Podcasts about Extended family

This Deep Dive series is all about tips to stay sane while traveling with family —immediate or extended, kids younger or older in tow, across the state or across the globe! We've both traveled with our extended families over and over again, and have loved the memories we've made together. But different bedtimes, sightseeing styles, and mealtime expectations can lead to unexpected conflict. Laura in our Facebook group wrote in to say: ⁠"Might be a fun episode before summer: large family vacation traditions. I'm wondering if there are favorite games/foods/tips/funny stories on going away with lots of members of your non-immediate family."⁠ As usual, our listeners responded with great tips for maintaining both organization and sanity when vacationing with extended family, and in this episode we discuss them all, including: Which conversations to have ahead of time—and which conversations never to have at all Systems for family vacations that don't fall on one person (or one gender) to execute Limiting your non-negotiables as a nuclear family ahead of time What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sure, she won the Grammy for Best Album AND for Best Country Album with "Golden Hour," but Kacey Musgraves' last couple of albums haven't been as nearly "country" as many expected them to be. Is "Middle of Nowhere" a return to form, or is it so over-the-top "country" that it rings false? We'll give you our thoughts, count down our Top 10 side projects, and along the way build a five-song playlist that'll renew your passion for music. What did you think of "Middle of Nowhere?" What are some of your favorite side projects? Let us know in the comments!Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube):Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the war over redistricting, the increase in political polarization in the U.S., a seismic new trend for motherhood as single women are embracing motherhood without a husband.Part I (00:13 – 14:55)The Culture War Meets Redistricting: The Polarization is Going to Be Clear on the New Congressional MapRedistricting wars: Can our politics get any more polarized? (Yes) by USA Today (Susan Page)‘No Seat for Me': Virginia Democrats Are Forced to Play Musical Chairs by The New York Times (Reid J. Epstein)Part II (14:55 – 22:23)A Seismic Shift in Trends for Motherhood: Single Women are Choosing Motherhood Without a Husband – This is a Moral Revolution in More Ways Than OneWhy more women are choosing to be single mothers by NPR (Pallavi Gogoi, Ayesha Rascoe, Andrew Mambo, Jennifer Schmidt)Part III (22:23 – 27:31)The Flourishing of the Natural Family: Kids Need a Mom, a Dad, and Extended Family for FlourishingSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Our co-hosts VASTLY different opinions about Foo Fighters inspired a perhaps long-overdue revision of our rating scale. Just how do you rank an album that's probably a catalogue highlight for diehard fans but almost completely ignorable for anyone else? Find out in this week's episode. Along the way, we build a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think of "Your Favorite Toy" by Foo Fighters? What do you think of the new rating scale? What album should we review next? Let us know in the comments.Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

