Podcasts about Focus

Twyla Tharp is a world-renowned dancer, choreographer and expert on the creative process. She explains how to achieve creative success by keeping a highly disciplined routine that ultimately allows you to bring your creative visions to life. She explains how to establish a central message for each project, how to think about your audience, navigate criticism and continually elevate your standards with daily actions. We discuss how one's view of hard work, competition and even your name can shape what you think you're capable of and ultimately achieve. This episode offers direct, practical advice from a world-class creator on how to access your inner vision, build a strong body and mind, and do your best work. Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/Yx57rWq Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Twyla Tharp (00:03:28) Focus & Creative Work, Tool: "Spine" of Creative Work (00:06:22) Creator & Audience Dynamic; Intention, Finances (00:11:57) Early vs Late Works, Learning & Selectivity throughout Career (00:15:59) Sponsors: Our Place & Eight Sleep (00:19:09) "Cubby-Holing", Career Change & Reputation (00:21:48) Creator Community & Selectivity; Success & Useful Failure (00:27:42) Work Process, Schedule; Selecting Dancers, Supporting the Arts, Expectations (00:32:36) Successful Performance; Beauty, Arts Compensation (00:36:22) Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ballet & Invention; Philip Glass, Minimalism (00:43:18) Knowledge vs Instinct, Taste; Avant Garde; Classical Training (00:47:05) Kirov Ballet, Kids, Uniformity; Body Types (00:52:13) Sponsor: AG1 (00:53:36) Movement, Body Frequency, Power (01:00:18) Creative Process, Spine; Idea, Habit (01:04:15) Rituals, Gym, Discipline; Farming, Quaker & Community; Communication (01:12:16) Communication, Signaling & Distance; Feeling Emotion (01:18:11) Boxing, Strength Training (01:21:41) Sponsors: LMNT (01:23:01) Ballet Barre Work, Fundamentals (01:29:09) Body's Knowledge, Honoring the Body, Kids & Movement (01:35:42) High Standards & Childhood; Wordlessness & Movement, Twins (01:41:31) Translator, Objectivity; Critics, Creator Honesty (01:46:50) Sponsor: Mateina (01:47:50) Evolution & Learning; Amadeus Film & Research (01:53:53) Medicine, Keto Diet; Ballet Training & Performance, Desire (02:00:50) Young Dancers & Competition, Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Reward, Hard Work (02:08:47) Tool: "The Box"; Ritual, Practice vs Habit; Honorary Degrees (02:13:37) Tool: Idea "Scratching"; Movement & Longevity, Apprentice (02:19:46) Aging & Less Movement, Fearlessness; Taking Up Space, Names (02:25:42) Acknowledgements (02:27:18) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dane Johnson, Founder and CEO of Crohn's Colitis Lifestyle, is a Holistic Nutritionist helping reverse IBD. Surviving life-threatening Crohn's, he created the S.H.I.E.L.D. Program, empowering 500 plus clients worldwide to achieve lasting symptom relief. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Turn pain into purpose. Your greatest challenge can become the foundation of your most impactful business. 2. Ultra-niche to blow up. Focus deeply on one specific problem that only you can solve and own that space. 3. Lead with morals over money. Integrity builds trust, community, and a business that lasts generations. Check out Dane's website. Get a free 1-hour session for anyone struggling with health - Crohns Colitis Lifestyle Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Shopify - If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your 1 dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/onfire. ZipRecruiter - Make your hiring a little merrier with ZipRecruiter. 4 out of 5 employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Try ZipRecruiter for free at ZipRecruiter.com/fire.

