Podcasts about Gap

Don and Tom dive into a new Morningstar report showing that tactical allocation funds—those run by “smart” managers who actively shift investments—significantly underperformed simple buy-and-hold index portfolios. They unpack why doing nothing often wins, discuss investor behavior gaps, and revisit the power of staying the course. Listener questions follow on mortgage payoffs, TIAA advisory fees, and adjusting stock/bond splits in retirement. The episode wraps with Don revealing his personal creative project—his short story A Chance of Death on his LitReading podcast—and a teaser for his next story, Murder of Crows. 0:23 Morningstar headline: tactical allocation funds lose to “do-nothing” portfolios 1:45 What tactical allocation funds really are (a.k.a. expensive market timing) 2:52 Morningstar urges investors to “stay the course” 3:04 Revisiting “Mind the Gap” and why investors underperform their own funds 4:28 Data comparison: $10k in tactical vs. passive portfolio over 10 years 5:31 Why professionals can't beat buy-and-hold investors 6:51 Human behavior, arrogance, and the illusion of market-timing skill 8:37 The need for a written plan and risk-based portfolio 9:58 If you have a plan, market noise stops mattering 10:22 Tangent: WWII documentaries vs. Taylor Swift's Miss Americana 11:21 Listener question #1 – Paying off a low-rate mortgage vs. investing 13:35 Math and emotion collide: cheap money, liquidity, and peace of mind 15:35 Listener question #2 – TIAA Wealth Management fees and fiduciary standards 18:31 Reading TIAA's ADV: possible fees up to 2% on small accounts 20:08 Comparing local RIAs vs. large institutions 21:08 Clarifying blended fees and fund costs 21:47 Listener question #3 – Vanguard advisor suggesting 60/40 allocation 22:53 Risk tolerance vs. risk need – the real balance 24:05 Investment Policy Statements and Vanguard's advisory limitations 25:46 Call for more listener questions and upcoming Q&A shows 26:15 Don plugs Lit Reading and his new original story “A Chance of Death” 28:24 How AI collaboration shaped the story's creation 30:59 Discussion of his next story, “Murder of Crows” 32:17 Invitation for audience feedback on Lit Reading stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Bryce Robinson, Regional Vice President at Agewell Solvere Living, comes to the table to explore the critical role regional leaders play in senior living communities. Bryce shares his career journey, insights on managing multiple communities, and how he bridges the gap between corporate strategy and frontline teams. Also, hear advice for young aspiring industry leaders who are seeking more opportunities. Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Produced by Solinity Marketing.Become a sponsor of the Bridge the Gap Network.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTokMeet the Hosts:Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. Joshua Crisp, Founder and CEO, Solinity; Senior Living Development, Management, Marketing and Consulting.

In this episode, we talk to Jim Massey. He is the best-selling author of Trust in Action and the soon-to-be-released Risk in Action. He's also the founder of Eastward, a company rethinking how organizations see and act on risk. A former Chief Sustainability Officer at AstraZeneca and Zai Lab, Jim has spent his career helping leaders turn trust, ethics, and innovation into impact.During this episode Jim shares how he's advised boards, led bold ESG agendas, and built simple models that cut through the noise so leaders can act. Outside of work, he's a traveller, a dad, and co-author of the Amazon #1 bestseller GeoKids. Jim's all about turning big talk into bold action.Timestamps to relevant points within the episode, use this format:[00:00]- Introduction to Sustainability and Business Ethics[03:05]- The Journey into Sustainability[06:11]- Trust and Human Behavior in ESG[09:14]- Navigating Certifications and Transparency[12:07]- Focusing on Sustainable Development Goals[17:57]- Innovation as a Catalyst for Change[24:43]- Navigating the Land of Next: AI and Innovation[31:43]- The Path to Net Zero: Understanding Emissions[36:10]- Transformational Leadership: Bridging the Gap[41:09]- Risk, Trust, and Fear: A New Framework for ActionWhere can people find our guest?LinkedInWebsiteBookKey Takeaways:Businesses must move beyond box ticking to create real impact.Trust and ethics are essential for sustainable business practices.Transparency is more valuable than certifications in building trust.Focusing on specific Sustainable Development Goals can drive meaningful change.Innovation should be viewed as a catalyst for sustainable practices.Human behavior plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of ESG initiatives.Risk should be seen as an opportunity for growth and change.Companies need to address core issues rather than just the fringe parts.The journey to sustainability often requires a shift in mindset.Building trust involves doing what you say you will do. AI is advancing faster than regulations can keep up.Participation in AI contributes to its advancement.Risk should be seen as an invitation to innovate.Companies often have outdated policies on AI.The fear of job loss due to AI is prevalent.Transformational leadership is essential for change.Focus on scope one and two emissions for net zero.Transparency in corporate goals is crucial.Action is necessary to address climate change.Understanding and addressing fear can lead to progress.

The miniature painting hobby certainly has its fair share of tools, gadgets and gizmo's but do any of them have any other uses than what they were designed for?In episode 120 of Paint Perspective, we're here to shed the light on some secret uses for common hobby tools you've certainly got at your desk and explain why you might just be using them WRONG! Expect insights into:

TWiV reviews experiments to understand infection, pathogenesis, and transmission of avian H5N1 influenza virus in goats, and identification of a cellular receptor for tick-borne encephalitis virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Public trust in science (Nature) Culling of H5N1 ostriches in Canada (Science) H5N1 in goats (Cell Rep) Receptor for tick-borne encephalitis virus (Nature) Letters read on TWiV 1259 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – Astronomers find clues suggesting Planet Y Alan – A tower of worms wriggles like a single organism Vincent – The EPA Is Ending Greenhouse Gas Data Collection. Who Will Step Up to Fill the Gap? Listener Picks Jay – Who Killed the Electric Car Douglas – Measles and Polio Down in the Schoolyard – Marsh Family parody Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Dr. Alan Kurschner critiqued a key pretribulation argument, explaining that the Bible teaches that God works with Israel and the Church during the ‘Gap' and the Seventy Weeks of Daniel.         Please consider giving monthly: https://www.alankurschner.com/partner/  

Dr. Alan Kurschner critiqued a key pretribulation argument, explaining that the Bible teaches that God works with Israel and the Church during the ‘Gap' and the Seventy Weeks of Daniel.         Please consider giving monthly: Become an Eschatos Partner by Giving Monthly     The post God Works With Israel and the Church During the ‘Gap' AND the Seventy Weeks of Daniel appeared first on ESCHATOS MINISTRIES.