We've known about Dream Theater for years, particularly in terms of their reputation for being incredibly adept musicians. So do musical chops = entertaining music? Well, we were certainly entertained, but maybe not for the right reasons. Plus, cohost E recaps his experience hunting down vinyl at Record Store Day 2026. Along the way, we build a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think of "Octavarium" by Dream Theater? What records did you pick up at Record Store Day this year. What album should we review next? Let us know in the comments.Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Sometimes leadership is modeled in small ways — like leaving work at 4 p.m. and meaning it. Not because the job's done — but because you're showing your team that life outside of work matters too. SUMMARY In this Long Blue Leadership podcast, Mark Michalek '99, human capital director for the FBI, shares leadership tips for more resilient teams.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN  |  FACEBOOK   MARK'S TOP LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS 1. Transforming trauma into purpose Turning childhood loss and adversity into a lifelong calling in public safety, service and leadership 2. Post-traumatic growth vs. post-traumatic stress Reframing exposure to trauma as a potential catalyst for growth, resilience and deeper empathy in leaders 3. Whole-person leadership Leading people as complete humans — on duty, off duty, past and present — rather than just as job roles 4. Mental fitness as performance, not weakness Positioning counseling, wellness and psychological support as tools to optimize performance, not signs of failure 5. Modeling the behavior you want to see Leaders leaving at 4 p.m. for family, openly seeing counselors and visibly prioritizing health to give others “permission” to do the same 6. Leading in high-consequence environments Staying the “steady hand to land the plane” during crises like mass casualty events, while empowering experts on the ground 7. From doing the work to leading the work Shifting from frontline case work (violent crime agent) to enterprise-level leadership that shapes culture and systems 8. The power of networks and extended family in uniform Leveraging the Long Blue Line and law enforcement community as a lifelong support, mentorship and resilience network 9. Discipline, recovery and sustainable performance Rest, running and intentional unplugging as essential leadership disciplines — not optional extras 10. Long-view leadership and legacy Seeing careers (military, FBI) as chapters, focusing on integrity, service and excellence, and building organizations your kids would proudly join   CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:00:30 – Early Life and Father's Suicide 00:02:00 – Finding an Extended Family in Law Enforcement 00:03:00 – Civil Air Patrol, Flying and the Path to USAFA 00:04:15 – Cadet Years, Setbacks and First Responder Leadership 00:07:25 – Choosing Security Forces and First Leadership in Nuclear Convoys 00:09:45 – From Military to FBI: Mental Fitness and Post-Traumatic Growth 00:15:15 – Balancing Family, Leadership Loneliness and Modeling Self-Care 00:19:15 – Leading Through Crisis: Inside the Boulder Attack Response 00:27:30 – Lessons, Legacy and Advice for Future Leaders   ABOUT MARK BIO Mark Michalek is a senior leader in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, currently serving as human capital director, a role to which he was appointed by Pam Bondi, former U.S. attorney general. In this capacity, Michalek leads enterprise policy and strategy for human resources, security, internal affairs, compliance and training across the Bureau's 38,000-person global workforce. A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Michalek previously served as special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver field office, where he oversaw operations throughout Colorado and Wyoming. He is the highest-ranking FBI special agent who is also a military veteran.   CONNECT WITH MARK LINKEDIN   CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org   Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE AT USAFA.ORG/LONGBLUELEADERSHIP AND ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest, Mark Machalek '99  |  Host, Lt. Col. (ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  00:11 Well, Mark, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. This is truly an honor, as your classmate, Class of '99. We go back, gosh, 30 years.   Mark Michalek  0:18 It is so exciting to see you again and to be here at USAFA; to have this conversation is just priceless. So thank you.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  00:27 Who knew we'd be doing this this many years?   Mark Michalek  00:28 That's right.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  00:31 Many may not know you've been in security forces as an active-duty officer, you went into the FBI, and you've really been in this public safety kind of realm. But we're going to dive in with, I think, a moment in time that really shaped you, and just in something I learned about you just recently. So you're 5 years old, and you shared with me that your dad actually, he took his life — death by suicide, right? And it shaped you in a way, when you're thinking about your role in public safety. Do you mind kind of sharing that with us?   Mark Michalek  01:00 When I was 5 years old, my dad died by suicide, and I was an only child, and he was my absolute hero. He was a local police officer, so my earliest memories of childhood were wearing his uniform and seeing the squad car and being around officers. And I think that really solidified my future in public safety.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  01:26 Your hero, something that you were exposed to. Tell me, as a 5-year-old, what did that start to look like? Where did you see that show up in, you know, in school, in your sports, like, just in the way you lived? How did, how did you navigate that?   Mark Michalek  01:40 So quickly I had an extended family. As I went to the playground and were around town, squad cars would show up,and police officers would come by and, you know, give me a pop or come in and check with me and see how I was doing and see how my mom was doing. And that really laid a foundation for me of a sense of an extended family of the police department being more than just a job in the balance of that. That sense of camaraderie and togetherness with the mission, I think, really shaped my childhood. I became very, very active. And I don't know if that was by design or divine intervention, or what, but it was kind of, you know, the object in motion stays in motion. I was on the run, literally on the run. Loved to run long distance. I quickly got into Civil Air Patrol as soon as I was old enough to do so, and got exposed to the Air Force that way. I got my private pilot's license at 17, I soloed before I got my driver's license and was destined to come to the Academy.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  02:48 Wow. I mean, you were accomplishing so much so quickly. Were you always like that was, did you see others in your life like that? Was your dad that way?   Mark Michalek  02:59 It's interesting in retrospect, to see if that was inherited or that was kind of a response to the trauma. I kind of think it was a response. I'm the only person in my family to have moved outside of Flint, Michigan. So folks were very stable and stayed where they were, but I was just constantly moving. You know. As we're talking, I remember I was the youngest Red Cross CPR instructor for the county at 15. I formed a K-9 search-and-rescue unit for police departments to train dogs to help find missing people. And I guess that was just a response to what had happened, and it really planted a seed in me that life is short, and I've had this drive to just leave it all on the field, to keep moving forward, to do more and more, to be able to, you know, focus on public safety and to protect people.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  03:54 So you showed up at USAFA. You knew — you went to Civil Air Patrol and USAFA was in your sights. I remember you as a cadet, and you're always a go-getter as well. Let's talk about a little bit your cadet years, and maybe some of where you saw that evolution of yourself as a leader, but also maybe how it showed up through, you know, go-getting and continually pushing that.   Mark Michalek  04:16 My first setback was I wasn't initially accepted. I got a Falcon Foundation scholarship. And it was really a fork-in-the-road decision — “Do you kind of take a year off and go this route and reapply, or do you go another route?” I ended up going, obviously the Falcon Foundation route. Went to Marion Military Institute, and I'm so glad I did, because it set me up to be a cadet and to be in the same class as you. You know, that cadet experience is just such a sensory overload. I wasn't an athlete. I joke that my athletics were just kind of graduating, like I just needed to focus on academics and surviving the day. But then I started to see some kind of opportunities to give back. And I kind of see these themes throughout my life. Myself and two of our classmates formed the cadet first responder team back in '97, I think. And that was really just, again, interest in public safety and a recognition that we needed some more kind of support for cadet-related activities. You know, 24/7 we've got the fire department and EMS here, but to understand the cadet experience and to be able to help out. So my sponsor was a paramedic in Colorado Springs, and a lot of ride time with him.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  05:37 That kind of worked out really well.   Mark Michalek  05:39 Again, divine intervention. And so we formed this team. We got our EMT certification on nights, and we're able to help out, and, you know, provide practical experience. If you remember that Class of 2001 was absolutely decimated during Recognition. Remember, we had to have a timeout. There was — we had to have a time to say, “Look, like, we got to, you know, we got to rein this in,” and so we were able to provide a lot of support there. But as I progressed in the Academy, you know, public safety, protecting people, continued to resonate with me, and was one of the reasons I chose behavioral science as a as a track, partly…   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  06:19 Not because you didn't love math?   Mark Michalek  06:21 Partly because I probably wouldn't have graduated.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  06:24 I was right here — social sciences too.   Mark Michalek  06:28 Yeah, you know, you got to go where you're strong, right? But I knew that regardless, we'd be working with people. And then to tie it back to my dad to understand why somebody with a family would take their own life was still something that I was struggling with, and so that really led me to a psychology track. But this drumbeat of public safety really continued to resonate with me, and it's really the main reason that I chose security forces as a career field. I mean, I was medically qualified to fly. Already had a private pilot's license.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  06:59 Right. That was actually what I was gonna ask you, because you had that.   Mark Michalek  07:03 Partly because although I have my license, I get horrifically air sick, which is a weird dynamic.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  07:11 And yet you kept pushing yourself. Amazing.   Mark Michalek  07:12 Yeah. So if I'm flying, I don't get sick, but if I'm a passenger, then I get sick. So I didn't want that as a career choice for me, but I wanted to lead people where they were. I wanted to lead on the ground in the public safety space, and so that's why I chose security forces.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  07:28 So let's talk about that a little bit. You know, as a security forces officer, you saw many things. I'm certain of it. But was there a moment when you actually had a leadership kind of moment for yourself that you grew — different from when you're a cadet — but in the moment leading some security forces, men and women, was there a moment that you grew that way?   Mark Michalek  07:49 Yeah, I think right out of the gate, because as soon as you're a second lieutenant in security forces, you are leading airmen. So my first assignment was at F.E. Warren as a nuclear weapon convoy commander — a team of 40 airmen. So there's no diffusion responsibility, there's nowhere to hide. Like, you are it. And that was the first practical application of leadership for me. Theoretically, and you know, within the Cadet Wing, you're kind of in this microcosm to test some things out and develop who you're going to be as a leader. But once you hit the ground, like, that is it. And to be able to motivate, inspire a team of people in a mission to protect nuclear weapons when there hasn't been a direct attack in our history is difficult, but now I look back as a 23-year-old lieutenant running a nuclear weapon convoy with the world's most important weapon on the open highways is an incredible responsibility. But that's really, I think, where the rubber meets the road, where you start to see what leadership looks like for you. It's not the same for everybody, right? You take bits and pieces of people and in theories and apply really what the moment requires. And in security forces, you really start to see the value of the senior noncommissioned officers, and although you have the authority, they have the reputation and the ability to deliver and so it's more art than science. And so I learned that very quick, right out of the gate.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  09:12 That makes a lot of sense. And something that you said, I think, is really important. You know that that human piece of it, when I think about the pace in which security forces and a lot of our law enforcement roles live in. My question for you might be, how did you help those handle kind of challenging moments or stress, right? You kind of go towards, “Give me more,” take on more, stay busy. Not everyone is wired the same. So did you have airmen that struggled in how they dealt with, you know, things, trauma, etc., and how did you coach or lead them through that?   Mark Michalek  09:45 Back then, there really wasn't a lot of support. There really wasn't a recognition. There was still a stigma, both in the military and law enforcement, of “I can't disclose that I'm having a problem. You're going to take my secure clearance, you know, you're going to take my weapon, I'm going to lose my job, I'm going to be embarrassed.” And so at that time, there really wasn't a safety net or an openness to discuss it, so you kind of just dealt with it. So it was more of telegraphing as a leader of what your values were, in hopes that people would kind of, you know, reach out if they needed help. In my time in the FBI, I was able to influence decisions and policies, to be able to be more accommodating, to kind of focus on the whole person and look at our individual followers as a function of performance, as opposed to, you know, you're my responsibility when you're in uniform from 9 to 5 and then you're off duty. You know, life is not my concern as a leader.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  10:47 You know there are times when you're leading folks and you might have the authority to do some things. Did you start to implement some of those programs or support resources, etc., as an agent, or when you were at a higher-level authority?   Mark Michalek  11:00 In FBI, it was at a higher level. So, you know, one of the reasons I left the Air Force after six years, it was a tough decision. And it wasn't running away from something, it was running towards something. And I recognized, you know, when we were company-grade officers, the trajectory is kind of baked in. You will continue to promote, but you will lead people. I wanted to do the work. I didn't want to just lead the people doing the work. I wanted to do the work for myself, and that was one of the reasons I joined the FBI. But going through as a case agent for 13 years on a violent crime squad and being exposed to some of the different things that my dad was exposed to, that others were exposed to, it really laid a foundation as I pursued leadership to be able to have greater influence as I moved up the organization, to set that culture towards mental fitness and resilience and really as a function of optimizing performance.   