Podcasts about focuses

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Yolanda D. McElroy (aka “Dr. Yo-Yo”).

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Yolanda D. McElroy (aka “Dr. Yo-Yo”).

Our first show! Focuses on David Bowie's Station to Station, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Features tracks from throughout Bowie's 70s output. Also includes contemporary tracks from Iggy Pop/The Stooges and Lou Reed/The Velvet Underground, as well as songs by Prince, The Cure and Siouxsie and the Bansheees (all influenced by Bowie)!

Discussion focuses on how the Middle East conflict might divert US interceptor missiles from Ukraine, impacting the ongoing war of attrition against Russian forces. Guest: Bill Roggio, John Hardie. 14.1921 ALEPPO

A federal investigation into LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho appears to center on a multimillion‑dollar AI contract with the now‑defunct tech startup AllHere, whose founder was charged with fraud in 2024. FBI agents searched Carvalho’s home, LAUSD headquarters, and a Florida property linked to his past work in Miami, with reporting indicating the probe is focused on Carvalho himself, not the district. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal investigation into LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho appears to center on a multimillion‑dollar AI contract with the now‑defunct tech startup AllHere, whose founder was charged with fraud in 2024. FBI agents searched Carvalho’s home, LAUSD headquarters, and a Florida property linked to his past work in Miami, with reporting indicating the probe is focused on Carvalho himself, not the district. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now, many in the wine world are freaked about the decline in wine drinking. Advice: relax, take a deep, cleansing breath. A nice, chilled rosé also might help. Wine is a lifestyle choice. By their very nature, lifestyle choices are always in chaotic, often irrational flux. Examples from the wine world:• Merlot was a big thing at the end of the last century. Women in particular enjoyed it because it usually was softer and smoother than cabernet sauvignon or syrah or some of those bombastic wines from northwestern Italy you could not drink until they were at least six years (and preferably 10-15 years) old. California winemakers made merlot you could drink when you got home from the store. The market lapped it up. Then the movie Sideways. Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti) proclaimed: “I am NOT drinking any f**king Merlot!” It did not matter Miles hated merlot only because his ex-wife liked merlot, not for any fault in the varietal. Suddenly, a plot point in a popular movie involved bashing merlot. Merlot sales plummeted. Drinkers made new lifestyle choices. Merlot did not change. It remains one of the world's great varietals and blending wines. But, still, “I ain't drinking *** merlot!” became a meme.AI generated illustration• Blousy, oaky, buttery, big fruit chardonnays were a big thing in late 1980s and 1990s. They didn't go very well with food—okay, they worked with movie theatre popcorn—but ladies, in particular, were not pairing it with food. They were sipping it in the country club's outdoor bar after a round of golf or a tennis match or by-the-glass at a big chain restaurant where wine-food pairing was irrelevant. Big chardonnay was the wine equivalent of comfort food. It was a transition from sweet wines, soft drinks, or cocktails. Lush, approachable, ripe fruit, vanilla, butterscotch, creamy mouthfeel. What was not to like? Then those drinker's palates matured, or maybe it was just time for a lifestyle change. At the turn of the century, ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) became the next bandwagon to hop onto. White zin, pinot grigio, Veuve Clicquot, prosecco, sauv blanc, even dry riesling (for gosh sakes) was the next de rigueur pour for the dialed-in parvenu. “Anything But Chardonnay” was the incantation—unless it was an un-oaked, subdued malolactic conversion chardonnay, then… well, maybe.AI generated illustration• In the 1980s and especially the 1990s, monster, jammy, very high alcohol, zinfandel fruit bombs became a big thing, especially among manly men. Let the ladies sip insipid white zin, some gals even put ice cubes in their tumbler glass (shudder). Big zin was hedonistic macho indulgence. The 16-plus percent ABV and the overly-ripe fruit meant the wine tasted sweet even if laboratory tests proved it was “dry.” The high alcohol made it more a “cocktail wine” than anything a reasonable person would pair with food. Except, maybe, with a huge slab of fat-dripping beef you just removed from your expensive backyard grill fired by mesquite wood you harvested yourself with your high-powered chainsaw. Throw in a plate of fried onion rings and a loaded baked potato, and we've got a real meal here, buddy. A hearty slap on the back and backward ball cap is optional. Okay, some research indicates there is only marginal male preference between male and female in this wine category, but the zeitgeist then (and now) was big zin was male while lighter, “more feminine” (whatever that is supposed to mean) wine was female. In any event, the stereotypes and lifestyle choices did not hold in the 21st century. With blowback from wine professionals such as sommeliers, whose job is to pair with food, and wine writers, whose job is to constantly come up with something new in 500 words or less, zin today is stylistically fragmented. Lighter and more food-friendly red zin occupies a growing middle ground, flanked by white zin (which still outsells red zin) and monster zin. The wine world carousel continues to spin.AI generated illustration Lifestyle choices regarding wine and alcohol in general experience constant fluctuation. In the 2010s, for instance, some Gallup Polls suggested wine was approaching beer as the alcohol delivery vehicle of choice. What heady days those were for vintners and for bank vice presidents ready to loan money to create new vineyards and expand or create new wine operations. Then the 2020s slapped them both in the face with the reality of lifestyle changes. Not only has wine consumption declined, a new cohort of consumers has made a lifestyle choice to drink little or no alcohol. Medical sources assert any alcohol consumption can be bad for you. Neo-prohibitionists channel Carry Nation. While Neo-prohibitionists have not yet taken hatchets to saloons or wine barrels, they do clamor for increases in alcohol excise taxes, limit times and places alcohol can be sold, restrict advertising, and lowering the legal blood-alcohol-content. The wine world faces several headwinds. That noted, wine has been around for more than 8,000 years and is deeply imbedded in our culture, our religions, our culinary proclivities. Wine is not going away. In the U.S., the total wine industry—production, distribution, sales, consumption, tourism, and service industries—generates some $324 billion annually in economic impact and is increasing in spite of the headwinds. U.S. wine generates 1.75 million jobs and $102 billion in wages. Wine delivers more than $53 billion in tax revenue. These numbers have been resilient, even rising, amid the slight downturn in wine consumption in the U.S. in the 2020s. We are drinking less, but we are drinking better and more expensive. If you have read this far, I hope your fears of wine's collapse are allayed and you are relieved. Lifestyle choices, by their very nature, constantly change. Sit back and chill out with a nice glass of wine of your current choice, good food, and—especially—sharing with family and friends. That lifestyle moment is immutable.Last roundRelationships are like Indian food.They start out hot and spicy, but end up with someone on the toilet crying and saying “why me? why me”?Wine time.Bonus last roundPolice officer pulls over a speeding car.Officer: “I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir.”Driver: “Gee, officer, I had it on cruise control at 60. Perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating.” Not looking up from her knitting, driver's wife says: “Now don't be silly, dear. You know this car does not have cruise control.”As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls: “Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once?” Wife smiles demurely and says: “Well, dear, you should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did or your speed would have been higher.”As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth: “Woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?”The officer frowns and says: “And I notice that you are not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine.” Driver: “Well, you see, officer, I had it on, but I took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket.” Wife: “Now, dear, you know very well you never wear your seat belt when you are driving.”As the police officer is writing out the third ticket, the driver turns to his wife and barks: “Will you just shut up!” Officer looks over at the woman and asks: “Does your husband always talk to you this way, ma'am?” Wife: “Only when he has been drinking.”Wine time.Thanks for reading Gus Clemens on Wine! This post is public so feel free to share it.Gus Clemens on Wine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Links worth exploringDave McIntyre's WineLine Longtime Washington Post wine columnist now on Substack. Entertaining, informative.Good + Tasty Excellent wine stories by Kathleen Willcox. Focuses on the business and culture of sustainable wine, food, and travel.Diary of a Serial Hostess Ins and outs of entertaining; witty anecdotes of life in the stylish lane.Email: wine@cwadv.comNewsletter: gusclemens.substack.comWebsite: Gus Clemens on Wine websiteFacebook: facebook.com/GusClemensOnWine/posts/Twitter (X): @gusclemensBluesky https://bsky.app/profile/gusclemensonwine.bsky.social .Long form wine stories on Vocal: Gus Clemens on VocalApple podcasts https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=apple+podcasts+gus+clemens+apple+p…&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8.Linkedin: Gus Clemens on Wine This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gusclemens.substack.com/subscribe

