Podcasts about etched

What if one celebrity client could permanently change the trajectory of your entire career? In this episode, Dr. Catrise Austin, celebrity dentist turned brand authority strategist, shares how a bold move at a New York restaurant in the 1990s launched a career that would land her in hip hop history. She introduced herself to Isaac Hayes over dinner, became his dentist, went to the Oscars and Grammys, got a publicist through a barter deal, and eventually transformed Cardi B's smile on national television. The Cardi B episode aired as a season premiere on Love and Hip Hop, the song Bodak Yellow went number one, and TMZ ran the story. Her business tripled overnight. What she built over 30 years wasn't just a celebrity dental practice. It was a masterclass in how relationships compound when you protect them the way most people protect money.   [00:04:20] What She Does and Who She Serves Brand authority strategist helping entrepreneurs become the go-to in their industries Uses the FAME Formula to help clients climb the authority ladder Works across dental, medical, corporate, and entrepreneurial spaces [00:05:20] How She Got Here Two years after dental school, moved to New York and started networking Hit comedy clubs in the 90s and befriended a young Kevin Hart and Tracy Morgan Comedians opened for music acts; she started meeting people in the music industry Realized she could be the dentist to the stars and started passing out flyers at celebrity hotspots [00:07:40] The Night That Started Everything: Isaac Hayes Walked up to Isaac Hayes at P. Diddy's restaurant and gave him her elevator pitch He had never seen a dentist like her; he invited her to sit down for dinner She left with his phone number and his promise to become her first celebrity client That one bold move launched her career as a celebrity dentist [00:11:00] What Isaac Did Next Sent his assistant to vet her office before committing Once convinced, put her in his entourage and took her to the Oscars and Grammys Introduced her to Denzel Washington's wife, who gave her a home phone number she was too scared to call Encouraged her to get a publicist; her mom had a card for Eddie Murphy's publicist Terri Williams [00:13:00] The Publicist Who Changed the Game: Renee Foster Terri Williams loved the story but charged $50,000 a month; she referred her to Renee Foster Renee didn't have a dentist; they bartered services In exchange for cleanings, Renee got her on the Today Show and Good Morning America That third-party visibility put her on the map in a way self-promotion never could [00:15:40] What Inspires Her: The Power of a Smile Had terrible teeth growing up; her mom sacrificed as a single parent to get her braces Wearing braces for a year changed her confidence completely and made her want to become a dentist Seeing a smile transformation and knowing firsthand how it feels is the greatest feeling in dentistry The smile is your business card, your mood ring, and the first thing people notice about you [00:19:20] The Relationship That Etched Her in History: Mona Scott-Young Music executive Mona Scott-Young managed P. Diddy, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, and 50 Cent They bonded after receiving an award together; Mona sent her the biggest music acts of the era Each high-profile referral added credibility and trust with the general public Fast forward to 2016: Mona was producing Love and Hip Hop on VH1 [00:21:40] Cardi B and the Billboard Number One Cardi B joined Love and Hip Hop with a big personality but teeth she was constantly mocked for Because of her relationship with Mona, Dr. Austin got the call to do the smile makeover The transformation aired as the season premiere and Cardi later referenced it in Bodak Yellow The song hit number one on Billboard; TMZ ran the story and her business tripled overnight [00:25:40] How She Protects Relationship Capital People constantly ask her to introduce them to Cardi B; she never asks Cardi for anything Her rule: only make introductions that further the relationship with both parties She lost friends over refusing to make introductions; she has no regrets Treat clients like family; that is the foundation of everything she has built [00:31:20] Client Impact: Omarosa's Mother Omarosa insisted her New York dentist fly to California to do her mother's smile makeover for a Discovery Channel show Her mother's teeth needed significant work; Dr. Austin coordinated four additional dentists Any Beverly Hills dentist could have done it; Omarosa's loyalty to their relationship made it happen Giving someone's mother a confident smile was one of the greatest honors of her career [00:35:00] Final Word: Bring Back the Personal Touch Learned from Terri Williams's book The Personal Touch to go beyond digital communication Pick up the phone, write a personal note, send a postcard when traveling The small things nobody else is doing anymore are what make you stand out Honor your clients; treat them like family and they will never leave   KEY QUOTES "You don't have to be the best at what you do to get the opportunities. Sometimes it's the best known that gets all the opportunities." - Dr. Catrise Austin "I am so protective of the relationship I don't ask for anything. If I asked her for something, she would know this is a big deal, because I don't ask." - Dr. Catrise Austin CONNECT WITH DR. CATRISE AUSTIN Website: https://www.celebritybrandingusa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-catrise-austin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebritybrandingusa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCatriseAustin   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

