that this is the job I get to do. This is the company that we have. And so while systems are annoying, I want to remind you like this is the way that you're actually going to get the freedom, aka the control that you want to be able to see if your practice is working. So I want you guys to recognize we've got to do systems, we've got to do training, we've got to hold accountable. We can't just put it in play. Like there's cure, this feels hard. I know one of our core values is ease. So I'm gonna try and break it down with you.   Of ease. These are things that we've done hundreds of thousands of times. We work across the nation with small boutique practices. We're talking Medicaid, FIFA service, boutique, natural path to multi-locations. I've got a practice that is building, I'm not joking, a 50 op location. So you name it. We've seen so much in our world. We've seen the DSO world. We've seen the private practice world. We've seen DSO's gone wrong. We've seen DSO's gone right. I feel like having that experience and credibility is something whew.   You can't get other than just living through it. And then my job is to give you as much of that and to hopefully work with you, empower you, change your world, whatever it is. All I ask in return is that you leave us a comment, you leave those five stars, and you share this with someone. That's all I ask. Because if we can serve and help more people just like you, that is the greatest gift. You guys know my mission is to possibly impact the world of dentistry in the greatest way possible. That's why I do this. This is why I do it for free. I don't charge you anything. I don't ever, we don't even have ads. We do our own thing because   Wanna make sure that we're giving you guys back high value quality. So, with that, what I want you guys to realize is systems are going to create consistency, profitability, and freedom in ways that individual effort is never going to fix for you. So, number one, systems are what's gonna create that consistency for you. So when a person leaves, we don't want that knowledge to go out the door with them. When someone has a day off, we don't want that knowledge to go with them. We want to have that system of stability through all of it. And that's what it's gonna create. I remember the day that I had my company go through, it was a three month project, and I had us work.   Actually, break down our entire operations manual. There was like a sense of relief in breath that I could relief that I never realized I had. Now, that is a hard project, and usually it's not gonna move the needle for you. I'll tell you that was one of my worst quarters. Profitability-wise, we didn't grow, but stability-wise, we exponentially grew. Now it's been about five years since I did that project, and guess what? We've outgrown those systems. So guess what? It's probably time for us to do it, and we are actually working on our next version of it. And I'm so excited about it because it's gonna be so much better.   We do not like the way you can tell a system is missing is every team member does it differently. So if you walk in and you're having different assistants work with you and every assistant sets it up differently, guess what? You probably don't have a system. You just have people just doing it their own way. If different schedulers or if a scheduler is out and our schedule doesn't go the same way, now that doesn't mean case acceptance is perfect because there are some skills behind it, but that does mean that we have a set follow-up, we do the same billing. If this person's out for a week, everybody would be able to do it. That's going to help.   If new hires struggle to learn, we don't have a system. We have it being where people are telling each other. If results depend on who's working that day, you don't have a system. You have a people thing. So what we want to have is, excuse me, you want to have documented processes, you want to have standardized expectations, and we want everybody to be trained the same way. But we also want to make sure that that system really is getting us the results that we want. So what we do is   I'm big on when we take on an office instead of doing a whole operations manual like I did. You can do that. Don't worry, we can help you with that if that's your like main shebang. but typically what we're gonna do is we're going to look at what is the vision of the practice, what does that doctor and owner want? And then what are the numbers telling us? And usually your number that's the lowest number or what the PL tells us, that's where we're first gonna build systems because everybody wants the system to win, right? Like if I come in and I put in a protocol for I don't know, like scheduling.   But your schedule's great. We're all out on time. We're hitting our productive goals. Sure, that's nice to have. And I'd like it documented of what we're currently doing to make sure, like if that person's out, we can repeat it. But odds are that's probably not my biggest pain point. Now, there is a flip side to that. And I will say that if team members leave, then yes, it is a very detrimental. So at a minimum, I like every team member to have a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly list of what they do and at least those protocols written down. So if someone's out, I can grab their checklist and I can be like, all right.   Sarah daily does this, and here is where it is in the drive, or here's a video of it, or here's a checklist of it. So that way if Sarah's gone on vacation, nothing that Sarah is doing is dropped. So non-negotiable for me is everybody has to have a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly. If you want those, guess what? We have them for all of our clients. So makes life real easy. And that's just something we've built, but every person should have that. Then what we're gonna look at is we're gonna actually build systems based on the metrics and the numbers. Because basically we've got the core processes done.   Those are core processes daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, what do we do? And we've got quick systems built behind the scenes. So that way I've got everybody's job. So if anybody walks out and leaves me, I'm not sitting here like, huh, how do we like it's crazy. Whenever someone goes on vacation, I'm like, awesome. Let's see if we've got a protocol written for this. Let's see if we've written it down. Can we figure out how to do podcast scripts? Can we figure out how to do podcast reels? Can we figure out how we do podcast recordings? Can we figure out how we do payments? Can we figure out how we schedule?   And if we don't have all that written down to where anybody without being told can do it, let's start with that. So, and then after that, let's look at what our numbers are telling us and let's build systems there. So if like a front office doesn't have a great scheduling system, which happens, you get wildly different outcomes based on who's answering the phone, who's there. Once you put into play a scheduling protocol, here's our block schedule, here's how we do all of our scheduling, instantly consistency improves, production goes up, everybody goes home on time. That's a system.   So I believe that great practices aren't dependent on individual memory. They've got to be dependent on you and your practice and like where no matter who comes in, yes, I want eight players, but I want eight players to be able to follow a system and a process. Systems make excellence repeatable. And I think that that is a great line for you to take down. Systems make excellence repeatable. So what do you have going on? How is this for you? And so I just want you to like quickly look through if you don't have your daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual plans, start there.   If you do look at an area based on your numbers and your metrics of where are maybe we are missing in this section that I could have variable results and we could document a process so I get set results per people. That's gonna help you have just a process for it. And like I said, this is going to reduce your stress, give you the control that you're looking for, and the consistent results that I know you're dying for. So next step is systems actually reduce stress and decision fatigue. Once we have a system and a process, like this is how we always set up for a crowd.   This is how we always schedule. This is what we do for hiring. Here's how we place the ads. You don't have to constantly be thinking of what to do. Teams get overwhelmed not because they're busy. It's because they're constantly deciding and making up new processes and protocols. Like, yes, they're busy, but think about what they're busy on. It's like, shoot, we don't know how to hire. We don't have a set process. Like we don't have a recare reactivation process. So it just automatically goes. So our schedule is always full.   Like we always call 20 people every single day, non-negotiable. I don't care if it's a busy day, a bad day, a great day, a wonderful day, a horrible day. We make 20 phone calls every single day and we send out 20 texts every single day, non-negotiable to make sure our schedule is full. Then we have a recare reactivation. So at the beginning of every month, we run these items, we send out the postcards, we send out the letters, we send out the text, whatever your process is, we do that every single first day. For me as a CEO, every single like I literally woke up.   At midnight this month because my standard is by the 30th or 31st last day of the month, all of the money transfers for profit first are made non-negotiable. That's what I do. I don't want to think about it, I don't want to make that decision like, am I gonna save money this month? Am I no, it's just a process, it's a cadence. So when we're missing a system, it looks like team members are asking the same questions repeatedly. Like, pay attention, what questions are coming up? We need a system and a process that's easy and repeatable. Leaders.   Solving problems day in, day out. Doctors, you are the solving machine. It comes to you constantly, constantly, constantly. You don't have a system for that. Or constant interruptions throughout the day. Hey, what do you think we should do about this? Hey, what do you think we should do about that? Hey, there's a process for this. Hey, we already have that written. So, what successful practices do is they create clear workflows. We have established expectations, and then we just repeat build repeatable processes and systems that are very easy to find. So again, that daily, weekly, quarterly has been my easiest one for people to just find like.   What am I supposed to do? I don't know. Well, great. Here's what we do on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly per position in our practice. And then here's how to do it. So if daily we join morning huddle, well, here's our process, here's a form, here's the agenda that you fill in and it has it written out. Office manager does this part, dental assistant does this part, hygienist does this part. No one has to think about it. Everybody knows we all come prepared for morning huddle. We win our day.   At the end of the day, we have an end-of-day checklist that just makes sure we have all the pieces checked off. This is what we do. We're set up to win in billing. We know every single first length Monday we run this new report. We're working through these accounts. By the end of the month, I'm expected to get all the way through all those items of every single patient in the AR. every single day I resend batched claims, like those are just systems. New patients, we have a new patient form. We are able to schedule them within 15 minutes.   and we make sure that they are always confirmed 48 hours in advance. We leave no open holes. Like if someone's unconfirmed, they don't get to stay on the schedule. Case acceptance, here's our follow-up process for every single appointment that we we present. Hygiene, here's our period protocol. So every hygienist is presenting period the exact same way. We have NDTR handoffs on our route slips, like simple, easy things that are going to fix your practice because not only will you get higher production, but there's less chaos.   Like team members just know what to do. They're like, well, how do get that well operated? Like, there is the lean management that you can look at. It's really how do I break this down in the most simple, repeatable processes? And for me, I don't like yes have a form so people can follow it, but I'm big on like what can I have the software do for me? What can I do to set this up? So like block scheduling, it's very clear that we don't schedule within that. Now, do people have to follow the blocks? Yes.   So that we just have an accountability piece that we follow this through. And if you choose to schedule in the block, great. We have an audit system. Our OM has an audit system at the end of the week. Anyone who's scheduled inside those blocks gets to call that patient on Friday. Ding, ding, ding. Nobody wants to do that. Nobody, nobody breaks the blocks. We have an end-of-day checklist. It's reviewed every single day and it's turned back into our team members at the morning huddle. We have a morning huddle agenda that we follow, non-negotiable. We have a weekly meeting form. We have L10 meetings that we run with our teams.   These are systems that just make your practice run. And so for that, I want you just to see like systems are going to help create that mental space that you and your practice are craving. And so when you think about your team, think about fewer decisions that they have to make. That's going to give them more energy to serve patients, more energy to be able to like have that customer service, that care, rather than like, shoot, I don't know where I need to schedule this person. Or like, hey, what do I do when a patient calls for this? The goal is that people should be able to do this without you.   So I would ask your team like, what's one or two tasks that if we handled it differently every time, what's one of those tasks that we just every one of us does it a different way? And then let's build a system for that and all of us follow through on that. And then systems just, you know, they do create the scalability and the freedom. So I love to build like you and your vision, make sure your earnings and profit are there. And then we put systems into place, but it should be like systems that lead to scalability and scalability that leads to legacy for you. So you want growth, you want freedom, you want that. Systems are gonna help you do this.   Think if you went and opened up another practice today. Trust me, I did this. I had my first practice for nine months, opened up our second location. Yeah, that was super thrilling. And I thought I had systems. We did not have a system for how we scheduled. We did not have a system for how the doctors were scheduled. We did not have a system for how we check in, check out patients. We did not have a system for how we do sterilization. We did not have a system for how we do hygiene perio. Guess what? That became double. Remember that? Like double the flavor, double the fun, double, I think, I don't know, the flavor with double mint gum.   That's what happened. And it was double the stress, double the chaos, double the nonsense with double the practice ownership. So there's your little jingle for the day. So we have to look to see like, all right, whether you want to scale to multi-locations, whether you want to have less clinical days that you're working, systems are gonna create that scalability. But again, you can have a system written. So we build the system first, we train leaders on the systems. Then this is the third clutch piece is we have to have accountability around the system. I don't know how many teams roll out a billing procedure.   But they don't follow up with it. So then it just goes by the wayside. We create a scheduling protocol, but we don't audit the schedule to ensure it's working. You can't just have a system that has no follow through. It has to have accountability. Otherwise, you're always gonna just have a lot of words, a lot of pretty paper, and not get the results you want. So for me, I'm big on cadences like end of week checklist, end of month checklist. What needs to get done? What are the things that need to be reviewed and audited? Let's create that for you. And we have that for office managers, we have that for   l leaders. this is a big space to be able to have it. And so I think once a a good example of this is there's a doctor who wanted to have a vacation. This is a doctor I've worked with who I think has been in practice for about 20 years. And last year they went on a vacation for a month, a whole month. This doctor went off they went and did golf they went and raced cars. They had just the best time and the practices actually did better than they've ever done. And all the systems were intact. All the team was there.   Team knew what to do. There were a couple of things that the office manager was like, I don't know what to do, Kiera, like help me out. We worked through it. We created a system and a process. So in the future, those things are done. You'll never be able to have everything done. But if they know who to go to, they know where to go. But all the doctors were able to hit production, they were able to run their morning huddles, they were able to have of day checklists. That doctor was able to truly have a real vacation and the leaders were to keep the systems going. They didn't come back to fires and chaos and like the schedule broken.   They have these as systems, they have them as protocols, they have them with accountability, and the practice can continue running successfully without you there. That to me is the pinnacle of systems creating that scalability, that structure. Because, like again, going back to the beginning, where we're like, is it systems? Is it training? It's systems, then it's training, and then it's accountability. Systems train accountability. I wish I could say it sat, like the SAT.   systems accountability training but it's got to go the reverse so STA sorry maybe that's like the beginning of start STA figure R T if anybody wants to come up with an alliteration for me go for it but it's systems training accountability maybe then it's results the freedom there you go there's your start you're welcome so systems training accountability results the freedom okay there's your start acronym I hope that Alex has a good time with these show notes for you   But that's systems, that's scalability, that's repeatability, that's getting the results you want, but it's systems training accountability. That's how we start getting the freedom we want. That's how we start getting the results we want, that's how we start making the progress that we want, that's how we get started. So, what I would recommend is remembering that systems do create this consistency, systems do reduce stress, systems can create scalability and freedom if done correctly with the system written down, documented.   Then trained to the entire team and then held accountable that we actually follow through. And for me in that training piece, I like it to be anything that's automated. Put it on a route slip, put it in a note template, put it as an automated thing at the end of the week, create it to where it automatically emails out to everybody. And here's the checklist that we do. Whatever you gotta do, automate it as much as possible. that should be sk system training, automate and accountability. There you go. Results, the freedom. but really   People are so powerful and systems make that power repeatable. So if you want help on this, if you need help on this, if you want to go from where you are to where you know you could be, if you're sick of being in the rut that you've been in for so long, reach out. Because guess what? You don't need to keep solving the same problems over and over and over again. And when I look at Dental A   Team and the struggles I have, I have hired people that literally know where I need to go and they've been able to get me there. And then I've also had people that didn't know how to get there and it was a struggle for me.   So hire somebody who's been there, done that, and can actually like cut through the noise for you, get your team aligned, get things moving forward. That's what we do. So reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. This is your time to shine. This is your time not to stress anymore. And I can't wait to help you get the freedom, get the control that you're looking for. And systems are a great way to do it. So reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. And as always, thanks for listening. And I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