Before Bill Harrigan became a Rugby League Hall of Fame referee, he was standing between suicidal people and death. Before he controlled State of Origin brawls, he survived Molotov cocktails at Mount Panorama. This is the conversation that reveals the man behind the whistle.In this raw and emotional episode, Bill shares stories he rarely tells - from the 24-hour suicide negotiation at The Gap, to the hardest door knock of his police career, to being hoisted on shoulders by 4,500 Papua New Guineans who thought they were going to kill him moments earlier.We cover the Mount Panorama biker riots, the Mario Fenech incident that's haunted him for decades, why Ian Roberts had the best right hook in rugby league, and how a teacher forcing him to get a referee's ticket for $40 changed Australian sport forever.Bill breaks down on mic talking about telling families their loved one jumped in front of a train. He explains why 99% of people threatening suicide don't actually want to die. And he reveals how sitting on a ledge and talking about South Sydney saved a man's life.This isn't sanitized. This isn't corporate. This is Bill Harrigan unfiltered.Topics Covered:NSW Police Tactical Response Group experiencesSuicide negotiation techniques that actually workThe biggest fights in NRL historyHow fate and $40 led to a Hall of Fame careerPapua New Guinea's passionate rugby league cultureThe birth of Oztag and 200,000+ players worldwideMental health, trauma, and finding purposeResources Mentioned:Crisis Support:Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636Gotcha4Life: https://www.gotcha4life.org/Family of League: https://familyofleague.com.au/Connect with Bill:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bill.harrigan.92LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-harrigan-a2933273/Oztag: https://oztag.com.au/ao/Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, violence, and police trauma. Listener discretion advised.Guest: Bill Harrigan - Rugby League Hall of Fame Referee, Former NSW Police Officer (Tactical Response Group, Special Weapons and Operations Squad, Crisis Negotiator), Oztag Co-FounderCategories: Sports, True Crime, Mental Health, Australian Culture, Rugby LeagueTags: Bill Harrigan, NRL, Rugby League, Police Stories, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, State of Origin, Oztag, Australian Legends, Crisis NegotiationP.S. If you're one of the people Bill talked down - from Castle Road Street, The Gap, or Sydney Harbour Bridge - we'd love to hear from you. Let Bill know how you're doing.

Nearly two years after the failed referendum saw a First Nations voice to parliament shot down, some NGOs and state governments have been taking the initiative to follow the wishes of the majority of Indigenous communities in Australia who voted for this special representation. Australia's principal non-government organisation for public health, the Public Health Association of Australia, has announced they will be instituting an Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander voice to help guide their work after a near unanimous vote by their members. SBS spoke to Dr Summer May Finlay, a Yorta Yorta woman, an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong and the Vice President (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) of the Public Health Association about the importance of a First Nations voice in helping to Close the Gap on healthcare outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

Summary: In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson and John DiJulius discuss the six key areas that separate good companies from iconic brands. They explore the importance of physical experience, atmosphere, ease of doing business, technical excellence, operational details, and hospitality in creating customer evangelists. The conversation emphasizes the need for companies to excel in all areas to build brand loyalty and provide a seamless customer experience. John shares insights on how to audit these components and the significance of training employees in hospitality to enhance customer interactions. Takeways: To create customer evangelists, excel in six key areas. Physical experience often gets overlooked until it's a problem. Atmosphere can transform emotional connections to brands. Ease of doing business is crucial for customer satisfaction. Technical excellence should be a differentiator, not just a requirement. Operational details are often invisible but impactful. Hospitality is about how you make customers feel valued. Training for hospitality is often undervalued in organizations. Regular audits of customer experience components are essential. Improving one area can lead to quick wins in customer loyalty. Chapters: 00:00Introduction to Customer Experience Excellence 01:28The Six Key Areas of Customer Experience 04:13The Importance of Physical Experience 05:55Creating Atmosphere: The Emotional Connection 10:55Functional Ease: Making Business Simple 12:06Technical Excellence: Beyond Competence 13:39Operational Details: The Invisible Backbone 17:23The Role of Hospitality in Customer Experience 21:45Training for Hospitality: Bridging the Gap 24:49The Interconnectedness of the Six Components 30:17Auditing Customer Experience 32:19Quick Wins for Customer Loyalty 34:50Creating Customer Evangelists: The Challenge   This episode is sponsored by The Customer Experience Executive Academy.  Learn more here   Links: Fin.ai/csrevolution  Learn more about how Fin, the #1 customer service agent! Ask John!  Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode:  tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ Interview Questions: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/resources/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors:  tdg.click/claudia Books:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Blogs on Above and Beyond Culture: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/category/above-beyond-culture/ Contacts:  Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

May businesses have a complaint button in their website, and the Better Business Bureau keeps pretty busy. Well today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley continues his verse by verse study in the Book of Acts. In chapter five, we see some complaining about the message being delivered by the Apostles. 

Mass timber is everywhere in today's conversations about sustainable construction. But is it the silver bullet that many claim it to be? In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Todd Weyandt talks with Varun Kohli, Director of Sustainability at Corgan, about the real impact of mass timber and the future of sustainable design. Varun shares insights from Corgan's groundbreaking research on embodied carbon and their new Mass Timber Carbon Calculator, which challenges assumptions about net-zero claims and highlights the hidden emissions in forestry practices.  CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS Why it's critical to ask deeper questions about sourcing and forestry practices How embodied carbon calculations are evolving in architecture and construction The role of hybrid solutions, adaptive reuse, and low-carbon alternatives beyond timber Why modular building could be the next big leap in sustainable construction If you care about the future of building design, sustainability, and carbon accountability, this episode is packed with takeaways that will reshape how you think about construction materials. MEET OUR GUEST Varun Kohli is Principal – Director of Sustainability at Corgan. A fierce advocate for environmental and social sustainability, Varun creates and implements integrated design processes for significant projects globally. His meticulous approach purposefully dissolves the boundaries between built, human, and natural ecosystems. As the Director of Sustainability at Corgan, Varun provides firm-wide leadership on climate and sustainability topics. With a focus on integrating environmental sensitivities in design, Varun collaborates with Yale Center for Ecosystems + Architecture (CEA) researchers on novel pedagogical models for environmental design and has taught courses at Harvard GSD and RPI (CASE).  TODD TAKES No Silver Bullets Mass Timber is exciting, but it's not a cure-all. We need to view it as one option in a broader toolkit of sustainable materials and strategies. The “Yes, And” Approach Sustainability isn't about choosing one perfect solution. It's about combining methods, technologies, and ideas to create better outcomes together. Stay Curious The biggest breakthroughs come when we keep asking deeper questions. Where does this material come from, what's its impact, and how can we make it better?   Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd's LinkedIn   Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn   Other Relevant Links: Varun's LinkedIn Corgan  

AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠ is a new podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠. Two autistics, very different, yet aligned on many values. Join their conversation by tuning in to hear their viewpoints on topics from DIR® to professional sports, food, and pop culture to neurodivergent relationships and more!Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠⁠Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and hello00:37 Introduction to our guest, Khylil Robinson01:35 First topic: Dealing with awkward situations02:48 Turrell's dating mixer and football game07:35 Meet-up experiences and Khylil's audio hyposensitivity15:58 Driving and loud music20:05 Board games, arcade games, bowling alleys, night clubs and socializing29:25 10 Pillars of Autistic culture from the Autistic Culture Podcast29:52 Food!39:07 Ausome Ambassadors48:38 Canada Fun Facts!Links/Resources (not endorsements; no commission was received for any of these links):Khylil's organizationKhylil on the WE CHOSE PLAY podcast:Part 1: Taking that Step on the Red CarpetPart 2: Bridging the Gap in UnderstandingHiki neurodivergent dating appBattleship gameJenga Neurodivergent therapist Zoe DarazsdiSad and Boujie Party - PhiladelphiaMigo's song Bad and BoujieBoat where "Sad and Boujie" event was held: Moshulu Khylil's Driving BlogLoops Ear PlugsKing of Hearts gameDance, water, dance!Sexy Nerds eventsTattooed Mom Philadelphia barThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time storyWind-up flipping frogsDum Dum Pops10 pillars of Autistic cultureBuddakan restaurant in PhiladelphiaAusome Ambassadors in PhiladelphiaNext Ausome Ambassadors offering through Drexel University Autism InstituteNiagara Falls, Ontario, CanadaTurrell's book* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Post Analog Disorder⁠⁠⁠ for the intro/outro music permission

Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley will draw out some important lessons from the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. In Acts chapter five, Ananias And Sapphira sell some property just to get some accolades. What they receive is the judgment of God. It makes us wonder if they were really Christians at all. 