Zack Pearson from Bear Wire returns to break down the Chicago Bears schedule release, rookie minicamp takeaways, and the latest on whether a new stadium project is finally moving forward. Plus, the crew gives out their Etched in Stone selections for tonight's Major League Baseball slate. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

The Visitor Always Left Tokens but My Name Was Etched FirstBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dark-mysteries-the-strange-and-unusual-podcast-2026--5684156/support.Darkest Mysteries Online

Elias Schuster joins the show to break down the latest in the Crosstown Series between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, plus the latest buzz surrounding the Chicago Bulls and the upcoming NBA Draft. The guys also discuss the best possible landing spot for Keaton Wagler as his basketball future takes shape. Plus, “Etched in Stone” returns and the crew wraps up the week with their Friday Toasts! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

Tristan Thomas joined the show to break down the returning Illini players and the impact they'll have heading into next season. He also reflected on Ty Rodgers' legacy, emphasizing his role as a true “culture guy” during his time at Illinois, while touching on Illini spring football storylines. The hour rounded out with NFL Draft discussion, what is the best fit for Luke Altmyer in the NFL, and the latest “Etched in Stone” bets.

Peso Pluma, the corridos tumbados kingpin, has been lighting up the Lone Star State with back-to-back triumphs that scream superstar homecoming. On Wednesday, April 1st, he electrified the Toyota Center in Houston as part of his explosive Dinastia tour, a live stream capturing every trap-infused beat and roaring crowd moment that solidified his grip on the regional Mexican scene. Then, on Friday, the Guadalajara-born phenom, real name Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, pulled off a heartwarming surprise by returning to his alma mater, Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Texas. According to the school's official Facebook post and KSAT News reports, Peso Pluma spent the day inspiring music and EB students, sharing wisdom from his rocket ride to fame before jetting off to slay his sold-out Frost Bank Center gig in San Antonio that very night. News4SanAntonio detailed how this local legend, who popularized the narcocorrido-rap fusion, gave the next generation a masterclass in hustle and harmony.Saturday's San Antonio buzz kept humming via SACurrent's live music roundup, hyping his Dinastia show as a must-see pinnacle of the trailblazing movement blending traditional sounds with modern edge—no letdowns reported from that Alamo City takeover. No fresh social media splashes or business moves popped in the last 24 hours, but whispers of his Grammy-winning Genesis album from 2024 and 2025 Éxodo nod linger as biographical gold, per Etched in Stone features. All verified, no unconfirmed drama here—just pure momentum building his legend.Thanks for listening, and please subscribe to never miss an update on Peso Pluma and search the term Biography Flash for more great Biographies. This has been a Quiet Please production.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joins us t0 break down Illinois' win over Penn and looking ahead to their matchup with VCU. He shares key insights on what carried the Illini in the opening round and what challenges await in the next game. The conversation also dives into expectations for Illinois moving forward in the tournament. Plus, we debate a fun hypothetical: would you rather the Illini win one national title and be mediocre for five years, or make the Elite Eight every season? Evan has your tourney bets with Etched in Stone and our Friday Toasts!

Josh Hanes, whose work at Uplift Aerospace focuses on expanding access to space through student-centered education and immersive experiences, returns to the show with major updates on what's happened since STORIES of Space submitted its community database at the end of 2025. https://www.upliftaerospace.com Beth and Josh celebrate two landmark achievements: the successful laser engraving the story database from STORIES of Space into a 5D crystal along with over 3,000 messages from students, teachers, and community storytellers around the world, an extraordinary archival medium capable of preserving data for potentially millions of years, and the integration of that crystal onto Astrolab's FLIP rover on March 2nd, 2026. Josh explains how 5D crystal technology works, using femtosecond lasers to modify atomic structures within crystal, storing terabytes of data in a piece no larger than a quarter. He walks through the mission patch artwork created by Dr. Sian Proctor, who implemented a word cloud of student messages into a design now displayed prominently on the rover itself. The FLIP rover, a pathfinder mission for Astrolab's larger FLEX rover planned for the Artemis program, is targeting the lunar South Pole and is expected to launch in the middle to late part of 2026. When it arrives, it will carry the dreams, hopes, and words of STORIES of Space contributors as part of what Josh describes as a living archive of humanity at this pivotal moment in history. This episode is a must-listen for anyone following the STORIES of Space journey, or for anyone who wants to understand just how close we are to a genuine paradigm shift in humanity's relationship with space. The future is not a promise on the horizon anymore, it is already being built. Follow along at https://www.upliftaerospace.com and across their socials at @UpliftAerospace on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.  