Sometimes, God takes over full control to put us where we need to be. Todays guest, John Porter, talks about how God took over to place him exactly where he needed to be. John learned about the root of fear and how to make decisions rooted in faith and trust in God, instead of a place of fear.   In this episode, you'll discover…  Key trait to win at home and at work (1:28) The balance of bringing faith into the workplace (7:35) Establishing what your priorities are vs. boundaries (10:45)  Advice about the spirit of fear (13:45)   John's Bio:  John has successfully developed and managed multi-family and self-storage investment properties for 35 years. Before joining our firm in 1999, he was responsible for development and all property management aspects of a Midwest firm that operated 5,000 apartment units and self-storage rentals. For Charter, John leads the acquisition and development of residential communities and is a real estate broker in North and South Carolina. His expertise in planning, zoning, and infrastructure development adds valuable insight into projects. People find that John works collaboratively to ensure everyone is on the same path to reach the same goal. He likes being challenged every day to think in new ways. It keeps things interesting. In his free time, John is an avid gardener, golfer, and fisherman who likes to spend time with his wife and two boys. Helping his family and team reach their goals brings him deep joy. Many don't know that John is a musician and has traveled to Cuba many times. Next to his wife, his dream dinner companions are Winston Churchill, Jesus, and his father.   Learn more here   What's Next?  NEW!! Join the new RISE community. Check out my newest book, 'Rise and Go', HERE!

Welcome to episode 485 of Growers Daily! Today we will discuss establishing a meadow for beneficials in your area, both micro and bigro. And we'll take a question about taking over land that itself has been taken over by weeds and pests you definitely don't want. We are a Non-Profit! 

During Ep. 40 of the Ask the Law Firm Seller Show, Jeremy E. Poock, Esq. addresses the following: How do I know when to stop negotiations with a buyer? At the outset, Poock points out that Senior Attorney owners of law firms may consider not even starting negotiations with their key employee lawyer(s) because most key employee lawyers: 1. Only want a job; 2. Went to law school and not business school, i.e., they do not aspire to own a small business law firm; 3. Cannot afford to purchase their boss' law firm; and 4. Assume that their boss will never retire If a Senior Attorney owner believes that key employee lawyers at their firm actually do have interest to purchase the practice, Poock then asks: (1) When you ask a key employee attorney about their interest to purchase your practice, how did the key employee attorney respond? (2) How often do key employee attorneys at the firm approach the owner with ideas for who to grow the practice? (3) How much business do the key employee attorneys already generate at the firm? If none of those answers point toward key employee lawyers indicating an interest to become internal successors, Poock suggests that law firm owners consider not starting a sale conversation with their key employee lawyers. Regarding Growing Law Firms as the more typical purchasers of law firms, Poock shares the following tips for when to know to stop negotiations. 1. Importance of Establishing a Timeframe: Poock suggests that the seller and purchaser agree to a timeframe for due diligence and preparing a letter of intent or other form of an offer. By setting that timeframe, the parties can determine whether to continue or stop negotiations during their agreed-upon timeframe to reach a letter of intent or offer. If the parties do not pre-establish a timeframe, though, Poock points out the following: If months pass without the parties completing due diligence or agreeing upon terms for a letter of intent, such passage of time typically indicates that a seller should consider stopping negotiations before even more time passes with a buyer who likely does not intend to purchase a seller's law firm. 2. Protracted Negotiations: Poock explains that when negotiations become protracted, a “pretzel effect” can occur, namely, that when negotiations over certain terms become analogous to pretzel making, the selling law firm may consider stopping negotiations before weeks or months pass by in advance of the proverbial pretzel breaking, i.e., negotiations breaking down, followed by the seller needing to pursue another buyer. As key takeaways about knowing when to stop negotiations with a buyer, Poock summarizes as follows:   (1) Selling law firms should consider whether to even start negotiations with key employee lawyers if those key employees prefer to have a job rather than become owners of a small business law firm.   (2) The importance of defining a timeframe for due diligence and preparing a Letter of Intent as a means for determining whether to stop or continue negotiations with a buyer.   (3) Recognizing that if protracted negotiations become analogous to pretzel making, a seller may opt to stop negotiations before the pretzel breaks and either the seller or buyer then decides to stop negotiations, which could occur weeks or months later.

Brian Sexton, Jeff Lageman and Mark Duffner sit down to discuss their expectations of how the Jaguars will impart their 2025 top-ranked run defense's will against Cleveland's new offensive identity under first-year Head Coach Todd Monken. Later, they weigh in on comments from Head Coach Liam Coen on WR/CB Travis Hunter and his highly anticipated role moving into the season. All this and more on Jaguars Happy Hour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

States are already vying to become the home of the White House's proposed Space Academy, but what critical problem set should it solve? Do we really need it? This episode — Part 2 of this two-part series and following last week's episode on the National Space Transportation Policy — focuses on the "Establishing the United States Space Academy" proclamation. Laura Winter speaks with retired Space Force Gen. David "DT" Thompson, the first Vice Chief of Space Operations; retired Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw, former Deputy Commander of U.S. Space Command; and Joel Mozer, first Chief Scientist of the U.S. Space Force.

This week, Aebhric O'Kelly is joined by David Page, a paramedic with more than 40 years of experience spanning frontline EMS, education, accreditation and research. David directs the Prehospital Care Research Forum at UCLA and is closely involved with the International Paramedic Registry (IPR).The conversation explores the enormous variation in paramedic education and practice around the world. David discusses his work with training centres in more than 20 countries and explains why sophisticated simulation facilities are not necessarily required to deliver excellent education.Chapters00:00 – Meet David Page: 40 years of paramedicine, research and education.01:45 – Assessing EMS Education Around the World: Lessons from training centres in 23 countries.04:30 – Simulation Without the Million-Dollar Lab: Creating effective training with limited resources.05:20 – What Is the International Paramedic Registry?: Establishing international standards for paramedicine.08:01 – Learning from the US National Registry: Why independent certification matters.10:28 – Defining Levels of Paramedicine: Responder, basic and advanced practice.13:03 – What Should Every Paramedic Know?: Building and validating 1,028 international competencies.17:32 – Is IPR Becoming an International Standard?: Adoption, recognition and international mobility.19:44 – Certification vs Licensure: An important distinction for international paramedics.21:47 – Degree vs Certification: Does graduating from university prove clinical competency?26:47 – Does a Degree Guarantee Competence?: Why David argues for independent verification.28:20 – US vs UK Paramedics: Who Is Better?: Why minimum standards matter more than comparison.29:17 – When the Same Job Title Means Different Skills: Comparing paramedic education and scope internationally.30:35 – Does Programme Length Matter?: Why three years of education can mean very different things.33:40 – Australia's Nurse–Paramedic Model: Different professions and different clinical environments.36:43 – The UK Paramedic Model: Degrees, registration and the changing ambulance workforce.39:36 – Germany, Spain and European EMS: Different routes to prehospital practice.41:50 – Does France Have Paramedics?: Looking beyond professional labels.44:12 – Can Nurses Take the IPR Exam?: Why hospital expertise does not automatically equal prehospital expertise.44:52 – Paramedicine Is a Specialty: A separate environment requires a separate body of knowledge.45:25 – Research, Education and Clinical Practice: David's three-legged stool of paramedicine.46:56 – “Soak It Up, Buttercup”: David's advice for the next generation.47:38 – The Privilege of Being a Paramedic: Human dignity, patients and why the work matters.

"When you're in need, you realize you need help. And when you're successful, you realize you got help all along." — James FarrinIn a world obsessed with digital efficiency and quick fixes, the real currency of a meaningful life remains independent thought, presence, and intentional effort.In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with James "Jim" Farrin, founder, President, and CEO of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. Jim reflects on growing up across 10 countries in 17 years, applying rigorous business principles to plaintiff representation, and taking on one of the largest civil rights litigations in U.S. history. He breaks down why authentic leadership requires intentional culture, why high metrics can distort purpose, and how focusing on service frees leaders from personal despair.10 Memorable Quotes:"When you're in need, you realize you need help. And when you're successful, you realize you got help all along." — James Farrin"In a time of despair, turning attention outwards and focusing on the people you serve sets you free and gets you out of your own head." — James Farrin"Culture is either defined intentionally by leadership or by the strongest personality in the room." — James Farrin"Real currency in a meaningful life remains independent thought, presence, and intentional effort." — Chris Schembra"When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure." — Chris Schembra (referencing Goodhart's Law)"No man is an island. We need people, we've always needed people, and we need them more than ever." — James Farrin"Our clients aren't superheroes—they're ordinary people who overcome adversity through faith, perseverance, and getting the right help." — James Farrin"In a world of everlasting change, find the constants and savor the constancy around you." — Chris Schembra"We must step out of the tyranny of the 'or' and into the genius of the 'and'." — Chris Schembra (quoting Jim Collins)"Gratitude doesn't change your circumstances; it changes your capacity to carry them." — Chris Schembra10 Key Takeaways:Navigating Constant Transition: Lessons from living across 10 countries in 17 years on leaning into family constants, building adaptability, and trusting that new chapters always work out.Turning Despair Into Empathy: How refocusing on the suffering of marginalized clients during high-stakes civil rights litigation removed personal worry and provided purpose.Building Culture via "The JSF Way": Translating abstract corporate values into 24 concrete, daily behaviors that are actively practiced, evaluated, and reinforced firm-wide.Establishing a "South Star": Defining explicitly what an organization will not tolerate—such as greed, lack of accountability, self-centeredness, and "being a jerk".Avoiding Goodhart's Law in Business Growth: Recognizing when aggressive numerical growth targets (like 15% annual growth) risk outkicking quality, and shifting focus back to client-centric meaning.The Power of Confident Humility: Drawing inspiration from military leaders and achieving high-level legal success while maintaining unpretentious humility and honoring team contributions.Resisting Digital & AI Isolation: Preserving human-to-human empathy and direct client relationships instead of outsourcing core human care to automated chatbots and scripts.Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs: Testing small strategic initiatives before making multi-million dollar or firm-wide commitments.Finding Modern Heroism in Ordinary People: Celebrating everyday perseverance, vulnerability, and resilience over performative social media achievements.Sustaining Unsaid Gratitude: Creating regular operational space to acknowledge the mentors, family members, and team members who make collective success possible.About our Guest:James "Jim" Scott Farrin is the founder, President, and CEO of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, one of the largest plaintiff's firms in the Carolinas. Since opening his doors in Durham, North Carolina in September 1997, Jim has grown the firm to more than 60 attorneys serving clients across North and South Carolina, recovering over $2 billion in compensation for more than 78,000 injured people. His practice areas include personal injury, workers' compensation, Social Security disability, and civil rights litigation, and he is best known in the legal community for applying rigorous business principles to the practice of law itself, an approach that has been the subject of guest lectures at his alma mater's Master of Judicial Studies Program.Jim's path to the courtroom is not a conventional one. The oldest of five children, he spent his childhood in 10 different countries over 17 years while his father worked internationally for Colgate-Palmolive and other global brands, before returning to the United States for his last two years of high school at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. He went on to earn a B.A. in Philosophy from Trinity College in Hartford, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a J.D. with honors from Duke University School of Law. He began his career at a corporate firm in California, but found the work lacking in meaning and nearly left the law entirely. In 1995 he returned to Durham, joined a plaintiffs' firm, and remembers to this day the first personal injury client he handed a settlement to. He has not looked back.Jim played a leading role in In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, one of the largest civil rights cases in United States history. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the American Association for Justice's Leaders Forum, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the Public Justice Foundation, and the North Carolina Bar Association. He has been recognized on Business North Carolina's Power List for Law, named among North Carolina's Most Influential Leaders, and honored with a 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Award.

Jeremy Pittman

The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn't Come Easy Many women are trying to connect with God while carrying an anxious, divided, or wounded inner life. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Alison Cook explains why spiritual growth often begins with tending to the soul—and how healing our inner world can transform the way we experience God, ourselves, and others. Alison and Allie explore why we can feel empty even when life looks full, exhausted from holding everything together, or trapped in harsh self-talk and quiet shame. Together, they offer a compassionate framework for understanding what's happening beneath the surface and discovering a deeper sense of connection, security, and hope found in Christ. Key topics discussed: How faith and psychology can complement one another in the healing process What it means to tend to your soul & pursue wholeness in Christ Why we may feel disconnected from ourselves, others, and God Why healing begins by recognizing where we are and taking one brave step at a time Dr. Alison reminds us that God does not ask us to bypass our pain or fix ourselves before receiving His love. Instead, He meets us right where we are—in loneliness, disappointment, anxiety, and old wounds—and gently leads us toward healing.If you feel unseen, emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or unsure how to trust love, this conversation offers a compassionate and faith-filled invitation to begin again. You are not alone, and your story is not beyond healing. Take heart: God's love is with you even here, and you can move forward one brave step at a time.  