What does it really take to build a multi-six-figure author business with no advertising? Is running your own warehouse really necessary for direct sales success — or is there a simpler path using print-on-demand that works just as well? In this conversation, Sacha Black and I compare our very different approaches to selling direct, from print on demand to pallets of books, and explore why the right model depends entirely on who you are and what your goals are for your author business. In the intro, Memoir Examples and interviews [Reedsy, The Creative Penn memoir tips]; Written Word Media annual indie author survey results; Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition; Business for Authors webinars; Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant; Camino Portuguese Coastal on My Camino Podcast; Creating while Caring Community with Donn King; The Buried and the Drowned by J.F. Penn Today's show is sponsored by Bookfunnel, the essential tool for your author business. Whether it's delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out ebooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. Check it out at bookfunnel.com/thecreativepenn This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Sacha Black is the author of YA and non-fiction for authors and previously hosted The Rebel Author Podcast. As Ruby Roe, she is a multi-six-figure author of sapphic romantasy. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights, and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Two models for selling direct: print on demand vs running your own warehouse. Plus, check out Sacha's solo Rebel Author episode about the details of the warehouse. Cashflow management Kickstarter lessons: pre-launch followers, fulfillment time, and realistic timelines How Sacha built a multi-six-figure business through TikTok with zero ad spend Matching your business model to your personality and skill set Building resilience: staff salaries, SOPs, and planning for when things change You can find Ruby at RubyRoe.co.uk and on TikTok @rubyroeauthor and on Instagram @sachablackauthor Transcript of the interview Joanna: Sacha Black is the author of YA and nonfiction for authors, and previously hosted the Rebel Author podcast. As Ruby Roe, she is a multi-six-figure author of sapphic romance. So welcome back to the show, Sacha. Sacha: Hello. Thank you for having me. It's always a pleasure to be here. Joanna: I'm excited to talk to you today. Now, just for context, for everybody listening, Sacha has a solo episode on her Rebel Author podcast, last week as we record this, which goes into specific lessons around the warehouse in more detail, including financials. So we are going to come at this from a slightly different angle in our discussion today, which is really about two different ways of doing selling direct. I want us to start though, Sacha, in case people don't know your background, in case they've missed out. Can you just give us a quick recap of your indie author journey, because you haven't just come out of nowhere and jumped into this business and done incredibly well? Sacha's Indie Author Journey Sacha: No, I really haven't. Okay. So 2013, I started writing. So 12 years ago I started writing with the intention to publish, because I was writing before, but not with the intention. 2017 I first self-published and then two years after that, in 2019, I quit the day job. But let me be clear, it wasn't because I was rolling in self-published royalties or commissions or whatever you want to call them. I was barely scraping by. And so those are what I like to call my hustle years because I mean, I still hustle, but it was a different kind. It was grind and hustle. So I did a lot of freelance work. I did a lot of VA work for other authors. I did speaking, I was podcasting, teaching courses, and so on and so forth. 2022, in the summer, I made a realisation that I'd created another job for myself rather than a business that I wanted to grow and thrive in and was loving life and all of that stuff. And so I took a huge risk and I slowed down everything, and I do mean everything. I slowed down the speaking, I slowed down the courses, I slowed down the nonfiction, and — I poured everything into writing what became the first Ruby Roe book. I published that in February 2023. In August/September 2023, I stopped all freelance work. And to be clear, at that point, I also wasn't entirely sure if I was going to be able to pay my bills with Ruby, but I could see that she had the potential there and I was making enough to scrape by. And there's nothing if not a little bit of pressure to make you work hard. So that is when I stopped the freelance. And then in November 2023, so two months later, I started TikTok in earnest. And then a month after that, December the eighth, I went viral. And then what's relevant to this is that two days after that, on December the 10th, I had whipped up my minimum viable Shopify, and that went live. Then roll on, I did more of the same, published more Ruby Roe books. I made a big change to my Shopify. So at that point it was still print on demand Shopify, and then February 2025, I took control and took the reins and rented a warehouse and started fulfilling distribution myself. The Ten-Year Overnight Success Joanna: So great. So really good for people to realise that 2013, you started writing with the intention, like, seriously, I want this to be what I do. And it was 2019 when you quit the day job, but really it was 2023 when you actually started making decent money, right? Sacha: Almost like we all need 10 years. Joanna: Yeah. I mean, it definitely takes time. So I wanted just to set that scene there. And also that you did at least a year of print on demand Shopify before getting your own warehouse. Sacha: Yeah, maybe 14 months. Joanna: Yeah, 14 months. Okay. So we are going to revisit some of these, but I also just want as context, what was your day job so people know? Sacha: So I was a project manager in a local government, quite corporate, quite conservative place. And I played the villain. It was great. I would helicopter into departments and fix them up and look at processes that were failing and restructure things and bring in new software and bits and bobs like that. The Importance of Business Skills Joanna: Yeah. So I think that's important too, because your job was fixing things and looking at processes, and I feel like that is a lot of what you've done and we'll revisit that. Sacha: How did I not realise that?! Joanna: I thought you did know that. No. Well, oh my goodness. And let's just put my business background in context. I'm sure most people have heard it before, but I was an IT consultant for about 13 years, but much of my job was going into businesses and doing process mapping and then doing software to fix that. And also I worked, I'm not an accountant, but I worked in financial accounting departments. So I think this is really important context for people to realise that learning the craft is one thing, but learning business is a completely different game, right? Sacha: Oh, it is. I have learnt — it's wild because I always feel like there's no way you can learn more than in your first year of publishing because everything is brand new. But I genuinely feel like this past 18 months I have learnt as much, if not more, because of the business, because of money, because of all of the other legal regulation type changes in the last 18 months. It's just been exhausting in terms of learning. It's great, but also it is a lot to learn. There is just so much to business. Joanna's Attempts to Talk Sacha Out of the Warehouse Joanna: So that's one thing. Now, I also want to say for context, when you decided to start a warehouse, how much effort did I put into trying to persuade you not to do this? Sacha: Oh my goodness, me. I mean a lot. There were probably two dinners, several coffees, a Zoom. It was like, don't do it. Don't do it. You got me halfway there. So for everybody listening, I went big and I was like, oh, I'm going to buy shipping containers and convert them and put them on a plot of land and all of this stuff. And Joanna very sensibly turned around and was like, hmm, why don't you rent somewhere that you can bail out of if it doesn't work? And I was like, oh yeah, that does sound like a good idea. Joanna: Try it, try it before you really commit. Okay. So let's just again take a step back because the whole point of doing this discussion for me is because you are doing really well and it is amazing what you are doing and what some other people are doing with warehouses. But I also sell direct and in the same way as you used to, which is I use Bookfunnel for ebooks and audiobooks and I use BookVault for print on demand books, and people can also use Lulu. That's another option for people. So you don't have to do direct sales in the way that you've done it. And part of the reason to do this episode was to show people that there are gradations of selling direct. Why Sell Direct? Joanna: But I wanted to go back to the basics around this. Why might people consider selling direct, even in a really simple way, for example, just ebooks from their website, or what might be reasons to sell direct rather than just sending everything to Amazon or other stores? Sacha: I think, well, first of all, it depends on what you want as a business model. For me, I have a similar background to you in that I was very vulnerable when I was in corporate because of redundancies, and so that bred a bit of control freakness inside me. And having control of my customers was really important to me. We don't get any data from Amazon or Kobo really, or anywhere, even though all of these distributors are incredible for us in our careers. We don't actually have direct access to readers, and you do with Shopify. You know everything about your reader, and that is priceless. Because once you have that data and you have delivered a product, a book, merchandise, something that that reader values and appreciates, you can then sell to them again and again and again. I have some readers who have been on my website who have spent almost four figures now. I mean, that is just — one person's done that and I have thousands of people who are coming to the website on a regular basis. So definitely that control and access to readers is a huge reason for doing it. Customising the Reader Relationship Sacha: And also I think that you can, depending on how you do this model, there are ways to do some of the things I'm going to talk about digitally as well. But for me, I really like the physical aspect of it. We are able to customise the relationship with our customers. We can give them more because we are in control of delivery. And so by that I mean we could give art prints, which lots of my readers really value. We can do — you could send those digitally if you wanted to, but we can add in extra freebies like our romance pop sockets, that makes them feel like they are part of my reader group. They're part of a community. It creates this belonging. So I think there is just so much more that you can do when you are in control of that relationship and in control of the access to it. Joanna: Yeah. And on that, I mean, one of the reasons we can do really cool print books — and again, we're going to come back to print on demand, but I use print on demand. You don't have to buy pallets of books as Sacha does. You can just do print on demand. Obviously the financials are different, but I can still do foiling and custom end papers and ribbons and all this with print on demand through BookVault custom printing and bespoke printing. The Speed of Money Joanna: But also, I think the other thing with the money — I don't know if you even remember this, because it's very different when you are selling direct — you can set up your system so you get paid like every single day, right? Or every week? Sacha: Yes. Joanna: So the money is faster because with Amazon, with any of these other systems, it can take 30, 60, 90 days for the money to get to you. So faster money, you are in more control of the money. And you can also do a lot more things like bundling and like you mentioned, much higher value that you could offer, but you can also make higher income. Average order value per customer because you have so many things, right? So that speed of money is very different. Sacha: It is, but it's also very dangerous. I know we might talk about cashflow more later, but— Joanna: Let's talk about it now. Managing Cashflow With Multiple Bank Accounts Sacha: Okay, cool. So one of the things that I think is the most valuable thing that I've ever done is, someone who is really clever told me that you're allowed more than one business account. Joanna: Just to be clear, bank accounts? Sacha: Yes, sorry. Yeah. Bank accounts. And one of my banks in particular enables you to have mini banks inside it, mini pots they call it. And what I do with pre-orders is I treat it a bit like Amazon. So that money will come in — you know, I do get paid daily pretty much — but I then siphon it off every week into a pot. So let's just say I've got one book on pre-order. Every week the team tells me how much we've got in pre-orders for that one product and all the shipping money, and I put it into an account and I leave it there. And I do not touch it unless it is to pay for the print run of that book or to pay for the shipping. Because one of the benefits of coming direct to me is that I promise to ship all pre-orders early, so we have to pay the shipping costs before necessarily Amazon might pay for its shipping costs because they only release on the actual release day. But that has enabled me to have a little savings scheme, but also guarantee that I can pay for the print run in advance because I haven't accidentally spent that money on something else or invested it. I've kept it aside and it also helps you track numbers as well, so you know how well that pre-order is doing financially. Understanding Cashflow as an Author Joanna: Yeah. And this cashflow, if people don't really know it, is the difference between when money comes in and when it goes out. So another example, common to many authors, is paying for advertising. So for example, if you run some ads one month, you're going to have to pay, let's say Facebook or BookBub or whoever, that month. You might not get the money from the sale of those books if it's from a store until two months later. In that case, the cash flows the other way. The money is sitting with the store, sitting on Amazon until they pay you later. This idea of cashflow is so important for authors to think about. Another, I guess even more basic example is you are writing your first book and you pay for an editor. Money goes out of your bank account and then hopefully you're going to sell some books, but that might take, let's say six months, and then some money will come back into your bank account. I think this understanding cashflow is so important at a small level because as it gets bigger and bigger — and you are doing these very big print runs now, aren't you? Talk a bit about that. The Risks of Print Runs Sacha: Yeah. So one of the things I was going to say, one of the benefits of your sell direct model is that you don't have to deal with mistakes like this one. So in my recent book, Architecti, that we launched at the end of September, we did a print run of a thousand books, maybe about 3,000 pounds, something like that, 2,000 pounds. And basically we ended up selling all thousand and more. So the pre-orders breached a thousand and we didn't have enough books. But what made that worse is that 20% of the books that arrived were damaged because there had been massive rain. So we then had to do a second print run, which is bad for two reasons. The first reason is that one, that space, two, the time it's going to take to get to you — it's not instant, it's not printed on demand. But also three, I then had to spend the same amount of money again. And actually if we had ordered 2,000 originally, we would've saved a bit more money on it per book. So you don't — if you are doing selling direct with a print on demand model, the number of pre-orders you get is irrelevant because they'll just keep printing, and you just get charged per copy. So there are benefits and disadvantages to doing it each way. Obviously, I'm getting a cheaper price per copy printed, but not if I mess up the order numbers. Is Running a Warehouse Just Another Job? Joanna: So I'm going to come back on something you said earlier, which was in 2022 you said, “I realised I made a job for myself.” Sacha: Yeah. Joanna: And I mean, I've been to your store. You obviously have people to help you. But one of my reservations about this kind of model is that even if you have people to help you, taking on physical book — even though you are not printing them yourself, you're still shipping them all and you're signing them all. And to me it feels like a job. So maybe talk about why you have continued — you have pretty much decided to continue with your warehouse. So why is this not a job? What makes this fun for you? The Joy of Physical Product Creation Sacha: I wish that listeners could see my face because I'm literally glittering. I love it. I literally love it. I love us being able to create cool and wacky things. We can make a decision and we can create that physical product really quickly. We can do all of these quirky things. We can experiment. We can do book boxes. So first of all, it's the creativity in the physical product creation. I had no idea how much I love physical product creation, but there is something extremely satisfying about us coming up with an idea that's so integrated in the book. So for example, one of my characters uses, has a coin, a yes/no coin. She's an assassin and she flips it to decide whether or not she's going to assassinate somebody. We've actually designed and had that coin made, and it's my favourite item in the warehouse. It's such a small little thing, but I love it. And so there is a lot of joy that I derive from us being able to create these items. Sending Book Mail and Building Community Sacha: I think the second thing is I really love book mail. There is no better gift somebody can give me than a book. And so I do get a lot of satisfaction from knowing we're sending out lots and lots of book presents to people and we get to add more to it. So some of the promises that we make are: I sign every book and we give gifts. We have character art and, like I've mentioned before, pop sockets and all these kinds of things. And I get tagged daily in unboxings and stories and things like this where people are like, oh my gosh, I didn't realise I was going to get this, this, and this. And I just — it's like crack to me. I get high off of it. So I can't — this is not for everybody. This is a logistical nightmare. There are so many problems inherent in this business model. I love it. Discovering a Love of Team Building Sacha: And I think the other thing, which is very much not for a lot of authors — I did not realise that I actually really like having a team. And that has been a recent realisation. I really was told that I'm not a team player when I was in corporate, that I work alone, all of this nonsense. And I believed that and taken it on. But finding the right team, the right people who love the jobs that they do inside your business and they're all as passionate as you, is just life changing. And so that also helps me continue because I have a really great team. Joanna: I do have to ask you, what is a pop socket? Sacha: It's a little round disc that has a mechanism that you can pull out and then you — and it has a sticky command strip back and you can pop it on the back of your phone or on the back of a Kindle and it helps you to hold it. I don't know how else to describe it. It just helps you to hold the device easier. Joanna: Okay. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was confused. I'm like, why are you doing electrical socket products? Know What Kind of Person You Are Joanna: But I think this actually does demonstrate another point, and I hope people listening — I hope you can sort of — why we are doing this partly is to help you figure out what kind of person you are as well. Because I can't think of anything worse than having lots of little boxes! And I've been in Sacha's thing and there's all these little stickers and there's lots of boxes of little things that they put in people's packages, which make people happy. And I'm like, oh, I just don't like packages of things. And I mean, you geek out on packaging, don't you as well? Sacha: Oh my goodness. Yeah. One of the first things I did when we got the warehouse was I actually went to a packaging expo in Birmingham. It was like this giant conference place and I just nerded out there. It was so fun. And one of the things that I'm booked to do is an advent calendar. And that was what drove me there in the first place. I was looking for a manufacturer that could create an advent calendar for us. I have two. I'm not — I have two advent calendars this year because I love them so much. But yeah, the other thing that I was going to say to you is I often think that as adults, we can find what we're supposed to do rooted in our childhood. And I was talking the other day and someone said to me, what toy do you remember from your youth? And I was like, oh yeah. The only one that I can remember is that I had a sticker maker. I like — that makes sense. You do like stickers. And I do. Yeah. Digital Minimalism vs Physical Products Joanna: Yeah, I do. And I think this is so important because I love books. I buy a lot of books. I love books, but I also get rid of a lot of books. I know people hate this, but I will just get rid of bags and bags of books. So I value books more for what's inside them than the physical product as such. I mean, I have some big expensive, beautiful books, but mostly I want what's in them. So it's really interesting to me. And I think there's a big difference between us is just how much you like all that stuff. So if you are listening, if you are like a digital minimalist and you don't want to have stuff around your house, you definitely don't want a warehouse. You don't want all the shipping bits and bobs. You are not interested in all that. Or even if you are, you can still do a lot of this print on demand. Then I think that's just so important, isn't it? I mean, did you look at the print on demand merch? Did you find anything you liked? The Draw of Customisation Sacha: Yeah, we did, but I think for me it was that customisation. We are now moving towards — I've just put an order in this morning for 10,000 customised boxes. We've got our own branding on them. We've got a little naughty, cheeky message when they flip up the flap. And it's little things like that that you can't — you know, we wouldn't have control over what was sent. So much of what I wanted, and some of the reasons for me doing it, is that I wanted to be able to sign the books. I was being asked on a daily basis if people could buy signed books from me, and it was driving me bonkers not being able to say yes. But also being able to send a website mailing list sign-up in the box, or being able to give them a discount in the box. I mean, I know you do that, but yeah, there was just a lot more customisation and things that we could do if we were controlling the shipping. Also, I wanted to pack the boxes, the books better. So we wanted to be able to bubble wrap things or we wanted to be able to waterproof things because we had various different issues with deliveries and so we wanted a bit more control over that. So yeah, there were just so many reasons for us to do it. Print on Demand Is Still Fantastic Sacha: Look, don't get me wrong, if I suddenly wanted to go off travelling for a year, then maybe I would shut down the warehouse and go back to print on demand. I think print on demand is fantastic. I did it for 14 months before I decided to open a warehouse. It is the foundation of most authors' models. So it's fantastic. I just want to do more. Joanna: Yeah. You want to do more of it. Life Stage Matters Joanna: We should also, I also wanted to mention your life stage. Because when we did talk about it, your son is just going to secondary school, so we knew that you would be in the same area, right? Sacha: Yeah. Joanna: Because I said to you, you can't just do this and — well, you can, you could ditch it all. But the better decision is to do this for a certain number of years. If you're going to do it, it needs time, right? So you are at that point in your life. Sacha: Yeah, absolutely. We — I mean, we are going to move house, I think, but not that far away. We'll still be in reachable distance of the warehouse. And yeah, the staying power is so important because it's also about raising awareness. You have to train readers to come to you. You have to show them why it's beneficial for them to order directly from you. Growing the Business Year Over Year Sacha: And then you also have to be able to iterate and add more products. Like you were talking earlier about increasing that average order value. And that does come from