Isaac Ambrose joins the show to break down the NCAA Tournament bracket and assess the odds for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball. The conversation dives into key matchups, potential upset alerts, and how the Illini stack up against the field. The guys also reveal their Final Four picks and debate which teams have the best path to a title run. Plus, another edition of “Etched in Stone” locks in the day's best bets.

We preview Illinois vs Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament and what the Illini need to do to advance. The guys break down the key matchups, including how Illinois can attack Wisconsin's defense. Later, they dive into a Chicago Bears Mock Draft and discuss potential targets at DE & DT. The hour wraps up with another edition of Etched in Stone.

Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joins the show to talk Illinois basketball and preview the Big Ten Tournament. He also shares his thoughts on Bret Bielema's updated coaching staff and what it could mean for Illini football. Later, the guys dive into another edition of Etched in Stone with Evan's bets for tonight. Plus they reveal the winner of the Tuesday Draft. And they wrap up by debating Bam Adebayo's 83-point performance versus Kobe Bryant's legendary 81-point game. Evan explains why Bam's game was NOT that impressive.

WCIA 3's Sports Director Glenn Kinley joins the show to discuss the impact that Shauna Green has had on Illini women's basketball. He also shared insight on the Big Ten Tournament and the excitement surrounding local high school hoops. Later in the hour, the crew runs another round of Etched in Stone. We wrap up the week with our Friday Toasts! Cheers!

The guys debated what will matter more for Illinois basketball in the postseason: knocking down three-pointers or limiting costly turnovers. The conversation looked at how each factor could impact the Illini's chances of making a deep tournament run. Also, how did this debate lead to our first On-Air Injury?! Evan and Coop also learned about the legendary “snipe hunt,” leading to some BIG laughs  from listeners.  The hour wrapped up with another edition of Etched in Stone.

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer breaks down how Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball cruised past Oregon Ducks and what clicked for Andrej Stojakovic in the dominant performance. He also previews Illinois' upcoming matchup against the Maryland Terrapins and the Big Ten Tournament. Evan dives into another edition of Etched in Stone with the latest betting angles and insights. Plus, we reveal the winner of the Best Jersey Draft and debate whether the right pick took home the title. 

Dr. Timothy Mahr is Professor Emeritus at St. Olaf College, and a prolific composer for wind band. Dr Mahr joins the podcast for a conversation that encompasses advice for young composers, discussion of ways we can improve our bands as a conductor, and a focus on some of his music!Highlighted is Etched in Stone, Commissioned by Kyle Smith and the Westbrook High School Wind Ensemble for the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.Support the Show HereTo gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.comOur mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.Connect with us with comments or ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Carson Bounds from Orange and Blue News joins the show to preview the huge game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan Wolverines on Friday night. Carson, a former member of the Orange Krush, talks about some of the criticisms the student section has faced this year. We also chat about Altmyer, Jacas, and Davis at the NFL Combine & plenty more. We also discuss where the St. Louis Cardinals are landing in early season rankings and what to expect heading into the year. And we wrap things up with Etched in Stone and our best bets.

Tristan Thomas from WCIA breaks down Illinois vs UCLA Bruins men's basketball and shares the highlights from the IHSA Wrestling State Finals. He highlights key matchups, postseason implications, and what to watch as the Illini continue their Big Ten push. Kurtis then takes over Etched in Stone with his top picks and best bets. Plus, Cooper O'Kelly from The Champaign Room joins the show to fill in for Evan and discuss his biggest takeaways surrounding Illinois athletics.

PA announcer Tim Sinclair joins the show to reflect on his broadcasting career and share some of his favorite moments in Illini history. Bob McCoppin of the Chicago Tribune breaks down the latest on the Chicago Bears and the possibility of a move to Indiana. We also give our score predictions for Illinois vs. the Bruins and highlight the key matchups that could decide it. Plus, we wrap it up with another edition of Etched in Stone and our Friday Toasts.