Alex Boone and Phil Mackey -- with Jeremiah Sirles joining from the last day of his hunting trip -- play Meet in the A Gap! Fringe NFL playoff contender edition. 00:00 - Jeremiah joins to gloat about his New York Giants and Jaxson Dart! 09:00 - Meet in the A Gap: New England Patriots or Denver Broncos as playoff contenders 15:00 - Meet in the A Gap: Seattle Seahawks or Atlanta Falcons as playoff contenders 24:00 - Meet in the A Gap: Robert Saleh or Liam Coen in a Bloodsport-like fight? 29:00 - To eliminate ties in the NFL, would you rather see a FG contest or a physical fight between two coaches to decide a winner? 33:00 - Tyreek Hill's knee injury was gross, which leads Alex to tell the story of his own gross knee injurySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every year you have the choice to either stay where you are or step into the next level of your business. Too often, we hold back out of fear, fear of raising prices, fear of not being “ready,” or fear that the luxury market is only for someone else. The truth is, those fears are what keep you stuck.In this episode, we sit down with Jaila, a wedding filmmaker who decided to stop letting fear call the shots. She shares how rebranding, shifting her mindset, and stepping into the Luxury Mastermind transformed her bookings, her confidence, and her revenue. Her story is proof that when you align your brand with the market you want to serve, opportunities start showing up in ways you never expected.If you've ever questioned whether you're capable of breaking into luxury or building a more profitable business, Jaila's journey will inspire you to see what's possible.And if you're ready to take the next step, join us for our free two-day training, Your Most Profitable Year Yet. We'll walk you through the exact strategies you need to raise your prices with confidence and make 2026 your best year in business.

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas welcome Jaime Ojeda of Eldermark, and Shawn Lane of LivTech for a conversation about the evolving role of technology in senior living. They share why communities don't just need technology, they need trusted partners who listen, build collaboratively, and stay committed long-term. Plus, a 30-year legacy of innovation at Eldermark is merging with LivTech's vision of real-time healthcare transformation across residential, physician, home health, and hospice settings.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Produced by Solinity Marketing.Become a sponsor of the Bridge the Gap Network.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTokMeet the Hosts:Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. Joshua Crisp, Founder and CEO, Solinity; Senior Living Development, Management, Marketing and Consulting.

In this episode, Lisa, Dr. Gangelhoff, Dr. Alaina, and Melissa discuss:Shifts in the music industry and its evolving futureEducational pathways for aspiring musiciansBuilding independence, resilience, and clarity for young creativesFamily roles and perspectives in supporting artistic career choicesKey Takeaways: Parents' fears often stem from only imagining extremes—either starving artists or Grammy winners—yet most successful musicians build stable, thriving lives between those two points.Gap years can be powerful when structured with clear goals and intentionality, but they risk becoming wasted time if the expectations of the student and their parent aren't aligned.Modern musicians must learn to independently create, release, network, and generate income streams before labels or gatekeepers will take notice.Many college music programs lag behind industry realities, leaving students to seek entrepreneurial, production, and tech skills elsewhere to stay competitive. “The thing that is always going to be in demand is creativity, interpretation, and emotion, and AI can't replace all of that, and artists have all of those things.” – Dr. Christine Gangelhoff“Sometimes the parents' reason for thinking about a gap year, or the child's reason for bringing it up, may not be aligned, and that's when you get that messy kind of wasted year.” – Dr. Alaina Johnson“The more we train our young adults and our young musicians to be entrepreneurial, creative problem solvers, the better they will be in this ever-changing industry.” – Melissa MulliganAbout our Guests:Dr. Christine Gangelhoff Website: https://mysoundpath.com/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/christine-gangelhoff-4b89b324Dr. Alaina JohnsonWebsite: https://parentingtalent.com/Melissa MulliganWebsite: https://www.mastermindroad.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-mulligan-3ab018142/Episode References:How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-HaimsGet Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingcoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley will draw out some important lessons from the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. In Acts chapter five, Ananias And Sapphira sell some property just to get some accolades. What they receive is the judgment of God. It makes us wonder if they were really Christians at all. 

Simon Greer, a Jewish leader, social entrepreneur, and founder of Bridging the Gap, and Saad Soliman, a Muslim entrepreneur and justice reform advocate, could be enemies. A generation ago, members of their families were trying to kill each other in the Six-Day war. Simon's uncles fought for Israel in 1967, while Saad's uncles died fighting for Egypt in that same war. And yet, after meeting at a justice event for formerly incarcerated individuals, Simon and Saad made a choice to work together to build bridges among religious and cultural divisions surrounding the Middle East conflicts. On today's episode, Tim speaks with Simon and Saad about the work of bridge-building, perspective-taking, and how to work together to build enough shared humanity to live together and thrive while honoring differences.Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Join Tom Fox as he welcomes back Evie Wentink back to the FCPA Compliance Report. Evie shares her journey from a compliance professional to an innovator in the field, discussing her unique approach to compliance training and the role of middle managers. With nearly two decades of experience, Evie has transformed her career by leveraging social media to create engaging content that inspires compliance professionals worldwide. Discover how Evie's innovative strategies are reshaping the compliance landscape and learn about her new venture, Ethical Edge Experts LLC. Key takeaways: –

In this week's podcast, we dive into why so many investors underperform the very funds they invest in. Drawing on Morningstar's Mind the Gap 2025 research, we explore how “magpie behaviour” — chasing shiny new investments, panicking in downturns, or tinkering too much — quietly erodes long-term wealth. The evidence is clear: bad behaviour can cost over 1% per year, compounding into massive losses over time. But the gap isn't inevitable. This episode shares practical steps to help you capture more of the returns you deserve — and avoid being the magpie. Key Points Morningstar “Mind the Gap 2025” shows investors lose ~1.2% per year due to poor timing and bad behaviour. Chasing shiny investments (like tech, AI, or thematic funds) often backfires. ETFs and bond funds show wider performance gaps due to frequent trading. Behaviour matters more than markets or fees — discipline drives long-term returns. Five ways to close the gap: Automate contributions, rebalancing, and withdrawals Work with an advisor to stay disciplined Focus on low-cost, globally diversified core holdings Keep “fun money” small if dabbling in niche funds Build a margin of safety into your financial plan Disclaimer

The post Filling the Gap appeared first on Faith Community United Methodist Church - Xenia, OH.

Want to start your own AI side hustle? Get our crash course here: https://clickhubspot.com/tyg The global AI spending spree continues with Chinese companies like Alibaba doubling down on infrastructure investments, while American retailers like GAP and Macy's are betting on AI to boost sales through better consumer targeting. All this while Google's new Mixboard feature threatens Pinterest's core business. We're covering all that and more in this week's AI update. Plus: Starbucks is restructuring and Parento changes parental leave for small companies. Join our hosts Jon Weigell and Maria Gharib as they take you through our most interesting stories of the day. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehustle.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehustledaily/ Wanna watch this episode on YouTube? https://lnk.to/oxsURDRS Thank You For Listening to The Hustle Daily Show. Don't forget to hit subscribe or follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you never miss an episode! If you want this news delivered to your inbox, join millions of others and sign up for The Hustle Daily newsletter, here: https://thehustle.co/email/  If you are a fan of the show be sure to leave us a 5-Star Review, and share your favorite episodes with your friends, clients, and colleagues. The Hustle Daily Show is a part of Hubspot Media, produced by Darren Clarke, edited by Robert Hartwig with help from Alfred Schulz.

