POPULARITY
Categories
In this episode, host Travis Chappell and producer Eric run through a series of real‑world “curveball” scenarios—from surprise medical bills to flooded houses and lowball dream-job offers—to talk through how to respond without blowing up your finances. With a mix of humor, baseball metaphors, and practical frameworks, they show how to build decision rules that keep you calm and rational when life gets messy. On this episode we talk about: When to repair, replace, or go down to one car after a breakdown How to negotiate surprise medical bills and when to just pay them A $5,000 family loan request: help, enable, or say no? Whether to ever take a “dream job” that pays 30% less than you currently earn How a surprise baby would (and wouldn't) change Travis' budget Funding a child's gap year vs. making them pay their own way Using an emergency fund when your home floods and insurance denies the claim Evaluating “sure thing” investment tips from strangers Turning down paid speaking gigs or opportunities that could damage your brand Top 3 Takeaways Decide your rules before the curveball hits. Knowing in advance how you handle cars, medical bills, loans, and emergencies keeps you from making emotional, expensive decisions in the moment. Help without enabling. Supporting family or kids financially is generous, but repeatedly rescuing adults from the consequences of bad decisions only keeps them stuck. Protect brand and autonomy over short-term cash. Whether it is a lower-paying dream job or a shady speaking lineup, long-term reputation and control usually matter more than the immediate paycheck. Notable Quotes “With medical bills, always negotiate first—those numbers are almost never the real numbers.” “I'll take care of what needs to be taken care of. Anything extra you want, you need to learn how to earn.” “Brand is everything. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️
Overview: In this episode, we unpack key takeaways from Workplace Culture, a resource designed for startup founders, early-stage leaders, and forward-thinking HR professionals who recognize that scaling rapidly without a solid cultural foundation is a recipe for disaster. The message is clear: Culture is not a line item to revisit after funding, it's the operating system that determines whether your startup survives, thrives, or crashes from the inside out. As I always say, growth without culture fails. If you're tired of watching talent burn out or team energy fizzle after every sprint, this briefing is your wake-up call. Key Themes and Insights: Why Startups Get Culture Wrong (and Fast): Speed. Funding. Product. That's the holy trinity for most founders, but in chasing those, culture often gets left behind. When culture isn't intentional from day one, toxic behaviors like overwork, communication breakdowns, and "hero" leadership creep in and calcify. Big Insight: Culture is defined by what you tolerate, not by what you write on a wall. It's what happens when you're not watching. That's the truth every founder needs to confront. The 5 Culture-First Non-Negotiables: Values You Can Actually Live By: Your values should drive who you hire, promote, and let go, not just what's printed on the About page. They need to guide daily decisions. Leadership That Walks the Talk: Culture starts at the top. If your leadership team doesn't model integrity, ownership, and vulnerability, don't expect your team to either. Psychological Safety = Speed: When failure isn't punished, learning accelerates. Teams move quicker when they don't fear retribution for mistakes. Sustainable Pace Over Hustle: Growth doesn't have to mean burnout. Smart startups build in systems for clarity, rest, and reflection, so momentum doesn't cost mental health. Rituals That Reinforce Culture: Culture isn't just what's said in all-hands meetings. It's embedded in daily rhythms, standups, weekly wins, story-based onboarding,that scale better than a mission statement. Culture Health Check – Ask Yourself: What gets celebrated on your team and why? What behaviors are you tolerating that go against your values? What emotional experience does a new hire have in their first week? If your answers are vague, your culture is likely running on autopilot and that's dangerous when growth accelerates. Final Takeaway: Culture isn't the “soft stuff.” It's your infrastructure. If you're scaling, it'll either be your engine or your anchor. Make it your engine. Call to Action: Want to embed culture-first practices today? Download the Workplace Culture Blueprint for just $7, built to give you immediate traction. And for deeper support, join our monthly culture-first community where growth-minded leaders come to share, learn, and lead better.
Revenue Solves All Problems Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a startup, revenue solves all problems. Funding can help, but only for so long. As long as you have cash, you can run the startup. When you run out of money, then it's over. Revenue can fix any problem. If you need more sales support, you can hire them. If you need to fix a product, you can bring in a developer to do the job. If you need more leads, you can hire a marketer. Funding can solve many problems, but it's limited. There's only so much funding a founder can raise. Funding only goes so far before it runs out. Funding jump-starts the business, but revenue carries it the distance. Develop your long-term plans around revenue generation. Use funding to fill the gaps. Whatever you do, make sure you don't run out of cash. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.
Business Mentorship; “Shifting Perspectives on Disability” Keepin' It Real with Becky Jackson Curran Season 6 Episode #257 Becky Jackson Curran is a disability inclusion advocate, speaker, and media consultant. She has delivered 600+ talks on 3 continents, including two TEDx shifting perspective on disability. Let's hear how Becky invites everyone to join the journey toward acceptance and belonging through our own identity. Our guest joins us from Boston, Massachusetts. “Becky Jackson Curran, a disability inclusion advocate, speaker, and media consultant. Born with achondroplasia, I've dedicated my career to advancing authentic disability representation in media and society. I've worked at CAA, CBS, and SAG-AFTRA, founded DisABILITY In Media, and delivered 600+ talks worldwide, including two TEDx Talks. My mission is to create inclusive spaces where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.” A few of the tips Becky shared: 1. We shift our perspective through lived experience 2. Be visible 3. Turn challenges into opportunities Read Becky Jackson Curran's story in our guest blog and connect here. Becky, thank you for joining us and sharing the mic, we wish you peace and prosperity in the coming year. Don't miss an episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel Business Mentorship; Keepin It Real or if your on the move our podcast is found on iTunes, Spotify, IHeart Radio and Amazon Music. We look forward to connecting with you next time for another edition of Keepin' It Real. “Funding for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneurs” "Together, We Are Making A Difference; One Story At A Time"
We don't have to make money on our feet. We can make money in our sleep.In this episode of @InsideTheVault, @IamAshCash sits down with Boston-raised, Atlanta-paid digital wealth architect Darius Benders and this one is pure leverage, blueprint, and execution.Darius breaks down why most entrepreneurs don't have a “money problem”They've got a speed problem.You'll learn the exact framework behind:Building funding the right way (without fumbling the bag)The real difference between good debt vs bad debtHow to strategically stack credit cards based on what bureaus banks pullThe first moves to make with your first $50K so it multipliesWhy “visibility beats ability” and how to build authority fastThe webinar habit that can change your life in 12 monthsHow to deploy money into marketing using other people's audiencesWhy mentorship collapses time and turns decades into daysIf you're trying to fund your business, build digital income, and stop guessing your way into success, this episode is a must-watch.✅ Subscribe to @InsideTheVault✅ Share this with a friend who's serious about building✅ Drop a comment: “VAULT” if you want more episodes like thisSign up for Darius's 3-Day Challenge: https://getthebagflipthebag.com/3-day-challenge⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 Make money in your sleep (the mindset shift)01:00 Text “MY BOOK” and monetize your story CTA moment01:56 “This will change your life” episode intro02:43 Meet Darius Benders: $4M+ digital products and funding mentor06:09 Biggest misconception about other people's money07:17 Good debt vs bad debt (and investing in YOU)08:53 The 3 things you need to get approved for funding10:43 Credit bureaus + stacking strategy (how people get to $100K)12:19 The smartest way to deploy your first $50K13:23 Marketing the right way: OPA, podcasts, clips, and ads18:43 The weekly webinar “cheat code” to build confidence + cash20:08 Funding mistakes that kill approvals (relationship stacking)22:01 Big banks vs credit unions (double dip + comparable limits)23:44 Using leverage with a 9-to-5 (build before you quit)25:40 Pandemic pivot: nightlife to digital income35:31 The offer model that changed everything: virtual events36:29 Why digital products fail: no sales mechanism + no data38:01 $10K vs $100K months: spending + scaling with numbers41:43 What to unlearn to make real money (cost vs value)49:10 One habit to scale fast: delegate and let go53:55 Final gem: hyper-intention and cutting distractions55:03 Outro + tap in for Darius' free 3-day mastermindAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Our 229th episode with a summary and discussion of last week's big AI news!Recorded on 12/19/2025Hosted by Andrey Kurenkov and Jeremie HarrisFeel free to email us your questions and feedback at contact@lastweekinai.com and/or hello@gladstone.aiRead out our text newsletter and comment on the podcast at https://lastweekin.ai/In this episode:Notable releases include OpenAI's GPT-5.2 Codex for advanced coding and Google's Gemini Free Flash for competitive AI application performance. Nvidia's new open-source Trion-3 models also showcase impressive benchmarks.Funding updates highlight Lovable's $330M Series B, valuing the AI coding startup at $6.6B, and Faya's $140M Series D for AI model hosting, valued at $4.5B.China makes significant strides in semiconductor technology with advances in EUV lithography machines, led by Huawei and SMIC, potentially disrupting global chip manufacturing dominance.Key safety and policy updates include OpenAI's GPT-5.2 system card focusing on biosecurity and cybersecurity risks, while Google partners with the US military to power a new AI platform with Gemini models.Timestamps:(00:00:10) Intro / Banter(00:02:09) News PreviewTools & Apps(00:02:56) Google launches Gemini 3 Flash, makes it the default model in the Gemini app | TechCrunch(00:10:13) ChatGPT launches an app store, lets developers know it's open for business | TechCrunch(00:13:35) Introducing