Bracket expert Brad Evans from The Athletic breaks down Illinois' path to a potential National Championship and what the Illini need to do to make a deep March run. He discusses favorable matchups, key players, and the biggest obstacles standing in the way. The conversation also looks at how Illinois stacks up against other contenders across the country. Plus, we wrap up with Etched in Stone bets and the top picks heading into the weekend.

WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas breaks down the matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the USC Trojans, along with the biggest Illinois High School Association basketball headlines this week. He also discusses the new IHSA football rule changes and what they could mean for teams moving forward. Evan's out for today, so Kurtis takes a crack at Etched in Stone. Plus, we reveal the winner of the Oscars-themed Tuesday Draft..

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer previews Illinois vs. USC and breaks down the biggest matchups to watch. We dive into what the Illini must do to control the tempo and come away with a statement win. It's also time for the Tuesday Draft and since the Illini went to Hollywood, so are we! We pick the best movies ever to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Plus, we need money! Evan gives his bets to Etch in Stone.

Another award rolls in for Keaton Wagler, as his standout season continues to earn well-deserved recognition. What did he win now? We also highlight Sarah Warren and her performance on the Olympic stage, representing Team USA with pride. Why did she tell her family to NOT wear Illini orange & blue? Plus, Evan shares his latest picks in Etched in Stone as he looks to keep the hot streak going. And don't miss our Tuesday Draft announcement, where we reveal this week's topic and get the debate started.

More highlights rolled in from Bobby Hauck's press conference, where he mixed serious football talk with a few personality-filled moments. We also dove into another edition of Etched in Stone, tossing around takes, predictions, and a little friendly debate on tonight's money lines. And we got to know "Newphew" Cooper O'Kelly beyond the bylines, including some fun stories about his path into covering Illinois athletics. Plus, we talked about his work with The Champaign Room and why Illini fans might want to keep an eye on what he's writing next.

Carson Gourdie from Fox Illinois and WICS-TV joins us this hour to talk Illinois vs Michigan State. We also hear from Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. Get both perspectives ahead of the Illini vs Sparty. And it's Super Bowl Weekend! Kurtis tests your knowledge with Super Bowl trivia, Evan's "Etched in Stone" features Super Bowl prop bets, and we give our score predictions. Plus our Friday Toasts! Cheers!

Dylan Patel (SemiAnalysis) joins Matt Turck for a deep dive into the AI chip wars — why NVIDIA is shifting from a “one chip can do it all” worldview to a portfolio strategy, how inference is getting specialized, and what that means for CUDA, AMD, and the next wave of specialized silicon startups.Then we take the fun tangents: why China is effectively “semiconductor pilled,” how provinces push domestic chips, what Huawei means as a long-term threat vector, and why so much “AI is killing the grid / AI is drinking all the water” discourse misses the point.We also tackle the big macro question: capex bubble or inevitable buildout? Dylan's view is that the entire answer hinges on one variable—continued model progress—and we unpack the second-order effects across data centers, power, and the circular-looking financings (CoreWeave/Oracle/backstops).Dylan PatelLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanpatelsa/X/Twitter - https://x.com/dylan522pSemiAnalysisWebsite - https://semianalysis.comX/Twitter - https://x.com/SemiAnalysis_Matt Turck (Managing Director)Blog - https://mattturck.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/turck/X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattturckFirstMarkWebsite - https://firstmark.comX/Twitter - https://twitter.com/FirstMarkCap(00:00) - Intro(01:16) - Nvidia acquires Groq: A pivot to specialization(07:09) - Why AI models might need "wide" compute, not just fast(10:06) - Is the CUDA moat dead? (Open source vs. Nvidia)(17:49) - The startup landscape: Etched, Cerebras, and 1% odds(22:51) - Geopolitics: China's "semiconductor-pilled" culture(35:46) - Huawei's vertical integration is terrifying(39:28) - The $100B AI revenue reality check(41:12) - US Onshoring: Why total self-sufficiency is a fantasy(44:55) - Can the US actually build fabs? (The delay problem)(48:33) - The CapEx Bubble: Is $500B spending irrational?(54:53) - Energy Crisis: Why gas turbines will power AI, not nuclear(57:06) - The "AI uses all the water" myth (Hamburger comparison)(1:03:40) - Circular Debt? Debunking the Nvidia-CoreWeave risk(1:07:24) - Claude Code & the software singularity(1:10:23) - The death of the Junior Analyst role(1:11:14) - Model predictions: Opus 4.5 and the RL gap(1:14:37) - San Francisco Lore: Roommates (Dwarkesh Patel & Sholto Douglas)

Our guy the All-American J Leman joins us this hour to discuss Aaron Henry's departure from Illinois football. Henry is headed to Notre Dame to be the new Co-Defensive Coordinator. Who will replace him? J discusses possible replacements and how much it might cost Illinois to pay a new coordinator. Plus, Illinois Athletics had an incredible weekend with ranked wins in basketball, track & field, tennis, and wrestling. This led to an all-timer moment from Evan Stone. Plus, Evan is on a roll with Etched in Stone. Will that continue tonight?