Robin Zander hosted a Snafu webinar for the Sidebar community on non-sales selling—think self-promotion for career transitions, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and product people. The goal: learn to "sell yourself" without the ick factor.   Participants shared fears: follow-ups feel intimidating, sales feels slimy, and success seems like a numbers game. Robin reframed it: selling is really about enrollment—being a chief evangelist for your work, not begging for attention.   Drawing on stories from his childhood pumpkin patch, his time as a personal trainer (where desperation lost him clients), and opening Robin's Cafe in San Francisco (raising $40k, serving multiple stakeholders, training staff with Danny Meyer's principles), he showed the difference between selling from need vs. service. Long-term success comes from genuine connection, curiosity, optimism, and passion.   Attendees explored their "authentic attitude" and reflected on times self-promotion felt good versus slimy. Exercises included mapping all the people who benefit from your work—employees, customers, managers, mentees, community—and practicing generosity in selling (a "Miracle on 34th Street" mindset: help customers even if it means sending them elsewhere).   In Q&A, Robin tackled: Asking for promotions as modeling for others, especially women and minorities Persistence in follow-ups (yes, emailing Mark Benioff 53 times counts) Relationship-based enterprise selling Avoiding fear-based AI marketing by knowing who you serve and what problem you solve Recommended reading: Setting the Table (Danny Meyer), Unreasonable Hospitality (Will Guidara), The New Strategic Selling.   Robin also shared upcoming Snafu conference details (March 5, Oakland Museum of California) and reminded everyone: Snafu = situation normal; all fucked up. 00:00 Start 01:06 Audience Fears About Selling Robin Zander welcomes 93 participants to the webinar Notes the session is interactive with exercises planned Encourages participants to drop questions in chat or interrupt him Last 15–20 minutes reserved for questions Robin introduces himself briefly Focuses on storytelling as a tool for self-promotion Shares experience as a community builder Runs a conference called Responsive since 2016 (not Snafu) Tools, structures, and company cultures for resilient organizations Two-day event each September on the future of work Focus on building resilience in organizations Observations on rapid change Technology and work-life changes happening at a fast pace Questions about resilience in individuals Traits needed in careers, personal relationships, professional relationships Ability to stay resilient through change Robin frames his expertise Emphasizes his strength in asking questions and fostering honest conversations Labels himself a reluctant salesperson Not the world's leading expert on self-promotion or selling Key lessons from research and interviews Two buckets matter in business and life: Example: Sidebar community forming coalitions for learning and action Operational excellence: being competent and at least as good as others Promotion/enrollment/sales: standing up, saying what you want, building coalitions Started interviewing people about influence and persuasion Started a weekly newsletter called Snafu Written by hand, not AI Shares lessons from his life and others about self-promotion and resilience Focus on courage to take action: raising hand, offering something valuable Core characteristics of self-promotion and selling yourself Connecting with others: art of connection Courage to ask: inspired by Amanda Palmer's TED Talk and book The Art of Asking Opposes traditional "always be closing" sales mentality Advocates for simply asking for what you want Current work mostly involves storytelling for large companies Clients include Supersonic, Airbnb, Zappos, and others 12:25 Service as the Core Principle Robin introduces the concept of storytelling for self-promotion Stories used to: Get promotions Build coalitions Propel career or organizational growth Emphasizes turning personal, career, or company stories into "commercials" Focus of today's talk: self-promotion with impact Core principle: service Showing up from a place of helping others Through helping others, also helping oneself Distinguishes between sleazy salespeople and effective self-promoters Childhood anecdote: Robin's pumpkin patch Tended plants all summer, learned responsibility and care Harvested pumpkins and sold them using a small red tin box labeled "money" Ran "Robin's Pumpkin Patch" for five to seven years At age five, father had him plant pumpkin seeds Engaged neighborhood kids for fun, collaborative promotion Explained product (pumpkins) enthusiastically to potential buyers Used scarecrow costumes and creative gestures to attract attention Lessons learned from pumpkin patch: Authentic enthusiasm creates value Helping people do what they were already inclined to do Early experience of earning and serving simultaneously Self-promotion is most effective when it's service-driven, not manipulative Applying childhood lesson to career and business Asking for a raise Persuading companies to choose one service over another Promoting oneself or others (e.g., Evan, web developer) Key principle: approach self-promotion from delight and service, not need or fear Authentic enthusiasm as foundation for: Interactive exercise for participants Not influenced by sleep deprivation or stress Could be inspired by childhood or adult experiences Opposite of fear; personal and unique for each participant Question posed: what is your authentic attitude when self-promoting? Examples shared from participants: Curiosity Passion Inspiration Service to others Observation Possibility Insight Value Helping others Creativity Belief in serendipity Optimism Key takeaway from exercise and story Promoting from delight, enthusiasm, and service Promoting from need or fear Two versions of self-promotion: Effective self-promotion aligns with authenticity and enthusiasm, creating value for others while advancing oneself 18:36 Gym Job and Needy Selling Robin shares the next story and sets up the next exercise Gym culture is sales-heavy Initial motivation: love of fitness, desire to help people Quickly realizes environment incentivizes personal trainers to sell aggressively Timeframe: ~20 years later, at age 20, moved to San Francisco First post-college job: personal trainer in gyms Early experience at gyms Key lesson from early failure Selling from need feels gross Promoting oneself from fear or desperation leads to poor results Recognizes similarity to unwanted sales calls received personally First authentic success in self-promotion Worked at Petro and World's Gym in San Francisco, Pilates instructor Owner confronted Robin after two weeks: no clients, potential clients being lost to others Threatened termination by Friday if no clients acquired Robin froze under pressure, approached clients but with needy, desperate energy Outcome: fired by Friday, left gym Encounters man in pain on Valencia Street, offers help as personal trainer Approach comes from genuine care, desire to serve Leads to three-year working relationship, consistent sessions, good income Next client: world-famous photographer Michael Light at UCSF swimming pool Client comes from natural connection, not pushy salesmanship Dichotomy observed: Pushy, need-based self-promotion → freeze, poor results Service-oriented self-promotion → natural connections, sustained relationships Exercise for participants Prompt: identify two moments: One time self-promoting felt slimy → what were you doing? One time self-promoting felt good → what were you doing differently? Two-minute reflection / chat participation Participant reflections/examples Slimy examples: Interviewing for a job during layoffs, giving desperate energy Selling P&L at a hyperscaler Selling computers and printers in UK post-college Sales emails getting ghosted Feeling inauthentic or performative, taking advantage of someone Good examples: Offering services out of care and love rather than ROI Showing impact of work to junior child Knowing services add real value and solve a challenge Being clear on what the other person needs Key takeaway Self-promotion feels different depending on intent and knowledge Slimy → desperate, inauthentic, unclear value to recipient Authentic → service-driven, clear value, connection-focused Effective self-promotion combines knowing your value and serving others, not just pushing for personal gain 25:35 Miracle on 34th Street Lesson Feeling good in self-promotion comes from genuinely helping, solving problems, and sharing information Santa Claus hired at Macy's to hold kids and give candy canes, but real goal: persuade parents to buy from Macy's Santa instead sends parents to competitor to truly serve them Macy's manager initially furious Outcome: customers feel genuinely served, return praising Macy's, become loyal fans Robin references Miracle on 34th Street (original version) Key insight: providing real value, even if it benefits someone else, eventually returns value to you "Put enough bread across the water, eventually good things come back" Participant reflections Slimy: knowing audience expects judgment, catering to them for approval Good: giving the gift of knowledge, providing service freely Takeaway: authentic self-promotion is rooted in service, generosity, and sharing expertise, not manipulating for immediate gain 27:45 Starting Robin's Cafe Through Service Robin shares a major professional turning point: opening Robin's Cafe in 2016 No restaurant experience beyond college busing tables Opened in three weeks, eventually grew to 15 employees by 2018 Worked in multiple industries: Pumpkin patch, personal trainer, circus performer Opened a café/restaurant in Mission District, San Francisco Courage and conviction came from clear focus on service to others Employees: create a great workplace, go-giver culture Investors: $40k raised from friends/family, provided value and potential return Landlords (ODC, nonprofit dance center): wanted success of business to support community Customers: diverse—tech workers, kids in dance classes, local community Robin himself: financial sustainability, learning, personal growth Key audiences served by Robin's Cafe Approach to challenges Used Danny Meyer's Setting the Table as a service-focused framework for employees Philosophy: "giving in order to get paid" Examples: spouse, kids, dog, manager, peers, mentees, clients, community, customers, extended family, mentors Served multiple stakeholders during crises: break-ins, flooding, city permitting, neighborhood issues Exercise: identify all the people who benefit from your work or success Key idea: the more stakeholders served, the easier self-promotion becomes, because it comes from service, not need or pressure Show up thinking: does this serve the person I'm talking to? Principle: selling yourself from a place of service Consider multiple stakeholders simultaneously Audience question: elaborate on applying this service mindset specifically to asking for a promotion Tying service to self-promotion in career advancement Result: asking for a raise, applying for jobs, pitching clients—all easier and more authentic 38:11 Promotion As Service Asking for a promotion from a place of service Example: doing the role already, deserving recognition, asking for what you believe you've earned. Personal perspective: advocating for yourself is a form of service to yourself Recognize other stakeholders in the process: Modeling courage and advocacy for the next generation Authority enables ideas to be taken more seriously Stories gained from new responsibilities enhance value to clients or teams People you mentor, especially women or underrepresented groups The organization: your promotion can make it stronger Your family or children: showing them what it looks like to advocate Concrete examples Outcome: trajectory of career positively influenced, demonstrated courage, modeled behavior Asking first time for a manager role Later asking for VP title as a director Courage and small steps Courage = acting despite fear, not absence of fear Practice by taking incremental steps toward what scares you Avoid masking or hesitation; direct action builds confidence and results Persistence and follow-up Busy people require patience and multiple nudges Example: Mark Stubbings emailing Mark Benioff 53 times before a yes Persistence = respectful, consistent follow-ups Role modeling for women and minorities Demonstrates that asking is a normal, expected, and service-oriented act Many don't ask for promotions or raises due to upbringing or cultural norms Modeling advocacy teaches the next generation, including children, to speak up Service mindset in practice Approach self-promotion by asking: is this good for the other person? Keep intention aligned with service, not desperation Books for guidance: Setting the Table – Danny Meyer: service-driven sales and employee culture Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara: lessons from the restaurant world on giving value and delight Key takeaways for promotion and asking Serve yourself, your mentees, your organization, and your broader audience Take small, courageous steps to ask for what you deserve Follow up respectfully and consistently; don't assume silence = no Self-promotion becomes easier and authentic when rooted in service, not fear or need Snafu Newsletter Weekly newsletter written by Robin Covers influence, persuasion, and modern workplace dynamics A resource for ongoing learning and practical insights 56:55 Where to Find Robin Robin's newsletter covers influence, persuasion, and modern work. Snafu Conference Responsive Conference Robin Zander on social medias  

On October 7, 2023, Liat Beinin Atzili and her husband Aviv Atzili were kidnapped from their home in an Israeli kibbutz. The new documentary “Holding Liat” follows Liat’s family — including members in Portland — in the days and months that followed as they fight for her release and face their own conflicting perspectives on the crisis in Israel and Gaza. Lance Kramer, one of the producers of the film, and Joel Beinin, Liat’s uncle, join us.

Developing practical technologies for quantum information systems requires the cooperation of academic researchers, national laboratories and industry. That is the mission of the  Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA), which is based at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US. The QSA's director Bert de Jong is my guest in this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast. His academic research focuses on computational chemistry and he explains how this led him to realise that quantum phenomena can be used to develop technologies for solving scientific problems. In our conversation, de Jong explains why the QSA is developing a range of  qubit platforms − including neutral atoms, trapped ions, and superconducting qubits – rather than focusing on a single architecture. He champions the co-development of quantum hardware and software to ensure that quantum computing is effective at solving a wide range of problems from particle physics to chemistry. We also chat about the QSA's strong links to industry and de Jong reveals his wish list of scientific problems that he would solve if he had access today to a powerful quantum computer.   This podcast is supported by Oxford Ionics.

Joyce talks about the Munich Security Conference where world leaders gathered on the public stage to answer the hard questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Feb. 12, the state budget hearing was om public protection. Many testified about the need to protect state residents from ICE, including $175 million in funding for lawyers to represent immigrants facing deportation and the NY For All Act to prohibit local governments from cooperating with ICE. We hear from three speakers: Thomas Gant from the Center For Community Alternatives; Alyssa Bradley from the Center for Employment Alternatives; and Serena Bradley from New Hour LI. The Release Aging People In Prison highlighted a recent report by Senate Crime Victim, Crime and Correction Committee Chair Julia Salazar which found that staff violence and racism are endemic to New York's prison system. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Guest: Michael Vorenberg. At Appomattox, Grant offers generous terms allowing Confederates to keep horses and sidearms. However, Lincoln does not immediately declare the war over; in his final speech, he focuses on the complex path to peace and suffrage, viewing the surrender as a step rather than a conclusion.1920 MORGAN POST MINNESOTA

4.  Guest: Hampton Sides. Arriving in the Society Islands, the crew enjoys Tahiti while Cook focuses on settling Mai. Cook attempts to secure Mai's future, but Mai refuses an arranged marriage. Red feathers become valuable currency. Ultimately, Cook leaves Mai at Huahine, sharing a tearful, final goodbye with the man he viewed as a son.