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Anna Stokke, mathematician, professor at the University of Winnipeg, and host of the Chalk and Talk podcast. Together they explore the so-called “math wars,” the persistence of flawed research claims, and the crucial role of strong foundations in mathematics education. Anna shares her advocacy work, from challenging myths about times tables and timed tests to championing explicit teaching, fluency, and teacher training. The conversation ranges from the importance of number facts and algorithms to the cultural acceptance of “I'm not good at maths,” making for a lively and passionate discussion about how to ensure more students experience success and enjoyment in mathematics.Dr. Anna Stokke is mathematics professor at the University of Winnipeg. She is an active advocate for strong math education for Canadian children, who volunteers in many different capacities to help children improve their math skills. Anna runs a non-profit organization, Archimedes Math Schools, devoted to helping kids with math, and previously co-founded a math advocacy group, WISE Math. Additionally, she has given around 200 media interviews and written numerous articles on math education. Anna served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Winnipeg, from 2017 to 2022. Find out more about Anna at https://www.annastokke.com/Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teacherhead⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emma Turner FCCT is a school improvement advisor, education consultant, trainer and author. She has almost three decades of primary teaching, headship and leadership experience across the sector, working and leading in both MATs and LAs. She works nationally and internationally on school improvement including at single school level and at scale. She has a particular interest in research informed practice in the primary phase, early career development, and CPD design. Follow Emma on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emma_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠ and ⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/

We play Mind the Gap, talk about leaving things at the end of the driveway, and more!

We play Mind the Gap, talk about leaving things at the end of the driveway, and more!