We've had great guests on this week ahead of the Illinois vs Washington game, with a few people calling it a definite trap game. So how confident are YOU about tonight's game? We answer your texts at 217-359-2255. Have you seen ONE person agree with the decision to keep Bill Belichick out of the Hall of Fame? Neither have we. Evan got things back on track with Etched in Stone last night. He's got 3 new bets for tonight. Lets go!

Brad Underwood's squad is coming off their biggest win of the season and an all-time performance from Keaton Wagler at Purdue. Will that success carry over to tomorrow night at State Farm Center against Washington? We talk with Roman Tomashoff from Huskie Wire if this is a Trap Game for Illinois. We take another look at the Illinois 2026 football schedule, who has the easiest and the toughest schedules in the Big Ten. Evan's heater came to a screeching halt last night with Etched in Stone. Let's see if he cooks tonight. And who won the Tuesday Draft for our Super Bowl Spreads?!  

The Super Bowl is now set! The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks are headed to Santa Clara. Who ya got?! We discuss. Plus, Evan is on a HEATER with Etched in Stone! It's a 20-4 run last week. Will he cash in again?

The Shadow: A Dance with Deception and DestinyIn this engaging story, Lamont shares his experiences and insights from the world of gambling and personal interactions. He reflects on the highs and lows of his gambling journey, emphasizing the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. The dialogue also touches on relationships, with Lamont discussing encounters with various characters, hinting at deeper narratives and connections that shape his life. The tone is candid and raw, revealing both vulnerability and resilience as he navigates through challenges and memories.In the shadowy corners of a world where intrigue and deception reign supreme, Lamont finds himself ensnared in a web of gambling, secrets, and high-stakes drama. This episode of "The Shadow" unfolds with Lamont navigating a labyrinth of hidden motives and unexpected alliances, challenging him to confront his own values and decisions.As the narrative progresses, Lamont's interactions with various characters reveal layers of suspense and moral dilemmas. The tension builds in a setting that is as mysterious as it is captivating, drawing listeners into a story that questions the very essence of trust and loyalty.Join Lamont on this thrilling journey as he grapples with the shadows of his past and the uncertainties of his future. Will he emerge victorious, or will the shadows consume him? Tune in to find out.Subscribe now to stay updated on the latest episodes and delve deeper into the world of "The Shadow."Takeaways"I've gambling and losing so much.""Believe me, I don't run this place for my own amusement.""You won't be carried.""I'm out of time.""This is Robin O'Dowd, ATP."gambling, personal stories, relationships, emotional journey, resilience, insights, life experiences, candid conversation, character interactions

Nick Rodecap covers Indiana athletics for WIUX-FM, The Hoosier Network, and Inside The Hall. Nick was in Miami for their National Championship win and gives us his view of the game. Plus, where does Cignetti & CO go from here? A great listen! Evan was out of the studio, but still called in for "Etched in Stone." He's on a 8-2 heater over the last two days. Will that continue tonight? Plus we preview Championship Weekend in the NFL. Who's going to The Super Bowl? And Friday Toasts! Cheers!

Illini wrestling legend Zane Richards joins us to talk the free RTC clinic after Illinois vs. Rutgers. Evan checks in with his latest Etched in Stone picks after going 4–1, and we debate what the Bears should do with their first-round pick. Like ESPN 93.5 on Facebook and follow us on Twitter & Instagram.

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins us this hour to discuss the National Championship Game. Where does Indiana football go from here? How will Miami reload their roster? We also chat about Big Ten basketball and the NFL Playoffs. Who won our Tuesday Draft and why did they do a victory lap around the radio station? Evan has FIVE bets for Etched in Stone. And we give our score predictions for Illinois vs Maryland.