Naviere Walkewicz  11:55 Can you talk about that a little bit more? Tell me what you mean by mental fitness and resilience.   Mark Michalek  12:00 So, you know, law enforcement and military both, over the past 20 years, have made significant progress in kind of chipping away at that stigma. We're not where we need to be yet, but we're making really, really good progress. I equate our work to that of an Olympic athlete. It's not just running the race. Olympic athletes are obsessed with their craft, whether it is nutrition, sleep, mental imagery, you know, different types of runs to test different types of muscles and stamina and endurance, but they look at the whole person. So too should we in law enforcement and in the military. So as I got into leadership positions, you kind of block and tackle for your people and let them run, and you set the trajectory of your unit, your squad, your team, your division, your organization, on how they move forward. And so I really push that whole-person concept, that you are a whole person, not just your 9-to-5, but your off duty, your on duty, your past, your present, and all of that needs to be optimized for you to perform the mission. I was very fortunate at our entry level senior executive service position to be at our headquarters and be responsible for — it's called our employee health and performance section, but the clinical staff at the FBI, the psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, social workers, to be able to drive that culture and to move from post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth. And I needed to experience that as an agent. I needed to be on mass casualty scenes. I needed to be engaged with victims of crime to understand what that looked like, what that felt like, to project what my dad had experienced, but to recognize as humans, we are not wired to see what we are requiring our people to see and do time and time again, and we just require them to go out, to go out, to go out — instead, to provide mental health counseling, which in the FBI, we do, not only for the employee, but for their spouse, which I think is very important, and kids, for that matter, to be able to recognize that, yeah, like, you're not super human. It's OK to not be OK. You're not going to lose your clearance and your gun. People that lose their clearance do so because they compensate in maladaptive ways, whether that's drugs or alcohol or anything like that. And so that's been rewarding to drive that culture, to push the creation of employee assistance, counselors, these are mental health practitioners, chaplains, peers, just to be able to let that culture permeate, and to be able to demonstrate from the top, I'm very open about my dad and how that has shaped my life, to be able to telegraph that, you know, post-traumatic growth is possible, and there are a variety of resources out there now. And there's science and research, and there's just a recognition that the way that we are wired, you can't just keep going 100 miles an hour. You've got to go back to being that Olympic athlete and have a rest in a work and schedule and to be able to push yourself and to relax and just think holistically.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  15:16 The term itself post-traumatic growth is one that I'm not familiar with. But when you explain it that way, it's very clear. And my question to you might be, how have you for yourself, personally — you know, you're a husband, you're a father, you know, you have seen things, and then you go home and while you do have counseling for family members and for yourselves as well, what does that look like, this post-traumatic growth, when you go home personally.   Mark Michalek  15:45 You know, it's really tough to practice what you preach. We're really good about setting a vision for an organization as leaders and taking care of other people, but not taking care of ourselves. And what really flipped the switch for me was reframing the perspective on telegraphing for others to create the permission structure that it's OK, and when they see you do that, then they know it's OK. So for example, in FBI culture, same for the military, like if the boss is in the office, you've got to stay there, or you've got to be there till 5 o'clock. That's fine if you have work to do, but what sense does it make to sit there just because you know your boss is there? So one of the things that I did as I approached senior leadership was I left every day at 4 o'clock, and I made sure they saw me leave. And it's not — I'm going out to go play golf or whatever, but I am going back to be with my family. And in all the assignments I've had — I've moved several times in the FBI — I've made it a point to be home for dinner, and that is the stability for the family, for my girls, for me, and we'll have our dinner and put the kids to bed, and I'll get back and do more work, but being able to telegraph that, you know — I was the special agent in charge of our Denver field office — and as you move into the senior ranks, it's an incredibly lonely job. When you are at the top, there's no way you can talk to you can't gripe to people below you, you know, you've got to have a strong peer network, and you've got to put on the oxygen mask first to be able to help others, and that takes consistent kind of messaging. It takes some consistent actions to be able to show we're putting our money where our mouth is, and then engaging with employee assistance counselors. I talked regularly with ours, and I wanted people to see that, yeah, it's confidential, and there's no shame in that. You would have no problem putting on your squad calendar that you're going to a dentist appointment at 10 o'clock tomorrow. We want to get to a point where that's all “I'm going to go talk to the counselor.”   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  17:49 Have you seen the benefits of that, since the agency has made some of these changes?   Mark Michalek  17:55 I have, you know, over the past 20 years, the scale, speed and scope of critical incidents is just unimaginable. It's now commonplace for mass shootings. You know, when we were here at the Air Force Academy — Columbine —   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  17:49 I was just thinking that when you brought that up.   Mark Michalek  17:55   And now it's almost every single week. The FBI is very similar to the military in that we are mission focused. You know, our job is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution and the threat spectrum has exponentially changed. We have to deliver again. There is nowhere to hide. There's no diffusion of responsibility. When I was the special agent in charge for the Denver field office, we were the FBI for Colorado and Wyoming, and whatever happened, we had to deliver. And so we're not afforded the luxury to not respond. And it takes principled decision making in the development of culture to practice and plan and prepare and create that permission structure, because you know what's going to happen, and when it happens, it hits hard, and we've got to deliver. We have to be mission focused and get the job done, but we have to take care of ourselves on the back end, and that takes purposeful decision making by leaders to carve out that time and say, “Nope, we're going to take a timeout.”   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  19:19 Well, let's talk a little bit about that actual example, but let's talk about the Boulder attack. And you know, what was your role and approach as the leader, you know, in that lonely role as a leader, but to really kind of navigate that. Can you talk about that with us?   Mark Michalek  19:37 Unfortunately, the Denver Field Office has had their fair share of critical instances to respond to. So we've got our reps in over the course of time, but that performance just doesn't happen overnight. It takes a lot of work in policy development, in exercises, in pressure testing assumptions to be able to deliver when the moment requires it. The Boulder attack happened on June 1, on a Sunday. And so many things happen at one time. You know, our society has changed where, you know, it's a 24/7, news cycle, and things are happening in real time. You no longer have the built-in delays, because you've got to get to a phone to make a call, and so this is happening, unfolding in front of you in real time, and there's so many things you're responsible for as the leader. I think when it comes to times of crisis, people want stability. They want reassurances. They want a steady hand to land the plane. And that's what my focus was on, that although I have the same emotions, anxiety, stress that is happening, we need to be the steady hand to land the plane. We focused the culture in Denver on direct community impact and supporting partners. I think there's a misperception with the FBI that we have to be the lead. And you know, when the feds come in, they take it over, and, you know, here we go. But that's not the case. We can prop up local law enforcement and to provide the forensic, technical, analytic, tactical, behavioral expertise that they may not have or may be overwhelmed due to the size of the incident. And thankfully, we have a strong relationship with the Boulder Police Department. And so the chief called me personally as he was, I could hear the siren in the background as he was rolling to the scene. So we have plans in place, just like the military when there's a crisis and you send that flare up, and you execute the crisis-management plan, and you work in real time. Everything's moving at 100 miles an hour. Being the leader in that situation, you are getting torn in multiple directions. So you have your employees responding to the scene. You have local law enforcement. You have elected leaders here in Colorado, they want to know what's happening. You have elected leaders in D.C. that want to know what's happening to the point where my phone broke. So many phone calls at once, like, it was fried. And so again, like focusing on — I've got to be the steady drumbeat. I've got to be measured here, to telegraph that we've got this, but also a trust and confidence that your people do have it and to get out of the way. They're the experts. I'll block and tackle for them and let them run, and I telegraphed that in our culture, and let them run, and they did phenomenal. And I focused on what my responsibility was on, was not on being at the scene and seeing what's going on in that, it was engaging with executive leaders to be able to understand what we have, what resources we need, and to be able to deliver now at that time. Given the context of what was happening overseas, we knew this would be an international — of international interest immediately, so it could either go very well and controlled, or it could be absolutely horrible. And so that's another layer of pressure. And when you go back to the fundamentals at the Air Force Academy, of when it matters most, that you buckle your chinstrap on the helmet, and you just get to it, and you immediately go into that mode and distance your emotions and thoughts and anxieties, and put those to the side and focus on the mission at hand. And we knew when we were giving statements in the press that it would be carried internationally, so a different layer of stress as a leader. You know, we had simultaneous operations. We had the scene — the subject had a makeshift flamethrower and threw Molotov cocktails. There was about 15 victims at the time that were transported. Luckily, he was arrested by a Boulder police officer on the scene. But we also had activity in Colorado Springs, where his house was. So generate search warrants and everything for that, and then a mobile command post to assist Boulder PD. But nowadays, you know, we're running leads all over the world, because what we don't know at the macro level is, is this a distraction? Is there another attack happening? Is this part of a pattern that we've got to figure out in very short order?   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  24:20 I'm curious, because I remember the reason why you left active duty, or you transitioned from active duty to the FBI, because you wanted to be in the things doing, the things you find yourself now in, positions where you're leading. How have you grown as a leader yourself? What have you learned about yourself in this? Not being able to be the one doing, but like you said, blocking and tackling? Like, how have you grown yourself?   Mark Michalek  24:42 So I was a violent crime agent when I first graduated from Quantico, and I did that for about 12 years, and it was all about impact for me. So I worked bank robbery and armored car robbery scenes. And I remember this. I remember these scenes as we're talking, but I — you go to a chaotic scene like that, with yellow tape and local law enforcement there, and people crying and physical evidence and blood on the ground, and people are looking for somebody to take control. And I remember walking out of my car with that gun and badge on my hip, and you could feel it. “Here comes the FBI.” OK, they've got this and to be able to turn order into chaos, or chaos into order, and create, you know, develop evidence, make a case, prosecute it, provide that sense of closure for victims. That was the juice for me, in that direct community impact. But then I started to feel the calling of leadership from the military, and I started to see that as you move up the ranks, you're able to make more and more impact with a greater group of people. And that became the juice for me. And so in the FBI, it's not as linear as the military, where you, you know, you just move up here, you can kind of go up and down or sideways. But that really motivated me to be able to give back that public safety kind of motivation in larger and larger groups of people. And often when it comes to leadership, whether you're in the military or the FBI, there's kind of this imposter syndrome of like, “Do I really have this?” But you look back and say, “Look at all the things I've been doing, look at all the experiences I've had, all the different places I've led all over the world, and it's turned out just fine. I've got this.” And to move up and up the ranks and to make decisions and lead larger and larger groups of people and learn from those decisions — that was my spark. And then at that point, I just continued down the pipeline. I'm at a point now where I'm operating and leading at the enterprise level, which is impactful, stressful, humbling and rewarding, but that special agent in charge position, that was the ideal position, because you're directly connected with the people. We've got about 500 employees between the two states, and are ingrained in the community to be able just to help more and more people.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  27:09 So you're driven a bit by adrenaline. We've talked about this. I'm curious what's next? I mean, you're at the enterprise level. Do you stay here? How do you continue to fill your sense of impact that your leading or making a difference for when you've kind of continued to really, you know, rise in that way?   Mark Michalek  27:29 At the enterprise level, it's a different perspective of leadership — you're obviously leading through several layers of leaders. So you know what you know with the company grade or the supervisory special agent level, you kind of keep the train on the tracks and keep the trains running on time. The enterprise perspective, then you're laying down enough track for that train to keep moving forward. And so it takes a little bit of a shift. I'm enjoying my time right now. It's really impactful to see the subtle things. Change culture, people reaching out when they need help, direct community impact. Where you weren't directly involved in that, but you laid a foundation for that to grow. You know, that said, like, there's only one FBI director, so there's really no other opportunities. It's just continuing to give back at this level, but whether it's military or FBI, it's, you know, the similarities are leading in high-consequence environments where the stakes are high and the margin for error is small, and I think there's opportunities for that to continue to lead in those environments outside of government as well.