About a decade ago, professor and historian Ethelene Whitmire was presenting research on the experiences of African Americans living in Denmark. At that talk, she met – by chance – a relative of Reed Peggram, one of her research subjects. That relative directed Whitmire to a trove of letters written by Peggram, a queer, Black translator who found himself in Europe on the eve of World War II. In today's episode, Whitmire joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about her book The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram, the project that emerged from his family's archive.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

During Heart Health Month, many families are looking for simple, realistic ways to take better care of their hearts without feeling overwhelmed. On this MADM, Mia Syn, Registered Dietitian and Founder of Nutrition By Mia, shares practical nutrition insights that make heart healthy living feel doable in everyday life. Mia explains why nuts are often recommended as part of a heart healthy diet, what makes macadamia nuts unique nutritionally, and how small, consistent food choices can support healthier cholesterol levels over time. She also shares easy recipe ideas and simple ways families can incorporate heart supportive foods into meals and snacks without completely changing their routines. This conversation focuses on realistic, sustainable steps toward better heart health for busy families who want to make positive changes one step at a time. Sponsor: Singing River Dentistry

Rangers Spring Training is underway. What should the team focus on?

12pm hour of The K&C Masterpiece! Pitchers and catchers report today, so what are the main focuses in Rangers Spring Training? Super Bowl Overreaction or Reality. Our NFL Draft focus is back with a breakdown of Jermod McCoy and Cashius Howell

Episode Info Juan García is one of the Co-founders of Tuio, a next-generation insurer built from the ground up with artificial intelligence at its core. Tuio's ecosystem of AI agents — including Leia, Watson, Lisbeth, Sonia, and George — now automate over 80% of customer interactions and 85% of simple claims, showing how AI can rebuild trust in financial services through transparency and efficiency. Juan oversees Tuio's brand, growth, and product strategy, blending design thinking with operational rigor to create a customer experience that feels more like modern software than traditional insurance. Before founding Tuio, he spent 20 years helping companies scale at the intersection of technology and finance — including leadership roles at Monitor Deloitte and global experience in affinity insurance distribution (e.g., Orange Seguros). A telecommunications engineer and La Caixa Fellow, Juan holds an MBA from London Business School and CEIBS. Juan García is co-founder and Co-CEO of Tuio, Spain's 100% digital, AI-native insurer creating next-generation insurance solutions for a customer-centric, tech-driven world. Under his leadership, Tuio has rapidly scaled from a garage startup into a multi-million euro fintech-insurtech raising major backing and redefining what "insurance" means for the digital generation. Juan García brings a unique blend of telecommunications engineering, strategic consulting and startup leadership to his role at Tuio. With a passion for transforming legacy industries through technology, he embarked on the mission of reinventing insurance in an age of artificial intelligence, mobile-first expectations and subscription business models. In early 2021, alongside fellow co-founders José María Lucas and Asís Pardo, Juan helped launch Tuio from its earliest phase — from conception in a garage to its market launch just months later.  The vision: build an insurer designed for the digital era, not a legacy insurer digitized. Tuio's model under Juan's leadership is built on three pillars: 1) products designed for digital-native customers (clear policies, subscription-style terms, self-service); 2) technology and automation as core operations, where AI handles everything from underwriting to chats and claims; and 3) a socially-aware business model, with transparency, accessible language and customer alignment built into the value proposition. Under Juan's aegis, Tuio closed a significant €15 million financing round (in 2024) led by major investors including BlackRock and MassMutual Ventures, signaling strong investor confidence in the business model. He has repeatedly spoken about achieving unit-economics advantaged positions: Tuio is approaching profitability by keeping customer acquisition costs low and lifetime-value comparably high. Episode Overview: Company Snapshot: Founded mid-2020, launched November 2021. Serves ~100,000 customers with ~€15 million in premiums. Focuses on personal lines: household, term life, auto, pet, health, travel. Operates as the MGA for all products. Tuio's InsurTech Differentiator: Beyond Process Fixes: Moves beyond early InsurTech's focus on efficiency to fundamentally re-engineering insurance. Targeting Underserved Segment (25-55): Addresses this demographic's demand for digital-first, self-service experiences. Sustainable Growth Model: Rejects "grow at all costs"; prioritizes healthy margins and controlled loss ratios over rapid, unprofitable expansion. Challenging Traditional Playbooks: Proves that a focus on profitability and underwriting is key, even for newer entrants. Key Innovations & Strategies: Proprietary Customer DNA: Collects 100+ non-traditional data points continuously. Example 1 (Device Type): iPhone/MacBook users have ~10% higher claims for stolen goods; this insight influences pricing. Example 2 (Onboarding Behavior): Customers who scrutinize specific coverages during sign-up are flagged for closer review during claims, detecting potential fraud. AI-Powered Claims Management ("Watson"): Handles non-deterministic claims processes effectively. Analyzes customer DNA, policy data, claim history, and more. Performs severity, urgency, and duplication analysis. Assigns confidence levels and escalates high-risk decisions to human adjusters. Transforms claims from a cost center to a "data flywheel." Direct-to-Consumer Model: Operates largely as a direct writer (~60% in the US, ~98% in Spain for new sales). Believes in the value of direct customer relationships for data insights. Acknowledges the role of mediation but focuses on a segment that appreciates their model. Direct model exposes unique challenges like immediate claim filing post-policy purchase, which their data analysis helps mitigate. Claims Processing Excellence: Superior Loss Ratios: Household insurance loss ratio is 55% (vs. 15-115% market average in Spain), aiming for 19% by year-end. Human-Centric Automation: Automation supports, but does not replace, human adjusters for critical decisions. Next Best Action System: Guides adjusters through complex claims processes. Claims as a Data Source: Leverages claims data to refine underwriting and fraud detection. Focus on Non-Deterministic Nature: Recognizes that claims are not linear and requires flexible AI, not rigid rule-based systems. Future Vision: Southern European Champion: Expanding from Spain into Portugal, France, Italy, and Greece. Leveraging Tech Stack: Utilizing their efficient operational model to enter and scale in less competitive markets. Proving Profitability: Demonstrating that Southern European markets can be highly profitable for InsurTech This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk. Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes. Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

Get my new book: https://bronsonequity.com/fireyourselfDownload my new special report - How to Use Inflation to Your Advantage - www.bronsonequity.com/inflationJoin Bronson Hill on the Mailbox Money Show for a replay of this empowering "Women & Wealth" webinar, spotlighting trailblazing female leaders reshaping real estate and alternative investing.Kaaren HallFounder and CEO of UDirect IRA Services, a leading self-directed IRA custodian. Expert in alternative assets inside retirement accounts (real estate, precious metals, crypto, syndications). Author of The BiggerPockets Guide to Self-Directed IRA Investing.Christina SuterWealth consultant and registered investment adviser at Christina Suter Wealth Consulting. Focuses on coaching investors, psychology of money, and building long-term wealth through real estate and diversified assets. Known for practical, mindset-driven guidance.Ashley WilsonFounder of Bar Down Investments, multifamily operator with thousands of units managed. Author of The Only Woman in the Room. Specializes in value-add multifamily acquisitions, operations, and scaling in challenging market cycles.Veena JettiFounder & CEO of Vive Funds, a multifamily investment firm. Has raised over $400 million and controls more than $1 billion in multifamily assets. Expert in large-scale acquisitions, distressed opportunities, and institutional-grade syndication strategies.From rate-cap realities and development tailwinds to the psychology of fear vs. opportunity, this session delivers actionable strategies for navigating 2025–2026 volatility while celebrating female excellence in a male-dominated space.TIMESTAMPS0:36 - Welcome2:00 - Panelist Introductions: Christina Suter, Kaaren Hall, Ashley Wilson, Veena Jetti3:00 - Market Overview & Current Sentiment3:35 - Kaaren Hall: Crypto & Metals Surge in Self-Directed IRAs4:48 - Ashley Wilson: Multifamily Holding Pattern & Foreclosure Pressures6:23 - Veena Jetti: Best Time to Buy Amid Retail Fear8:00 - Christina Suter: Disconnect in Pricing, 2026 Loan Maturities Opportunity10:55 - Q&A: Rate Caps Realities & Misunderstandings13:07 - Ashley: Rate Caps Not a Full Shield13:35 - Veena: Rate Cap Accrual & Cash Flow Challenges16:16 - Bronson: Modular Development Niche in Fire Areas20:48 - Christina: Development with HUD Financing Opportunity21:29 - Veena: Retail Investor Mindset Shift & Institutional Focus27:07 - Fixed-Rate Debt & Long-Term Holds28:00 - Veena: Retail vs. Institutional Investor Resilience30:44 - Ashley: Industry Education Gaps & Long-Term Game34:19 - Accredited Investor Changes Discussion35:17 - Kaaren: Syndications Still #1, Crypto Rising36:11 - Wealth Forum Plug & Upcoming Event38:13 - Women in Real Estate: Overcoming Doubt & Representation39:21 - Kaaren: Value Over Gender Perception39:47 - Ashley: Superpower of Women Investors, Role Modeling43:07 - Christina: Psychological Approach & Team Alignment47:23 - Ashley: Comfort in Male-Dominated Spaces, Collaboration51:30 - Closing & Contact InfoJoint the Wealth Forum: bronsonequity.com/wealthConnect with the Guests:Christina Suter:Email: info@christinasuter.comText/Call: 310-463-5942Website: https://christinasuter.com/Veena Jetti:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veenajetti/28-Day Guide: https://www.sixfiguredealchallenge.com/join-veenaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veena-jetti/Ashley Wilson:Website: https://www.badashinvestor.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/BadAshInvestorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/BadAshInvestor/Conference Connect: https://conferenceconnect.com/search?type=speakerKaaren Hall:Website: https://udirectira.com/https://www.ocreia.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaarenhall/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaaren.hall/#WomenInRealEstate#WealthBuilding#MultifamilyInvesting#SelfDirectedIRA#MarketCycleOpportunities#PassiveIncome#AlternativeAssets

What does genuine worship look like? It involves celebrating what God has done. Learn more as Brett Andrews shares from Acts 20.Share your stories, prayer requests, or your response to this devotional in the comments below.If you would like to know more about New Life, who we are, what we believe, or when we meet, visit http://newlife.church. Or you can fill out a digital connection card at http://newlife.church/connect - we would love to get to know you better!