The Chicago Bears magical season came to an end last night with a 20-17 overtime loss against the Rams. Where do they go from here? We recap the game and look at the free agent list. Plus, Eric Bienemy is leaving the Bears and returning to the Chiefs for their Offensive Coordinator position.  The Bills have fired Sean McDermott. Is he immediately the most sought-after free agent coach? We dig into the latest coaching carousel. Evan has a College Football National Championship "Etched in Stone" bet that might shock you. And we announce the next category in our Tuesday Drafts.

Our guy Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV and Fox Illinois joins us to preview Illinois vs Minnesota. Carson has great insight and statistical breakdowns as always. Plus we talk about the Illinois football transfer portal and some of the odd pictures on Carson's Facebook page. Evan went 2-2 last night in Etched in Stone and is over .500 for 2026. Find out which basketball games he likes for tonight. We make our predictions for the NFL Divisional round and are completely split. Who did we pick and who do you agree with? Plus, our big Friday Toasts!

Can you guess how many Super Bowls the Top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL have won? The number might surprise you. Evan has done the research and explains why overpaying a QB won't win a championship. Sean Payton did not like a reporter's question about Dre Greenlaw's return and made that very clear. Was he out of line? Have a listen and judge for yourself. We take a look at the Bears vs Rams injury report, and if the weather makes a difference this Sunday night. Plus FOUR bets from Evan in "Etched in Stone."

Breaking news: The Steelers and Mike Tomlin have parted ways after 19 years. Where will he go next and who will be the Steelers 4th Head Coach in franchise history? How about Curt Cignetti? Another Cardinals star is on the move. St. Louis traded Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right handed pitcher Jack Martinez. Jeremiah Cox covers the Redbirds and joins us to discuss the move. Plus, Etched in Stone is on fire! Get tonight's bet from Evan.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom podcast, host Stewart Alsop sits down with Peter Schmidt Nielsen, who is building FPGA-accelerated servers at Saturn Data. The conversation explores why servers need FPGAs, how these field-programmable gate arrays work as "IO expanders" for massive memory bandwidth, and why they're particularly well-suited for vector database and search applications. Peter breaks down the technical realities of FPGAs - including why they "really suck" in many ways compared to GPUs and CPUs - while explaining how his company is leveraging them to provide terabyte-per-second bandwidth to 1.3 petabytes of flash storage. The discussion ranges from distributed systems challenges and the CAP theorem to the hardware-software relationship in modern computing, offering insights into both the philosophical aspects of search technology and the nuts-and-bolts engineering of memory controllers and routing fabrics.For more information about Peter's work, you can reach him on Twitter at @PTRSCHMDTNLSN or find his website at saturndata.com.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to FPGAs and Their Role in Servers02:47 Understanding FPGA Limitations and Use Cases05:55 Exploring Different Types of Servers08:47 The Importance of Memory and Bandwidth11:52 Philosophical Insights on Search and Access Patterns14:50 The Relationship Between Hardware and Search Queries17:45 Challenges of Distributed Systems20:47 The CAP Theorem and Its Implications23:52 The Evolution of Technology and Knowledge Management26:59 FPGAs as IO Expanders29:35 The Trade-offs of FPGAs vs. ASICs and GPUs32:55 The Future of AI Applications with FPGAs35:51 Exciting Developments in Hardware and BusinessKey Insights1. FPGAs are fundamentally "crappy ASICs" with serious limitations - Despite being programmable hardware, FPGAs perform far worse than general-purpose alternatives in most cases. A $100,000 high-end FPGA might only match the memory bandwidth of a $600 gaming GPU. They're only valuable for specific niches like ultra-low latency applications or scenarios requiring massive parallel I/O operations, making them unsuitable for most computational workloads where CPUs and GPUs excel.2. The real value of FPGAs lies in I/O expansion, not computation - Rather than using FPGAs for their processing power, Saturn Data leverages them primarily as cost-effective ways to access massive amounts of DRAM controllers and NVMe interfaces. Their server design puts 200 FPGAs in a 2U enclosure with 1.3 petabytes of flash storage and terabyte-per-second read bandwidth, essentially using FPGAs as sophisticated I/O expanders.3. Access patterns determine hardware performance more than raw specs - The way applications access data fundamentally determines whether specialized hardware will provide benefits. Applications that do sparse reads across massive datasets (like vector databases) benefit from Saturn Data's architecture, while those requiring dense computation or frequent inter-node communication are better served by traditional hardware. Understanding these patterns is crucial for matching workloads to appropriate hardware.4. Distributed systems complexity stems from failure tolerance requirements - The difficulty of distributed systems isn't inherent but depends on what failures you need to tolerate. Simple approaches that restart on any failure are easy but unreliable, while Byzantine fault tolerance (like Bitcoin) is extremely complex. Most practical systems, including banks, find middle ground by accepting occasional unavailability rather than trying to achieve perfect consistency, availability, and partition tolerance simultaneously.5. Hardware specialization follows predictable cycles of generalization and re-specialization - Computing hardware consistently follows "Makimoto's Wave" - specialized hardware becomes more general over time, then gets leapfrogged by new specialized solutions. CPUs became general-purpose, GPUs evolved from fixed graphics pipelines to programmable compute, and now companies like Etched are creating transformer-specific ASICs. This cycle repeats as each generation adds programmability until someone strips it away for performance gains.6. Memory bottlenecks are reshaping the hardware landscape - The AI boom has created severe memory shortages, doubling costs for DRAM components overnight. This affects not just GPU availability but creates opportunities for alternative architectures. When everyone faces higher memory costs, the relative premium for specialized solutions like FPGA-based systems becomes more attractive, potentially shifting the competitive landscape for memory-intensive applications.7. Search applications represent ideal FPGA use cases due to their sparse access patterns - Vector databases and search workloads are particularly well-suited to FPGA acceleration because they involve searching through massive datasets with sparse access patterns rather than dense computation. These applications can effectively utilize the high bandwidth to flash storage and parallel I/O capabilities that FPGAs provide, making them natural early adopters for this type of specialized hardware architecture.