Episode 73: "BECOMING Refreshed: Your Invitation to Deeper Waters with Amy Allgood" Episode Description Are you feeling weary from the constant pace and pull of life? In this powerful episode, host Cherisse Hixson sits down with mentor, coach, and entrepreneur Amy Allgood to explore what it means to move from spiritual "shallow waters" into the deeper, more abundant life God has for us. Amy shares her journey from being a "selfish Christian" focused on what God could do for her, to discovering the transformative power of asking "What can I do for You, God?" This conversation is a gentle invitation for women who are ready to step beyond surface-level faith into authentic spiritual refreshment, rest, and renewal in Jesus. Meet Amy Allgood Amy is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and entrepreneur who has addressed audiences of over 12,000 women. As a National Sales Director with Mary Kay and leader of women's biblical small groups for nine years, Amy is passionate about helping women discover their unique gifts and calling. She's a wife to Will, mom to three children (ages 12, 10, and 9), and lives in sunny Shalimar, Florida. When she's not mentoring women, you'll find her enjoying good food with friends, "SPA-ING" (her favorite hobby), or traveling to one of the 15+ countries she's visited. Key Takeaways & Timestamps Moving from Head to Heart (17:29) The transformative power of fasting as a spiritual discipline Amy shares miraculous stories from her community's fasting experiences How to fast as a beginner: giving up something you love to gain closeness with God From Shallow to Deep Waters (09:07) Signs you might be living in the "shallow end" spiritually The difference between checking spiritual boxes vs. truly knowing God Moving from "What can You do for me?" to "What can I do for You?" The Martha vs. Mary Balance (12:46) Why women leaders often struggle with the "doing" vs. "being" tension Understanding that if it's not God's calling, there will be no eternal fruit Breaking free from society's "busy badge of honor" mentality Bold Obedience and Sabbath Rest (28:30) Amy's conversation with her Olympic-hopeful daughter about resting on the seventh day Why God's commands aren't suggestions but pathways to blessing The courage required to please God rather than people Standing in the Gap (30:45) God's call for bold believers in this season Personal stories of stepping into God's assignments The blessing of being someone God can count on Scripture Themes Explored Mary and Martha - The balance between doing and being with Jesus Sabbath Rest - God's design for restoration and renewal Standing in the Gap - Being available for God's assignments The Potter and Clay - Surrendering to God's shaping in our lives Practical Application Three Ways to Move Deeper This Week: Try Fasting - Give up something you love (like sugar or social media) to focus on drawing closer to God Practice Listening Prayer - Instead of bringing God your list, sit quietly and ask "What do You want to show me today?" Embrace Sabbath - Take one day to truly rest and reflect, trusting God with your productivity Upcoming Opportunities Refresh Retreat - October 4th (Virtual/Hybrid) Join Amy for her annual "Refresh" retreat, now available virtually for the first time! This year's theme is "Moldable" - being in the Potter's hands. For just $29, you can participate from anywhere or gather friends to host a hub in your home. Register online at www.amyallgood.com  Fall Book Club Amy's community will be reading "Blessed Are the Spiraling" by Levi Lesko this October - perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life's unexpected turns. More info on Amy's website www.amyallgood.com  Connect with Amy Website: www.amyallgood.com Register for Refresh Retreat 2026 HYBRID on Saturday Oct 4th at www.amyallgood.com Follow for updates on masterminds, mentorship programs, and community events Reflection Questions Are you living in the "shallow end" of your faith, or are you ready to go deeper? What would change if you shifted from asking "God, what can You do for me?" to "God, what can I do for You?" Where is God calling you to bold obedience in this season? How can you create more space for listening prayer in your daily rhythm? Quote to Ponder "Be around people who are going to celebrate you and not tolerate you. Early in life we try to please people, we try to impress people, and it's exhausting and it's a waste of time and energy." - Amy Allgood Prayer Father, thank You for pursuing us even when we're content to stay in shallow waters. Give us courage to go deeper with You, to listen more than we speak, and to step boldly into the assignments You have for us. Help us find true refreshment in Your presence and rest in Your perfect love. In Jesus' name, Amen. Subscribe & Share: If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe and share with a friend who needs to hear about God's refreshing love. 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Welcome to Indulgence Gospel After Dark!We are Corinne Fay and Virginia Sole-Smith. These episodes are usually just for our Extra Butter membership tier — but today we're releasing this one to the whole list. So enjoy! (And if you love it, go paid so you don't miss the next one!) Episode 212 TranscriptCorinneToday is a family meeting episode. We're catching up on summer breaks, back to school, and a whole bunch of diet culture news stories that we've been wanting to discuss with you all.VirginiaWe're also remembering how to make a podcast, because we haven't recorded together in like six weeks. And it didn't start off great. But I think we're ready to go now.CorinneSomeone definitely said, “What day is it?”VirginiaIt's hard coming out of summer mode. I don't know if you feel that because you don't have kids, during back to school, but it is a culture shift.CorinneI don't think I feel the back to school thing as much, but I'm still in Maine, and it's actively fall. It's actively getting cold, and I'm just like, what is happening? I feel this pressure to do something, but I'm not sure what? Hibernate?Virginia“Should I buy a notebook? Should I be wearing fleece? I could go either way.” I don't know. It's weird. It is the start of fall. So we are moving into fall mindset. But like, don't rush me, you know? The dahlias bloom till first frost. That's my summer.CorinneSummer is so brief.VirginiaI'm having a lot of clothing feelings right now. I am not in a good place getting dressed, and it is for sure weather related, shoulder season-related. I'm in my annual conundrum of when do the Birkenstocks go away? When must our toes be covered for polite society? Am I showing arms? I just I don't even know how to get dressed. I hate all my clothes. Everything's terrible.CorinneI think this is part of what I'm feeling. I don't have enough warm clothes and I also don't want to buy another pair of sweatpants.VirginiaAnd you're traveling. So you're like, “I have warm clothes at home.” Didn't bring them because you didn't understand, even though you grew up in Maine and should remember that fall starts quite early there.CorinneI need to get it tattooed on my body. Bring a sweater, bring sweatpants.VirginiaWell, to be fair for this Maine trip, you were really focused on your sister's wedding. You had your nephew. You've had a lot going on.CorinneI was very focused on August, and really not thinking about September.VirginiaWill we even exist after? I mean, that's how it always is when you're gearing up for a big event, the post-event doesn't exist.And I don't know if you do the thing where you're like, well, I can deal with that after the big event. And then suddenly it's after the big event. You're like, well, now there's 47 things I need to deal with.CorinneI absolutely do that. Now I'm like, wait. How and when do I get back to New Mexico? Am I going back to New Mexico ever? In which case maybe I do need to buy sweatpants?VirginiaIt's so hard. Even without a wedding —I feel like all summer, because I have pretty skeleton childcare and I'm wanting to take time off, and it's a privilege that our job allows some flexibility like that, so when I get requests to, like, do a podcast, do a special thing. I'm like, “Talk to me in September. I can't do it this summer. Summer mode Virginia can't do anything extra!” And now I've just spent the week saying no to lots of things, because September me can't do it either. That was folly. I should have just said no the first time!That's one of those life lessons I'm always relearning that's really funny. If it's not an instant yes, it's a no. And I so often fall into the trap of it's not an instant yes, so let me kick that can down the curb a little bit, and then then I feel ruder because they come back and I'm like, no, I'm sorry. Actually, we were never going to do that.CorinneAs someone who's been on the other side of that where, like, I'll reach out to someone for the Style Questionnaire, and they'll be like, “Oh, can you ask me in two months?” And then when I reach out in two months, and they're like, “No.”VirginiaTotally. I'm on the other side of it all the time when we're booking podcast guests. So I'm completely aware of how shitty it feels. So I have a resolution. Summer Virginia just has to say no to things and not push it to Fall Virginia. Everyone hold me accountable next summer, because I'm so sorry to everybody I've said no to this week, but September is a real intense parenting month. There are just a lot of moving parts.I get 62 emails a day from the school. The middle school just announced back to school night will be tomorrow. They told us yesterday! One cool thing is, my older kid is in seventh grade now, so I no longer have to scramble for babysitters, which is a real achievement unlocked. Although she's going to realize at some point that she should increase her rates with me.CorinneOh, you pay her!VirginiaFor stuff where I'm going to be out of the house and need her to put her sister to bed. It's one thing, if I'm like, “I'm going to the store, you guys don't want to come.” Fine. You can doodle around at home. And it's not even really babysitting. She's going to ignore her the whole time. But I'm going to be out from 6 to 8pm tomorrow night. I need her to actually make sure her younger sibling gets in pajamas and brushes teeth and, moves towards bed. I'm not expecting them to be in bed when I get home, but I would like them to not be nowhere close.CorinneThat's really sweet.VirginiaPlus we have some big stuff in the works for both Burnt Toast and Big Undies, which we cannot discuss just yet. Yes, I am actively teasing it for you all.CorinneYou're going to bring that up now?! I feel like we should mention it at the end.VirginiaI think we can mention it whenever we feel like? I think they're probably like, “Why are they both doing reader surveys? What's going on?” And we can't say yet, but there's something going on, and it's also requiring a lot of our time and attention.CorinneWe're really busy. But I think it's going to be really good, and everyone's going to love it.VirginiaIn the meantime, though: What are we wearing? Real talk, what are we wearing to get through this weird it's not summer, it's not fall, it's some hybrid state. Are you still wearing open toed shoes? Sandals?CorinneNo, I'm not.VirginiaOkay. Should I stop, too?CorinneI mean, I'm only not because I'm cold. It depends on if you're cold. I also think now is kind of the perfect time for socks with sandals.VirginiaMost of my sandals are something between my toes style. CorinneOh, I was thinking, like, socks with Birkenstocks.VirginiaAh! I do have some of the two strap Birkenstocks, and I don't tend to wear them a lot in summer. Maybe I should experiment!CorinneI feel like, when you wear socks with the two strap Birkenstocks, they become really cozy.VirginiaI don't wear them a lot in summer because I don't have particularly wide feet, and they're a little wide on me. But the sock would solve for that! And they would be cozy… all right, I'm going to experiment with this, as part of my shoulder season style.CorinneI'm still figuring out my fall must haves, which is one of my favorite topics. Although I will say I feel like this year I've seen a lot of people posting like, “I don't want to hear about back to school, or I don't want to hear about fall fashion.”VirginiaI have terrible news for people about this podcast. CorinneI feel it's very light hearted. It could be literally anything like, who cares? We are entering fall, so…VirginiaTime is passing.CorinneI am getting cold. I do want to put on socks with my sandals and sweatshirts.VirginiaTrigger warning for anyone who is not available for a fall fashion conversation.CorinneMaybe by the time this comes out, people will be ready.I know this is like florals for spring, but I'm feeling for fall… brown pants.VirginiaWait, what? You're blowing my mind? You've been feeling brown for a little while. CorinneBrown has been ramping up. I'm wearing brown pants right now.VirginiaIs it one of your colors, as a true spring?CorinneWell, I do think there are definitely some camels. And I think brown is preferable to black. So I'm thinking brown pants instead of black pants.VirginiaOh, I don't even know what I'm thinking about pants. I'm thinking frustration with pants. I have my one pair of jeans that I reliably wear. I think I need to order another pair in case they stop making them. I'm at a scarcity mindset point with those Gap jeans. I mean, they aren't going to stop making them. They've had them for years, but I just feel like I need an insurance policy.CorinneDo you fit other Gap pants, or just the jeans?VirginiaI only buy that one pair of jeans. I mean, I generally try not to shop at the Gap because they do not have a plus size section.CorinneBut they do have some really cute stuff.VirginiaIt's gross though! Make it bigger.CorinneIf it fits you, maybe you should buy it.VirginiaCorinne is like, “Or counterpoint, don't take a stand.”CorinneI'm always sending links to my straight-size sister for stuff at the Gap that I think she should buy.VirginiaThey do have some really cute stuff, but it infuriates me that Old Navy can make plus sizes, and Gap cannot, and Banana Republic really cannot. It's just like, hello, class system, capitalism. It's so revolting.CorinneOh, my God. Do you know what else I'm feeling outraged about? I went thrift shopping here a couple weeks ago, and I found some vintage Land's End that was in sizes that they don't make anymore.VirginiaWow, that's rude.CorinneIt was a 4X! So they used to be way more 26/28 or 28/30. So they also, at some point, kind of cut back.VirginiaThey do, at least legitimately have a section called plus size, though.CorinneThey do, but it clearly used to be bigger.VirginiaNo, no, no. I'm not saying it's great. I am wearing my favorite joggers a lot, because I think I'm really resisting the shift back to hard pants.CorinneHow do you feel about trousers, like a pleated trouser kind of pant?VirginiaIs that comfortable for working from home? A pleated trouser?CorinneWell, I feel like they're comfortable because they're kind of baggy but narrower at the bottom, you know?VirginiaI do love a tapered ankle. I also unpaused my Nuuly. And I did get a blue corduroy pair of pants from them that it hasn't been quite cold enough to wear because shoulder seasons. Corduroy, to me is like a real like we are fully in cold weather fabric. And when it's 50 in the morning, but 75 by lunchtime, am I going to be hot in corduroys? I guess I should just start wearing them and see.CorinneAre they jeans style? VirginiaThey're slightly cropped so that's another reason to wear them now, while I can still have bare ankles. They're slightly cropped and slightly flared, and they're like a royal blue corduroy.They're Pilcro, which is an Anthropologie brand and I know we feel gross about Anthropologie. But when it comes to pants, I think Corinne is saying we can't have moral stances because pants are so hard to find. Other things, yes.CorinneIt's just hard.VirginiaI'm not excited about clothes right now. I want to feel more excited. Maybe I need to think about what my fall must haves are. Maybe I need to make a pin board or something.CorinneI think that's a good idea. Is there anything you're feeling excited about? I remember the last episode you were talking about those Imbodhi pants.VirginiaOh yeah. They've really become lounge around the house pants, and they're great, but they're very thin. Imbodhi feels like a brand you could not wear once it gets cold.Although, the jumpsuit I have from them in periwinkle—which does feel like a very summery color to me—I also got black. And over the summer it felt a little too black jumpsuit. It felt like too formal or something. But I've been enjoying it as a transition piece. I am still wearing it with sandals. I think it would look cute with maybe my Veja sneakers, though, and then layering over my denim shirt from Universal Standard, like open over it.I'm glad we're talking about this, because that's what I'm going to wear to back to school night tomorrow night, which is a high pressure dressing occasion.CorinneI can see that.VirginiaYou don't want to look like you tried too hard, but you also don't want to look like you came in pajamas. Lots of yoga moms, a lot of pressure. Okay, I'm going to wear that black jumpsuit. I'm glad we talked about that. That's been a good transition