having more products, but more products does create other issues like space, which may or may not be suffering issues with now. But yeah, so for example, 2024, which was the first real year, I did about 73 and a half thousand British pounds. And then this year, where — as we record this, it's actually the 1st of December — and I'm on 232,000. So from year one to year two, it's a huge difference. And that I do think is about the number of products and the number of things that we have on there. Joanna: And the number of customers. I guess you've also grown your customer base as well. And one of the rules, I guess, in inverted commas, of publishing is that the money is in the backlist. And every time you add to your backlist and every launch, you are selling a lot more of your backlist as well. So I think as time goes on, yeah, you get more books. Kickstarter as an Alternative Joanna: But let's also talk about Kickstarter because I do signed books for my Kickstarters and to me the Kickstarter is like a short-term ability to do the things you are doing regularly. So for example, if you want to do book boxes, you could just do them for a Kickstarter. You don't have to run a warehouse and do it every single day. For example, your last Kickstarter for Ruby Roe made around 150,000 US dollars, which is amazing. Like really fantastic. So just maybe talk about that, any lessons from the Kickstarter specifically, because I feel like most people, for most people listening, they are far more likely to do a Kickstarter than they are to start a warehouse. Pre-Launch Followers Are Critical Sacha: Yeah, so the first thing is even before you start your Kickstarter, the pre-launch follow accounts are critical. So a lot of people think — well, I guess there's a lot of loud noise about all these big numbers about how much people can make on Kickstarter, but actually a lot of it is driven by you, the author, pushing your audience to Kickstarter. So we actually have a formula now. Somebody more intelligent gave this to me, but essentially, based on my own personal campaign data — so this wouldn't necessarily be the same for other people — but based on my campaign data, each pre-launch follower is worth 75 pounds. And then we add on seven grand, for example. So on campaign three, which was the most recent one, I had 1,501 pre-launch followers. And when you times that by 75 and you add on seven grand, it makes more or less exactly what we made on the campaign. And the same formula can be applied to the others. So you need more pre-launch followers than you think you do. And lots of people don't put enough impetus on the marketing beforehand. Almost all of our Kickstarter marketing is beforehand because we drive so many people to that follow button. Early Bird Pricing and Fulfillment Time Sacha: And then the other thing that we do is that we do early bird pricing. So we get the majority of our income on a campaign on day one. I think it was something wild, like 80% this time was on day one, so that's really important. The second thing is it takes so, so very much longer than you think it does to fulfil a campaign, and you must factor in that cost. Because if it's not you fulfilling, you are paying somebody else to fulfil it. And if it is you fulfilling it, you must account for your own time in the pricing of your campaign. And the other thing is that the amount of time it takes to fulfil is directly proportionate to the size of the campaign. That's one thing I did not even compute — the fact that we went from about 56,000 British pounds up to double that, and the time was exponentially more than double. So you do have to think about that. Overseas Printing and Timelines Sacha: The other lesson that we have learned is that overseas printing will drag your timelines out far longer than you think it does. So whatever you think it's going to take you to fulfil, add several months more onto that and put that information in your campaign. And thankfully, we are now only going to be a month delayed, whereas lots of campaigns get up to a year delayed because they don't consider that. Reinvesting Kickstarter Profits Sacha: And then the last thing I think, which was really key for us, is that if you have some profit in the Kickstarter — because not all Kickstarters are actually massively profitable because they either don't account enough for shipping or they don't account enough in the pricing. Thankfully, ours have been profitable, but we've actually reinvested that profit back into buying more stock and more merchandise, which not everybody would want to do if they don't have a warehouse. However, we are stockpiling merchandise and books so that we can do mystery boxes later on down the line. It's probably a year away, but we are buying extra of everything so that we have that in the warehouse. So yeah, depending on what you want to do with your profit, for us it was all about buying more books, basically. Offering Something Exclusive Sacha: I think the other thing to think about is what is it that you are doing that's exclusive to Kickstarter? Because you will get backers on Kickstarter who want that quirky, unique thing that they're not going to be able to get anywhere else. But what about you? Because you've done more Kickstarters than me. What do you think is the biggest lesson you've learned? Reward Tiers and Bundling Joanna: Oh, well I think all of mine together add up to the one you just did. Although I will comment on — you said something like 75 pounds per pre-launch backer. That is obviously dependent on your tiers for the rewards, so most authors won't have that amount. So my average order value, which I know is slightly different, but I don't offer things like book boxes like you have. So a lot of it will depend on the tiers. Some people will do a Kickstarter just with an ebook, just with one ebook and maybe a bundle of ebooks. So you are never going to make it up to that kind of value. So I think this is important too, is have a look at what people offer on their different levels of Kickstarter. And in fact, here's my AI tip for the day. What you can do — what I did with my Buried and the Drowned campaign recently — is I uploaded my book to ChatGPT and said, tell me, what are some ideas for the different reward tiers that I can do on Kickstarter? And it will give you some ideas for what you can do, what kind of bundles you might want to do. So I think bundling your backlist is another thing you can do as upsells, or you can just, for example, for me, when I did Blood Vintage, I did a horror bundle when it was four standalone horror books in one of the upper tiers. So I think bundling is a good way. Also upselling your backlist is a really good way to up things. And also if you do it digitally, so for ebooks and audiobooks, there's a lot less time in fulfillment. Focus on Digital Products Too Joanna: So again, yours — well, you make things hard, but also more fun according to you, because most of it's physical, right? In fact, this is one of the things you haven't done so well, really, is concentrate on the digital side of things. Is that something you are thinking about now? Sacha: Yeah, it is. I mean, we do have our books digitally on the website. So the last — I only had one series in Kindle Unlimited, and I took those out in January. But so we do have all of the digital products on the website, and the novellas that we do, we have in all formats because I narrate the audio for them. So that is something that we're looking at. And since somebody very smart told me to have upsell apps on my website, we now have a full “get the everything bundle” in physical and digital and we are now selling them as well. Surprising. Definitely not you. So yeah, we are looking at it and that's something that we could look at next year as well for advertising because I haven't really done any advertising. I think I've spent about 200 pounds in ads in the last four months or something. It's very, very low level. So that is a way to make a huge amount of profit because the cost is so low. So your return, if you're doing a 40 or 50 pound bundle of ebooks and you are spending, I don't know, four pounds in advertising to get that sale, your return on that investment is enormous for ads. So that is something that we are looking at for next year, but it just hasn't been something that we've done a huge amount of. A Multi-Six-Figure Author With No Ads Joanna: Yeah. Well, just quoting from your solo episode where you say, “I don't have any advertising costs, customers are from my mailing list, TikTok and Instagram.” Now, being as you are a multi-six-figure author with no ads, this is mostly unthinkable for many authors. And so I wonder if, maybe talk about that. How do you think you have done that and can other people potentially emulate it, or do you think it's luck? It's Not Luck, It's Skill Set Sacha: Do you know, this is okay. So I don't think it's luck. I don't believe in luck. I get quite aggressive about people flinging luck around. I know some people are huge supporters of luck. I'm like, no. Do I think anybody can do it? Do you know, I swing so hard on this. Sometimes I say yes, and sometimes I think no. And I think the brutal truth of it is that I know where my skill set lies and I lean extremely heavily into it. So what do I mean by that? TikTok and Instagram are both very visual mediums. It is video footage. It is static images. I am extremely comfortable on camera. I am an ex-theatre kid. I was on TV as a kid. I did voiceover work when I was younger. This is my wheelhouse. So acting a bit like a tit on TikTok on a video, I am very comfortable at doing that, and I think that is reflected in the results. Consistency Without Burnout Sacha: And the other part of it is because I am comfortable at doing it, I enjoy it. It makes me laugh. And therefore it feels easy. And I think because it feels easy, I can do it over and over and over again without burning out. I started posting on TikTok on November the 19th, 2023, and I have posted three times a day every day since. Every single day without stopping, and I do not feel burnt out. And I definitely feel like that is because it's easy for me because I am good at it. Reading the Algorithm Sacha: The other thing that I think goes in here is that I'm very good at reading what's working. So sorry to talk Clifton Strengths, but my number one Clifton Strength is competition. And one of the skills that has is understanding the market. We're very good at having a wide view. So not only do I read the market on Amazon or in bookstores or wherever I can, it's the same skill set but applied to the algorithm. So I am very good at dissecting viral videos and understanding what made it work, in the same way somebody that spends 20,000 pounds a month on Facebook advertising is very good at doing analytics and looking at those numbers. I am useless at that. I just can't do it. I just get complete shutdown. My brain just says no, and I'm incapable of running ads. That's why I don't do it. Not Everyone Can Do This Sacha: So can anybody do this? Maybe. If you are comfortable on camera, if you enjoy it. It's like we've got a mutual friend, Adam Beswick. We call him the QVC Book Bitch because he is a phenomenon on live videos on TikTok and Instagram and wherever he can sell. Anything on those lives. It is astonishing to watch the sales pop in as he's on these lives. I can't think of anything worse. I will do a live, but I'll be signing books and having a good old chitchat. Not like it's — like that hand selling. Another author, Willow Winters, has done like 18 in-person events this year. I literally die on the inside hearing that. But that's what works for them and that's what's helping grow their business models. So ah, honestly, no. I actually don't think anybody can do what I've done. I think if you have a similar skill set to me, then yes you can. But no, and I know that I don't want to crush anybody listening. Do you like social media? I like social media. Do you like being on camera? Then yeah, you can do it. But if you don't, then I just think it's a waste of your time. Find out what you are good at, find out where your skill set is, and then lean in very, very hard. Writing to Your Strengths and Passion Joanna: I also think, because let's be brutal, you had books before and they didn't sell like this. Sacha: Yep. Joanna: So I also think that you leaned into — yes, of course, sapphic romance is a big sub-genre, but you love it. And also it's your lived experience with the sapphic sub-genre. This is not you chasing a trend, right? I think that's important too because too many people are like, oh, well maybe this is the latest trend. And is TikTok a trend? And then try and force them together, whereas I feel like you haven't done that. Sacha: No, and actually I spoke to lots of people who were very knowledgeable on the market and they all said, don't do it. And the reason for this is that there were no adult lesbian sapphic romance books that were selling when I looked at the market and decided that this was what I wanted to write. And I was like, cool, I'm going to do it then. And rightly so, everyone was like, well, there's no evidence to suggest that this is going to make any money. You are taking a huge risk. And I was like, yeah, but I will. I knew from the outset before I even put a word to the page how I was going to market it. And I think that feeling of coming home is what I — I created a home for myself in my books and that is why it's just felt so easy to market. Lean Into What You're Good At Sacha: It's like you, with your podcasting. Nobody can get anywhere near your podcast because you are so good at it. You've got such a history. You are so natural with your podcasting that you are just unbeatable, you know? So it's a natural way for you to market it. Joanna: Many have tried, but no, you're right. It's because I like this. And what's so funny — I'm sure I've mentioned it on the show — but I did call you one day and say, okay, all right, show me how to do this TikTok thing. And you spent like two hours on the phone with me and then I basically said no. Okay. I almost tried and then I just went, no, this is definitely not for me. And I think that this has to be one of the most important things as an author. Maybe some people listening are just geeking out over packaging like you are, and maybe they're the people who might look at this potential business model. Whereas some people are like me and don't want to go anywhere near it. And then other people like you want to do video and maybe other people like me want to do audio. So yeah, it's so important to find, well, like you said, what does not work for you? What is fun for you and when are you having a good time? Because otherwise you would have a job. Like to me, it looks like a job, you having a warehouse. But to you, it's not the same as when you were grinding it out back in 2022. Packing Videos Are Peak Content Sacha: Completely. And I think if you look at my social media feeds, they are disproportionately full of packing videos, which I think tells you something. Joanna: Oh dear. I just literally — I'm just like, oh my, if I never see any more packaging, I'll be happy. Sacha: Yeah. That's good. The One Time Sacha Nearly Burnt It All Down Sacha: I have to say, there was one moment where I doubted everything. And that was at the end — but basically, in about, of really poor timing. I ended up having to fulfil every single pre-order of my latest release and hand packing about a thousand books in two weeks. And I nearly burnt it all to the ground. Joanna: Because you didn't have enough staffing, right? And your mum was sick or something? Sacha: Yeah, exactly that. And I had to do it all by myself, and I was alone in the warehouse and it was just horrendous. So never again. But hey, I learned the lessons and now I'm like, yay, let's do it again. Things Change: Building Resilience Into Your Business Joanna: Yeah. And make sure there's more staffing. Yes, I've talked a lot on this show — things change, right? Things change. And in fact, the episode that just went out today as we record this with Jennifer Probst, which she talked about hitting massive bestseller lists and doing just incredibly well, and then it just dropped off and she had to pivot and change things. And I'm not like Debbie Downer, but I do say things will change. So what are you putting in place to make sure, for example, TikTok finally does disappear or get banned, or that sapphic romance suddenly drops off a cliff? What are you doing to make sure that you can keep going in the future? Managing Cash Flow and Salaries Sacha: Yeah, so I think there's a few things. The first big one is managing cash flow and ensuring that I have three to six months' worth of staff salaries, for want of a better word, in an account. So if the worst thing happens and sales drop off — because I am responsible for other people's income now — that I'm not about to shaft a load of people. So that really helps give you that risk reassurance. Mailing Lists and Marketing Funnels Sacha: The second thing is making sure that we are cultivating our mailing lists, making sure that we are putting in infrastructure, like things like upsell apps. And, okay, so here's a ridiculous lesson that I learned in 2025: an automation sequence, an onboarding automation sequence, is not what people mean when they say you need a marketing funnel. I learned this in Vegas. A marketing funnel will sell your products to your existing readers. So when a customer signs up to your mailing list because they've purchased something, they will be tagged and then your email flow system will then send them a 5% discount on this, or “did you know you could bundle up and get blah?” So putting that kind of stuff in place will mean that we can take more advantage of the customers that we've already got. Standard Operating Procedures Sacha: It's also things like organisational knowledge. My team is big enough now that there are things in my business I don't know how to do. That's quite daunting for somebody who is a control freak. So I visited Vegas in 2025 and I sat in a session all on — this sounds so sexy — but standard operating procedures. And now I've given my team the job of creating a process instruction manual on how they do each of their tasks so that if anybody's sick, somebody else can pick it up. If somebody leaves, we've got that infrastructure in place. And even things down to things like passwords — who, if I unfortunately got hit by a car, who can access my Amazon account? Stuff like that, unfortunately. Joanna: Yeah, I know. Well, I mean, that would be tragic, wouldn't it? Sacha: But it's stuff like that. Building Longer Timelines Sacha: But then also more day-to-day things is putting in infrastructure that pulls me out. So looking more at staffing responsibilities for staffing so that I don't always have to be there, and creating longer timelines. That is probably the most important thing that we can do because we've got a book box launching next summer. And we both had the realisation — I say we, me and my operations manager — had the realisation that actually we ought to be commissioning the cover and the artwork now because of how long those processes take. So I'm a little bit shortsighted on timelines, I think. So putting a bit more rigour in what we do and when. We now have a team-wide heat map where we know when the warehouse is going to be really, really full, when staff are off, when deliveries are coming, and that's projected out a year in advance. So lots and lots of things that are changing. And then I guess also eventually we will do advertising as well. But that is a few months down the line. Personal Financial Resilience Sacha: And then on the more personal side, it's looking at things like not just how you keep the business running, but how do you keep yourself running? How do you make sure that, let's say you have a bad sales month, but you still have to pay your team? How are you going to get paid? So I, as well as having put staff salaries away, I also have my own salary. I've got a few months of my own salary put away. And then investing as well. I know, I am not a financial advisor, but I do invest money. I serve money that I pay myself. You can also do things like having investment vehicles inside your business if you want to deal with extra cash. And then I am taking advice from my accountant and my financial advisor on do I put more money into my pension — because did I say that I also have a pension? So I invest in my future as well. Or do I set up another company and have a property portfolio? Or how do I essentially make the money that is inside the business make more money rather than reinvesting it, spending it, and reinvesting it on things that don't become assets or don't become money generating? What can I do with the cash that's inside the company in order to then make it make more for the long term? Because then if you do have a down six months or worse, a down year, for example, you've got enough cash and equity inside the business to cover you during those lower months or years or weeks — or hopefully just a day. Different Business Models for Different Authors Joanna: Yes, of course. And we all hope it just carries on up and to the right, but sometimes it doesn't work that way. So it's really great that you are doing all those things. And I think what's lovely and why we started off with you giving us that potted history was it hasn't always been this way. So if you are listening to this and you are like, well, I've only got one ebook for sale on Amazon, well that might be all you ever want to do, which is fine. Or you can come to where my business model is, which is mostly even — I use print on demand, but it's mostly digital. It's mostly online. It's got no packaging that I deal with. Or you can go even further like Sacha and Adam Beswick and Willow Winters. But because that is being talked about a lot in the community, that's why we wanted to do this — to really show you that there's different people doing different things and you need to choose what's best for you. What Are You Excited About for 2026? Joanna: But just as we finish, just tell us what are you excited about for 2026? Sacha: Oh my goodness me. I am excited to iterate my craft. And this is completely not related to the warehouse, but I have gotten myself into a position where I get to play with words again. So I'm really excited for the things that I'm going to write. But also in terms of the warehouse, we've got the new packaging, so getting to see those on social media. We are also looking at things like book boxes. So we are doing a set of three book boxes and these are going to be new and bigger and better than anything that we've done before. And custom tailored. Oh, without giving too much away, but items that go inside and also the artwork. I love working with artists and commissioning different art projects. But yeah, basically more of the same, hopefully world domination. Joanna: World domination. Fantastic. So basically more creativity. Sacha: Yeah. Joanna: And also a bigger business. Because I know you are ambitious and I love that. I think it's really good for people to be ambitious. Joanna: Oh, I do have another question. Do you have more sympathy for traditional publishing at this point? Sacha: How dare you? Unfortunately, yeah. I really have learnt the hard way why traditional publishers need the timelines that they need. This latest release was probably the biggest that — so this latest release, which was called Architecting, is the reason that I did the podcast episode, because I learned so many lessons. And in particular about timelines and how tight things get, and it's just not realistic when you are doing this physical business. So that's another thing if you are listening and you are like, oh no, no, no, I like the immediacy of being able to finish, get it back from the editor and hit publish — this ain't for you, honey. This is not for you. Joanna: Yeah. No, that's fantastic. Where to Find Sacha and Ruby Roe Joanna: So where can people find you and your books online? Sacha: For the Ruby Empire, it's RubyRoe.co.uk and RubyRoeAuthor on TikTok if you'd like to see me dancing like a wally. And then Instagram, I'm back as @SachaBlackAuthor on Instagram. Joanna: Brilliant. Thanks so much for your time, Sacha. That was great. Sacha: Thank you for having me.The post Two Different Approaches To Selling Books Direct With Sacha Black And Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia speaks to independent hairstylists who are tired of creating big New Year goals that fizzle out by February. Instead of another pretty planner that never gets used, Hunter walks you through the exact way he planned his most successful year so far and what needs to change if you want a 2026 plan that actually sticks.Whether you are aiming for more consistent income, a lighter schedule, or finally following through on the projects that have been sitting on your list for years, this conversation will help you create a plan that feels realistic, sustainable, and genuinely supportive of your life behind and beyond the chair.Key Takeaways