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  28:50 So I think about some of the things you shared about, you know, why you've made certain decisions and leading through different levels. I'm curious about how leadership has shown up in your house as a dad and as a husband, thinking about what you experience with your dad, how do you navigate that in your home life?   Mark Michalek  29:09 You know, it's interesting as you grow older and you gain experience and maturity and in a world view, and you really start to see the forest through the trees, and leadership manifests in different ways, but as you get married and have kids, then you start to appreciate what your employees are experiencing, stresses and joys as well. It forces you to be disciplined and to focus on what your priorities are. And it's tough when you're in a high-consequence environment to say, “Yep, families first — can't do that.” Well, there's a mass shooting, like, you're going to have to go. So there has to be a little bit of flexibility. But all things equal, focusing on the family is really the sunlight, you know that helps us grow, and it shifts your mind towards giving back. Like, in preparing the future generations, which just happened in the blink of an eye for us— as I'm driving in, we go past the buff where we were commissioned. I'm like, my god, 27 years have passed. So now the focus shifts on providing for the family and thinking, “What kind of world do I want my girls to live in?” And it equates to the FBI, because I want the FBI to be an organization that agents and analysts and professional support staff folks not only serve for 20 years, but that my daughters want to join, and they want to do 20 years. So a pendulum shift more towards not just delivering results for today, but continuing to grow on what the future looks like.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  30:43 Pulling that a little bit further, what do you hope that your girls see in you as a leader? You know, the way that your dad was your hero and you looked up to him? What do you what are you hoping your girls see in you the traits?   Mark Michalek  30:56 You know, it's funny. They're 9 now, so I think they could care less.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  31:01 Maybe what they don't want to see you doing.   Mark Michalek  31:02 I'm just kidding. But, you know, in the future, I want them to be able to see the value of integrity, of service and of excellence, in this recognition that life is so precious and short, and I want them to leave it all on the field. And you know when their day comes to be able to say, “You know what I did, I lived a full life. I was supported, loved…” You know, whatever it is they want to get into, it doesn't have to be law enforcement or anything like — I just want them to excel and enjoy themselves, but just recognize how phenomenal life is and how short it is, and you just got to find your spark and just go for it.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  31:50 That's amazing. And I think about your comment earlier about we're really good at helping others know what they should be doing, but maybe not the best at taking our own advice. How are you doing that and taking care of yourself today?   Mark Michalek  32:01 So for me, it's running. Everybody's got something that they need to unplug, decompress from my time, from high school through the Academy, military and now it's running. It gets a little slower as we get older.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  32:17 Note to self, do not plan to go running with Mark. Got it.   Mark Michalek  32:21 But it just — everybody needs time to unplug and take off all the masks. FBI agent, Air Force member, husband, parent, friend. You just need to take the mask off and you just need to breathe. And that's what does it for me, being outside and breathing. And one of my assignments was in our San Diego field office, which was spectacular. But being in water was another area that I really found energized me and, you know, and made me whole. But, yeah, running is what does it now. And I make it a point that no matter how busy I am, I've got to run at least once a week.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  33:05 OK, what's your distance that you're running to give yourself this time to unplug in?   Mark Michalek  33:09 Now, not fast. Now, this isn't a sprint; it's more of a marathon, but I haven't done any marathons. That's a little too much for me. I'm in the in the 5- to 8-mile range. That seems to be the sweet spot. And then here in Colorado, it's being out in nature, but in D.C., to be able to run the monuments every single time — and I've done it hundreds of times — but every time you go past those monuments, and you put your hand on the Washington Monument, or you go up to the Lincoln Memorial, and you stand where Dr. Martin Luther King stood and you see that perspective, I just get this sense of history and appreciate the decisions that were made and the consequential events that happened over time in the stability of institutions, in that you know leaders way above us stood the test of time, were resilient and were able to navigate unthinkable challenges, then so too should we, and I find a sense of, I guess, comfort or shared experience, although that's a whole different level for those level of leaders, but that really helps fuel me.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  34:17 I can actually see that. Just picture you doing that. You know, I want to ask you, what is something you're doing every day to be better at “fill in the blank,” your leadership, your craft? What's something you're doing every day?   Mark Michalek  34:32 I think it's being disciplined and focused, definitely running and being physical, but balancing the time with family and friends in work, it sometimes — it comes across as selfish. I think particularly people who are service oriented consider that selfish. But again, like they say, when you're on the plane, you've got to put on your oxygen mask first before you can help others. So that's not selfish. You're telegraphing to others to take care of themselves. When I run, I listen to presidential biographies.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  35:05 Really, I was going to ask you, what's in your ear? Now — I'm just kidding.   Mark Michalek  35:09 I don't know if it's the cadence of the — but again, to understand decisions from the past, and when you know our country was at pivotal points, how we responded, that helps fulfill me. I think, you know, becoming a student of leadership, from being a cadet to now, and finding different ways and understanding whether it's private sector, other public sector entities, how they navigate things, because it's very, very similar when it comes to, you know, motivating people, managing programs, delivering results, you know, grappling with emerging tech, new different types of threats. So I do a lot of reading in that space, to be able to be a more kind of holistic leader and not have on horse blinders, just specific to government.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  36:00 Has there been one lately that's really stuck with you, or that you've listened to while you're running, or that you read that has continued to evolve the way you're thinking — you approach leadership?   Mark Michalek  36:11 I think it's — John Dickerson has a book called The Hardest Job in the World, and it's about the presidency, and it's not one individual president, it across party lines and in decades. But it's more of those themes that when you think back, they didn't have the technology we did. But like these fundamental themes are the same of, how do you motivate people? How do you respond to the operating environment? How do you handle complex challenges? Again, like I just felt a sense of reassurance or support and understanding on things, you know, through the course of time that we may not have all the answers, but collectively, people are the potential energy of the organizations, and they're going to deliver. They're going to hit it out of the park. You just have to support them.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  36:58 Well, we have viewers and listeners that kind of span from, you know, young cadet hopefuls, cadets, you know, graduates and family members. What's something that, if you could tell yourself years ago, maybe as a cadet, that you should say you should be thinking about this now, because in 27 years from now, it's gonna matter? What would you share?   Mark Michalek  37:18 You know, I think, first of all, I wish I would have had more fun.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  37:25 I think I've seen you smile more now.   Mark Michalek  37:28 I mean, it's just such a pressure cooker, and you don't want to let anybody down, and you don't know what the future holds. And, you know, “I've got to do this, I gotta do that. I gotta…” It's just breathe a little bit and enjoy it. Like, you don't recognize you're really in a pivotal point in your life. So that, I think that's one thing. I think the other for cadets and prospective cadets to recognize is, like, the FBI, like, the military is temporary. You're going to retire, probably young. You know, you do 20 years in the way our systems are set up, in the way the world is now. Rarely are you just going to go fishing at age 40 or 50. You know, you may have a second act, you may have a third act, and so you've got to really have the long view in mind, and it's OK not to have all the answers. You know, life will throw you some curve balls here and there. You've got to do what fulfills you at the time and doors will open. But you just got to have that faith that things are going to work out.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  38:35 Did you have that, you think, back then, or you, just looking back on it now, recognize that?   Mark Michalek  38:41 I don't know. I think partially I had it then. Those Academy years are really, really tough. And like, we were chatting before, like, well, you know, once you leave, that was it. I had no intention of coming back. And it's kind of like a boomerang. Distance and time makes the heart grow fonder, and then you recognize, you know, what you've learned here and how special this place was. And I think back, I think staying busy and active is what got me through. There's nothing worse than that first holiday break in December, right when you go back to your friends and they're at local schools, and you see all the stuff they're doing, and then you've got to come back. I mean, that is such a — the comeback piece. Do you have the, you know, intestinal fortitude to come back? You know, that was really, really tough, but now I see that the Academy, you know, left an indelible mark on me and changed the trajectory of my life. And I think back, you know, like I said, I'm the only person in my family to have ever left Michigan, and what life would have been, you know… You think the Earth is flat until get out and see there's a whole big world out there and a ton of opportunities. And as I've gotten in this role, particularly as a special agent in charge in Denver, I interact more with military leaders here in Colorado and Wyoming, and start to reconnect with people and see that this Long Blue Line, it spans everything. We are everywhere across the world. But you have no idea what good stuff lies ahead if you just stay the course, and your life will be changed in fundamentally spectacular ways.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  40:29 You couldn't end it better than that. I guess I want to just ask you this final question. Is there anything we didn't talk about today that you would like to make sure you make mention of?   Mark Michalek  40:34 No, but let me give one piece of advice for future cadets and cadets. And this — I think I read this in a book before I came but this is what helped me survive. Go to bed every night at 10 o'clock. You know, there's folks that try to do the all-nighters. I didn't. Every night, I went to bed at 10 o'clock and dealt with the consequences on the back end. And I think that ability to recharge and rest served me well.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  41:00 Do you still go to bed at 10 o'clock now?   Mark Michalek  41:02 I try. Now it's more like 9 or 8:30 as I've gotten older, but I think you've got to recharge and sleep. And that's one of the things the Academy teaches you, is you are not going to get everything done. You're not going to muscle your way through this. You can try. You're going to end up tired. But this is a team sport. Life is a team sport. You've got to do the best you can and get up and do it again the next day. But you are not you're just not going to get it all done. So you got to take care of yourself.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  41:30 Well, that really does kind of bring it home. Does that this time that you've been kind of experiencing in your life through the active-duty service, through the FBI, you know, you said it yourself, you kind of look back at, you know, maybe why your dad made some decisions. Do you feel like you've gotten to a point where you've had closure now?   Mark Michalek  41:49 Yes and no. I think I've gotten to a point where I've got all the answers I can but I'm at peace with what had happened. And I just, I try to, you know, leverage the time I have with my wife and girls to be present and to be a good role model and just to be able to support them and help them thrive.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  42:12 Well, I think you've been an incredible role model. You've been an incredible friend through all these years. This conversation has been one that's been really rooted and just understanding who you are, where you're at, and then how to navigate from that place. And I think that's why you've been one of the reasons why you've been just so successful, and why you're able to lead so many people through so many different crises. So I thank you for being on Long Blue Leadership. This has been a true treat for me, but again, I know that all of our listeners and our viewers have enjoyed this as well.   Mark Michalek  42:39 Oh, thank you, Naviere, I really appreciate the opportunity.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz  42:43 As I think back on our conversation today, you know, there are several things that stand out. I think one thread that we really need to think about is taking care of ourselves and others, knowing where we're at, thinking about mental resilience and really post traumatic growth, being able to move forward and seek help when you need it. I think part of our conversation today as leaders is not everything is easy, and certainly you have a network that supports you, and so one of the ways that my classmate Mark has really highlighted to me is lean into your network, you know, utilize the resources that are there for you, and then you can not only help yourself, but you can help others as well. So it's been an incredible conversation, one that I look forward to listening to again and sharing with others as well.   KEYWORDS Public safety leadership, law enforcement leadership, military leadership, FBI leadership, crisis leadership, trauma-informed leadership, mental resilience, post-traumatic growth, whole-person leadership, high-consequence environments, leading under pressure, servant leadership, organizational culture change, resilience culture, mental fitness for first responders, leader self-care, work-life balance for leaders, empowering frontline teams, interagency collaboration, leadership in crisis response.     The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation    