piece.CorinneYeah, okay, well, speaking of transitions, I want to ask you about something else. Are you familiar with the Bechdel Test?VirginiaYes.CorinneDon't you think we should have a Bechdel test for anti-fatness? And/or diets? Like, does this piece of culture have a fat character who's not the bad guy, or on a weight loss journey, or being bullied for their size?VirginiaOohhh… OK, so what would our terms be? They can't be the fat villain.CorinneWell, I feel like there's one list for anti fatness, and one would be a piece of culture or whatever that doesn't discuss dieting or weight loss. And I don't know if it should all be one under one Bechdel test umbrella, or if it should be two different tests.VirginiaI feel like it's related. Wait, I need to look up the actual Bechdel Test criteria.CorinneIt's like, does the movie have two female characters talking about something other than a man.VirginiaThe work must feature at least two women.They must talk to each other. And their conversation must be about something other than a man.I was just watching Your Friends and Neighbors, that new John Hamm show about super rich people stealing from each other, and it's very entertaining, but it fails the Bechdel test so dramatically. It's got Amanda Peet in it! She's so smart and funny, and all she does is talk about her ex husband and how much she loves him. And I'm just like, fail, fail, fail. Anyway, okay, I love this idea.CorinneSo it's like, does it have a fat character?VirginiaWait, I think it should have more than one fat character.CorinneThat bar is too high. I feel like we have to be able to name something that passes the test. And what are we calling the test? The Burnt Toast Test?VirginiaWe can workshop names in the comments.CorinneWe need a famous fat person to name it after, maybe.VirginiaWell, I guess Allison Bechdel named it after herself. So it could be the Fay test, because you did this. The Corinne Fay test.CorinneOh, God.So it has to have one fat character, they have to talk about something other than weight loss, and they can't be the villain.VirginiaI would like them not to be the sidekick, too. I think it's a central fat character.CorinneCan we name anything that passes?VirginiaShrill by Lindy West. And Too Much. Well, Lena Dunham doesn't totally pass the Bechdel Test, but she passes the fat test.CorinneSee, it gets very complicated. This is intersectionality!VirginiaWe strive for an intersectional world where the shows pass all the tests. This is such an interesting topic. I love this.CorinneI was also thinking about it because on my drive out, I read two of these Vera Stanhope mysteries. Have you read any of these?VirginiaI have not.CorinneThe main detective woman is fat, and I feel like it' mostly fine. Like, 90% of the time they're just talking about her, she's fat, and she's sloppy. She's a sloppy fat person. And then, like, occasionally, there'll be like, a sentence or two where I'm like, Ooh, I didn't like that.VirginiaIt's so deflating when you have something that's seeming good, and then it takes a turn on you real fast.CorinneSo would that pass the the fat Bechdel Test? Or whatever? Probably would.VirginiaBecause it's as good as we can get.CorinneShe's the main character and not talking about dieting, really.VirginiaYeah, wait, so where does it fall apart for you?CorinneI should have brought an example, but I feel like occasionally there will be narration about her, and it's suddenly like, “her body was disgusting,” you know? VirginiaOh God! I was thinking she maybe lumbered, or she sat heavily, or something. And you're like—CorinneYes. She sat heavily, that kind of thing. And I'm like, okay, sure.But occasionally there's just a twinge where I'm like, oh, you do kind of hate fat people.VirginiaI would then like that author to read Laura Lippman's work. Because Laura Lippman—regular Burnt Toasty! Hi, Laura!—has been doing such good work as a thin author to really work on her fat representation. And I just read Murder Takes a Vacation, which is one of Laura's most recent novels, and it's such a good read. Her protagonist, Mrs. Blossom, I believe was previously a side character in other novels who now has her own book. And the way she writes about body stuff in there is like… Laura's been doing the work. She's been really doing the work. It for sure, passes the Fay Fat Test.CorinneThat's awesome.VirginiaSo everyone check that out. And I would like Ann Cleeves to be reading Laura Lippman.Should we talk about airplanes? Are you in a safe space to talk about airplane feelings?CorinneSure. Yes.VirginiaCorinne was just quoted in The Washington Post, which is very exciting, alongside Tigress Osborne, friend of the show, Executive Director of NAAFA, about how Southwest Airlines is changing their passenger of size policy. Do you want to brief us on what's happening there?CorinneSo Southwest has had a policy in which a “customer of size,” meaning a person who doesn't fit between two plane arm rests, can book two seats and be refunded for the second seat. Or you could show up at the airport day of, and ask for two seats. And not have to pay up front and then be refunded.And in the past couple of months, this policy has somehow gotten really wobbly. I've heard all these anecdotal stories about people showing up at the airport and having Southwest tell them, “You're not going to be able to do this anymore.” Like, don't expect to show up and be able to book a second seat. You need to do it in advance. Blah, blah, blah.Now Southwest has come out and said they're changing the policy. They're also implementing assigned seating, which they didn't used to have. So going forward, you are going to have to book two seats in advance, and you will only be refunded if there are empty seats on the plane. Which, when are there ever empty seats?VirginiaThere are never empty seats on the plane? Never happens.I don't understand, because you needed two seats before, you still need two seats. So why does it matter whether there's an empty seat or not? My brain breaks trying to follow the logic.CorinneI think the logic says like they could have sold the second seat to someone else.VirginiaBut then they're not selling seats that work for people who are paying money to be there. Like, they're taking your money, but if you can't fit on the plane, then they just took your money. It's so shady,CorinneAnd people who don't need a whole seat don't pay less.VirginiaOver the age of two, your children do not get discounts for the fact that, they are using a third of a seat. You pay the same price for a child. CorinneYep. It's really sad, and it's making life harder and sadder for a lot of people.VirginiaI'm curious if another airline will step up on this. I think NAAFA has been doing a good job of making noise about this. I think people are putting pressure on them. It will be interesting if someone else realizes this is like a marketing opportunity.CorinneI think, they absolutely will not.VirginiaWell, I'm not naive enough to think someone would do it just because it's the right thing to do. But I'm hoping maybe one of Southwest's direct competitors would realize it's an opportunity.CorinneBut I think that Southwest previously was the that airline. I think they were using that to their advantage, and now I think they've just been like, “It's not worth it.” I think Alaska has the same policy where you can book two seats, and then if there is an empty seat, they'll refund it.VirginiaWell that's great because Alaska flies so many places, people need to go.CorinneWell, if you're in the if you're in the part of the country where I live, they do! But.VirginiaOh! That's good to know.CorinneI think they're more on a competition level with Southwest versus like United or something, right? I don't think United or Delta even has a customer of size policy.VirginiaThey've never cared.CorinneThere's no way to even book a second ticket for yourself, even if you want to just straight up pay for it.VirginiaIt leaves you the option of figuring out if you can afford business class to have a bigger seat. And that makes flying so much more expensive.CorinneRight? And it's also just like, does business class fit everyone? Probably not.VirginiaWell, we're mad about that, but I did, like seeing you in the Washington Post article saying smart things. So thank you. Thanks your advocacy.Let's see what else has been going on… The Guardian had this interesting piece, which I'm quoted in a little bit, by Andrea Javor. She's articulating something I've seen a few people starting to talk about, which is the experience of being on Ozempic and not losing weight from it.And I think this is an interesting kind of under the radar piece of the whole GLP1s discourse. Some folks are non-responders, whether because they stay on a lower dose by choice, and it improves their numbers, but they don't really lose weight, or some folks just don't really lose weight on it. Her piece really articulates her feelings of shame and failure that this thing that's supposed to be a silver bullet didn't work for her.CorinneWhen I started reading the piece, I was extremely confused, because the the author has diabetes, but type one diabetes, and these drugs don't help with type one diabetes. She eventually goes on it, just for weight loss. So what it didn't work for was weight loss, And I think it actually may have ended up helping with her, like A1C, and stuff. I agree that it does a good job of looking at the feelings that come along with that. And I do think, this does happen, and it's not being talked about as as much as it's happening probably.VirginiaIt feels important to highlight it in this moment where we have Serena Williams talking, about her husband's telehealth company and promoting her use of GLP1s. And we had a great chat on Substack chat about the whole Serena Williams of it all. So I won't rehash that whole discourse here. I also think that's a conversation where I want to hear from Black women. Chrissy King wrote an incredible piece. I also really appreciated the conversation that Sam Sanders, Zach Stafford and Saeed Jones had on Vibe Check about it. So, I don't need to get into Serena's personal choices. But it does mean, we have another huge, very admired celebrity pushing into the conversation again to say, “This is this magic trick. This is the thing I was always looking for. It finally worked for me” And we are all vulnerable to that messaging. So it's important to read stories like this one and understand oh, it really doesn't actually work for everybody. Setting aside whether we think people should be pursuing weight loss, this isn't necessarily going to be guaranteed, amazing results. CorinneAnother interesting article that I thought maybe would want to mention is the the one in The Cut about ARFID.VirginiaThis was a great cover story in New York Magazine. The headline is The Monster at the Dinner Table, and it's basically just encapsulating that ARFID has really been on the rise in recent years, and I think a lot of that is just because now we know what it is and we can diagnose it.But it did include a pretty interesting discussion of what causes kids to lose the instinct to eat, what things get in the way of it. Like, it can be trauma, it can be a feature of autism. It can be a choking experience, all sorts of different things.CorinneARFID is one of those conditions that I feel like I barely knew about before TikTok, and then I've just seen so much stuff about it on Tiktok.VirginiaIt only became a diagnosis in 2013, so it's very, very new. My kiddo would have been diagnosed with it, if it was more fully in the vernacular at that point, but it wasn't. So we were just told it was a “pediatric feeding disorder” type of thing. But it was very vague.I think it's great it's getting more attention. Both for kids and adults. It can be such a source of anxiety and shame for parents. It is so much work. It is very difficult, and it's harder than it should be because of diet culture, because of all the pressure put on parents to feed our kids certain ways. The backlash against ultraprocessed foods is really not helping anyone navigate ARFID. I can't underscore that enough, really not helping. No one needs to feel shame about your kid living on chicken nuggets or frozen burritos or whatever it is.CorinneThe amount of stigma against people who eat certain ways is nuts.VirginiaIt's nuts and it's sad.CorinneYeah it's socially isolating.VirginiaIt is harder to share, right? It's very socially isolating, and it's sad for the people around them. Anytime you're navigating eating together with someone with food restrictions, it does create barriers and extra work and more you have to navigate.But if we didn't have that layer of stigma over it, where it's like, it's probably the mom's fault, if only they like more whole foods at home, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Like, if we didn't have all of that, you could focus just on the logistics are hard enough. You don't need the shame.So many sad topics. Airlines are terrible. Virginia doesn't have any clothes to wear. ARFID is sad. Do we have anything to bring it up?CorinneWell, our exciting news? VirginiaOh, right! We are working on some very fun things.It is exciting to think about new directions that Burnt Toast and Big Undies are going in. So stay tuned. Don't worry, it's not a reality TV show.ButterVirginiaOkay, my Butter is adjacent to the wardrobe frustration conversation. Which is: I have started cutting the collars off a lot of my shirts.To back up: Last month, I'm on vacation in Cape Cod with my sister, and she comes down looking extremely cute. She's wearing a graphic tee tucked into a long maxi skirt. And I was like, “This whole thing is delightful. What's happening here?” And she was like, “Well, this shirt was actually too small for me, but I realized if I just cut the collar off it, it opened up the neck enough that then the shirt, the whole shirt fit better.” And she could still wear this cute shirt. And she said she got the idea from watching Somebody Somewhere, because Bridgett Everett cuts the collars off all her shirts.CorinneOh yes! That was my signature look when I was 18. A Hanes T-shirt with the collar cut off.VirginiaI'm dressing like 18-year-old Corinne, and I'm here for it! But I've realized, frequently a place that something doesn't fit me is my neck. I've talked about feelings about chins and necks. I have many complicated feelings about chins and necks. This is one place where my fatness sits. So the shirt might otherwise fit okay, but it doesn't fit my neck, and then it feels tight and it's a miserable feeling. So at the end of our trip, I wanted to buy a Cape Cod sweatshirt, because there were some really cute sweatshirts. But they were not size inclusive. So I was like, can I make this extra large work? And it was a little small, but I cut the collar off, and now it's okay.And then I did it with my old Harris Walz T-shirt from the election. It was a cute stripe. I just really liked the stripe. And I was like, Oh, I could still wear this if I get the collar off it. And a couple other things. I've just been, like, cutting collars off shirts that are uncomfortable. I'm into it!CorinneI think that's a great Butter. I'm into any kind of clothes modification that will make you wear stuff that you wouldn't otherwise wear.VirginiaIt was a good solution for a couple of things in my closet that I did like, but I was not reaching for. And now I'll use them again. And the key I figured out, because I experimented with a couple ways to cut it, is really just cut right along the seam of the sewed on collar. You might think that's going to not open it up enough, but it will stretch once you start wearing it. you could always cut more if you needed to, but that seems to have done it for me.CorinneOkay, well, I want to recommend a recipe, and I feel like I possibly mentioned this before. I'm staying with my mom, and we've been making this recipe from the New York Times called stuffed zucchini, and it's a really good recipe for if you have a surplus of zucchini, which a lot of people do this time of year. You kind of scoop out the middle of a zucchini and then mix some of that together with, like, sausage, tomatoes, basil, and then put it back in the zucchini and bake it with, like, some crispy breadcrumbs, and it's so good. I can literally, eat a whole zucchini in one sitting. Highly recommend.VirginiaThat sounds amazing. All right. Well, that makes me a little more excited about the season.CorinneYeah, it is a very good time of year for eating. We should have talked more about food maybe?VirginiaThat is a good point. Our tomatoes in the garden are going gangbusters. I've made some great sauces. I'm having a lot of cheese and tomato sandwiches. toasted and not toasted. Delightful.Well, this was a good family meeting catch up. I think we've covered a lot of ground. I'm excited to hear what folks are feeling about their dressing issues, and airlines, all the stuff we got into today.The Burnt Toast Podcast is produced and hosted by Virginia Sole-Smith (follow me on Instagram) and Corinne Fay, who runs @SellTradePlus, and Big Undies—subscribe for 20% off!The Burnt Toast logo is by Deanna Lowe.Our theme music is by Farideh.Tommy Harron is our audio engineer.Thanks for listening and for supporting anti-diet, body liberation journalism!. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiasolesmith.substack.com/subscribe

We play Mind the Gap, talk about leaving things at the end of the driveway, and more!

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.Welcome back to another episode of Venture Unlocked, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the business of venture capital.In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mercedes Bent about her fascinating journey from a tech-driven upbringing to becoming a leading venture capitalist. We discussed how her unique background informs her investment philosophy and the importance of originality and non-consensus thinking in today's VC landscape. Our conversation also covered the challenges and opportunities in consumer technology, the transformative impact of AI, and strategies for portfolio construction. One of my key takeaways was the critical role of intuition in identifying exceptional founders, as well as the value of building compounding networks and staying ahead of platform shifts. It was an insightful discussion that offered practical lessons for anyone interested in the future of venture capital. We hope you enjoy the conversation.Thanks for listening to another episode of Venture Unlocked. We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Mercedes. If you'd like to get Venture Unlocked content straight to your inbox, go to ventureunlocked.substack.com and sign up, or go to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and subscribe. Thanks again for listeningAbout Mercedes BentMercedes Bent is a Venture Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners and Co-Founder of venture firm Premise. At Lightspeed, she focused on early-stage investments in consumer, fintech, multicultural markets, and Latin America. She began her career at the Federal Reserve and Goldman Sachs before moving into the education technology sector with General Assembly. At General Assembly, she helped expand one of the company's key product lines from $2M to $100M in revenue over four years. She joined Lightspeed in 2019 after developing a strong investment perspective in areas such as edtech, VR, and multicultural consumer products. At Lightspeed, she has invested in and worked with companies including Stori, Honeylove, Forage, Magic Eden, Outschool, and Flink. She has also been recognized in industry publications for her contributions to venture capital and efforts to broaden access to entrepreneurship.Lightspeed Venture Partners, founded in 2000, is a global venture capital firm managing over $25 billion in assets with offices across the U.S., Europe, Israel, India, and Southeast Asia. The firm invests from seed to growth stage across enterprise, consumer, fintech, healthcare, and emerging tech. Over the years, Lightspeed has backed more than 500 companies, including Snap, MuleSoft, Affirm, Carta, and Anthropic, and has been part of notable exits like AppDynamics and Nest. With a strong record of helping founders scale and succeed, Lightspeed is recognized as a leading partner for building category-defining companies.During the conversation, we discussed:* Mercedes's Background, Upbringing, and Early Career (1:45)* How Background Informed Firm Values/Culture (4:19)* The Gap in Consumer Technology Investing & Identifying Founders (8:40)* Non-Consensus Investing in Early Stage VC (10:01)* Startup Mentality and KPIs in Fund Management (15:06)* Sourcing vs. Winning Seed Deals – What Matters? (16:19)* Seed Manager vs. Large Fund Business Models (21:21)* Gifted TVPI vs. Earned TVPI, Portfolio Philosophy (26:22)* Consumer Sector's VC Downturn & New Tech Cycles (32:21)* The AI Consumer Technology Wave & Opportunity (35:33)* Identifying Product-Market Pull and Early Leading Indicators (37:08)* Shifts in Distribution Channels in AI (40:09)* Future-casting, Platform Shifts, and AI Companions (43:50)* Lessons from Years in VC & Trusting Intuition (44:27)* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (47:46)I'd love to know what you took away from this conversation with Mercedes. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #venture unlocked. If you'd like to be considered as a guest or have someone you'd like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on X. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