Experience a peaceful blend of soft rain and distant birdsong that creates a naturally calming atmosphere. The soothing patter of rainfall merges with delicate avian calls, inviting you into a serene outdoor setting ideal for sleep, studying, or unwinding. Let this vivid soundscape guide your mind into a focused, tranquil space where nature's rhythms support deep rest and concentration.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/asmr-rain-recordings--5347561/support.Lose the AD intros by becoming a subscriber!https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/asmr-rain-recordings--5347561/support

Today we are joined by Toby Wright. Toby is an online coach and personal trainer with a passion for mental health. Toby believes true wellness begins from the inside out. Blending evidence-based training with a focus on mental health and mindset. [Dec 8, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:26 – Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro 00:51 - Intro Links -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ -          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/ -          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/ -          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                 02:17 - Toby Wright Intro 03:09 - Having a Purpose 04:02 - The Accountability Factor 05:36 - Mindset 07:02 - Finding What Works For You 08:37 - The Happiness Scale 12:40 - When to Push Through 15:53 - Finding Balance 17:39 - Masterclass Ad -          https://www.masterclass.com/socialengineer 19:12 - Focus on the 95% 21:33 - Know What You're Taking 23:34 - Cover Your Bases First 25:27 - You Just Gotta Go 29:54 - Find Toby Wright Online                                                -          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyywright/ 31:08 - Mentors 32:24 - Book Recommendations -          SAS: Who Dares Wins - Ant Middleton 34:15 - Guest Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

In this episode of Small & Gutsy, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Keri Burgess, founder of The Farm Dog Rescue, and Nancy Zare, a dedicated volunteer foster parent, to discuss the critical work of dog rescue, rehabilitation, and responsible adoption in Martin County, Florida. The Farm Dog Rescue is a no-kill dog rescue organization that has made it a mission to rescue and adopt dogs, educate the community, and help animals in need. Beyond individual rescues, the organization is focused on addressing the larger issue of pet overpopulation through spay and neuter programs and policy advocacy. Throughout the conversation, Keri and Nancy share powerful stories of transformation—from chained and malnourished dogs finding forever homes, to the importance of careful vetting and placement, to the unique "Seniors Helping Seniors" program that pairs older dogs with older adopters. They discuss the realities of rescue work, the emotional rewards of fostering, and why focusing on the present rather than a dog's traumatic past is so important. Key topics include: Owner surrenders, and why 95% of Farm Dog Rescue's dogs come from families who can no longer care for them The critical role of foster families in rehabilitation and placement How legislation and spay/neuter policy are needed to reduce pet overpopulation, particularly in the southern states The importance of pet trusts for senior pet owners Nancy's journey from volunteer to experienced foster parent and the confidence it builds Why quality placement matters more than quantity of rescues The "Seniors Helping Seniors" program: pairing senior dogs with senior adopters How to focus on a dog's potential future rather than its traumatic past The systemic issue: "You cannot kill your way out of pet over-population" Guest Bios Keri Burgess – Founder, The Farm Dog Rescue Keri Burgess is a passionate animal advocate and rescuer with over 20 years of experience in animal welfare. As the founder and president of The Farm Dog Rescue, she has devoted her life to saving and rehabilitating dogs in need. Her journey in rescue began as a foster, and over the years, she has volunteered for numerous shelters and organizations, gaining invaluable experience.  In addition to her rescue work, Keri is a full-time realtor and owner of a real estate coaching company, where she helps professionals grow and succeed in their businesses. Her business acumen lends itself to both running The Farm Dog Rescue as a sustainable nonprofit and selling real estate—balancing compassion with strategy to ensure success in both fields. Nancy Zare – Volunteer Foster Parent, The Farm Dog Rescue Nancy Zare is known as the "LinkedIn Whisperer" and is the creator of the Likability Sales System. She is a renowned business consultant who shows professional business owners how to generate warm, organic leads on LinkedIn and turn them into clients. She has authored seven books, including an Amazon International Best Seller. As a volunteer foster parent for The Farm Dog Rescue, Nancy has fostered 38 dogs in just a few years.  Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff – Host, Small & Gutsy Dr. Laura is the host and founder of Small & Gutsy, a podcast and 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to spotlighting smaller nonprofits and social enterprises under $10 million. Her mission is to raise visibility for these organizations and connect them with volunteers, donors, investors, and job seekers. Key Takeaways Owner Surrenders Are the Primary Need: The Farm Dog Rescue receives 10-15 owner surrender calls per day, with 95% of their dogs coming from families who can no longer care for them—not from shelters. Quality Over Quantity: Farm Dog Rescue prioritizes careful vetting, behavioral assessment, and thoughtful placement over rescuing the most dogs possible. Their average hold time is 12 days, with some dogs placed in as little as one hour and others taking up to a year. Fostering Is Transformational: Foster families like Nancy don't just help dogs—they help themselves. Fostering builds confidence, teaches new skills, and provides deep personal rewards. Policy Change Is Essential: The real solution to pet overpopulation is not no-kill shelters—it's spay/neuter legislation and responsible breeding policies, which have already reduced overpopulation in northern states. Pet Trusts Matter: Many seniors assume their family will care for their pets if something happens, but this often doesn't happen. Pet trusts ensure dogs go to appropriate rescues and forever homes. Seniors Helping Seniors Works: Pairing senior dogs with senior adopters creates perfect matches—older dogs need laps and love, and older people want exactly that. Focus on the Present: Dogs live in the moment. While their past trauma matters for understanding behavior, the focus should be on creating a joyful, safe present and future. Rescue Is a Business: Even nonprofits must operate like businesses with financial stability, clear processes, and strategic planning to be sustainable and effective. It Takes a Village: The Farm Dog Rescue has 52 volunteers in different roles—from fostering to transport to admin. Sustainability comes from distributed leadership and a strong team. Who Rescues Whom? The relationship between rescuer and rescued is mutual. Dogs provide us with purpose, presence, and unconditional love in ways that transform our own lives. Organizations & Resources Mentioned The Farm Dog Rescue Website: TheFarmDogRescue.com Phone: 772-224-3323 Services: Dog rescue, adoption, fostering, behavioral training, spay/neuter programs, Seniors Helping Seniors program Location: Martin County, Florida Mission: No-kill dog rescue supporting animal welfare through rescue, adoption, education, and community outreach Small & Gutsy Website: SmallandGutsy.org Mission: Spotlight smaller nonprofits and social enterprises to raise visibility and connect them with volunteers, donors, investors, and job seekers Contact for organization recommendations: Laura@SmallAndGutsy.org

Welcome to a new episode of ASMR Sleep Recordings. In this episode, you will hear 2 Hours of Calming Waterfall. Improve your health and happiness.The sound you hear in this episode creates a calm atmosphere and at the same time blocks out disturbing noises. This will help you de-stress, unwind, and rest. Enjoy two hours of relaxing sounds to help you relax, focus, study and fall asleep.About ASMR Sleep Recordings:The purpose of ASMR Sleep Recording is to help you sleep and concentrate better. This particular episode lasts two hours and has no ads in the middle, so you won't be woken up or disturbed while focusing or relaxing. When you listen to ASMR Sleep Recordings, you can lock your phone, so you won't get any bothersome stimuli from notifications and other sounds from your phone. You can switch between apps while studying or working without pausing the ambient sound.About our sounds:Water creates a natural white noise. Infused with the relaxing quality of nature and the sound-masking properties of white noise, listening to running water is an ideal way to turn off all the stressful things life brings, and to de-stress. Some of our most popular sounds include a river, flowing creek, babbling brook, gentle waves on a lake, and a bamboo fountain.Rain also creates a natural white noise. Infused with the relaxing quality of nature and the sound-masking properties of white noise, listening to rain is an ideal way to switch off all the stressful things life brings and to de-stress. Some of our most popular sounds are rain on an umbrella, hailstorms, hard rain, soft rain, gentle rain, wind and rain, rain on a car.White noise helps babies and children to get a better and deeper night's sleep. This is because external sounds are masked by the noise. With white noise in the background, your child will not hear annoying cars driving by or dogs barking in bed. This allows your little one to sleep better. And it also saves you as a parent a lot of hours!Pink noise is more common in nature than you might expect. It can be compared to continuous rainfall or wind. In addition to white noise, pink noise is also increasing in popularity, especially in business environments. Because it can increase productivity, concentration and creativity.Brown noise can be compared to waves of the sea, a river current, strong winds or the sound of thunder during a storm. Like pink noise, brown noise is very similar to white noise. However, the frequencies have been lowered even further and a lot more concentrated. This gives it a rougher/coarse tone than pink noise. It sounds a bit deeper and a bit bass-like. The benefits of brown noise are the same as the other types of noise. It provides relaxation, increased focus and improved deep sleep.DISCLAIMER: Be aware that loud noises can damage your hearing. If you can't carry on a conversation without raising your voice while playing one of our spheres, the sound may be too loud for your ears. Do not place the speakers directly next to a baby's ears. If you have trouble hearing or ringing in your ears, stop listening to the white noise immediately and see an audiologist or your doctor. The sounds provided by ASMR Sleep Recordings are for entertainment purposes only and are not a treatment for sleep disorders or tinnitus. Consult your doctor if you regularly have severe sleeping problems, experience fitful/restless sleep or feel tired during the day.ASMR Sleep Recordings is the white noise and nature sounds podcast to help you sleep, study or soothe a baby. ASMR Sleep Recordings has uploaded more than 400+ episodes in the 4 years that the podcast has been online. You can listen to all episodes of the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. People use white noise for sleep, focus, sound masking or relaxation. This podcast has the sound for you, whether you're using white noise to study, to soothe a baby with cramps, to fall asleep, or to just enjoy a quiet moment. You don't need to buy a white noise machine if you can listen to these sounds for free.