Chris Kwiecinski from Fox32 Chicago joins the show to preview Bears vs Packers III in this weekend's Wildcard matchup. Has the Bears magic run out or is this where they turn the tide in the NFL's oldes rivalry? Plus NFL Wildcard Weekend predictions - Kurtis and Evan are completely split in one division. Etched in Stone hit again! Did you cash in? Evan has 2 more bets tonight. And we give our Friday Toasts! Cheers!

Brad Underwood met with the media ahead of the Illinois vs Rutgers game at State Farm Center. Hear the latest from the Illini head coach. Evan's "Etched in Stone" bet looks at Duquesne vs St. Joseph's. And who won our Best QB Of All Time draft?!

We found out very quickly who will be protecting Katin Houser next year for the Illini. Bret Bielema's staff land Wisconsin starting Center Jake Renfro through the transfer portal. Renfro has 1 year of eligibility and will anchor the O-Line in 2026. Illini basketball got a win in Philadelphia on Saturday night against Penn State. We recap the game and look ahead to Rutgers on Thursday. The Bears lost the season finale against the Lions after mounting an improbable comeback. They now turn their attention to the Packers on Saturday night for the 3rd time in six weeks. How concerned are you? Evan's been "riding a cash wave" for a couple of weeks and shares a special bet in today's "Etched in Stone!"

Shauna Green's team had a signature win over #7 Maryland last night! Daniel Thompson covers Illini Women's Basketball and joins the show to discuss the win. Plus, a dive into the teeth of the schedule that features games against five ranked opponents. Plus the Bears wrap up the regular season against the Lions. Who won our Tuesday Draft: Best Movie Sequels? And our Friday Toasts

Ally Schneipp and Joseph Pasthila cover Mizzou Basketball for the Columbia Missourian. They join us to talk about Monday's Braggin' Rights game between the Illini and Tigers. Why is this more than a rivalry game for the Mizzou Tigers this year? How will the Illini respond after the home loss to Nebraska? We need some money! Evan has your 5 bets for this weekend and a few games to stay away from.  Plus, the Cardinals are looking to offload talent while the Cubs added a few depth pieces. And more on Bears vs Packers.