Since our hosts both fell in love with Turnstile in the past few years, we thought it was time to go back to the origins of hardcore and see what we've missed. We're starting with Black Flag's "Damaged" from 1981(!) This album's influence is undeniable, but does it hold up in 2026? Plus, new albums from Morrissey and Ye have us revisiting the age-old debate of what to do when your favorite artists seem to be awful humans. Along the way, we build a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think of "Damaged" by Black Flag? Can you separate the art from the artist? What album should we review next? Let us know in the comments. Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube):Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

A new Robyn album is always cause for celebration, and this week we check out her latest - "Sexistentialism." We should've picked up from the album title and cover that we were in for an extremely horny album, but somehow we were still surprised just *how* horny it was - which definitely says more about us than Robyn. We'll let you know who should check this album out, count down ten artists we want to see live before they/we kick the bucket, and along the way create a playlist of five songs to renew your passion for music. What do you think of "Sexistentialism" by Robyn? What concerts are on your bucket list? What album should we review next? Let us know in the comments. Korn's "Blind" as baseball entrance musicListen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube):Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Families - Family Anecdotes Extended Family - Part 16Your support sends the gospel to every corner of Australia through broadcast, online and print media: https://www.vision.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're anywhere near as obsessive about music as we are, Angine de Poitrine's KEXP performance has been inescapable these past few weeks. So is this just weird prog rock for music nerds or a real blow against the looming threat of AI on music? We dig into their latest album, count down ten weird songs by "normal" bands, and along the way create a playlist of five songs to renew your passion for music. This one is a long one, so buckle up!What do you think of "Volume II" by Angine de Poitrine? What are some other weird songs "normal" bands? What album should we review next? Let us know in the comments. Watch the viral KEXP performanceListen to the Extended Playlist (⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)⁠Like/follow/subscribe⁠ to Extended Play⁠Join the Extended Family on Patreon⁠ for even more playlists