In this episode of the Get Strong podcast, host Jessie Mershon discusses the common struggle with New Year's resolutions and the reasons behind their frequent failure. She emphasizes the importance of identity change, community support, and a positive mindset in achieving personal goals. Jessie encourages listeners to focus on long-term habits and self-compassion rather than quick fixes, highlighting the significance of building strength both physically and mentally.   takeaways Only 8% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions. Setting goals requires intention and daily changes. Identity change is crucial for achieving goals. Community support enhances accountability and motivation. Avoid comparison; focus on personal progress. Commit to long-term habits, not just short-term challenges. Failure is a choice; progress over perfection is key. Mindset is essential in a fitness journey. Self-compassion is vital for growth and change. Focus on strength and well-being, not just weight loss. 00:00 Introduction to New Year's Resolutions and Overwhelm 03:12 The Importance of Identity Change for Goal Achievement 06:02 The Role of Community and Accountability in Success 08:48 Mindset and the Journey of Progress Over Perfection 12:05 Strength Statements and Self-Love 14:50 Finding the Right Fitness Approach for You 18:05 Building Consistency and Long-Term Habits

In this episode of Your Daily Chocolate, we chat with David Beker, founder and president of A Better Design Company. As the Christmas season approaches, David shares insights from being a social worker to a successful toy inventor. Known for creating products like the Cornhole Shootout, a finalist for Toy of the Year in 2025, David discusses how his company focuses on reimagining and enhancing traditional toys. He emphasizes the importance of 'active play' and shares stories about his innovative products, including organic whole grain ice cream cones. Perfect for parents and toy enthusiasts, this episode offers a glimpse into the creative process behind some beloved toys and highlights the value of non-digital play.Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:14 David Beker's Background and Journey to Inventing02:11 The Ice Cream Cone Business04:34 Innovating Existing Products07:10 Entering the Toy Industry10:34 Cornhole Shootout and Toy of the Year12:05 Focus on Active Play and Future Projects16:02 The Process of Bringing a New Product to Market16:54 The Importance of Research for Inventors17:50 Navigating the Manufacturing and Royalty Process19:46 Understanding Patents and Provisional Patent Applications22:36 Challenges and Resilience in Israel26:38 Rapid Fire Questions with David30:39 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Send us a textIn this week's Monday Morning Motivation, host Anna Steinfest breaks down the real reason many small business owners feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck—lack of focused energy. Inspired by the “Power of Focus” principles, this episode reveals how distractions quietly drain progress and how even small shifts in focus can lead to massive momentum.Anna explains why multitasking kills results, how your mental energy ratio determines your success, and why your business doesn't need more hours—just more clarity. She closes with three actionable steps every entrepreneur can implement this week to gain control, eliminate energy leaks, and drive forward movement.If you're tired of busy days with little progress, this episode will help you reclaim clarity, strengthen discipline, and build unstoppable momentum in your business. #SmallBusinessSurvival #MondayMorningMotivation #EntrepreneurLife #FocusedEnergy #BusinessMindset #SmallBusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMotivation

Silly season has well and truly arrived, and chances are you're feeling the festive overwhelm. This week's episode offers up some reminders you might need to help you stay calm and sane!   Join the More GREAT Days Club   CONTACT SOPHIE: Coaching - Find out more Buy My Book - Choose Joy: Relieve Burnout, Focus on Your Happiness, and Infuse More Joy into Your Everyday Life Instagram - @sophiecliff Email - sophie@sophiecliff.com   

10 Step Low Stakes Poker Strategy Brand New! Free content monthly just for signing up as. Free follower. Articles, videos and more. It's 100% free to sign up and follow me here:https://lowlimitcashgames.com Fans of the Pod get ad free, fluff free episode every single Sunday: https://lowlimitcashgames.com Save 10% when you choose the annual option Targeted Low Stakes poker training with hundreds of hours of audio and video teaching exclusively how to crush 1/2 and 1/3 no limit: https://lowlimitcashgames.com Save 10% when you choose the annual option. 1 Play Tight Preflop Focus on playing only strong starting hands, especially in early positions-fold weak hands most of the time. Typically, fold around 80% of your hands at a full table and prioritize pairs, broadways, and suited connectors on the button and cutoff. 2 Raise or Fold When First In
When you are first to act in a pot, avoid limping (just calling the big blind). Instead, either raise with your selected hands or fold if the hand doesn't meet your standards. 3 Stop Calling Raises With Marginal Hands Avoid calling with weak or medium-strength hands after someone else has raised. Only call if you have a strong hand or a specific reason (like good pot odds). 4 Value Bet Relentlessly Against CallingStations Most low stakes opponents will call too often with weak hands, so bet big with your strong hands. Focus on extracting the most value when you hit top pair or better. 5 Punish Over-Callers and Tight Players Use bigger bet sizes to charge loose, passive players who chase draws. Against tight players who rarely bluff, bet smaller and be willing to fold to big bets. 6 Double Barrel (Bet Flop and Turn) Against Passive Players If opponents call your flop bet, often follow up with another bet on the turn ("double barrel"), as many low stakes players will fold if you continue showing strength. 7 Three-Bet Light in Position Occasionally re-raise ("three-bet") with hands such as suited connectors, suited aces, and small pairs from the button or cutoff against tight openers. Do not do this with junk hands. 8 Play More Hands in Late Position Actively seek to play hands when sitting near the dealer button or cutoff, as acting last gives you more information and control over the pot size and your actions. 9 Exploit Weakness; Don't Bluff Too Much Bluffing should be limited, as opponents call too often. Only bluff when you see clear signs of weakness and avoid elaborate moves, especially against calling stations. 10 Use Logical Systematic Decision Making Always analyze the situation: hand strength, position, previous action, and your opponent's tendencies. Stick to your plan and don't let emotions or tilt affect your choices. Review sessions afterward to improve your play. Hate AK? How to Play AK Master Class For only $49 get this 88 minute training video of me showing you exactly how to play AK, particularly when out of position. https://www.patreon.com/lowlim... The best way to ramp your game up and know how to play any hand in any spot by drilling it over and over again. This is the only product I endorses. Make sure to use my code for a 25% discount at checkout: https://advancedpokertraining.... Use code: lowlimit Free episode on variable, run bad, and tilt. Free for anyone who is a free member and high on my Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/... Want more details on everything that is offered with the training package on Patreon? I go into great detail about it all here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/...

If you can write or speak well, you are one step closer to getting what you want in life.––– Links –––Eden – The AI canvas & drive: https://eden.so/dan-ytRead my letters on similar topics here: https://letters.thedankoe.comLearn a high-value skill: https://2hourwriter.comOne-Person Business Launchpad: https://letters.thedankoe.com/p/full-course-the-one-person-businessThis podcast was originally a YouTube video:⁠ https://youtu.be/DKT6m_8vCkA––– My Books –––The Art of Focus: https://theartoffocusbook.comPurpose & Profit: https://thedankoe.com/purpose––– Socials –––Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedankoeInstagram: https://instagram.com/thedankoeYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/DanKoeTalksLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/thedankoe

Join Andrea Samadi as she reviews Dr. Shane Creado's insights on why sleep is a core pillar of brain health, how chronic sleep deprivation harms reaction time, inflammation, pain perception, and why children pay the highest price. Learn practical sleep strategies—consistent schedules, light management, wind-down routines—and how the Silva Method's mind-training can deepen restorative sleep for athletes, high performers, and families. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren't taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I'm Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That's why I've made it my mission to bring you the world's top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We'll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. This week, we move onto PART 2 of our review of EP 72[i] with Shane Creado, MD and his book Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes recorded back in July of 2020. In PART 1[ii], we covered: How strategic napping, morning brain habits, and even the Silva Method all work together to reset your brain, boost performance, and transform your health from the inside out. Today, PART 2 we will continue with our review, diving a bit deeper into sleep deprivation and its impact of performance (whether you are an athlete, or just someone looking to improve productivity). PART 3, next week, we will go a bit deeper into the impacts of concussions and brain injuries on our sleep and performance. Just a reminder: Dr. Creado is a double board-certified sleep medicine doctor and psychiatrist who practices functional sleep medicine, integrative psychiatry, and sports psychiatry. He brings all of these specialties together to uncover the underlying factors that sabotage our sleep and then treats them comprehensively, helping people to achieve their health and performance goals with sleep at the forefront As we work through our reviews, we will spend a considerable amount of time on this important health staple that's scientifically proven to boost our physical and mental health. For today's EP 379, and PART 2 of our review of our 2020 interview with Dr. Shane Creado, we will cover: ✔ Sleep as a core pillar of health according to Dr. Shane Creado, author of Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes. ✔ Sleep deprivation is a national crisis and kid's pay the highest price. ✔ 7 Well-Known Tips for Improving Sleep ✔ Applying the Silva Method to Reset and Improve Our Sleep ✔ Important sleep tips for athletes and high performers   Let's go back to 2020 and revisit what Dr. Creado had to say about sleep. CLIP 1 — Why Sleep Is Non-Negotiable for Brain Health Short Explanation: In Clip 1, Dr. Shane Creado explains that sleep is a foundational pillar of brain health, equal in importance to exercise and nutrition. He emphasizes that without optimizing sleep, it is impossible to truly optimize learning, emotional regulation, focus, or performance. Dr. Creado highlights that chronic sleep deprivation is widespread in the U.S., often unnoticed, and especially damaging for children—where lack of deep sleep suppresses growth hormone, increases obesity risk, and raises the likelihood of developing mental-health challenges later in life. His message is clear: when sleep improves, the entire “fabric” of life and health begins to change. VIDEO 1 – Click Here to Watch In our next video clip from Dr. Creado, I ask him to dive deeper into optimizing our brain health with a quote from his book that reads “your brain health and sports performance cannot be optimized unless your sleep is optimized. And once this is achieved your quality of life will skyrocket. When you sleep well, the fabric of your life will change. And when this happens, it will have a ripple effect.” This sounds like a simple concept, but for those of us who have been working on improving this pillar, we know it's one of those concepts that easier said, than done. Let's hear Dr. Creado's thoughts on my question- And Dr. Creado replied that “sleep is one of the pillars of brain health along with exercise and nutrition. And we need to make sure we're getting the right amount of sleep. Most adults and most teenagers don't know about this but a vast majority, 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep problem. And way more than those suffer from sleep deprivation, chronic sleep deprivation. If a child is deprived of sleep, their growth hormone levels will be suppressed because deep sleep is where growth hormone levels peak, so basically you are going to be stunting your growth. Over 80% of kids who are sleep deprived go on to develop obesity. There's a huge overlap between kids who are chronically sleep deprived who manifest mental health conditions later in life.”

Send us a textThe Ladder of Conscious CompetenceFour stages: Conscious/Unconscious Competence & Incompetence.This can explain why there's a lack of knowledge transfer at your schoolWhy having unconscious competence makes skills hard to teach.The Peter Principle in EducationPeople are promoted beyond their skillset (shifting from teaching children to teaching adults).Success in one role doesn't guarantee success in another.Effective leadership requires a balance of three key skill sets: technical, conceptual, and humanCoaching Missteps to AvoidAvoid coaching people to mimic your personality or style (Focus on enhancing the coachee's unique strengths.)Avoid sharing personal success stories excessively ("When I was a teacher, I...").Ignoring the critical need for developing adult-learning skills.

“Instead of asking yourself, 'How will this replace me,' ask yourself, 'How can this help me?”Willem Gous Top Five Tips To Stay Ahead In The Age of AI Disruption 1. Shift from Fear to Curiosity2. Act Small, Act Fast3. Focus on Adaptability, Not Certainty4. Think Like an Entrepreneur5. Take the Next Small, Doable Step TIME STAMP SUMMARY01:50 Using AI as a thinking partner to enhance one's own capabilities.07:20 Taking small, fast actions with AI and automation to see how they can help achieve goals.11:40 Adopting an entrepreneurial mindset17:00 Becoming a chameleon and adapting to new situations  Where to find WillemWebsite                              https://willem-gous.com  LinkedIn                             http://za.linkedin.com/in/willemgous    Willem Gous Bio Willem Gous is a global expert in entrepreneurial thinking and human adaptability, the skills that keep people and organisations ahead when the world changes fast. He works with companies to build teams that stay calm in disruption, think clearly under pressure, and take confident action to create innovative solutions. His practical approach makes adaptability and innovation part of everyday work, not just a one-off event.With over 25 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship, Willem delivers practical frameworks that shift how people think and work. His signature model, the Indivineur Thinking Compass, activates five core principles that unlock adaptability, resourcefulness and internal locus of control in organisations. Willem holds a Master's degree from the University of Liverpool, U.K.,was named Startup Mentor of the Year 2023, and ranks as a Top 50 Global Thought Leader with Thinkers360 in Lean Startup and Careers. Offstage, he is a single father and certified firewalking instructor, proving that the right mindset and preparation make anything possible.

What you choose for entertainment reflects your priorities. So, focus on what is true, noble, pure, and praiseworthy. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. Motivational Speaker and Bestselling Author Kevin Brown is the creator of The Hero Effect, a simple philosophy that separates world-class organizations and high-performance people from everybody else. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Most of us are unwilling to call ourselves heroes because of humility. The truth is, being a hero doesn't involve doing big things. It's about doing everything you do in a way that serves other people - and to take the storyline and stop accepting what the world is trying to give you. 2. Don't play victim. Don't live in the past. Don't setup camp on where you've been. Focus on where you're going. That's when you can release your gifts to the world. 3. Nobody on this planet was put here to be ordinary. We are created with talents and abilities as unique as our fingerprints. We were put here to use those gifts in service of others. Heroes are Extraordinary People Who Choose Not to Be Ordinary - The Hero Effect Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Intuit QuickBooks - Transform your cash flow and your business. Check out QuickBooks Money Tools today. Learn more at QuickBooks.com/money. Terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Bit IRA - Now might be a great time to convert your IRA or 401(k) to Bitcoin with the help of BitIRA. Go to BitIRA.com/JLD.

Previously aired: The Israeli demons didn't use a .30-06 to take out Charlie Kirk, they used an exploding lavalier mic, and every traitor from the media to the feds is scrambling to bury the truth! John Bray exposes this vile assassination plot with undeniable proof that shatters their pathetic narrative.   Brian Ference exposes how Israel whacked Charlie Kirk for ditching their Greater Israel scam, using fake Christian tech fronts to geofence and spy on TPUSA patriots. These synagogue of Satan operatives are tracking your phones, pumping pro-Israel psyops into your feeds, and building AI dossiers to control us all—it's time to wake up and fight back!

Immerse yourself in the gentle embrace of steady rainfall drumming softly against a canvas tent. This soothing soundscape creates a cocoon of calm, perfect for sleep, study, or deep focus. Let the rhythmic droplets form a tranquil atmosphere as you imagine settling into a warm, sheltered space while the world outside fades into a comforting hush.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/asmr-rain-recordings--5347561/support.Lose the AD intros by becoming a subscriber!https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/asmr-rain-recordings--5347561/support

Welcome to a new episode of ASMR Sleep Recordings. In this episode, you will hear 2 Hours of Flowing River. Improve your health and happiness.The sound you hear in this episode creates a calm atmosphere and at the same time blocks out disturbing noises. This will help you de-stress, unwind, and rest. Enjoy two hours of relaxing sounds to help you relax, focus, study and fall asleep.About ASMR Sleep Recordings:The purpose of ASMR Sleep Recording is to help you sleep and concentrate better. This particular episode lasts two hours and has no ads in the middle, so you won't be woken up or disturbed while focusing or relaxing. When you listen to ASMR Sleep Recordings, you can lock your phone, so you won't get any bothersome stimuli from notifications and other sounds from your phone. You can switch between apps while studying or working without pausing the ambient sound.About our sounds:Water creates a natural white noise. Infused with the relaxing quality of nature and the sound-masking properties of white noise, listening to running water is an ideal way to turn off all the stressful things life brings, and to de-stress. Some of our most popular sounds include a river, flowing creek, babbling brook, gentle waves on a lake, and a bamboo fountain. Rain also creates a natural white noise. Infused with the relaxing quality of nature and the sound-masking properties of white noise, listening to rain is an ideal way to switch off all the stressful things life brings and to de-stress. Some of our most popular sounds are rain on an umbrella, hailstorms, hard rain, soft rain, gentle rain, wind and rain, rain on a car.White noise helps babies and children to get a better and deeper night's sleep. This is because external sounds are masked by the noise. With white noise in the background, your child will not hear annoying cars driving by or dogs barking in bed. This allows your little one to sleep better. And it also saves you as a parent a lot of hours!Pink noise is more common in nature than you might expect. It can be compared to continuous rainfall or wind. In addition to white noise, pink noise is also increasing in popularity, especially in business environments. Because it can increase productivity, concentration and creativity.Brown noise can be compared to waves of the sea, a river current, strong winds or the sound of thunder during a storm. Like pink noise, brown noise is very similar to white noise. However, the frequencies have been lowered even further and a lot more concentrated. This gives it a rougher/coarse tone than pink noise. It sounds a bit deeper and a bit bass-like. The benefits of brown noise are the same as the other types of noise. It provides relaxation, increased focus and improved deep sleep.DISCLAIMER: Be aware that loud noises can damage your hearing. If you can't carry on a conversation without raising your voice while playing one of our spheres, the sound may be too loud for your ears. Do not place the speakers directly next to a baby's ears. If you have trouble hearing or ringing in your ears, stop listening to the white noise immediately and see an audiologist or your doctor. The sounds provided by ASMR Sleep Recordings are for entertainment purposes only and are not a treatment for sleep disorders or tinnitus. Consult your doctor if you regularly have severe sleeping problems, experience fitful/restless sleep or feel tired during the day.ASMR Sleep Recordings is the white noise and nature sounds podcast to help you sleep, study or soothe a baby. ASMR Sleep Recordings has uploaded more than 400+ episodes in the 4 years that the podcast has been online. You can listen to all episodes of the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. People use white noise for sleep, focus, sound masking or relaxation. This podcast has the sound for you, whether you're using white noise to study, to soothe a baby with cramps, to fall asleep, or to just enjoy a quiet moment. You don't need to buy a white noise machine if you can listen to these sounds for free.

Brian From sits down with longtime Focus on the Family counselor Rob Jackson to talk about why the Christmas season can intensify grief, loneliness, and emotional struggle for so many. Jackson offers practical wisdom on healthy coping, supporting loved ones, and dismantling unhelpful Christian stigmas around sadness, counseling, and mental health. Their conversation provides compassionate guidance—and a reminder that no one has to walk through a painful holiday season alone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most challenging stages of parenting is transitioning to the empty-nest season, especially when our adult children make decisions we disagree with. Mary DeMuth guides us on this journey of finding joy regardless of our wayward adult kids, sharing practical and spiritual tips on how to stay connected with children who have left the Christian faith. Love, Pray, Listen 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Special Edition Morgan Weistling Print Mary DeMuth’s Prayer Cards for Adult Children If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Weekend, please give us your feedback.

Mostly Growth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MostlyGrowthMostly Growth on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mostly-growth/id1842238102Mostly Growth on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3KDtaLaXx1obFp5PUhZ6V3In this episode of Mostly Growth, CJ Gustafson and Kyle Poyar bounce between sharp SaaS insights and delightfully weird internet culture. They start with an unexpected dive into competitive bird-watching apps, then break down recent software mergers like Superhuman + Grammarly + Coda and what they signal about scaling, cross-sell strategy, and private equity mechanics. CJ and Kyle explore why PE portfolios are becoming powerful distribution channels for AI solutions, how niche data “signals” are outpacing generic ones in sales, and share hedge-fund-style tactics for uncovering proprietary business information. The conversation rounds out with “business blunders” — from Y-axis chart crimes to clickbait headlines — and a lively discussion on Spotify's pricing power and how companies should (and absolutely should not) communicate price increases.—SPONSORS:Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: https://pulley.com/mostlymetricsMetronome is real-time billing built for modern software companies. Metronome turns raw usage events into accurate invoices, gives customers bills they actually understand, and keeps finance, product, and engineering perfectly in sync. That's why category-defining companies like OpenAI and Anthropic trust Metronome to power usage-based pricing and enterprise contracts at scale. Focus on your product — not your billing. Learn more and get started at https://www.metronome.com—LINKS:Mostly Metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.comCJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Growth Unhinged: https://www.growthunhinged.com/Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-poyar/Slacker Stuff: https://www.slackerstuff.com/Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slackerstuff/—RELATED EPISODES:The Layer-Cake Playbook for Vertical SaaS Growth | with Roland Ligtenberghttps://youtu.be/yPxWvhPISKo—TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Preview and Intro00:01:43 Sponsors – Pulley and Metronome00:04:05 Birding, Big Year & AI Bird Apps00:06:42 Software M&A Trends in SaaS00:08:57 Superhuman–Grammarly–Coda Reverse Merger00:10:34 How Larger Valuations Attract a New Investor Class00:11:55 Streaming Wars & Platform Consolidation00:13:20 Private Equity as a Distribution Channel for AI00:14:48 How PE Firms Drive Multi-Company Expansion00:15:56 AI for Efficiency: The PE CFO Playbook00:17:44 When AI ROI Really Matters in PE00:19:23 Signal-Based Selling: High-Intent Buyer Detection00:21:15 Signal Fatigue & the Hunt for Better Data00:22:50 Why Proprietary Signals Win00:24:05 Creative (and Creepy) Data Tactics00:26:09 Pinterest vs. Google: Aspirational vs. Actual Behavior00:27:17 Blurring Work & Personal Signals in AI Tools00:27:46 The Michael Jordan of Y-Axis Crimes00:30:33 Notion Agents Billboard: “Let Them Cook”00:32:31 Pricing in the Real World: Spotify00:34:60 → 00:35:00 How to Communicate a Price Increase00:35:40 Closing Credits#MostlyGrowthPodcast #PricingStrategy #AIGrowth #GoToMarket #PrivateEquity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com

Dr. Gary Chapman wants to help you have a loving, stable, vibrant family! He describes five biblical characteristics that create a healthy family environment, like an attitude of service, and shares inspirational stories from his own family that you will enjoy. Receive the book Five Traits of a Healthy Family: Steps You Can Take to Grow Closer, Communicate Better, and Change the World Together and the audio download of the broadcast "Transform Your Family with These 5 Vital Traits" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today! Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Trump's “Institute of Peace” is dropping bombs in eight countries and quietly putting boots on the ground in Venezuela, the same Zionist war machine, new puppet, more White blood for the cabal. They injected you with spike protein bioweapons and called the damage “irreversible.”   Jonathan Otto just proved them all liars by showing red light therapy completely heals myocarditis, vaccine-induced AIDS, and brain destruction faster than they can say “booster.” The Zionist controlled Turning Point USA snakes just invited Candace Owens to Phoenix in a blatant ambush while they rake in blood money off Charlie Kirk's corpse and hide Israeli assassins, Egyptian jets, and pedophile grift inside their fake “conservative” empire.

I sit down with my dear friend and super talented life coach Kanesha Baynard to talk about the relationship we have with our parents and in-laws while also navigating our own journey as parents. Kanesha is an expert in multi-generational family dynamics and in this episode, we cover a lot of ground — the common challenges, tackling uncomfortable conversations, designing an alliance with our parents and in-laws, and much more. If you've ever had a communications fail or conflict or disagreement with your own parent or parent-in-law over some aspect of raising your own child, Kanesha's perspective and practical strategies will undoubtedly inspire you to foster a dynamic that will best serve the whole family and meet everyone's needs in a respectful way moving forward. About Kanesha Kanesha Baynard is a workshop facilitator, creativity coach, and inner wellness author who has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show. Her work has also been featured in many local and national publications. Kanesha is the author of The Self-love Playbook for #boldthinkers, 52 Powerful Questions: A Journal and Planning Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs, and Focus on What Matters: A Guided Journal. Kanesha has over 20 years of experience as an educator, leadership developer, and curriculum designer. She was a secondary teacher for eight years, served as a K-12 professional development administrator and oversaw the teacher certification program at a large university. She holds degrees in Spanish, secondary education, educational leadership, and linguistically diverse education. She is also has a certification in life coaching. Kanesha is based in the Bay Area and works with one-on-one clients, facilitates workshops, hosts enhanced retail experiences, and provides keynote presentations. What you'll learn from this episode How to recognize and understand generational differences between our parents parenting style and our own Strategies for handling difficult conversations with our parents How to handle it when we feel judged by our parents or in-laws How to take care of our needs and our kids needs during difficult moments How to ask for what you need from your parents and in-laws in a respectful way Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode, Tim McCormick and Sam Webb weigh in on Michigan's historic run in the 2025 Players Era Festival and discus whether it marks the team's arrival as an unstoppable force. Tim remains skeptical about UM truly being as dominant as it looked in Vegas, but was impressed by the team's practices since returning home and competitive spirit. They highlight the team's defensive prowess, particularly with three bigs on the floor, and the potential of players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara. Concerns include handling success and turnovers, but the chemistry and camaraderie among players is identified as one of the hidden strengths. Tim also promotes his Go Blue Hoops podcast. Focus then turns to the start of Big Ten conference play versus Rutgers, and the next big test, versus Villanova. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it feel like when your photos are taken, manipulated and shared online without your consent? That's the reality for 23-year-old Debra Nashipae, a Kenyan student and aspiring musician whose images were turned into deepfake pornography – a form of digital abuse that experts say is increasing rapidly. According to UN Women, 90–95% of all deepfakes online are non-consensual pornographic images, and around 90% of those depict women. Their report also highlights that half of the world's women and girls lack legal protection against this kind of digital violence. In this episode of Focus on Africa: The Conversation, host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Debra about her experience, along with her lawyer, Mercy Mutemi, who is advocating for justice and better protection of digital rights. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo, Fana Weldye, Waihiga Mwaura, Ly Truong Technical Producers: Jonathan Mwangi and Philip Bull Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Have a million subscription box ideas, but no idea which one to launch? You're not alone. So many aspiring subscription box owners get stuck right here. Spinning in indecision. Afraid to choose the “wrong” idea. And waiting for clarity that never comes. In this Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I'm sharing a simple framework to help you move from overthinking to deciding. Because the truth is, clarity doesn't come from thinking harder. It comes from taking action. If you've been stuck in idea overload, this is the mindset reset you need. Instead of chasing the perfect idea: 1 – Acknowledge that “too many ideas” is a form of fear.Coming up with a long list of ideas feels productive. But really, it's a sneaky way to stay safe. You can't launch five boxes at once – and you don't need to. You just need to pick one. 2 – Use the 3 C's to filter your subscription box options.I walk you through a simple framework to help you evaluate your ideas and find the one with the clearest path forward. Choose the idea you can build momentum around now. 3 – Let go of the pressure to pick the perfect subscription box idea.Your first box doesn't have to be your forever box. It just has to be the one you start with. And the faster you start, the faster you learn. 4 – Make the decision and move forward.Action builds confidence. Once you've chosen your direction, commit. Focus on progress, not perfection. Your Friday Fuel Challenge: Pick ONE idea and talk about it this week. Share a post, send an email, or start building your waitlist around it.Because clarity follows action. And one focused idea is how you'll finally launch your box. Need help planning your first 6 boxes once you've picked your idea?Join my FREE 6 in 60 Workshop at⁠ 6in60workshop.com⁠ Join me in all the places:     ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠  Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join the waitlist ⁠today!

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling are going to talk about believers “with the Lord” after this current life is over. We might call them resurrected bodies or glorified bodies. We know according to 1 John that they will be like Him, but what all does this this

In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Kwame Christian, a bestselling author, attorney, corporate negotiation consultant, TEDx speaker, and host of Negotiate Anything, the #1 negotiation podcast in the world.Kwame breaks down the real meaning of determination: making an agreement with yourself and keeping the promise, even when fear, conflict, or discomfort stand in the way.But this conversation goes far beyond traditional negotiation. It dives into the psychology of people-pleasing, childhood conditioning, internal self-talk, emotional regulation, boundaries, and what keeps so many of us from speaking up for ourselves.Kwame shares the origin of his compassionate curiosity framework, a simple but transformative method for navigating conflict without anger, defensiveness, or emotional shutdown. Key Takeaways-Determination is keeping the promises you make to yourself, even when it's hard.-Most people fear tough conversations because of childhood conditioning or people-pleasing habits.-Conflict becomes easier when you use Compassionate Curiosity: regulate emotions, ask better questions, and approach the problem together.-You can win an argument and lose the relationship. Focus on connection, not domination.-Discipline grows when you celebrate the pride of honoring your commitments.-Mastery comes from deliberate practice. Focus on the process, not the outcome. Connect with me :https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGAKwame Christianhttps://www.instagram.com/kwamenegotiates/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Learn how to transform your ADHD or learning disabilities from obstacles into your greatest business superpower. If business focus feels like an impossible challenge, you're not alone. As someone diagnosed with one of the worst cases of learning disabilities my doctor had ever seen, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel when your mind wants to go in a million directions at once. But here's what I've discovered after working with thousands of founders and CEOs - that scattered, high-energy, idea-generating brain that feels like a curse? It's actually your secret weapon. In this episode, we dive deep into Katie Stoddart's "Magic of Focus" methodology and explore how entrepreneurs with ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent traits can harness their unique wiring to build wildly successful businesses. I'm thrilled to have Katie Stoddart join us today - she's the brilliant mind behind "The Focus Bee" and author of "The Magic of Focus." Katie brings a fascinating background as both an engineer who mapped sea floors and a transformative leadership coach who's cracked the code on helping high-performers sustain peak performance. Her work with three distinct types of focus - short-term, long-term, and selective - has helped countless entrepreneurs break through the overwhelm that keeps them working 80-hour weeks while feeling like they accomplished nothing. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Even "normal" non-neurodivergent people develop unhealthy focus habits due to constant app distractions and digital overwhelm. Neurodivergent entrepreneurs often struggle with analysis paralysis because they take in too much information and can't decide where to place their focus. The key to managing overwhelm is writing down all ideas first, then categorizing them into urgent, important, or "can wait" buckets. Most entrepreneurs get reactive in the morning by immediately checking phones, emails, and Slack, which destroys their ability to focus on what matters. The three founder traps that kill growth are: setup trap (word-of-mouth only), sales trap (founder-led sales only), and scale trap (founder involved in every decision). To scale beyond seven figures, you must shift your identity, upgrade your peer group, and raise your standards for what you'll tolerate. Comfort is the enemy of growth - you should crave mild discomfort as a sign you're leveling up and building resilience. Breaking down overwhelming tasks into single, manageable actions (like organizing one shelf at a time) makes the impossible feel achievable. Katie Stoddart's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestoddart/ Website: https://katiestoddart.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thefocusbee Growing your business is hard, but it doesn't have to be. In this podcast, we will be discussing top level strategies for both growing and expanding your business beyond seven figures. The show will feature a mix of pure content and expert interviews to present key concepts and fundamental topics in a variety of different formats. We believe that this format will enable our listeners to learn the most from the show, implement more in their businesses, and get real value out of the podcast. Enjoy the show. Please remember to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Your support and reviews are important and help us to grow and improve the show. Follow Charles Gaudet and Predictable Profits on Social Media: Facebook: facebook.com/PredictableProfits Instagram: instagram.com/predictableprofits Twitter: twitter.com/charlesgaudet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charlesgaudet Visit Charles Gaudet's Wesbites:  www.PredictableProfits.com www.predictableprofits.com/community https://start.predictableprofits.com/community  

Episode Summary In this solo episode of Business Coaching Secrets, Karl Bryan dives deep into a heartfelt tribute for his late business partner, Adrian Osh, highlighting the profound lessons learned from their collaboration. Karl then tackles practical listener questions, unpacking the realities of selling a home to fund retirement, offering advice for high-budget marketing campaigns, and providing a grounded view on integrating AI into business operations. He closes the episode with powerful mindset strategies for handling anxiety, depression, and the importance of presence, especially for ambitious business coaches. Key Topics Covered 1. Lessons from Adrian Osh's Legacy Karl shares an emotional reflection on what made Adrian Osh an outstanding team player, business partner, and mentor. He spotlights Adrian's quiet leadership, relentless work ethic, and the transformative power of being the "exception." 2. The Truth About Downsizing for Retirement A listener's question about selling a $1.5M home to buy a $750K condo triggers an honest discussion about the myth of "freeing up cash" through downsizing. Karl outlines all the often-overlooked costs and emotional pitfalls, and suggests alternative, wealth-building strategies. 3. Coaching High-Eight-Figure Clients with a Seven-Figure Marketing Budget Karl explains why branding, not features or direct response, is what separates great marketing at scale. He delves into Apple, Nike, and Tony Robbins as branding masters, and shows how to craft a compelling "through line" grounded in company values. 4. How to Actually Integrate AI in Your Coaching Business Karl delivers a reality check: stop chasing new AI tools and focus on operational fundamentals. He emphasizes designing processes and going "a mile deep" in workflow, rather than constantly seeking the next shiny technology. 5. Mindset and Presence: Managing Ambition, Anxiety, and Depression The episode wraps up with actionable mental wellness insights, including the importance of presence, the unavoidable link between ambition and anxiety, and practical self-care routines for the busy business coach. Notable Quotes "Building a business is not about being hyped up with excitement. It's being cool, calm, and collected when things go sideways." "Vanity metrics… they're kind of for the idiots. What really matters is clients in the door, retention, and cash hitting the bank account." "More companies go out of business from growth than lack of sales. It's growth without systems and foresight that does them in." "The highest level of marketing is branding… if you're doing your job right, people know what you stand for." "The money isn't in the buying or selling—it's in the waiting." "Focus is about eliminating distractions. With AI, everyone chases new and next, but the power is in going a mile deep." "Your presence is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones—and yourself." Actionable Takeaways Don't Romanticize Selling Assets for Quick Cash: Factor in all transaction costs and emotional realities before downsizing a home in retirement. Consider keeping existing property and leveraging it for rental income and long-term wealth. Build Brands, Not Just Campaigns: Anchor your marketing strategy in your core values and "through line" message—like Nike's "Just Do It" or Apple's "Think Different." Features and specs won't win at scale. Go Deep, Not Wide with AI: Maximize your existing AI tools for operational clarity before pursuing every latest update. Map out workflows, document processes, and resist the urge to chase novelty. Channel Ambition, Manage Anxiety: Remember anxiety comes with ambition. Rather than trying to eliminate it, learn to manage it through gratitude, presence, and regular self-care (walks, meditation, sunlight). Practice Presence in Relationships and Work: Intentionally slow down, step outside, and fully engage with your loved ones—especially during holidays. Presence is the antidote to time "flying by." Structure for Compounding Improvement: Success (in business and using AI) is about small, incremental improvements measured, tracked, and refined over time. Resources Mentioned Profit Acceleration Software™ – Built by Karl Bryan for compounding growth in any business. Focus.com – Home of the Profit Acceleration platform and business coaching tools. Classic Branding Campaigns: Nike ("Just Do It") Apple ("Think Different") Tony Robbins' "Mastery University" AI Tools: ChatGPT Grok Recommended Mindset Practices: Meditation (10 minutes daily) Gratitude journaling Walking outside, grounded and phone-free If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share with a fellow coach, and leave a review. See you next week on Business Coaching Secrets! Ready to elevate your coaching business? Don't wait! Listen to this episode now and make strides towards your goals. Visit Focused.com for more information on Profit Acceleration Software™ and join our community of thriving coaches.

This audible clip from Erik Qualman's #1 Bestselling book The Focus Project explores how exercise strengthens not only the body, but also your focus, mood, and overall mental health.   5x #1 Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman has performed in over 55 countries and reached over 50 million people this past decade. He was voted the 2nd Most Likable Author in the World behind Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling.   Have Erik speak at your conference: eq@equalman.com   Motivational Speaker | Erik Qualman has inspired audiences at FedEx, Chase, ADP, Huawei, Starbucks, Godiva, FBI, Google, and many more on Focus and Digital Leadership.   Learn more at https://equalman.com

Don't quit! Focus and you will overcome in this season!

Welcome to episode 308 of Grow Your Law Firm, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken welcomes back Eric Morgan, President and CEO of Roux Advertising, to discuss the importance of planning effective marketing strategies for small and midsize law firms. They focus on the Brand Realization Program, which helps firms identify their unique selling points and core values to create impactful marketing strategies. Eric highlights the significance of differentiation, client feedback for continuous improvement, creating memorable brand identities, and standing out without excessive spending. The discussion emphasizes the need for firms to articulate their unique value propositions and differentiate themselves from competitors by focusing on authenticity and purpose. What you'll learn about in this episode:   1. Planning effective marketing strategies for small and midsize law firms involves: - Identifying unique selling points and core values - Creating impactful marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences 2. Small law firms need to: - Clearly articulate their unique value propositions - Differentiate themselves from larger competitors 3. Soliciting client feedback is crucial for law firms to: - Continuously improve - Leverage genuine client experiences over self-promotion 4. Memorable brand names and workshops can help firms: - Create distinct brand identities - Make informed marketing decisions 5. Enhancing competitive edge and market presence requires law firms to: - Focus on authenticity, purpose, and differentiation - Stand out without excessive spending Resources:  Website: rouxadvertising.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eric-morgan Facebook: facebook.com/RouxAdvertising Instagram: instagram.com/rouxadvertising Additional Resources:    https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind AI for PI Expo:   www.pilmma.org/ai-for-pi-expo

Car Guy Coffee Podcast Live from NAMAD 2025: Vegas. Special Guests Michael Sims & Charlie Smith Welcome to the Car Guy Coffee Podcast. Kickstart your day the right way  and join us as we tap into the brightest minds and most passionate voices across the automotive world to bring you the education, motivation, and inspiration you need to thrive. From the showroom floor to the service lane, prepare to Upshift and Uplift your perspective. In this next episode of our Mini Series “NAMAD 2025 Recap”, Lou Ramirez and Fred Leonard are excited to welcome Michael Sims & Charlie Smith from Peak Performance Team as we discuss the revolutionary impact of Virtual F&I solutions on the automotive industry. 

Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure. – Benjamin Disraeli Yesterday's Trade Execution Summary Grid: Receive TODAY's Trade Execution Summary Grid, our Complete Analysis & Predictions of Stocks, Bonds, Gold & Bitcoin by becoming a Patreon Member at any of our three levels of support: https://bit.ly/CWPatreonSupport Sign up at Trading View access my platform and charts: https://www.tradingview.com/?aff_id=136493 How to Set Up Our Three Time Frame Chart on TradingView: https://youtu.be/wLwTnrtAOTA I have opened my page to sharing. Find me on TradingView at Thom Goolsby. Here at Charting Wealth, we focus on the reality of price movement by following trends. We teach you a simple and effective method to read stock, ETF and crypto charts, keep your emotions in check and learn when to buy and when to sell. Charting is your road map to the market and the riches it can offer. Forget the hype you see and hear in the financial news media. They are selling products in print ads and commercials. Focus on what is real, no matter how hard it can be to believe! Otherwise, you become a sucker or worse, a slave, to the delusion someone else wants you to believe. Use the lessons we teach every day to accurately chart any stock, commodity, ETF and cryptocurrencies. We give you daily, real life lessons with the five ETFs we track: S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, 20-Year Treasury Bonds, Gold and Bitcoin. We have all the tools you need to learn how to trade. For subscribers, we have a GREAT TRAINING to SUPERCHARGE your practice trading: "Magical Insights: Coupling the Heiken-Ashi Doji with Volume." If you are not a subscriber, become one! Subscribe for FREE to our daily market reviews & training at http://www.ChartingWealth.com We urge you to "Follow the charts, NOT the noise!" and want to help you follow the market and improve your knowledge of stock and ETF movements. Support our work at PATREON and receive GREAT benefits (training, gifts, etc...): https://www.patreon.com/user?u=14138154 Receive our STOCK ALERTS via TEXT when WEEKLY VERTICAL CROSSOVERS occur. Very valuable information! Less than 8 texts a month. Text "chartingwealth" to 33222 on your cell phone. At ChartingWealth.com, http://chartingwealth.com every day the market is open, we chart the S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, Gold & Bonds. In just a few short minutes, we give you a valuable training update and quickly review the trends we see taking place in the market. At the end of every week, we give you an overview of what happened over the last five days and what's on the calendar for the next trading week. DISCLAIMER: We offer NO advice and make NO claims to expertise of any kind. This site is dedicated to knowledge and education through our stock chart training, reviews and other information -- nothing more.

SummaryIn this episode, Chase and Chris talk all about that square thing in your bathroom — the scale! They explain why the number you see every day doesn't actually tell you much about your progress. They talk about how your weight can go up or down for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with fat loss. More importantly, they break down the four types of progress that really matter: outcome, behavior, internal, and environmental.They also share real stories from clients, funny moments, and personal experiences to help you stop obsessing over the scale. You'll leave this episode with a better mindset, more confidence, and real tools to track your wins in a healthier way.Chapters(00:00) The Square Thing in Your Bathroom(01:08) The Scale Can't Tell the Whole Story(02:23) Why So Many Give Up Too Soon(04:11) Diet Culture and Our Obsession with Weight(05:50) Why Outcome Progress Isn't Everything(06:31) The Importance of Knowing Your "Why"(07:54) What Does That Number Really Mean?(10:11) Behavioral Progress and Building Consistency(12:57) Why We Need to Focus on Lifestyle Habits(14:02) Focus on What You Can Control(15:25) Internal Progress: Wins the Scale Can't Measure(17:13) Getting to the Root of Emotional Eating(19:31) Handling Stress Eating and Creating Awareness(21:42) Environmental Progress and Setting Yourself Up(24:19) Why Motivation Fades Without Supportive Environments(26:45) Real-Life Triggers and Cleaning Up Your Space(28:31) Why the Scale Is a Dopamine Hit(30:57) Real Client Story: Four Weeks of Zero Movement(32:48) Zooming Out and Looking at Trends(34:31) The 60-Day No Scale Challenge(36:46) If the Scale Never Changed Again, Then What?(39:20) The Number on the Scale Isn't Your Value(41:24) What to Do If the Scale Didn't ExistSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to be answered on the show: https://forms.gle/B6bpTBDYnDcbUkeD7How to Connect with Us:Chase's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing_chase/Chris' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conquer_fitness2021/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/665770984678334/Interested in 1:1 Coaching: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/1on1-coachingJoin The Fit Fam Collective: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/fit-fam-collective

In this episode of The Option Block, host Mark Longo (The Options Insider Media Group) and our expert panel deliver a crucial breakdown of the current options market trends. We dive deep into analyzing unusual options activity, dissecting key index volumes across VIX, SPX, IWM, and QQQ. Our discussion features insights from Uncle Mike Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management) and Henry Schwartz (Cboe Global Markets). We cover volatility signals and the explosive growth of binary and prediction markets, debating their future on major exchanges. Plus, we get an exclusive look at new CBOE products and market events. Don't miss our detailed options analysis on individual stocks, including Meta, Gap, United States Antimony Corp, and Intuitive Machines Inc. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps & Key Topics 02:15 | Market Sentiment & VIX Activity Analysis 08:40 | Index Options Volume Breakdown (SPX, IWM, QQQ) 14:55 | Individual Stock Deep Dive: Meta, Gap, United States Antimony Corp, Intuitive Machines Inc. 23:10 | The Binary Markets Debate: Should they be listed on everything? 32:00 | Focus on New CBOE Products and Upcoming Market Events

Leftovers are a lousy business model for a company. They’re a lousy model for a marriage, too. Jim Daly shares why it’s a good idea to give your marriage your best, not your leftovers. Support Family Ministry If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Commentary, please give us your feedback.

Can God lose!? Has anyone ever pulled a fast one on Him? Of course not! He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and never fails! With this being the case, God ALWAYS wins! There is no failure in Him. For us, that means we win because of Him! Glory to His name!  Focus: 2 Corinthians 2:14  All Verses Covered: 2 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:37, Isaiah 40:13  Original Air Date: December 04, 2025  We have bible studies via Zoom every Monday at 7 pm Central Standard Time. Here is the meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86546164133?pwd=R3IwVTdJN3E1Wm1kU2JNOU1ZZlVJdz09  Access all of our messages: https://www.jmsbible.com/messages  Got a topic you want us to cover in our Facebook live streams? Fill out our form here: https://www.jmsbible.com/requests. We go live every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm central time. Join us LIVE on our Facebook page to ask questions and get live answers! Even if you disagree with something we say, mention it to us so we can see what the scriptures say!  If you have any questions about a specific scripture or topic and would like for us to discuss it on our Facebook live streams, please contact us at https://www.jmsbible.com/contact. We are open to any and all questions or concerns.  If you would like to donate, our CashApp tag is $JoyStorm12. Thank you for all of your support!  Joy in the Midst of the Storm Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JMSBible/

Dr. Gary Chapman wants to help you have a loving, stable, vibrant family! He describes five biblical characteristics that create a healthy family environment, like an attitude of service, and shares inspirational stories from his own family that you will enjoy. Receive the book Five Traits of a Healthy Family: Steps You Can Take to Grow Closer, Communicate Better, and Change the World Together and the audio download of the broadcast "Transform Your Family with These 5 Vital Traits" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today! Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

It's wonderful to recount your story before you and your spouse fell in love. Jim Daly talks with Rebecca St. James and her husband Cubbie on what their lives were like before they met. Plus, John asks Greg about why it's good for couples to reminisce on how God has worked in your lives. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love for your donation of any amount! Hope Restored Finding God's Love in Marriage and Life Unsung Hero Official Lionsgate Website Practice Makes Parent Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Marriage Podcast, please give us your feedback.

The satanic globalist cabal and their puppet Mark Zuckerberg just permanently assassinated Stew's Instagram and Facebook despite no rules having been broken.   One year in and Trump's biggest promise is exposed as pure Zionist theater while the third-world horde keeps pouring across the border to finish erasing White America. Sheriff Richard Mack lays it out crystal clear: forget waiting on the occupied federal government—your county sheriff answers only to the Constitution and it's time to force him to start rounding up and expelling every last illegal alien and domestic enemy. They're dumping poison from jets, steering superstorms like guided missiles, and laughing while entire bloodlines are erased. Kathryn Saari is here with the smoking-gun evidence that Helene was a lithium land grab massacre.

Is it possible to be a good listener, even if that wasn't modeled for you growing up? Jim Daly joins Michelle Nietert, who encourages you to listen to your kids with your eyes. Plus, Danny addresses what to do if you find yourself repeating the same mistakes your parents made. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. Receive the book Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God Bundle for your donation of any amount! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Cultivating Healthy Emotional Habits with Your Children Contact our Counseling Team Getting Kids to Listen Support This Show! If you enjoyed listening to the Focus on Parenting Podcast, please give us your feedback.

What if two of the most “revolutionary revelations” in Church History are two that we often overlook? Brother Thom Reed unpacks the Articles of Faith and Official Declaration 1 as bold, future-shaping revelations, from Joseph Smith's visionary inclusiveness (with a surprise rap) to Wilford Woodruff's courageous end to plural marriage to preserve temples and covenants.YouTube: https://youtu.be/eKznL8Fq3YoFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter  SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE:00:00 Part 1 - Brother Thom Reed01:13 Episode teaser04:51 Bio of Brother Thom Reed12:50 The Genesis Group17:03 Come, Follow Me Manual20:22 Truth for the entire world23:00 Power comes from understanding principles24:35 DJ Brother T raps the Articles of Faith28:45 Living in revelation30:06 Revelation in the craft store31:37 Revelation may be subtle34:17 The miraculous nature of the Articles of Faith36:07 Being patient for answers39:18 A future, growing thing not a creed42:22 Family History uniform change44:59 Context to manifestos47:35 Preparation for the Second Coming50:07 Faith to move forward53:11 Full uniform56:17 Focus on families and covenants59:44 Be inspired, not offended1:01:42 A recent sealing1:03:40 End of Part 1 - Brother Thom ReedThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

Dr. Gregory Jantz addresses the increasing anxiety being experienced in modern culture. 1 in 5 adults struggle with anxiety and 1 in 4 teens. With his whole-person approach, Jantz unpacks the myriads of reasons for this trend and shares practical solutions for healthy living. He will help you to attack the three-headed monster of worry, anxiety, and stress by asking you to take personal inventory, choose healthy habits and diet, and address your spiritual needs through God’s Word, prayer, and Christian community. Receive the book The Anxiety Reset and the audio download of the broadcast "Overcoming Anxiety: Finding Peace in a Hectic World" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today! Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.