In this episode, Mike O'Connell joins Pete Waggoner for a deeply insightful conversation about monuments. They explore why headstones matter, how design choices tell a story, and what most families don't know about the planning process. From costs to colors, Mike shares decades of wisdom to help you approach monument decisions with care and creativity.Whether you're preplanning or honoring a loved one, this episode will help you understand the value behind these lasting tributes—and how to avoid common mistakes.Episode Highlights (Timestamps):[00:01:00] Why cemeteries are peaceful places for reflection[00:02:00] Partnering with Melgard Monument for creative, affordable designs[00:04:00] Understanding size limitations, layouts, and regulations[00:06:00] Granite types, color families, and weather durability[00:08:00] Rules about markers vs. upright monuments[00:10:00] One cost includes installation, engraving, delivery, and more[00:11:00] Companion vs. single monuments and modern trends[00:13:00] Clip art, symbols, etchings, and personalizing a monument[00:16:00] The permanence of engraving—and how to avoid errors[00:22:00] Polished finishes, contracts, and sign-offs[00:26:00] Flower vases, solar lights, and weather risks[00:28:00] Cleaning and caring for your monument (toilet bowl cleaner, really!)[00:30:00] Resetting and cemetery liabilityTakeaways:Monument design is an extension of storytelling—your legacy in stone.One size doesn't fit all. Style, size, and cemetery rules matter.Mistakes in engraving are permanent—always double-check before signing.Trust funds and prepaying can simplify everything for your family.Adding personal artwork, quotes, or symbols captures who someone really was.Memorable Quotes from Mike O'Connell:“If it can be drawn, it can be blasted.”“You bought it. It's yours. The care and cleaning of the monument belongs to the family.”“We're not just marking a grave, we're honoring a life.”

Robert Rosenthal from IlliniBoard.com joins us to talk Illini Football recruitment class of 2026, the 2025 season, and Illini basketball ahead of the Music City Showdown against Tennessee. We also get the Tennessee perspective from Ben McKee of GoVols247. Ben breaks down the Vols' loss to Syracuse and how it affects the game on Saturday. Plus Ben shares some fantastic personal news with The Drive! And we need some money! Etched in Stone: Championship Weekend Edition.  LET'S GO!

Kurtis noticed David Mirkovic has an "awesome tattoo" on his right leg. Did you catch it last night during the Illini vs Crimson Tide game?  Da Bears will have a couple of key defensive pieces back as soon as Sunday against the Steelers. Who's in and who's out? We need some money! Evan has those Etched in Stone bets for this week and he's feeling extra generous ahead of Thanksgiving. Plus, wanna feel old? Evan has a few stats that just might do the trick.

Coach Brad Underwood met with the media today ahead of Friday night's game against Colgate. Get the latest injury news and our reactions. We need some money! Evan gives us this week's Etched in Stone picks and is ready to go 5-0. But will he?  And what Evan's final predictions for this weekend's slate of Illinois football & basketball?

Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema talks with the media as the team heads into an off week. Coach Bielema addresses injuries, the future the quaterback position, transfer portal, and more. Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat sports takes on a trip around the Big Ten football schedule for this weekend.  We need some money! Evan has your "Etched in Stone" bets for this weekend!

In the blistering summer heat of 1971, a quiet village in southern Spain became home to one of the strangest haunting cases ever recorded. When María Gómez Cámara found a face staring back at her from her kitchen floor, it launched a decades-long mystery that blurred the line between miracle, hoax, and full-on nightmare. Scientists, priests, and parapsychologists all came knocking—but the faces kept coming. Join us as we scrub through the mystery of the Bélmez Faces, where spirits seem to breathe through concrete, and the dead refuse to stay buried. Ancient graves, psychic energy and faces that morph before your eyes, this episode is part ghost story, part mystery, and 100% spooky fun. And if haunted kitchen floors weren't chilling enough, we've got a listener story about a demonic encounter and possession that turned one skeptic into a believer in the paranormal. Watch the video version here. Have ghost stories of your own? E-mail them to us at twogirlsoneghostpodcast@gmail.com New Episodes are released every Thursday and Sunday at 12am PST/3am EST (the witching hour, of course). Corinne and Sabrina hand select a couple of paranormal encounters from our inbox to read in each episode, from demons, to cryptids, to aliens, to creepy kids... the list goes on and on. If you have a story of your own that you'd like us to share on an upcoming episode, we invite you to email them to us!  If you enjoy our show, please consider joining our Patreon, rating and reviewing on iTunes & Spotify and following us on social media! Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Discord. Edited by Jaimi Ryan and produced by Emma Leventer and Jaimi Ryan, original music by Arms Akimbo! Disclaimer: the use of white sage and smudging is a closed practice. If you're looking to cleanse your space, here are some great alternatives! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chad Leistikow and Scott Dochterman briefly recap Iowa's shellacking of Minnesota that saw Kaden Wetjen's tear continue. Where does he rank in Hawkeye history as a return man? Debating why Iowa should possibly be ranked, looking around the Big Ten, and more. Presented by GameDay Men's Health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices