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It's a controversial topic, fasting, especially for women. Dr. Mindy Pelz was teaching women to fast primarily because they wanted to lose weight, but what she was witnessing was women saying things like, "I lost weight, but my hair's falling out. I don't have a period anymore. I sat down with Dr. Mindy Pelz, New York Times bestselling author of Age Like a Girl, hormone expert, and the voice redefining fasting for women - because doing it wrong can wreck your health. We explore why fasting affects women differently, how ketones can restore brain function during menopause, and why understanding your hormonal cycle is critical for metabolic health, cognitive performance, and longevity. Reduce your risk of Alzheimer's with my science-backed protocol for women 30+: https://go.neuroathletics.com.au/youtube-sales-page Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for evidence-based conversations at the intersection of brain science, longevity, and performance. _____ TOPICS DISCUSSED 00:00 Intro 01:50 What put Dr. Mindy Pelz on the map 03:14 The truth about fasting vs intermittent fasting 05:13 How the brain uses glucose vs ketones 07:25 Why the brain "eats itself" during menopause 10:14 What is mitophagy and cellular autophagy 13:11 Why autophagy is the body's repair system 15:24 The 12-hour vs 17-hour vs 72-hour fast 17:23 Why women's cycles are disrupted by fasting 19:59 The fasting cycle for women 21:05 Lactate as a fuel source for the brain 23:01 Hemoglobin A1C and insulin resistance 27:36 Understanding CGM data correctly 30:13 Where women should start at 48 32:01 HRT: personal decision or necessity? 34:15 The nervous system shift during perimenopause 38:48 The grandmother hypothesis and evolutionary sensitivity 41:09 The "menopause divorce" phenomenon 44:18 Dementia, Alzheimer's, and women46:17 Dopamine, novelty, and neuroplasticity47:23 Cold water immersion and trauma rewiring51:19 Cold water and cortisol for women53:51 Exercise, BDNF, and brain health55:21 Serotonin, light exposure, and sleep58:00 Glycine, bone broth, and longevity01:02:26 Preparing for perimenopause and menopause 01:04:24 Acetylcholine, storytelling, and memory 01:08:38 Why eggs and cholesterol matter for the brain _______ A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts: Ketone-IQ: Mental clarity that lasts - without the crash. Visit https://ketone.com/NEURO for 30% OFF your subscription order - PLUS receive a free gift with your second shipment or find Ketone-IQ at Target stores nationwide and get your first shot free! IQBAR: The New Year gives us all a chance to reset. Maximize your brain and body's potential with IQBAR's protein bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Text NEURO to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Caraway: Visit Carawayhome.com/neuro10 or use code neuro10 at checkout to take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Caraway. Non-Toxic cookware made modern. Cure Hydration: For The Neuro Experience listeners, you can get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/NEURO with code NEURO. Cure is FSA/HSA approved, so you can use your FSA or HSA funds to stay hydrated the smart way. Jones Road Beauty: Use code NEURO at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Cool Gloss with your first purchase! _______ I'm Louisa Nicola - clinical neurophysiologist - Alzheimer's prevention specialist - founder of Neuro Athletics. My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention. If you're committed to optimizing your brain- reducing Alzheimer's risk - and staying mentally sharp for life, you're in the right place. Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, FSA kicks off the legislative session with a Week 1 recap, discussing the governor's State of the State address and opening-day remarks from the speaker of the House and the Senate president. We then sat down with Capt. Abby Hilley of the Orange County Sheriff's Office to discuss a bill that is especially important to the agency and its mission.
Availability, Affordability, and Adequacy of Insurance in Areas Impacted by Climate-related Risks In this episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the SOA Research Institute, speaks with Peter J. Sousounis, PhD—author of the October 2024 SOA report—and Ian Genno, FSA, FCIA, CERA, Chair of the Catastrophe and Climate Research Selection Committee. Together, they explore the challenges and potential solutions surrounding insurance availability, affordability, and adequacy in regions affected by climate-related risks. The conversation draws from insights gathered during an expert panel session that informed the report. Key themes include rising premiums, underinsurance, regulatory limitations, and the growing role of predictive modeling and AI in assessing and managing catastrophe risk. They also discuss innovative insurance models such as parametric insurance, the importance of public-private partnerships, and the future outlook for the insurance industry as climate events increase in frequency and severity. To explore the full report and additional catastrophe and climate research, visit: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/ins-availability-climate-risk-areas/
What if the biggest breakthrough in weight management is not a new diet, but finally seeing how your body responds in real time? That question sat at the center of my conversation with Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer, CEO and co-founder of Signos, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and AI-powered health platform built to help people manage weight by understanding their metabolism. January is when motivation is high and the wellness noise is loud, but it is also when a lot of people realize how hard it is to stick with generic advice that does not fit real life. This episode is about why personalization matters, how metabolic signals can change the way you think about food and exercise, and what happens when health technology shifts from reporting the past to guiding the next decision. Sharam explained how Signos pairs a CGM with an AI-driven experience that turns glucose data into practical actions. The point is not to force people into rigid rules or extreme restrictions. Instead, it is about learning how your body reacts to everyday choices, then using that feedback to reduce spikes, improve consistency, and build habits you can actually live with. We talked about simple interventions, like changing the order of foods in a meal, timing movement more intelligently, and spotting patterns that would otherwise stay invisible. Two personal stories brought the conversation to life. Sharam shared how he lost 25 pounds while increasing his calorie intake, which challenges a lot of assumptions people carry into weight loss. He also shared a story from his family life, where his wife's deep sleep increased from roughly 20 minutes a night to around 60 minutes after focusing on glucose stability, even while total sleep time remained limited during the intense period of raising young kids. It is the kind of detail that hits home for anyone who has ever tried to make healthier choices while exhausted and stretched thin. We also explored why FDA clearance matters for Signos and what that could mean for mainstream access. Over-the-counter availability reduces friction, can lower cost, and opens the door to broader adoption, including potential FSA and HSA eligibility. Looking ahead, Sharam shared a vision that goes beyond weight management, connecting metabolic health to the long arc of prevention and chronic conditions where insulin resistance plays a role. If you have ever felt like you are doing all the "right" things and still not seeing results, this episode will make you rethink what "right" even means. And if you could finally see your metabolism in real time, would it change how you approach food, sleep, exercise, and the habits you want to keep this year? Useful Links Connect with Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer Learn more about Signos Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube Thanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.
Back in 2024 with Calley Means at South by Southwest, we sat down and talked about his mission to flip the old American food pyramid upside down for the greater good. Well guess what, the pressure is finally working! This rerun is the ultimate receipt that focus, repetition, and smart lobbying for human health can still move the needle! Host Dave Asprey sits down with Calley Means, entrepreneur, policy advocate, and co-author of Good Energy. Together, they break down how the U.S. healthcare system became a sick-care system, why ultra-processed food dominates public policy, and how individuals can reclaim autonomy over their biology. From CGMs and metabolic health to food subsidies, lobbying, and free speech, this episode challenges deeply held assumptions about medicine, nutrition, and personal responsibility.You'll Learn: • Why chronic disease is the most profitable business model in modern history • How metabolic dysfunction drives obesity, diabetes, depression, and infertility • Why ultra-processed food sits at the root of America's health collapse • How CGMs and metabolic data threaten entrenched healthcare incentives • What “food is medicine” really means and where it gets weaponized • How HSA and FSA dollars can legally support food, exercise, and prevention • Why fixing incentives matters more than blaming individuals • How reclaiming health autonomy is tied to free speech and human resilience Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. Episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (audio-only) where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. Keywords: Calley Means Good Energy, Calley Means interview, Good Energy metabolic health, metabolic dysfunction America, ultra processed food policy, food is medicine debate, healthcare incentives crisis, chronic disease economics, insulin resistance epidemic, CGM health data access, metabolic health lobbying, seed oils sugar inflammation, glyphosate food system, HSA food exercise eligibility, health autonomy biohacking, metabolic freedom podcast, american food pyramid, rfk food pyramid, 2026 food pyramid Thank you to our sponsors! Essentia | Go to https://myessentia.com/dave and use code DAVE for $100 off The Dave Asprey Upgrade. Resources: • Get My 2026 Biohacking Trends Report: https://daveasprey.com/2026-biohacking-trends-report/ • Join My Low-Oxalate 30-Day Challenge: https://daveasprey.com/2026-low-ox-reset/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com • 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction 2:11 – Mom's Cancer Story 4:24 – Healthcare System Incentives 10:14 – TruMed and Food as Medicine 15:51 – FDA and IRS Pushback 17:25 – Political Solutions and RFK 19:49 – Childhood Obesity Crisis 21:49 – The Chronic Disease Industry 26:54 – State of Emergency Proposal 29:07 – Healthcare Industry Mindset 31:30 – COVID and Metabolic Health 32:28 – Taking Back Health Autonomy 34:16 – Medical System Collusion 35:56 – Research Corruption 37:21 – Pharma Bribes and Conflicts 40:17 – Ozempic and Civil Rights Groups 42:35 – Personal Mission and Mom's Legacy 50:16 – Media Power and Free Speech 54:00 – Weaponizing Social Justice 55:16 – Systemic Poisoning of the Population 57:37 – Technology as a Health Solution 1:03:20 – Regenerative Farming and Robotics 1:06:34 – Controlling the Food Supply 1:10:18 – Closing Thoughts See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, FSA provides an early look at the 2026 legislative session, highlighting the sheriffs' top priorities and their plans to support public safety across Florida. We also sit down with FSA's contracted lobbyists, Angela Drzewiecki of GrayRobinson and Jennifer Green of Liberty Partners, who share their insights on what to expect from our state Capitol during this legislative session.
Are you kidding? We can tell you what happened but don't expect what will happen next. A strong 2025 across the board, a waiting list for vocational schools and wage garnishment for student loans. The last two may just be connected. Plus everyone seems to leave money in their FSA accounts.
Curtis Wilkerson is back for a GAME DAY episode of The Pod At The Palace with a full preview of Arkansas' SEC road opener at Ole Miss including: - Tale of the tape - Keys to monitor & stats to shoot for - Assistant coach Chuck Martin weighs in on the Rebels - What to watch for the Razorbacks - Pick to click, bold predictions, best bets & final score OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR250 so when you bet $25, get $250 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 OZK INSURANCE One thing that really sets OZK Insurance apart is this — they're an independent insurance agency. That means they're not tied to just one company. They shop a multitude of A-rated carriers to find the best coverage and price for you — and now, they've paired that with something you don't usually see from an independent agency… a full-service mobile app. With the OZK Insurance App, you can see all your policies under one roof — home, auto, whatever you have — plus pay bills, request roadside assistance, file claims, request policy changes, or even get new quotes, all from your phone. So you get the best part of an independent agent — choice, flexibility, real people — and the convenience of modern tech. If you're tired of being stuck with one carrier or chasing down paperwork, go to OZKInsurance.com or search OZK Insurance in the App Store or Google Play. Local agency. National-level options. One powerful app. That's OZK Insurance. THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. They operate the Blue Ember way, buying only the highest quality meats, applying their signature blend of spices and slowly smoking in their wood-only pits. They allow the meats to rest to ensure optimal tenderness and cut in front of the customer to provide transparency and satisfaction in every bite! Blue Ember also caters any events! Weddings, parties, business meetings, any gathering where a group of people need to be fed amazing BBQ, Blue Ember has you covered! Please contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing. INSIDE ARKANSAS WILL BE LIVE AT ROGERS LOCATION THE 1st WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FSA county committee elections give California producers a voice in federal programs.
Most people fail at their goals, not because they lack discipline, but because they're working against their own neurobiology. I spent over a decade studying the brain, and what I've learned is this: your brain doesn't change based on what you want. It changes based on the conditions you create for it. This episode isn't about motivation. It's about understanding how your brain actually learns, adapts, and transforms at a structural level, so you can make 2025 the year things permanently shift. Reduce your risk of Alzheimer's with my science-backed protocol for women 30+: https://go.neuroathletics.com.au/brain-health Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey. Topics discussed: 00:00 Intro 02:38 Why Most People Fail at Personal Development 03:21 Your Prefrontal Cortex, The Brain Architecture Problem 04:56 What Is Neuroplasticity and How Your Brain Changes 05:40 Sponsor, Rho Nutrition 06:55 Principle 1, Identity Over Goals, Your Brain's Reality Filter 09:40 Principle 2, The 48 Hour Window of Neuroplasticity 13:05 Principle 3, Decision Fatigue and Why Willpower Is Finite 15:28 Principle 4, Lower Your Activation Threshold for Success 19:16 Principle 5, Emotion Encodes Memory 10x Stronger Than Logic 21:42 Principle 6, Stop Fighting Your Environment, Redesign It 24:11 Principle 7, Your Brain Changes While Resting, Not Working 26:24 Recap, Seven Neuroscience Backed Principles for 2026 A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts… Cure Hydration: Get 20% off your first order at https://curehydration.com/NEURO with code NEURO. And here's a bonus, Cure is FSA/HSA approved, so you can use your FSA or HSA funds to stay hydrated the smart way. Don't just drink more water, upgrade it with Cure. Ka'Chava: Rewild your nutrition at kachava.com and use code NEURO. New customers get twenty dollars off an order of two bags or more, now through the 31st! Rho Nutrition: Your brain can only perform at the level your biology allows. That's why I take Rho Nutrition's Liposomal Glutathione every morning, the master antioxidant that actually absorbs. Get 20% off with code NEURO at https://rhonutrition.com/discount/NEURO Ketone-IQ: Visit ketone.com/NEURO for 30% OFF your subscription order PLUS receive a free gift with your second shipment, or find Ketone-IQ at Target stores nationwide! I'm Louisa Nicola - clinical neurophysiologist - Alzheimer's prevention specialist - founder of Neuro Athletics. My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention. If you're committed to optimizing your brain, reducing Alzheimer's risk, and staying mentally sharp for life, you're in the right place. Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_ Twitter: https://twitter.com/louisanicola_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's Weekend Roundup episode of The Pod At The Palace with Curtis Wilkerson: - NET has some explaining to do! - Hogs flying high in other metrics after big week - Calipari's pulse on players and team chemistry - Secret leaked to Malique Ewin's emergence - Cal uses Acuff's ascension to send message to recruits OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR250 so when you bet $25, get $250 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE One thing that really sets OZK Insurance apart is this — they're an independent insurance agency. That means they're not tied to just one company. They shop a multitude of A-rated carriers to find the best coverage and price for you — and now, they've paired that with something you don't usually see from an independent agency… a full-service mobile app. With the OZK Insurance App, you can see all your policies under one roof — home, auto, whatever you have — plus pay bills, request roadside assistance, file claims, request policy changes, or even get new quotes, all from your phone. So you get the best part of an independent agent — choice, flexibility, real people — and the convenience of modern tech. If you're tired of being stuck with one carrier or chasing down paperwork, go to OZKInsurance.com or search OZK Insurance in the App Store or Google Play. Local agency. National-level options. One powerful app. That's OZK Insurance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc. Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Check out Arkansas' Postgame Report Card following Saturday's impressive win over Tennessee: - Hogs win comfortably on "off" day offensively - Defense take major step forward for Arkansas - Freshmen feast in SEC debut - Malique Ewin: Elite Defender? - Gutsy stuff from Knox, Brazile OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR250 so when you bet $25, get $250 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc. Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join Curtis Wilkerson and Andrew Ellis for The Pod At The Palace Postgame LIVE Reaction Show following Arkansas' 86-75 win over Tennessee in Fayetteville! OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR250 so when you bet $25, get $250 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc. Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's episode of The Pod At The Palace, Curtis Wilkerson takes a dive into the position battles to see who has the matchup advantages between Arkansas and Tennessee and wraps with a fun, quick segment on some very interesting new stats to watch for the Razorbacks. OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR250 so when you bet $25, get $250 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc. Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Turning the page to 2026 means turning the page to SEC play around these parts! Curtis Wilkerson is back with a FULL SEC preview with updated game-by-game predictions for the Razorbacks, projected final league standings, analytical projections & more! OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR so when you bet $25, get $125 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc. Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's episode of The Pod At The Palace with Curtis Wilkerson: - Grading Arkansas' final non-conference resume - New Year's resolutions for each rotation Razorback - Latest recruiting notes OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipariSHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS:BET SARACENArkansas' #1 Sports Betting App!Click link below & use code INSIDEAR so when you bet $25, get $125 BONUS!https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200.OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS!Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family.Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention.Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year!They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule.They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025!Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family.Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc.Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas!https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999Rogers-(479) 335-2170Texarkana-(903) 832-1937Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! We know some athletes so for our friends that shop the big and tall Hogs gear - shop today at www.insidearkansas.com/alumnihall Alumni Hall - The ultimate Razorback shopping destination! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's Postgame Report Card following Arkansas' 103-74 win over James Madison: - Offense approaching ELITE status - 3-point defense continues to be thorn in Arkansas' side - Meleek Thomas ERUPTS at perfect time - 3J Wagner's efficient perimeter shooting continues - Ewin stacks another strong performance OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR so when you bet $25, get $125 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc. Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Curtis Wilkerson is back for a GAME DAY PREVIEW episode of The Pod At The Palace with a full breakdown of what to know, what to watch and what to expect from the Razorbacks in their final non-conference tuneup against James Madison. OFFICIAL MERCH: https://insidearkansas.myshopify.com/ #arkansas #razorbacks #football #basketball #baseball #sampittman #johncalipari SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS: BET SARACEN Arkansas' #1 Sports Betting App! Click link below & use code INSIDEAR so when you bet $25, get $125 BONUS! https://sportsbook.betsaracen.com/en-us/sports/mma?referrer=singular_click_id%3Dbc1b71ae-56d0-4f58-9775-c5bd8f6676e9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OZK INSURANCE Alright Razorback fans—let's talk insurance. Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of shopping around, and that's why we use and recommend OZK Insurance. They're based right here in Arkansas, and they shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and price for you—whether it's home, auto, business, you name it. Whether it's Saturdays at Razorback Stadium or everyday life, you want protection you can count on. So count on OZK Insurance & get a free online quote at ozkinsurance.com, or call (479) 715-4200. OZK Insurance—Protection made simple. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EYE CENTER Today's episode is presented by THE EYE CENTER OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS! Your vision is essential to your quality of life, and professional eye care is a must for you and your family. Their award-winning eye doctors are board-certified and professionally active, yet their patients talk most about how caring and friendly they are. Every patient receives the best of new vision care technology, plus old-fashioned personal attention. Make sure to utilize your FSA benefits before the end of the year! They have availability for eye exams with their new provider, Dr. Rebecca Brown, right now! As well as their other providers available to fit into your schedule. They do Botox, Filler, and IPL with their Aesthetics provider Olivia Risch. She has been a registered nurse for over 12 years & can get you squared away before the end of 2025! Schedule an appointment with The Eye Center of NWA today at 479-442-2020You can also check out their website at www.eyecenternwa.com for more info! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLUE EMBER SMOKEHOUSE Blue Ember Smokehouse is a family owned smokehouse specializing in handcrafted BBQ! From tender brisket to home cooked sides, you'll find a hearty meal for every member of the family. Have Blue Ember Smokehouse cater any events! Weddings, parties, meetings, etc. Contact individual stores for more info and specific pricing with all their convenient locations across Arkansas! https://www.blueembersmokehouse.com/ West Little Rock-(501) 448-2886 Hot Springs-(501) 431-0574 Jonesboro-(870) 933-7058 Fort Smith-(479) 551-2999 Rogers-(479) 335-2170 Texarkana-(903) 832-1937 Thank you for supporting your local Blue Ember Smokehouse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join Ganiu Shefiu as he interviews Jola Fakoya, FSA, CERA, to discuss making an impact in actuarial leadership.
Logan and Bobby Lee close out the year with one hell of a story, the track hoe buyer from hell. Logan finally sells his Deere 200 excavator, but not before dealing with one of the most relentless, nit-picking, deal-almost-killing buyers you've ever heard of. If you've ever sold farm equipment or negotiated machinery, this story will feel painfully familiar. We also hit listener questions, including: Made-in-USA company suggestions we were shocked we hadn't already featured A powerful message explaining how putting your farm in your wife's name could unlock major USDA and FSA advantages And a separate insight on how taking a year off from filing a Schedule F could potentially let you start over as a Beginning Farmer and regain access to key benefits Logan also shares why he wonders if his New York Times interview will ever see the light of day. Our Made-in-America spotlight this week is Mossberg Firearms, one of the most iconic American gun manufacturers still building tough, reliable firearms right here in the USA. This is our final episode of the year; gritty, honest, and exactly how Talk Dirt To Me does it. Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com
The podcast features Jon Forster interviewing Hasham Piperdy about the similarities and differences between Takaful and mutual insurance. Both models emphasize collective risk sharing and returning surplus to participants, but differ in ownership structure, capital provision, and investment restrictions. Takaful adds a layer of Shari'ah compliance, requiring investments to be Islamic and oversight by a Shari'ah board. The discussion highlights that while the models share cooperative principles, Takaful introduces faith-based ethics and governance. Contributors: Hasham Piperdy, FIA; Lisa Schilling, FSA, EA, FCA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe! Want to keep up with the latest SOA news? Follow us on our social channels: Instagram: @soactuaries Facebook: Society of Actuaries LinkedIn: Society of Actuaries Twitter: @SOActuaries About Us: With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world's largest actuarial professional organization with more than 32,000 actuaries as members. Serving as the SOA's research arm, the SOA Research Institute provides objective, data-driven research bringing together tried and true practices and future-focused approaches to address societal challenges and your business needs. It provides trusted knowledge, extensive experience and new technologies to help effectively identify, predict and manage risks. ● Learn more about Takaful and other engaging topics relevant for actuaries on the Professional Development Edge Subscription product. https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/
Allen, Joel, Rosemary, and Yolanda break down the TPI Composites bankruptcy fallout. Vestas is acquiring TPI’s Mexico and India operations while a UAE company picks up the Turkish factories. That leaves GE in a tough spot with no clear path to blade manufacturing. Plus the crew discusses blade scarcity, FSA availability floors, and whether a new blade manufacturer could emerge. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! Allen Hall: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I’m your host, Allen Hall. I’ve got Yolanda Padron and Joel Saxum in Texas. And Rosemary Barnes is back from her long Vacation in Australia and TPI. Composites is big in the news this week, everybody, because they’re in bankruptcy hearings and they are selling off parts of the business. Vestas is, at least according to News Reports positioned to acquire. A couple of the LLCs down in Mexico. So there’s uh, two of them, TPI in Mexico, five LLC, and TPI in Mexico, six LLC. There are other LLCs, of course involved with this down in Mexico. So they’re buying, not sure exactly what the assets are, but probably a couple of the factories in which their blades were being manufactured in. Uh, this. Is occurring because Vestas stepped in. They were trying to have an auction and Vestas stepped forward and just ended up buying these two LLCs. [00:01:00] Other things that are happening here, Joel, is that, uh, TPI evidently sold their Turkish division. Do you recall to who they sold? That, uh, part of the Joel Saxum: business too, two companies involved in that, that were TPI Turkey, uh, and that was bought by a company called XCS composites. Uh, and they are out of the United Arab Emirates, so I believe they’re either going to be Abu Dhabi or Dubai based. Uh, but they took over the tube wind blade manufacturing plants in Isme, uh, also a field service and inspection repair business. And around 2,700 employees, uh, from the Turkish operation. So that happened just, just after, I mean, it was a couple weeks after the bankruptcy claim, uh, went through here in August, uh, in the States. So it went August bankruptcy for TPI, September, all the Turkish operations were bought and now we’ve got Vestas swooping in and uh, taking a bunch of the Mexican operations. Allen Hall: Right. And [00:02:00] Vestas is also taking TPI composites India. Which is a part of the business that is not in bankruptcy, uh, that’s a, a separate business, a separate, basically LLC incorporation Over in India, the Vestus is going to acquire, so they’re gonna acquire three separate things in this transaction. The question everybody’s asking today after seeing this Vestus move is, what is GE doing? Because, uh, GE Renova has a lot of blades manufactured by TPI down in Mexico. No word on that. And you would think if, if TPI is auctioning off assets that GE renova would be at the front of the line, but that’s not what we’re hearing on the ground. Joel Saxum: Yeah, I mean it’s, the interesting part of this thing is for Vestas, TPI was about 35% of their blade capacity for manufacturing in 2024. If their 30, if, if Vestas was 35%, then GE had to be 50%. There [00:03:00] demand 60. So Vesta is making a really smart move here by basically saying, uh, we’ve gotta lock down our supply chain for blades. We gotta do something. So we need to do this. GE is gonna be the odd man out because, I mean, I think it would be a, a cold day in Denmark if Vestas was gonna manufacture blades for ge. Allen Hall: Will the sale price that Vest has paid for this asset show up in the bankruptcy? Hearings or disclosures? I think that it would, I haven’t seen it yet, but eventually it’ll, it must show up, right? All, all the bankruptcy hearings and transactions are, they have an overseer essentially, what happens to, so TPI can’t purchase or sell anything without an, um, getting approved by the courts, so that’ll eventually be disclosed. Uh, the Turkish sale will be, I would assume, would be disclosed. Also really curious to see what the asset value. Was for those factories. Joel Saxum: So the Turkish sale is actually public knowledge right now, and [00:04:00] that is, lemme get the number here to make sure I get it right. 92.9 million Euros. Uh, but of, of course TPI laden with a bunch of non-convertible and convertible debt. So a ton of that money went right down to debt. Uh, but to be able to purchase that. They had to assu, uh, XCS composites in Turkey, had to assume debt as is, uh, under the bankruptcy kind of proceedings. So I would assume that Vestas is gonna have to do the same thing, is assume the debt as is to take these assets over and, uh, and assets. We don’t know what it is yet. We don’t know if it’s employees, if it’s operations, if it’s ip, if it’s just factories. We don’t know what’s all involved in it. Um, but like you said, because. TPI being a publicly traded company in the United States, they have to file all this stuff with SEC. Allen Hall: Well, they’ll, they’re be delisted off of. Was it, they were Joel Saxum: in Nasdaq? Is that where they were listed? The India stuff that could be private. You may ne we may not ever hear about what happened. Valuation there. Allen Hall: Okay, so what is the, the [00:05:00] future then for wind blade production? ’cause TPI was doing a substantial part of it for the world. I mean, outside of China, it’s TPI. And LM a little bit, right? LM didn’t have the capacity, I don’t think TPI that TPI does or did. It puts Joel Saxum: specifically GE in a tight spot, right? Because GEs, most of their blades were if it was built to spec or built to print. Built to spec was designed, uh, by LM and built by lm. But now LM as we have seen in the past months year, has basically relinquished themselves of all of their good engineering, uh, and ability to iterate going forward. So that’s kind of like dwindling to an end. TPI also a big side of who makes blades for ge if Vestas is gonna own the majority of their capacity, Vestas isn’t gonna make blades for ge. So GEs going to be looking at what can we, what can we still build with lm? And then you have the kind of the, the odd ducks there. You have the Aris, [00:06:00] you have the MFG, um, I mean Sonoma is out there. This XCS factory is there still in Turkey. Um, you may see some new players pop up. Uh, I don’t know. Um, we’ll see. I mean, uh, Rosemary, what’s, what’s your take? Uh, you guys are starting to really ramp up down in Australia right now and are gonna be in the need of blades in general with this kind of shakeup. Rosemary Barnes: What do we say? My main concern is. Around the service of the blades that we’ve already got. Um, and when I talk to people that I know at LM or XLM, my understanding is that those parts of the organization are still mostly intact. So I actually don’t expect any big changes there. Not to say that the status quo. Good enough. It’s not like, like every single OEM whose, um, FSAs that I work with, uh, support is never good enough. But, um, [00:07:00] it shouldn’t get any worse anyway. And then for upcoming projects, yeah, I, I don’t know. I mean, I guess it’s gonna be on a case by case basis. Uh, I mean, it always was when you got a new, a new project, you need a whole bunch of blades. It was always a matter of figuring out which factory they were going to come from and if they had capacity. It’ll be the same. It’s just that then instead of, you know, half a dozen factories to choose from, there’s like, what, like one or two. So, um, yeah, I, that’s, that’s my expectation of what’s gonna happen. I presumably ge aren’t selling turbines that they have no capability to make blades for. Um, so I, I guess they’re just gonna have a lot less sales. That’s the only real way I can make it work. Allen Hall: GE has never run a Blade factory by themselves. They’ve always had LM or somebody do it, uh, down in Brazil or TPI in Mexico or wherever. Uh, are we thinking that GE Renova is not gonna run a Blade Factory? Is that the thought, or, or is [00:08:00] that’s not in the cards either. Rosemary Barnes: I don’t think it’s that easy to just, just start running a Blade Factory. I mean, I know that GE had blade design capabilities. I used to design the blades that TPI would make. So, um, that part of it. Sure. Um, they can, they can still do that, but it’s not, yeah, it’s, it’s not like you just buy a Blade factory and like press start on the factory and then the, you know, production line just starts off and blades come out the other end. Like there is a lot of a, a lot of knowhow needed if that was something that they wanted to do. That should have been what they started doing from day one after they bought lm. You know, that was the opportunity that they had to become, you know, a Blade factory owner. They could have started to, you know, make, um, have GE. Take up full ownership of the, the blade factories and how that all worked. But instead, they kept on operating like pretty autonomously without that many [00:09:00] changes at the factory level. Like if they were to now say, oh, you know, hey, it’s, uh, we really want to. Have our own blade factories and make blades. It’s just like, what the hell were you doing for the last, was it like seven years or something? Like you, you could easily have done what? And now you haven’t made it as hard for yourselves as possible. So like I’m not ruling out that that’s what they’re gonna try and do, because like I said, I don’t think it’s been like executed well, but. My God, it’s like even stupid of the whole situation. If that’s where we end up with them now scrambling to build from scratch blade, um, manufacturing capability because there’s Yolanda Padron: already a blade scarcity, right? Like at least in the us I don’t know if you guys are seeing it in, in Australia as well, but there’s a blade scarcity for these GE blades, right? So you’re, they kind of put themselves in an even more tough spot by just now. You, you don’t have access to a lot of these TPI factories written in theory. From what we’re seeing. You mean to get like replacement blades? Yeah. So like for, for issues? Yeah. New [00:10:00] construction issues under FSA, that, Rosemary Barnes: yeah. I mean, we’ve always waited a, a long time for new blades. Like it’s never great. If you need a new blade, you’re always gonna be waiting six months, maybe 12 months. So that’s always been the case, but now we are seeing delays of that. Maybe, maybe sometimes longer, but also it’s like, oh well. We can’t replace, like, for like, you’re gonna be getting a, a different kind of blade. Um, that will work. Um, but you know, so that is fine, except for that, that means you can’t do a single blade replacement anymore. Now, what should have been a single blade replacement might be a full set replacement. And so it does start to really, um, yeah. Mess things up and like, yeah, it’s covered by the FSA, like that’s on them to buy the three blades instead of one, but. It does matter because, you know, if they’re losing money on, um, managing your wind farm, then it, it is gonna lead to worse outcomes for you because, you know, they’re gonna have to skimp and scrape where they [00:11:00] can to, you know, like, um, minimize their losses. So I, I don’t think it’s, it’s, it’s Yolanda Padron: not great. Yeah. And if you’re running a wind farm, you have other stakeholders too, right? It’s not like you’re running it just for yourself. So having all that downtime from towers down for a year. Because you can’t get blades on your site. Like it’s just really not great. Rosemary Barnes: Yeah, and I mean, there’s flaws on there. Like they’ve got an availability guarantee. Then, you know, below that they do have to, um, pay for that, those losses. But there’s a flaw on that. So once you know, you, you blast through the floor of your availability, then you know, that is on the owner. Now it’s not on the, um, service provider. So it’s definitely. Something that, yeah, there’s lots of things where you might think, oh, I don’t have to worry about my blades ’cause I’ve got an F, SA, but you know, that’s just one example where, okay, you will, you will start worrying if they, they yeah. Fall through the floor of their availability guarantee. Joel Saxum: Two questions that pop up in my mind from this one, the first one, the first one is [00:12:00] directly from Alan. You and I did a webinar, we do so many of ’em yesterday, and it was about, it was in the nor in North America, ferc, so. They have new icing readiness, uh, reporting you, so, so basically like if you’re on the, if you’re connected to the grid, you’re a wind farm or solar farm and you have an icing event, you need to explain to them why you had an outage, um, and why, what you’re doing about it. Or if you’re not doing something about it, you have to justify it. You have to do all these things to say. Hey, some electrons weren’t flowing into the grid. There’s certain levels. It’s much more complicated than this, but electrons weren’t flowing into the grid because of an issue. We now have to report to FERC about this. So is there a stage when a FERC or uh, some other regulatory agency starts stepping into the wind industry saying like, someone’s gotta secure a supply chain here. ’cause they’re already looking at things when electrons are on the grid. Someone’s got a secure supply chain here so we can ensure that [00:13:00]these electrons are gonna get on the grid. Could, can something like that happen or was, I mean, I mean, of course that’s, to me, in my opinion, that’s a lot of governmental overreach, but could we see that start to come down the line like, Hey, we see from an agency’s perspective, we see some problems here. What are you doing to shore this up? Allen Hall: Oh, totally. Right. I, I think the industry in general has an issue. This is not an OEM specific problem. At the minute, if this is a industry-wide problem, there seems to be more dispersed. Manufacturers are gonna be popping up. And when we were in Scotland, uh, we learned a lot more about that. Right, Joel? So the industry has more diversification. I, I, here’s, here’s my concern at the minute, so. For all these blade manufacturers that we would otherwise know off the top of our heads. Right. Uh, lm, TPI, uh, Aris down in Brazil. The Vestus manufacturing facilities, the Siemens manufacturing [00:14:00] facilities. Right. You, you’re, you’re in this place where. You know, everybody’s kind of connected up the chain, uh, to a large OEM and all this made sense. You know, who was rebuilding your blades next year and the year down, two years down the road. Today you don’t, so you don’t know who owns that company. You don’t know how the manager’s gonna respond. Are you negotiating with a company that you can trust’s? Gonna be there in two or three years because you may have to wait that long to get blades delivered. I don’t know. I think that it, it put a lot of investment, uh, companies in a real quandary of whether they wanna proceed or not based upon the, what they is, what they would perceive to be the stability of these blade companies. That’s what I would think. I, I, Vestas is probably the best suited at the minute, besides Siemens. You know, Vestas is probably best suited to have the most perceived reliability capability. Control, Joel Saxum: but they have their own [00:15:00] blade factories already, right? So if they buy the TPI ones, they’re just kind of like they can do some copy pasting to get the the things in place. And to be honest with you, Vesta right now makes the best blades out there, in my opinion, least amount of serial defects. Remove one, remove one big issue from the last couple Allen Hall: years. But I think all the OEMs have problems. It’s a question of how widely known those problems are. I, I don’t think it’s that. I think the, the, the. When you talk to operators and, and they do a lot of shopping on wind turbines, what they’ll tell you generally is vestus is about somewhere around 20% higher in terms of cost to purchase a turbine from them. And Vestus is gonna put on a, a full service agreement of some sort that’s gonna run roughly 30 years. So there’s a lot of overhead that comes with buying a, a Vestas turbine. Yes. You, you get the quality. Yes. You get the name. Yes, you get the full service agreement, which you may or [00:16:00] may not really want over time. Uh, that’s a huge decision. But as pieces are being removed from the board of what you can possibly do, there’s it, it’s getting narrow or narrow by the minute. So it, it’s either a vestus in, in today’s world, like right today, I think we should talk about this, but it’s either Vestus or Nordic. Those are the two that are being decided upon. Mostly by a lot of the operators today. Joel Saxum: That’s true. We’re, and we just saw Nordex, just inked a one gigawatt deal with Alliant Energy, uh, just last week. And that’s new because Alliant has traditionally been a GE buyer. Right. They have five or six ge, two X wind farms in the, in the middle of the United States, and now they’ve secured a deal with Nordex for a gigawatt. Same thing we saw up at Hydro Quebec. Right. Vestas and Nordex are the only ones that qualify for that big, and that’s supposed to be like a 10 gigawatt tender over time. Right. But the, so it brings me to my, I guess my other question, I was thinking about this be [00:17:00] after the FERC thing was, does do, will we see a new blade manufacturer Allen Hall: pop Joel Saxum: up? Allen Hall: No, I don’t think you see a new one. I think you see an acquisition, uh, a transfer of assets to somebody else to run it, but that is really insecure. I, I always think when you’re buying distressed assets and you think you’re gonna run it better than the next guy that. Is rare in industry to do that. Think about the times you’ve seen that happen and it doesn’t work out probably more than 75% of the time. It doesn’t work out. It lasts a year or two or three, and they had the same problems they had when the original company was there. You got the same people inside the same building, building the same product, what do you think is magically gonna change? Right? You have this culture problem or a a already established culture, you’re not likely to change that unless you’re willing to fire, you know, a third of the staff to, to make changes. I don’t see anybody here doing that at the minute because. Finding wind blade technicians, manufacturing people is [00:18:00] extremely hard to do, to find people that are qualified. So you don’t wanna lose them. Joel Saxum: So this is why I say, this is why I pose the question, because in my mind, in in recent wind history, the perfect storm for a new blade manufacturer is happening right now. And the, and the why I say this is there is good engineers on the streets available. Now washing them of their old bad habits and the cultures and those things, that’s a monumental task. That’s not possible. Allen Hall: Rosemary worked at a large blade manufacturer and it has a culture to it. That culture really didn’t change even after they were acquired by a large OEM. The culture basically Rosemary Barnes: remained, they bizarrely didn’t try and change that culture, like they didn’t try to make it a GE company so that it wasn’t dur, it was wasn’t durable. You know, they, they could have. Used that as a shortcut to gaining, um, blade manufacturing capabilities and they didn’t. And that was a, I think it was a choice. I don’t think it’s an inevitability. It’s never easy to go in and change a, a culture, [00:19:00] but it is possible to at least, you know, get parts of it. Um, the, the knowledge should, you should be able to transfer and then get rid of the old culture once you’ve done that, you know, like, uh. Yeah, like you, you bring it in and suck out all the good stuff and spit out the rest. They didn’t do that. Joel Saxum: The opportunity here is, is that you’ve got a, you’ve got people, there’s gonna be a shortage of blade capacity, right? So if you are, if you are going to start up a blade manufacturing facility, you, if you’re clever enough, you may be able to get the backlog of a bunch of orders to get running without having to try to figure it out as you go. Yolanda Padron: I feel like I’d almost make the case that like the blade repair versus replace gap or the business cases is getting larger and larger now, right? So I feel like there’s more of a market for like some sort of holistic maintenance team to come in and say, Hey, I know this OEM hasn’t been taking care of your blades really well, but here are these retrofits that have proven to be [00:20:00]to work on your blades and solve these issues and we’ll get you up and running. Rosemary Barnes: We are seeing more and more of of that. The thing that makes it hard for that to be a really great solution is that they don’t have the information that they need. They have to reverse engineer everything, and that is. Very challenging because like you can reverse engineer what a blade is, but it doesn’t mean that, you know, um, exactly like, because a, the blade that you end up with is not an optimized blade in every location, right? There’s some parts that are overbuilt and um, sometimes some parts that are underbuilt, which gives you, um, you know, serial issues. But, so reverse engineering isn’t necessarily gonna make it safe, and so that does mean that yeah, like anyone coming in with a really big, significant repair that doesn’t go through the OEM, it’s a, it’s a risk. It, it’s always a risk that they have, you know, like there’s certain repairs where you can reverse engineer enough to know that you’re safe. But any really big [00:21:00] one, um, or anything that involves multiple components, um, is. Is a bit of a gamble if it doesn’t go through the OEM. Joel Saxum: No, but so between, I guess between the comments there, Yolanda and Rosemary, are we then entering the the golden age of opportunity for in independent engineering experts? Rosemary Barnes: I believe so. I’m staking, staking my whole business on it. Allen Hall: I think you have to be careful here, everybody, because the problem is gonna be Chinese blade manufacturers. If you wanna try to establish yourself as a blade manufacturer and you’re taking an existing factory, say, say you bought a TPI factory in Turkey or somewhere, and you thought, okay, I, I know how to do this better than everybody else. That could be totally true. However, the OEMs are not committed to buying blades from you and your competition isn’t the Blade Factory in Denmark or in Colorado or North Dakota, or in Mexico or Canada, Spain, wherever your competition is when, [00:22:00] uh, the OEM says, I can buy these blades for 20 to 30% less money in China, and that’s what you’re gonna be held as, as a standard. That is what’s gonna kill most of these things with a 25% tariff on top. Right? Exactly. But still they’re still bringing Joel Saxum: blades in. That’s why I’m saying a local blade manufacturer, Rosemary Barnes: I think it’s less the case. That everyone thinks about China, although maybe a little bit unconventional opinion a about China, they certainly can manufacture blades with, uh, as good a quality as anyone. I mean, obviously all of the, um, Danish, uh, American manufacturers have factories in China that are putting out excellent quality blades. So I’m not trying to say that they dunno how to make a good blade, but with their. New designs, you know, and the really cheap ones. There’s a couple of, um, there’s a couple of reasons for that that mean that I don’t think that it just slots really well into just replacing all of the rest of the world’s, um, wind turbines. The first is that there are a lot of [00:23:00] subsidies in China. Surely there can only continue so long as their economy is strong. You know, like if their economy slows down, like to what extent are they gonna be able to continue to, um, continue with these subsidies? I would be a little bit nervous about buying an asset that I needed support for the next 30 years from a company like. That ecosystem. Then the other thing is that, um, that development, they move really fast because they take some shortcuts. There’s no judgment there. In fact, from a develop product development point of view, that is absolutely the best way to move really fast and get to a really good product fast. It will be pervasive all the way through every aspect of it. Um, non-Chinese companies are just working to a different standard, which slows them down. But also means that along the way, like I would be much happier with a half developed, um, product from a non-Chinese manufacturer than a half developed product from a Chinese manufacturer. The end point, like if China can keep on going long enough with this, [00:24:00] you know, like just really move fast, make bold decisions, learn everything you can. If they can continue with that long enough to get to a mature product, then absolutely they will just smash the rest of the world to pieces. So for me, it’s a matter of, um, does their economy stay strong enough to support that level of, uh, competition? Allen Hall: Well, no, that’s a really good take. It’s an engineering take, and I think the decision is made in the procurement offices of the OEMs and when they start looking at the numbers and trying to determine profitability. That extra 20% savings they can get on blades made in China comes into play quite often. This is why they’re having such a large discussion about Chinese manufacturers coming into the eu. More broadly is the the Vestas and the Siemens CAAs and even the GE Re Novas. No, it’s big time trouble because the cost structure is lower. It just is, and I. [00:25:00] As much as I would love to see Vestas and Siemens and GE Renova compete on a global stage, they can’t at the moment. That’s evident. I don’t think it’s a great time to be opening any new Blade Factory. If you’re not an already established company, it’s gonna be extremely difficult. Wind Energy O and M Australia is back February 17th and 18th at Melbourne’s Pullman on the park. Which is a great hotel. We built this year’s agenda directly from the conversations we’ve had in 2025 and tackling serial defects, insurance pressures, blade repairs, and the operational challenges that keeps everybody up at night around the world. So we have two days of technical sessions, interactive roundtables and networking that actually moves the industry for. Forward. And if you’re interested in attending this, you need to go to WMA 2020 six.com. It’s WOMA 2020 six.com. Rosemary, a lot of, uh, great events gonna happen at. W 2026. Why don’t [00:26:00] you give us a little highlight. Parlet iss gonna be there. Rosemary Barnes: Parlow is gonna be there. I mean, a highlight for me is always getting together with the, the group. And also, I mean, I just really love the size of the event that uh, every single person who’s there is interested in the same types of things that you are interested in. So the highlight for me is, uh, the conversations that I don’t know that I’m gonna have yet. So looking forward to that. But we are also. Making sure that we’ve got a really great program. We’ve got a good mix of Australian speakers and a few people bringing international experience as well. There’s also a few side events that are being organized, like there’s an operators only forum, which unfortunately none of us will be able to enter because we’re not operators, but that is gonna be really great for. For all of them to be able to get together and talk about issues that they have with no, nobody else in the room. So if, if you are an operator and you’re not aware of that, then get in touch and we’ll pass on your details to make sure you can join. Um, yeah, and people just, you know, [00:27:00] taking the opportunities to catch up with clients, you know, for paddle load. Most or all of our clients are, are gonna be there. So it is nice to get off Zoom and um, yeah, actually sit face to face and discuss things in person. So definitely encourage everyone to try and arrange those sorts of things while they’re there. Joel Saxum: You know, one of the things I think is really important about this event is that, uh, we’re, we’re continuing the conversation from last year, but a piece of feedback last year was. Fantastic job with the conversation and helping people with o and m issues and giving us things we can take back and actually integrate into our operations right away. But then a week or two or three weeks after the event, we had those things, but the conversation stopped. So this year we’re putting some things in place. One of ’em being like Rosemary was talking about the private operator forum. Where there’s a couple of operators that have actually taken the reins with this thing and they wanna put this, they wanna make this group a thing where they’re want to have quarterly meetings and they want to continue this conversation and knowledge share and boost that whole Australian market in the wind [00:28:00]side up right? Rising waters floats all boats, and we’re gonna really take that to the next level this year at Allen Hall: WMA down in Melbourne. That’s why I need a register now at Wilma 2020 six.com because the industry needs solutions. Speeches. That wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate all the feedback and support we received from the wind industry. If today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Just reach out to us on LinkedIn and please don’t forget to subscribe so you’d never miss an episode. For Joel Rosemary and Yolanda, I’m Allen Hall. We’ll catch you next week on the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.
It's Thursday so let's talk to Kyle. Sponsors: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BIGMAD at https://www.oneskin.co/bigmad #oneskinpod For Big Mad True Crime listeners, you can get 20% off your first order at http://curehydration.com/BIGMAD with code BIGMAD. And here's a bonus — Cure is FSA/HSA approved, so you can use your FSA or HSA funds to stay hydrated the smart way. Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to http://ollie.com/bigmad and use code bigmad to get 60% off your first box! Join the loyalty program for renters at http://joinbilt.com/BIGMAD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Deadlines have a way of forcing clarity, and the final weeks of the year might be the most valuable money window you get. We sit down with Billy Joiner, CFO at Centric, to map out a practical, no-fluff plan for locking in free money, avoiding costly penalties, and starting January on steady ground. From retirement matches to healthcare accounts and charitable strategies, we focus on the moves that deliver the highest return for the least effort.We walk through the top three actions you can take in under 30 minutes: make sure you capture your full 401k match, update beneficiaries across every account, and review HSA or FSA contributions before deadlines hit. Billy breaks down HSA versus FSA in plain English, including rollover rules, eligible expenses, and how to avoid use-it-or-lose-it surprises. We also dig into charitable giving timing, how a donor-advised fund can bunch deductions for tax impact, and when donating appreciated assets makes sense. If open enrollment feels like a maze, we guide you to compare total cost of care, revisit network changes, and consider disability coverage that protects your income.Retirees and their families will find a clear reminder on required minimum distributions—what's due by December 31, the first-year exception, and how to get reliable help fast. We close with everyday money habits that actually move the needle, from packing lunch to cutting drink costs when eating out, plus a call to bring the whole family into the budget conversation so kids learn how money works. Link your accounts in your banking app, track progress in real time, and nudge your contributions now rather than “someday.”Ready to take action? Pick one or two items from our checklist and finish them this week. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a year-end nudge, and leave a quick review to help more people live better with their money.
If you’re retiring next year, the details you handle before you give notice can make a meaningful difference. In this episode of Protect Your Assets, The Sandman walks through what to review before you leave work, including 401(k) matching and vesting schedules (cliff vs. graded), what happens to your HSA and FSA, how PTO payouts work (including California considerations), health coverage choices if you’re retiring before 65 (COBRA, spouse coverage, marketplace plans, and Medicare timing), and key pension options that can impact income and legacy. You can send your questions to questions@pyaradio.com for a chance to be answered on air. Catch up on past episodes: http://pyaradio.com Liberty Group website: https://libertygroupllc.com/ Attend an event: www.pyaevents.com Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation: https://calendly.com/libertygroupllc/scheduleacall/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What to listen for:Our hosts, Robin Greubel and Stacy Barnett, welcome veteran USAR handler Bob Deeds, whose journey from compulsion-based training to positive reinforcement transformed both his career and the field itself!His career trajectory spans volunteer search and rescue in the early nineties through Texas Task Force One, where he deployed to the World Trade Center with his partner, Kenzie.The devastating loss of Kenzie in a 2007 training accident nearly ended his career until his friend Sonja Heritage called at 2 AM with a powerful message: quitting meant Kenzie died for nothing.Bob credits Bob Bailey's chicken workshops as the single most transformative experience for his training mechanics. The fast-paced chickens force observational skills development whether trainers want it or not. Those mechanical skills translated directly to his dogs: when his Malinois Remy would nip holes in Bob's shirt from frustration over poor timing, Karen would smile knowingly.The dog was using positive punishment to remind Bob to pay attention to delivery, timing, and curriculum!Now teaching directionals to pet dog owners and planning chicken workshops with Robin in Iowa, Bob teaches that directional control isn't about perfect patterns, but recovery.As handler Shirley Hammond told him after his first FSA certification, disasters aren't perfect, and recovery from mistakes matters most!Key Topics:Transition from Compulsion to Positive Reinforcement Training (01:33)Loss of Partner Kenzie and Nearly Quitting (04:13)Bob Bailey's Chicken Workshops and Mechanical Skills (11:50)Chickens vs. Dogs: Speed, Visual Cues, and Pecking Behavior (17:03)Directional Training Philosophy and Real-World Applications (26:43)Arousal State Management and Food Drive Testing (40:58)Recovery Over Perfection in Disaster Work (46:16)World Trade Center Emergency Stop Example (50:51)Takeaways (53:53) Resources:Chicken Workshops:3/16/26 Option3/23/26 OptionDeeds Canine ConnectionShirley Hammond's Book: Training the Disaster Search DogFenzi Dog Sports AcademyWe want to hear from you:Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer AcademyK9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer's Group on Facebook!Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies, and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.And don't forget to check out the YouTube Channel!
It's that time of year… when HR gets absolutely flooded with FSA questions.Yes — your FSA can buy some pretty weird stuff.Oura rings?Massage guns?DNA tests?Yep. All real.In this episode, we break down unusual (but legit!) FSA purchases, clarify what actually qualifies, and help employees make the most of those use-it-or-lose-it dollars before they disappear.Perfect for HR pros, benefits teams, and anyone trying to spend FSA funds wisely—without crossing the line.
If you’re retiring next year, the details you handle before you give notice can make a meaningful difference. In this episode of Protect Your Assets, The Sandman walks through what to review before you leave work, including 401(k) matching and vesting schedules (cliff vs. graded), what happens to your HSA and FSA, how PTO payouts work (including California considerations), health coverage choices if you’re retiring before 65 (COBRA, spouse coverage, marketplace plans, and Medicare timing), and key pension options that can impact income and legacy. You can send your questions to questions@pyaradio.com for a chance to be answered on air. Catch up on past episodes: http://pyaradio.com Liberty Group website: https://libertygroupllc.com/ Attend an event: www.pyaevents.com Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation: https://calendly.com/libertygroupllc/scheduleacall/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Laughter is an incredibly powerful and yet mysterious emotion. We laugh with delight, but also surprise. We laugh at jokes, but also at embarrassment. Why? What subconscious signal is laughter intended to display? Why do we laugh when someone tickles us and what should we make of the fact that rodents do it too? And why is it that people's sense of humour differs wildly and yet some drugs can send us all into fits of the giggles, even if there is nothing to laugh at?This lecture was recorded by Robin May on the 12th of November 2025 at Bernard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. Professor May continues his work on Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Wolfson Royal Society Research Merit Fellow and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Professor May specialises in research into human infectious diseases, with a particular focus on how pathogens survive and replicate within host organisms.As the FSA's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor May provides expert scientific advice to the UK government and plays a critical role in helping to understand how scientific developments will shape the work of the FSA, as well as the strategic implications of any possible changes.The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/why-laughGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-today Website: https://gresham.ac.ukX: https://x.com/GreshamCollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/greshamcollege.bsky.social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greshamcollegeSupport Us: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todaySupport the show
Suave Golf's Kyle Surlow and Steve 'Beige' Berger are back to hang and discuss Kyle's most recent trip to Bandon Dunes, Beige's FSA conundrum, why the Australian Open may be the 5th best tournament in the world, potential changes to the PGA Tour Schedule in 2027, and a new segment, Fairways with Phil. Music provided by broiler - listen to and download his music here Support those who support us! SUAVE GOLF - world-class golf sabbaticals and fine goods Hot Drops fermented & flavorful condiments Golf Guide - purveyors of discounted greens fees across Northern California WATCH - Like & Subscribe to Nice Grass Nice People on YouTube Email us! nicegrassnicepeople@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Food Standards Agency has agreed to a public consultation on the fees it takes from abattoirs. They are charged by the FSA for their official vets and meat hygiene inspectors who monitor food safety and animal welfare. The smallest abattoirs already get a 90 percent discount, but under the new system being proposed that reduction would benefit more businesses. We've been exploring the world of rare and native livestock breeds all this week, and they don't come much rarer than the Ancient Cattle of Wales. There are only around 200 of them left. Earlier this year they were added to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist, and now the Ancient Cattle of Wales Society is on the case, trying to reverse the decline in numbers by promoting the breed. And we meet a couple of retired tenant farmers who now go around the country offering holiday relief for farmers, who struggle to leave their livestock for holidays. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Sally Challoner.
In this episode, we look at the actuarial principles that make models safer: parallel modeling, small data with provenance, and real-time human supervision. To help us, long-time insurtech and startup advisor David Sandberg, FSA, MAAA, CERA, joins us to share more about his actuarial expertise in data management and AI. We also challenge the hype around AI by reframing it as a prediction machine and putting human judgment at the beginning, middle, and end. By the end, you might think about “human-in-the-loop” in a whole new way.• Actuarial valuation debates and why parallel models win• AI's real value: enhance and accelerate the growth of human capital• Transparency, accountability, and enforceable standards• Prediction versus decision and learning from actual-to-expected• Small data as interpretable, traceable fuel for insight• Drift, regime shifts, and limits of regression and LLMs• Mapping decisions, setting risk appetite, and enterprise risk management (ERM) for AI• Where humans belong: the beginning, middle, and end of the system• Agentic AI complexity versus validated end-to-end systems• Training judgment with tools that force critique and citationCultural references:Foundation, AppleTVThe Feeling of Power, Isaac AsimovPlayer Piano, Kurt VonnegutFor more information, see Actuarial and data science: Bridging the gap.What did you think? Let us know.Do you have a question or a discussion topic for the AI Fundamentalists? Connect with them to comment on your favorite topics: LinkedIn - Episode summaries, shares of cited articles, and more. YouTube - Was it something that we said? Good. Share your favorite quotes. Visit our page - see past episodes and submit your feedback! It continues to inspire future episodes.
Allen, Joel, Rosemary, and Yolanda discuss a German study finding 99.8% of birds avoid wind turbines, challenging long-standing collision risk models. They also cover Pattern Energy’s SunZia project nearing completion as the Western Hemisphere’s largest renewable project, lightning monitoring strategies for large-scale wind farms, and offshore flange alignment technology. Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia 2026!Learn more about CICNDTDownload the latest issue of PES Wind Magazine Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! You are listening to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast brought to you by build turbines.com. Learn, train, and be a part of the Clean Energy Revolution. Visit build turbines.com today. Now, here’s your host. Alan Hall, Joel Saxon, Phil Totaro, and Rosemary Barnes. Allen Hall: Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I’m your host Alan Hall in the queen city of Charlotte, North Carolina, where a cold front is just blown through, but we’re not nearly as cold as Joel was up in Wisconsin, Joel, you had a bunch of snow, which is really the first big storm of the season. Joel Saxum: Yeah, the crazy thing here was the Wind Energy Podcast. So since that storm I, we, we got up in northern Wisconsin, 18 inches of snow, and then we drove down on last Saturday after US Thanksgiving through Iowa, there’s another 18 inches of snow in Des Moines. I talked to a more than one operator that had icing and snow issues at their wind farms all through the northern Midwest of these states. So from [00:01:00] North Dakota. All the way down to Nebraska, Northern Missouri, over into Indiana. There was a ton of turbines that were iced up and or snowed in from that storm, Allen Hall: and Rosemary was in warm Australia with other icing knowledge or de-icing knowledge while the US has been suffering. Rosemary Barnes: But you know, on the first day of summer here, a couple of days ago, it was minus one here overnight. So. Um, yeah, it’s, uh, unseasonable and then tomorrow it’ll be 35. Allen Hall: The smartest one of us all has been Yolanda, down in Austin, Texas, where it doesn’t get cold. Yolanda Padron: Never. It’s so nice. It’s raining today and that’s about it. Traffic’s going crazy. Joel Saxum: Rain is welcome for us, isn’t it though, Yolanda? Yolanda Padron: It’s sweet. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does. Very rainy for like 24 hours. Allen Hall: We’ve been saving a story for a couple of weeks until Rosemary is back and it has to do with birds and a year long study over [00:02:00] in Germany. And as we know, one of the most persistent arguments against wind energy has been the risk to birds and permitting and operation shutdowns have been the norm, uh, based on models and predicted collision risks. Well. A new study comes, has just come out that says, what if the models are all wrong? And the new German study suggests that they may be wrong. The Federal Association of Offshore Wind Energy, known by its German acronym, BWO Commission Research to examine. Actual collision risk at a coastal wind farm in Northern Germany. The study was conducted by Biocon Consult, a German research and consulting firm, and funded by eight major offshore wind operators, including Sted, Vattenfall, RWE, and E, roa, and. Rosemary using some of the newer technology. They were able to track bird movements with radar [00:03:00] and AI and stereo vision cameras to, to watch birds move through and around, uh, some of these wind farms. And it analyzed more than 4 million bird movements and over 18 months, and they searched for collision victims and what they found was pretty striking more than 99.8% of both day migrating and night migrating birds. Avoided the turbines entirely. The study found no correlation between migration intensity and collision rates. And BD and BWO says The combination of radar and AI based cameras represents a methodological breakthrough. Uh, that can keep turbines moving even when birds are in transit. This is pretty shocking news, honestly, Rosemary, I, I haven’t seen a lot of long-term studies about bird movements where they really had a lot of technology involved to, besides binoculars, to, to look at bird movement. The [00:04:00] 99.8% of the migrating birds are going around The turbines. No, the turbines are there. That’s. Really new information. Rosemary Barnes: I think. I mean, if you never heard anything about wind turbines and birds, I don’t think you’d be shocked like that. Birds mostly fly around obstacles. That’s probably an intuitive, intuitive answer. Because we’ve had it shoved down our throat for decades now. Wind turbines are huge bird killers. It’s kind of like, it’s been repeated so often that it kind of like sinks in and becomes instinctive, even though, yeah, I do think that, um, it’s. Not that, that shocking that an animal with eyes avoids a big obstacle when it’s flying. Um, but it is really good that somebody has actually done more than just trying to look for bird deaths. You know, they’ve actually gone out, seen what can we find, and then reported that they found mostly nothing. We already knew the real risks for birds, like hundreds or thousands, even millions of times [00:05:00] more, um, deadly to birds are things like. Cats. Cars, buildings, even power lines kill more birds than, um, wind turbines do. In fact, like when you look at, um, the studies that look at wind, um, bird deaths from wind turbines, most of those are from people driving, like workers driving to site and hitting a bird with their cars. Um, you know, that’s attributed to wind energy. Not a surprise maybe for people that have been following very closely, but good to see the report. Nonetheless. Joel Saxum: I think it’s a win for like the global wind industry, to be honest with you, because like you said, there’s, there’s no, um, like real studies of this with, that’s backed up by metric data with, like I said, like the use stereo cameras. Radar based AI detection and, and some of those things, like if you talk with some ornithologists for the big OEMs and stuff, they’ve been dabbling in those things. Like I dabbled in a project without a DTU, uh, a while back and it, but it wasn’t large scale done like this. A [00:06:00] particular win this study in the United States is there’s been this battle in the United States about what birds and what, you know, raptors or these things are controlled or should have, um, controls over them by the governments for wind installations. The big one right now is US Fish and Wildlife Service, uh, controls raptors, right? So that’s your eagle’s, owls, hawks, those kind of things. So they’ll map out the nests and you can only go in certain areas, uh, or build in certain areas depending on when their mating seasons are. And they put mild buffers on some of them. It’s pretty crazy. Um, but the one rule in the United States, it’s been kind of floated out there, like, we’re gonna throw this in your face, wind industry. Is the Federal Migratory Bird Act, which is also how they regulate all like the, the hunting seasons. So it’s not, it’s the reason that the migratory birds are controlled by the federal government as opposed to state governments is because they cross state lines. And if we can [00:07:00] prove now via this study that wind farms are not affecting these migratory bird patterns or causing deaths, then it keeps the feds out of our, you know, out of the permitting process for. For birds, Rosemary Barnes: but I’m not sure this is really gonna change that much in terms of the environmental approvals that you need to do because it’s a, you know, a general, a general thing with a general, um, statistical population doesn’t look at a specific wind farm with a specific bird and you’re still need to go. You’re still going to have to need to look at that every time you’re planning an actual wind farm. That’s it’s fair. Yolanda Padron: And it’s funny sometimes how people choose what they care or don’t care about. I know living in a high rise, birds will hit the window like a few a month. And obviously they will pass away from impact and the building’s not going anywhere. Just like a turbine’s not going anywhere. And I’ve never had anybody complain to [00:08:00] me about living and condoning high rises because of how they kill the birds. And I’ve had people complain to me about wind turbines killing the birds. It’s like, well, they’re just there. Joel Saxum: If we’re, if we’re talking about energy production, the, if everybody remembers the deep water horizon oil spill 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. That oil spill killed between 801.2 million birds. Just that one. Speaker 6: Australia’s wind farms are growing fast, but are your operations keeping up? Join us February 17th and 18th at Melbourne’s Poolman on the park for Wind energy o and M Australia 2026, where you’ll connect with the experts solving real problems in maintenance asset management. And OEM relations. Walk away with practical strategies to cut costs and boost uptime that you can use the moment you’re back on site. Register now at W om a 2020 six.com. Wind Energy o and m Australia [00:09:00] is created by wind professionals for wind professionals because this industry needs solutions, not speeches Allen Hall: well in the high desert of Central New Mexico, near a lot of what were ghost towns that were abandoned during the Great Depression. If there is a flurry of activity pattern, energy sunzi, a project is near completion after 20 years of planning and permitting. When. It’s supposed to be finished in 2026. It’ll be the largest renewable energy project in the Western hemisphere. More than 900 turbines spread across multiple counties. A 550 mile transmission line stretching to Arizona and then onward to California, and $11 billion bet that’s being made on American wind. Now, Joel, it’s a kind of a combination of two OEMs there, Vestus and ge. The pace of building has been really rapid over the last six, eight months from what I can [00:10:00] tell. Joel Saxum: Yeah. We have talked to multiple ISPs, EPC contractors. Um, of course we know some of the engineers involved in building a thing on the pattern side. Right. But this sheer size of this thing, right, it’s, it is three and a half gigawatts, right? You’re talking 900 turbines and, and so big that one OEM really couldn’t, I mean, it’s a, it’s a risk hedge, right? But couldn’t fulfill the order. So you have massive ge tur set of turbines out there. Massive set of vestas turbines out there. And I think one thing that’s not to be missed on this project as well is that transmission line, that high voltage transmission line that’s feeding this thing. Because that’s what we need, right? That was when we built, started building up big time in Texas, the cre, the crest lines that were built to bring all of that wind energy to the major cities in Texas. That was a huge part of it. And we have seen over the last six months, we have seen loans canceled, uh, permits being pulled and like troubles being in hurdles, being thrown up in the face of a lot of these transmission lines that are planned. [00:11:00] These big ones in the states. And that’s what we need for energy security in the future, is these big transmission lines to go. So we can get some of this generation to, uh, to the market, get electrons flowing into homes and into industry. But this thing here, man, um, I know we’ve been talking about Sunz, the Sunz project, uh, and all the people involved in it, in the wind industry for a, what, two, three years now? Oh, at least. Yeah. It’s been in planning and development stage for much longer than that. But the. The, the big bet. I like it. Um, bringing a lot of, um, bringing a lot of economic opportunity to New Mexico, right? A place that, uh, if you’ve driven across New Mexico lately, it needs it in a dire way. Uh, and this is how wind energy can bring a lot of, uh, economic boom to places that, uh, hadn’t had it in the past. Allen Hall: And this being the largest project to date, there’s a, I think a couple more than a pipeline that could be larger if they get moving on them. We see another project like this five years [00:12:00] from now, or we think we’re gonna scale down and stay in the gigawatt range just because of the scale and the things that Sunzi went through. Joel Saxum: We have the choke chair, Sierra Madre project up in Wyoming that’s been chugging the Anschutz Corporation’s been pushing that thing for a long time. That’s, that’s along the same size of this unit. Um, and it’s the same thing. It’s, it’s kind of hinged on, I mean, there’s permitting issues, but it’s hinged on a transmission line being built. I think that one’s like 700. 50 miles of transmission. That’s supposed to be, it’s like Wyoming all the way down to Las Vegas. That project is sitting out there. Um, it’s hard to build something of that size in, like say the wind corridor, the Texas, Oklahoma, uh, you know, all the way up to the Dakotas, just simply because of the massive amount of landowners and public agencies involved in those things. It’s a bit easier when you get out West New Mexico. Um, I could see something like this happening possibly in Nevada. At some point in time to feed that California [00:13:00] side of things, right? But they’re doing massive solar farms out there. Same kind of concept. Um, I, I think that, um, I would love to see something like this happen, but to invest that kind of capital, you’ve got to have some kind of ITC credits going for you. Um, otherwise, I mean, $11 billion is, that’s a lot of money Allen Hall: since Zia will have PTC. Which is a huge driver about the economics for the entire project. Joel Saxum: Yeah. But you’re also seeing at the same time, just because of the volatility of what’s happening in the states wind wise, uh, there was a big article out today of someone who got wind that EDF may be selling its entire Allen Hall: US onshore renewable operation or US renewable operation. That was Wood Mac that. Put that out. And I’m still not sure that’s a hundred percent reliable, but they have been 50% for sale for a while. Everybody, I think everybody knew that. Joel Saxum: Yeah. I don’t know if it’s a hundred percent reliable as well. I would agree with you there. However, there’s, it’s the [00:14:00] same thought process of European company pulling outta the United States. That’s where a lot of the renewable energy capital is, or it has been fed to a lot of that capital comes from Canada and other places too. Right. But that’s where it’s been fed through. Um, but you’re starting to see some, some. Uh, purchasing some acquisitions, a little bit of selling and buying here and there. I don’t, I don’t think that there’s, uh, massive ones on the horizon. That’s just my opinion though. Allen Hall: Well, won’t the massive ones be offshore if we ever get back to it? Joel Saxum: Yeah, you would think so, right? But I, that’s gonna take a, uh, an administration change. I mean the, the, all that stuff you’d see out in California, like when we were originally seeing the leases come out and we were like, oh, great. More offshore opportunity. Ah, but it’s California, so it’ll be kind of tough. It probably won’t be till 20 32, 20, something like that. I don’t think we’ll see possibly California offshore wind until 2040 if we’re lucky. Allen Hall: Joel, what were the two wind turbines selected for Sunz? They were both new models, right? One from Renova and then the other one from [00:15:00] Vestas, Joel Saxum: so the Vestas was 242 V, 1 63, 4 0.5 megawatts machines, and the, and the GE Renova. Just so we get, make sure I get clarity on this. 674 of its three. They were 3.6, but they’re 3.61 50 fours. Allen Hall: Okay. So both turbine types are relatively new. New to the manufacturer. CZ has two new turbines styles on the site. Joel Saxum: Yeah, we were told that when they were originally like getting delivered, that they didn’t have type certificates yet. That’s how new they were. Allen Hall: So Yolanda. As Sania starts to turn on, what are things that they need to be aware of blade wise, Yolanda Padron: besides the lightning and the dust in New Mexico? It’s probably gonna tip them. I don’t know exactly what they’re counting with as far as leading edge protection goes. Allen Hall: Pattern usually doesn’t, uh, have a full service agreement. Joel, do you remember if that was an FSA? I don’t think so. Joel Saxum: I would say [00:16:00] because those are Vestas turbines on the one that, yes, Vestas really doesn’t sell a turbine without it. Knowing internally how big patterns engineering group are, I don’t know if they can completely take on the operations of a thousand more turbine, 900 more turbines overnight. Right? So I think that there is gonna be some OE EMM involvement in these things, uh, simply to be at that scale as well. I don’t know of anywhere else with a 1 54 install a GE 1 54. So the things that I wouldn’t looking out is the. It’s the brand new type stuff, right? Like do internal inspections when they’re on the ground. You don’t know what kind of condition these things are in, what, you know, what is the, you haven’t, nobody’s seen them. Like you’re the first ones to get to get your hands on these things. Yolanda Padron: Yeah, I think they’re definitely gonna have to go with some sort of consulting or something externally as far as what exactly they’re dealing with. I know, Rosemary, you’ve touched on it a lot, right about. [00:17:00] How the changing the blade types and changing the turbines every x amount of years is really not conducive to, to being able to repeat the same results. And if you’re having that for hundreds of turbines at a new site that you’ve already had so much time and money invested in creating, it’ll, it’s, it’s a big undertaking. Rosemary Barnes: It’s really interesting because. When you have such a large wind farm be, I’m assuming one of the first wind farms may be the first to get this new turbine types, then if there’s a serial defect, it’s gonna be very obvious. ’cause with smaller wind farms, one of the problems is that, uh, the numbers are too small to definitively say whether something is, um, serial or just random bad luck. Um, but when you get. So how many wind turbines is it? Joel Saxum: Almost a thousand total. It’s [00:18:00] 674 GE turbines and 242 Vesta turbines. Rosemary Barnes: You can do statistics on that kind of a population and this area. I mean, there’s lightning there, right? Like this is not an area where you’re not gonna see lightning. You know, in know the first couple of years, like there, there will be. Hundreds of turbines damaged by lightning in the, the first couple of years I would suggest, um, or, you know, maybe not. Maybe the LPS are so, so great that that doesn’t happen. But, you know, the typical standard of LPS would mean that, you know, even if you only see, say we see 10 strikes per turbine to year and you get a 2% damage rate, that is, you know, lots of, lots of individual instances of blade damage, even if everything works as it should according to certification. And if it doesn’t, if you see a 10% damage rate or something from those strikes, then you are going to know that, you know, the, um, LPS is not performing the way that the standard says that it should. It’s not like that’s a slam dunk for, um, [00:19:00] proving that the design was not sufficient or the certification wasn’t correct. It’s always really, really tricky. My recommendation would be to make sure that you are monitoring the lightning strikes, so you know exactly which turbine is struck and when, and then go inspect them and see the damage. Ideally, you’re also gonna be measuring some of the characteristics of the lightning as well. But you do that from day one. Then if there is a problem, then you’re at least gonna have enough information within the, um, you know, the serial defect liability period to be able to do something about it. Joel Saxum: Let me ask you a question on that, on just the, that lightning monitoring piece then. So this is something that’s just, it’s of course we do this all the time, but this is boiling up in the thing. How do you, how do you monitor for lightning on 916 turbines? Probably spread, spread across. 200 square miles. Rosemary Barnes: Well, there’s, there’s heaps of different ways that you can do it. Um, so I mean, you can do remote, remote lightning detection, which is [00:20:00] not good enough. Then there are a range of different technologies that you can install in the, um, turbines. Um, the most simple and longest standing solution was a lightning cart, which is installed on the down conductor at the blade route. That will just tell you the amplitude of the biggest strike that that turbine has ever seen when it’s red. I have literally never seen a case where the lightning card definitively or even provided useful evidence one way or another when there’s a, a dispute about lightning. So then you move on to solutions that, uh, um. Measuring they use, uh, Alan, you’re the electrical engineer, but they, they use the, the principle that when there’s a large current flowing, then it also induces a magnetic field. And then you can use that to make a, a, a change and read characteristics about it. So you can tell, um, well first of all, that that turbine was definitely struck. So there are simple systems that can do that quite cheaply. The OGs ping [00:21:00] sensor, does that really cost effectively? Um, and then OG Ping. Phoenix Contact and Polytech all have a different product. Um, all have their own products that can tell you the charge, the duration, the um, polarity or the, yeah, the, the, if it’s a positive or a negative strike, um, yeah, rise time, things like that. Um, about the strike, that’s probably, probably, you don’t. Need to go to that extent. Um, I would say just knowing definitively which turbine was struck and when is gonna give you what you need to be able to establish what kind of a problem or if you have a problem and what kind of a problem it is. Joel Saxum: I think that like an important one there too is like, uh, so I know that Vest is in a lot of their FSA contracts will say if it’s struck by lightning, we have 48 or 72 hours to inspect it. Right. And when you’re talking something of this scale, 916 turbines out there, like if there’s a lightning storm, like [00:22:00]we’ve been watching, we watch a lot of lightning storms come through, uh, certain wind farms that we’re working with. And you see 20, 30, 40 turbines get struck. Now if a storm comes through the middle of this wind farm, you’re gonna have 200 turbines get struck. How in the hell do you go out without ha Like you need to have something that can narrow you down to exactly the turbines that we’re struck. That being said that next morning or over the next two days, you need to deploy like 10 people in trucks to drive around and go look at these things. That’s gonna be a massive problem. Pattern has about 3000 turbines, I think in their portfolio, and they, so they’re, they’re familiar with lightning issues and how things happen, but something at this scale when it’s just like so peaky, right? ’cause a storm isn’t through every night, so you don’t have that need to go and inspect things. But when you do. That is gonna be a massive undertaking. ’cause you gotta get people out there to literally like, at a minimum, binocular these things to make sure there isn’t any damage on ’em. And it’s gonna be, there’s gonna be storms where hundreds of turbines get hit. Rosemary Barnes: Yeah, well [00:23:00] those three companies, those three products that I mentioned are aiming to get around that. I mean, it will depend how contracts are worded. I know in Australia it is not the norm to check for lightning ever. So if the contract says someone has to, you know, use human eyeballs to verify lightning damage or not, then. That’s, you know, that’s what has to happen. But all of these technologies do aim to offer a way that you wouldn’t have to inspect every single one. So Polytech is using, um, different lightning characteristics and then they’ve got an algorithm which they say will learn, um, which types of strike cause damage that could. Potentially progress to catastrophic damage. Um, and then the other one that is interesting is the eLog Ping solution because they’ve also got the, um, damage monitoring. That’s their original aim of their product, was that if there’s a damage on the blade tip, say it’s been punctured by lightning, it, it actually makes a noise. Like it makes a whistle and they listen out for that. So if you combine the [00:24:00]lightning detection and the, um, like blade. Tip structure monitoring from Ping, then you can get a good idea of which ones are damaged. Like if it’s damaged badly enough to fail, it is almost certainly gonna be making a noise that the ping can, um, detect Allen Hall: as wind energy professionals. Staying informed is crucial, and let’s face it, d. That’s why the Uptime podcast recommends PES Wind Magazine. PES Wind offers a diverse range of in-depth articles and expert insights that dive into the most pressing issues facing our energy future. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to wind, PES Wind has the high quality content you need. Don’t miss out. Visit PE ps win.com today and this quarter’s PES WIN Magazine. There’s a lot of great articles, and as we roll into December. You’ll have time to sit down and read them. You can download a free copy@pswin.com. And there’s a, a really interesting article about [00:25:00] offshore, and there’s a number of articles about offshore this quarter. Well, two Dutch companies developed a solution to really one of the industry’s most persistent headaches. And when it’s flange alignment. So when you’re trying to connect the transition piece to the mono paddle out in the water, it’s not really easy to do. Uh. So PES interviewed, uh, Ontech and Dutch heavy lift consultants to explain their flange alignment system known as FAS. And it started when a turbine installation needed a safer, faster way to try to align these two pieces. So if you can think about the amount of steel we’re talking about, these are really massive pieces you’re trying to line and put bolts in, not easy to do out in the ocean. Uh, so what this new device can do is it can align the flanges in a couple of minutes. It can reshape deformed, flanges and Joel, as you know, everything offshore can get dinged warped. That’s pretty easy to do, so you don’t want that when you have a, a heavily loaded, bolted joint, like those flanges to be [00:26:00] perfectly, uh, smooth to one another and, and tight. So these two companies, Amek and Dutch heavy Lifting consultants have come up with some pretty cool technology to speed up. Installations of wind turbines. Joel Saxum: Yeah, I would say anybody who’s interested in wind, offshore wind, any of that sort, and you have a little bit of an engineering mind or an engineering, uh, quirk in your mind. As, as I think we said earlier in the episode today, engineering nerds. Um, I would encourage you to go and look at some heavy lift operations offshore, whether it is offshore wind, offshore oil and gas, offshore construction of any time or any type even pipe lay operations and stuff. Just to take, just to take in the, the sheer scale. At how, uh, at how these things are being done and how difficult that would be to manage. Think about the just tons and tons of steel and, uh, trying to put these pieces together and these different things. And then remember that these vessels are thousands of dollars, sometimes a minute for how specialized they are. Right? So a lot of money gets put into [00:27:00] how the, like when we’re putting monopiles in that these transit transition pieces get put on. A lot of money has been spent on. The ver like technology to get, make sure they’re super, super tight tolerances on the verticality of those when they’re driving the actual piles in. And then you’re doing that offshore in a nasty environment, sometimes from a jack up vessel, sometimes not from a jack vessel, sometimes from a mor or like a, you know, a pseudo mor vessel on, uh. Dynamic positioning systems, and then you’re swinging these big things with cranes and all this stuff, like, it’s just a crazy amount of engineering eng engineering and operational knowledge that goes into making this stuff happen. And if you make one little mistake, all of a sudden that piece can be useless. Right? Like I’ve been a part of, of heavy offshore lifting for oil and gas where they’ve. It’s built a piece on shore, got it out to the vessel, went to go put it off sub sea in 2000 meters of water, lowered it all the way down there and it didn’t fit like you just burned [00:28:00] hundreds and hundreds and thousands of millions of dollars in time. So this kind of technology that Anima Tech is putting out in Dutch Heavy Lift consultants. This is the key to making sure that these offshore operations go well. So kudos to these guys for solve for seeing a problem and solving a problem with a real solution. Uh, instead of just kind of like dreaming things up, making something happen here. I’d like to see it. Allen Hall: Check out that article and many more in this quarter’s. PES Wind Magazine downloaded free copy@pswind.com. Well, Yolanda, as we know, everybody’s out with Sky Specs, uh, doing blade inspections, and so many turbines have issues this year. A lot of hail damage, a lot of lightning damage and some serial defects from what I can tell. Uh, we’re, we’re getting to that crazy season where we’re trying to get ready for next year and prioritize. This is the time to call C-I-C-N-D-T and actually take a deep hard look at some of this damage, particularly at the blade root area. We’ve seen a lot more of that where, [00:29:00] uh, there’s been failures of some blades at the root where the bolt connection is. So you’re gonna have to get some NDT done. Boy, oh boy, you better get C-I-C-N-D-T booked up or get them on the phone because they’re getting really busy. Yolanda Padron: Yeah, you definitely need to schedule something. Make sure that you know at least where you stand, right? Be because imagine going into try to fix something and just have a hammer and then close your eyes and then see what you can fix. That way, like sometimes it feels like when you’re in operations, if you don’t have the proper. The proper inspections done, which sometimes there’s, there’s not enough budget for, or appetite or knowledge, um, in some of these projects to have early on. You come in and just, you, you see the end result of failure modes and you might see something that’s really, really expensive to fix now. Or you might think of, oh, this problem happened at X, Y, Z. [00:30:00] Site, so it’ll probably happen here. That’s not necessarily the case. So getting someone like NDT to be able to come in and actually tell you this is what’s going on in your site, and these are the potential failure modes that you’re going to see based on what you’re getting and this is what will probably happen, or this is what is happening over time in your site, is a lot more indicative to be able to solve those problems faster and way. More way, in a way less expensive manner than if you were to go in and just try to fix everything reactively. You know, if you have half a bond line missing. Then later you, your blade breaks. It’s like, well, I mean, you, you could, you could have seen it, you could have prevented it. You could have saved that blade and saved yourself millions and millions of dollars and, and so much more money in downtime. Joel Saxum: Yeah. The first time I ran into Jeremy Hess and the C-A-C-N-D team was actually on an insurance project where it was Yolanda, like you said, like [00:31:00] they let it go. The, the operator and the OEM let it go way too long, and all of a sudden they had a, like wind farm wide shutdown costing them millions in production. Uh, to find these, these issues that, uh, could have been found in a different manner when you talk to the team over there. Um, why we like to recommend them from the podcast is Jeremy has an answer for everything. He’s been around the world. He’s worked in multiple industries, aerospace, race, cars, sailboats, you name it. Um, he’s been a client to almost everybody, you know, in the wind industry, all the OEMs, right? So he knows the, the issues. He has the right tool sets. To dive into them. You, you may not know, not, you don’t need to be an NDT expert to be able to have a conversation because he will coach you through, okay, here you have this problem. Alright, this is how we would look at it. This is how we would solve it. Here’s how you would monitor for it, and then this is how you would, you know, possibly fix it. Or this is what the, the solution looks like. Um, because I think that’s one of the [00:32:00] hurdles to the industry with NDT projects is people just don’t. Know what’s available, what’s out there, what they can see, what they, you know, the issues that they might be able to uncover, like you said, Yolanda. So, um, we encourage, um, anybody that says, Hey, do you know anybody in NDT? Yeah, it’s Jeremy Hanks and the C-I-C-N-D-T team. Call ’em up. They’ve got the solutions, they’ll help you out. Allen Hall: That wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. If today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Just reach out to us on LinkedIn and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you found value in today’s conversation, please leave us a review. It really helps other wind energy professionals discover the show and we’ll catch you next week on the Uptime Wind Energy [00:33:00] Podcast.
Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links —Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.The Trump administration is expected to announce a $12 billion aid package for farmers today. The announcement will take place around 2 this afternoon in Washington, DC. About $11 billion will go to crop farmers through the new Farmer Bridge Assistance program, with the rest going toward other commodities. The funds have been authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by the FSA.
Learn more about which products are FSA and HSA eligible:https://www.doterra.com/US/en/pl/fsa-hsa-eligibleTo learn more about the podcast, check out the www.essentialoilconversations.comLink to Reference Book Matchmaker: https://balanceredeemed.myflodesk.com/ezcw54ppiaTo learn more about Heather Skold, check out http://www.jugglingsimplicity.comTo learn more about Meg Fittsgill, check out http://www.balanceredeemed.com
After losing at the FSA awards last night the lads chat turns to a new sexy formation on the cards at Leeds United.
The podcast features a conversation with Willis Towers Watson CEO Carl Hess, who discusses his progression from actuary to CEO, emphasizing the importance of analytical skills, communication, and people management in leadership. Carl highlights how technology and AI are transforming the actuarial profession, noting that automation and AI projects at WTW are helping staff focus on more productive work and better utilize unstructured data. He shares personal anecdotes about using music to maintain focus during actuarial exam studies and explains how he stays connected with WTW's employees through informal interactions and modern communication tools. Carl reflects on key career moments and lessons leaned along the way. Carl is joined by Chris Lombardi, Karen Grote, and Jon Froster for this thoughtful conversation. Contributors: Carl Hess, FSA, CERA; Chris Lombardi, FSA, MAAA; Karen Grote, FSA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe! Want to keep up with the latest SOA news? Follow us on our social channels: Instagram: @soactuaries Facebook: Society of Actuaries LinkedIn: Society of Actuaries Twitter: @SOActuaries About Us: With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world's largest actuarial professional organization with more than 32,000 actuaries as members. Serving as the SOA's research arm, the SOA Research Institute provides objective, data-driven research bringing together tried and true practices and future-focused approaches to address societal challenges and your business needs. It provides trusted knowledge, extensive experience and new technologies to help effectively identify, predict and manage risks. ● Learn more about Influence in the Actuarial Profession and other engaging topics relevant for actuaries on the Professional Development Edge Subscription product. https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/
Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply.We unpack new GLP-1 pricing, coverage hurdles, and whether cash-pay programs make these meds more reachable for diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea care. Along the way we share candid pros and cons of injections, tease future oral options, and weigh real tradeoffs.• current cash-pay pricing from major manufacturers• differences between Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound• tighter insurance coverage and prior authorization burden• fears about injections and route-of-administration bias• potential oral GLP-1 timelines and cost impact• framing obesity as a chronic, treatable disease• practical tips to explore HSA or FSA options• how to decide if the monthly cost is worth itSupport the showSubscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RNArtwork: Olivia Pawlowski
On this episode of Dollars & Sense with Joel Garris, get ready for a power-packed financial guide as Joel unpacks the must-do year-end financial checklist, reveals the surprising habits of the “millionaire next door,” and exposes the pitfalls of incomplete estate plans. Joel kicks off with a timely reminder: as the holiday season races by, you have just weeks to make smart financial moves before the new year. He walks you through seven crucial year-end tasks, including maximizing retirement contributions, using up your FSA, making charitable donations, and reviewing your health benefits—each step designed to help you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of your money. Next, the show dives into one of the biggest gaps in personal finance: estate planning. Joel shares stories from his practice, highlighting how most estate plans are never fully implemented—leaving families vulnerable. He explains why simply signing documents isn't enough, and outlines easy-to-follow steps (like titling assets correctly and regular reviews) so your legacy plan actually works for your loved ones. But that's not all! Joel also explores the “stealthy wealthy”—those quiet millionaires who build real, lasting wealth by shunning status symbols, driving practical cars, maximizing tax efficiency, budgeting diligently, and keeping their finances private. Want to know what they do differently? Joel breaks down the seven key habits that set them apart, with actionable tips you can use right now. Whether you're looking to finish the year strong, set up your family for success, or adopt the habits of the quietly wealthy, this episode delivers practical insights and real-life inspiration. Click to listen and learn how to avoid the traps, make smarter money moves, and secure your financial future!
In this lively, reflective episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis, Wem, and guest Lily pick apart the famous “three look afters” and ask a bigger question: who's allowed to fail at Forest School, and how do we help people fail well? From cartilage kneecaps and Mr Potato Head jokes to space holding, autonomy versus community, and that dreaded “shit spoon” moment, they explore boundaries, blame versus shame, and how to create conditions where struggle leads to learning rather than humiliation. Expect practical facilitation nuance, philosophical detours, and a few perfect tangents about tracksuits.⏱ Chapter Timings00:00 – Cold open: kneecaps, bandagraphs, and Mr Potato Heads03:14 – Axing the “three look afters”: demands, agency, and who can fail06:06 – Flattened hierarchies or hidden authority: responsibility in practice10:38 – Boundaries, safety, and culture shift for new groups14:49 – Space holding, low-demand setups, and modelling altruism21:27 – Failing well: conditions for struggle without humiliation25:22 – Nunchi: reading the room and tailoring support28:56 – Relational failure, shame versus guilt, and belonging49:22 – Process over product: the “shit spoon” and reframing success1:05:00 – Lily's trainings, FSA roadshows, and resources
Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about what we can expect from Cyber Monday this year. Ilcye also reminds you to spend your FSA balance, and the state of Florida looking to eliminate property taxes for residents. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about Cameo scored a […]
On episode 531 of The Nurse Keith Show nursing and healthcare career podcast, Keith interviews Danine Bitting, RN, RAC-CT, a Clinical Compliance Specialist with Friends Services Alliance Compliance Collaborative, and Maria Kiwagama, MSN/MHA, CDP, CNDLTC, the Director of Nursing of Barclay Friends' Continuing Care Retirement Community in West Chester, PA. In the course of their conversation, Keith and his guests discuss the Friends Services Alliance Compliance Collaborative's program that supports and mentors Directors of Nursing of skilled nursing and long-term care facilities in order to assure their success as leaders, not to mention the ultimate success of the facilities which they helm. Danine Bitting is a Clinical Compliance Specialist with Friends Services Alliance Compliance Collaborative (FSA), in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. FSA provides a spectrum of services for the nonprofit senior living industry. Danine has over 25 years of experience in long-term care, with a strong focus on enhancing the quality of life for residents and driving meaningful change in clinical systems. As a former Director of Nursing, Danine led two 5-STAR, non-profit facilities with goals to improve resident life and care via Person Centered Care and developing realistic systems. Danine has worked closely with two hospital networks in the Preferred Provider Network (PPN) to improve resident care following hospitalization and reduce re-hospitalizations. Maria Kiwagama is a seasoned nursing professional with over a decade of experience in clinical management, quality improvement, and nursing education. She currently serves as the Director of Nursing at Barclay Friends, a not-for-profit Kendal Affiliate that provides compassionate, home-like care for older adults. In her role, Maria oversees nursing operations across Barclay Friends' Continuing Care Retirement Community, which includes two long-term care units, two memory care units, and a Personal Care unit. She is responsible for ensuring high-quality resident care, regulatory compliance, and effective coordination of the nursing staff within the skilled nursing department. Before joining Barclay Friends, Maria spent six years at Waverly Heights, a Life Plan Community in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, where she held roles as Nurse Manager and RN-Assessment Coordinator. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and holds additional certifications in Wound Care and Infection Control and Prevention. Maria recently earned a dual master's degree in Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Administration and is currently completing an Administrator in Training (AIT) program, further strengthening her leadership in long-term care. Connect with Friends Services Alliance and Barclay Friends: Friends Services Alliance FSA on LinkedIn Barclay Friends Continuing Care Barclay Friends on Facebook Barclay Friends on LinkedIn Barclay Friends on Instagram Contact Nurse Keith about holistic career coaching to elevate your nursing and healthcare career at NurseKeith.com. Keith also offers services as a motivational and keynote speaker and freelance nurse writer. You can always find Keith on LinkedIn. Are you looking for a novel way to empower your career and move forward in life? Keith's wife, Shada McKenzie, is a gifted astrologer and reader of the tarot who combines ancient and modern techniques to provide valuable insights into your motivations, aspirations, and life trajectory, and she offers listeners of The Nurse Keith Show a 10% discount on their first consultation. Contact Shada at TheCircelandtheDot.com or shada@thecircleandthedot.com.
SPONSOR: BRUNT WORKWEAR - When you’re on your feet all day, the wrong boots can ruin everything — Which is why BRUNT Workwear stands out. Their boots are built tough, but comfortable. No stiff leather, no painful break in period, they feel ready for a full shift on day one. BRUNT was created by someone who actually worked in the trades, who knew the big legacy brands weren’t listening anymore. If you’re shopping for someone who works hard, these are the gifts they’ll actually use. BRUNT is releasing limited-edition styles all month long — once they sell out, they’re gone — and they’ve got everything from heavy - duty pants to incredibly comfortable hoodies built to take a beating. Best of all, there’s zero risk. If they’re not a fit, BRUNT will take them back. With temps dropping and holidays coming up, it’s time to treat yourself or the hard-working man in your life to real comfort. Skip the throwaway gifts and get him something built to last: Brunt workwear. Our listeners get $10 off their entire order with code “RICK” at checkout. That’s https://www.BRUNTWORKWEAR.COM , and use code “RICK”. Order today and let them know you heard it here on the show! - https://www.BRUNTWORKWEAR.COM SPONSOR: RELIEFBAND - Nausea can wreck your entire day. Reliefband is the device that actually stops it. It’s FDA-cleared, clinically proven, totally drug-free, and non-drowsy. It works by sending gentle pulses to the wrist that calm the nerves in your stomach, and you can adjust the intensity depending on how you feel.There are two versions. The Reliefband Sport is sleek, rechargeable, and water-resistant. The Reliefband Flex is lighter, great for daily wear, and uses a swappable battery so you’re never caught without power. What makes Reliefband so useful is how quickly it works. If you’ve been waiting to try Reliefband, this is the time! The Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals run through the end of November, and you can save up to 30% sitewide! Reliefband’s Sport and Flex models make amazing gifts for anyone who deals with nausea, and with the extended return window through January 1, you can shop early and stress-free. Reliefband is also FSA and HAS eligible, so it’s a great way to use those end-of-year dollars on something that really works. Go to https://www.Reliefband.com to shop the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, and save up to 30% off sitewide. -- https://www.Reliefband.comSPONSOR: BLAZETV -- BlazeTV doesn’t exist without people like you, who genuinely care about preserving honest conversation in this country. You’ve seen what’s happening on the right: the gatekeeping, the approved narratives, the pressure for everyone to fall in line. That’s not who we are. We’re not bound to talking points or beholden to anyone’s agenda. We don’t have to check our convictions with a corporate sponsor before we speak. We show up with one thing: the freedom to tell the truth as we see it. And that freedom only exists because of BlazeTV subscribers. Once a year, we lower the barrier for people who want to be part of this movement, people who refuse to sit on the sidelines. Right now, for Black Friday only, you can get $40 off a BlazeTV annual subscription. If you’ve been on the fence, this is the moment. Not because of a discount, but because your subscription actually keeps independent voices alive, voices that aren’t controlled by Big Tech, advertisers, or political gatekeepers. You make it possible for us to keep fighting, creating, and telling the truth without compromise. If you believe America is still worth fighting for, this is your moment to join the fight. And if you’re already a subscriber, THANK YOU. You make all of this possible. to someone who needs a space free from filtered, “approved” opinions.Thank you so much for watching and continuing to support the movement that we’re building together. Go to https://www.BlazeTV.com/RICK and use code BLACKFRIDAY40 to grab our Black Friday savings while it’s still here. That’s https://www.BlazeTV.com/RICK , code BLACKFRIDAY40. -- https://www.BlazeTV.com/RICKSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SPONSOR: BRUNT WORKWEAR - When you’re on your feet all day, the wrong boots can ruin everything — Which is why BRUNT Workwear stands out. Their boots are built tough, but comfortable. No stiff leather, no painful break in period, they feel ready for a full shift on day one. BRUNT was created by someone who actually worked in the trades, who knew the big legacy brands weren’t listening anymore. If you’re shopping for someone who works hard, these are the gifts they’ll actually use. BRUNT is releasing limited-edition styles all month long — once they sell out, they’re gone — and they’ve got everything from heavy - duty pants to incredibly comfortable hoodies built to take a beating. Best of all, there’s zero risk. If they’re not a fit, BRUNT will take them back. With temps dropping and holidays coming up, it’s time to treat yourself or the hard-working man in your life to real comfort. Skip the throwaway gifts and get him something built to last: Brunt workwear. Our listeners get $10 off their entire order with code “RICK” at checkout. That’s https://www.BRUNTWORKWEAR.COM , and use code “RICK”. Order today and let them know you heard it here on the show! - https://www.BRUNTWORKWEAR.COM SPONSOR: RELIEFBAND - Nausea can wreck your entire day. Reliefband is the device that actually stops it. It’s FDA-cleared, clinically proven, totally drug-free, and non-drowsy. It works by sending gentle pulses to the wrist that calm the nerves in your stomach, and you can adjust the intensity depending on how you feel.There are two versions. The Reliefband Sport is sleek, rechargeable, and water-resistant. The Reliefband Flex is lighter, great for daily wear, and uses a swappable battery so you’re never caught without power. What makes Reliefband so useful is how quickly it works. If you’ve been waiting to try Reliefband, this is the time! The Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals run through the end of November, and you can save up to 30% sitewide! Reliefband’s Sport and Flex models make amazing gifts for anyone who deals with nausea, and with the extended return window through January 1, you can shop early and stress-free. Reliefband is also FSA and HAS eligible, so it’s a great way to use those end-of-year dollars on something that really works. Go to https://www.Reliefband.com to shop the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, and save up to 30% off sitewide. -- https://www.Reliefband.comSPONSOR: BLAZETV -- BlazeTV doesn’t exist without people like you, who genuinely care about preserving honest conversation in this country. You’ve seen what’s happening on the right: the gatekeeping, the approved narratives, the pressure for everyone to fall in line. That’s not who we are. We’re not bound to talking points or beholden to anyone’s agenda. We don’t have to check our convictions with a corporate sponsor before we speak. We show up with one thing: the freedom to tell the truth as we see it. And that freedom only exists because of BlazeTV subscribers. Once a year, we lower the barrier for people who want to be part of this movement, people who refuse to sit on the sidelines. Right now, for Black Friday only, you can get $40 off a BlazeTV annual subscription. If you’ve been on the fence, this is the moment. Not because of a discount, but because your subscription actually keeps independent voices alive, voices that aren’t controlled by Big Tech, advertisers, or political gatekeepers. You make it possible for us to keep fighting, creating, and telling the truth without compromise. If you believe America is still worth fighting for, this is your moment to join the fight. And if you’re already a subscriber, THANK YOU. You make all of this possible. to someone who needs a space free from filtered, “approved” opinions.Thank you so much for watching and continuing to support the movement that we’re building together. Go to https://www.BlazeTV.com/RICK and use code BLACKFRIDAY40 to grab our Black Friday savings while it’s still here. That’s https://www.BlazeTV.com/RICK , code BLACKFRIDAY40. -- https://www.BlazeTV.com/RICKSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mo and Robbo pick the bones out of yet another Liverpool defeat, including the growing pressure on Arne Slot, and also talk about the new FSA campaign fighting for football fans across the country.You can support us financially to keep the show going in two ways, either: 1. By subscribing to our Patreon show for as little as £1 per week. Just click this link and the "Join For Free" button to get a 7 day free trial that you can cancel easily at any time after watching over 40 subscriber shows: https://www.patreon.com/TheLateChallengePodcast 2. If you don't want to subscribe, you can make a one off contribution to support the show by clicking this link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thelatechallenge We appreciate any support, no matter how big or small, and we also appreciate that times are tough for many people so if you can't afford to support the show financially we completely understand. If you'd like to help us in another way, please like our videos, subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the podcast with your friends and family.
This week's Ask Farnoosh pulls together some of the most revealing financial stories of the week, grom pandemic-era homebuyers now feeling “locked in” by their ultra-low mortgage rates, to Gen Z putting marriage, kids, and career plans on hold until they can afford a home. Farnoosh also breaks down an under-the-radar proposal from the CFPB that could weaken anti-discrimination protections in lending, a shift that could impact mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and small-business financing.Then, she heads to the mailbag to answer listener questions:Should you borrow more on a home-equity loan to protect your savings during a renovation?How can a self-employed spouse take full advantage of a healthcare FSA?What exactly is the IRS “contract” that lets you withdraw from retirement accounts early? (Hint: SEPP/72(t) and the Rule of 55.)And if you've bought a home for your parents, are you putting your own retirement at risk? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A lively Friday Q&A episode tackling listener questions about FSAs vs. 401(k) contributions, BND vs. BKAG bond funds, intermediate-term bonds vs. CD ladders, Avantis fund-of-funds fees and structure, and the financial implications of New York City's newly elected socialist mayor. The show blends practical investing guidance with jokes about annuity-salesperson Halloween costumes and a detour into political fears vs. economic realities. 0:04 Opening, Friday Q&A setup, thanks to Tom's grandkids 0:44 Listener FSA dilemma and choosing between FSA funding or 401k 3:01 Why FSAs are painful and why a 401k wins when choosing one or the other 5:57 Comparing BND and BKAG bond funds, holdings, universe, credit quality 9:01 Listener joke: “scariest Halloween costume is an annuity salesperson” 9:55 Moving CD-ladder money to VGIT or BIV; differences and trade-offs 12:22 Thoughts on iShares LifePath target-date ETF (ITDC) 12:33 Why Avantis fund-of-funds exist and whether you pay double fees 15:36 Underlying fund costs inside AVGE and how the total expense ratio works 16:21 Question about NYC's new socialist mayor and financial impact fears 17:54 Walking through political fears vs. practical economic reality 21:55 Why one politician can't radically reshape a city's economic fate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Time's running out on 2025, and there are critical financial moves you need to make before December 31st. In this episode of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, Mindy and Scott walk you through the essential year-end tasks that could save you thousands of dollars and keep your FIRE goals on track. These aren't just suggestions—they're time-sensitive opportunities that literally disappear when the calendar flips to January 1st. Whether you're aggressively pursuing financial independence or simply want to optimize your money, ignoring these year-end deadlines could cost you big. The good news? Most of these tasks take less than an hour to complete, and the payoff can be substantial. In this episode, you'll discover: How to maximize your tax-advantaged retirement accounts before contribution deadlines Why you need to spend every dollar in your FSA or lose it forever Tax-loss harvesting strategies to offset gains and reduce your tax bill Strategic charitable giving tactics that benefit both you and your favorite causes When and how to rebalance your investment portfolio for optimal performance Critical Roth conversion considerations before year-end HSA contribution limits and why maxing out matters for FIRE Required minimum distribution rules you can't ignore How to bunch deductions to maximize tax benefits The BiggerPockets Money End of Year Checklist And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode we look back on the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday evening. Arsenal fell behind in a scrappy first half, but goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard put us ahead before the home side grabbed a late equaliser. We discuss the goals we scored, but particularly the ones we conceded, as they have been so rare of late. For once the defending was found wanting, but could Mikel Arteta have done more with his bench, making just one very late change to try and hold onto the lead. We look at this draw in the context of where we are in the table and what the team has done recently, before answering listener questions about a title race with Man City, Eberechi Eze, which injured players we're most looking forward to having back, Ben White's lack of game time, some 666 related evil, and lots more.Vote for Arseblog in the Best Fan Media category for the FSA awards 2025: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/fsa-awards-2025Get extra bonus content and help support Arseblog by becoming an Arseblog Member on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/arseblog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to today's Friday Review where I'll be breaking down the best of the week! I'll be sharing specifics on these topics: FSA & HSA Payments for Equilife Headache Hat (product review) Sleep & Cardiovascular Health (research) Clay Therapy & Depression (research) For all the details tune in to today's Cabral Concept 3556 – Enjoy the show and let me know what you thought! - - - For Everything Mentioned In Today's Show: StephenCabral.com/3556 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!