Podcasts about fostering

In this episode of the Beauty School Bobbi podcast, Bobbi and Erin Silver discuss the multifaceted journey of a beauty industry professional. They explore the challenges and triumphs of running a salon, the importance of leadership and systems, and the balance between personal life and business. Erin shares her experiences of fostering children while managing a growing salon, emphasizing the need for community support and self-care. The conversation highlights the evolution of a stylist's career and the significance of learning from mistakes. In this conversation, Bobbi and Erin discuss the challenges of balancing work and family life, the importance of setting boundaries, and the lessons learned from mistakes. They share valuable advice for new stylists entering the beauty industry, emphasizing the need for mentorship, continuous learning, and understanding different salon structures. The discussion highlights the significance of community support among women and the personal growth that comes with experience.   Takeaways Erin reflects on the unexpected journey in the beauty industry. Mistakes have led to valuable lessons and growth. The importance of having a supportive partner in business. Creating systems is essential for business success. Stepping back from behind the chair requires careful planning. Self-doubt is a common feeling among business owners. Personal time and self-care are crucial for balance. Fostering children brought new challenges and joys. Building a community of support is invaluable. Work-life balance is a continuous journey, not a destination. Balancing work and family is a continuous challenge. Setting boundaries is essential for mental health. Mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning. New stylists should say yes to diverse experiences. Mentorship is crucial for professional development. Understanding salon structures is vital for career success. Community support among women is invaluable. Time management is key to reducing stress. Personal growth comes with age and experience. Learning to prioritize is essential for a fulfilling life.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Beauty Industry Journey 02:49 Navigating Mistakes and Learning in Business 06:09 The Evolution of a Stylist's Career 09:04 Balancing Family Life and Business 11:55 The Importance of Systems and Structures 14:59 Embracing Change and Self-Doubt 18:02 Finding Personal Time and Self-Care 20:58 Fostering and Parenting in a Busy Career 23:49 Building a Supportive Community 27:06 Current Work-Life Balance and Future Goals 31:58 Balancing Work and Family Life 36:44 The Importance of Setting Boundaries 41:58 Learning from Mistakes and Growth 46:01 Advice for New Stylists in the Beauty Industry   www.beautyschoolbobbi.com www.beautyandstylenetwork.com www.silversalononline.com www.therefinenetwork.com     Follow Beauty and Style Network: @beautystylenet Beauty School Bobbi: @beautyschoolbobbi Erin Silver: @erinsilver

Faustino thinks he's finally ready to be a dad, but his girlfriend isn't so sure. Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.comFollow me on social media:Facebook.com/DrLauraInstagram.com/DrLauraProgramYouTube.com/DrLauraJoin My Family!!Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE!Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a refined, elevated version for your Coaching Call Live:This week on Coaching Call Live, I am honored to welcome Doris Jackson-Shazier — distinguished Author, Speaker, ICF Accredited Leadership Coach, and People Management Consultant.With more than two decades of experience driving organizational growth, transformation, and operational excellence, Doris has led at every level — from store to district, regional, and director roles within the Restaurant and Retail industry. She understands leadership from the ground up, and she brings both strategy and heart to every room she enters.Doris is known for her authentic, collaborative leadership style and her deep commitment to mentoring others. She doesn't just teach leadership — she models it. Her work centers on cultivating stronger families, deeper connections, and unwavering faith rooted in love, grace, and forgiveness.As a wife and mother of four, Doris offers a powerful perspective on how biblical principles and our God-given instincts — nurturing, problem-solving, and collaboration — can elevate our influence at home, in business, and within our communities.This conversation will go beyond theory. Expect practical insights on leading with empathy, strengthening teams, navigating change, and achieving sustainable excellence without compromising your values.If you are serious about growing as a leader — professionally and personally — this session is for you.Join us for a dynamic, energizing discussion that will challenge you to lead with clarity, conviction, and compassion.Watch on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@sifurafaeltv?sub_confirmation=1Connect and explore upcoming experiences at:https://sifurafael.com#Communication#SpeakingProwess#CoachingCallLive#LeadershipDevelopment#FaithAndLeadership#ExecutiveCoaching#PersonalGrowth#LeadWithPurpose

Episode #1100 In this revisit of a fan-favorite episode, Doug Holt is joined by his wife, Erin, to discuss the small, intentional shifts they use to raise resilient and self-aware children. Parenting often feels like a series of reactive moments, but the goal of conscious parenting is to proactively pass down the tools for self-love, emotional intelligence, and growth . Doug and Erin share the specific rituals they use with their own children to ensure they grow up with a solid foundation of self-worth and the ability to navigate life's inevitable challenges . Building self-love starts with simple habits, such as encouraging kids to look in the mirror and tell themselves they love themselves, making it a normal part of their day . Doug also uses a constant verbal check by telling his kids he loves them until they are almost annoyed, ensuring they never have to question his affection . At the dinner table, they move past the standard "how was your day" by asking about "magic moments" or pre-framing the school day as being either "good or great" to keep their children's minds focused on the positives . Modeling behavior is ultimately more impactful than words alone. Whether it is letting your children see you journal, meditate, or exercise, they pick up on the healthy habits that serve you . Most importantly, Doug and Erin discuss the power of "repairing" the relationship when you lose your cool; by apologizing for raising your voice, you teach kids that while emotions are natural, taking responsibility for your actions is a requirement for healthy relationships .   If you want to stop guessing what is missing in your relationship and learn a step-by-step methodology to regain the love and respect you once had, click the link below to get our free training: https://fixmarriage.thepowerfulman.com/scales

Welcome to the What to Expect While Fostering and Adopting podcast! I'm Christine Marie, adoptive mom, former foster parent, and biblical mindset coach. Whether you're considering foster care, navigating adoption, supporting birth families, or trying to hold it all together in the middle of the unknown, you're in the right place. In today's episode, I sit down with Jeremy Walden, foster and adoptive dad, college professor, ministry leader, and co author of The Heart Work of Foster Care. Jeremy shares his family's powerful journey through foster care and adoption, including adopting one child and later welcoming her siblings, building relationships with biological parents, and witnessing restoration, reunification, and healing unfold over years of faithful obedience. This is one of those conversations that reminds you foster care isn't a moment. It's a long road of love, patience, boundaries, and trust in God. Jeremy opens up about: • The real challenges of foster parenting and adoption • Supporting birth families with compassion and humility • How foster care impacts marriage and biological children • Saying yes, saying no, and protecting your family while keeping your heart open • Why foster care is truly heart work, caring deeply, loving deliberately, and trusting God when outcomes aren't guaranteed Jeremy and his wife have adopted three children from foster care and have cared for many more over the past decade. With over 25 years of ministry experience and 15 years as a college professor, Jeremy brings both practical wisdom and deep faith to this conversation. He also shares about their book, The Heart Work of Foster Care: A Hopeful and Honest Guide to Foster Parenting, a Christ centered resource filled with real stories, encouragement, and practical insight for anyone walking the foster care journey. Jeremy is currently conducting an anonymous survey to better understand how fostering impacts foster parents' marriages. If you'd like to participate, you can find it here:

We are bringing back a true fan favorite from 2024. As the Greene family is grieving the loss of their sweet dog, Tanner, this conversation feels like the kind of steady, supportive reminder we all need, especially when life feels heavy. If you have kids (or love someone who does), this one is worth a re-listen.Building self-confidence in children is a pivotal aspect of their development, and there are practical ways to strengthen it without adding pressure or unrealistic expectations.Join Rebecca Greene, Whinypaluza's podcast host, and her husband, Seth Greene, CEO of Market Domination LLC, as they share their perspective on what actually helps kids build confidence. They talk about encouraging children to try new things, discover their passions, and focus on personal goals. They also caution against the harmful effects of comparison, especially between siblings or friends, and instead encourage resilience and a growth mindset. The Greenes highlight the role of supportive adults in a child's life, including teachers and coaches, and the impact of open communication, celebrating progress, and recognizing a child's uniqueness.Key Takeaways:

Joe Pine is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and advisor, best known for The Experience Economy and his latest work, The Transformation Economy. In this episode, Joe explains why the market is finally ready—25 years later—for the shift to the transformation economy. He walks through the evolution of economic value, from commodities to goods, services, experiences, and now transformations, and makes the case that businesses must stop charging for inputs and start charging for outcomes. Joe introduces the four spheres of transformation—Health & Wellbeing, Wealth & Prosperity, Knowledge & Wisdom, and Purpose & Meaning—and argues that the true role of business is human flourishing: helping people become who they're meant to be. Profit isn't the goal; it's the scorecard. We also explore "encapsulation"—preparation, reflection, and integration—and why it's the key to turning experiences into lasting change. Joe breaks down why outcomes-based pricing is both the hardest shift and the biggest opportunity for transformation-driven companies. In this conversation, you'll learn how to spot transformation opportunities in your business, move beyond time-based pricing, and align what you charge with what customers actually value. Find episode 499 on The Leadership Podcast, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Watch this Episode on YouTube | Joe Pine on You're Charging for the Wrong Thing with Joe Pine https://bit.ly/TLP-499 Key Takeaways [04:04] Joe explains why the world is finally ready for the transformation economy after 25 years of people asking when he'd write this book. [09:11] The four spheres of transformation: Health & Wellbeing, Wealth & Prosperity, Knowledge & Wisdom, and Purpose & Meaning—and why almost every business can find themselves in at least one. [12:59] The difference between fitness centers (charging for time as an experience) versus personal trainers (instilling discipline for transformation). [17:42] Why companies must eventually align what they charge for with what customers value—and how this drives the shift to outcomes-based pricing. [22:09] Joe introduces "invitational transformations"—experiences that invite people to transform their identity (like the Guinness Storehouse or Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). [26:38] Human flourishing defined: the extent to which people are who they're meant to be. This is the raison d'être of business. [34:09] The concept of encapsulation: Preparation (before the experience), Reflection (after), and Integration (ongoing)—the framework that turns experiences into transformations. [35:59] How Joe wrote the book on Substack, getting real-time feedback from subscribers that fundamentally changed key frameworks in the book. [44:18] Joe's vision for transformation businesses: charge for demonstrated outcomes, foster human flourishing, and recognize that profits measure how well you help people flourish—not the end goal itself. [46:46] And remember..."The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic. Transformation begins with a change in mindset." — Peter Drucker Quotable Quotes "You are what you charge for. If you charge for undifferentiated stuff, you're in the commodities business. If you charge for demonstrated outcomes that your customers achieve, you're in the transformation business." "Eventually you have to align what you charge for with what your customers value. Let me say it again: Eventually you have to align what you charge for with what your customers value." "Fostering human flourishing is the raison d'être of business, period. That's why business exists—to help people flourish." "Human flourishing is the extent to which people are who they're meant to be." "The irony is of course that you may be offering a transformation guarantee, but that's exactly what you can't actually do. You can't guarantee a transformation. However, the best way to get it to happen is to offer a guarantee." "Profits are never the end. They're always the measurement by which you achieve the ends of human flourishing." These are the books mentioned in this episode Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com Sponsored by | www.darley.com Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com Joe Pine Website | www.strategichorizons.com Joe Pine X | @joepine Joe Pine LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/joepine TLP004: Joe Pine - Visionary Leadership Instilling Purpose

This #coachbetter episode is about the enabling conditions for coaching success and is a highlight from one of Kim's favorite episodes from a previous season featuring Ellen and Bruce Eisenberg, Founders of The Professional Institute for Instructional Coaching. Ellen and Bruce highlight the importance of developing a school culture that supports a growth mindset and a coaching culture.  If we don't have the systems and structures to enable teachers to opt-in to coaching and we aren't ensuring that coaches are focused on coaching work, it will be very challenging to build a coaching culture. All schools need the three elements of the Thrive Model for coaching to be successful and sustainable and most schools are missing at least one - is your school missing consistency? Watch this episode to find out! And if you want to learn more about the Thrive Model, access all of our resources at edurolearning.com/thrive If you liked this clip, make sure to check out the full length episode from season 5: Making Instructional Coaching Sustainable with Ellen and Bruce Eisenberg  [Ep 230] Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

Today we meet a coaching student who has just had her first five figure sales month and she's thrilled by the rapid progress she's seeing as a ProvenAmazonCourse.com student. They are a foster family and her big "WHY" is to be able to be home and continue living out their calling to foster even more children (they've had 25 so far!)   The first several minutes of the episode are a compelling backstory as to why it means to much to her to have finally found a great business she can do from home and how much this community and our training has had a major impact on their family.   Check out our sponsor: SilentJim.com/2d - Try 2D Workflow for free and see how much you could save every time you send in an FBA shipment to Amazon!   Watch this episode on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/wyo8l8pOpWw   Show note LINKS:   TheProvenConference.com - Watch that page for pending announcements about a possible late August 2026 event!   SilentSalesMachine.com - Text the word "free" to 507-800-0090 to get a free copy of Jim's latest book in audio about building multiple income streams online (US only) or visit SilentJim.com/free11   SilentJim.com/bookacall - Schedule a FREE, customized and insightful consultation with my team or me (Jim) to discuss your e-commerce goals and options.   My Silent Team Facebook group. 100% FREE! Facebook.com/groups/mysilentteam - Join 83,000 + Facebook members from around the world who are using the internet creatively every day to launch and grow multiple income streams through our exciting PROVEN strategies! There's no support community like this one anywhere else in the world!   SilentJim.com/kickstart - If you want a shortcut to learning all you need to get started then get the Proven Amazon Course and go through Kickstart.   Sellerboard - THE accurate profit analytics tool for Amazon sellers that helps you calculate your profit precisely accounting for all hidden fees and in real time. SilentJim.com/numbers    JeffSchick.com - Put a lawyer and e-commerce policy pro on retainer for a few dollars per month   Our free Monday's at 5pm EST meet-ups on Zoom for open Q/A: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84823798446   ProvenAmazonCourse.com/va - We train a VA for and with you so they can find loads of great ASINs every day!   3pmercury.com/friends- The best price on 3PMercury   Today's guest Amy Tofaute

Feeling disconnected in your marriage, even when nothing is “wrong”? In this episode, we talk about the three kinds of intimacy (spiritual, emotional, physical) and why surface-level fixes like date nights don't work if you don't address the root. We'll walk you through the starting point that changes everything: an honest conversation to diagnose what's actually driving the drift (busyness, unresolved conflict, unmet expectations, stress, trust, spiritual stagnancy). Then we share simple, practical rhythms that rebuild connection over time, including prayer, Weekly Marriage Meetings, and daily check-ins.RESOURCES:Free Weekly Marriage Meeting TemplateWeekly Marriage Meeting Journal™Conflict Resolution Episode: Our Favorite Way to Fight

A dramatic move by the Trump administration to undo regulations of greenhouse gases could cost Wisconsin billions. A judge's ruling upholds state permits for a controversial oil and gas pipeline. And, we hear from a high school student who says Wisconsin should do more to foster youth entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Kumar Mehta about what it truly means to be exceptional in leadership and performance. They explore the systemic issues that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential, the importance of deliberate practice, and the mindset shifts necessary for long-term success. Dr. Mehta shares insights from his research on elite performers, emphasizing the significance of commitment devices, future orientation, and the necessity of a supportive environment. The discussion also touches on the stages of personal development and how to raise exceptional children by instilling a strong work ethic and the connection between effort and outcomes.TAKEAWAYSIf your career keeps running on the same habits, it's a system problem.Being good enough is no longer enough in today's world.Exceptional performance is a system you can learn, not just a talent.Deliberate practice is essential for moving from good to exceptional.Future orientation helps in making better present choices.Commitment devices can help maintain focus and effort.Cross-pollination of ideas from different fields enhances creativity.Super elite performers often have a competitive upbringing and a chip on their shoulder.Mastery is about competing with your possible best, not just personal bests.Teaching children the link between effort and outcomes fosters a strong work ethic.CHAPTERS00:00 The Path to Exceptional Leadership00:42 The Distinction Between Hard Work and Deliberate Practice03:50 The Importance of Structured Practice06:22 The Power of Commitment and Plan A09:35 Transferring Skills Across Disciplines12:52 Cross-Pollination of Ideas for Growth15:07 Harnessing Adversity for Motivation18:21 Shifting from Outcome Focus to Mastery19:54 Recognizing and Acting on Pivot Points21:30 Stages of Growth: From Personal Best to Possible Best24:00 Implementing Lessons from Elite Performers25:37 Fostering a Strong Work Ethic in Children27:18 Applying the Framework at Any Stage of Life27:40 Key Insights and Takeaways

Olga Kazarina is an award-winning EdTech Specialist, ISTE+ASCD Community Leader, and Google Certified Trainer, Coach, GEG Leader, AI Fellow, and Educator with over a decade of international experience.From beginning her journey as a classroom teacher in Chile to her current role as Customer Success Manager and Community Builder at Genially, Olga has been a passionate advocate for empowering educators across the world.Her expertise shines in:✨ Strategic & ethical integration of Generative AI✨ Building educator communities✨ Fostering computational thinking in young learnersA recipient of the ISTE 20 to Watch Award, Olga also played a key role in the Guinness World Records breaking Capacita+ Google Cloud AI event a testament to her global impact.

Stephanie Fortunato, speaks with Conrado Uribe about the power of networks to break cycles of isolation – and to make “collective imagination” a practical force in how cities evolve. Moving from Medellín to Barcelona to a Latin America-wide network of cultural districts, Conrado reflects on collaboration, governance, and why the real foundations of a district are its people, not its buildings.External references:Conexiones Creativas: Conrado's organisation, designing and delivering projects to strengthen cultural and creative ecosystems. Plataforma de Distritos Creativos y Culturales: The network platform Conrado describes, supporting exchanges across creative districts in the Americas and Europe. Campus Colombias: The convening format Conrado references as a catalyst moment in the organisation's early years. Museo de Antioquia: Museum at the centre of Conrado's Medellín experience and a key cultural anchor in the city. MDE – Encuentro Internacional de Arte de Medellín: The four-year international art encounter organised by Museo de Antioquia, referenced in the episode's Medellín context. LOOP Barcelona: The moving-image platform and festival Conrado mentions as a formative collaboration-led model. Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens: The “humans succeed through collaboration” framing Conrado references via Harari's work. “Scenius, or Communal Genius” (Wired): A widely cited explainer of Brian Eno's idea of “scenius” that Conrado invokes (collective creativity over lone genius). About our guest:Conrado Uribe Pereira, is a curator and cultural strategist, and Content Director at Conexiones Creativas, the Colombia-founded platform behind a growing network of creative and cultural districts across Latin America and parts of Southern Europe. In the episode, he traces how his work in Medellín (including at the Museo de Antioquia) and later in Barcelona shaped his conviction that districts succeed when they invest first in talent (“software”), then governance (“artware”), and only then in infrastructure. + 

In this episode of PPC Live, Anu Adegbola speaks with Andrea Cruz, an award-winning B2B digital marketer, about the importance of navigating mistakes in client communication, the dynamics of team collaboration, and the role of AI in marketing. They discuss common pitfalls in agency practices, the significance of a solutions-oriented mindset, and how to leverage AI effectively in marketing strategies. Andrea shares her insights on the importance of learning from mistakes and fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable discussing challenges. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted exchange about Andrea's passion for her work and her unique experiences in the industry.TakeawaysMistakes are opportunities for growth and learning.Communication with clients is crucial, especially when mistakes happen.A solutions-oriented mindset fosters better team dynamics.Recognizing your own mistakes as a leader builds trust with your team.Budget constraints should dictate campaign strategies in B2B marketing.AI can enhance marketing efforts beyond basic summarization.Understanding client needs is essential for effective communication.Regular check-ins with clients can help identify roadblocks early.Fostering an open environment encourages team members to share challenges.Passion for the work can lead to greater job satisfaction and success.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Connection09:38 Navigating Mistakes in Client Communication18:28 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Solutions25:21 Learning from Mistakes: A Manager's Perspective29:03 Common Agency Mistakes in B2B Marketing31:08 Leveraging AI in Marketing37:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts41:53 Outro.mp3Find Andrea on on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠PPC Live The Podcast features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.Join us for PPC Live Online on Feb 18thJoin our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Whatsapp group⁠Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠

In this episode of Fostering Conversations, host Amy Smith sits down with Michelle Ostmark, the Statewide Mentoring Coordinator for Utah Foster Care, to discuss the Utah Foster Care Mentoring Program and why it matters. Michelle explains how the program pairs experienced foster parents with new or existing foster and kinship families to provide guidance, emotional support, and real-life insight throughout the fostering journey. From navigating first placements and court processes to coping with reunification, burnout, and self-care, mentors help ensure families don't feel alone. The conversation highlights how mentoring builds community, strengthens placements, and improves outcomes for children by supporting the adults who care for them. Michelle also shares how the program began, its statewide growth, success stories, and how former foster parents can continue giving back as mentors—even if they're no longer licensed. Learn how to request a mentor or become one at: https://utahfostercare.org/foster-parent-resources/mentors/ Transcript:  Welcome to Fostering Conversations. On today’s episode, we’ll be talking about the statewide Utah Foster Care Mentoring Program and its importance to our Utah foster families. Amy: Welcome to Fostering Conversations. I’m your host, Amy Smith. Today we have Michelle Ostmark, who is the statewide mentoring coordinator for Utah Foster Care. Thanks for joining us, Michelle. Michelle: Thank you for having me. Amy: So we’re excited to talk about the mentoring program. It is part of Utah Foster Care and available to all of our foster families in the state of Utah. Is that correct? Michelle: It’s also available to kinship families that have gone through the licensing process or have started the licensing Amy: which is awesome. I think kinship, all foster families need support, but kinship have an added layer of need of support, so I love that you’ve included that now. Michelle: Yeah. I think it’s important that they also have support for the children that are coming into their home. They have the same. Needs that any other child coming into care have, and they just have an extra dynamic of having a personal relationship with the biological families. Amy: Yeah, absolutely. So let’s just start by what is the mentoring program? Michelle: So the mentoring program is designed to pair a seasoned foster family with a new or existing family that needs additional support, or. Resources in each of their communities. We gear it towards new families just so that as they’re starting their foster care journey, they’re able to have somebody that they can call and gather information from, learn what’s appropriate, what’s not, questions to ask as they’re getting placements in their home, um, when they’re struggling, when there’s. exciting news for a child or their family, they have somebody that they can share those things with. Yeah. So that they’re not feeling alone. Amy: I love that because I think back to when I started fostering and I didn’t know like anything, like you just like you get trained. But then you forget what you’re doing and then a kid shows up and you’re like, wait, what am I doing again? Yeah. Michelle: Yeah. And I think our training is amazing, Amy: It is. It’s beautiful. Michelle: But like during that process, you go through the training and then you wait for your licensing and approval, and oftentimes there’s a few months that pass by. Yeah. And so all of that training that you’ve had, you’re super excited. But once you get that call for that child, all of that training and all of that, just go. Goes right out the window. And so foster families often panic because they don’t know what the next step is. And yeah, what do I do now? Who do I call? Why do these children have all of these appointments? And so having somebody that’s calling in and checking on them and making sure that they, have some. Support and somebody that has actually been down that road before them. They have lived experience that they can offer, advice and support for, and sometimes we have new foster families that have never parented before, so they don’t know who to call for medical appointments, dental appointments. And so having a mentor that is in their area, they’re able to, give them. A list of providers that they can possibly take the children to and just prepare them for what to expect during those Amy: Yeah, No, I think that’s so important to have that access to somebody that knows. And if nothing else, the fostering journey is so unique. You need someone that understands what you are doing and can tell you, yeah, that’s totally normal. Yes, I know. It’s absolutely wild what you’re enduring, but, yep. Sounds about normal. Michelle: Yeah. I think that, when we start this journey as foster adoptive families or kinship families you have a certain idea of what it’s going to be like, but once you step into that role, it’s nothing like that. Nothing like that. And so, just having somebody that you can talk to, that you can vent to is so important. Yeah. Our friends and our families in our personal life, often are very supportive, right when we start this journey. But because of the confidentiality that we have to maintain for the children that are coming into our home, and not just for them but for their biological families, um, we’re not able to share this stuff. Yeah. With. our personal friends and family where a mentor signs a confidentiality form that has been approved through DCFS that allows them to talk to these foster families in depth. They can talk to ’em about their court cases, visitation, anything that’s going on with the children, so that helps them get additional insight and how to best support the families. Amy: Yeah. I think that’s really important for mentors and the families that are getting mentored to know, is that they can talk about that information with each other, Michelle: And mentors can also attend child and family team meetings, because they’re, again, signing another confidentiality form. Their role will be a little bit different because they’re there to support the foster family, so they’re not there to offer insight or ideas or suggestions on the case just to help be a support to the foster family and help them understand. Why some of those things are being put in place for the children or for the families of the children so that they can have a little bit of support as they move forward with the case. think Amy: really valid. I remember as a foster parent, I would, after the family and team meetings, I would talk to the casa that was assigned to my foster child at the time. And it was just so nice to have somebody that knew what was going on. ’cause it was, you just, there’s not very many people who know what’s going on. And so it was just nice to have somebody. That could listen and be there. And yes, she was the advocate for the child, but it was just nice to have another adult to speak with. And so I think that’s what the mentoring program really Michelle: Yeah. It’s offering the support for our families that are providing the care for these children that are coming into the foster care system. They’re getting a ton of support. Their families are getting a ton of support, to help with reunification. But then our foster families are left going, where do I fit into all of this? So mentors also help with, all of those feelings with reunification. Why am I so sad? Why do these children need to go home? Why is the goal reunification? And if reunification doesn’t happen and it moves towards adoption, it’s helping them with that process as well. Yeah. So our mentors are designed to stay with a new family from the time that they are first licensed through their first placement. And then if they need additional support and help and they wanna keep ’em on longer, they can. We also offer it to existing families that are just struggling with like a new case that is really difficult and they just need, some additional support. So our whole goal is to build that village around our foster families so that they have people that can understand exactly what they’re going through, have already been through some of these difficult. Issues and can empathize with them in a way that other people can’t. We work really closely with the resource family consultants as well. Because they’re also a good support for our families. Yeah. But again, unless they’ve lived this right, they don’t have the lived experience to Amy: and they’re also supporting so many families. There’s 10, ish per region probably, and. They’re dealing with a lot of families. So mentors tell us how many families one mentor would take on. Michelle: mentors can take between one and eight families on their caseload. Their goal is to reach out to the family, one to four times a month. answer phone calls from the family to offer support if the family. Needs them. They don’t have to wait for the mentor to call them. Right. They’re able to call the mentor anytime. And in addition to that, if they’re unable to reach their mentor at any time, they also get my contact information. Yeah. And can contact me with questions and then I can guide them through whatever needs to happen in that moment. So Mentors are great for crisis situations. They can help find respite resources in the community, like again, like doctors, dentists, therapists, things like that. Yeah. They mentor each other and I help mentor them as well as a former foster, adoptive mom. And we make sure that, again, they have additional training to help support these families as needs arrive. Amy: I love that. Michelle: Tell Amy: Tell us a little bit about why and how the mentoring program was born. Michelle: So the mentoring program started. Nine years ago, we started researching throughout America what mentoring programs looked like. Most of the information we received were mentors for children. Okay. But we were not seeing a lot. On mentors for foster families. So we researched things for about six months. We came up with some great ideas and how this was gonna look. We reached out to DCFS. They are the ones that actually thought that this would be a great program for our foster families, and had asked for it for several years, and we finally launched it. We started in the Salt Lake region and within eight months we had it statewide. Okay. So currently we have 86 mentors statewide. We’re always in need of mentors who have some experience, and we have mentored 425 families from July, 2025 to the present, Amy: which is amazing when you only have you what said 86 mentors and 4 25 families. So yes, there’s clearly a need for more mentors, Michelle: in every region Amy: it’s also showing like we’re like, if you need a mentor, we’re gonna make it happen. Whether that’s you or someone in your region, ideally you want someone close to them, right? Someone that they could physically get together with if they needed Michelle: Yes. So go Amy: to lunch, grab a coffee, whatever Michelle: it is. Yeah. So our mentors actually. We’ll invite their families over for barbecues. They’ll take ’em, plates of cookies, just welcome stuff. A lot of our mentors use a Marco Polo app. Okay. Yeah. So that they have like, face-to-face interaction. Quite a bit. That’s a great idea. And a lot of families sometimes get a little overwhelmed and they’re like, oh, it’s just one more person I need to have contact, or, What they’re not understanding though, is this is a great support for you. Yeah. And. Our mentors have that lived experience so that, when you’re calling them either in a crisis or when there’s something good happening, they can celebrate with you or they can go through those trenches with you, right? During those difficult things. And I’ve seen mentors literally stop what they’re doing to go help a family in crisis and, offer respite. Just take a meal over or even just meet ’em for, an ice cream or a soda somewhere, just to help them learn how to build, self-rated regulation skills. And also to learn how to do some self-care. ’cause I think with our foster families. When you’re in the middle of all of this, I think we often forget to take care of ourselves. Amy: Oh yeah. You don’t have time. Michelle: Yeah. And so our mentors are really good at reminding our families that you need to do self-care too. Amy: Yeah. Take a little break. Take a little breather. Yeah. I love that. That’s awesome. Are you able to share like, any success stories with us about things that you’ve seen over the years of mentors or mentorees, if that’s what they’re called? Michelle: Yeah. A lot of our mentors and their families that they’re mentoring, become friends. Yeah. Through this process. Who better to understand what your family’s going through? Their kids connect in a different way because they understand, oh, our family isn’t the only one that is doing foster care. And so biological children, adopted children and all of the. Children that are placed in care are often connecting on a different level. Yeah. So I’ve seen a lot of friendships come out of mentoring and also I’ve seen a lot of families that have started, foster care that had a mentor at the beginning of their journey become mentors. And so Amy: they see the Michelle: of it Mm-hmm. Amy: they wanna give back in that way as well. Michelle: well. Yeah. And it just helps them when they had somebody that’s so supportive, they wanna be able to say, Hey, this person really helped me through a lot of, tough times or great times, and I wanna be able to help another family that’s starting out as well. Amy: Yeah. I love that. Yeah, I was thinking Michelle: back Amy: like two weeks ago, we had the Western region mom’s night out. And it was like 50 plus women that come, and I’m not a foster parent anymore, but we actually hosted at my mom’s house, so I still get to go every year. And so it’s so fun for me to get to go see these foster moms, many of who I know well because I was fostering at the same time in them and many new faces that have come on since. But it is amazing to see what that connection and comradery and. Just being able to sit there and chat and listen and totally relate to what each other are doing. And as a foster mom who hasn’t been doing this for the last year or two, I I’ve removed myself from that world in a small way. ’cause I don’t bring kids in on a regular basis. But putting myself back in that environment is just a reminder of like, we need each other and. You need those supports of who knows what this feels like and who can say that is absolutely insane. I can’t believe you did that, but Yep. I’m doing it too. So I just think the mentoring program is a small scale of that, right? We get together once a year for this mom night out, but mentoring can be every day, every week, every month when you need it. Yeah. Michelle: Yeah. I think it reminds us the why. Why do we do this? Yeah. Why do we bring these children into our home? Fostering is not an easy task by any means. You’re opening up your heart, your home, you’re subjecting yourself and your children to often heartache. Yeah. And so it reminds us of the why, like, especially when we. Build those long lasting relationships with foster families. Some of my closest and dearest friends now are families that I met through Amy: Foster. Yeah, absolutely. ’cause Michelle: they can relate to me. I can relate to them, their children can relate to my children, and we’ve become lifelong friends. Yeah. Through this process. And another thing, like you mentioned, you’re no longer a foster parent. I’m no longer a foster parent. One of the ways that families can still stay connected is as long as they’ve left DCFS in good standing and they wanna still remain involved, they can still be mentors. Yeah. Even if they’re not licensed, Amy: I just learned that today, speaking to you before we started the episode. So I think that’s an amazing way to give back. ’cause I was talking to a mom who was like, yeah, I don’t a foster mom. I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna foster, but I still wanna give back after. And I was like, it’s hard. It’s hard to know where you can still give back when you’re used to bringing kids into your home. That feels like the only way. So I think this is an amazing way that. Foster parents can give back that have had that experience, but maybe can’t, can no longer bring kids into their home. So I love that you’re sharing that. ’cause I had no idea. So hopefully we’re educating listeners as well that hey, you can still be a mentor if you’ve been a foster parent and left in good standing, which hopefully you have. Yes. Michelle: Yes. And we are the only state that I’m aware of that we are able to give our mentors a small stipend. It’s not huge, but we do give them a small stipend for their time in making sure that they’re contacting the families and Yeah, and letting us know what their needs are and. As they’re contacting families, they’re reporting back to me so that I can also help with any type of resources that they might need. Also can help connect them with our care communities. I meet with the DCFS, our RFC team, the resource Family consultants on a regular basis, so I can also reach out to them and. Say, Hey, this family is really struggling. These are the services that we have been able to provide for them through Utah Foster care. What can you do to help us wrap some more services around this family? Because at the end of this, we wanna make sure that they’re. Successful and that their placement is successful. Yeah. And they’re not leaving after their first placement saying, this is not what I imagined this would be. And I felt so alone in this process. We wanna make sure our families feel supported and cheered on, and they just have all of these people making sure that their needs are being met. Because if our foster families are feeling supported, the children that are coming into their home also have a much easier time. So, and we can help in that process of reunification or, sending them to kinship. Our kinship families are also facing those same things so that, we’re making sure that they have their village and they have the people that they need to rely on and count on when things get hurt or, yeah, there’s joy. Amy: And I think too when you have people that you can talk to I realized this a few weeks ago at this same mom’s night out, one of the moms was telling all these things, and I did, I text Tammy over at Care Communities and I said, so and so needs a care community. She didn’t ask for one. No, but I decided that she needed one. Yeah. And it was like sometimes as foster parents are the givers, right? We’re the people in the community that are literally stepping in to bring children in, strangers into our home in the middle of the night. Like it’s insanity if you think about it. And so oftentimes we don’t ask for help and sometimes we don’t even know that we need help. ’cause we’re just used to giving. That’s just what Michelle: we And so I think. Amy: Mentoring can also as these parents are talking and chatting with you, there might be ideas like, Hey, they do need a care community, or, Hey, they do need, we need to get them set up with a therapist to talk through all of these really difficult things. Or, Utah Foster Care has the free therapy now and like, there’s just so many ways that people with an outside lens can support. ’cause sometimes you can’t always Michelle: see it when you’re Yeah. And I don’t think our families realize that there, that Utah foster care has so many Amy: supports I agree. Michelle: Yeah. And so we do, we, I get referrals from mentors saying, Hey, this family could really benefit for, extra help with one of our clinicians here at Utah Foster Care. They’re really struggling with reunification and they might need a little extra support and we can offer that to them. Yeah. I contact one of the clinicians, especially in their region. Yeah. And just say, Hey, can you reach out? I always check with the family first and make sure that they know we’re gonna be calling just so don’t catch ’em off guard. Yeah. And same thing with our care communities, we’re able to say. This is a service that we might be able to provide for you. Is this something you’ll be interested in? And if they’re not, we also have, other resources available to our families. We can get some meals delivered to them. We can get, respite situated and make sure that they’re being taken care of in different ways. So, yeah, and mentors do a lot of that too, yeah. They take time to, to do that for the families that they’re mentoring. If they need additional support, like that is what we’re doing for these families, is we’re making sure that we’re surrounding them with as much love and support as we can to make their foster care journey a little less Amy: stressful. Yes. Lighten the load in a small way. Yes. So tell us if somebody is wanting to become a mentor or feels like, Hey, I could really benefit from a mentor, what do they Michelle: do? So they just need to go to our Utah Foster Care website www.utahfostercare.org/mentors. There are a couple of tabs on there. One is a video just explaining the mentoring program just like we did today. Another is. Become a mentor. You would just fill that out. I would get that information, contact you. There’s a brief 20 minute training that we would do over the phone. Just get you prepared for what you would be doing as a mentor, and then we would get you started. If you need a mentor or a family that could benefit from one you just fill out the tab that. Is request a mentor. Okay. And then that, again we try to pair families fairly quickly within a week of them becoming licensed. If I get a request for an existing family, we do the same thing. We try and, get them paired as quickly as we possibly can. And then, the mentor just starts reaching out to them, sets up times to visit with them if that’s needed. And then you just build that friendship and that support as you go. And Amy: so this is a random thought, but what happens if like someone’s not vibing? Michelle: It happens. Okay. Or if the Amy: mentor’s like, actually I hate this. Please get me out of here. Michelle: So, we’ve had some situations where, a family is just like, I don’t think that I, this is the right person for me. Yeah. I just reach out to the mentor and say, Hey, can you gimme some insight on what’s happening? I talk to the family and then we repair them with somebody else. Sometimes they ask me if I’ll be their mentor, which is fine. Yeah. I have no problem helping and supporting families as well. Yeah. But that happens. We’ve had mentors who have had to step back for some time, either for personal reasons, medical reasons. Yeah. Or just they need a break. So they’ll let me know ahead of time, Hey, these are the families that I’m mentoring. Can you pick up for them while I’m on vacation? Or, I have to have surgery, so I need a little bit of, time off. We have mentors who. Have really difficult cases themselves and Yeah. And they just, Amy: just a lot to carry someone else’s load too. Michelle: Yeah. And so, they’ll oftentimes say, Hey, I have six families right now. These two families are really close to, ending their placement for, whether it’s reunification, adoption, or them going to kinship. And they’ll just say, I have these two families and I really think that they could benefit for. With keeping another mentor in place for them. But I need to step back for, yeah, a couple months just to, focus on my own family and my own needs for a while. That happens and, nine times outta 10 they’ll take a few weeks off and then call me and say, okay, I’m ready to come back. Amy: Yeah. Because that’s what foster parents do. We we say we need a break, and then we’re like, just kidding. We’re back. Michelle: Yeah. And I’ve built some great, friendships with the mentors on my team because they’re calling me all the time and just saying, okay, I need to vent. Yeah. And that’s what we do. We listen to each other. And something that we would tell, one of our personal friends, they may not understand, I’ve sure I’ve vented about, personal situations with either a foster placement or my own children. And people are like, why do you keep doing this to Amy: yourself? Exactly. Michelle: And so it’s nice to be able to have somebody that you can vent to and they’re just like, oh, I totally get that. Exactly. What can I do for you to make this situation better for you? And then oftentimes you just need to vent. Yes. And then you’re good. Amy: And I’ve found too that sometimes you just have to cry or laugh together at the total insanity of your life. Yes. And no one really is gonna get that unless they’ve done it or are doing Michelle: it. Yeah. And I’ve seen. F foster families come together during some really critical times for another foster family. Yeah, absolutely. And kinship family. When there’ve been, tragedies in their family, those foster care communities band together to really support, whatever’s happening in that family. And it’s been beautiful to see in a lot of ways. Yes. Looking on it from. Working here at Utah Foster Care, in addition to being a foster adoptive mom. Just seeing the amount of families that just love and care for each other in a different way is just beautiful. Amy: Yeah. Yeah. I agree. No it is. I always say it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done because it is, it’s so hard and yes, we had to step away to to care for all the kids that we now have, but it’s something that I’m so grateful that I’m part of and so honored to know how difficult and how beautiful it is. So it’s just it truly is an incredible community to get to be a part of. Michelle: Yeah. When you start it, you don’t think you’re gonna end up, with Amy: however Michelle: children. But yeah. I started this journey with three children of my own and ended up with. Eight children of my own Uhhuh. So, and then many more that continue to reach out and yeah, absolutely. Stay in contact. So it’s a great, it’s a great thing to be a part Amy: of. It really is. Thank you so much Michelle: for your time. Amy: and thank you for all of the energy and time that you put into the mentoring program and supporting our Utah foster families. If you wanna learn more, head over to Utah foster care.org. Thanks for joining us.

In this February 2026 episode, MSS intern Cheri Mitchell interviews Maddy Day, Proprietor and Senior Consultant of Maddy Day, LLC & Associates, and co-Founder and co-Chair of FAAN (Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide). Influenced by her family's deep ties to child welfare, Maddy gained early insight into the realities facing non‑traditional families. Her career path ultimately led to the creation of FAAN in 2016, a network that grew from informal cross‑state conversations among practitioners that now includes more than twenty states. Maddy's journey and FAAN's expansion underscore the impact of connection, reliable data, persistent advocacy, and the importance of listening to students in creating equitable educational pathways for youth with experience in foster care.

This #coachbetter episode is another in our series of coaching case studies, with one of Kim's amazing clients, Sarah Tudge, High School Curriculum Coordinator at the International School of Manila in the Philippines. At the time of recording, Sarah had just graduated from The Coach and completed her amazing Action Research around the impact of coaching - if you want to see the outcome of her research, make sure to check out her Final Project blog post on our website at coachbetter.tv. We're excited to share this episode with Sarah with you because Sarah came to The Coach with a TON of coaching experience and she still learned and achieved so much, all of which was very specifically tailored for the needs of her school community because The Coach is so customizable for your individual needs. Sarah points out in this episode how valuable having a whole academic year to devote to developing her coaching skills was, and she truly made the most of it!.  This episode is a deep dive into the ways that coaching can be the bridge between more formal professional learning experiences and actual impact in the classroom. Sarah's experience and action research throughout her time in The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program really uncover the ways that coaching empowers teachers to create tangible change in their practice - with support and without evaluation. Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)      

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Question: I recently listened to a podcast featuring an adoptee, a birth mother, and an adoptive parent, which was great. The adoptee talked about when it hit her that she was adopted and feeling like her birth mother threw her away. My sons are adopted through the foster care system. One is technically still a foster child. My oldest was removed from his birth mother immediately after being born and placed with us. My second son spent about a year with his parents in a very neglectful situation, and drugs were a factor in both situations. I'm wondering how to respectfully have that conversation with my sons when the time comes. Note, please, that we are a two-dad household, so there's no hiding the adoption from them.Resources:Talking about Adoption at Different AgesHow to Make and Use an Adoption LifebookTalking with Young Children About Adoption and Birth ParentsBooks for Kids Adopted from Foster Care9 Things Adoptive Parents Must Do Before Age 13Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

Do you ever hold back to avoid heartbreak, even though what you really want is to love wholeheartedly?In this episode of Come To Your Senses with Mary Lofgren, I'm sharing  what fostering dogs has taught me about love, presence, and showing up with an open heart, even when loss is inevitable. Fostering has been an unexpected masterclass in relationships, attachment, boundaries, and letting love move through my life, and I'm excited to share what gems of wisdom I've learned with you today.Here's to all the ways that only love can break, and open, our hearts. Topics include:What fostering dogs taught me about relationships, love, and healthy attachmentHow to love, even when you can't fully attachDating, boundaries, and intuitionBeing willing to fall in love (again and again)This episode is perfect for anyone who loves dogs, has known heartbreak, believes in loving fully, and wants to live with more emotional freedom.LINKS FROM THE EPISODE The Healing Heartbreak Support Kit - Balm for a broken heartMy new book, Sensing the Sacred: A guided journal of sensory spirituality and daily ritual, is available now. Learn more: https://marylofgren.com/sensing-the-sacred

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are you familiar with pathological demand avoidance? Do you need helpful strategies to raise a child with the challenging behaviors that characterize PDA? Listen in to this conversation with Dr. Cynthia Martin, a clinical psychologist, the former Senior Director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute, and founder of CM Psychology in Manhattan, NY.In this episode, we discuss:What is Pathological Demand Avoidance?What makes PDA different from typical defiance or resistance?Is PDA considered an official diagnosis, or is it more of a way to describe a cluster of behaviors that we're seeing in some kids?What do we know about the underlying causes?How does PDA relate to other conditions like autism or ADHD? What are the overlaps with trauma, prenatal substance exposure??What are the types of behaviors parents or caregivers might see?How can a caregiver tell the difference between a child who can't comply and one who won't comply?Where do parents start when considering if their child has a PDA profile?What observations or examples should parents share to help a clinician understand their child's challenges?What kinds of strategies are effective for parenting a child with PDA traits?How can parents reframe their approach so that daily demands — like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or doing homework — don't turn into constant battles?What types of therapies or interventions tend to be most helpful? What do you say to caregivers who are feeling worn down and ineffective? Where do they start?How can a parent or caregiver set their child up for success even if they do have this PDA profile?What words of hope or encouragement would you offer to parents and caregivers just starting to investigate?Resources:Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Kids - Child Mind InstituteDemand Avoidance: Why Kids Refuse to Follow Directions - Psychology TodaySymptom Tests for Children: Is Your Child Showing Signs of Pathological Demand Avoidance? - ADDitude: ADHD Science & StrategiesUnstuck & On Target - Evidence-Based Curricula and Resources for Professionals and Families to Support Executive Functions.Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

What happens when vulnerability becomes your leadership superpower? Kristi sits down with Karen Alter to unpack what it means to lead from the heart in an industry often driven by metrics and deadlines. From stepping into leadership in a post-founder era to fostering a culture where creativity and connection thrive, Karen shares how relational leadership has shaped every corner of her organization. She opens up about her journey, from receiving the vibe to becoming the one who creates it, including the powerful personal story of how a colleague became a surrogate and lifelong friend. Karen gets real about hiring for culture fit, designing intentional hybrid spaces, having hard conversations with clients, and why she'll never lead with fear. This episode is a masterclass in showing up as your full self, and how that choice impacts everything from morale to results. If you're ready to build a culture where trust, transparency, and real human connection fuel your team, this one's for you.   Additional Resources: Connect with Karen on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Vulnerability builds trust and deepens team connection Culture thrives on intentional relationships and shared values Physical space impacts creative energy and collaboration Hire for diversity, align on core values Great leadership starts with listening, not talking  

In this episode of Call Your Hits, Phil speaks with Kevin Pierre, known as RandomGuyKev, about the airsoft community, the evolution of the Random Airsoft Awards, and the importance of visibility and marketing for brands. They discuss Kevin's journey from player to content creator, the significance of customization in airsoft, and the role of educational content in shaping player experiences. The conversation also touches on surprises from the awards, future aspirations for the airsoft community, and highlights from Shot Show.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Airsoft and Community Engagement02:56 The Evolution of the Random Airsoft Awards05:52 Personal Journey in Airsoft09:02 Reviewing Airsoft Gear: A No-Nonsense Approach12:01 The Impact of Technology on Airsoft Gear14:54 Transitioning to the Awards: A Community-Driven Approach18:00 Creating Standards in Airsoft Awards21:02 Exploring Customization in Airsoft Gear26:07 Celebrating Airsoft Creators27:52 The Importance of Customization in Airsoft30:05 Recognizing Knowledgeable Content Creators32:52 Visibility and Brand Recognition in Airsoft35:21 Community Engagement and Awards38:44 Fostering a Positive Airsoft Environment40:35 Understanding Voting Trends in Airsoft Awards42:27 Growth and Global Reach of Airsoft Awards45:42 Innovations from Shot Show 2023--- If you're looking to support the channel, check out our merch store here: https://stormriders.threadless.com/ And join our discord by following this link: https://discord.gg/ZdaftDDYaZ

Work can be demanding. This episode offers a calm pause—using mindfulness and affirmations to help you respond with patience, empathy, and ease. A gentle guide to staying grounded, even in the middle of a busy workday.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/find-your-daily-calm/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode Notes Extension can be of value and benefit to us in ways that we have probably failed to consider . . .which is why I'm proud to spotlight one particular area of emphasis within extension this week!! Introducing Tracie Ettensohn, an agent with the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Service, with a specialization in Family and Consumer Sciences. How would we describe Family and Consumer Sciences? What are the seminars, programs, and services through which Tracie helps families to thrive and prosper? Come along for answers to these and other questions, details on Tracie's monthly newsletter, and info on upcoming events/activities to mark on our calendars. Feel free to reach out to Tracie with any inquiries you may have by emailing her at tracie.ettensohn@uky.edu, or calling the Henderson County Extension Office at 270-826-8387. And, be sure to visit Henderson County's Family and Consumer Sciences web page linked here: https://henderson.mgcafe.uky.edu/fcs. Find out more at https://blabbin-in-the-bluegrassblabbi.pinecast.co

In this second half of our special two-part episode of KeyLIME+, recorded live in Quebec City at the International Conference on Residency Education, Adam is joined by resident co-host Dr. Rory Clarke and guests Drs. Kimberly Lomis and Martin Pusic to explore how AI is transforming medical education. They discuss how AI is reshaping trust, connection, and growth in residency education, including its potential to enhance personal connections, mentorship, and personalized learning. Along the way, they share practical strategies educators can use to strike the right balance between innovation and human-centredness.  Length of episode:  42:24  Contact us: keylime@royalcollege.ca      Follow: Dr. Adam Szulewski https://x.com/Adam_Szulewski          

Today, we hear the heartfelt journey of David and Jill, who took the leap from being childless to adopting two beautiful siblings through the Foster to Adopt process. They share openly about how infertility led them to this path and speak about how this experience has transformed them into better people and deepened their love in ways they never imagined. From navigating the emotional rollercoaster of uncertainty, to the joys and challenges of raising toddlers who came from a tough background, their happy story is a testament to resilience and unconditional love. We chat about the importance of support systems, how to handle the unique dynamics of blended families, and the sheer joy of watching their kids thrive. So, tune in as we celebrate these non-traditional family stories that remind us that love knows no bounds! In this episode, we cover the inspiring journey of David and Jill, a couple who always wanted to be parents. When faced with infertility, they took the leap into the world of foster care and adoption. Their story isn't just about becoming parents; it's about overcoming challenges, embracing love, and the unexpected twists life throws your way. From their struggles with infertility to the joyful surprise of welcoming two sisters into their home, their candid conversation is filled with heartfelt reflections and light-hearted moments that keep the listeners engaged. They discuss how the foster-to-adopt process has transformed their lives, making them better individuals and parents, and how their love for their children runs deeper than they ever thought possible. David and Jill's experiences illustrate the highs and lows of fostering, including the emotional turmoil of potentially losing their girls when they first entered their lives. With a mix of humor and vulnerability, they recount the uncertainty of not knowing how long they would have the girls and the challenges of navigating the court system. Their honesty about the rollercoaster of emotions resonates with many, as they share the lessons learned through love, patience, and support from their community. The couple emphasizes the importance of connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of fostering, echoing the sentiment that it truly takes a village to raise a child. By sharing their journey, David and Jill not only highlight the beauty of foster care but also inspire others who may be considering this path. As they reflect on their family's growth and the love they have cultivated, listeners are left with a powerful message: the journey of parenting—whether through fostering or adopting—is filled with uncertainties, but the love that emerges from it is both profound and life-changing. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of family, no matter how it comes together.Takeaways:Becoming parents through fostering transformed us into better individuals, deepening our love.The journey from fostering to adoption can be long and emotionally challenging, but it's worth it.Having support from others who understand the challenges of fostering is absolutely priceless.Our kids, despite their tough beginnings, are full of love and joy, reminding us daily.Navigating the foster care system requires patience, faith, and a lot of love for the kids.The importance of being kind and building relationships with social workers and attorneys cannot be overstated.Companies mentioned in this episode:

The Future of AI in the UK: An In-Depth Conversation with the AI Minister In this episode of Jimmy's Jobs of the Future, we sit down with the AI Minister to explore the trajectory of AI and its impact on the UK's economy and society. From his humble beginnings arriving in the UK at age 12 to winning a scholarship to Eton, our guest shares his unique journey. We delve into the role of AI in job creation, the importance of technological adoption, and how the UK can leverage AI to drive national prosperity. With insights into education, public policy, and inspiring the next generation, this episode is packed with valuable information about shaping Britain's AI landscape. 00:00 Introduction 03:42 Educational Experiences and Opportunities 11:50 Appointment as AI Minister 13:34 Role and Responsibilities of the AI Minister 18:25 Impact of AI on Jobs and Society 20:35 Government Initiatives and Public Engagement 30:35 The Impact of Technology on Prosperity and Security 31:04 The Importance of Embracing AI 32:38 Challenges in the UK's Tech Sector 33:30 Fostering a Culture of Ambition 36:07 Government's Role in Supporting Innovation 43:16 Encouraging Risk-Taking and Entrepreneurship 49:10 Personal Insights and Reflections 53:03 Quick Fire Questions and Fun Facts ********** Follow us on socials! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjobs Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jimmysjobsofthefuture Twitter / X: https://www.twitter.com/JimmyM Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-mcloughlin-obe/ Want to come on the show? hello@jobsofthefuture.co Sponsor the show or Partner with us: sunny@jobsofthefuture.co Credits: Host / Exec Producer: Jimmy McLoughlin OBE Producer: Sunny Winter https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnywinter/ Junior Producer: Thuy Dong Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Matt is joined by Charlie Bell, Microsoft's EVP of Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management, to discuss the future of AI and its implications on cybersecurity.The conversation revolves around IDC's prediction of 1.3 billion AI agents by 2028, Charlie's insights from his recent writings 'Beware of Double Agents', and the crucial aspects of agentic Zero Trust.They explore the benefits and risks associated with AI agents, the importance of security culture, and strategies to mitigate potential threats.Charlie also shares his experiences working with Satya Nadella and the importance of collaboration and curiosity in leadership.--Key Moments:02:08 The Exponential Growth and Impact of AI Agents03:47 AI Agents: Beyond Conversational Interfaces05:48 Security Challenges in the Age of AI Agents06:57 Parallels Between Cloud Adoption and AI Agent Era09:19 Democratization of AI: From Developers to Everyone13:57 The Concept of Double Agents in AI16:07 New Attack Vectors and Security Concerns21:43 Combating Security Challenges in AI22:07 The Importance of Identity and Containment23:50 Alignment and Intent in AI Systems27:08 Observability and Accountability of AI Agents30:00 AI in Security and Assumed Breach33:17 Fostering a Culture of Security38:45 Leadership Insights from Satya Nadella--Key Links:MicrosoftConnect with Charlie on LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Free report from HatchWorks AI — State of AI 2026What's real in AI this year, what's hype, and what leaders should prioritize — including production lessons, designing for agents, and governance. https://hatchworks.com/state-of-ai-2026/AI Opportunity FinderFeeling overwhelmed by all the AI noise out there? The AI Opportunity Finder from HatchWorks cuts through the hype and gives you a clear starting point. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get tailored, high-impact AI use cases specific to your business—scored by ROI so you know exactly where to start. Whether you're looking to cut costs, automate tasks, or grow faster, this free tool gives you a personalized roadmap built for action.

This #coachbetter episode is about the difference between a coaching mindset and a coaching program. There is a HUGE difference between embracing a coaching mindset and building an intentional coaching program. However, because it's quite hard to see all the layers that go into an intentional coaching program it might seem like if everyone has a coaching mindset, we have a coaching program. Although that's a wonderful foundation, it's not quite all it takes to create a thriving coaching program. Kim unpacks 5 key differences between embracing a coaching mindset and an intentional coaching program. If you're curious about how to articulate all the pieces that go into a fully developed coaching program - and how that's much more than having coaching conversations, this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)  

A talk by Thanissaro Bhikkhu entitled "Correcting, Fostering, Cutting Away"

The numbers tell the story. For the 2023-24 school year, school districts accessed an average of 2,739 distinct edtech tools annually, an increase of 8% from the previous school year. This episode looks back at how educators navigated the flood of AI tools in classrooms in 2025—and looks ahead to what 2026 demands. We explore the rise of Agentic AI, from early chatbots to autonomous systems reshaping recruitment, communication, and curriculum at places like Arizona State University and companies such as Bloomz. We also confront hard questions about academic integrity raised by tools like Perplexity Comet and examine how efforts from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and ISTE aim to restore rigor, trust, and AI literacy. Related Sources: Easing the Burden on Schools: Five Quality Indicators for Edtech & AI Products | Average District Tech Tools | Scaling Proven Learning Practices| Navigating EdTech Quality: The 5 Indicators | Unpacking LA Unified School District's AI Chatbot Debacle w/ Fonz Mendoza | Agentic AI: A Wake-Up Call to Educators | Agentic AI and the Student Experience with Lev Gonick | Canvas, Credentials, and the Agentic AI Classroom | Agentic AI is here. What does it mean for Online Education? | Alfonso Mendoza Jr., Ed.D: With over five years of experience in educational technology and leadership, Alfonso currently serves as District Assessment Coordinator at Sharyland ISD, where he focuses on integrating digital learning strategies and supporting curriculum alignment to enhance student outcomes. His work emphasizes the practical application of technology to meet real classroom needs. Anna Mills is a leader in integrating artificial intelligence into education, combining teaching experience with technical expertise and a commitment to open educational resources. Her work on AI literacy, academic integrity, and AI applications in higher education combines critical and tech-forward approaches. She currently teaches at College of Marin and has taught writing in community college settings for 18 years. Thomas Hummel is a teacher, coach, and Eduaide's Chief Product Officer. This means he is responsible for keeping one foot in the classroom to ensure we remain grounded in everyday practice. Thomas hails from a lineage of educators that spans three generations, deeply instilling in him an appreciation for the profound impact teachers have on society. Dr. Med Kharbach is an educator and AI in education researcher with 15+ years of experience in educational technology and teaching. He designs and delivers evidence-based learning experiences that strengthen AI literacy, enhance teacher training, and support professional development in both K–12 and higher education. His work blends pedagogy, digital literacy, critical thinking, and responsible AI integration. Tim Mousel has taught in higher education since 1993 and today serves as a full-time faculty member in the Kinesiology department at LSC-Online, as well as the Department Chair for Chemistry, Kinesiology, and Physics. He also leads the System-Wide AI Task Force, where he helps guide institutional strategy around emerging technologies. Sandra Liu Huang is a computer scientist. She leads the product team at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Previously, she was the director of product management at Quora and an early and senior member of the product team at Facebook. Chakrapani “Chaks” Appalabattula is the founder and CEO of Bloomz, a popular communication app that connects teachers, parents, and schools through features like messaging, event scheduling, volunteer coordination, and student portfolio sharing, designed to improve parent engagement and streamline school-home communication. Tal Havivi is the Managing Director @ ISTE+ASCD. He works at the intersection of research, product development, and go-to-market strategy to make the edtech market more effective and better aligned with the realities of modern-day teaching and learning. Havivi leads a business unit that partners with leading edtech companies to reduce barriers to educator engagement and validate instructional quality. Lev Gonick: As the Enterprise Chief Information Officer at Arizona State University, he leads the design and agile management of all enterprise infrastructure, applications, products, services, and analytics at the nation's largest and most innovative university. Ryan Lufkin: In his role as VP of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, the makers of Canvas, his research plays a pivotal part in shaping the company's worldwide vision and growth. Fostering partnerships, overseeing market research, identifying emerging trends, and driving innovation help propel Instructure's commitment to advancing education on a global scale. Richard Culatta, is the CEO of ISTE+ ASCD. Culatta is an innovative educational leader with experience in government, k-12, higher education, and adult learning settings. Areas of expertise include education policy, teacher preparation, educational technology, and innovation.

In this episode, I sit down with Suzannah Weiss to explore how eroticism and pleasure can be cultivated while living with chronic pain and illness. We unpack the cultural myths that normalize women's suffering, how pain and fatigue impact libido and orgasm, and what it means to stay connected to pleasure when the body isn't cooperating. An intimate, grounded conversation on listening to the body, redefining sex beyond performance, and reclaiming erotic agency in all seasons of health.In this episode you'll hear:00:00 Intro02:50 Chronic Pain, Libido, and Erotic Truth06:06 Eve's Curse and the Myth of Women's Pain08:13 PMS, Power, and Cultural Backlash16:08 Medical Gaslighting and the Cost of Not Being Believed31:50 The Myth of the Elusive Female OrgasmTHE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTSuzannah Weiss is a writer and psychotherapist focused on sexuality, relationships, and women's empowerment. She is the author of Subjectified, a memoir-manifesto on ending objectification, and Eve's Blessing, a personal, political, and spiritual exploration of reclaiming pleasure where women have been taught to accept pain. With over 8,800 published articles, her work has appeared in outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Through her writing and therapy practice, Suzannah challenges cultural myths about women's bodies and invites a more liberated, pleasure-affirming relationship with sexuality.LINKS FROM THE SHOWSuzannah Weiss – official website - https://suzannahweiss.com/Books by Suzannah Weiss:→ Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject - https://a.co/d/66E2aex→ Eve's Blessing: Uncovering the Lost Pleasure Behind Female Pain - https://a.co/d/blrgCBeTwitter / X: @SuzannahWeissInstagram: @SuzannaWise (W-I-S-E)WANT MORE?Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undoneSensual Awakening: https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakeningErotically Undone: https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/EroticallyUndone****Sensual Sundays Guide: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/sensual-sundaysBig Cat Energy: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/big-cat-energy

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Talking about the difficult parts of our child's story, like abuse or prenatal substance exposure, can be overwhelming. Kelly Weidner, the co-founder and Executive Director of Haven Adoptions & Family Services in Ambler, PA. She has 28 years of experience in foster care, residential care, and adoption, which will help us navigate these challenging conversations with our kids.In this episode, we discuss:What kinds of issues do we mean when we say “difficult parts” of a child's story? What are some of the everyday challenging conversations that adoptive parents must tackle?Why is it necessary to introduce these potentially painful, complex issues to our kids?Why are parents reluctant to talk about these issues?What steps should adoptive parents take when choosing to start these conversations? Where do they start?What is a Lifebook, and how can parents use them to introduce and build on the story as their child grows?What should be included?How does a Lifebook differ between the types of adoption?What if your child wants to bring their Lifebook to school or show it to people outside the family?What language can you use with young children to lay the groundwork for later, with more details filled in as they grow?How would a parent start the conversation about being conceived during a rape or abusive relationship, across several ages or stages, to build understanding?As another example, should we tell our kids about abuse or neglect that happened to them if they don't remember it? How?Should you tell a child that her birth mother's use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy might be the cause of their learning disabilities? How do you help your child understand how much of his story he should share with others outside the family?What if you don't believe the birth mother's story of what happened? What if you don't know the details of what happened, just that something “big” did happen?How can adoptive parents help their children understand that they are more than the difficult parts of their history and that they are not doomed to repeat their birth parents' mistakes?What are some practical tips for supporting our kids after we've had to share hard-to-hear information?Resources:Suggested Books for Adoptive FamiliesUsing Lifebooks to Explain Complex Issues in Adoption to KidsBuilding the Framework for Adopted & Foster Children to Process the Hard Parts of Their StoriesSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

The world is getting weirder every day… We need weirdness specialists. Maybe the best guy for the job is my friend, the brilliant “metashaman” (and possible octopus) Layman Pascal. In his own words, Layman “used to be a Canadian meditation teacher, yoga instructor & philosopher of Integral Metatheory but he's feeling much better now.” He leads the Metamodern Spirituality Labs, hosts The Integral Stage, Soulmakers+, and (forthcoming) Untegral Stage podcasts, and provides unique online courses. He is also a founding member of several think tanks in the developmental psychology and spirituality space, senior editor of Emerge online & is allied to numerous institutes across the field. In addition to many journal and anthology articles, he is the author of Gurdjieff for a Time Between Worlds, Sex, Death & the Occult, as well as an upcoming book about Nietzsche. Layman is known for his philosophical work on the metaphysics of adjacency, complex nonduality, coaxial developmental stage theories, sacred naturalism, archaic futurism, embodied spirituality & the “integration-surplus model of religion and spirituality” for a post-postmodern civilization facing numerous accelerating and converging crises. In this conversation we cover a lot of ground in a very short time, including: the nature of futurity and how humankind's relationship to the future is changing; how to surf intense peculiarity'; the abiding sociocultural role of “shamanoid” personalities and other useful weirdos; “wartime” mobilization for The Big Us; and other deep and delightful subjects. It's my honor to finally decant this year-old recording, now more pertinent than ever…✨ If you enjoy this conversation, please consider liking, subscribing, and commenting on your favorite podcast provider to help this work (and you!) find new allies: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Etc.✨ Our next Humans On The Loop book club discussion is for Wendell Berry's Standing by Words on Sunday February 15th! Become a member to participate in these calls, exclusive Discord members channels, and our monthly hangouts.✨ All of the unedited, unreleased episodes are available to founding members here.More links• Explore the archives for nine years of mind-expanding conversations• Browse (nearly!) all of the books we discuss on the show at Bookshop.org•Dig into the Humans On The Loop pitch deck• Explore the Google Notebook for How To Live In The Future, my five-week science and philosophy course at Weirdosphere• Contact me if you have burning questions!Cited pieces by Layman• The Soul of AI w/ Lee Chazen (YouTube)• The MetaModern Business Bureau (MMBB) (Substack)• Apocalyptarians (Substack)• The Society of Partial Deterritorialization (Substack)• The Two-Handed Demons (Substack)Cited pieces by others• Wendell Berry - Standing by Words• Hakim Bey - Temporary Autonomous Zone• Steven Johnson - The Revenge of the Humanities• Carol Dweck - Mindset• William James - On Some Mental Effects of the EarthquakeMentioned people with dialogues on my show• Jim Rutt (181)• William Irwin Thompson (42, 43)• Erik Davis (99, 132, 140)• Timothy Morton (223)Mentioned people without dialogues on my show• Terence McKenna (although I've interviewed Terence's brilliant close friends Ken Adams and Bruce Damer multiple times; check the archives for episodes 4, 109, 209)• Alexander Bard• Andrew Huberman• Harry S. Truman• Jacques Lacan• H.P. Lovecraft• Doug Irwin• Nassim Taleb• Friedrich Nietzsche This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelgarfield.substack.com/subscribe

In #coachbetter episode, Kim chats with Dr. Lindsay Prendergast, who's currently Assistant Director of the Danielson Group, and a best selling author. Lindsay was a teacher, administrator and a coach for many years before shifting to work with the Danielson Group. In this conversation, they talk about: Why appraisal and supervision is so important - and should be seen as a gift How appraisal has gotten twisted, and become so punitive Where coaching fits into this process Where the lines get blurry when administrators seek to bring coaching into appraisal  How we can help draw a clearer distinction between supervision, appraisal, evaluation and coaching and growth Why the language and the naming of processes (like appraisal, feedback, and coaching) so important What schools (coaches & leaders) need to consider as they are working towards building plans for both appraisal and growth This conversation might be controversial because it unpacks so many challenging concepts that are a key focus in many senior leader conversations. It is absolutely essential that we have clarity on the difference between appraisal and growth. Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) The Landscape of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

In a time when finding and keeping great team members is harder than ever, the key to long-term employee retention may not just be in pay raises or bonuses, but in creating a health-centered practice culture. Our guest, Katrina Klein, will recommend a few simple shifts that can transform your practice into a place where your employees want to work and have no interest in looking elsewhere. Katrina is a registered dental hygienist for 16 years, national speaker, author, competitive bodybuilder and certified personal trainer. She's the founder of ErgoFitLife, where ergonomics and fitness are a lifestyle to prevent, reduce or eliminate pain. Thanks to our episode sponsors: BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/ NSK America - https://www.nskdental.com/

John continues his conversation with Dr. Nelva Lee. In this episode they talk about the importance of pain and purpose in life, why avoiding hard moments can keep you stuck, learning from mistakes, and much more! In Part 1, they discussed the traditional model of public education and the need for new approaches to prepare the kids for real life or careers. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Why pain is not something to fear [05:29] - The two most important days of your life [06:50] - How faith guides Dr. Nelva's decisions in leadership roles [11:32] - Respecting your audience while staying true to your beliefs [14:11] - Dr. Nelva's definition of success [14:57] - #1 daily habit [15:56] - Traits of a great leader [17:49] - Every person you meet can teach you something [21:00] - Value of learning from mistakes and failing fast [24:47] - Legacy Dr. Nelva wants to leave behind [25:32] - How she invests in her growth and marriage [27:26] - A message for husbands and wives [29:43] - Clear communication in marriage [30:32] - Best way to reach out to Dr. Nelva [31:04] - Supporting Dr. Nelva's candidacy [33:49] - Book recommendations [34:51] - Wrap-up NOTABLE QUOTES: "I have learned over the years that pain is not something I should be afraid of. I should be afraid when I don't experience pain." "If you do it right, you don't learn anything. So you have to fail, which means you tried something new, didn't do it right, and now you have the opportunity to learn. It's not a guarantee that you will, it just means the opportunity is there." "Embrace the fact that you will have failures. You will make mistakes. You just need to learn from them, turn them into learning opportunities, and pivot. If you're able to do that, you're going to be ahead of so many others." "First, lead yourself. Then you can lead others." "Our habits determine our behavior, and our behavior determines the level of influence that we will have." "We were all born as individuals. We were all born originals. We shouldn't die copies." "If you're not experiencing enough adversity, it's probably because you're just following a pre-decided path that may or may not be your path." "Gentlemen, date night is yours. You own it. You're in charge of it. Her job is to show up and look beautiful." "Ladies, if your husband is not the romantic type, it's okay to give him tips, and it's okay to help him plan it." BOOKS MENTIONED: Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren (https://a.co/d/hseine4) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by R. Stephen Covey (https://a.co/d/eChA52b) Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins (https://a.co/d/a3jw43B) The Bible (https://a.co/d/59f7I7q) USEFUL RESOURCES: https://www.drnelvalee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dr.nelvalee/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nelva-lee-a4a885314/ https://www.facebook.com/TBWGTR https://www.youtube.com/@DrNelvaLee/videos Stay and Fight: The Wise Woman Builds Her House (https://a.co/d/aE70YCB) Be the Superhero of Your Story (https://a.co/d/bzutXhk) A Hope and a Future: The Case for Fostering to Adopt (https://a.co/d/j87kVT8) CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen    X - https://x.com/johnhulen    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX_NchE8lisC4NL2GciIWA    EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/ 

Welcome to this Friday edition of RealAg Radio, brought to you by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) and broadcasting from the RDAR Research Showcase at Edmonton, Alta! On today's RealAg Radio show, host Shaun Haney is joined by: Terry Sydoryk of Cellar Insights on potato storage; Kim Sturgess of Water Smart on the possibilities of... Read More

Welcome to this Friday edition of RealAg Radio, brought to you by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) and broadcasting from the RDAR Research Showcase at Edmonton, Alta! On today's RealAg Radio show, host Shaun Haney is joined by: Terry Sydoryk of Cellar Insights on potato storage; Kim Sturgess of Water Smart on the possibilities of... Read More

I am beyond excited to welcome Baby Bear

Exploring Vedanta and Vipassana practices, Ram Appalaraju discusses interfaith spirituality and his work as an eco-chaplain, honoring the dignity of all beings.Today's podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This time on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Ram and Vincent discuss:Encountering dukkha (suffering) on a day-to-day basisResourcing ourselves so that we can be a resource for othersSelf-discovery and learning how to process our sufferingThe yoga of meditation and cultivating the core aspect of inner growthThe sense of ease that comes from deepening our practiceWeaving together Vedanta and Vipassana practices Fostering trust in our own experiences Transitioning from a high-stress work environment to living a more spiritual lifeOffering dignity to ourselves and others, no matter their circumstanceRam's work in prisons and offering compassionate, attentive care to othersHow preconceived notions hinder us from truly connecting with and caring for people“There's a human sense of dignity that we can offer to another person and that can only happen when we have dignity within ourselves when we have a sense of acceptance of who we are.” –Ram AppalarajuThis conversation was originally recorded on the Paths of Practice Podcast. Listen to more episodes HERE.About Ram Appalaraju:Ram Appalaraju has served on the boards of nonprofit organizations for over eight years after retiring from the high-tech industry where he worked for 35 years. Ram has been studying Buddhism under Gil Fronsdal and is currently in the Insight Meditation Center's Dharma Leaders Training. He also graduated as a chaplain and an eco-chaplain from the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies. He now teaches as a faculty member at Sati Center's Eco-Chaplaincy program and is one of the organizing team members at IMC's Earth Care community group. He also serves as a Buddhist chaplain and Mindfulness Meditation teacher at Santa Clara County Jails and is currently pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education.Ram has been practicing Buddhism for over 14 years and has engaged with several underprivileged and marginalized communities, teaching meditation and offering support. He is deeply committed to social and ecological causes and serves various groups in nature-based education through science and spirituality. He currently serves on the board of Insight Meditation Center at Redwood City and teaches at the San Jose Insight Meditation Sangha. Ram has also studied Vedanta at Sri Ramakrishna Mission and Chinmaya Mission for over 20 years.Ram serves as president of Insight World Aid. For more information about Insight World Aid, please see HERE.“My own capacity to care started to unfold. It is not just an external activity of me learning how to care for someone, that's a byproduct. The intent is self-discovery: how did I process my own suffering and how and when it's relevant to engage with others who may be suffering for their own reasons.” –Ram AppalarajuAbout Vincent Moore:Vincent Moore is a creative and creative consultant living in San Francisco, California, with over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry and holds a graduate degree in Buddhist Studies. For years, he performed regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, an improv and sketch comedy theatre based in New York and Los Angeles. As an actor, Vincent performed on Comedy Central, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Seth Meyers, Above Average, and The UCB Show on Seeso. As a writer, he developed for television as well as stage, including work with the Blue Man Group, and his own written projects have been featured on websites such as Funny or Die. Additionally, he received a Masters of Buddhist Studies from the Institute of Buddhist Studies with a Certificate in Soto Zen Studies and engages in a personal Buddhist practice within the Soto Zen tradition. Vincent is also the creator and host of the podcast, Paths of Practice, which features interviews with Buddhists from all over the world. Learn more on Vincent's website HERE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does a congregation foster faith that lasts in the young people of the church? The Rev. Roger Drinnon (Associate Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bourbonnais, IL) and Katrina Drinnon (Director of the Youth Ministry Board, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bourbonnais, IL) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the call they received to serve at St. Paul's and the assignment they were given: working with the church's youth ministry. They share why it was important to them and the congregation to revitalize youth ministry, what that journey looked like for them and the congregation, how LCMS Youth Ministry's Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry has been a great resource for them, what youth ministry looks like now, and their encouragement to other congregations in their youth ministry efforts. Read the Drinnons' story in Lutherans Engage at engage.lcms.org/youth-ministry-winter-2026. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Kiera takes listeners through specific actions the most successful dentistry minds have incorporated into their day-to-day to stay elevated. She touches on: Planning out an ideal week Reviewing these numbers weekly Fostering problem-solvers And more! Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript:   The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners, this is Kiera and I hope that you guys are having an amazing day today. I hope you're loving dentistry. I hope you're loving your opportunities. I hope that you are remembering that we have one life and I hope that you're making it the absolute best life you can. There's a song that I recently heard called Time's a Ticken and it's like, so call your mom, love your babies, talk to your friends and...   I just think about it and another thing I saw were like, if your mom and dad are still able to call you, how blessed are we? And I know some people have strained relationships, but I think as much love that we can give and as much as we can foster great relationships in our lives and realize how much goodness we have, I think that's an amazing space for us. just hopefully you know how much I love and appreciate you and how much I'm rooting for you, whether I know you personally or whether...   you are someone in our Dental A Team family, or if you are in our podcast family, or if you're new to this, just know I'm rooting for you. Even if I don't know you personally, ⁓ you're doing better than you think you are today. Guys, it's going to be fun. I want to talk about CEO habits for next level, like what top practice leaders are doing and just some tips for you. As we're rolling into a 2026, I love looking at habits and not necessarily fads, but habits. And so what do things do? And I believe that habits, not just hustle,   are going to help you with success. ⁓ So many times it's like, well, what made the success successful? And it's like really consistency on doing the best things and the highest priority things consistently. And so giving a couple of three core habits that I think growth-minded leaders, practice owners have versus overwhelmed operators. And so really being able to give you that guidance and at Dental A Team we're obsessed with helping dentists become CEOs of their practices and having amazing teams thrive around them and.   ⁓ Giving you guys all of that today is really what it is and we want you guys to feel clarity, confidence and consistency. And I know sometimes when you're in the whirlwind of the day-to-day business, it can feel very hard to have this. But I will say, if you can build these as a building blocks, the noise can lessen. I'm not gonna promise it will go away, but it can definitely lessen and doing it over time. Just like with front office team members were like, I just don't have time, Kiera. And we're like, great, let's put in a power hour. And they're like, it's never enough time.   You're right. Today is not enough time, but if you do one hour a week blocked with no interruptions and you work on the highest level things, I've watched teams over and over and over again, be like, I actually don't need this hour anymore. And we get our recare calls done and we get our unscheduled treatment calls done and we block that and we do it. And office managers, they block that time and billers block the time to do insurance verification. It does not need to be a lot of time, but it does need to be consistent. So with that, you guys, this is going to be something that's a   a habit, ⁓ daily and weekly habits that you can create that you can really just put into your life now. So number one is, this sounds so silly and I do this often, it's creating and committing to an ideal week. ⁓ And so that's being able to have a rhythm and not reaction. so what I noticed and it's crazy because as my company evolves, my life and my business and my schedule needs to evolve as well.   When the business was smaller, I used to be able to run back to back to back to back meetings. There wasn't as much strategy that I needed to think about. There weren't as many hard decisions. There weren't as many like complex decisions that I used to be able to run a week like back to back to back. And then I realized like, I can't run like that anymore. I need to have like on time and off time, on time, off time. And then there's presenting like podcasts. Like you try to put meetings on a podcast day. You guys, am in podcast is creative land and I'm on presenting mode. And I'm like here hanging out with you guys and having a good time.   don't put meetings where I'm trying to like figure out a budget that is such a different mind than a creative mind. And so really being able to block this where we have it and color coding your calendar. What I really do believe is as a CEO of a practice, you're going to have clinician time, right? You're going to have being a dentist. Then you're going to have leader time where you're developing your leaders. And then you're going to have visionary CEO time. And if you can block this in there and you don't have to have it perfect. So do I have   leader time where I'm like developing my leaders and I'm spending time figuring out leadership pieces for them and investing in my leaders and coaching my leaders. Do I have that blocked in there? And then do I have this deep work visionary CEO time where I'm reviewing the financials and I'm answering questions from my office manager and doctors sometimes they even recommend you have another block of am I getting like all the busy work like the labs and the clin checks and the cases and looking at all the scheduling coming up. Do I have time to work on that? And   blocking this and it sounds like, gosh, there's so much and there is, this is why you feel overwhelmed and you feel radical. So having my doctor dentists in time, my leadership development time, my CEO time, and then if you need any other time, great. I also put in my personal time. So am I working out and taking care of my body? And we did this with our mastermind group where I learned a thing called rapid planning method from Tony Robbins and I really enjoyed it. And then I took it of course, ended Kiera spin to it.   But what I really loved is Tony actually had us rename our categories. So instead of saying workout time, it's my honoring my body time. And that was so much more fulfilling for me. And I also have buckets in there that are color coded of date time. Like I call it mine and Jason's forever love story. And what do I put into my calendar that's blocked specifically for that? And what's lovely is when you have colors around it, ⁓ you can actually make it to where you then are working on those specific areas.   and you're able to see them very, very easily. So when we look at this, I think about my colors and my favorite color is pink. So I always have my Kiera section where I'm honoring myself. It's in pink in my calendar. When I'm working on Dental A Team and I used to like call it just Dental A Team. Now it's my passion project and it's blue. Honoring my body is orange. I needed that like vibrant orange, like getting excited about it. And I have that in there.   my leadership visionary time, that's going to be a different color. For me, that's more of this like blue turquoise color. It's more serene, it's calm. So whatever that is for you, just having those color coordinated things and like I popped into my RPM planner. So I have my ⁓ ROASIS ⁓ is our home. And so working on my home, wealth, genius, fun, that's curious thing. And I always make sure I have fun built into my calendar. But I think like you can make it as complex or as simple as you want, but I would really recommend we've got our dentist time.   our leader time, so maybe that's like our give back time or our development time or our like my first team time and then my visionary, my exciting time. What does that look like and really blocking that in your calendar? And so then we audit our week at the end of the week and I remember I was taught like many times like the most productive thing is to go back and look where did I win my week? Where did I like lose the week and what do need to change for this? And   Even me going into a new year, actually have a new EA joining me pretty soon. So that's thrill. If any of you had a personal assistant EA that's been with you for a long time and you're getting a new one, let's ⁓ just say it's a thrill. And I'm really excited for Marissa to join as Shelbi's getting ready to have some life changes. And I'm so, so, so excited for her. ⁓ And going through that and being able to experience it, I realized I needed a different calendar.   What I've been doing is not going to get me to where I need to go. And so we've been working on it and I like built it. You guys, I like to like really mass and like if I'm in podcast mode, I'm in podcast mode. And if I'm in coaching call mode, I'm in coaching call mode. And if I'm in business mode, I'm in business mode. ⁓ but I realized what I was doing is I was business mode. I was coaching call AKA dentists thing that I was in heavy meetings and then I was in podcasting. And I think sometimes when we run that heavy, it's very hard to have like downtime. And so for you looking, you're working as a dentist all four days.   So could we block maybe Wednesday mornings where you have a catch up time or do we have a CEO day where it's a Friday and you actually have that block for four hours and you work on that. I have a dentist, he works Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays are always off and he works Friday. And I'm like, that is the weirdest schedule. He's like, Keira, I love it. I get all my admin stuff done when people are still there. I have time to think that's when I'm gonna work on my decisions. And then I go in and have a great Friday where I've got nothing on me and I produce my highest amount. And this doctor is a very high producing doctor but he's very regimented in how he does it.   And that's how he's been operating for the last like 30 years. So when you implement this and you commit, so I'm like, okay, let's break it down. guys know I like to make it easy. I like to make it tactical for you. You got to block these areas. What am I done to seeing? When am I leading? And when am I thinking about the greater big like CEOing of the company? And if I'm only going to do one, I'm going to block a two hour block every single week to work on high level of the business. Just like I recommended for our leaders blocking one hour minimum per week of deep work time.   and doing it at your prime optimal time. For me, it's early mornings. I operate so good from like 6 a.m. lately, it's been like 3 a.m. until about 11 and then like I'm out. I don't want to be thinking heavy. I don't like hard things. That's my operating. Just like I run on protein, Jason runs on carbs. Like it's just operating in how we function, but really making sure you do that. Again, this is a habit. It's a discipline. It's reviewing it. And I had a doctor who was really high level. We coached together for about a year and he said, Kiera, coaching with you was one of the most impactful years of my life.   because you taught me to prioritize my calendar, to review my calendar, to work on my family relationships, to work on my leadership, to delegate, to see what things were in my calendar that I could delegate. And this person has grown and added multi-multi-practices and I'm so proud of him. But truly, this is going to be your best thing. So action on this of getting this habit into place is block two hours as your CEO time, no operations, no calls. You are just fully focused on the business and commit to doing that.   for the next four months. Whoa, four months, can you imagine? Just try it. Test it out, tell me, Kiera, I'm trying the experiment. Email me, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. I'm committed to it and I want you to not break that promise to yourself. You hold it strong. I had a doctor who did this. She put a like sign on her door and she said, do not interrupt me at all. Now you have to hold this strong because if someone's like, hey doc, I just have a quick question. Nope, right now is my time and I need you to respect my time. I'll be available at this time.   You call that one or two times and your team will not interrupt you again because they know you are dead serious on this. So review it. Now you're already doing that. I want you to take it one level further and I want you to add in your date time, your workout time, something that you are also adding in that needs to be blocked. And I want you to ramp it up one more. Okay, that's number one habit. Number two habit is reviewing your KPIs and your financials every single week. And you're making decisions based on data, not on feeling. So we all know that what we measure improves, right? All of that is there.   So what it is is KPIs, you gotta be looking at those, whether you're using dental Intel, we recommend Addit. Practice by numbers, I don't care. All of our clients do get Addit. So if you're like, hey, I'm thinking about consulting, but I'm not sure about cost or guess what, we cover that cost for you and it's free for you and we also have other perks for you. So ⁓ definitely cost savings that way. And we help you build a scorecard and a dashboard and we teach your team to look at this. But you as a CEO of your practice, this is how you become a CEO. CEOs make decisions based on numbers and metrics, not on feeling and gut.   but you have to take time to review the data to sift through the data. We have an amazing CRO on our team that's a chief revenue officer. didn't even know that was a position. And I have been begging our marketing team to go through our podcast data to figure out what did the listeners want? have, guys, oh my gosh, we're moving into, think our, we started in 2019. So this year, seven years on the pod, guys. I cannot believe that. Lucky seven over here. But thinking about it, I was like, go look at the data. want to,   not just what Kiera feels and what I think you guys, are 1,100 episodes in by now. Like we should be able to have great data of what you guys want. And you're gonna hear a change this year because we actually went through Paul kudos to him. He went through and he looked at all the data and he said, all right, Kiera, here are the episodes doing well here. The episodes not doing well. Here are the things that listeners want. Here's how we need to revamp it. And I was so proud of him and so grateful because now we're building content based on what the data is telling us. But you know how long that took him? It took him like three months to go through it all, sift through it all. And for you,   You've got data, you've got case acceptance data, you've got new patient call conversion data, you've got our billing, our AR data, you've got diagnosis of doctors, we've got hygiene period data. That is the stuff you need to be looking at to see how are we doing? You've got how long is it to our next appointment? We see how far out are we booking our new patients? We see how far out are we booking our six month appointments? Are we staying at six months? How much money are we losing? A doctor had me come in and I looked and saw it, you're booking your patients eight months out. It was about a million dollars worth of revenue that they were leaving on the table.   just by not having enough hygiene available. That is gold if you will take the time. So this is another step that we're gonna add in. So you've already got your CEO block. You can add this into it where we commit to reviewing our KPIs and our PNLs every single week and making adjustments to that. Now work in tandem with your office manager. Office managers, should be doing this as well. Every single week, where are we off and what do we need to do next? Every week. And we train our teams to use numbers, not feelings. And this is how we're going to lead.   So team members should be looking at the numbers. They should know their department. Are we on track? Are we off track? We have scorecards every single week. All of our departments are reporting. Where are we on? Where are we off of? Where do we need to pivot? We need lead measures and we need lag measures. We need to make sure we're looking at both of those. And you literally start looking at this. And I just told you like people who do this, I have an office and she was like, Garo, we need to increase. I want to increase it. And I was like, we are profit and production. That's all we're looking at, period. I cut out all the noise.   Profit production, what are the levers that are hitting that? How are we diagnosing? How are we block scheduling? How is our case acceptance? How are our new patients and how are we filling the schedule? Profit production, that's all we're hitting. And guess what? That doctor is the most profitable they have ever been. But it was because we had them laser focus. We focus on these numbers every single week. And this doctor was doing it, but they weren't optimizing and making decisions on where they really needed to go and focus on the most important thing. And I think even though you might look at the KPIs and data, are you focusing on the most important things that are gonna drive and move your practice forward?   So I want you profit and production are the number two that I go after. One and two, you've got to look at those two always. And then you use the other ones to boost those two up. And if you're struggling with that, hi, I'm Kiera. We work at Dental A Team. We're a consulting company committed to making you financially free, blissfully happy in your practice and getting the best life you want. So reach out, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com Okay, so let's have it number two. Habit number three is developing your people to solve problems instead of you always solving them. So.   This is something where it's like, what's leadership versus what's firefighting. And you guys, I'm not perfect at this. I do a lot of firefighting. I do a lot of problem solving for teams. And I'm like, my gosh, I'll just give you the answer. But the goal is we need to fix it. And we need to start asking the question. So I'm like, hey, here's a problem. Instead of being like, here's the answer. Then we train them that we're the person that they come to. Hey, what do you think is a solution? You can roll it out. It's a three solution company. If you've got a problem, you bring me three solutions, one of which does not cost money. We have one-on-ones that focus on development, not just updates.   I need to develop you as a leader. I need to work with you. I need to grow you. Where are we at? This is the things we need. Like, let's work through this. Is this really the best use of our time? Is this really the best KPI for us to be tracking? Is this really how we're gonna lead? You focusing and developing your leaders and coaching them, you don't wait for things to break. So like, let's look at the KPIs. All these, you can tell build upon each other. Let's look at the KPIs. Let's look at what you guys are needing. And then let's coach to that. But truly,   If you will coach your team, there's a practice that I have known for gosh, seven years. The doctors are working in there one day a week and their office manager is running the organization and they have leaders. They have people that are following up on issues. They have the team solving their own problems. They're a solution oriented organization rather than a problem like centric like, Hey, here's your problem. Go fix it. If you need a good book, ⁓ gosh, it's the monkey book. The one minute manager meets the monkey.   It's like a good little fable of don't let people put the monkey, like their monkey on your back and leave it. Another friend described it as a fridge with a magnet and like someone was like, here's this problem, here's this problem. We're like Post-it notes, right? Like they just put it all on you. Tiff and I did a video a long time ago where it's like Post-it notes all over you and you're just drowning in Post-it notes. Well, that's like draining your energy too. And if we can teach our team to solve problems and this is a habit, this is going to be, ⁓ this is going to be something that you work through.   So just letting you know, like, this is where it's at. This is how we do it. These are three habits for you. So how do we take action on this one of developing it is you're going to have monthly coaching one-on-one with each of your leaders and figuring out their gaps of where they need to grow and giving honest feedback to them. ⁓ There's some great things of, you guys know we run on EOS and we absolutely love EOS and there's quarterly conversations that you can have. it's like, how are they on core values? How are they on their position? How are they rating themselves?   ⁓ We are having the conversations and we're being direct with them and we're giving mutual reflection on things and how are we doing on our quarterly pieces and how's our team doing and what are the moving forward actions that we're doing and having these as consistent monthly and quarterly check-ins with our team, but growing them into leaders is going to be critical and pivotal for your team. So these are three, you guys, three quick habits that you can implement now.   If you need to read the book Atomic Habits, how do I stack things? How do I make this easy? Like, okay, I need to block CEO time. So CEO time sounds like C, I'm gonna C on Thursdays or C on Fridays. Like, I don't know, C, maybe at C2, I'm trying to think of like an alliteration for you. I need my CEO time, my power time. There's no P in the alphabet, in the Monday, Tuesday, So maybe it's like top time on Tuesday or Thursday. I'm gonna do my top time Tuesday or Thursday or like Focus Friday.   There you go, there's some alliterations for you, but I'm gonna block this and I'm gonna block my calendar. Then I'm also gonna commit to KPIs or numbers. So winning Wednesdays, that's when I'm always gonna look at my numbers. Or magic Mondays, I'm gonna look at my numbers. Or money Mondays, there you go. Money Mondays, I'm gonna look at my KPIs and I'm gonna make decisions and me and my OM are gonna meet on that. And then I'm going to have leaders that are solution oriented. So we roll that as a culture thing and I'm gonna set it to where once a month I meet with all of my leaders now.   Maybe we work on weekly in the future, ⁓ but I'm gonna make sure that I'm meeting with them once a month and that's where I'm putting my most important time. And I could add that as CEO time, that's fine, because you are working on leadership at that part, but you're gonna commit to one, two or three of these habits and you're gonna hold strong for at least four months and let me know how your life looks. Now, if you're like me, I have to have a gym trainer, otherwise I don't work out. I got all the workouts, I got all the things, I hear it, I see it, I see it on Instagram, I see how to make the good food.   But unless I have it booked, scheduled, and someone's holding me accountable to it, I don't do it. So if you're that person, hi, I'm Kiera. We have the Dental A Team and this is what I'm obsessed with. Second to sending you a carrier pigeon, we make sure that you stay accountable to this. Let's help you do that. Reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com because you deserve to be the CEO and sometimes just being redirected and getting a new habit and a new operating system is going to get you to where you want to be. So reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com and commit to this. I want you guys to act like the CEO of your practice.   and start with these three habits this week. Reach out, we're here to help. And as always, thanks for listening. I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

Music educator and expert on helping kids with musci practice, Barbie Wong is back this week for her monthly conversation with us on the podcast. We address the topic of helping foster practice at home for music students that is focusted and systematic vs "playing through" that many families tell us they are lookng to avoid.  Enjoy and let us know what you would add to our list!  Links in this Episode: Find Chrstine's Books HERE Find Barbie Wong's Website HERE Book - Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, by Anders Eriksson Join Christine & Barbie in the Musical Nest Community   Resources at SuzukiTriangle.com Connect with Christine on Instagram Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine    TRANSCRIPT  

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Dr. Kathleen Dyer, Dr. Anna Linnehan, and Dr. Mary Jane Weiss for a powerful conversation around their article Fostering Belonging in Autistic Individuals. This was actually the first time I've had three guests on the podcast at once, and it felt like the perfect conversation to mark that milestone.We spent time unpacking the difference between inclusion and true belonging and why simply being “in the room” does not always mean someone feels connected or accepted. As behavior analysts and speech-language pathologists, we've made incredible progress with access, inclusion, and participation, but this conversation challenged us to take a deeper look at the quality of those experiences.We talked about what happens when autistic individuals are included but don't feel they belong, the emotional toll of masking and camouflaging, and the very real systemic barriers that still exist for autistic adults. I also loved hearing how this work grew from their experiences in higher education and from listening closely to autistic individuals and families who shared that they often had to create their own communities.What really stood out to me was how much this conversation aligns with compassionate, individualized care. Belonging looks different for everyone, and if we're not asking about it, observing it, and building it into our assessments and interventions, we're missing something essential. This episode felt like an invitation for our field to stretch, reflect, and evolve, and I'm so grateful to these three leaders for helping start that dialogue.#autism #speechtherapyWhat's Inside:The difference between inclusion and true belonging, and why access alone is not enoughHow masking and camouflaging impact mental health and long-term well-beingBarriers autistic adults face in education, employment, and community participationPractical ways clinicians can keep belonging at the center of assessment and interventionMentioned In This Episode:Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech ConnectionGet the book Perspectives on Neurodiversity and BelongingABA Speech: Home

In this first half of our special two-part episode of KeyLIME+, recorded live in Quebec City at the International Conference on Residency Education, Adam is joined by resident co-host Dr. Rory Clarke and guests Drs. Kimberly Lomis and Martin Pusic to explore how AI is transforming medical education. They discuss how AI is reshaping trust, connection, and growth in residency education, including its potential to enhance personal connections, mentorship, and personalized learning. Along the way, they share practical strategies educators can use to strike the right balance between innovation and human-centredness.    Length of episode:  30:46    Contact us: keylime@royalcollege.ca      Follow: Dr. Adam Szulewski https://x.com/Adam_Szulewski       

John talks with Dr. Nelva Lee — author of several Christian-based books, entrepreneur, wife, mom, and candidate for Georgia Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Lee is the founder and CEO of Concrete Build Financing, former CEO of a vocational school for 20 years, and served as an adjunct professor for 10 years teaching healthcare administration. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro [00:40] - Dr. Lee's bio and backstory [06:17] - Running for Georgia Superintendent of Schools [09:24] - Outdated education system & preparing students for real life [13:16] - Georgia education stats & need for change [14:29] - How John helped his kids decide their career [16:28] - More career paths and opportunities for students [19:09] - How John helped a student build a career without college [25:09] - Dr. Lee's new venture, Concrete Build Financing [28:09] - Dr. Lee's book, Stay and Fight [31:08] - Be the Superhero of Your Story [32:53] - A Hope and a Future NOTABLE QUOTES: "We have an educational system that was created just for factory workers, and it was created in a time when that's what was needed. That was the advanced technology of the time. That's antiquated and we need to change our educational system to fit today's needs, today's workers, to today's businesses." "We need to go back to prioritizing trade schools and trade certificates in high school so that when we graduate our high school seniors, they are prepared. They are workforce ready and prepared for life and prepared to be full members of society." "Pushing everyone to college is not an option that we should be waiting around for as the best option. There are definitely professions where a college degree is necessary, but it's not necessary for everyone. Most students, if given a real alternative that allows them to contribute to society and pay their bills, would choose that path. We need to give them that option." "Challenges are there to shine a light on your powers. No superhero ever became a superhero without overcoming a great challenge." "Life is happening for you, not to you. And so look at your challenges, look at any negative thing that's happening in your life and see how it could turn out for your good, see how it could be actually a blessing in disguise." USEFUL RESOURCES: https://www.drnelvalee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dr.nelvalee/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nelva-lee-a4a885314/ https://www.facebook.com/TBWGTR https://www.youtube.com/@DrNelvaLee/videos Stay and Fight: The Wise Woman Builds Her House (https://a.co/d/aE70YCB) Be the Superhero of Your Story (https://a.co/d/bzutXhk) A Hope and a Future: The Case for Fostering to Adopt (https://a.co/d/j87kVT8) CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen    X - https://x.com/johnhulen    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX_NchE8lisC4NL2GciIWA    EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/ 

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Question: How do you deal with the emotions of not being able to adopt or foster because your husband doesn't share the desire?Resources:A Reluctant Spouse: When Only One Partner Wants to AdoptI Want to Adopt. My Partner Does Not.Creating a Family Online Support GroupSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building