Happy Monday gorgeous ManiGens. In this episode Caroline breaks down what she stopped doing as a Manifesting Generator who focuses on embodiment rather than alignment. Share the episode with your favorite ManiGen, share your reflections with Caroline on IG, and as always, remember to subscribe so you don't miss out on the next epic episode. Link to AWAKE by NPY. Gahhhhh how was that for you?! Make sure you subscribe, follow, come say hiii on IG, and do all the things. It's an abundant and overflowing world over here so make sure you're an active part in the giving / receiving.If you love the show, if my work is of value to you please help me spread the word and leave us a 5-star review, tag me on IG when you listen, and share your fav episodes with your favorite friends. Follow on InstagramWebsiteThe Embodied MG on YouTube DISCLAIMER: all information and advice shared on UNBOUND with Caroline Herring is for entertainment purposes only.

What does genuine worship look like? It involves celebrating what God has done. Learn more as Brett Andrews shares from Acts 20.Share your stories, prayer requests, or your response to this devotional in the comments below.If you would like to know more about New Life, who we are, what we believe, or when we meet, visit http://newlife.church. Or you can fill out a digital connection card at http://newlife.church/connect - we would love to get to know you better!

Frank is joined by Rick Caruso, Robert Kleinhenz and Daniel Ives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Michael Toth. The segment focuses on California's strategy to empower the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies for rising insurance premiums. Toth argues these lawsuits are politically motivated and legally weak, noting that even insurance companies refuse to sue because attributing specific damages or deaths to corporate emissions is factually difficult.UNDATED

Fritz Family founder Cory Buenning brewed from the mid-90's through the mid 20-teens for Wyoming craft beer pioneers Snake River, but the itch to do his own thing was strong, and after returning to Colorado after a few years in Kentucky, he leased the old Bootstrap brewery in Niwot, installed a new brewhouse and cellar, and got to work making the beers he wanted to make—a variety of primarily lager beer, brewed thoughtfully and carefully. Years later, the brewery has developed a strong following among locals, but is also a favorite hangout for the area's brewers, and you'll often find brewers from neighboring breweries at the Fritz bar for a post-shift beer. It's brewers beer, after all—easy to drink, impeccably made, and unassuming. In this episode, Buenning shares his approach to making refined lagers at a taproom scale, and along the way discusses: how cold knockouts, cold fermentation, and no diacetyl rest make better lagers brewing with an jacketed oil-heated brewhouse rather than steam-heated acidifying the mash using sauergut building body in clear beer through proteins not carbohydrates carbonating naturally via capped tank using forced fermentation tests on all lagers managing gelatinization issues with European malt through modified step mashing ingredient approaches to Pilsner, helles, and Kölsch understanding yeast timing and performance to dial in harvesting and rep itching managing head pressure with 34/70 to reduce sulfur And more. G&D Chillers G&D's new Elite 290 Micro-series runs on a Natural Refrigerant with near-zero Global Warming Potential—built for brewers who care about sustainability and performance. They recently built one for New Belgium Brewing, delivering around 50% energy savings over CO₂ systems and 9% more efficiency than A2Ls. That's real-world impact from a brewery that knows what it takes. With 24/7 support and remote monitoring, your cold side stays dialed in—day or night. Learn more about sustainable chiller solutions at gdchillers.com. Berkeley Yeast Berkeley Yeast just launched Dry Tropics London! Our best-selling liquid yeast strain, now with all the ease-of-use benefits of dry yeast. Dry Tropics London delivers the soft, pillowy mouthfeel and juicy character you'd expect from a top-tier London Ale strain, but with a serious upgrade: a burst of thiols that unleash vibrant, layered notes of grapefruit and passion fruit. A lot of brewers love the clean passion fruit you get from Tropics, but they don't want every IPA to be a tropical-fruit bomb. At the dry yeast price point, you can pitch and ditch without breaking the bank. Or, you can co-pitch with your house strain to adjust the intensity of the notes. And with nationwide free shipping, there's never been a better time to try Dry Tropics. Order now at berkeleyyeast.com and experience the ease and impact of Dry Tropics London Yeast. PakTech This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. Our handles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are fully recyclable, helping breweries close the loop and advance the circular economy. With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, our carriers help brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, we offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com. Indie Hops Strata Cryo The multilayered wonders of Indie Hops Strata are now easier than ever for brewers to tap into. Introducing Strata Cryo, in collaboration with Yakima Chief Hops. Whether brewing up a single-hop Strata IPA to wow customers with the depth of flavor this variety delivers or modernizing your flagship IPA to continue setting the highest standards, Strata T99, Strata CGX, Strata HyperBoost, and now Strata Cryo provide the tools for you to create your unique masterpiece. Indie Hops Strata. Life is short. Let's make it flavorful! Midea 50/50 Flex The Midea 50/50 flex is the industry's first dual compartment three-way convertible freezer. The 50/50 Flex is designed to flex with your life. It can convert to all fridge, all freezer, or half and half with just the touch of a button. Plus, with reversible doors and adjustable storage compartments, you can stay organized no matter your food-storage needs. The 50/50 Flex is also designed to maintain a stable temperature even in non-climate-controlled spaces. So it's perfect for your garage, man cave, or wherever you need a little more space. Maybe use all 20 cubic feet as a beer fridge! Check out Midea.com/us/ for more information on how to take your beer storage to the next level. Old Orchard If your brewery is using fruit juice concentrates, purees, and blends, then why not source everything from a one-stop shop? Old Orchard might be best-known for flavored blends, but if you need 100% purees or concentrates, then Old Orchard can likely help—even with options not listed on their website. Let Old Orchard know what you need at oldorchard.com/brewer. Brightly Software Brightly Software, a Siemens company, partners with organizations at every stage of their asset lifecycle journey. Brightly is a complete asset-management and operations software that enhances organizational sustainability, compliance, and efficiency through data-driven decision making. Streamline maintenance, simplify capital planning, and optimize resources with solutions uniquely designed to support long-term goals. Learn more at brightlysoftware.com. 2026 Brewers Retreat Tickets are on sale now for the annual Craft Beer & Brewing Brewers Retreat August 23–26 in the hop country of Yakima Valley, Washington. There's nothing like this fantasy homebrew-camp experience, as you brew in small groups led by some of the most inspiring brewers in the world—folks such as Vinnie and Natalie of Russian River, Ben from Breakside, Henry and Adriana of Monkish, Kelsey from North Park, Whitney from Grand Fir, Sean from Lawson's Finest, and more. This year we'll be brewing under the bines at Bale Breaker, and it's sure to be an unforgettable experience. Tickets are on sale now and going fast at brewersretreat.com.

Segun Akinola is a British-Nigerian composer for film and television. He is most known for his music in the three series of Doctor Who starring the first female Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. A BAFTA Breakthrough Brit 2017, Segun's other work includes scoring Sundance 2019 favorite and World Soundtrack Award nominee The Last Tree, Apple TV+ feature 9/11: Inside The President's War Room, and the BBC's landmark series Black and British: A Forgotten History. His recent projects include Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and the  BBC series Kingdom, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Segun talks with me about music as storytelling, the importance of determination and how we undervalue asking for help, the power of curiosity to drive learning, creative growth through collaboration, and a lot more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:04 Discovering music as a child. 08:37 Transformers film sparked deep interest in movie music. 12:11 Access to YouTube helped him learn about modern composers. 16:39 More composers today due to online resources and courses. 20:19 Networking and persistence led to first professional composing gig. 24:07 Collaboration and peer learning valued as much as formal education. 28:04 Focuses on music as essential part of storytelling. 32:07 Creative growth comes from tackling difficult, unexpected musical challenges. 36:37 Film scores' emotional impact, balancing craft and artistry. 41:08 Fans and social media now deeply engage with film music. 45:27 Composing for Doctor Who brought excitement and creative freedom. 50:52 Always trying new styles, learning, and refining unique sound.     Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in music and Doctor Who.   Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it's really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you'll share it with a friend.

What if hearing God speak to you in the last row of a church saved you from losing everything? In this episode, James Brown shares how he helps professional service business owners scale their businesses without sacrificing their lives through Business Accelerator Institute and Perseverance Squared. After launching his first business in 1994 and rapidly expanding to $8M in annual revenue, James transitioned to coaching in 2014 and has now guided over 450 business owners to significant growth. He launched Small Law Firm University, growing it to $3 million in revenue within a year, and developed a CMO program generating an additional $2 million annually. James holds a Business degree from Lindenwood University (1989) and JD from St. Louis University (1993). In 2009, he was selected as one of America's Top 20 Premier Experts and featured in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. James believes all businesses have the same seven working parts, and the only difference is what they sell. James reveals three relationships that transformed him: his wife Sherry, whom he's known since age three when they met in her mom's beauty salon, who believed in him when everyone else said he couldn't achieve his dreams and stood by him through 41 years including his darkest moments; his mentor Darrell Castle, a Memphis-based lawyer who taught him to reject the "cookie cutter" approach and build a business on his own terms, showing him that all businesses share seven working parts regardless of what they sell; and God, whom he encountered in March 2015 after hitting rock bottom (drinking excessively, making terrible choices, nearly losing everything) when a random stranger invited him to church where he heard God speak to him in the last row as the only white person in an all-Black congregation, completely transforming his perspective and leading him to sell his law firm to help other business owners build lives of purpose.   [00:04:20] What James Does at Business Accelerator Institute Helps owners of professional service businesses scale predictably and profitably Focuses on building businesses that serve owners, not the other way around Has helped over 450 business owners achieve this transformation [00:05:20] The Defining Moment with His Wife Second year in business, struggling financially, client asked for refund Wife said: "At the end of the day, you do what's right and everything else will follow" That statement still resonates 30 years later and drives his mission to help more people [00:07:20] How Clients Find Him Primarily word of mouth and brand touches through Interview Valet (on 40 podcasts this year) Results speak for themselves without traditional marketing Recent client: 69-year-old Alabama lawyer practicing 50 years, never broke $500K, just hit $1M this year [00:11:00] The Unorthodox Path to Success Known wife Sherry since age three, met in her mom's beauty salon Parents married at 16, kicked James out at 19 when he announced marriage Told his whole childhood he was "too heavy" to do things, couldn't play sports Made varsity football first year as junior, played four years (nobody in family graduated college) [00:12:40] Working His Way Through Law School Got job at General Motors assembly line, 6 AM to 2:30 PM, went to school 4 PM to 11 PM for 10 years Right before graduating law school, GM announced plant closure Sent out 300 resumes, got zero responses with three kids (ages 5, 2, and 1) Forced to start business by necessity, not by choice [00:14:00] Meeting Mentor Darrell Castle Lawyers conditioned that marketing is "beneath them" Darrell taught him to look at business differently, be different Showed him all businesses have same seven working parts (only difference is what they sell) Set up business around not working past 4:30 PM from day one [00:15:40] Building the $8M Law Practice First rule: Business open till 7 PM and Saturdays, but James wasn't there Hired people and built systems so business ran without him Grew to $8 million annually with offices in four different states [00:16:40] The Dark Years: Getting Too Big for His Britches Started making bad choices despite success (never drank until his 40s) First drink was Irish car bomb followed by 10 kamikaze shots Started spending money on wrong things, went to strip clubs, cheated on wife Wife and him separated, she went on cruise with daughter [00:18:20] The Divine Encounter That Changed Everything March 2015: Drunk at wine bar, random stranger invited him to church next morning Went to that church by himself Sunday morning, sat in last row Only white person in all-Black church, heard God speak to him Never saw that stranger again (believes he was an angel) [00:19:40] The Wake-Up Call Wife told him: "God gives you hints, and if you don't listen, at some point He's going to slap you across the face" Nearly lost everything (wife, business, all going downhill) That March 2015 moment was most influential person: God Decided to sell law firm and start helping other business owners [00:20:20] The Leap of Faith Worked for another company making $330,000 a year coaching business owners 2018: At conference in Jacksonville, told them he was leaving, called wife from airport Goal: Get nine private clients in 60 days to replace income (took nine days) First year did just under $1 million in business [00:22:40] The Catalyst Moments After coaching calls, often sits there thinking "who was that guy?" Works with business owners from $250K to $100M annually Stopped questioning who he is to coach $100M business owners Been blessed with certain gifts and has faith they will continue [00:24:00] The Lesson of Not Labeling Setbacks Example: Payroll in two days is $15K, only $1K in operating account Freaking out keeps you from being creative and finding solutions Takes everything as exactly as it's meant to be and learns from it [00:27:40] The Live Event Revelation $10M, $50M, $100M business owners at tables with under-$500K owners Big business owners worried they wouldn't learn from "smaller" ones $50M and $100M owners took just as many notes (smaller businesses still nimble and innovative) Realized everyone can gain something from each other regardless of revenue size [00:30:00] When Is Enough, Enough? Just turned 60, my wife asked "when is enough, enough?" The Mastermind member asked: "What's your goal?" Answer: "To help people" "How many people on the planet? Are you ever gonna run out of people to help?" Never gonna run out (also volunteers through Red Cross deploying to disasters) [00:32:00] Building Business Accelerator Institute Can only work with so many people one-on-one before hitting bandwidth Goal: Give business owners Harvard-level business degree without Harvard-level dollars Over 55 four-week courses addressing all seven parts of business $249/month, includes two-hour open office hours every Wednesday [00:35:00] Final Wisdom: You're the Average of the Five Don't pay attention to what other people say, surround yourself with people who inspire you "You're the average of the five people you hang out with the most—and it's true" Example: Son played goalie since age 5, adapted performance to level of teammates around him Hang around like-minded individuals who inspire you to go where you want to go   KEY QUOTES "At the end of the day, you do what's right and everything else will follow." - Sherry Brown "All businesses have the same seven working parts. Literally the only thing that's different is what we sell. The concept of running a very successful business and scaling it is simple. I'm very intentional with that word. I'm never gonna say it's easy, but the concept is simple." - James Brown CONNECT WITH JAMES BROWN 

Episode InfoJeff Radke is CEO and Co-Founder of Accelerant, a technology-fueled insurance platform that empowers MGUs to more effectively and confidently serve small and medium enterprises. He has spent his career working across all areas of the insurance value chain, from underwriting to reinsurance in global markets. Prior to Accelerant, Jeff spent a decade at Argo Group International Holdings, but he became frustrated with thelegacy system's antiquated technology and emphasis on maintaining their position in the value chain over doing right by the customer. This inspired him to co-found Accelerant to enable data-driven innovation and collaboration that puts customers first. Accelerant rebuilds the way that underwriters share and exchange risk to improve outcomes for everyone, with a focus on the SMBs that power our global economy and their niche insurance needs. Jeff was previously a guest on the show, and you can catch that episode here. Episode Overview: Accelerant's IPO Journey: Successful Public Offering: Accelerant completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in July 2025. Timing Was Right: Radke believes the IPO occurred at the opportune moment, as the business model had become clearly defined and demonstrable to investors. He suggests it couldn't have happened much sooner. Market Conditions: The market timing for the IPO was favorable. Long-Term Vision: The IPO supports a long-term strategy, with the company prioritizing a 5-10-15 year horizon rather than short-term quarterly results. This contrasts with some other tech IPOs that focus on immediate performance. Investor Communication: Transparency with investors about expectations is crucial, and the company runs the business for the benefit of its customers and platform participants. Learning Experience: The post-IPO period, including initial market reactions and earnings announcements, served as a valuable, albeit challenging, reminder to focus on running the business exceptionally well and managing investor expectations. Accelerant's Mission & Problem Solved: Addresses a gap in the market for specialized underwriting talent moving to MGAs without adequate support. Recognizes the shift of risk retention to larger insurance companies, leaving a need for capacity. The Accelerant Platform: Aims to be the "rails" for specialty insurance. Focuses on: Smooth, transparent data flow. Efficiently connecting MGAs to risk capital. Leveraging technology and AI for data analytics and portfolio management. Growth & Key Initiatives: Serves 265 MGA members and partners with 17 insurance companies and 90+ capital providers. Mission: An Accelerant-owned entity providing a safety net and support for underwriters transitioning to MGAs. Risk Exchange: Facilitates capital matching for underwriters, with a focus on long-term network effects and data growth. The Evolving MGA Landscape: MGAs are growing significantly faster than the broader industry. Technology is enabling specialization and a "handoff" model across the value chain. This disaggregation is a natural progression, mirroring trends in other industries. Specialized coverage is increasingly in demand due to the complexity of modern businesses. Addressing Industry Inefficiencies: Identifies high expenses in areas like claims, underwriting, and actuarial functions as a key challenge. Advocates for mutualizing these expenses through centralized, technology-driven platforms like the Risk Exchange. Contrasts this with the traditional model where many companies perform the same functions sub-optimally. Differentiating Accelerant: Focuses on long-term viability and underwriting expertise, not just hype. Prioritizes serving members and capital partners with a service-minded approach. Offers a more efficient and effective alternative to traditional and some other insurtech models. This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk. Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes. Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

FILE 4. MOLOTOV IN BERLIN AND THE TRIPARTITE PACT. GUEST AUTHOR SEAN MCMEEKIN. The discussion focuses on Molotov's November 1940 visit to Berlin, where Hitler invited the Soviets to join the Tripartite Pact against the "Anglo-Saxon" powers,. Negotiations collapsed because Stalin demanded unacceptable control over Bulgaria and the Bosphorus, prompting Hitler to proceed with invasion plans while FDR quietly began lifting moral embargoes on the Soviets.1945

Grab your headphones, everyone! Beth and Vanessa are back and Episode 231 is absolutely packed. We kick things off by addressing the question on everyone's mind: where's Marq? We share a wonderful, personal message from our friend that explains everything and gives us all a lovely update on his new adventures. Then, we give you the news you've been waiting for! The official preview dates for the World of Frozen and Disney Adventure World are finally here, and we've got the full breakdown of who gets to go and when. We've got updates on returning shows, a spectacular new ticket deal for 2026, and a crucial list of attraction closures to help you plan your year. Plus, we have some news about certain rustic cabins that has everyone talking! Then, we take a trip in a time machine. Beth delivers an impassioned, must-hear review of the stunning archival documentary "Disneyland Handcrafted" on Disney+ and YouTube. Discover the sweat, dirt, and sheer boldness of building the original park, complete with terrifying 1955 workplace safety standards, cool vintage fashions, and the mysterious and fascinating U-Tel-Em-Ma Liquor store. (We're officially starting a petition for a DLP merch line inspired by it). Of course, it wouldn't be D2DLP without our incredible listeners. This episode features some truly special letters, including: A fantastic follow-up from Salman with some significant news from Disneyland Paris. A heartwarming and thoughtful note from our good friend Georgina, who asks for our help planning a milestone birthday trip. A wonderfully witty update from Shara. Finally, we share our latest quick recommendations for your ears and your DLP social media feed. Podcast Picks: Connecting with Walt – The ideal, deeply researched audio companion after watching Disneyland Handcrafted. Focuses on Walt Disney and his creations. Rope Drop on Deck – Your essential, fun, and practical guide to all things Disney Cruise Line. Factor Nostalgia: a parkcast – Features wonderful DLP tips and fascinating historical deep-dives, all delivered with the most calming voice in the fandom. AirMagique Podcast – For great DLP talk and reviews with Eric and Niels. Other Media Picks: Instagram: Follow @TheExpansionPad for incredible armchair Imagineering and @DLPTipsForIrish for fun, fresh park content. YouTube: Subscribe to Sam4God for top-notch vlogs and her epic new complete DLP park tour. We want to thank our talented artist-in-residence Valentine for creating our IG thumbnails. You are The Best! As always, our sponsor and top travel service partner is Easy Go Shuttle private transfers! Book your private , comfy ride to and from DLP at easygoshuttle.com/disneyland-transfers with code 5D2DLP5 for your listener discount. Now, go watch Disneyland Handcrafted, check out all these fantastic creators, and start planning those 2026 DLP adventures !

Focuses on Psalm 23 and how to see Jesus in the text. For an outline of this lesson, click the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gXSQdC8O5acX7UD7JgVwbjXLgTumdcvY/view?usp=sharing

PC spending has seen a significant rebound, with Gartner reporting a 9.3% rise in worldwide PC shipments in late 2025, primarily driven by corporate IT upgrades to meet Windows 11 requirements. This recovery, which saw 10.1% growth in Q4 2025 according to Omnia data, highlights a shift from consumer-led demand to necessity-driven upgrades. Despite supply chain challenges in memory and storage, leading to cost increases, 57% of B2B partners anticipate growth in their PC business, underscoring a sustained demand for hardware management and support among MSPs.Concurrently, worldwide spending on artificial intelligence is projected to reach approximately $2.5 trillion by 2026, a 44% increase from the previous year, according to Gartner. This surge is fueled by substantial investments in AI infrastructure, which is expected to account for $1.37 trillion of the total spending. John David Lovelock of Gartner emphasizes that AI adoption success hinges not only on financial investment but also on organizational maturity and self-awareness, suggesting that the value derived from this investment is not yet as certain as the spending itself. For MSPs, this indicates a growing need to navigate the complexities of AI infrastructure deployment and demonstrate tangible value to clients.In the realm of managed services, recent strategic moves by several companies signal an evolving MSP landscape. Corsica Technologies announced 105% year-over-year growth in managed services bookings for 2025 and expanded its portfolio through acquisition, aiming for consolidation and integrated offerings. Net at Work nearly doubled its managed services division size by acquiring a regional competitor, prioritizing scale. Rhubarb IT, spun out from Mac Center, is focusing on a niche Apple-focused IT managed services model, aiming for differentiation. These expansions highlight varying strategies—consolidation, scale, and specialization—that MSPs must consider when evaluating market opportunities and competitive positioning.The implications for MSPs are multi-faceted. The PC market's recovery emphasizes the continued importance of hardware lifecycle management and support services. The explosive growth in AI spending necessitates careful evaluation of infrastructure versus value, with potential risks for organizations rushing capacity purchases without clear demand justification. Furthermore, the diverse expansion strategies among MSPs underscore the need for clear operational, contractual, and financial planning to manage integration, delivery consistency, and customer expectations. The appointment of Rob Rae as a strategic advisor to Guards highlights the critical need for transparency in vendor relationships, particularly concerning incentives, as undisclosed financial arrangements can introduce bias and risk for MSPs who rely on objective evaluation of technologies and partners. Four things to know today 00:00 PC Spending Reflects Operational Necessity While AI Spending Bets on Unproven Demand03:57 OpenAI Promises to Offset Energy and Water Impact as AI Infrastructure Outpaces Regulation05:45 MSP Growth Paths Diverge as Corsica, Net at Work, and Rhubarb IT Make Different Strategic Bets09:09 Guardz's Rob Rae Advisory Appointment Raises Transparency and Governance Questions for MSPs This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship

SWISSto12 has secured €73 million in financial support from European Space Agency (ESA) member states through the HummingSat ARTES partnership project. Canada Rocket Company (CRC) has emerged from stealth with $6.2 million CAD in seed funding from entirely Canadian investors. Starfish Space has been awarded a $52.5 million contract by the US Space Force's Space Development Agency (SDA) to provide Deorbit-as-a-Service for satellites within the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Selected Reading €73 Million From ESA Member States Towards HummingSat – SWISSto12's Next-Gen Affordable, Compact Satellite, to Meet Growing Demand for Commercial and Sovereign Communications Canada Rocket Company wants Canada to stop hitching rides to space- BetaKit Starfish Space Awarded First Ever End-of-Life Disposal Contract for a LEO Constellation New NASA Artemis Payloads To Study Moon's Terrain, Radiation, History Orion Space Solutions to operationalize IARPA system for space debris detection and tracking Astra Ships 110 Satellite Engines, Focuses on 2026 Test Flight of New Rocket The first commercial space station, Haven-1, is now undergoing assembly for launch - Ars Technica Comtech Receives Space Components Award Exceeding $5 Million to Support Critical Civil Space Program Space sector eyes further investment growth in 2026 after record year- Reuters Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Future of Fitness, host Eric Malzone welcomes Brian Le Gette, co-founder of Ammortal. They dive deep into the inspiration, technology, and mission behind Ammortal's revolutionary wellness chamber—a futuristic device designed to enhance human vibrancy by synergistically working on the mind and body. Brian shares his entrepreneurial journey, the science behind stacking multiple bio-energetic modalities, and how Ammortal is transforming recovery and performance for professional athletes, high-net-worth individuals, clinics, and luxury hotels. The conversation also explores the evolving language of the wellness industry and Brian's vision for rebranding it around the concept of "human vibrancy."

(00:00) Zolak & Bertrand start the third hour with Albert Breer of SI and MMQB previewing Texans-Patriots on Sunday.(11:31) We touch on the Giants hiring John Harbaugh.(21:30) The crew goes back and forth about the rest of the HC cycle and how teams in the playoffs are dealing with it.(33:53) We finish the hour with calls on everything.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests: Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus Matter. The discussion focuses on Chancellor Friedrich Merz's efforts to address immigration to counter the populist AfD party. Dempsey explores the nuances of refugee integration into the German workforce. Finally, she reports European "horror" at potential U.S. moves to annex Greenland, which could threaten the survival of NATO.1889 GREENLAND

(00:00) Zolak & Bertrand start the third hour by talking about Drake Maye's sponsor money, the Texans run game, and Don in Carver tells a story about Quincy.(8:31) We touch on Robert Kraft opening up about Jerod Mayo and the Patriots getting back on track as a franchise.(19:35) The guys circle back to the Red Sox and Masataka Yoshida looking like a body builder.(26:26) We finish the hour by reacting to what Bill Belichick had to say about Chargers-Patriots.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I'm joined by Virginie Raphael — investor, entrepreneur, and philosopher of work — for a wide-ranging conversation about incentives, technology, and how we build systems that scale without losing their humanity. We talk about her background growing up around her family's flower business, and how those early experiences shaped the way she thinks about labor, value, and operating in the real economy. That foundation carries through to her work as an investor, where she brings an operator's lens to evaluating businesses and ideas. We explore how incentives quietly shape outcomes across industries, especially in healthcare. Virginie shares why telehealth was a meaningful shift and what needs to change to move beyond one-to-one, supply-constrained models of care. We also dig into AI, venture capital, and the mistakes founders commonly make today — from hiring sales teams too early to raising too much money too fast. Virginie offers candid advice on pitching investors, why thoughtful cold outreach still works, and how doing real research signals respect and fit. The conversation closes with a contrarian take on selling: why it's not a numbers game, how focus and pre-qualification drive better outcomes, and why knowing who not to target is just as valuable as finding the right people. If you're thinking about the future of work, building with intention, or navigating entrepreneurship in an AI-accelerated world, this episode is for you. And for more conversations like this, join us at Snafu Conference 2026 on March 5th, where we'll keep exploring incentives, human skills, and what it really takes to build things that last. Start (0:00) Reflections on Work, Geography, and AI Adoption Virginie shares what she's noticing as trends in work and tech adoption: Geographic focus: she's excited to explore AI adoption outside traditional tech hubs. Examples: Atlanta, Nashville, Durham, Utah, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, parts of the Midwest. Rationale: businesses in these regions may adopt AI faster due to budgets, urgency, and impatience for tech that doesn't perform. "There are big corporates, there are middle and small businesses in those geos that have budget that will need the tech… and/or have less patience, I should say, for over-hub technologies that don't work." She notes that transitions to transformational technology never happen overnight, which creates opportunities: "We always underestimate how much time a transition to making anything that's so transformational… truly ubiquitous… just tends to think that it will happen overnight and it never does." Robin adds context from her own experience with Robin's Cafe and San Francisco's Mission District: Observed cultural and business momentum tied to geography Mentions Hollywood decline and rise of alternative media hubs (Atlanta, Morocco, New Jersey) Virginie reflects on COVID's impact on workforce behaviors: Opened a "window" to new modes of work and accelerated change: "There were many preexisting trends… but I do think that COVID gave a bit of a window into what was possible." Emphasis on structural change: workforce shifts require multi-year perspective and infrastructure, not just trends. Investor, Mission, and Capital Philosophy Virginie clarifies she is an investor, not a venture capitalist, resisting labels and prestige metrics. "I don't call myself a venture capitalist… I just say investor." Focuses on outcomes over categories, investing in solutions that advance the world she wants to see rather than chasing trendy tech sectors. "The outcome we want to see is everyone having the mode of work that suits them best throughout their lives." Portfolio themes: Access: helping people discover jobs they wouldn't otherwise know about. Retention / support: preventing workforce dropouts, providing appropriate healthcare, childcare, and caregiving support. "Anyone anywhere building towards that vision is investible by us." Critiques traditional venture capital practices: Raising VC money is not inherently a sign of success. "Raising from a VC is just not a sign of success. It's a milestone, not the goal." Concerned about concentration of capital into a few funds, leaving many founders unsupported. "There's a sense… that the work we do commands a lot less power in the world, a lot less effectiveness than holding the capital to hire that labor." Emphasizes structural, mission-driven investing over chasing categories: Invests in companies that prevent workforce dropouts, expand opportunity, and create equitable access to meaningful work. Portfolio strategy is diversified, focusing on infrastructure and long-term impact rather than quick wins. "We've tracked over time what type of founders and what type of solutions we attract and it's exactly the type of deal that we want to see." Reflects on COVID and societal trends as a lens for her investment thesis: "COVID gave a bit of a window into what was possible," highlighting alternative modes of work and talent distribution that are often overlooked. Labor, Ownership, and Durable Skills Virginie reframes the concept of labor, wages, and ownership: "The word labor in and of itself… is something we need to change." Interested in agency and ownership as investment opportunities, especially for small businesses transitioning to employee ownership. "For a very long time… there's been a shift towards knowledge work and how those people are compensated. If you go on the blue-collar side… it's about wages still and labor." Emphasizes proper capitalization and alignment of funds to support meaningful exits for smaller businesses, rather than chasing massive exits that drive the VC zeitgeist. AI fits into this discussion as part of broader investment considerations. Childhood experience in family flower business shaped her entrepreneurial and labor perspective: Selling flowers, handling cash, and interacting with customers taught "durable skills" that persisted into adulthood. "When I think of labor, I think of literally planting pumpkin plants… pulling espresso shots… bringing a customer behind the counter." Observing her father start a business from scratch instilled risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit. "Seeing my dad do this when I was seven… definitely part of that." Skills like sales acumen, handling money, and talking to adults were early lessons that translated into professional confidence. Non-linear career paths and expanding exposure to opportunity: Concerned that students often see only a narrow range of job options: "Kids go out of high school, they can think of three jobs, two of which are their parents' jobs… Surely because we do a poor job exposing them to other things." Advocates for creating more flexible and exploratory career pathways for young people and adults alike. Durable skills and language shaping work: Introduction of the term "durable skills" reframes how competencies are understood: "I use it all the time now… as a proof point for why we need to change language." Highlights the stigma and limitations of words like "soft skills" or "fractional work": Fractional roles are high-impact and intentional, not temporary or inferior. "Brilliant people who wanna work on a fractional basis… they truly wanna work differently… on a portfolio of things they're particularly good at solving." Work in Progress uses language intentionally to shift perceptions and empower people around work. Cultural significance of language in understanding work and people: Virginie notes that language carries stigma and meaning that shapes opportunities and perception. References Louis Thomas's essays as inspiration for attention to the nuance and power of words: He'll take the word discipline and distill it into its root, tie it back into the natural world." Robin shares a personal anecdote about language and culture: "You can always use Google Translate… but also it's somebody learning DIA or trying to learn dharia, which is Moroccan Arabic… because my fiance is Moroccan." Human-Positive AI, Process, and Apprenticeship Virginie emphasizes the value of process over pure efficiency, especially in investing and work: "It's not about the outcome often, it's about the process… there is truly an apprenticeship quality to venture and investing." Using AI to accelerate tasks like investment memos is possible, but the human learning and iterative discussion is critical: "There's some beauty in that inefficiency, that I think we ought not to lose." AI should augment human work rather than replace the nuanced judgment, particularly in roles requiring creativity, judgment, and relationship-building: "No individual should be in a job that's either unsafe or totally boring or a hundred percent automatable." Introduces the term "human-positive AI" to highlight tools that enhance human potential rather than simply automate tasks: "How do we use it to truly augment the work that we do and augment the people?" Project selection and learning as a metric of value: Virginie evaluates opportunities not just on outcome, but what she will learn and who she becomes by doing the work: "If this project were to fail, what would I still learn? What would I still get out of it?" Cites examples like running a one-day SNAFU conference to engage people in human-centered selling principles: "Who do I become as a result of doing that is always been much more important to me than the concrete outcomes of this thing going well." AI Bubble, Transition, and Opportunity Discusses the current AI landscape and the comparison to past tech bubbles: "I think we're in an AI bubble… 1999 was a tech bubble and Amazon grew out of it." Differentiates between speculative hype and foundational technological transformation: "It is fundamental. It is foundational. It is transformative. There's no question about that." Highlights the lag between technological introduction and widespread adoption: "There's always a pendulum swing… it takes time for massively transformative technology to fully integrate." AI as an enabler, not a replacement: Transition periods create opportunity for investment and human-positive augmentation. Examples from healthcare illustrate AI's potential when applied correctly: "We need other people to care for other people. Should we leverage AI so the doctor doesn't have to face away from the patient taking notes? Yes, ambient scribing is wonderful." Emphasizes building AI around real human use cases and avoiding over-automation: "What are the true use cases for it that make a ton of sense versus the ones we need to stay away from?" History and parallels with autonomous vehicles illustrate the delay between hype and full implementation: Lyft/Uber example: companies predicted autonomous vehicles as cost drivers; the transition opened up gig work: "I was a gig worker long before that was a term… the conversation around benefits and portability is still ongoing." AI will similarly require time to stabilize and integrate into workflows while creating new jobs. Bias, Structural Challenges, and Real-World AI Experiments Discusses the importance of addressing systemic bias in AI and tech: Shares the LinkedIn "#WearThePants" experiment: women altered gender identifiers to measure algorithmic reach: "They changed their picture, in some cases changed their names… and got much more massive reach." Demonstrates that AI can perpetuate structural biases baked into systems and historical behavior: "It's not just about building AI that's unbiased; it's about understanding what the algorithm might learn from centuries of entrenched behavior." Highlights the ongoing challenge of designing AI to avoid reinforcing existing inequities: "Now you understand the deeply structural ingrained issues we need to solve to not continue to compound what is already massively problematic." Parenting, Durable Skills, and Resilience Focus on instilling adaptability and problem-solving in children: "I refuse to problem solve for them. If they forget their homework, they figure it out, they email the teacher, they apologize the next day. I don't care. I don't help them." Emphasizes allowing children to navigate consequences themselves to build independence: "If he forgets his flute, he forgets his flute. I am not making the extra trip to school to bring him his flute." Everyday activities are opportunities to cultivate soft skills and confidence: "I let them order themselves at the restaurant… they need to look the waiter in the eye and order themselves… you need to speak more clearly or speak loudly." Cultural context and exposure shape learning: Practices like family meals without devices help children appreciate attention, respect, and communication: "No iPad or iPhone on our table… we sit properly, enjoy a meal together, and talk about things." Travel and cultural exposure are part of teaching adaptability and perspective: "We spent some time in France over the summer… the mindset they get from that is that meals matter, and people operate differently." Respecting individuality while fostering independence: "They are their own people and you need to respect that and step away… give them the ability to figure out who they are and what they like to do." Parenting as a balance of guidance and autonomy: "Feel like that was a handbook that you just offered for parenting or for management? Either one. Nobody prepares you for that… part of figuring out." Future of Work and Technology Horizons Timeframes for predicting trends: Focus on a 5-year horizon as a middle ground between short-term unpredictability and long-term uncertainty: "Five years feels like this middle zone that I'm kind of guessing in the haze, but I can kind of see some odd shapes." Short-term (6–18 months) is more precise; long-term (10–15 years) is harder to anticipate: "I'm a breezy investor. Six months at a time max… deal making between two people still matters in 18 months." Identifying emerging technologies with latent potential: Invests in technologies that are ready for massive impact but haven't yet had a "moment": "I like to look at technologies that have yet to have a moment… the combo of VR and AI is prime." Example: Skill Maker, a VR+AI training platform for auto technicians, addressing both a labor shortage and outdated certification processes: "We are short 650,000 auto technicians… if you can train a technician closer to a month or two versus two years, I promise you the auto shops are all over you." Focuses on alignment of incentives, business model innovation, and meaningful outcomes: "You train people faster, even expert technicians can benefit… earn more money… right, not as meaningful to them and not as profitable otherwise." Principles guiding technology and investment choices: Solving enduring problems rather than temporary fads: "What is a problem that is still not going to go away within the next 10–15 years?" Ensuring impact at scale while creating economic and personal value for participants: "Can make a huge difference in the lives of 650,000 people who would then have good paying jobs." Scaling, Incentives, and Opportunity Re-examining traditional practices and identifying opportunities for change: "If you've done a very specific thing the exact same way, at some point, that's prime to change." Telehealth is an example: while helpful for remote access, it hasn't fundamentally created capacity: "You're still in that one-to-one patient's relationship and an hour of your time with a provider is still an hour at a time." Next version of telehealth should aim to scale care beyond individual constraints: "Where do we take telehealth next… what is the next version of that that enables you to truly scale and change?" Incentives shape outcomes: "Thinking through that and all the incentives… if I were to change the incentives, then people would behave differently? The answer very often is yes, indeed." Paraphrasing Charlie Munger: "Look for the incentives and I can tell you the outcome." Founders, Pitching, and Common Mistakes Pet peeves in founder pitches: Lack of research and generic outreach is a major turn-off: "I can really quickly tell if you have indeed spent a fraction of a minute on my site… dear sir, automatic junk. I won't even read the thing." Well-crafted, thoughtful cold inbound pitches get attention: "Take some time. A well crafted cold inbound will get my attention… you don't need to figure out an intro." Big mistakes entrepreneurs make: Hiring too early, especially in sales: "Until you have a playbook, like don't hire a sales team… if you don't have about a million in revenue, you're probably not ready." Raising too much capital too quickly: "You get into that, you're just gonna spend a lot more time fundraising than you are building a company." Comparing oneself to others: "You don't know if it's true… there's always a backstory… that overnight success was 15 years in the making." Sales Strategy and Non-Sales Selling Approach is contrarian: focus on conversion, not volume: "It is not a numbers game. I think it's a conversion game… I would much rather spend more time with a narrower set of targets and drive better conversion." Understanding fit is key: "You gotta find your people… and just finding who is not or should not be on your list is equally valuable." Recognizes that each fund and business is unique, so a tailored approach is essential: "The pitch is better when I'm talking to the quote unquote right people in the right place about the right things." Where to Find Virginie and Her Work Resources for listeners: Full Circle Fund: fullcirclefund.io  Work in Progress: workinprogress.io  LinkedIn: Virginie Raphael  Where to Access Snafu Go to joinsnafu.com and sign up for free.  

REGIONAL SHIFTS: COLOMBIA'S DIPLOMACY AND BRAZIL'S POLITICAL FUTURE Colleague Ernesto Araújo. The discussion focuses on Gustavo Petro's pivot toward the United States and the historical concept of "Grand Colombia." In Brazil, they evaluate Lula da Silva's potential re-election bid against the enduring popularity of the imprisoned Jair Bolsonaro and the influence of new nationalist political forces. NUMBER 101850 Venezuela

FICTIONS IN SYRIA AND THE RISKS OF INTERVENTION Colleagues Bill Roggio and Husain Haqqani. The discussion focuses on the Syrian conflict, criticizing the US for maintaining "fictions" about local actors and security forces. Haqqani warns against military intervention in Iran, citing past failures like Vietnam and Iraq, noting that military force cannot solve misunderstood political problems. NUMBER 21908 PERSIA

THE BATTLE FOR RAFAH AND THE FUTURE OF HAMAS Colleague Seth Frantzman. The discussion focuses on the strategic importance of Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border, identified as the primary artery for Hamas's weapons smuggling. Frantzman argues that Israel must control this border to prevent Hamas from rearming, noting Egypt's failure to secure the area effectively. Regarding Hamas leadership, Frantzman speculates that Yahya Sinwar remains in Khan Yunis, refusing to leave his hometown. While Hamas's organized battalions have been significantly degraded, Frantzman warns that without a comprehensive political strategy, the group could transition back to an insurgency, similar to the Viet Cong. OCTOBER 7 WAR BY SETH FRANTZMAN NUMBER 41891 NAZARETH

THE COMPOSER WHO SURVIVED Colleague Tanya Branigan. This segment focuses on Wang Xilin, a composer and former zealous party member whose career was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Despite his devotion, he was persecuted, subjected to brutal "struggle sessions," and driven to the brink of suicide. His music went unperformed for 37 years. Branigan describes Wang's intense anger when discussing the era, noting that even his family struggles to understand his trauma. Wang later visited Auschwitz, drawing parallels between the Holocaust and the suffering he and others endured, suggesting that for survivors, the past is never truly gone. TANYA BRANIGAN NUMBER 41905 SHANGHAI NANJING ROAD

On this week's show we look at the annual Consumer Electronics Show inLas Vegas Nevada. In years past there was more for us home theater fans but we still find some cool products that will eventually find their way into our homes. News: More than 60% of audiences use TV as primary streaming device Which sports will Netflix have in 2026? LG Key Highlights Return of the Wallpaper OLED TV (LG OLED evo W6) — LG revived its iconic ultra-thin "Wallpaper" design after a multi-year hiatus. The W6 is just 9mm thick, fully wireless (with a separate connection box up to 10 meters away), uses Hyper Radiant Color Technology for improved brightness and colors, and supports features like art display via Gallery+ service. It's marketed as reflection-free and significantly brighter than average OLEDs. New OLED Lineup — Including the brighter flagship G6 (up to 20% brighter than the G5 with Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 panels and reduced reflections), split C6 series (with varying tech tiers), and claims of the world's first TVs supporting 4K 120Hz cloud gaming with low-latency controllers. Micro RGB evo TV — LG's first flagship Mini-LED TV with Micro RGB technology for vastly expanded color range and brightness, available in large sizes including the "world's largest" Micro RGB LCD TV, the 130-inch R95H. Gallery TV — A direct competitor to Samsung's The Frame, with anti-glare screens and curated art modes (designed with museum input). CLOiD Home Robot — A standout AI-powered housekeeper robot demoed on stage. It performs complex chores like folding laundry, loading/unloading dishwashers, preparing simple meals (baking croissants), and coordinating with connected appliances for a "Zero Labor Home" vision. LG Sound Suite (with Dolby) - Includes the H7 soundbar, optional M7/M5 wireless surround speakers, and W7 subwoofer. Allows free placement of speakers; the system auto-configures channels for optimal immersion, solving a major pain point in traditional wired or rigidly positioned Atmos setups.Hands-on reports highlighted its ease for real-world living rooms, delivering expansive sound without cables or furniture rearrangement. Samsung Key Highlights World's first 130-inch Micro RGB TV (): The largest in their Micro RGB lineup, featuring next-generation color accuracy (100% Rec.2020 coverage), bold new design, HDR10+ ADVANCED support, Eclipsa Audio, and AI enhancements like conversational search, proactive recommendations, AI Football (Soccer) Mode Pro, and integrations with Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. AI Soccer Mode delivers a more exciting gameday experience through AI-driven picture and sound tuning to stadium-level quality. AI Sound Controller Pro lets you raise or lower the volume of the crowd, commentary, or background music, providing a personalized listening experience for TV shows and movies. Users can simply make verbal requests, and any TV equipped with VAC – which includes Micro LED, Micro RGB, OLED, Neo QLED, Mini LED and UHD TV – contextually carries out those requests. Expanded Micro RGB TV lineup: New sizes including 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, 100-, 115-inch models, alongside upgrades to Neo QLED and OLED TVs  The Freestyle+ portable projector: An upgraded AI-powered version with improved brightness, support for projecting on uneven surfaces (walls, ceilings, corners, curtains), and smarter entertainment features. New audio products: Music Studio 5 and 7 wireless speakers (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, unique designs), and soundbars like the HW-QS90H (all-in-one 7.1.2 with Quad Bass Woofer system). Broader AI focus: Enhanced experiences in home appliances (e.g., Bespoke AI), TVs, and ecosystem integration. Press releases  Sony No major announcements were made regarding Sony's traditional consumer products, such as new Bravia TVs, headphones, cameras, or PlayStation hardware. Sony's focus shifted toward the future of mobility and software-defined vehicles. TCL Key Highlights X11L SQD-Mini LED TV - as its 2026 flagship. It features new "SQD-Mini LED" technology (Super Quantum Dot Mini-LED), emphasizing superior color accuracy and performance. Features 10,000 Nits, 20,000 dimming zones, 100% coverage of BT.2020 color gamut. Available initially in 98-inch and 85-inch sizes (75-inch later), with launches starting as early as January 2026. Some who have seen it are saying it rivals Micro RGB TVs from competitors like Samsung and LG, potentially challenging OLED in brightness and contrast. A65K Design Series soundbar — A compact 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos model with Bang & Olufsen tuning and wireless subwoofer. Hisense Key Highlights RGB MiniLED evo Technology — Hisense introduced an evolved version of its RGB MiniLED backlight system, which adds a fourth primary color to improve accuracy and fill spectral gaps (especially in the 500-600nm range) for more natural and vibrant colors. This debuts in the flagship 116UXS large-screen TV, positioned for premium cinematic home viewing. Expanded RGB MiniLED Lineup — The company is bringing RGB MiniLED to more accessible screen sizes and models, including new UR9 and UR8 series TVs, making the technology available beyond ultra-premium flagships. Industry-First RGBY MicroLED Display — Hisense unveiled a new MicroLED prototype using four primary colors (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow), aimed at future ultra-large screens with enhanced color reproduction. Laser Projection and Other Displays — Extensions of multi-primary color tech to laser projectors, emphasizing better color accuracy and flexible installations. Additional Mentions — New projectors, smart home AI assistants, and support for advanced formats like Dolby Vision 2 on upcoming 2026 MiniLED models (via OTA updates). Home Audio Announcements Budget brand Ultimea surprised with the Skywave X100 Dual, a premium compact system boasting up to 9.2.6 channels across seven modular units.Focuses on high-channel-count immersion in a small footprint, positioning it as an affordable yet powerful alternative for space-constrained home theaters. SVS R|Evolution SeriesAudio specialist SVS debuted the 3000 R|Evolution subwoofers and a new Dolby Atmos soundbar, demonstrated in a full 5.2.4-channel cabin setup for reference-level performance. Klipsch Powered Speakers UpdateKlipsch refreshed its powered lineup with The Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II, building on heritage horn-loaded designs with modern connectivity, plus concept teases for future innovations.Other mentions included Cambridge Audio's new active bookshelf speakers and various AI-enhanced EQ features across brands, but the Dolby Atmos FlexConnect implementations (especially LG's) stood out as the truly novel leap forward for effortless, high-quality home audio in 2026. The Fives II: $1,399.99/pair USD. The Sevens II: $1,999.99/pair USD. The Nines II: $2,399.99/pair USD Home Automation Announcements The standout trend was humanoid or multi-purpose home robots moving beyond single tasks (like vacuuming) to general household help, embodying a vision of embodied AI. LG CLOiD: LG's flagship reveal was this wheeled, dual-armed AI home robot designed for a "Zero Labor Home." It autonomously handles diverse chores like retrieving items from the fridge, heating food in the oven, folding laundry, and coordinating with other smart appliances. Powered by advanced AI and sensors, it demonstrates real-world household automation in demo setups. SwitchBot onero H1: SwitchBot introduced this accessible humanoid household robot as part of its "Smart Home 2.0" vision. It represents a shift to multi-task embodied AI, going beyond specialized devices to perform varied daily tasks. Accompanied by other AI robotics integrations for intuitive automation. Other mentions included updates like Samsung's AI Jet Bot Steam Ultra (with AI object/liquid recognition for smarter cleaning) and emerging players like 1X NEO, signaling a wave of practical home robotics. Devices are increasingly using on-device AI to automate routines without user programming. Conversational AI and Butler-Style Control: Widespread demos of voice assistants that learn habits and respond to natural commands, turning smart homes into proactive "housekeepers." Sorcerics Lens (CES Innovation Award honoree): An AI hub using on-device computer vision for fully contextual automation of housework, understanding environments to trigger actions intelligently. Lights turn on because the AI recognizes you're reading - not just because you moved. Lights turn off only when the AI understands you're about to sleep - not simply on a routineWhat motion and presence sensors fail to see, Sorcerics AI sees the difference. Govee Smart Lighting Advancements: New lights (e.g., Ceiling Light Ultra) that proactively adjust based on time of day, mood, space usage, and user patterns—rethinking lighting as adaptive rather than reactive. SwitchBot AI MindClip: AI MindClip continuously captures meetings, conversations, and everyday moments, transforming them into structured summaries, actionable to-dos, and a searchable personal knowledge base. Acting as a "second brain" fueled by subscribed cloud AI service, it allows users to retrieve past discussions, reminders, and learning materials on demand, ask questions when details are forgotten, and turn fragmented information into usable insight. Weighing just 18 grams and supporting over 100 languages, AI MindClip helps people organize and recall the growing volume of spoken information they encounter every day, enabling them to think more clearly, work more efficiently, and manage modern life with less cognitive load. Innovative Access and Security Aqara U400 Smart Deadbolt: Uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for precise, hands-free unlocking as you approach—more reliable than traditional geofencing/Bluetooth mixes. Lockin V7 Max: Features wireless AuraCharge (recharges within 4 meters) and fast unlocking, earning a CES Innovation Award. SwitchBot's biometric 3D locks with advanced vision. Other Notable Smart Home Innovations Expanded Matter ecosystem support across brands, enabling broader interoperability. Smarter kitchen tech, like Govee's Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro. Enhanced security cameras with deeper AI context for automation triggers.

CONFIRMING THE MADRID MEETING AND EXAMINING GEORGE H.W. BUSH'S ALLEGED ROLEColleague Craig Unger. This section focuses on verifying the specific meetings where the alleged treason occurred. Unger asserts certainty that Bill Casey met with Iranian cleric Mehdi Karrubi in Madrid in July 1980 to outline the deal: arms for Iran in exchange for delaying the hostage release until after the election. Unger notes that Israeli military intelligence (AMAN) confirmed the channel of arms sales. The segment also addresses the controversial allegation that George H.W. Bush flew to Paris in October 1980 to seal the deal. While alibis involving Secret Service details and a visit to Justice Potter Stewart were punctured by Bob Parry's reporting, Unger remains "agnostic" but leans toward the meeting having happened. The Iranians reportedly required a high-level figure like Bush to guarantee the agreement before they would release the "frozen assets" of undelivered weaponry needed for their war with Iraq. NUMBER 6

PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT: A PRIVATE HERO GOES PUBLIC TO OPPOSE INTERVENTION Colleague H.W. Brands. The discussion focuses on Charles Lindbergh's decision to leverage his fame for radio airtime upon returning to the United States in 1939. Despite his deep distrust of politics, Lindbergh felt compelled to speak out to prevent America from repeating the mistakes of World War I.

CORNELIA AND SERVILIA: MOTHERS OF ROME Colleague Daisy Dunn. This segment focuses on Cornelia, the educated "one-man woman" who raised the reforming Gracchi brothers to challenge the Roman elite. Dunn notes Cornelia's heartbreak as she tried to dissuade her second son from following his assassinated brother's path. The discussion shifts to Servilia, Caesar's long-term mistress and mother of Brutus. Servilia is depicted as a politically astute woman caught between her lover and her son, the future assassin. NUMBER 13 79 AD WOMEN OF POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM

CLODIA: THE PALATINE MEDEA Colleague Emma Southon. The segment focuses on Clodia, a wealthy, independent woman and sister of Clodius. Cicero, feuding with her brother, attacks Clodia's reputation during the trial of Caelius. In his speech Pro Caelio, Cicero characterizes her as a "Palatine Medea" and a seductress to discredit her claims of attempted poisoning. Unable to speak in court, Clodia is silenced by Cicero's rhetorical assassination of her character. NUMBER 12

PREVIEW:  This audio excerpt features an interview with Professor Barry Strauss regarding his book, which chronicles the Jewish rebellion against Roman authority during the first century. The discussion focuses on the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, led by Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian. Although the Jewish resistance considered their capital an impregnable fortress due to its geographic defenses and abundant resources, the city remained vulnerable along its northern wall. Internal leadership struggles and incomplete fortifications ultimately hampered the rebels' ability to withstand the Roman military onslaught. This historical account highlights the intense defiance of the Judean people as they faced a concentrated effort by the Roman Empire to suppress their revolt. MORE LATER.