GPT-5.2-Codex | OpenAI(00:19:23) Story about OpenAI release - GPT image 1.5(00:22:27) Meta partners with ElevenLabs to power AI audio across Instagram, Horizon - The Economic TimesApplications & Business(00:23:16) OpenAI to End Equity Vesting Period for Employees, WSJ Says(00:28:20) How China built its ‘Manhattan Project' to rival the West in AI chips(00:36:47) China's Huawei, SMIC Make Progress With Chips, Report Finds(00:41:03) OpenAI in Talks to Raise At Least $10 Billion From Amazon and Use Its AI Chips(00:43:32) Amazon has a new leader for its ‘AGI' group as it plays catch-up on AI | The Verge(00:47:27) Broadcom reveals its mystery $10 billion customer is Anthropic(00:49:12) Vibe-coding startup Lovable raises $330M at a $6.6B valuation | TechCrunch(00:50:38) Fal nabs $140M in fresh funding led by Sequoia, tripling valuation to $4.5B | TechCrunchProjects & Open Source(00:51:10) Nvidia Becomes a Major Model Maker With Nemotron 3 | WIRED(00:59:24) Meta introduces new SAM AI able to isolate and edit audio • The Register(00:59:54) [2512.14856] T5Gemma 2: Seeing, Reading, and Understanding Longer(01:03:10) Anthropic makes agent Skills an open standard - SiliconANGLEResearch & Advancements(01:03:47) Budget-Aware Tool-Use Enables Effective Agent Scaling(01:08:21) Rethinking Thinking Tokens: LLMs as Improvement Operators(01:10:50) What if AI capabilities suddenly accelerated in 2027? How would the world know?Policy & Safety(01:12:58) Update to GPdfT-5 System Card: GPT-5.2(01:18:04) Neural Chameleons: Language Models Can Learn to Hide Their Thoughts from Unseen Activation Monitors(01:20:47) Async Control: Stress-testing Asynchronous Control Measures for LLM Agents(01:24:37) Google is powering a new US military AI platform | The VergeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Austin King, Founder of Nomina, is a Harvard-trained computer scientist, is a proven entrepreneur with a record of building and scaling high-impact ventures. He sold his first company to Ripple, where he co-authored a new payment protocol with CTO David Schwartz and led its go-to-market strategy. Today, Austin draws on his combined expertise in engineering and business development to drive growth and innovation in the next generation of financial infrastructure. In this conversation, we discuss:- What's going on with Ripple and XRP? - Why the pivot to Nomina? - Perp DEXs - Being delta neutral - Funding rate arbitrage - How to make money on funding rate arbitrage - Hyperliquid changed the crypto narrative - Current state of bridging in crypto - The future of financial advisors - Altcoins will get crushed over the next 18 months NominaX: @NominaWebsite: www.nomina.ioTelegram: t.me/nominaannouncementsAustin KingX: @AustinKingLinkedIn: Austin King---------------------------------------------------------------------------------This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers. PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50 This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below: PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50FollowApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicRSS FeedSee All
Signs of a Good Founder Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Anyone can be a founder of a startup. Here are signs of a good one: They have an innovative mindset. They look for how to innovate on the product, the business model, and more. They are self-aware. They know their strengths and weaknesses. They have a vision for their business. They know where they want to go with it. They have passion. They exhibit this in their work, communication, and time spent. They are resilient. They can endure setbacks and carry on. They can plan and forecast. They know how to set plans for the company and forecast the numbers. They have good communication skills. They can communicate well both verbally and in writing. They can make decisions. They know how to decide and carry through. Look for these attributes in a founder. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.
EU STRUGGLES WITH RUSSIAN ASSETS AND AID Colleague Judy Dempsey. Judy Dempsey discusses the EU's difficulty in utilizing frozen Russian assets and the "defeat" for Chancellor Merz regarding the funding mechanism for Ukraine. NUMBER 1 1890 SAXONY
SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter
Merry Christmas!! Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter drop a Christmas Eve special 2025 year in review podcast, talking their biggest life lessons in a year in which they both had kids, Tri Bourne retired from professional beach volleyball, Travis Mewhirter dove into coaching full-time at Florida State while hitting his stride as a commentator for VBTV. They also take on a few fan questions, talking about the future of beach volleyball, whether it's a financially stable sport (or ever can be), the need for superstars, and, of course, a Christmas lightning round. Chapters of SANDCAST with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter 00:00 Winging It: The Podcast Journey Begins 02:57 Christmas Traditions: Celebrating in Different Places 05:56 Parenting and Holiday Memories: The Joys of Family 09:01 Reflecting on the Year: Changes and Transitions 11:51 The Athlete's Transition: Finding New Purpose 14:57 Mindset Shifts: Embracing Parenthood 18:05 Balancing Work and Family: The Provider's Dilemma 21:13 The Future of Beach Volleyball: Challenges and Opportunities 24:06 Building a Legacy: The Importance of Superstars 26:57 Fan Engagement: The Role of Athletes in Growing the Sport 30:06 Funding the Dream: How Athletes Afford the Tour 32:57 The Business of Beach Volleyball: Finding the Right Model 35:59 Starting Sandcast: The Podcast's Origin Story 39:01 The Future of Juniors: Growing the Next Generation 42:12 Partnerships and Transparency: The Athlete's Perspective 44:51 The Importance of Media: Engaging Fans and Building Stars SHOOTS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products! We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link. If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/
Aaron and Brian review the Year in AI, hand out AI awards, and discuss the biggest AI trends from 2025. Maybe a few predictions will be made as well.SHOW: 987SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #987 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET CLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwCHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST: "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW SPONSORS:SHOW NOTESCLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - NOV 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - OCT 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - SEPT 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - AUG 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - JUL 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - JUN 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - MAY 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - APR 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - MAR 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - FEB 2025 (show)CLOUD & AI NEWS OF THE MONTH - JAN 2025 (show)2025 AI YEAR IN REVIEWThe Year of OpenAIThe Year of NVIDIAThe Year of MicrosoftThe Year of GoogleThe Year of OracleThe Year of China AIThe Year of AppleThe Year of Coding Agents (Anthropic, Cursor, Windsurf, CLIs, etc..)The Year of Data CentersAI Highlights and Lowlights (Corporate Layoffs, Acquihires, Funding, etc..)2026 AI DraftFEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodBlueSky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod
The Entreprenudist Podcast: The Place To Hear Real Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Bare It All
109 Contacts to Cashflow: 6-Figure Blueprint + Funding Secrets | Sam Sky The Entreprenudist Podcast https://entreprenudist.com Running a business is easier when you understand how to turn your existing network into real revenue. In this episode of The Entreprenudist Podcast, we sit down with Sam Sky, CEO of Credit CRB, to unpack the system entrepreneurs use to turn their contact list into a consistent 6-figure income, without the stress, confusion, or guesswork. Sam also breaks down powerful strategies for securing high-limit, low-interest business loans, achieving fast credit repair results, and positioning your business for long-term financial success. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ How to turn your contacts into predictable income ✔️ Simple strategies to monetize your network ✔️ How to qualify for high-limit funding ✔️ The secrets to low-interest business loans ✔️ Fast credit repair techniques that actually work ✔️ How to leverage strong credit for business growth ✔️ Why most entrepreneurs leave money on the table Whether you're building a new business or looking to scale, this conversation will help you unlock funding, create cashflow, and use your existing relationships to grow a profitable company. ------------------------- About Sam Sky Sam Sky is the founder of Credit CRB which is known for the Highest-Level Credit Repair in The Country/serving judges, politicians, wealthy businesspeople, agents, and more. Secondly, they are a top tier business loan broker team, specializing in low interest business loans, even if there are blemishes on your credit. Real Deal - Sam Sky has sued and won or settled lawsuits with Equifax, Best Buy, Verizon, and More. Separately, Mr. Sky won a foundation rocking case against Suncoast Credit Union that put all lenders on notice. Author of the famous "The Credit Book", his accolades are on the company website, and the list is long. Podcast hosts book Sam Sky because he doesn't just talk about credit and debt, he demystifies it. He bridges the gap between business owners that want to scale, and some have challenges with complex financial needs all the way to everyday entrepreneurs who want the best rates and want to expand and align their business growth implementation plans. ---------------- About the Host: Randolph Love III is the Founder and CEO of ShieldWolf Strongholds, where he helps Franchisors, CPAs, Attorneys, Doctors, Realtors, Contractors, and other Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Home Owners, and Retirees, secure lasting financial legacies. He is also a trusted franchise consultant, author of the book The Miracle Money Vehicle: How To Make Money Make Babies, and host of The Liquidity Event, a premier gathering on business growth, financial independence, and legacy planning. As host of The Entreprenudist Podcast, ranked in the Top 10% worldwide by ListenNotes.com, Randolph shares bold, practical insights that challenge traditional thinking. A sought-after speaker, his dynamic style empowers audiences to reduce taxes legally, grow wealth strategically, and take control of their financial destiny. Additionally, he is also the publisher of The Liquidity Journal, a dynamic publication for business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, retirees, and investors. Focused on leadership, strategy, systems, and motivation, it delivers actionable insights that empower readers to grow, lead, and innovate in today's business world.
You know what's right. But what do you do when every gatekeeper says no? In this episode, Drew Ann Long, inventor of Caroline's Cart, shares the story of refusing to let a necessary idea die. Her vision was simple—and radical: a shopping cart that makes the retail experience accessible for people with disabilities and mobility challenges. The industry pushed back. Manufacturers said no. Retailers avoided the conversation. Funding didn't show up. So she invested personally and kept advocating for a need others wouldn't acknowledge, and stayed the course anyway. Despite the special needs community being the world's largest minority group, products designed for their needs are lacking. This creates a barrier to access not only for them but for their families and caregivers. By introducing more inclusive products like Caroline's Cart, the world was opened for those with mobility challenges, autism and dementia. Success means believing in your cause and taking risks to make it happen no mater what. When the establishment tells you no, cultivate support in the community you want to serve. Innovation happens when you focus on the solution not the problem. Contact Drew Ann: https://www.drewannspeaks.com/ Donate to Caroline's Cause scholarship fund: https://www.carolinescause.com/carolines-cause/
The Information's Sri Muppidi talks with TITV Host Akash Pasricha about OpenAI's plans to integrate ads into ChatGPT and the $110 billion revenue target. We also talk with Editors Amir Efrati and Laura Mandaro about OpenAI's massive $100 billion fundraising ambitions and potential $750 billion valuation. Lastly, we get into the local backlash against xAI data centers in Memphis and how it impacts Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO strategy with The Information's Theo Wayt.Articles discussed on this episode: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openais-ads-push-starts-taking-shapehttps://www.theinformation.com/articles/openais-next-100-billion-funding-comeTITV airs on YouTube, X and LinkedIn at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. Or check us out wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe to: - The Information on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinformation- The Information: https://www.theinformation.com/subscribe_hSign up for the AI Agenda newsletter: https://www.theinformation.com/features/ai-agenda
In this Transit Unplugged Insider episode, Paul Comfort sits down with Executive Producer Julie Gates for a wide-ranging, behind-the-scenes conversation on what transit leaders should be paying attention to right now — and what's coming next. This quarterly Insider edition slows the pace and zooms out, offering context from Washington, conference halls, boardrooms, and agency leadership conversations happening across North America. Top Five Things Every Transit Leader Needs to Know Paul breaks down the most pressing developments shaping transit today, including: Recent FTA policy changes affecting grant eligibility and agency riskWhere transportation reauthorization stands as the 2026 deadline approachesThe current state of federal grant programs, including Low-No and Bus Facilities fundingHow mega events like the FIFA World Cup and the LA 2028 Olympics are reshaping transit planningWhat it will take for host cities — especially Los Angeles — to meet unprecedented operational demands Hot Topics Across the Industry From conversations with CEOs, policymakers, and system leaders, Paul and Julie explore: Why Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) continues to dominate expansion conversations What transit agencies can learn from Canada's funding model and manufacturing shiftsThe growing complexity of fleet strategy, propulsion choices, and market pressures What's Keeping Transit CEOs Up at Night A candid look at the challenges agency leaders are navigating right now: Passenger and operator safety in a high-visibility media environmentRising concerns around cybersecurity and system resilience The practical realities of AI adoption in transit operations Behind the Scenes at Transit Unplugged Julie and Paul share updates from across the Transit Unplugged universe, including: A look at recent and upcoming Transit Unplugged TV episodes — from Italy to Montreal and beyond What's ahead for the Transit Unplugged podcast in the new yearUpdates on sister shows including The Aviation Report and Parking LiveExpanding distribution across YouTube, cable, streaming platforms, and newsletters Looking Ahead The conversation closes with reflections on leadership, industry collaboration, and what the next chapter holds — including a preview of Paul's upcoming personal development book (available for pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Find-Your-Factor-Personal-Treasure/dp/1636988857) and a look ahead to the major moments that will put transit on the global stage in the years to come....
This Day in Maine Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Inside Nepali Journalism: Censorship, Funding & Politics. Jibram Bhandari is one of Nepal's most respected journalists and news executives, known for his fearless reporting and deep understanding of Nepal's political and media landscape. In this powerful podcast conversation, Jibram Bhandari shares his journalism journey, starting from the 1990 media environment to reporting during the Nepalese Civil War and navigating censorship, misinformation, and political pressure in modern Nepal. The discussion explores the current media crisis in Nepal, including media funding, the role of NGOs and INGOs, and how journalism can be misused by the government. Jibram Bhandari critically examines secularism in Nepal, the Raja Badi movement, the debate between belief in monarchy versus political parties like the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and whether Nepal's system can truly be reformed. This episode also dives into Gen Z protests, misinformation verification, misuse of police power, and controversial incidents like the Tinkune protest. Jibram shares insights on key political figures, including Kul Man Ghising, Harka Sampang, Rabi Lamichhane, and Durga Parsai, while discussing the possibility of new political parties and the future direction of Nepal. If you're interested in Nepali journalism, Nepali politics, media ethics, and real conversations about power, truth, and responsibility, this podcast with Jibram Bhandari is a must-watch. GET CONNECTED WITH Jibram Bhandari: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jibram.bhandari.3/ Twitter - https://x.com/jibrambhandari TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jibram.talks?lang=en
California announces new federal funding to help dairy farms cut methane emissions and improve water quality statewide.
How To Find a Cofounder Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A founding team includes someone who is building it and someone who is selling it. It's important that the startup has two founders. Here are some steps to find a cofounder for your startup. Figure out which role the founder is taking and look for a cofounder to fill the other. The key to finding and recruiting the co-founder is to show how the business will be successful. This typically starts with a customer or market ready to pay for the product to be produced. Show the key insight you have into the market and how you can use it to create a successful business. Validate with customers who are ready to buy the product and place them on a waitlist. Sign up customers who are ready to pay and provide the service manually till you have an automated solution. Gain agreement on the goals of the company for the coming three years. Negotiate compensation based on what each founder is bringing to the table. Use the negotiation process to test out the other's skills. Go on joint sales calls to see how each performs. Work on the product development to see what progress can be made. Consider these steps in finding a cofounder. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.
8. The Forever War: Jihadist Patience vs. American Cycles. Bill Roggio argues the US has failed to defeat jihadist ideology or funding, allowing groups like Al-Qaeda to persist in Afghanistan and Africa. He warns that adversaries view American withdrawals as proof of untrustworthiness, exploiting the US tendency to fight short-term wars against enemies planning for decades. 1910 PESHAWAR
New @greenpillnet pod out today!
Kelly and Tristen wrap up 2025's foreign policy: the highlights (and lowlights), what went under the radar, and what they'll be watching for in 2026. The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Abdalla Nasef and Freddie Mallinson. Recorded on December 2, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown
Are you concerned about NIH funding for your research? Dr. Meg Bouvier, founder of Bouvier Grant Group, shares encouraging news: despite proposed cuts, Congress has protected NIH's nearly $50 billion budget with strong bipartisan support. In this episode, Dr. Meg Bouvier explains how researchers can adapt their grant applications by reframing language to emphasize disease burden reduction and cost savings—without changing their core research direction. With nearly four decades of experience, including working as a staff writer for Francis Collins, she dispels myths about "forbidden terms" and offers practical strategies for navigating today's funding climate. We also explore Meg's journey building a successful consulting business by hiring the right team. Her director of operations handles everything except Meg's zone of genius—allowing her to focus entirely on training researchers and analyzing grants. This principle applies whether you're pursuing funding or building a medical practice: stay at the top of your licensure and delegate everything else. Key topics covered: NIH budget reality check, grant application strategies, team building, research development resources, adapting to funding climate changes, and balancing business ownership with meaningful work. Read the full show notes, memorable quotes, and key takeaways.
State Regulations Threaten Dietary Supplements: Iron Radio Hosts Discuss the ImpactIn this episode of Iron Radio, hosts Coach Phil Stevens, Dr. Lonnie Lowery, and Dr. Mike T. Nelson discuss a recent article by Kyle Turk concerning the growing legislative efforts by states to restrict dietary supplements, notably those used in strength sports. The discussion covers the impact of these regulations on consumer access to supplements like creatine and caffeine, the historical context of such laws, and the potential future of supplement availability. The hosts also touch on the broader implications for research and individual responsibility in navigating supplement choices.01:11 Discussion on Dietary Supplements01:30 State Legislation Impact on Supplements02:50 Consumer Perspective on Supplement Bans03:09 Historical Context and Regulatory Changes03:59 Creatine and Misconceptions06:14 Debate on Supplement Regulation07:39 Pharmaceutical Influence and Market Dynamics12:08 Personal Responsibility vs. Regulation14:12 Understanding Public Education and Legitimate Sources14:53 Evaluating Health Information Online16:06 Challenges in Medical Research and Regulation17:27 Funding and Research Biases20:52 Legal and Regulatory Issues in Supplementation Donate to the show via PayPal HERE.You can also join Dr Mike's Insider Newsletter for more info on how to add muscle, improve your performance and body comp - all without destroying your health, go to www.ironradiodrmike.com Thank you!Phil, Jerrell, Mike T, and Lonnie
This Day in Legal History: Federal Reserve ActOn December 23, 1913, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act into law, creating the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States. The law was the culmination of decades of debate over banking reform, intensified by the financial panic of 1907. The Act aimed to provide the country with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. It established twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks overseen by a central Board in Washington, D.C., striking a balance between public oversight and private banking interests.The Federal Reserve was given key powers, including the ability to issue Federal Reserve Notes (now the dominant form of U.S. currency), regulate banks, and serve as a lender of last resort during financial crises. This marked a significant shift from the fragmented and largely unregulated banking environment of the 19th century.Critics feared it concentrated too much financial power in the hands of a few, while supporters believed it brought necessary structure and national oversight. Over the decades, the Fed's role expanded, especially during the Great Depression, World War II, and more recently the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of the Fed also represented a broader legal evolution in how the federal government engaged with economic policy.A coalition of 21 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Oregon to prevent the Trump administration from defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The states argue that the administration's decision to stop requesting funds from the Federal Reserve is unlawful and undermines Congress's constitutional authority. Since returning to office in January, President Trump has taken steps to dismantle the CFPB, including appointing his budget director, Russell Vought, as acting head and halting most agency operations.The CFPB was created in 2011 to safeguard consumers in the financial sector and has recovered over $21 billion for Americans. It is uniquely funded directly by the Federal Reserve rather than through Congressional appropriations. The administration claims the Dodd-Frank Act requires the CFPB's funding to come from the Fed's combined earnings, which they argue are unavailable due to the Fed operating at a loss since 2022.The lawsuit highlights that the CFPB is legally required to process consumer complaints from states, and without funding, it cannot fulfill this duty. Plaintiffs also contend that the administration's move violates the separation of powers by interfering with a congressionally established funding mechanism. Additional lawsuits from a federal employee union and nonprofits are pending in other courts, also seeking to compel the agency to resume funding requests.Democratic-led states sue to block US consumer watchdog's defunding under Trump | ReutersA new push by the Trump administration to challenge corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) faces steep legal hurdles. Under EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, the agency is shifting toward what she calls a more “conservative view of civil rights,” focusing on potential discrimination against white men. Lucas has announced plans to investigate corporate DEI policies and pursue enforcement where race- or sex-based decisions are suspected.However, legal experts emphasize that proving such claims is difficult. Discrimination cases require clear evidence that someone was denied a job or benefit specifically because of their race or sex, not just because they were part of a changing applicant pool. Critics argue that the administration's narrative misunderstands the legal and practical realities of workplace diversity, which is often designed to prevent discrimination, not perpetuate it.Despite aggressive executive orders targeting DEI, many companies are maintaining or quietly adjusting their programs to remain compliant. Legal audits and program rebranding are common, especially in industries like automotive. DEI advocates point out that the business case for inclusion remains strong, as companies see diverse teams as essential to long-term success.Ultimately, while the administration's rhetoric may galvanize parts of its base, experts say turning that rhetoric into enforceable legal action will be difficult under existing anti-discrimination laws.Trump's anti-corporate DEI campaign faces high legal hurdles | ReutersMercedes-Benz has agreed to pay $120 million to settle environmental and consumer protection claims brought by multiple U.S. states over its use of emissions-cheating software in certain diesel vehicles. The settlement resolves the remaining U.S. legal actions tied to the broader Dieselgate scandal, which has affected several automakers. The claims focused on Mercedes' BlueTEC diesel models, which were previously marketed as especially clean and advanced.As part of the agreement, Mercedes will continue retrofitting affected vehicles with approved emissions software. These additional updates are expected to cost the company tens of millions more. However, the company stated that its financial results won't be impacted, as it had already set aside sufficient funds to cover the settlement and associated costs.Mercedes reaches $120 million settlement with US states over emissions scandal | ReutersIn my column for Bloomberg this week, I argue that the IRS has a rare opportunity to repair its deeply flawed Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP), which has become so punitive and complex that it actively discourages taxpayers from coming forward. While the program is supposed to help bring people back into compliance, its current structure demands that taxpayers essentially confess to wrongdoing—sometimes criminal—in a sworn statement, without any assurance the IRS will even consider their disclosure.Recent proposed reforms introduce a more structured penalty system and eliminate the notorious “willfulness checkbox” from Form 14457, a small but significant change that previously forced taxpayers to admit to criminal conduct just to apply. Still, the process remains risky. The IRS continues to require extensive narratives of past noncompliance, and for taxpayers with crypto assets, the demands are even greater: wallet addresses, transaction hashes, and mixer use must all be disclosed upfront. That level of technical and legal exposure could deter even well-meaning taxpayers.I argue the IRS must go further. It should offer flexible payment options—like installment agreements or offers in compromise—and abandon its rigid “pay-in-full” approach. It should also adopt a tiered penalty framework that accounts for intent, scale, and the evolving complexity of assets like cryptocurrency. Finally, the IRS needs to delay the most invasive digital asset reporting until after a taxpayer has been preliminarily accepted into the program, rather than forcing exhaustive disclosures at the outset.Without deeper changes, the VDP risks continuing as a trapdoor rather than a lifeline—one that punishes honesty and rewards silence. The current moment of public review is the best chance to realign the program with its original purpose: restoring compliance, not burying it.The IRS Has a Chance to Fix Its Voluntary Disclosure Program This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Aviv Frenkel, Co-Founder and CEO of Moonshot AI, to explore the fascinating journey from Israeli media personality to leading an innovative SaaS startup. Aviv Frenkel shares how his background as a radio DJ and television journalist ultimately inspired him to dive into the world of tech entrepreneurship. You'll hear the inside story behind Moonshot AI—a generative AI platform that transforms e-commerce websites into self-optimizing “living organisms,” helping online brands boost their conversion rates without massive teams or endless guesswork. Aviv Frenkel walks us through the company's rapid trajectory, including their recent $10 million funding round, the importance of building with strong design partners, and what it takes to achieve real product-market fit in a crowded space. The conversation covers the realities of founder-led sales, why Moonshot AI chose a straightforward subscription model, and the key operational metrics driving their growth. If you're interested in SaaS metrics, startup fundraising, or the future of AI in e-commerce, this episode is full of actionable insights and candid startup wisdom. Tune in to learn more about Moonshot AI's global journey and discover opportunities to join their growing team! Show Notes: 00:00 "AI-Powered Ecommerce Optimization" 03:47 "Muncho: End-to-End Website Optimization" 07:53 "Scaling Fast from MVP to Funding" 12:21 Key Business Metrics Discussion 15:06 Evolving CEO Roles and Priorities 16:49 "Join Our AI-Driven Team" Links: Aviv Frenkel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviv-frenkel/ Moonshot AI's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-shot-ai/ Moonshot AI's Website: https://moonshot-ai.com/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Financing a home project used to be a no brainier for those with access to home equity, but since the interest rate spike, many homeowners have had to seek other, less attractive options. Donna and Nathan discuss how to weigh alternative funding options for big ticket home expenses. Also, on our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Steve tell the story of how Bank of America introduced the first multipurpose, unsecured credit card, and planted the seeds of the consumption economy. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®, Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA® & Steven Beauvais; Air Date: 12/17/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Leave a message on the MoneyTalk Hotline at (401) 587-SOWA and have your voice heard live on the air!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Key Attributes of a Good Angel Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Anyone with an accredited investor status can become an angel investor. Here's a list of key attributes of a good one: They know their industry well and how to invest in it. They know people and can size up a founder to determine if they are a fit for a successful startup. They have actually run a startup before and know what it takes to launch and build a successful one. They take an active role in the startup and help the founders along the way. They add value to the startup. They also add value to other angel investors through coaching and mentoring. They look for startups to fund and not to provide consulting. They know how to screen through a volume of deals to find the viable ones quickly. They provide quality feedback to the founder, raising funding. They know how to perform diligence and where to focus the time spent on it. They reserve funds for a follow-on round. Look for these qualities in an angel investor. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.
Join our host Marie-Claire Gould (@mariecgould) and guest Hannah (@sihayaspring.bsky.social) to discuss the Meta of the Force from a Canon Perspective. Join us on Discord, follow us on Bluesky, read more on Whattheforce.ca, join the Facebook Group, and follow on Instagram. Also, make sure to subscribe on Youtube for all our Live Streams. ](https://www.youtube.com/c/WhatTheForce?sub_confirmation=1)[Funding for […]
First, The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha talks about Parliament's consideration of a rewrite of India's nuclear power rulebook, a move that could change who builds and maintains nuclear power plants in the country. Next, we speak to The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh about a brutal assault in Bihar that began as a suspicion of theft, and ended in a man's death. (12:35)In the end, we take a look at data on political funding showing how corporate donations through electoral trusts surged this year. (18:15)Hosted by Ichha SharmaWritten and produced by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda, and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports on a new lawsuit over funding for the Consumer Protection Bureau.
In this episode, salon owner and serial entrepreneur Tanya Tymus-Bellamy shares lessons from a 39 year career spanning ten salons across multiple cities. From funding and staffing to mentorship and long-term strategy, Tanya breaks down what it really takes to build a sustainable, high-end beauty business.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Key Takeaways:
How To Calculate Warrant Coverage Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A warrant is the right to buy a company's stock at a specific price or range over a certain time period. The warrant acts like an option, but it issues stock, which dilutes the cap table. Founders raising funding offer warrants to incentivize investors to fund the company. Warrant coverage is the number of warrants an investor receives based on the size of their investment. It's typically stated as a percentage such as 5% or 10%. Here's how to calculate warrant coverage: Take the number of shares at a specific price per share as the initial investment. Take the number of shares to be provided as warrants. Divide the number of warrants by the number of shares of the initial investment to reach a warrant coverage amount. Here's an example. The founder offers 50,000 additional shares to those who invest in 500,000 shares at $3 per share. The warrant coverage is 50,000 divided by 500,000 at $3 per share, generating a 10% warrant coverage. Consider these calculations in offering warrants in your fundraiser. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.
The members of the Ennis Sub Aqua Club are preparing to take a cold plunge for a vital cause this festive season. The club is gearing up for its annual Fin Swim, a gruelling two-mile journey down the dark waters of the River Fergus to raise funds for their voluntary missing person search operations across the Mid-West. To tell us more about the specialised training required for these missions and how the community can support the club this Christmas, Alan Morrissey spoke with long standing club member, Tom Fitzpatrick.
Over €800,000 in funding has been made available to renovate key buildings across Clare. Mountshannon is the biggest beneficiary where €500,000 has been allocated under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to refurbish a 1940's community hall into a modern accessible theatre with a market space. Scariff is receiving €274,800 to redevelop a derelict building into a youth centre, while €50,000 is going to Miltown Malbay to expand a creative space in the former Bank of Ireland building. Clare Minister of State Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that it will revitalise local communities.
The Government has announced a new €400 million funding initiative to deliver new homes. This doubles the amount allocated towards the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, which was first announced in 2023.So, will all of this make a significant difference? And are steps being made in the right direction? Joining Ciara to discuss is Property Developer, Michael O'Flynn.
ChatGPT: News on Open AI, MidJourney, NVIDIA, Anthropic, Open Source LLMs, Machine Learning
Funding talks for OpenAI's $10B from Amazon progress. Models enhance search and recommendations. Cloud leaders collaborate.Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiAI Chat YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JaedenSchaferJoin my AI Hustle Community: https://www.skool.com/aihustleSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week, we cover the emotional conclusion to the trial of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, who was found not guilty on all charges. We also remember former Philadelphia highway patrol officer Andy Chan, who was laid to rest six years after suffering a severe injury in the line of duty. Finally, we discuss the new bill introduced by Congressman Brendan Boyle to restore federal funding for the major infrastructure project designed to reconnect the Chinatown neighborhood. The SEPTA trolley tunnel remains closed but we get an important update and lastly we go around to Philadelphia's public schools to find out the different ways children today celebrate the holidays To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Europe has decided to loan Ukraine more than $100 billion to help fund its war with Russia instead of tapping frozen Russian assets. Adam and Cameron discuss what that means for the continent and how the decision will impact the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this conversation, Stan Suchkov CEO and Co-founder of Evolve discusses his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of building diverse teams, navigating the challenges of startup funding, and the significance of hiring strategies. He shares insights on sales for both B2B and B2C markets, the impact of AI on learning, and the mindset required for long-term success in entrepreneurship. The discussion also touches on the value of connecting with influential entrepreneurs for guidance and inspiration.TakeawaysHire the person you don't like to balance your weaknesses.Building relationships with investors is crucial before fundraising.Actions speak louder than words when it comes to showing traction.Surround yourself with supportive people who can help you.Seek feedback from others to improve your product.Establish a clear company culture from the start.Start selling by yourself to gain valuable insights.Understand your market and budget for B2C products.Focus on one idea to avoid spreading yourself too thin.Connecting with experienced entrepreneurs can provide valuable insights.Interesting Topics00:00 The Importance of Diverse Teams02:54 Navigating the Startup Journey05:36 Building Relationships for Funding08:40 Hiring Strategies for Startups11:28 Sales Insights for B2B and B2C14:11 The Entrepreneurial Mindset17:20 Connecting with Influential EntrepreneursWhether you're launching your first startup, raising capital, or building a team around emerging AI technologies, this episode delivers real-world lessons you won't hear in a pitch deck.
No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning | Technology | Startups
Pundits are screaming about the so-called “AI bubble.” But historically slow-to-adopt industries like medicine and law are actually embracing AI at an unprecedented speed. Sarah Guo and Elad Gil look ahead to 2026, breaking down the major trends that will define the next era of AI technologies. They explore the future of AI foundational models, predicting breakthroughs in solving complex scientific problems. They share competing views on the timeline for robotics and self-driving cars, debating whether startups have a chance for survival or if incumbents will dominate. Elad and Sarah also discuss the return of tech IPOs and M&As, forecast a new wave of AI consumer agent software, and explore why consumer product innovation has been slower than expected. Finally, the two offer bold non-AI predictions for the new year, including the acceleration of defense tech startups and the second-order underrated impacts of GLP-1 drugs on biohacking. Plus, stick around to hear predictions on what's next for AI in 2026 from some of tech's biggest names and industry leaders. We hear from Jensen Huang (Founder/CEO NVIDIA), Arvind Jain (Founder/CEO, Glean), Winston Weinberg (Founder/CEO, Harvey), Scott Wu (Founder/CEO, Cognition), Raiza Martin (Founder/CEO Huxe), Zach Ziegler (Founder/CTO, Open Evidence), Aaron Levie (Founder/CEO, Box), Misha Laskin (Founder/CEO, ReflectionAI), Noam Brown (Research Scientist, OpenAI), Joshua Meier (Founder/CEO Chai Discovery), Bryan Johnson (Living Man, Don't Die), Sholto Douglas (Member of the Technical Staff, Anthropic), Ben & Asher Spector (Stanford PhDs) and Dylan Patel (Founder/CEO SemiAnalysis). Sign up for new podcasts every week. Email feedback to show@no-priors.com Follow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:43 – AI Predictions for 2026 04:40 – Adoption of AI in Professional Fields 07:17 – Robotics and Self-Driving Cars 08:25 – Robotics: Incumbents vs. Startups 13:59 – Future of IPOs and M&A in AI 16:42 – Challenges in Consumer AI Innovation 21:08 – Funding of Neo Labs, RL Research 26:28 – Predictions for 2026 Beyond AI 26:44 – The Future of Defense and Technology 28:23 – Biohacking and Peptide Therapies 30:37 – 2026 Prediction from AI Industry Leaders 40:46 – Conclusion
In this episode of The Distribution, Brandon Sedloff sits down with Tony Avila for a detailed discussion on the evolution of residential land development and homebuilding finance. Tony walks through his multi-decade career, from early exposure to real estate and investment banking to building platforms focused on capital solutions for developers and regional homebuilders. The conversation explores how institutional capital, regulatory shifts, and interest rate cycles have reshaped the housing ecosystem, and why today's environment presents a distinct opportunity in land and construction lending. Together, they break down the mechanics behind land development loans, underwriting discipline, and the structural gaps left by traditional banks. They discuss: • Tony Avila's career path through real estate workouts, investment banking, and homebuilding M&A • The institutionalization of homebuilding and the role of public markets and consolidation • Distressed land and development opportunities following the financial crisis • Why banks have pulled back from land and construction lending and how private capital is filling the gap • The fundamentals of land development loans, underwriting risk, and housing affordability Links: Tony on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-avila-8879487/ Avila Real Estate Capital - https://www.avilacapllc.com/ Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:41) - Tony Avila's background and career (00:06:03) - The evolution of home building and institutionalization (00:08:46) - Mergers, acquisitions, and public listings (00:12:39) - Encore and distressed market opportunities (00:17:41) - Pivoting strategies in a changing market (00:20:01) - Current business structure and focus (00:24:58) - Understanding the fundamentals and opportunities (00:27:14) - Understanding land development loans (00:28:54) - Key considerations for land loans (00:30:43) - Distinguishing developers from builders (00:32:21) - Funding and underwriting strategies (00:39:35) - Navigating institutional capital (00:48:55) - Addressing housing affordability (00:53:16) - Conclusion and contact information
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
In this conversation, Ed Jones shares his journey in real estate, focusing on innovative funding strategies, the importance of affordable housing, and the role of faith in business. He discusses his unique approach to funding that allows investors to scale without monthly payments, his commitment to quality in affordable housing, and the significance of personal development and systems in running a successful business. Ed emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and maintaining integrity in business dealings, while also looking forward to launching new funding initiatives. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
An affordable housing complex that was damaged in the Eaton Fire is getting 2 million dollars in state dollars for repairs. SoCal could get two to four inches of rain during Christmas week. Funding cuts to hospital that provides trans youth with hormones and surgeries. Plus, more from Evening Edition. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.comThis LAist podcast is supported by Amazon Autos. Buying a car used to be a whole day affair. Now, at Amazon Autos, you can shop for a new, used, or certified pre-owned car whenever, wherever. You can browse hundreds of vehicles from top local dealers, all in one place. Amazon.com/autosVisit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency! Support the show: https://laist.com
On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani author, nutritionist and Professor Emerita Marion Nestle about her new book, What to Eat Now: The Indispensable Guide to Good Food, How to Find It, and Why It Matters. They talk about the problem with ultra-processed foods, the rise of dynamic pricing, and how eaters can navigate the thousands of options in grocery stores. Plus, hear about the funding shortfall to conserve biodiversity, a leading science journal's retraction of a study on glyphosate safety, a new regenerative agriculture pilot, and more. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" wherever you consume your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Abigail Darwin of Wholesome Wave Georgia talks about the reality behind food assistance and where to budget for it comes from. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower: Instagram Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Carrot Cashflow Farm Small Farm Smart Farm Small Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast The Urban Farmer Podcast The Rookie Farmer Podcast In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books: Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureCalifornia is destroying their gasoline market, they want the state to own it, socialism. Oil prices are dropping, gas prices are dropping soon gas will be close to $1. Trump is reversing the [CB] illusion, jobs are being returned to the private sector. All in preparation to go back to the Constitution. The [DS] will continue to push back and try to delay everything Trump is trying to do. The House is prepared to make his EO into law, this will protect the country into the future. Trump had the real Generals stand behind him, these are the individuals that will protect the Republic from the [DS]. Trump is undoing decades of corruption, exposing the [DS] treasonous crimes, they will fight to hide their treasonous acts but this will fail. In the end the Military is the only way. Economy (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/US_OGA/status/2000639453866651711?s=20 https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2000951982874636662?s=20 https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2000628845918265518?s=20 https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2000925538131829101?s=20 https://twitter.com/RealEJAntoni/status/2000925018281402525?s=20 https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2000952081012940948?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2000966123274068007?s=20 https://twitter.com/RealEJAntoni/status/2000936248370717073?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2000922549060858200?s=20 $2,000 per household, depending on the number of workers.” “[The economy] is gonna start lifting off in Q1 and Q2.” This is HUGE! Political/Rights https://twitter.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status/2000701268806062358?s=20 https://twitter.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status/2000713713423196652?s=20 https://twitter.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status/2000766725231665257?s=20 https://twitter.com/KnightsTempOrg/status/2000645606964933100?s=20 WEIRD? Police Publish and Quickly Delete Photos of Rob Reiner's Son Being Cuffed for Slaughtering Parents, Give No Explanation Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of liberal activist and famed director Rob Reiner, has been arrested and charged with the brutal murder of his parents. The LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division published dramatic photos of Nick's handcuffed arrest on Instagram on Monday, but quickly deleted them without explanation. Rob Reiner, 78, known for classics like The Princess Bride, Spinal Tap, and When Harry Met Sally, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon. The New York Post reports: Nick Reiner, whose face is blurred out, is seen being forced to the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back, according to one photo. Another snap showed law enforcement pushing the suspect against the front of a squad car. In the caption, the unit only identified the man as “a double homicide suspect.” The arrest was made by US Marshals with the assistance of the LAPD's robbery homicide division, according to the post. An LAPD spokesperson declined to comment when asked why the force's gang and narcotics unit deleted the arrest photo shortly after it was published. The since-deleted photos: Nick, who has long battled severe drug addiction starting in his teens, co-wrote and starred in the 2016 semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, directed by his father, which chronicled a young man's struggles with substance abuse and rehab. Insiders report that Nick “really resented” his father and “hated himself for not being as successful,” amid ongoing family tensions. The night before the murders, Rob and Nick reportedly got into a “very loud argument” at Conan O'Brien's Christmas party, loud enough for other guests to notice. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/nypost/status/2000870292227260695?s=20 https://twitter.com/barrycunningham/status/2000736216354853228?s=20 lists are…well you know. TAKE A LISTEN https://twitter.com/RealSLokhova/status/2000919590449394156?s=20 Real Texas Conservative The tragic deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele on December 14, 2025, have cast a somber shadow over Hollywood, prompting reflections on legacy, loss, and the lingering scars of political division. In response, President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post on December 15, 2025 – framing their passing through the lens of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) – has ignited controversy. Yet, when examined against the backdrop of Reiner’s decade-long barrage of vitriolic rhetoric against Trump, the statement emerges not as callous, but as an appropriate blend of pointed satire, genuine sympathy, and a timely concern for mental health. This piece builds an ironclad case for its fittingness, rooted in factual history, psychological insight, and legal precedent. To understand the appropriateness of Trump’s words, one must first confront the unyielding hostility Reiner directed at him since 2015. Reiner, celebrated for directing classics like “This Is Spinal Tap” and “The Princess Bride,” transformed into one of Trump’s most vocal detractors after his presidential candidacy. In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Reiner labeled Trump a “con man” and “dangerous,” warning he would erode democratic norms. This escalated over the years. By 2018, Reiner tweeted comparisons of Trump to Hitler, accusing him of fostering fascism and white supremacy. His 2024 documentary “God & Country” explicitly tied Trump’s influence to Christian nationalism, portraying it as a threat to American democracy. Reiner’s social media feed became a relentless stream of attacks, calling Trump a “pathological liar,” “sociopath,” and “existential danger” in posts that amassed millions of views. Even in 2025, shortly before his death, Reiner urged boycotts of Trump-related events, framing his re-election as apocalyptic. These were not isolated jabs but a sustained campaign, often personal and inflammatory, that Reiner himself admitted stemmed from deep-seated outrage. This history of antagonism, predominantly initiated by Reiner, sets the stage for why Trump’s response is not only defensible but proportionate. Far from escalating the feud posthumously, Trump’s post acknowledges Reiner’s talents – “a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star” – while attributing the tragedy to TDS, a “mind-crippling disease” fueled by “raging obsession.” This framing isn’t baseless invention; it’s grounded in credible psychological analysis. Critics have questioned the timing of Trump’s post, issued just a day after the tragedy, as potentially too raw or opportunistic. However, this immediacy is precisely what makes it authentic and effective, aligning with Trump’s longstanding style of direct, unfiltered leadership in a 24/7 news cycle where narratives solidify within hours. Historical precedents abound; consider how President Lincoln addressed critics’ deaths or political losses with prompt wit during the Civil War, using fresh moments to foster national introspection and prevent distorted legacies. Similarly, Trump’s swift response cuts through emerging media spin – already framing Reiner solely as a heroic anti-Trump voice – by injecting balance and psychological truth right when public discourse peaks. Delaying would risk seeming calculated or detached, whereas this timing underscores sincerity, especially paired with the post’s sympathetic close. In essence, it’s not haste but strategic candor, transforming grief into a teachable moment on division’s dangers before emotions calcify. Transitioning from personal history to broader insight, TDS has been recognized by mental health experts as a manifestation of intense political polarization leading to real psychological strain. Psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow, in analyses shared on platforms like the Mark Simone Show, described TDS as rooted in “mass hysteria,” where individuals project anxieties onto a political figure, resulting in paranoia, chronic stress, and potential health declines. Research in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology supports this, linking partisan hatred to elevated cortisol levels, anxiety disorders, and weakened well-being. Trump’s reference to TDS isn’t mockery; it’s a diagnostic observation, highlighting how Reiner’s fixation – evident in his own words – might have contributed to personal tolls, especially amid reports of familial strife surrounding the deaths. By raising this, Trump shifts the narrative from vendetta to vigilance, urging awareness of how ideological obsessions erode lives. Moreover, the post’s satirical edge aligns with a storied tradition of political commentary, making it intellectually apt rather than insensitive. Trump employs hyperbole – “driving people CRAZY” amid America’s “Golden Age” – to underscore the irony of Reiner’s paranoia against tangible achievements like record economic growth, Middle East peace accords, and energy independence during his administration. This mirrors Jonathan Swift’s exaggerated proposals in “A Modest Proposal” or Abraham Lincoln’s witty rebukes of critics, using humor to expose societal flaws without literal malice. Legally, such expression is shielded by the First Amendment; the Supreme Court’s ruling in Hustler Magazine v. Falwell affirms that satirical opinions about public figures, absent provable falsehoods, are protected speech. Trump’s “reportedly due to” phrasing acknowledges speculation, ensuring it remains opinion, not defamation. What elevates the statement to appropriateness is its undercurrent of grace amid past unkindnesses, including Trump’s rare direct engagement with Reiner pre-tragedy despite the instigations. The post concludes with “May Rob and Michele rest in peace!” This isn’t perfunctory; it’s a sincere extension of sympathy, humanizing both parties and transcending the feud while modeling reciprocity in an era of unrelenting acrimony. Trump’s words match rhetoric’s intensity yet cap it with compassion and a mental health caveat, turning potential gloating into a nudge toward understanding division’s toll. In conclusion, Trump’s response is ironclad in its fittingness because it reciprocates a decade of Reiner’s attacks with measured satire, validates psychological realities, and prioritizes sympathy over score-settling. It doesn’t diminish the tragedy but illuminates division’s costs, encouraging reflection. Postscript: While the author is not an attorney or mental health practitioner, his nearly two decades as a seasoned content writer and editor have honed expert research skills, enabling rigorous analysis grounded in verifiable facts and legal precedents. https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/2000931274744324237?s=20 https://twitter.com/AlecLace/status/2000700955457630718?s=20 https://twitter.com/KurtSchlichter/status/2000694706054029700?s=20 reason for it. Sadly, past experience, teaches us that the most likely reason for the lack of transparency is that the answers are not going to support the left-wing agenda of the local Rhode Island Democrats. I could be wrong. But if I was wrong, I have a nagging suspicion. I would've had answers to those questions already. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of this man. Trump blames Brown, not FBI, for delay in finding shooting suspect President Trump blamed Brown University for the delay in locating the suspect in the fatal mass shooting on the school's campus in Rhode Island on Saturday. “You'd really have to ask the school a little bit more about that because this was a school problem,” Trump said when asked on Monday if FBI Director Kash Patel has told him why it's been difficult for the FBI to identify the suspected shooter. “They had their own guards. They had their own police. They had their own everything, but you'd have to ask that question really to the school, not to the FBI. We came in after the fact, and the FBI will do a good job, but they came in after the fact,” he said. Source: thehill.com War/Peace https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2000694318512652750?s=20 JUST IN: US OBLITERATES 3 More Venezuelan Drug Boats Just Hours After President Trump Designates Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction United States Southern Command on Monday announced that Joint Task Force Southern Spear took out three narcotrafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific. A total of eight “narco-terrorists” were killed in the strikes. “Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking,” US SOUTHCOM said. Video from the strikes shows massive explosions on each boat, turning them into burning piles of rubble. https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2000756230252314901?s=20 Source: thegatewaypundit.com Trump: Syria is a key part of peace efforts in the Middle East Washington, Dec. 16 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump described the developments in Syria this year as “remarkable,” highlighting that the United States is committed to ensuring lasting peace in the Middle East, with Syria playing an essential role in that peace. Source: sana.sy 1306 Q !xowAT4Z3VQ ID: e7b971 No.1248119 Apr 30 2018 10:51:06 (EST) Define the terms of the Iran nuclear deal. Does the agreement define & confine cease & desist ‘PRO' to the republic of Iran? What if Iran created a classified ‘satellite' Nuclear facility in Northern Syria? What if the program never ceased? What other bad actors are possibly involved? Did the U.S. know? Where did the cash payments go? How many planes delivered? Did all planes land in same location? Where did the U1 material end up? Is this material traceable? Yes. Define cover. What if U1 material ended up in Syria? What would be the primary purpose? SUM OF ALL FEARS. In the movie, where did the material come from? What country? What would happen if Russia or another foreign state supplied Uranium to Iran/Syria? WAR. What does U1 provide? Define cover. Why did we strike Syria? Why did we really strike Syria? Define cover. Patriots in control. Q British Intelligence Head Says Prepare for War Against Russia The newly appointed head of MI6, Blaise Metreweli, formerly known by her position as “Q”, is literally the granddaughter of factual Ukraine Nazi, Constantine Dobrowolski. Now, as head of MI6 Metreweli wants war with Russia. In a rather remarkable speech to the British people, Blaise Metreweli proclaimed Europe is in “the space between peace and war,” with a direct military conflict with Russia looming as the biggest threat. Metreweli declared, “Our world is being actively remade, with profound implications for national and international security.” Source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2000898313579561365?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2000896186413441184?s=20 have already been filed. The World Bank estimates the total at $524 billion over the next decade – triple Ukraine’s 2024 GDP. Zelensky: “It’s not enough to force Russia into a deal. It’s not enough to make it stop killing. We must make Russia accept that there are rules in the world.” Mechanism: Register of Damage (created 2023): collects claims from individuals, companies, and the Ukrainian state. Claims Commission: reviews, validates, and awards compensation case-by-case. Categories: sexual violence, child deportations, infrastructure destruction, religious sites bombed. Funding plan: Frozen Russian assets held by the EU, supplemented by member contributions. Dutch FM David van Weel: “The goal is to have validated claims that will ultimately be paid by Russia.” Enforcement? Still being worked out. Complication: Trump's team floated amnesty for war crimes as part of a peace deal – makes prosecuting the very individuals being billed impossible. Next steps: Convention takes force after 25 nations ratify it (if funds secured). Russia calls frozen-assets proposal “illegal,” denies war crimes, threatens retaliation. Reality check: This is post-WWII-style reparations applied to an ongoing conflict. The $524B estimate covers through 2024 only – 2025's escalated attacks on utilities, transport, and civilians already make the number outdated. https://twitter.com/AwakenedOutlaw/status/2000626884145754206?s=20 breaking out. Their position is legitimately insane. Sadly, what’s clear is that the European leadership is comprised of war-mongering, bloodthirsty psychopaths. The idiom, “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” comes to mind. Only in this case, it’s not a sarcastic observation. ______ EU Globalists Threaten to Dump $2.34 Trillion in U.S. Debt to Stop Trump's Ukraine Peace Deal JUST IN: Senate Advances $900 BILLION Defense Spending Bill with Military Aid to Ukraine Senate advances $900 billion defense spending bill The US Senate on Monday voted to end the filibuster and advance the National Defense Authorization Act to a final vote. The bipartisan vote, 76-20, invoked cloture on the bill, bringing it one step closer to final passage, which could still take days. Still, some lawmakers seek to amend the bill further, which would then require House passage before landing on the President's desk. Burchett: Big vote tonight was the NDAA, National Defense Authorization Act, and it was $900.6 billion. There’s money in there for, of course, Ukraine, $800 million total, and some other things, money in there for recognizing an Indian tribe out of North Carolina— has nothing to do with national security— Syria, money, Iraq. But we just got to quit this stuff. Somebody's, America’s got to start paying attention. Trump didn’t even ask for that. You’ve got the war pimps that push for this stuff. And they always will tell you, Oh, it’s, “Burchett, man, they’re gonna spend all that money here buying those missiles.” You know, is that what we’re basing our votes on is they’re going to buy implements to kill other people on? I’m all for getting rid of our enemies, but this is just too much, way too much, and things are just not what they appear. We need to wake up. I voted no. Over 100 Democrats voted to pass this. That ought to tell you right there what this is about. Got some liberal stuff tucked in there, and it’s over 3000 pages. We get it on Sunday, and we’re voting on it today. There’s no way, no way, we will ever know what was in there, and just— anyway, frustrated, we’ll keep fighting. Thank y’all for sending me here. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2000775317577744797?s=20 commands down to 8. Under the plan expected to be presented to Secretary Hegseth this week: U.S. Central Command, European Command, and Africa Command would be downgraded and placed under a new “U.S. International Command.” U.S. Southern Command and Northern Command would merge into “U.S. Americas Command” (Americom), reflecting the administration’s shift toward Western Hemisphere operations. The remaining commands: Indo-Pacific, Cyber, Special Operations, Space, Strategic, and Transportation. A senior defense official on the urgency: “Time ain’t on our side, man. The saying here is, ‘If not us, who, and if not now, when?'” The plan aligns with Trump’s national security strategy declaring that “the days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over.” Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel expressed concern: “The world isn’t getting any less complicated. You want commands that have the capability of heading off problems before they become big problems.” Congress has required the Pentagon to submit a detailed blueprint before any changes can take effect. The Monroe Doctrine comes to CENTCOM. https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2000687672936030583?s=20 been done long ago, which is eradicate the cartels that are plaguing the Western hemisphere via drug/human trafficking. The cartels have gone unchecked for decades, while they murder millions of Americans and commit heinous crimes against humanity. Trump confirms that designating the cartels as a foreign terrorist organizations “is a big deal from a legal and military standpoint”. Trump is going to use the full force of the US MIL to shut this entire corrupt network down. The Dems/MSM, and the weaklings on the Right, are going to squeal and moan the entire way, but this must be done. Trump is going to neutralize this threat to the American People and do what past Presidents failed to do. Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2000857179142680769?s=20 been part of it. Her late father served as a colonel in the Somali army under dictator Siad Barre, whose regime carried out mass killings in the 1980s. That makes her backstory more complicated than she lets on. A resurfaced video shows a man resembling Omar's father discussing brutal tactics. There's no proof he committed war crimes, but some say he was close enough to know what was happening. Photos also show Omar's siblings with General Morgan – known as the “Butcher of Hargeisa” – and Omar herself at a 2022 event where Morgan was present. One relative even referred to him as “uncle.” Omar hasn't commented on the new findings, and her silence has led some to question how she can call for accountability abroad without addressing her own family's history. https://twitter.com/JamesRosenTV/status/2000723473182965780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2000723473182965780%7Ctwgr%5Eb493e83212e9c33013500c56069b3622c19b2e21%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Frusty-weiss%2F2025%2F12%2F16%2Fice-officials-rip-ilhan-omar-over-ridiculous-story-about-her-son-being-racially-profiled-n2197175 https://twitter.com/thestoicplumber/status/2000748048683815183?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2000742064959455252?s=20 U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro: D.C. Authorities Were Artificially Deflating Crime Stats With ‘Manipulated' Numbers https://twitter.com/USAttyPirro/status/2000637280789188855?s=20 into MPD's reported deflation of crime statistics. The need for accurate information to fight crime is essential. After a review of almost 6000 reports and the interview of over 50 witnesses, it is evident that a significant number of reports had been misclassified, making crime appear artificially lower than it was. The uncovering of these manipulated crime statistics makes clear that President Trump has reduced crime even more than originally thought, since crimes were actually higher than reported. His crime fighting efforts have delivered even more safety to the people of the District. The conduct here does not rise to the level of a criminal charge. However, it is up to MPD to take steps to internally address these underlying issues. Source: breitbart.com https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2000822708389745055?s=20 There is FEC data analysis that strongly suggests that Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Maggie Goodlander have been recipients of illegally laundered campaign funds. Kelly is currently under investigation. They’re all backed by Soros!! President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2000710555674325272?s=20 extremists after transitioning. https://twitter.com/george18kennedy/status/2000781888152129887?s=20 Staff of the Army (senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Army, member of the Joint Chiefs). – Admiral Daryl Caudle – Chief of Naval Operations (senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Navy, member of the Joint Chiefs). – General Eric M. Smith – Commandant of the Marine Corps (senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Marine Corps, member of the Joint Chiefs). – General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, USAF – Chief of Staff of the Air Force (senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Air Force, member of the Joint Chiefs). – General B. Chance Saltzman, USSF – Chief of Space Operations (senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Space Force, member of the Joint Chiefs). https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/2000668738203312188?s=20 TAKE A LISTEN https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2000725299420352640?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2000916623243300901?s=20 Something BETTER be done about this. https://twitter.com/RobLutherLawyer/status/2000697951295840722?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2000961090612813971?s=20 https://twitter.com/SusieWiles/status/2000943061627548148?s=20 story. I assume, after reading it, that this was done to paint an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative about the President and our team. The truth is the Trump White House has already accomplished more in eleven months than any other President has accomplished in eight years and that is due to the unmatched leadership and vision of President Trump, for whom I have been honored to work for the better part of a decade. None of this will stop our relentless pursuit of Making America Great Again! https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2000957946352820238?s=20 codification of the President’s executive orders.” “A very aggressive legislative agenda coming right out of the gates in January. We’re going to continue to work, for example, on health care to continue to bring costs down for the American people, to bring down the cost of living overall.” “He’s up to about 200 of those [orders], probably about 150 of them are codifiable by Congress and we’re working steadily through that list.” “You’re going to see us delivering for the American people while the effects of that giant piece of legislation that we did on July 4th, got signed on July 4th, comes into implementation.” “So much more, much more yet to do and the President and I talk about that almost every day and he’s excited about it and I am.” https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/2000685717497004167?s=20 to procedurally gum up the works behind the scenes. JD Vance Points Out the Consequence of the Senate “Blue Slip” Veto of Judicial Nominees It was passed by Congress on May 13, 1912, and ratified on April 8, 1913 The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution grants Congress the authority to impose and collect income taxes without the need to apportion them among the states or base them on census data. constitution.congress.gov It was passed by Congress on July 2, 1909, and ratified on February 3, 1913. all of this is an outcome of the 17th Amendment, which stopped the state legislatures from having control over their senators. Under the original constitutional framework, the Senate was designed to represent the interests of the state, as the Senators were appointed by state legislature, not popular votes. The Sea Island assembly destroyed this cornerstone when they triggered the 17th Amendment. Repeal the 17th Amendment, and just about everything in federal government changes. Machiavelli said, “It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones.” A prescient and oft repeated quote that is pertinent to the situation. When our founders created the system of government for our constitutional republic, they built in layers of protection from federal control over the lives of people in the states. Over time, those protections have been eroded as the federal bureaucracy has seized power. One of the biggest changes that led to the creation of the permanent political class was the 17th Amendment. Our founders created a system where Senators were appointed by the state legislatures. In this original system, the Senate was bound by obligation to look out for the best interests of their specific states. Under the ‘advise and consent‘ rules of Senate confirmation for executive branch appointments, the intent was to ensure the presidential appointee -who would now carry out regulatory activity- would not undermine the independent position of the states. .When the 17th Amendment (direct voting for Senators) took the place of state appointments, the perspective of ‘advise and consent' changed. The Senate was now in the position of ensuring the presidential appointee did not undermine the power of the permanent bureaucracy, which is the root of power for the upper-chamber. Senate committees, Homeland Security, Judiciary, Intelligence, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, etc. now consists of members who carry an imbalanced level of power within government. The Senate now controls who will be in charge of executive branch agencies like the DOJ, DHS, FBI, CIA, ODNI, DoD, State Dept and NSA, from the position of their own power and control in Washington DC. In essence, the 17th Amendment flipped the intent of the constitution from protecting the individual states to protecting the federal government. Seventeenth Amendment- “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.” (link) The biggest issue following the passage of the 17th Amendment became Senators who were no longer representing the interests of their state. Instead, they were representing the interests of the power elite groups who were helping them fund the mechanisms of their re-election efforts. A Senator only needs to run for re-election every six years. The 17th Amendment is the only amendment that changed the structure of the Congress, as it was written by the founders. Over time, the Senate chamber itself began using their advice and consent authority to control the executive and judicial branch. The origination of a nomination now holds the question: “Can this person pass the Senate confirmation process?” source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/j3669/status/2000683161273897213?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2000952036238746070?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2000671858417422538?s=20 is going to save the GOP, AGAIN. (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");
David Daoud reports on Hezbollah's regeneration in Lebanon, aided by Iranian funding and weapons. He criticizes the Lebanese government's inaction and the international community's appeasement strategy. Daoud argues that failing to disarm Hezbollah to avoid civil war only guarantees Lebanon's slow deterioration into a failed state. 1950