Most golden visas cover a spouse and minor children. These nine go further, allowing parents, grandparents, siblings, and adult children well into their thirties.View the full article here.Subscribe to the IMI Daily newsletter here. 

In this episode of Blended, Kate Ferdinand is joined by Nathalie and Cilla for a conversation that starts close to home.Cilla drops a bomb about a personal family situation she's been navigating, and the ladies rally around her, reminding her just how strong she's been through everything. Blended families aren't just about step parents and children, they include extended family too, and sometimes that's where things get complicated.The first dilemma centres on a sister-in-law who ignores her brother's child because she doesn't like his wife. The mum is worried it's now affecting the child and doesn't know how to handle the tension without making things worse.The second dilemma is wedding drama. A bride feels her sister-in-law, who is also the event planner, is making the big day about herself and taking over decisions. She hasn't said anything to her partner yet and is questioning whether she's overreacting.Kate, Nathalie and Cilla dive into boundaries, communication and when you have to speak up even if it feels uncomfortable. And for once, the panel don't all agree. Cilla and Nathalie challenge Kate's view, leading to a honest and divided conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Family dynamics can get complicated quickly, especially when expectations, boundaries, and communication styles start to clash. Today we're talking about how to navigate tension with extended family without losing your peace (or your voice.) We hope you'll walk away with practical ways to communicate clearly, pursue peace, and love your extended family well.Episode Recap:Moms can easily get stuck in the middle of family conflicts (1:59)I'm stuck in the middle of conflicts between my mom and my husband, help! (4:02)My MIL is extremely difficult, even mean and petty toward me (7:47)How can I be good friends with my mother in law and still have boundaries? (11:30)How can grandparents be closer to the grandchildren of divorced parents? (14:33)Join us for more questions on WT+ - link in show notes! (18:00) Scripture: Romans 12:18 (NIV) “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Discussion Questions: Where do you feel the most tension right now with extended family or in-laws? What makes that situation difficult?Do you tend to avoid conflict or confront it quickly? How does your temperament affect the way you handle family tension?Are you currently acting as a “middleman” in any relationships? What would it look like to step out of that role in a healthy way?What does it look like to “live at peace…as far as it depends on you” in your current situation?What is one practical step you can take this week to improve communication or reduce tension in a family relationship?Resources:Become a WT+ Insider today! boaw.mom/insiderCheck out Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John TownsendListen to a past episode on boundaries with familyDownload our FREE temperaments packetWant More of This Conversation?On WT+ today we are answering more questions about extended family - how to make vacations and extended time together work well - and Karen shares her insights on keeping family connected and what to do when someone pulls away.Head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

Fiona Apple has such a unique career arc. Following huge mainstream success with her debut album to creating genre-defying critical masterpieces, she's got the respect of the public and the critics locked. Maybe it's time we actually give her our undivided attention?

It's been a while since we've used this podcast as a way to keep in touch with Mike's family, but herem we are. Mike and Kyle talk with Cori, Mike's , about her experiences growing up, her father, and his AIDS diagnosis. In this episode: News- 2:57 || Main Topic (Extended Family)- 14:04 || Guest (Cori)- 17:23 || Gayest & Straightest- 1:01:32 If you want to join Mike and Kyle on their 2027 Mexican Riviera cruise, visit www.gayishpodcast.com/cruise to sign up. Make sure to check Gayish as the podcast you're attending for. On the Patreon bonus segment, Kyle gives Mike tips on coming out to your extended family. If you want to support our show while getting ad-free episodes a day early, go to www.patreon.com/gayishpodcast.

It's been a minute since either of us have listened to a capital-C Country album. Was this the right choice? We dig into Willie Nelson's classic "Red Headed Stranger" blindly and end up with mixed thoughts. Who found it haunting and romantic? Who was bored? Check out the episode and find out. We also count down 10 songs that crack us up, and, as always, give you a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think about "Red Headed Stranger?" What songs make you laugh, whether intentionally or not? What album should we listen to next? Let us know in the comments!Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended Play Join the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Today we are excited to have Listener Deena back on the show (last time was way back in 2017!) to hear all about her trip with extended family during "Jersey Week" to Disney's Boardwalk Villas! We hear about how this trip came together, how she "got everyone ready" for the Walt Disney World experience, fun times in the theme parks, including showing the best of Star Wars and encounters with Mickey Mouse, as those were favorites for members of the travel party. Also, we discuss how the adults got some time together while the grandparents got some special times with the grandkids as well! This is a very heartwarming show as this is what a family vacation should be all about! We hope you can continue the conversation with us this week in the Be Our Guest Podcast Clubhouse at www.beourguestpodcast.com/clubhouse! Thank you so much for your support of our podcast! Become a Patron of the show at www.Patreon.com/BeOurGuestPodcast.  Also, please follow the show on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beourguestpodcast.   Thanks to our friends at The Magic For Less Travel for sponsoring today's podcast!

We're back with another first listen to an album - an artist - that we should've probably listened to already. This week it's Gojira's "From Mars to Sirius." Is it possible that this album is too metal even for us?! Or do we just not get it? Plus, we count down our 10 favorite songs to drive to, and, as always, give you a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think about "From Mars to Sirius?" What are you favorite songs to drive to? What album should we listen to next? Let us know in the comments!Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Come on in, have some cereal and pretzels, and enjoy Universal Family Game Night! Tonight, we're joined by some of our Extended Family members, Schepps and Lindsey, as we play a Universal-themed spy game. Visit UFpodcast.com⁠⁠ to contact us and find us on socials. Please add The Universal Family Podcast to your library wherever you listen to your podcasts. We hope you enjoy our show about all things Universal Orlando!

For this week's Get Out There, we take you see to the exhibits at the nonprofit Art Enables in Brookland.

Two white dudes sit in a basement and talk about R&B. No, it's not the setup for an off-color joke, it's actually what you'll see on this week's edition of Extended Play. We went digging in the crate to listen to album we completely missed the first time around and found "Channel Orange" by Frank Ocean. Are we R&B converts? Maybe! We also count down our 10 favorite songs to fall asleep to, and, as always, give you a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think about "Channel Orange?" What are you favorite songs to fall asleep to? Let us know in the comments!Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

We admit it: we never listened to "brat." Not that shocking, considering we're not huge pop fans. But when we heard Charli XCX was doing the soundtrack for "Wuthering Heights," we thought it might be our way in. Were we pleasantly surprised? Terribly disappointed? Watch and find out! We'll also count down our 10 favorite movie soundtracks, and, as always, give you a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think about "Wuthering Heights?" What are you favorite soundtracks? Let us know in the comments!Listen to the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube):Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

It's time to review another classic album we somehow never got around to listening to before. Can you believe neither of us had ever given "Songs in the Key of Life" a full listen?! I mean, it was released the year we were both born.

What's that you say? 98.7 million listeners? Okay, we'll give it a shot. It's finally time for our intrepid hosts to listen to Bad Bunny. What better place to start than the "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," 2025's album of the year? And what better time to start than the week he plays the Super Bowl halftime show? Will they dig it? Will it make them feel old? Maybe both?The show starts with a discussion of the halftime show (and the alternative halftime "show"), then our hosts let you know if you need to listen to "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" or not. Finally, it's the triumphant* return of the fan favorite quiz show "10 Before 5."What did you think of the halftime show? Were the guys fair in their assessment of the album? Let us know in the comments!Check out the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Well, we tried. Kind of. Since we loved last year's show so much, we thought we'd try to watch the 2026 edition of The Grammys and react live. Due to technical difficulties (and for our own mental health) we only made through the first 45 minutes. Find out if we're finally, actually, too old for this stuff.What did you think of the 2026 Grammys? Let us know in the comments.Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Before we listened to A$AP Rocky's new album “DON'T BE DUMB,” we'd *heard* of A$AP Rocky before. A runway show here, a sneaker sponsorship there, RIhanna…but we'd only head a track or two by him. Was this a good place to start? Get our first impressions and whether we think *you* should check this album out. Then it's time for us to count down our ten favorite vocalists and, as always, leave you with a five-song playlist to renew your passion for music.What do you think of "DON'T BE DUMB" by A$AP ROCKY? Who are your favorite vocalists? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Mentioned in the episode: Florence Welch's hospital performanceLike/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Accused Killer Michael McKee is being charged with 4 counts of aggravated murder after allegedly attacking and killing Monique and Spencer Tepe in their home in Columbus, Ohio. Their two young kids were home at the time. Now Michael McKee's Ex-Girlfriend and Monique and Spencer's family share more about the accused killer, his relationship with his ex-wife, Monique Tepe and how they all found out and the murders and McKee's arrest. Welcome to Surviving the Survivor, the podcast that brings you the #BestGusts in all of #truecrime. In this STS episode, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Joel Waldman is joined by STS #BestGuests as they discuss and analyze Mckee's indictment, the murder investigation and the personal stories of Mckee's Ex-girlfriend and the extended Tepe family.Support the show & be a part of #STSNation:Donate to STS' Trial Travel: Https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/GJ...VENMO: @STSPodcast or Https://www.venmo.com/stspodcastCheck out STS Merch: Https://www.bonfire.com/store/sts-store/Joel's Book: Https://amzn.to/48GwbLxSupport the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SurvivingTheSurvivorEmail: SurvivingTheSurvivor@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Daniel Pfalzgraf, longtime preparator, curator and now gallery owner, sits down with Kate to discuss the seamless transition of Lexington's beloved New Editions Gallery into its next chapter as Wheelhouse Art. Daniel recounts his two-decade journey through museum and gallery worlds, how mentorship and timing made gallery ownership possible, and the remarkable parallels between his Louisville and Lexington stories. Kate and Daniel touch on the significance of keeping commercial, for-profit galleries alive in Lexington and what it means for local and regional artists. Daniel shares plans for “Extended Family,” a welcoming group exhibition to introduce Wheelhouse Art to the city, and reveals his approach for blending established and new artists, hosting community-focused events, and entrusting local gallery manager with nurturing Lexington's art ecosystem. The conversation highlights the strength of continuity, the promise of fresh vision, and the vital role of community in making art accessible and exciting.For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html