It's YOUR time to #EdUpPCO In this episode, YOUR guest is Angie Kamath, Dean of the School of Professional Studies at New York University. YOUR host is Amrit Ahluwalia⁠⁠.Some key questions we tackle:●     Why should leaders endeavour to be transparent about their passion and personal vision?●     How can leaders translate that vision into strategic andoperational direction-setting?●      What are the limiting factors that PCO leaders typically need to navigate when establishing an innovative vision and direction?I will be hosting a webinar on September 25 focused on how innovative colleges & polytechs are pursuing change while navigating strategic, operational and legislative barriers. Thewebinar panelists are Neil Fassina (President, Okanagan College) and Susan Cluett (VP-Academic, Fanshawe College). To register, click here: https://academica.corsizio.com/event/6a5a8cf96905bd52ffce7ffcThank you for listening to the EdUp PCO podcast! Make sure to subscribe and follow, and don't forget to leave a rating!

Today we break down the key elements to achieves success in business by focusing on raising standards and establishing principles.We look at best practices, the importance of empowering the team and how to push through paper walls. Having attended the VAULT Conference for leadership growth and development in Las Vegas this past week, I share some insights, methods, and strategies to unlock wins as we aim to close out 2026 on a high note.Whether you are formulating your business or have operated it for numerous years, today's episode was set to hone in on key aspects that will move the meter such as:-Calibration techniques-Clarity and Alignment-Time Allocation-The Fly Wheel-Mission Moments-Your WHYCheck out ef3life.com/foundation to support our nonprofit the Life to the Fullest Global Foundation which was established to to bring education, nutrition and hope to impoverished places around the world!*Follow: @ef3life and @life_to_the_fullest_podcast on social media*Check out my book Winning With Money Dollars & $ense on Amazon.com#podcast #lifetothefullest #ef3life #business #growthmindset #success #win #learn #educate #entrepreneur #standards #principles

"I think what dies is when you have someone show up and they don't actually understand the problem they're solving and they can't relate to a builder."That's Brett Dahmer, CFO of Performance Contracting Group, on what actually kills a vendor pitch inside a 60+ office, employee owned specialty contractor.We sat down with Brett for a rare finance side view of ConTech decisions. He walked us through:BarrierCube Ventures, PCG's own venture arm, and why a contractor started writing cheques into startupsThe Track3D investment, and what happens when you're both a startup's investor and its biggest customerThe line KP Reddy gave him early on that he still uses to size up every founderBrett's quick fire answer on ROI in construction tech is worth the listen alone. A vendor once quoted him a figure for a company he knows personally, and it didn't hold up.Full episode live on Youtube and Spotify. #aec #bricksandbytes #construction #constructiontech #vcOur Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comChapters00:00 Intro01:00 Introduction to Brett Dahmer and Performance Contracting03:53 The Role of Technology in Construction08:51 Establishing a Venture Arm: Barrier Cube Ventures11:30 CFO Perspectives on Technology Investments17:19 Investing in Track Free D: A Case Study22:43 The Dual Role: Investor and Customer26:19 Challenges in Selling Technology to PCG26:49 Understanding the Pain Points in Problem Solving28:01 The Importance of Humility in Innovation29:57 Navigating Technology Implementation in Construction33:12 Consolidation of Technology for Efficiency35:13 Exploring Robotics and Automation in Construction37:32 Evaluating New Solutions: The First Questions40:12 The Role of Empathy in Founders' Pitches42:40 Reflecting on Investment Trends in Construction Tech45:37 Challenges of Fragmentation in the Construction Industry

What is truth? How do we decipher truth? How can we tell the difference between truth and a lie?This episode explores Biblically what truth is and its progression through reality to how truth can and should change your life. The Biblical model is this:1. Honestly search for Truth2. Acquire knowledge/facts3. Strive to understand those facts using logic4. Apply that understanding to make good choices in life with your knowledge of things.5. Live your life in this way of wisdom so that you do good6. Keep the honest search for truth, knowledge, and understanding and you will eventually reach the ultimate GOOD.7. Know that this ultimate good is GOD.8. Find out that Jesus Christ is that ultimate God.9. Through faith in Christ, achieve freedom in this life and the next.Listen today to learn a little about the true nature of TRUTH.

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) - Free. Want to turn today's episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I'll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It's packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com Episode 3131: Crystal Karges explains why a consistent meal and snack schedule does more for a child's eating than the food on the plate. She walks through four reasons routine helps: it builds a positive feeding relationship, it signals that eating matters, it lets kids tune in to their own hunger and fullness, and it creates more chances to serve a variety of foods. She is careful to note that a schedule is a guideline rather than a rule, which is what makes it practical parenting advice for real family life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.crystalkarges.com/blog/this-is-why-you-need-a-meal-schedule-to-raise-healthy-eaters Quotes to ponder: "As much as we may hate to admit it, kids actually do better with structure." "Consistent routines create structure and predictability, which is important for building healthy habits for kids." "Establishing a routine with eating, such as with a meal schedule, helps a child trust that food is consistently available." Optimal Relationships Daily is a daily relationship advice podcast where we narrate the best articles on healthy relationships, dating, marriage, and parenting, read to you by a professional narrator so you can strengthen your closest connections a little more every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Nepali Immigrants Built a Federal Bank in the US | Suman Raj Timsina (CEO, Everest Federal Credit Union) In this episode of The Doers, we sit down with Suman Raj Timsina, CEO of Everest Federal Credit Union (EFCU) and Executive Director at the International Development Institute. EFCU stands as the first and only financial institution chartered specifically for the Nepali diaspora across the United States. Note: Everest Federal Credit Union (EFCU) is a federally chartered, NCUA-insured credit union operating as a full-service community financial institution. Unlike traditional commercial banks driven by outside shareholders, EFCU is 100% member-owned and not-for-profit.   From conceptualizing the credit union in a New York basement in 2015 to securing a rare 50-state federal charter approved by the NCUA, Suman breaks down how community trust transforms into institutional financial power. We dive deep into affinity banking, how the US Nepali diaspora holds an estimated $19B+ in collective economic capacity, why modern banks operate as software enterprises, and how shifting diaspora mindsets from remittance to angel investing can back the next generation of global startups.   TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 - Introduction  00:01:23 - Welcome to Dallas & Show Kick-Off 00:02:07 - Establishing the First Nepali Community Bank Outside Nepal 00:02:59 - The Historic Roots of "Affinity Banking" 00:04:10 - Regulatory Approval: The Role of the US Congress & NCUA 00:04:59 - Humble Beginnings: Incepting Everest in a New York Basement 00:05:16 - Unlocking Nationwide Reach with a Rare 50-State Federal License 00:05:46 - The Not-For-Profit Model: Banks vs. Credit Unions 00:06:06 - Democratic Governance: Every Depositor Gets One Vote 00:06:33 - Broad Diaspora Eligibility: Nepal, Bhutan, and Beyond 00:08:31 - Life-Cycle Financial Products: Credit-Building to Mortgages 00:13:35 - Supporting the 10th Largest Foreign Student Population in the US 00:14:48 - Absolute Security: Federal Insurance up to $250,000 00:15:46 - 100% Reinvestment: Supporting Our People, Not Corporations 00:16:57 - Going Global: Opening US Dollar Accounts with Passports 00:18:59 - Replicating the Indian "Bank of Houston" Motel Success Model 00:21:40 - The Trust Test: Raising $3.65 Million in Just 3 Hours 00:23:42 - Modern Banking Shift: "Banks are IT Companies" 00:30:06 - Shifting Diaspora Culture: From Remittance to Angel Investing 00:38:11 - The Reality of BBA/MBA Degrees & The Power of Storytelling 00:55:57 - Beyond Banking: The Life-Saving $2,000 Emergency Loan   Want to become a video podcaster? Get info: https://becomeadoer.com/programs/become-a-video-podcaster?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Episode+Description&utm_campaign=BAVP_C2     For Collaborations ✉ Reach out to us at partners@doersnepal.com   

Read the article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/30494826261468490

LAFCo Independence Transition Plan (Item 8) The Commission voted 6-0 to approve a high-level transition plan to separate LAFCo from Sacramento County operations and establish it as an independent agency. Employment & Benefits Model: The approved model directs LAFCo to hire its own staff and establish independent classification, compensation, and labor policies. For retirement, the Commission recommended remaining with the Sacramento County Employee Retirement System (SCERS), as transferring to CalPERS would require an expensive evaluation report to calculate unfunded liabilities and transition costs. Because the county health benefits pool was unavailable, the Commission selected CalPERS for healthcare, as it was lower cost and offered the greatest plan variety. Financial Structure: The Commission approved building an independent financial and accounting system. While there are upfront costs, this system will provide more detailed and transparent budget reporting. Phased Implementation: The transition is divided into two phases. Phase One establishes accounts payable as a system test bed, while Phase Two transitions LAFCo into becoming its own employer. Establishing a retirement plan for "classic" or legacy employees hired before the Public Employment Reform Act of 2012 may require state legislation, which extends the overall runway. Opening an Independent Bank Account (Item 9) The Commission voted 6-0 to authorize opening an independent bank account for accounts payable under Phase One. Opening the account will not trigger immediate fund transfers or check-writing. LAFCo already holds a federal Employer ID Number, but they are negotiating with a reputable accounting firm experienced with other LAFCos to establish their system and secure a state ID number. CALAFCO Board Nominations (Item 10) The item was dismissed as nominations can also be made from the floor over the next two months if anything changes. Executive Officer's Report SDRMA Claim-Free Award: LAFCo received an award from the Special District Risk Management Association (SDRMA) for submitting zero insurance claims. World Headquarters Relocation: The agency successfully completed its office relocation to 1000 G Street on September 1st, remaining operational despite minor tech glitches. Staff Recognition: Policy Analyst Grabow saved the agency approximately $1,000 in disposal fees by selling surplus property on Facebook Marketplace. She also unpacked 30 to 40 totes of office supplies in a single day, ensuring the office is stocked with paper and paperclips. Astro Sheet Updates: The project tracking Astro Sheet was significantly pared down to show only active or immediate horizon projects to avoid speculation. A consultant will be brought in next month to help manage ongoing projects. Commissioner Comments (Item 12) Metro Fire Municipal Service Review (MSR): Commissioner Jones, a Metro Fire Director, clarified that Metro Fire is not in a $140 million deficit, as capital improvements are fully funded by voter-approved Measure O funds. Jones also noted that reported response times appear slow because they encompass the entire window from the initial call and dispatch (which can involve multiple agencies) rather than just the station alert to turnout time, and they aggregate both Code 2 and Code 3 responses. Groundwater & Meeting Request: Commissioner Wichert requested a meeting with Mr. Enriquez to discuss groundwater levels, which he felt should have been evaluated by the consultant during the comment period. Adjournment (Item 13) The Commission adjourned to a closed session regarding existing litigation at 5:56 PM.

In this podcast, Greg Voisen sits down with Karina Mangu-Ward, author of Teams That Meet the Moment: 9 Practices for Unlocking Performance and Growth in Uncertain Times, to challenge everything you thought you knew about organizational success. What if the three biggest corporate mantras—having the right strategy, hiring superstar talent, and simply grinding harder—are actually holding your team back? Karina reveals why even a $1 million strategic plan falls flat without strong everyday teamwork, and uncovers how shifting your mindset from perfection to dynamic experimentation can revolutionize how your team operates.

Establishing a consistent back-to-school routine is essential for helping your children settle down after a long day.  Hunt4Wellness is the shopw that helps you live yopur best life through mind, body and spirit. www.Hunt4Wellness.com  

Lyn sits down with licensed clinical social worker and couples therapist Keith Jordan to explore what it truly takes to mend and sustain romantic partnerships. Drawing on four decades of mental health experience, Keith breaks down common relationship pitfalls—from communication breakdowns and infidelity to escalating retaliations—and offers actionable strategies to diffuse tension before it destroys trust.  Together, they unpack why active listening must replace defensiveness, how setting personal boundaries differs from controlling your partner, and why shedding rigid "shoulds" opens the door to genuine emotional growth. KEY TAKEAWAYS True active listening requires giving your partner full, uninterrupted attention rather than formulating a mental rebuttal while they speak. Establishing boundaries should focus on identifying and expressing your own core needs rather than attempting to dictate what your partner should or should not do. Limiting speaking turns to 60 seconds prevents overwhelming monologues and allows partners to clarify meaning rather than making defensive assumptions. Overcoming defensiveness begins when individuals realise that conflicts are not an attack on their character, opening the door for constructive problem-solving over blame. BEST MOMENTS "Listen to what they're saying from their point of view rather than preparing your rebuttal to what they're saying."  "A lot of argument... happens even though people are actually in agreement, but they don't realise that they are."  "Defensiveness often is... a reaction based on the person trying to assert that they're a good person, as if they're being accused of not being the right kind of person..."  "Concepts of what how things should be, you know, the world doesn't really operate according to should. It's a man-made construct, it's not really a spiritual concept at all." ABOUT THE HOST Lyn Smith – (The Queen of HEARTS) – Love, Dating & Relationship Expert Lyn's personal story is a very inspirational and harrowing one of how she went from having unhealthy and unfulfilling relationships with men (on the back of several serious traumatic sexual assaults in her teens) to now feeling safe, fulfilled, alive, full of passion and having inner peace. She has a proven track record as a Love Solutions - Relationship Expert/ Trainer/ Inspirational Speaker and Best-Selling Author based upon her own vast personal research, experiential learning and training with the world's leading industry experts. Lyn makes a difference by helping you make a difference; she has a vision of contributing back on a global scale. Contact Method lyn@hearts-entwined.com This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

During the Black Books Matter festival, a thought-provoking panel featuring Christine Platt, the Afro Minimalist, and Alexandra Elle captivated a full audience with discussions surrounding identity, healing, and the literary journey. Christine Platt's narrative arc, transitioning from a lawyer in energy and environmental law to an influential author, was a testament to the power of redefining oneself beyond societal expectations. The panelists introduced the concept of 'quantum leaping'—the idea that individuals can transform their lives simply by choosing to do so, without waiting for external approval. They addressed the personal sacrifices inherent in growth, such as the need to disappoint others and to sever ties with those who no longer align with one's evolving identity. Furthermore, the conversation highlighted the need to maintain healthy relationships through clear communication and regular check-ins, emphasizing that the company we keep significantly influences our paths. This event not only celebrated Black literature but also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-actualization and the communal support necessary for navigating personal journeys.Takeaways:Christine Platt emphasizes that career transitions are possible and valid, encouraging individuals to embrace their evolving identities.The concept of 'quantum leaping' is discussed as the act of decisively changing one's life without seeking external validation or approval.Establishing and maintaining personal boundaries is essential for healthy relationships, allowing individuals to prioritize their own growth.Healing often requires disappointing others, which can be a difficult but necessary part of personal development and self-care.Clear and direct communication is fundamental for nurturing meaningful connections and understanding within our relationships.The company we keep significantly influences our well-being, highlighting the importance of surrounding ourselves with supportive and aligned individuals.Mentioned in this episode:African AncestryWe are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.African Ancestry

Listen to understand how to dramatize a character's internal change. Welcome to our third entry in our character arc series; and the first where we talk about characters that actually change. And positively, too. We deep dive into BARBIE, WIDOWS and ALL OF US STRANGERS to work out what makes an arc feel positive -- even if the film itself is heartbreaking. All three films are "positive arcs" that feel wildly different. We speculate whether that's due to the nature of the relationship questions, the use of additive/subtractive rewards; and whether it's do with the connection of the characters needs and their goals. We further crystalize two tools we've been kicking around: The relationship question — take a character question ("will she learn to connect?") and pose it as a relationship problem ("will these two grow closer or further apart?"). Additive vs subtractive rewards — We continue buildling on this idea from our Steadfast episodes. Does the story give the character something or take something away? And is that a good or a bad thing? And Mel brings up a third: Repeating a beat from a different angle so we can trace a character's gradual evolution. We also debate whether Barbie's void scene is a producer's note personified — a director going into the endless nothing to spell the themes out one more time. All this and more on DZ-130! As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. LIKE THIS EPISODE? Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Send us a voice message via Speakpipe! Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre & Natalie and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— "A relationship question is taking what we think is an internal question about a character and defining it in terms of the relationship. Will Moana grow closer to their village coming back or will they'll grow further apart?" — Stu Willis @ 00:06:09 ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:00:21 – Positive Character Arcs 00:04:47 – › Relationship questions as the key to dramatizing arcs 00:09:00 – Followup Questions 00:12:12 – Zero Context Insights 00:13:01 – BARBIE 00:17:16 – › The void scene with Barbie's creator 00:23:13 – › Immortality versus death as the real choice 00:27:02 – › Debating the lie the character believes 00:44:26 – › Gain versus loss framing the ending 00:52:34 – › Contrast and affinity 00:59:47 – WIDOWS 01:05:47 – › Establishing character patterns before the heist begins 01:09:37 – › Do the widows have values before the story starts 01:18:42 – › Skills and goals tightly tied to character growth 01:21:04 – › Alice's escalating value shift through the sugar daddy scene 01:25:04 – › Linda's grief scene and steadfast versus positive arcs 01:27:12 – › Veronica's arc through Harry's betrayal and revenge 01:39:33 – › Comparing ensemble arcs to OCEAN'S ELEVEN and THE TOWN 01:46:46 – › Relationship questions as emotional engine of ensemble films 01:49:36 – ALL OF US STRANGERS 01:55:38 – › Rebuffing Harry sets up the positive arc 02:02:15 – › Isolation to connectedness as the emotional throughline 02:07:24 – › Contrasting coming out scenes with mom and dad 02:11:26 – › The low point as emotional violence not distance 02:18:48 – › Dream logic and touch as physical arc tracking 02:23:20 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up 02:26:20 – › Additive versus subtractive rewards in character arcs 02:29:58 – › Patreon shoutouts and next episode preview FILMS BARBIE (2023) — (w) Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig (d) Greta Gerwig WIDOWS (2018) — (w) Gillian Flynn, Steve Mcqueen (d) Steve Mcqueen ALL OF US STRANGERS (2023) — (w) Andrew Haigh, Taichi Yamada (d) Andrew Haigh SCRIPTS Study the script: BARBIE (2023) — Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig Study the script: ALL OF US STRANGERS (2023) — Andrew Haigh, Taichi Yamada SHOT ZERO DEEP DIVES What You Don't See: WIDOWS Frames within Frames: ALL OF US STRANGERS LINKS Read: Colour Theory: DESERT HEARTS Read: Greta Gerwig Explains What Barbie's Bench Scene Really Means EPISODES IN THE CHARACTER ARCS SERIES DZ-128: What even is a Character Arc? DZ-129: Steadfast Character Arcs - Agents of Change DZ-130: Positive Character Arcs RELATED EPISODES DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston DZ-112: Breaking the 4th wall DZ-113: Tools For Filmmakers To Talk To The Audience ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-130/

Host Juliet Clark joins international best-selling author Patrick Snow at a Mary West Network event to explore scalable strategies for building an author platform. Many writers publish books without an established audience, often resulting in stagnant sales. Since relying solely on print royalties is rarely sustainable, true success requires a multi-layered marketing approach—utilizing lead magnets and custom funnels to transition readers into high-ticket programs. In this episode, you will learn how to navigate algorithm shifts, leverage advanced reader copies, and secure prestigious book awards. Establishing these sustainable assets ensures long-term authority for every author's career.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://superbrandpublishing.com/podcast/

How do you define the ideal job description for your admin staff and then find the best person for that role? In this episode, MDRT members share their experience working with personal assistants — and the benefits and lessons that have resulted. You'll hear from: Lim Yee Von Emma Wang Episode breakdown: 0:27 – Changing the role from part-time to full-time 2:03 – Benefiting by empowering assistants to utilize their video skills 4:33 – Establishing expectations and accountability for admin staff 6:40 – Defining roles for assistants with different personalities and strengths 11:18 – Delivering support and guidance if an assistant makes a mistake

Send us Fan MailLucas F. Schleusener is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Out in National Security (ONS). Lucas is a writer, educator, and national security strategist whose work examines service, institutional trust, democratic legitimacy, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion in national security institutions. He is a former speech writer for Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, and Ashton Carter. ONS unites a global community to advance LGBTQIA+ inclusion across defense, diplomacy, intelligence, and foreign policy.At the Anchorage Assembly's September 1 meeting, September 20th will be declared LGBTQ Veterans Day as that date this year marks the 15th anniversary of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell;" the repeal of that 1993 policy allowed for LGB folks to openly serve in the military. During today's conversation, you will hear the name, "Obergefell." This refers to the landmark 2015 US Supreme Court decision, Obergefell v Hodges, that legalized same sex marriage across the country and in the military. The lead plaintiff in that case, Jim Obergefell, is a previous guest on this podcast.   Read a history of LGBTQ service in the CIA, here. Listen to my previous episode with Alaska attorney & LGBTQ rights advocate Cate Shortell, here.

Episode 316 Pool Nation Podcast - What happens when 130 women from across the swimming pool industry come together to learn, connect, and grow? In this special episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, guest host Emily Lemenzo Washkovich joins Doreen, Leanne, Sarah, and Spider to recap the unforgettable 2026 Pool Nation Women's Summit. The group explores how the summit has evolved from an inspirational event into an intentionally designed leadership-development experience. They discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, building trust, communicating with impact, becoming a “multiplier” instead of a diminisher, and creating a safe environment where women feel empowered to use their voices. Emily also shares her deeply personal journey with bipolar disorder, burnout, boundaries, and rebuilding a healthier relationship with work. The conversation continues with practical ways pool professionals can use AI as a thought partner, highlights from the summit's mentor sessions and awards, and a look at how the new Pool Nation headquarters will create year-round opportunities for training, collaboration, and industry growth. Whether you own a pool service company, lead a team, work for a manufacturer or distributor, or are building your career in the pool and spa industry, this episode is packed with leadership lessons and real-world encouragement you can put into action. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Women's Summit recap 03:00 – Why women need connection and community in the pool industry 05:00 – Taking the summit from inspirational to aspirational 07:00 – Communicating with impact, building trust, and creating culture 08:30 – Multipliers, diminishers, and becoming a better leader 11:00 – Creating a safe space where women can find their voices 12:00 – The Drive assessment and understanding what energizes you 15:00 – Sponsor support and the summit's surprise-and-delight boxes 25:00 – Facilitation training and developing industry educators 35:00 – Audience engagement, boundaries, and stepping away from the business 43:00 – How the Pool Nation Women's Summit began and evolved 49:00 – Mentor conversations, workplace culture, and industry relationships 55:00 – Selecting Emily as the keynote speaker 59:00 – Emily's personal journey with work, mental health, and bipolar disorder 01:05:00 – Establishing boundaries and building a healthier relationship with work 01:15:00 – Recognizing courageous women and summit award recipients 01:25:00 – Using AI and ChatGPT as practical tools for pool professionals 01:34:00 – Heritage's commitment to the Women's Summit 01:35:00 – Year-round leadership development and the Pool Nation headquarters 01:37:00 – Final takeaways from the 2026 Women's Summit 01:41:00 – What's next for Pool Nation leadership programs 01:45:00 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Pool Nation THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS This episode and the Pool Nation Women's Summit would not be possible without the organizations that invest in education, leadership development, and the future of the pool and spa industry. A huge thank-you to: SPPA BlueRay XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak Heritage Pool Supply Hayward Pool Products Encore Brands Poolside Tech Pool Brain Nidec OnCore Filtration Special thanks to the partners, mentors, facilitators, volunteers, and team members who helped create such a meaningful experience for the women of the pool industry. Learn more and connect with Pool Nation at PoolNationPodcast.com, follow Pool Nation on Facebook and Instagram at @poolnationpodcast, and explore industry training and community resources at PoolManUniversity.com.

Psychology often helps people understand why they eat, but it rarely stops the behavior itself. Glenn Livingston, a psychologist from a family of therapists, struggled with his weight for years despite his training.  After consulting for the food industry, he realized overeating is a biological issue rather than a psychological one. He discovered the solution involves understanding brain biology instead of focusing solely on self-love. The Reptilian Brain Response The reptilian brain handles survival impulses and can override rational thought during perceived emergencies. Modern life creates constant stress that tricks this primitive brain into a state of alarm.  Food companies exploit this by providing small justifications that allow the reptilian brain to take over. Once these excuses take center stage, the rational brain steps aside and allows impulsive eating to occur. The Inner Pig Method How did Livingston regain control? He created non-negotiable rules and identified the internal voice that tries to break them. He calls this voice the inner pig to help separate the impulse from his actual identity.  This separation provides a few critical microseconds to make a conscious choice instead of purely reacting. By viewing the craving as a separate entity, you stop negotiating with it and maintain your rules. Biology and Decision Fatigue Many people relapse because of biological dysregulation caused by lack of sleep, dehydration, or skipping meals. Decision fatigue also depletes the willpower needed to resist the reptilian brain's survival messages.  Livingston recommends stabilizing biology with regular meals before attempting complex dietary changes. Establishing a steady nutritional foundation makes it much easier to manage the psychology of eating. Identity and Extinction Bursts Cravings often intensify dramatically right before they disappear in a process known as an extinction burst. This surge is a survival mechanism where the brain checks if a reward is still available.  Permanent change happens when you shift your identity to become someone who keeps their word to themselves. Eventually, keeping these rules becomes a natural part of who you are rather than a daily struggle. In this podcast, you will discover: Why the reptilian brain overrides rational judgment and how marketing exploits this mechanism. The inner pig method for creating mental tripwires that help you catch cravings. How biological factors like sleep deprivation and meal skipping lead to decision fatigue. The science of the extinction burst and why cravings feel worse before they fade. Why focusing on slow weight loss through consistent nutrition is more effective. How to transform your self-concept by keeping small, non-negotiable promises to yourself. EPISODE RESOURCES: Facebook Instagram Twitter   Podcast

What happens when John Carpenter's ultimate alien-killing badass meets John Carpenter's ultimate alien?

Host: Darryl S. Chukta, M.D.  Guest: Robert D. McBane, M.D.  At times, pulmonary embolism can be very challenging to diagnose. While some patients have a very dramatic presentation, others may have very subtle, non-specific symptoms. Establishing a diagnosis quickly is important as a delayed or missed diagnosis can lead to excessive morbidity and mortality. What clues might a patient have that should alert us to the possibility of a PE? What are the best tests to order when we suspect one? Do all patients with a PE need to be hospitalized, and what are the current recommendations for management? My guest is vascular medicine specialist, Dr. Robert McBane, M.D., from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. We'll cover these questions and more as we discuss “Pulmonary Embolism”.  Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development 

God has called each and every one of us to mission, in and through the various vocations we have and the relationships we all have forged.“Mission” is this: We are Sent People. Just as Jesus is the Sent One, now the Father and the Son has sent the Holy Spirit into his people so that we too can be sent ones. All of us—not just the ministry professionals—can encounter God and experience God's power as we are boldly living every aspect of life for Him and for the sake of others.Our guest is Jon Hietbrink. He is the co-author, along with Linson Daniel and Eric Rafferty, of Reviving Mission: Awakening to the Everyday Movement of God (InterVarsity Press, 2024).In this episode, we discuss:* Every believer—not only in ministry occupations as pastors, campus ministers, and missionaries, but also everyone—is in full-time missional work in and through our everyday jobs–businesspeople, teachers, baristas, homemakers, politicians, artists, and scientists. Our “ordinary lives” are the context for amazing mission.* The “Four Es” for living a missional Christian life: Encounter, Explore, Empower, and Establish.* Encounter: As Christians, we believe we encounter a God who is here and moving. But what we believe and what we experience can be very different. Many of us have not encountered God like we see in the Bible. We discuss ways to move away from our cynicism and to seek to encounter God in our everyday lives.* Explore: Since God is with us and God is moving, then God is already at work everywhere we go and he is doing things all around us. We just need to lift up our eyes and become inquisitive as to what's going on. We talk about practical ways to do this. * Empower: In John 16:7, Jesus tells his disciples something pretty shocking: “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” A quote from the book: “Let that sink in. The Holy Spirit inside of you is better than Jesus next to you.”* Establish: Committing to communal rhythms of transforming habits and habitats. We want to live for Christ in every aspect of our lives, but we get burned out, or we just drift away. We need to be resilient. Establishing habits and enmeshing ourselves in various depths of Christian community helps us be able to keep going in our faith and mission.Scroll down to learn more about Jon Hietbrink.Thanks for listening!If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with your friends!Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney. For further resources on reintegrating all of life with God's mission, go to re-integrate.org.Jon HietbrinkJon Hietbrink serves as a Vice President of Campus Ministry for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, helping to cultivate missional movements on campuses across the country. He's one of the founders of the EveryCampus coalition. Jon earned his MA in Missional Church Movements from Wheaton College. He loves hiking in creation and traveling to new places. He lives in the Midwest with his wife, Stephanie, and their two Gen Z kids. Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe

Lara McKeever is a passionate fitness coach, elite trainer, and the powerhouse behind "The Shred Shed" in Naples, Florida. In this inspiring episode of Spotlight on Good People, she sits down with Robert DiLella to share her journey of leaving the safety of corporate life to align her career with her true passion. She opens up about surviving a catastrophic car accident, her deep connection to the military, and how she translates personal trauma into a coaching style that empowers clients to move through pain and claim their "phoenix moments".

On this episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam sits down with Casey Chamberlin from Baseline Maps, one of the rapidly growing mapping apps making waves in the fishing and hunting community. Casey shares the story behind Baseline Maps, how the app has grown, and what makes the community surrounding it so unique. They dive into the vision behind the platform, the constant evolution of the app, and Casey's hands-on approach to listening to hunters, responding to feedback, and building Baseline around the people who actually use it in the field. They also talk about the role technology is playing in modern hunting, how Baseline is helping fishermen and hunters scout and understand the ground they hunt and fish, and why building a strong community is just as important as building a great product. From the early days of Baseline to where the app is headed next, Casey gives us an inside look at what it takes to grow an outdoor technology company while staying connected to the hunters who helped build it. The app is growing. The community is growing. And Baseline Maps is just getting started!Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with HootBear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear RiverTactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

“Yes, and…” is one of the foundational principles of improvisation and is a powerful tool for any DM or GM to encourage creativity at the table. But does a good DM always have to say yes?In this episode, Tony, Chris, and Dave sit down to discuss what happens when player freedom begins pulling against the setting, the adventure, or the enjoyment of everyone else at the table (from DM Tony's kitbashed Curse of Strahd campaign). From unexpected character motives and disruptive choices to campaign boundaries and the DM's responsibility to the world, the Wise DMs explore when to embrace an idea, when to redirect it, and when it may be necessary to simply say no.2:05 Can “Yes, and…” go too far at the gaming table?4:35 Improvisation may begin with “yes,” but that doesn't mean every idea has to work.7:10 When “Yes, And…” comes at the expense of other players at the table.10:20 Establishing the boundaries of the world before the adventure begins.13:50 Player agency doesn't mean freedom from consequences.17:15 Is the DM responsible for making every player idea work?21:05 Why would players not do something if it's always worked?26:05 How the game system can assist with players who really love complete improv.29:05 Working with the players instead of allowing the game to become adversarial.33:10 The importance of tone, expectations, and getting everyone to play the same game.36:55 Final Thoughts.

What if the leaking, the urgency, the butt pain, and the pressure weren't just things you had to live with? Heather sits down with Mbong Henry, a pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist based in Durham, North Carolina, to talk about the pelvic health symptoms that athletes — runners, weightlifters, CrossFitters, gymnasts, and everyone in between — are normalizing when they really don't have to. Mbong specializes in female athletes during the perinatal and perimenopausal stages of life, but as she makes very clear in this episode: you don't have to have had a baby, or ever plan to, for your pelvic floor to need attention. They talk about what symptoms are actually worth addressing, why leakage isn't always a weakness problem, how low energy availability connects to urinary incontinence, and why establishing care with a pelvic floor PT before something goes wrong is one of the smartest things an athlete can do. Mbong also shares her own postpartum return-to-run story, her journey into Olympic weightlifting, and what she's learned about training, recovery, and capacity at 41. Chapters [00:03:00] Mbong's background: from running to CrossFit to Olympic weightlifting [00:13:00] How she got into pelvic health — and her own postpartum return-to-run story [00:20:00] What pelvic floor symptoms actually look like: beyond leakage [00:25:00] Intimacy, perimenopause, and the symptoms athletes are quietly living with [00:27:00] Pelvic floor issues in the weightlifting and CrossFit world [00:29:00] If you've never had a baby, this still applies to you [00:34:00] Why it's never too late — and why you shouldn't wait until something breaks [00:37:00] Establishing care with a PT before you need one: the dentist analogy [00:41:00] What Mbong's practice at Radiance looks like and how she works with athletes Resources mentioned: Radiance Physical Therapy — Mbong's private practice in Durham, NC; in-person and telehealth options available NICE Guidelines (UK, 2021) — recommends pelvic floor PT beginning at 20 weeks of pregnancy Find Mbong Henry, PT in the Lane 9 Directory: lane9project.org/directory Follow Mbong on Instagram Are you an athlete? Find a sports dietitian, DPT, therapist, or coach who understands athletes at lane9project.org/directory. Are you a clinician or coach? If this conversation resonated with you professionally, Lane 9 Membership was built for you. Join a community of dietitians, DPTs, psychologists, sports medicine providers, and coaches who are doing this work, and get listed in the Lane 9 Directory so athletes can find you. Future clinicians and coaches are welcome too. Follow us on Instagram and get in touch anytime!

In this episode, Stephen O'Grady, DVM, MRCVS, joined us to discuss thrush in horses, including the veterinarian's role in recognizing and managing this condition, as well as the structural defects in the hoof that lead to its development.“You do not see thrush in a good, healthy frog.”Further reading:Farriery for the Equine Frog / Digital Cushion ComplexHow do I treat my horse's thrush?Fissure Formation at the Base of the FrogThe veterinary–farrier relationship: Establishing and sustaining a mutually beneficial liaisoThis episode of Disease Du Jour is brought to you by Bimeda.GUESTS AND LINKS - EPISODE 188:Host: Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly (CSisson@equinenetwork.com)Guest: Stephen O'Grady, DVM, MRCVSPodcast Website: Disease Du JourThis episode of Disease Du Jour podcast is brought to you by Bimeda.Connect with the Host: Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly (CSisson@equinenetwork.com)

Today on the Win at Home First Podcast, Micah Lacher shares an interesting story that started his journey into entrepreneurship. He saw how his friend's dad could play golf with him on a random Thursday afternoon. That stuck with him. Having that work and family balance. He was able to pivot in his career and make moves that helped him build while also incorporating his faith. In this episode, you'll discover…  Key trait to win at home and at work (1:28) Establishing work boundaries in a busy industry (3:08) Being bold in your faith, in business (7:35)  Incorporating faith in his business (21:10)   Micah's Bio:  Micah is the President and Founder of Anchor Investments, LLC. Micah focuses on identifying and underwriting real estate investment opportunities for Anchor and other private real estate partnerships of which he is a partner. Prior to forming Anchor Investments, he was a local partner in a regional development and brokerage firm as a developer of new retail facilities and residential communities. Along with a local partner, Micah founded and ran the Nashville office. Prior to that partnership, he had several successful years in brokerage in the Nashville office of Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, which is now called Cushman & Wakefield. Over the course of the last 14 years, Micah has been involved as the managing partner in the acquisition and development of close to 2 million square feet of commercial real estate. Micah stays extremely involved in his community through his board and volunteer positions with the Nashville House Foundation for Young Life, Team Chad, Redbird Ministries and Pursue Ministries. He is also a past board member of the Davidson County Chapter of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association and the Ronald McDonald House. He has also served as a Young Life leader at John Overton High School. Micah is one of the founders of Team Chad (www.teamchad.us), a non-profit that raises money to support leukemia-based charities. Since its founding in the fall of 2007, Team Chad has raised over $1.6 million. He and his wife, Brit, are currently in the early stages of founding a new charity which provides basic essentials and Christmas presents for underprivileged children. Mr. Lacher holds a BS in Finance from the University of Tennessee, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Micah is grateful for his wonderful wife, Brit, and his three young children, Lizzie (3 yrs), Rosie (1 yrs), and Eli (2 months). The five of them live in Nashville, Tennessee. Learn more here   What's Next?  NEW!! Join the new RISE community. Check out my newest book, 'Rise and Go', HERE!

In this back to school episode, Curtis and Joanie discuss key ideas for starting the new school year off right, to ensure effective teaching and learning for teachers and students. How do you spend the first day of school with your students? Do you get them working in groups right away like Curtis, learning about them as students and how they engage with math and each other? Or maybe you focus on learning their names and helping them learn each other's names like Joanie, ensuring a community is built as early as possible.  Our hosts discuss ways to frame struggle and mistakes, and how to be sure that what you put in place the first week stays aligned through your words and actions all year long, ensuring that students “end the school year with a more positive math identity than when they started.” Resources mentioned in the episode and others to follow up on:·       NCTM President's Message (Latrenda Knighten) for August 2026 (no login required) ·       Book Productive Math Struggle·       Edutopia blog post Instructional strategies for managing student mistakes in math and Mathnasium blog post for parents·       Youcubed Week of Inspirational Math – Activities and resources for the first week of school (or anytime) to support positive math identity and student engagement ·       Book Impact of Identity in K-12 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-Based Practices  

You regularly maintain your car and fitness routines, but you likely overlook one of the most critical areas of your physical health.Persistent pelvic tension and post-workout heaviness often stem from contracted muscles restricting vital blood flow. Practicing intentional, gentle maintenance helps restore healthy circulation and establishes a clear baseline for your body. In this episode, you will discover the proper technique for scrotal massage and learn why knowing what normal feels like can protect your overall wellness. You will also uncover how routine checks play a pivotal role in early detection and long-term vitality.Tune in now to learn simple, proactive habits to take full control of your pelvic health.--------------Key TakeawaysChronic pelvic tension can restrict healthy blood circulation and temperature regulation in the scrotum.Gentle scrotal massage encourages lymphatic drainage and relaxes the surrounding muscular tissue.Maintenance routines should use featherlight pressure targeting the spermatic cord and supportive tissue rather than the testicle itself.Practicing this routine for one to two minutes a few times a week optimizes local tissue mobility.Sharp pain, nausea, or localized tenderness are immediate signals to stop and consult a physician.Regular touch serves as an essential method for performing a proactive testicular self-exam.Identifying painless lumps, swelling, or changes in shape early is crucial for detecting testicular cancer.Establishing your anatomical baseline empowers you to practice proactive preventative urological care.--------------Resources mentioned:Modern Man CribMediterranean DietGood Morning Wood SmoothieRenew with Dr. Anne--------------Curious about how you can boost your bedroom game and build lasting confidence? Check out the course at getwoodnow.com and start your journey to feeling like yourself again!--------------If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more and get more tips, subscribe to The Modern Man newsletter for exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox! https://dranne.co/themodernman--------------Follow Me On:InstagramTwitterFacebookTikTokYouTube--------------For all links and resources mentioned on the show and where to subscribe to the podcast, please visit https://truongrehab.com/testicular-self-exam--------------Want to regain control of your sex life? It's time to reverse the effects of ED on your life. Join the Modern Man Club and embark on your journey to complete recovery and community.--------------Reveal the FREE treatment most men ignore that solves thousands of erectile dysfunction cases every year, plus the 5 biggest mistakes you must avoid if you want to say goodbye to your ED. Uncover it all in my free eBook, available to download now.https://dranne.co/ebook

Are you "surfing beside a cruise ship" in today's all‑time‑high stock market, hoping you don't get sucked under when the next downturn hits? In this solo episode, Stan the Annuity Man breaks down how to use annuities to lock in lifetime guarantees, build an income floor, and stop confusing a bull market with financial genius.   In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed:  Current stock market euphoria and AI-driven highs The "surfing beside a cruise ship" risk metaphor What annuities are actually good for (PILL framework) The annuity industry's monopoly on lifetime income Building an income floor and avoiding growth-focused annuity traps   Key Takeaways:  Markets at all‑time highs can feel effortless, but that "easy money" environment can quickly reverse, especially when driven by hype cycles like artificial intelligence. Annuities should be used to provide contractual guarantees—such as principal protection and lifetime income—not to chase stock market–like growth. Before buying any annuity, you should clearly define what you want the money to contractually do and when those guarantees must start. The real, underused power of annuities is their ability to provide guaranteed income for as long as you live, something no standard market product can replicate. Establishing a non‑market‑correlated income floor first allows you to ride market waves more confidently without panicking or selling at the worst possible time.   "If you buy them for growth, you're a fool. Annuities, never buy them for market growth. Go buy the market." —  Stan The Annuity Man   Connect with The Annuity Man:  Website: http://theannuityman.com/  Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com  Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g  Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

Dr. Rick and Forrest explore how to become more resistant to manipulation, discussing terms like gaslighting, DARVO, and love bombing. They talk about why cynicism doesn't make you immune to manipulation, and how excessive skepticism and trust can go together. They share the “handles” manipulators exploit, break down common forms of reality distortion, emotional manipulation, and situational engineering, and discuss what actually helps.  Key Topics: 0:00: What is manipulation? 6:25: Are cynical people less manipulatable? 14:52: How can we become manipulation resistant? 25:51: How manipulation works 26:30: Tactic 1: Reality distortion 33:49: Tactic 2: Emotional manipulation 38:02: Tactic 3: Situational engineering 40:00: Key qualities to develop 45:17: Establishing protective systems and managing "the fuzz" 1:02:36: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t miss this massive channel shift! Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX:https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ In this episode of the Ultimate Partner Podcast, host Vince Menzione sits down with Alexandra Zagury, Corporate Vice President of Channels at Microsoft, to explore ecosystem shifts, partner-led growth, and AI transformation. https://youtu.be/9jrSGX5bM90 Key Takeaways Microsoft’s telemetry and propensity data offer unprecedented insights that many partners are currently failing to unlock. Partners must evolve past basic licensing models and build comprehensive managed service stacks across the entire customer lifecycle. Establishing an AI Center of Excellence on the Microsoft platform is critical for capturing future market share and technical intensity. The modern tech ecosystem demands a shift from product-led growth to true partner-led growth driven by multi-partner collaboration. Renewal engines targeting 110% to 125% retention require an always-on motion starting well in advance of contract expiration. Investing in sales readiness and precision velocity training ensures that end sellers can effectively articulate the value of the Microsoft platform. If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags Microsoft, telemetry, Hyperscalers, channel, small medium enterprise, telcos, hosters, SSPs, Cisco, CSP, agentic GTM, propensity data, SPX, PUPP, cloud descent, MSPs, managed XDR, Agent 365, skilling, co-sell, renewals, flywheel, AI Center of Excellence, enterprise Transcript Alexandra Zagury Audio Podcast [00:00:00] Alexandra Zagury: One of the things that I think is the best kept secret at Microsoft is the telemetry that we offer our partners. [00:00:08] Vince Menzione: You can feel it happening. The ecosystem is shifting beneath us, the way Hyperscalers are partnering, how AI is remaking the channel and what it means to win in 2026. Welcome to the Ultimate Partner Podcast. [00:00:22] Vince Menzione: I’m Vince Menzi, own your host, and each week I sit down with leaders at the intersection of technology. Partnerships and outcomes. The voices shaping how ecosystems actually work. We talk about what’s real, what’s changing, and what it takes to lead in this era where the partner channel isn’t just part of the strategy. [00:00:41] Vince Menzione: It is the strategy because being in the room changes everything. Let’s [00:00:46] Guest: start. [00:00:50] Vince Menzione: I am thrilled because I get to have a leader that is somewhat new in role and is the corporate vice president of channels for Microsoft. And so Alex is here to, is joining us for the first time at Ultimate Partner. I’m thrilled to have you. Thank, thank you so much. Thank you so much. Welcome, welcome. [00:01:14] Vince Menzione: Thank you. Thank you. You and I are gonna be in the center seat in the middle. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. We wanna. So I am thrilled. Um, you’re relatively new in your role at Microsoft. [00:01:24] Alexandra Zagury: Seven months. [00:01:25] Vince Menzione: Seven months, [00:01:26] Alexandra Zagury: yes. [00:01:26] Vince Menzione: Wow. That’s a, that’s a crazy. So take us through, ’cause for those who don’t know you, but a little bit of an introduction, your title, your role, CVP, and uh, your remit. [00:01:37] Vince Menzione: Let’s talk about that and what your organization is focused in, in your mission. Yeah. [00:01:41] Alexandra Zagury: So hi everybody. Really exciting to be here. Thanks for the invitation, Vince. I always love to be with partners and with the channel. So my, I came to Microsoft to lead a new role, which we call Global Channel Sales, and it was part of the strategy of Microsoft to really bet on the growth in small, medium enterprise. [00:02:04] Alexandra Zagury: With the channel partner led growth. So my remit is really to lead our managed partners, but also to lead the strategy when it comes to the channel. Very specifically looking at the telcos, the distributors, the hosters. The sis and, uh, the SSPs of course. And, and so my role can be summarized in one word growth, and that’s what we do every single day is map our ambition to your ambition and figure out how we actually conquer this age of ai. [00:02:40] Vince Menzione: It’s a pretty big role. It’s a pretty, you know, I forgot about hosts ’cause we don’t, we don’t talk about them as much these days in the cloud. [00:02:48] Alexandra Zagury: Still a lot [00:02:48] Vince Menzione: of opportunity. You’ve got, and you’ve got all the telcos as well, which are pretty significant organizations, right? Lumen Field, just around the corner. [00:02:56] Vince Menzione: Mm-hmm. Right up the. Right up, I said across the river, but it’s across the pond in Seattle. And, uh, what does that look like from an organization perspective in terms of dollars? Are you allowed to disclose numbers? [00:03:08] Alexandra Zagury: No, we [00:03:08] Vince Menzione: don’t talk numbers. Okay. And, but you have a long career in this type of environment, in this role. [00:03:15] Vince Menzione: 10 years at Cisco, right? [00:03:17] Alexandra Zagury: Mm-hmm. [00:03:17] Vince Menzione: Tell us a little bit more about your background, [00:03:18] Alexandra Zagury: please. Yeah, sure. Um, well I started out as a, a sales leader. Uh, actually I started out in banking, if you wanna go all the way back. Um, but I fell in love with the channel actually, when I was at Yahoo, believe it or not. Wow. [00:03:32] Alexandra Zagury: Because it was the first interact sales model that I had the privilege to operate in, and I really understood. Stood the power of going through a channel. And then I was at Blackberry where I, I, I also, um, well had various sales leadership roles, but our model was all through, was all through the channel. [00:03:51] Alexandra Zagury: Yes. Um, some startups and then help [00:03:54] Vince Menzione: in those days too, right? [00:03:55] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah. It was all sps and I learned from Jim Balze the channel fundamentals. So, um, and then ended up, of course, at Cisco the last. Nearly 11 years, which I think is also one of the greatest channel companies. Yes. And really has thrived in a partner, partner led growth, and in a partner led model. [00:04:12] Alexandra Zagury: And so when, when Microsoft called, I mean, this was just the opportunity of a lifetime. To lead the channel during an era where we’re all getting disrupted, we’re all having to blueprint new systems, new ways of working, where go to market is getting identified, and we’re all having to figure out how to become customer zero ourselves, but then also how to go to market. [00:04:36] Alexandra Zagury: With, with agents. And so this was the, the most exciting time that I could think of to join the Microsoft ecosystem and really take us to the next level. [00:04:44] Vince Menzione: Well, your background is perfect for this. I, I, Rodney Clark is a friend, has been a guest on the podcast and in, in the studio, and I think of Cisco is the quintessential channel company. [00:04:56] Vince Menzione: Like when I think about how channel got created and how it worked well, it was always Cisco that did it. So give us like your perspective now, like seven plus months and like how does this feel like you’ve You’ve got a big remit and, uh, various, uh, routes to market. We’ll call them, uh, channels to market. [00:05:14] Vince Menzione: So take us through a little bit of that, like Yeah, sure. [00:05:16] Alexandra Zagury: Describe [00:05:16] Vince Menzione: the transition, what it’s been like [00:05:18] Alexandra Zagury: for you. So one of the things we’re focused on is supporting the channel through the transformation, and we look at it in a couple of lenses. The first lens is really helping the channel become customer zero. [00:05:29] Alexandra Zagury: We really believe that the partners that invest in. Actually identifying their own processes and their own go go to market are the channels, are are the partners that it can actually win because if you are using it, you’re gonna be able to sell it. The second layer is all about technical intensity, and I’m very passionate about this because I see it from two lenses. [00:05:51] Alexandra Zagury: One is. I would like each and every of our partners to lead in building an AI Center of Excellence based on the Microsoft platform. It is a unique opportunity. I can give you lots of numbers, right? We’ve all heard about the trillions of agents that are gonna be here by 2030. We’ve all heard about the tam. [00:06:12] Alexandra Zagury: I mean, our TAM is going from 777. Million to over a billion, uh, to over a trillion. I, it’s, the numbers are just enormous, insane, right? Over half a billion of customers in our base that are using, that are, that are based already on the Microsoft platform. So all the goodness of our IU IQ platform can be unlocked with all the services that the partners can build. [00:06:36] Alexandra Zagury: So investing in that technical skilling and building those practices are gonna be, is gonna be essential. The third part. The third pillar is all about ag agentic, GTM. So once you’re actually using, uh, the Microsoft platform, you’re gonna have to reimagine all your business’s pro processes, your sales processes, and the more that you are integrated into how we do, how we do things. [00:07:00] Alexandra Zagury: One of the things that I think is the best kept secret at Microsoft is the telemetry that we offer our partners. Yeah. I mean, it’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen the quality of propensity data. And now I’m gonna give you the ABCs, which is please, A SPX, which is where we get all our copilot data, PUPP, which is our proposal upsell, uh, planner, right, cloud descent, where you can actually get your next action directly to your sellers. [00:07:27] Alexandra Zagury: There is just so much goodness that we give, which is part of our, our investment in partners. Which takes me to the fourth pillar, and that is all about value alignment and one of the things that I’m very focused and I bring with me from, from Cisco and the work that I did with MSPs is really thinking through what is that value exchange between us and the partner. [00:07:49] Alexandra Zagury: I believe that I’m in the business of earning your trust. Earning your preference. And, and, and we do that by really mapping that value alignment. So not just, one of the things that the whole industry has copied from Microsoft is really looking at our incentives across the customer lifecycle. Yes. So really mapping the value alignment across the customer lifecycle, not just at the point of the deal. [00:08:13] Alexandra Zagury: ’cause that was the whole purpose of CSP. That’s right. The investments we make in tele telemetry, the investments we make in our go-to-market assets and having those bi-directional feedback loops so that we can be continuously improving. So those are sort of the things that I’m thinking about every day. [00:08:29] Alexandra Zagury: There’s a couple of others as we lead and support you in this transformation. ’cause I think of my job as to supporting and driving growth with you so that we have that joint ambition. But also supporting the transformation that both of us are on this journey. [00:08:44] Vince Menzione: And Microsoft was the first with Jay McBain was with us yesterday, and we talked, we’ve talked about this before, but you were the first company to take and look, get rid of the old metal systems, right? [00:08:55] Vince Menzione: The bronze, silver, gold, mm-hmm. And move to basically a point system for partners so that they can come at it from a kind of a global perspective on how they drive success. What was, um, what did you learn about this partner community, your first months that you didn’t expect? [00:09:12] Alexandra Zagury: Can I say something controversial? [00:09:14] Vince Menzione: Absolutely. Okay. [00:09:14] Alexandra Zagury: I love, [00:09:14] Vince Menzione: we love controversial, [00:09:15] Alexandra Zagury: so I think one of the things that I was surprised was that I didn’t see all the partners really unlocking the value of CSP. Yeah. What do I mean by that? When Microsoft moved to the Point System, and I was on the other side, really, I was so jealous of CSP when I was running managed services. [00:09:34] Alexandra Zagury: Here’s an offer that is for partners, for Partner that gives you that initial. Guarantee in terms of the margin that helps you throughout the customer life cycle with all the incentives and, and programs that we have. And I didn’t see, I mean there are some partners, but I was surprised not seeing more partners really building their value stack and their services across the lifecycle. [00:09:59] Alexandra Zagury: And I think there’s such a great opportunity now to do that. That was one of the most surprising things I thought. Oh my gosh, there must be so many, so many services stack, so many people really unlocking, unlocking that, that value. That was a, that was a little bit surprising. [00:10:14] Vince Menzione: Why? Why do you suppose, why do you suppose that was happening? [00:10:17] Alexandra Zagury: I think some of the things that we were listening here, there’s some, sometimes complexity. There are things that we still have to. Get better on, and I’m one of the first ones to say that like our partner experience, we have, um, you know, a lot of focus right now on partner center and ensuring that we’re identifying it. [00:10:36] Alexandra Zagury: I don’t know if I can say it, but, you know, one of the things that we’re looking at is replicating internally. We have Agent J. That supports our sellers through the sales process. Nice. We’re looking at having something similar for our partners. Very cool. Getting some claps there. So, yeah, so, uh, I think, you know, that I, some, there are some lockers that we, we have to acknowledge a lot of them are operational and comes with being a 50-year-old company. [00:11:02] Vince Menzione: I, I’ll give you my perspective too. I wanna get your thoughts on this. ’cause I got to, I’ve gotten to know this MSP community, which is a, you mentioned managed services and that, um, I think that some of them, well, I think Microsoft is leaning in, in a much bigger way. Um, we had Jose on stage yesterday and just the, the energy around the room, there he is, he’s back here. [00:11:23] Vince Menzione: The energy in the room around the MSP community is palpable and it maybe it wasn’t there a few years ago. Maybe some people got off the bus, so to speak, like they weren’t really paying attention mm-hmm. To all the change and all the investments. That you men, you’re mentioning or being made to support this, would you, what would you say about that? [00:11:42] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah, I’d say that that that is correct, but I’d also say that what I learned, you know, leading MSP at Cisco was that. All the stars have to be aligned, right? And if one thing is not right, if you don’t have product market fit, if you, if you, if you don’t have a good way to, uh, consolidate your offer, if you don’t have that investment in practice development, like there’s a series of things that we need to get right. [00:12:07] Alexandra Zagury: And I think Jose and I spent a lot of time thinking through those things and we’re, we’re ready to, to welcome the community and specifically around security. I mean, that was the second thing that I was really surprised because I lost so many deals on the other side to Microsoft, and I was like, and then I come on this side and I’m like, there’s all this opportunity everywhere. [00:12:28] Alexandra Zagury: I look underneath this chair, this opportunity, and I’m like, why are people not going after it? There is the opportunity to build managed XDR solutions, the opportunity to reinvent the song. There’s, there’s just so much opportunity and I think people get so stuck in the. Just thinking of it from a licensing model and not thinking it from the, the full on end-to-end value that you can then unlock through the best licensing model on the planet. [00:12:55] Alexandra Zagury: And so, look, we’re here, we’re, we’re ready to talk to all of you and, and really figure this out ’cause we are gonna place really bet big bets next year on ensuring that we’re growing with the MSP community. [00:13:08] Vince Menzione: So what are you personally focused on in changing Microsoft to drive this. [00:13:13] Alexandra Zagury: Well, uh, I don’t know. [00:13:14] Alexandra Zagury: Changing is a, is a, is a big word. Well, I like evolution, change, [00:13:17] Vince Menzione: evolution, evolving. [00:13:18] Alexandra Zagury: You know, I [00:13:19] Vince Menzione: transition. [00:13:21] Alexandra Zagury: I think there is, there is a couple of things that I’ll say that one of the things that I, I’m really focused on right now, the first one is skilling. We’re at a time of such transformation. That investing in skilling, and if you look at our skilling model, it has four pillars. [00:13:37] Alexandra Zagury: The first pillar we’re best in class, in which is certification specializations, and making sure that our ecosystem is certified to go to market. The second one, which we call project ready. It’s sort of how we help you, uh, technically skill the folks that sit in your practices. And there’s more work to do there, and there’s more that you can learn about how we can actually help you. [00:13:59] Alexandra Zagury: And then the middle part I’m obsessed with right now, which is sales ready and tech sales ready. So it is ensuring, because AI is new for everybody. Yes. It’s a muscle, it is a proposition that you have to sell it’s value that you’re selling. I, I love what the gentleman from Lenovo was talking about. It’s, it’s that CSB always on motion. [00:14:21] Alexandra Zagury: Yes. And so really getting very crisp to the end seller at the, at the reseller. For example, at the end, seller at the partner about why Microsoft. Why now, how do I sell and how do I win? And giving them the assets, the competitive battle cards, the, the, the ability to end objection handling all these. Great, we have them. [00:14:45] Alexandra Zagury: I mean, the amount of content we have, but it’s about doing it at what I call precision velocity. [00:14:51] Vince Menzione: Precision [00:14:51] Alexandra Zagury: velocity, right? Which is this concept of how do we get very precise at a persona level. So that we get the velocity of impact. And so I’m, I’m very obsessed with that right now. And there’s two other things I’m very obsessed with, right? [00:15:04] Alexandra Zagury: The other one is this practice building, ensuring that we are together building these AI centers of excellence, um, especially for all our managed partners. This is something that I’ve put on, uh, every single PDM in our org is gonna, is gonna be talking about that. And then the third one is one that I find super interesting, which I think all of us. [00:15:25] Alexandra Zagury: Have a lot of work to do, which is partner to partner. [00:15:29] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:15:29] Alexandra Zagury: If we look at a customer outcome, thank you. A customer outcome is built of many partners, right? There’s so many different touch points. I think some folks talk about seven partners in, in a customer outcome, and so how do we actually. Use agents, use agent solutions to suddenly unlock this opportunity because most of the time you’ll see an SSP with an si, maybe an ISV in the middle of a transaction to deliver on that customer outcome. [00:16:04] Alexandra Zagury: Yes. So what can we Microsoft do? And I’d love ideas, right? I haven’t cracked this. I don’t think the industry has completely cracked this. It’s more of a, a science than, than, well, more of an art than it is a science today. So that’s the third thing that I, I, I’d love to really improve and, and get better at. [00:16:20] Vince Menzione: I wish you got to see my slide earlier. ’cause I had the seven seats. I had this, I had the seven partners surrounding the customer. Customer is able to make their decisions now because with their cloud commitments [00:16:31] Alexandra Zagury: mm-hmm. [00:16:32] Vince Menzione: They’re in the, they’re in the seat where it used to be. I would rely on the partner to tell me what to do. [00:16:38] Vince Menzione: I, I’m cobbling together the best solution for my organization. Based on the trusted partners, to your point, those seven seats, and that’s partner to partner action. And Jay McBain was here yesterday and he took us through a great example. It’s AstraZeneca, that Microsoft won AWS, thought they were gonna win the deal, and then there were Microsoft partners in involved. [00:17:00] Vince Menzione: And the, the decision was made in December, but the deal didn’t happen until July. And that whole process was because all these different partners showed up. And influence the decision and the solution areas for that customer. [00:17:12] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah, that’s the best example of PLG partner led growth in action, which I think, again, that is the other thing that I’m super excited about is that actually p proving in the AI era that it’s about PLG as partner led growth, not the other PLGI. [00:17:31] Vince Menzione: I love that. I love that. Instead of product led growth, it’s partner led growth. So I understand there’s three layers that you’re very interested in that you want, you were gonna take us through today. Okay. Do you know about this, [00:17:44] Alexandra Zagury: the layers [00:17:45] Vince Menzione: of we have, uh, copilot chat. Oh, yes. 365 and, and agents. [00:17:49] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah. [00:17:50] Vince Menzione: From a product perspective, I thought maybe, [00:17:51] Alexandra Zagury: yeah, sure. [00:17:52] Alexandra Zagury: This is, I mean. This is the, uh, advantage of choosing the market Microsoft platform. Yeah, so as you look, look at it, there’s, there’s definitely different options, but when you look at Microsoft, what’s really, really interesting is that we have all the, all the layers. There’s no AI without data, and we’ve got that data foundation. [00:18:15] Alexandra Zagury: We also have the intelligence data foundation, right? Then we’ve got the, the layer of actually building those AI agents, and then the last layer that we have is actually the experience or the application layer. So when you look at our platform is a completely integrated platform with the different choices. [00:18:35] Alexandra Zagury: We are not behold, beholden to one LLM or another LLM. You’re actually able to bring your data and, and bring the LLM that you want to deliver on the, on the outcomes that you need. And I think that is very, very unique about our proposition. Yeah, I [00:18:50] Vince Menzione: agree. [00:18:50] Alexandra Zagury: But the other thing that is unique, it’s the most exciting product out there. [00:18:55] Alexandra Zagury: Agent 3, 6 5, our own oh oh seven. It really is a differentiated proposition that every single partner can build services around. Starting with your advisory services, tell me customer, what is it that you are thinking of? Then you actually move on to thinking about security because again, just like there’s no AI without data, you have to start with that data foundation. [00:19:24] Alexandra Zagury: There’s no AI without security and no security without ai. And so really thinking through how, uh, agent 3, 6, 5, I love it. I get these claps once a, I love, love really thinking about how Agent 3, 6 5 really unlocks, not only. A security budget, but an observability budget because you can do both. You are talking to both, uh, folks at the customer, right? [00:19:47] Alexandra Zagury: You can actually start talking about how you’re gonna actually govern all of these agents, manage all of these agents, but also there’s the observability layer, which is gonna tell you what actually can you do? How can you actually deliver on the outcomes that we all want from ai, which is productivity. [00:20:05] Alexandra Zagury: Experience and efficiency and all the other things. So I think this is the biggest opportunity this channel has ever seen, and every single partner is gonna have to make a choice on what platform they’re gonna lead with, and we believe it should be ours because it is completely integrated across these three layers with our very own oh oh seven. [00:20:30] Vince Menzione: I wanna get your perspective, but it feels like many of these partners in the MSP community are stuck at that CSP level. We were having this conversation about getting through that, coaching ’em through it. What would your be your perspective on that? [00:20:44] Alexandra Zagury: Um, I’d say, uh, use this moment to unlock that opportunity. [00:20:50] Alexandra Zagury: First off, invest in your skills. Get your, get your team skilled and, uh, on Microsoft, build your center of excellence. Map out your strategy where actually you’re gonna monetize and use all the different assets that we have. And if you are being really, um, I mean, most of them are serviced through a distributor. [00:21:12] Alexandra Zagury: Make your distributor accountable for supporting you in packaging the offers and giving you the, uh, information that you need in terms of skilling. And then in terms of co-selling, again, distributor has a lot of tools that can help you understand how to unlock the co unlock, the co-selling opportunity with Microsoft. [00:21:35] Alexandra Zagury: I think that’s another really big competitive advantage that Microsoft has. When, uh, Microsoft changed what it started by, by, by changing its strategy. I think clarity is kindness. We were very, very clear that where we want, we wanted partners, of course, to play an enterprise with a services stack, but we were very clear that we were betting on a partner led growth in small, medium enterprise, right? [00:22:03] Alexandra Zagury: And so we’ve built our whole operating system. Around that. And so I think it’s really about finding the information that you know you want, planning your strategy, getting skilled and go to market with us. Our co-sell Advantage is very, very unique. It is one of the only companies that has the sales teams completely aligned because CSP is our hero motion. [00:22:29] Vince Menzione: So being with a customer through the journey on CSP, but also renewals are a big component of growth. Talk to us about that. [00:22:36] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah. Renewals are, uh, a machine and an engine that is just absolutely beautiful. It’s your [00:22:42] Vince Menzione: flywheel. [00:22:43] Alexandra Zagury: It is your flywheel. Um, and it is the gift that keeps on giving. We, of course, have a very focused, um, and in fact, one of the things that I’ve done since. [00:22:52] Alexandra Zagury: Uh, since we’ve started, it started a very focused motion in terms of looking at our renewals. We have very specific targets. We, we like to see a renewal at 110% at the moment of renewal. And then we like to see a motion, t plus three, T plus six. That gets us to that a hundred and and 25%. But what we’ve also found out is that this needs to be an always on motion. [00:23:18] Alexandra Zagury: So one of the things that we’re doing is using this concept of precision velocity becoming very rigorous. ’cause we have all the data. Yeah. In terms of what is that next action, and really looking at starting that renewal process, we see that the partners that are able to reach the targets are the ones that start at T minus. [00:23:36] Alexandra Zagury: Six, maybe T minus three, you’re cutting it, but T minus six. And really building that constant motion, getting out in front Yeah. With the customer is really important. And then of course, we now even have these amazing go back motions, uh, with, with our partners where we actually, after the renewal, we go and. [00:23:56] Alexandra Zagury: The renewal was not at the target. We just constantly keep on going. Uh, going back with the, with the partners and we’ve unlocked a, a bevy of data. We, our operating model, we call it the pods, where the PDM sits at the center and orchestrates it with all the different roles that we have. And so we now have a very systematized moment, uh, motion of how to do the renewals. [00:24:18] Vince Menzione: So for the partners in the room, what’s one investment that they should make and what should every partner in the room do differently? Going into, uh, July 1st. [00:24:27] Alexandra Zagury: Well, I think the first thing, remember, CSP is our hero motion, so really for, uh, real, really focused on that. But the one investment, can I say two? [00:24:38] Vince Menzione: Please, please. [00:24:38] Alexandra Zagury: Your time. The, the first one is skilling, right? This is the time. [00:24:43] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:24:43] Alexandra Zagury: Technical intensity is super, super important, and really making those investments in skilling not only from a practice perspective, your your, your technical practice, uh, teams, but also from a sales readiness perspective. [00:24:59] Alexandra Zagury: This is a new muscle. It’s we’re all learning how to truly sell outcomes, and so getting your sales teams ready. Is is really important. And then the second one very tied to that is building your AI Center of Excellence based on the Microsoft platform. Because as we go into FY 27, you will see that the partners that prefer and grow with us are the ones that will see the investment come to them. [00:25:28] Vince Menzione: So I want to use the term front. I I, I’ve been avoiding the term frontier firm, but I think it is super critical. Everything I’ve heard today, like you need to be customer zero. You need to get in train, advance on it and go build against it. [00:25:41] Alexandra Zagury: Absolutely. Well, if you had, let me a third, I would’ve said customer zero. [00:25:46] Vince Menzione: You have it? Alright. We have less than a minute. Would you be okay if we ask for like maybe one question? Yeah, absolutely. We’ll do like one, maybe two. So good to have you by the way. Thank you, Vince. So nice to have you here. [00:26:04] Vince Menzione: I think we did such a good job. Oh, here we go. Here’s, here’s fun. A mic is coming your way. [00:26:20] Vince Menzione: Thank you. Here we go. Okay. [00:26:22] Guest: So we’ve been very keen on, um, skilling our people, and I still find it very hard to get all of the information out of Partner Center to get a complete global view. Are you and your team thinking about maybe having an MCP server access and having a real portal working with that data? [00:26:41] Alexandra Zagury: You just touched on one of our areas of improvement. Absolutely. In fact, um, thank you for, stay tuned for holding us accountable to that. That is definitely one of the things that we’re working on is how to integrate skilling hub into partner center. Right. As most of you will know, there are it Qs, and so that’s one of the things that we are definitely prioritizing, but thank you for holding me accountable to that one. [00:27:09] Vince Menzione: Awesome. [00:27:13] Vince Menzione: We have one more back here, David. I see. We wanna see how fast they can move that microphone across the room. Relay system here. The relay team. There we go. [00:27:25] Guest: That was excellent, Alexander. Thank you. And welcome. [00:27:28] Alexandra Zagury: Thank you. [00:27:29] Guest: Can you point to a specific example? ’cause I think it’s so critical what you highlighted just the skill piece and the customer outcomes piece. [00:27:35] Guest: Right. Can you point to a specific example of a story that you really love that highlights, uh, customers lighting it up with ROI. [00:27:44] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah, I think, you know, we’re, we’re, we’re a platform, so I just saw a win wire. Like at Microsoft, we get these win wires all the time about how an SSB actually won a, a deal against one of these big AI only companies. [00:28:00] Alexandra Zagury: And it was really about selling the full platform, right? Yeah. Because if, if you, if you put a full platform against an LLM proposition, I mean, the full platform really stacks up because it’s completely integrated. It’s not behemoth to one, you’re not making a bet on one company. And it really highlighted our mantra around trust and intelligence. [00:28:24] Alexandra Zagury: The customer was able to see, they, they were an M 365 customer, so all their iq, all their intelligence was already there. They knew that they, there were guardrails against it. They had a problem with shadow ai and by actually standardizing on copilot and going on that journey from copilot paid to agents, they sue the, they saw the full, uh, value proposition. [00:28:49] Alexandra Zagury: And so we won that deal and it was one of the. First E seven deals that we won, so it was great. [00:28:55] Vince Menzione: Fantastic. Great. Congratulations. [00:28:57] Alexandra Zagury: Thank you [00:28:58] Vince Menzione: Alex. I am so honored and thrilled that you got, you chose us to be your I I would say the first big Yeah, absolutely. Presentation in front of the partner community. [00:29:07] Vince Menzione: I’m so excited to have you. [00:29:08] Alexandra Zagury: Thank you [00:29:09] Vince Menzione: guys, and hopefully many more times ahead with us. [00:29:10] Alexandra Zagury: Absolutely. Invite me at anytime. [00:29:12] Vince Menzione: Okay. Well, thank you [00:29:13] Alexandra Zagury: so much. [00:29:14] Vince Menzione: Thank you. So great [00:29:15] Alexandra Zagury: to have you. Thank [00:29:16] Vince Menzione: you so much. Thanks for listening to The Ultimate Partner Podcast. If today’s conversation resonated, share it with a partner leader in your network. [00:29:26] Vince Menzione: Subscribe where you listen, and head over to the ultimate partner.com. For show notes related content and the resources for this episode. And if you haven’t already, now’s the time to register for the Ultimate Partner Live Event in Reston, Virginia, October 26th through October 28th. Until next time, keep showing up in the rooms that matter because being in the room changes everything.

Mark A. Beck earned a BA in Business and Japanese Language from Pacific University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Over his three-decade corporate career, he served in executive leadership at Corning Incorporated, as Executive Vice President at Danaher Corporation, and as President and CEO of JELD-WEN, guiding the company through its IPO. Today, Mark owns three manufacturing companies, co-chairs KDC/ONE, and serves as board chair for Accendra Health (formerly Owens & Minor) and IDEX Corporation. Passionate about servant leadership, he serves as faculty for the Adler Fellowship Program and has taught strategic leadership of innovation as a Visiting Professor of Practice at Cornell University. Adrienne and Mark have been married for 38 years. They reside in Matthews, North Carolina, and are the parents of five children and two grandchildren. Together, they navigated unique life blessings, including caring for their youngest son, Wesley, who was born with a rare health condition and expected to live only a few months. Wesley lived for 20 years through many miracles and Adrienne's devoted caregiving. Following his passing, Adrienne resumed her educational goals and is on track to earn her bachelor's degree later this year. Deeply committed to faith, family, and community, both Mark and Adrienne have spent years serving in Church leadership—Mark previously served as a stake president, and Adrienne as a stake Young Women president and two-time ward Primary president. Today, the couple serve side-by-side as branch president and YSA advisor for the Hemby Young Single Adult Branch in the greater Charlotte area. Beyond hosting regular home dinners and monthly “Friday Night Hangouts,” they pioneered a stake-wide mentorship program that connects young adults with community members to provide life guidance, career coaching, trade school support, and spiritual growth for the rising generation. Links Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Mark and Adrienne Beck discuss their experiences as leaders of the Hemby Young Single Adult (YSA) branch in North Carolina. They share innovative approaches to building community and mentorship within their branch, emphasizing the importance of connection and support for young adults. Key Insights Community Building: The Becks highlight the significance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for YSA members, focusing on fostering a culture of acceptance and belonging. Mentorship Program: They implemented a mentorship initiative that pairs YSA members with older, experienced Latter-day Saints from the stake, providing guidance and support tailored to individual needs. Cultural Shift: The branch has cultivated a culture where members feel safe to share their struggles openly, leading to authentic testimony meetings that encourage vulnerability and connection. Diversity and Inclusion: The branch serves a diverse group of young adults, addressing various socioeconomic backgrounds and personal challenges, which enriches the community experience. Flexible Leadership: The Becks emphasize the importance of adapting leadership styles to meet the unique needs of their members, allowing for a more personalized approach to support and guidance. Leadership Applications Encouraging Mentorship: Latter-day Saint leaders can consider establishing mentorship programs within their congregations, pairing experienced members with those seeking guidance, which can alleviate the burden on leaders and provide essential support to individuals. Creating Safe Spaces: Leaders should foster environments where members feel comfortable sharing their experiences and challenges, promoting open dialogue and community support. Emphasizing Connection: By organizing regular social gatherings and informal meetings, leaders can strengthen relationships among members, enhancing the sense of belonging and community within the ward or branch. 00:03:32 – Background of the Hemby YSA Branch 00:04:07 – Establishing the YSA Branch 00:06:23 – Initial Concerns and Faith in the Process 00:08:02 – Personal Challenges and Extended Service 00:09:07 – The Calling Experience 00:10:00 – Passion for Serving Young Single Adults 00:10:44 – Building the Branch Council 00:12:06 – Creating a Positive Culture 00:14:04 – Strategies for Inclusion and Connection 00:15:41 – Unique Practices in the Branch 00:18:23 – Emphasizing Community and Togetherness 00:20:35 – Authentic Testimonies and Sharing 00:22:28 – Diversity and Its Impact on Leadership 00:23:30 – The Burden of Leadership 00:26:51 – Establishing a Mentoring Program 00:29:11 – Typical Scenarios for Mentorship 00:30:04 – Examples of Mentorship Success 00:31:27 – Adjusting the Mentorship Approach 00:32:50 – The Role of Stake Leadership 00:34:02 – Flexibility in Mentorship Pairings 00:36:10 – Navigating Challenges and Support 00:39:34 – The Impact of Community Support 00:40:54 – Encouragement for Other Leaders The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer have the latest from Halas Hall after head coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams and offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury spoke with the media about the chemistry they're building during training camp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Technical Leadership Paradigm: Evolving from Hands-On Builder to High-Impact CEO with Vladimir BaranovIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Vladimir Baranov, Tech Founder Coach, Executive Coach, and Founder of Human Interfaces, to address the complex psychological and operational hurdles that emerge when technical experts transition into corporate leadership. Vladimir, a seasoned strategic coach specializing in guiding scientific founders and engineering executives through structural organizational shifts, details why traditional technical mindsets frequently create decision paralysis and team friction within scaling companies. This conversation delivers an essential, actionable manual for technical founders, scientific leaders, and C-suite executives who want to repurpose their analytical strengths, navigate business ambiguity, create safe operational sandboxes, and step confidently into executive leadership.The Leadership Transformation Engine: Repurposing Analytical Mastery and Navigating Corporate AmbiguityThe fundamental struggle facing technical founders during rapid organizational growth is the sharp transition from deterministic, logic-driven systems to the ambiguous, human-centered realities of corporate leadership. Vladimir Baranov explains that engineers and scientific experts are trained to solve predictable problems with complete data sets, often causing them to experience acute discomfort when forced to make high-stakes executive decisions with incomplete information. To successfully bridge this gap, technical leaders must reframe their existing analytical skills—repurposing scientific experimentation into iterative management tests and systems thinking into intentional organizational design. Accepting that technical education rarely covers interpersonal dynamics allows founders to view leadership development as a learnable, structured discipline rather than an innate talent they lack.Evolving from a hands-on technical builder into a transformational CEO requires an intentional identity shift that moves leadership beyond simple theoretical reading toward active behavioral execution. Many technical founders fall into the "comfort trap," retreating to familiar coding, product architecture, or laboratory tasks to escape the discomfort of team management, strategic planning, and business development. To break this avoidance cycle, executives must create low-risk operational sandboxes within their organizations to practice crucial leadership behaviors—such as delegating authority, delivering constructive feedback, and facilitating high-stakes alignment meetings—without fear of catastrophic failure. Consistently testing new leadership behaviors and gathering direct team feedback builds the psychological resilience required to lead through market unpredictability.Furthermore, sustaining long-term enterprise growth demands that executive leaders ruthlessly prioritize uncomfortable, high-yield business activities over daily technical execution. Establishing structured coaching cadences and peer accountability ecosystems provides founders with an objective sounding board to evaluate strategic choices, dissect team friction, and refine their corporate vision. By letting go of the need for total technical control and embracing the role of chief talent builder and strategist, founders enable their organizations to scale far past the limits of key-person reliance. When analytical skill mapping, deliberate leadership experimentation, and structured executive coaching are synthesized into a single growth framework, technical founders successfully shed operational friction, empower their leadership teams, and predictably expand enterprise valuation.About Vladimir BaranovVladimir Baranov is a Tech Founder Coach, Executive Coach, and the Founder of Human Interfaces. Drawing from a personal journey from Ukraine to the United States and a deep background in technical engineering, Vladimir specializes in coaching scientific founders and technical executives through the complex leap into organizational leadership. He is a prominent executive coach focused on helping technical leaders transform their mindset, repurpose their analytical strengths, navigate corporate ambiguity, and build high-performing company cultures.About Human InterfacesHuman Interfaces is an elite executive coaching consultancy and leadership advisory firm engineered to support tech founders, scientific entrepreneurs, and engineering executives as they scale their businesses. The firm specializes in delivering custom executive coaching frameworks, leadership skill mapping, organizational design consulting, and founder-identity transformation playbooks. Through structured discovery sessions and ongoing advisory programs, Human Interfaces enables technical leaders to eliminate leadership bottlenecks, optimize team performance, and maximize market equity.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeHuman Interfaces Official Website: humaninterfaces.coVladimir Baranov on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vladimirbaranovKey Episode HighlightsMapping Technical Competencies to Leadership: Repurposing analytical problem-solving, systems design, and scientific experimentation into high-leverage organizational leadership tools.Overcoming the Technical Comfort Trap: Recognizing when founders default to hands-on technical work to avoid high-stakes business decisions and people management.Creating Safe Leadership Sandboxes: Establishing low-risk environments to experiment with new management styles, delegate authority, and build leadership muscle.Navigating Ambiguity and Incomplete Data: Shifting executive decision-making away from rigid determinism to embrace iterative, hypothesis-driven leadership.Redefining Executive Identity: Transitioning internal self-perception from individual technical builder to visionary CEO to drive scalable organizational growth.ConclusionThe conversation with Vladimir Baranov reinforces that evolving from a technical expert into a transformational leader is an intentional architectural process rather than an unreachable shift. By standardizing internal corporate governance, creating safe environments for leadership experimentation, and embracing strategic uncertainty, technical founders can transform an overwhelming executive transition into a highly structured, self-sustaining growth engine.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Good intentions aren't always enough to overcome temptation, rebuild trust, or create lasting change. Without healthy boundaries, many people remain vulnerable to secrecy, compromise, and repeated patterns of hurt. In this episode, Brent Breining explains how guardrails are not about punishment, but protection: a reflection of God's desire for freedom and healing. We explore how to identify personal “hot spots,” establish meaningful boundaries, and build rhythms of accountability, confession, and community. Whether pursuing recovery or healing after betrayal, this conversation offers practical hope for creating safety, trust, and lasting transformation. Register For The 2026 Summit Now! Get Hope Healing & Freedom For $12 Now! GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(Gaia House)

In this episode of The D.O. Show, host Dustin Owen delivers an urgent warning to mortgage professionals about the rapidly escalating threat of AI-powered fraud schemes targeting homebuyers and industry participants. He explains that scammers are now leveraging advanced technologies such as voice cloning, spoofed emails, and sophisticated fake identities to convincingly impersonate loan officers and other trusted parties. These criminals use these tactics to deceive borrowers and redirect wire transfers during the critical closing process, putting both clients and professionals at significant financial risk. Dustin delves into the specific methods fraudsters employ, such as mimicking the exact tone and mannerisms of a loan officer's voice, sending emails from addresses that appear legitimate, and creating fake websites or documents that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. He stresses that in today's environment, even a familiar voice on the phone or a seemingly authentic email is no longer sufficient proof of identity. To help mortgage professionals and their clients stay protected, Dustin shares a series of practical, actionable steps. He recommends educating borrowers early in the process about the risks of wire fraud and the tactics scammers use. Establishing verified, secure lines of communication is essential, as is implementing multi-factor authentication for sensitive transactions. Dustin also advises creating clear, company-wide protocols for responding to suspicious requests or unexpected changes in wiring instructions, ensuring that every team member knows how to react quickly and appropriately. Throughout the episode, Dustin emphasizes the importance of proactive preparation. He urges loan officers to have these critical conversations with both their borrowers and their internal teams before any fraud attempt occurs, rather than waiting until after an incident has taken place. By taking these steps, mortgage professionals can help safeguard their clients, their reputations, and their businesses from the ever-evolving threat of AI-driven fraud. Let our team connect you with a Real Estate Expert local to you! https://tloponline.com/real-estate-help/