We're back with another Classic/Crate/Current album review, and this time around it's a Crate pick - Tool's "Lateralus" from 2001. Are they the Radiohead of metal? Or are they just...boring? We're gonna get some hate for this one...Plus, we count down ten songs you can use to torture your enemies. And no, it's not just ten Nickelback songs. And as always, we end with a playlist of five songs to help renew your passion for music.What do you think of "Lateralus" by Tool? What are songs would you choose to torture your friends/enemies? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended Play Join the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

We dove into the latest De La Soul record called “Cabin in the Sky” to see if it hits the same highs as their legendary back catalog. We'll let you know whether this album is worth your time or not. Plus, we count down ten terrible songs on otherwise amazing albums. And as always, we end with a playlist of five songs to help renew your passion for music.What do you think of the new De La Soul album? What are some terrible songs on otherwise great albums that we missed? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Join the Extended Family on Patreon for exclusive playlists and weekly articlesLike/follow/subscribe to Extended Play

This week I bring back parent coach Margaret Webb, who offers advice for navigating a dynamic where grandparents and other extended family don't understand our child. We talk about how to handle family who may not be as tolerant or understanding of who our kids are (or our reality in raising them) as we would like. So often big family events like weddings or graduations or holiday celebrations create situations where we're expected to spend lots of time with family, but it might not look the way we, or they, expect. So what do we do in these scenarios? What are our responsibilities both to our children and to the family members hosting or attending these events? How can we best prep for these tricky situations? That's what we're covering in this episode. Margaret has a lot of experience supporting parents through this difficult dynamic, and in this episode she shares her best tips and strategies for taking care of ourselves and our children and making choices around family events that make the most sense for our reality.   About Margaret Margaret Webb is a certified Master Life Coach, parenting coach, nature-based coach, former teacher, wife and mother. As a life and parenting coach, she weaves together her experience as an elementary education teacher with the tools she's learned in Martha Beck's Life Coach Training, Sagefire Institute's Nature-Based Coach Training, and what she's applied to her own life as a mom of a child with special needs.   Things you'll learn from this episode How “shoulding” from other parents can lead to a judgement shame spiral How to take care of yourself and the emotions that come up in challenging situations How to practice proactive problem solving around family events that are likely to be challenging The importance of being mindful of the time and energy we spend on other people How to play “dysfunctional bingo” Margaret's best tips for parents navigating tricky dynamics with extended family, and handling grandparents who don't understand our child Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Corryn and Ryan dig into a topic that many people talk about and try to figure out... that being extended family and the holidays. Expectations both spoken and unspoken is just one of the topics we discuss.

In this episode, our hosts wonder whether being an “influential” album necessarily equates with a being a good listen. We continue rounding out our crit cred by listening to Bad Brains' self-titled debut from 1982 for the first time. Does it shred? Does it snooze? Maybe a little bit of both? Plus, we count down our favorite music moments from 2025, leaving you with at least THREE playlists to renew your passion for music.What do you think of Bad Brains's debut album? What were your favorite songs/albums/performances of 2025? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist! (Spotify, YouTube)Bonus Playlist: Best of 2025 (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

What'd you like? Send us a text.Tacky Christmas singers. 8-tracks. Latvian actors. Weird ethnic holiday food. Walt and Tim open a really boring advent calendar. And Jim gets hit with a rock.Then: a commercial about Nothing. Hormonal underwear. Prescription cologne. And a song about the perils of an extended family Christmas. Plus more.

It's time for our hosts to dig deep into an album from before their time. This time, it's The Who's "Who's Next." Is this truly a classic album? Or is it only seen so based on the strength of two (maybe three) amazing songs? Plus, a countdown of ten awesome songs by Australian artists and our newest playlist of five songs to renew your passion for music.What do you think of “Who's Next?” What awesome songs by Australians did we miss? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Bonus Playlist: Awesome Australian Songs (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

The holidays come fast and somehow the shopping and gifting part always seems to catch us by surprise. In this episode of Off The Wall, host David B. Armstrong, CFA is joined by Cathleen Phelps and Cecelia Gilliam from our Client Experience team as they sit down in full holiday mode to share ideas that make gifting feel fun again. From opening Roth IRAs for teens, funding 529 plans for nieces and nephews, and introducing kids to charitable giving, to practical strategies like shared family experiences, subscriptions, organizing spreadsheets, and even planning for parents who "don't need anything," the conversation covers it all. They also get into the memorable, messy, and hilarious stories that make holiday traditions special, plus creative ways to stay thoughtful without overspending. If you want ideas that actually help—without adding to December chaos—this one will brighten your season.       Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures   Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:   0:00 – Disclaimers & Holiday Setup 2:45 – Making Gifting Joyful Again 6:55 – Smart Money Gifts for Kids & Family 10:14 – Experiences & Traditions 14:12 – Gifting for Adults & Practical Ideas 23:10 – Pets, Extended Family, Tight Years & Closing Connect with Monument Wealth Management:    David B. Armstrong, CFA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarmstrong/   Cecelia Gilliam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecelia-gilliam-86339a252/    Cathleen Phelps on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catheendphelps/   Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#   Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/   Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement   Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit   Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/   About "Off the Wall":    OFF THE WALL is a podcast for business professionals and high-net-worth investors who want to build wealth with purpose. A little bit Wall Street, a little bit off-the-wall; it's your go-to for straightforward, unfiltered wealth advice on topics that founders, business owners, and executives care about.    Learn more about our host Dave Armstrong on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com   

In this episode, we dig deep into Tyler the Creator's "IGOR." It's our first time with Tyler at all, and pretty quickly we realized that we may have picked the wrong album to start with. Plus, a countdown of ten songs to work out to and our newest playlist of five songs to renew your passion for music. What do you think? Did we pick the wrong Tyler album? Any other workout song recommendations? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube) Bonus Playlist: Best Workout Songs (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

In this NEW episode, Dr. Finlayson-Fife answers audience questions about common extended-family challenges, including enmeshed parent–child relationships, triangulation, intrusive or overstepping in-laws, sibling competitiveness, and families that resist change. She talks about how couples can stay steady in these situations by being clear about how they want to function, holding to their integrity, and choosing honest, grounded ways of relating—regardless of the pressures around them.

It's been an amazing year for new music - but could the new Rosalía album be the best of the bunch? We discuss the rich, grand, and sometimes challenging "LUX,", count down ten terrible wedding songs, and give you five more songs to renew your passion for music.What do you think of “LUX?” What wedding songs make you want to jump out a window? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

We know what you're thinking. Just by a quick glance at our dumb faces would lead you to believe that of course we're into Steely Dan. But believe it or not, we've never listened to "Aja" before. Is it the masterpiece it's often made out to be? Or does nostalgia shade critics' opinions on it? Watch and find out! Plus, we count down our 10 favorite uses of samples in songs, and - as always - give you a playlist of five songs that will help renew your passion for music.What do you think of "Aja?" What great instrumentals should we have included? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Bonus Playlist: The Best Use of Samples (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Today we are headed up to Wisconsin to speak with Listener Patrick about his trip with extended family to Disney's Boardwalk Villas, where he traveled with his wife and 8-month old baby during the vacation! We hear about this new way to see the theme parks was something they both enjoyed! We talk about fun experience both in and out of all four theme parks, great meals at places like O'hana, Coral Reef, Cake Bake Shop, and even hear about a Father's Day surprise! We hope you can continue the conversation with us this week in the Be Our Guest Podcast Clubhouse at www.beourguestpodcast.com/clubhouse! Thank you so much for your support of our podcast! Become a Patron of the show at www.Patreon.com/BeOurGuestPodcast.  Also, please follow the show on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beourguestpodcast.   Thanks to our friends at The Magic For Less Travel for sponsoring today's podcast!

Planning a Disney family vacation can be an enchanting experience, but it comes with its own set of dilemmas, especially when it comes to choosing the right accommodations. In the latest episode of the "Decoding Disney" podcast, we delve into the ultimate decision: should you opt for the grandeur of a grand villa or the flexibility of two-bedroom units? Join host Chad Pennycuff and special guests Cindy, Gina, and Ron as they unlock the secrets to planning your dream Disney Vacation Club (DVC) adventure. Episode 361

We had to see (hear?) for ourselves if the hype was real. This week we listen to the latest album from Geese, count down ten songs that we never intend to listen to, and give you five more songs to renew your passion for music.What do you think of “Getting Killed?” What songs do you hear all the time if you didn't plan on it? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended PlayJoin the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

We're slowly making our way through gaps in our musical knowledge, and this time around it's The Velvet Underground & Nico. With almost no context, how does this almost 60 year-old album hold up? We also discuss our ten favorite instrumentals, and, as always, give you a playlist of five songs that will help renew your passion for music.What do you think of "The Velvet Underground and Nico?" What great instrumentals should we have included? Let us know in the comments!Listen to songs on the Extended Playlist (Spotify, YouTube)Like/follow/subscribe to Extended Play Join the Extended Family on Patreon for even more playlists

Note: "Act 1" was a separate published audio podcast.*Check out EZ's morning radio show "The InZane Asylum Q100 Michigan with Eric Zane" Click here*Get a FREE 7 day trial to Patreon to "try it out."*Watch the show live, daily at 8AM EST on Twitch! Please click here to follow the page.Email the show on the Shoreliners Striping inbox: eric@ericzaneshow.comTopic:*Jeremy is under 200 pounds!*EZ breaks down some bad faces.*Gregg Henson out at WLAV*Asshole of the DaySponsorsFrank Fuss / My Policy Shop Insurance, The Mario Flores Lakeshore Team of VanDyk Mortgage, Shoreliners Striping, Impact PowerSportsInterested in advertising? Email eric@ericzaneshow.com and let me design a marketing plan for you.Contact: Shoreliners Striping inbox eric@ericzaneshow.comDiscord LinkEZSP TikTokSubscribe to my YouTube channelHire me on Cameo!Tshirts available herePlease subscribe, rate & write a review on Apple Podcastspatreon.com/ericzaneInstagram: ericzaneshowTwitterOur Sponsors:* Check out Secret Nature and use my code ZANE for a great deal: https://secretnature.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-eric-zane-show-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Note: "Act 1" was a separate published audio podcast.*Check out EZ's morning radio show "The InZane Asylum Q100 Michigan with Eric Zane" Click here*Get a FREE 7 day trial to Patreon to "try it out."*Watch the show live, daily at 8AM EST on Twitch! Please click here to follow the page.Email the show on the Shoreliners Striping inbox: eric@ericzaneshow.comTopic:*Jeremy is under 200 pounds!*EZ breaks down some bad faces.*Gregg Henson out at WLAV*Asshole of the DaySponsorsFrank Fuss / My Policy Shop Insurance, The Mario Flores Lakeshore Team of VanDyk Mortgage, Shoreliners Striping, Impact PowerSportsInterested in advertising? Email eric@ericzaneshow.com and let me design a marketing plan for you.Contact: Shoreliners Striping inbox eric@ericzaneshow.comDiscord LinkEZSP TikTokSubscribe to my YouTube channelHire me on Cameo!Tshirts available herePlease subscribe, rate & write a review on Apple Podcastspatreon.com/ericzaneInstagram: ericzaneshowTwitterOur Sponsors:* Check out Secret Nature and use my code ZANE for a great deal: https://secretnature.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-eric-zane-show-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Note: "Act 2" will be a separate published audio podcast.*Check out EZ's morning radio show "The InZane Asylum Q100 Michigan with Eric Zane" Click here*Get a FREE 7 day trial to Patreon to "try it out."*Watch the show live, daily at 8AM EST on Twitch! Please click here to follow the page.Email the show on the Shoreliners Striping inbox: eric@ericzaneshow.comTopics:*EZ and Pooh Bear travelled across the state to help out caring for Meathead and JoAnn. *JoAnn not happy with EZ's swearing. EZ explains himself and promises to keep swearing.*EZ has to remind an audience member "how things work" during the EZ Show Podcast Livestream. Avoiding "rage quitting" is strongly encouraged.Sponsors:Impact Power Sports, Kuiper Tree Care, Frank Fuss / My Policy Shop Insurance, Kings Room Barbershop, Shoreliners Striping, Ervines Auto Repair Grand Rapids Hybrid & EV,Interested in advertising? Email eric@ericzaneshow.com and let me design a marketing plan for you.Contact: Shoreliners Striping inbox eric@ericzaneshow.comDiscord LinkEZSP TikTokSubscribe to my YouTube channelHire me on Cameo!Tshirts available herePlease subscribe, rate & write a review on Apple Podcastspatreon.com/ericzaneInstagram: ericzaneshowTwitterOur Sponsors:* Check out Secret Nature and use my code ZANE for a great deal: https://secretnature.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-eric-zane-show-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We are headed up to Chicago today to speak with Listener Kelly about her trip to Walt Disney World with her family last month! We discuss her backstory to start the show of how she has really experienced Walt Disney World so many ways, with friends, runDisney, off-site, as an athlete, and more! Then, we discuss her trip last month staying at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort with her family of 4 (and her in-laws were able to join them as well!), using the Disney Dining Plan and Lightning Lane Multi Pass, renting a stroller, an amazing Photopass session, a Top 3 steak at Via Napoli (who knew?) and more! We hope you can continue the conversation with us this week in the Be Our Guest Podcast Clubhouse at www.beourguestpodcast.com/clubhouse! Thank you so much for your support of our podcast! Become a Patron of the show at www.Patreon.com/BeOurGuestPodcast.  Also, please follow the show on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beourguestpodcast.   Thanks to our friends at The Magic For Less Travel for sponsoring today's podcast!

Today we are headed up to New Jersey to speak with our friend Paul from the BOGP Clubhouse about his trip with extended family down to the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridan Resort & Spa in July! We discuss how this trip came together (and grew!), the logistics of flying with two babies, making memories in the theme parks, meals at O'hana, Via Napoli, 1900 Park Fare, Citrico's and more! Also, Paul gives a nice review of GEO-82, the new lounge at Epcot! Finally, you have to hear what Paul has dubbed "CFT" or Concentrated Family Time - a great concept I think we all could adopt! We hope you can continue the conversation with us this week in the Be Our Guest Podcast Clubhouse at www.beourguestpodcast.com/clubhouse! Thank you so much for your support of our podcast! Become a Patron of the show at www.Patreon.com/BeOurGuestPodcast.  Also, please follow the show on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beourguestpodcast.   Thanks to our friends at The Magic For Less Travel for sponsoring today's podcast!