What does it take to turn a century-old family trade business into a modern, people-first brand? In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Todd Weyandt sits down with Christene Marie, founder of The Knowing Group, host of the Craft & Calling Podcast, and fourth-generation leader in her family's 100+ year business. Christene shares her journey of balancing legacy with innovation, why authentic communication is the ultimate business advantage, and how bravery fuels personal and professional transformation. From branding Amazon to scaling her family's company, she reveals how principles, values, and storytelling can shape a great legacy in construction. Tune in for a conversation that blends wisdom, legacy, and modern insights on building a construction career that lasts.

Season 4 Episode 71: The Gap and the Gain has a weird title but a message that will change the way you work, love your family and foster youth, and think about your identity. Join Kim Patton and her big brother Joe Carrel as they talk about the wisdom oozing out of this book. They cover how to: 1. Measure success backward2. Focus on what you have3. Live in the presentThis episode is part one of a two part conversation, so come back next time for the end of the interview. Joe Carrel is an artist, coach, pastor, adoptive and bio dad living in Rockford, Michigan. You can find his beautiful wooden wall art online at Etsy under JDECreations.Gap and Gain book on Amazon~If you enjoy this podcast, leave an honest review on Spotify or Apple. We value your feedback!Text this episode to a foster or adoptive family to encourage them as they care for vulnerable youth.Foster Mama Journal is here! More details on IG @Fostermamafriend and the website: www.kimpatton.com~Get to know the host:Kim Patton's book- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nothing Wasted: Struggling Well through Difficult Seasons⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is for those struggling through hard times. View the book in paperback, ebook, and audiobook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Books | Mysite (kimpatton.com)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dear Foster Mama letter on Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enter email address on Substack for free sample chapters and downloadable PDF called Mama Check-In:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Author Kim Patton | Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.kimpatton.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Author Kim Patton | Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Latest Stories on Her View from Home⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- listen to Book Therapy episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay in Touch with Author Kim Patton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get your first freebie!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goodreads ⁠⁠⁠Book reviews galore

This week on Warriors Unmasked, retired police officer, author, and national speaker Glen Williams opens up about the silent toll of PTSD. From leading others in uniform to quietly falling apart inside, Glen shares how he lost his marriage, isolated himself, and had to rebuild from the inside out. He spent three years alone in a cabin — and came back not only stronger, but more open, more honest, and more connected than ever before. Now a speaker and the author of Bridging the Gap, Glen shares his hard-won insights on communication, accountability, healing, and rebuilding relationships — at home and at work. Whether you're a first responder, a leader, or someone who's been pushing through instead of reaching out, this conversation is a reminder: you're not alone, and it's never too late to come back to yourself. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Glen Williams: Retired police officer, speaker, and author 03:10 – The hidden cost of untreated PTSD 06:30 – How shutting down destroyed his marriage 10:45 – What 3 years in solitude taught him about himself 14:15 – Learning to communicate without hiding 18:00 – Applying honesty and connection to leadership 22:40 – Why vulnerability creates stronger teams and relationships 26:15 – Glen's message to other first responders Chuck's Challenge: What part of Glen's journey spoke to you most? Reflect on where you're still holding back — and take one step this week to speak your truth.   Connect with Glen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-a9095b43/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glen.williams.3150 Website: https://www.gdubauthor.com/ Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

This week's episode marks the second edition  of "The Analysts" once again bringing together the sharpest minds in global retail. This time we welcome Sucharita Kodali, Vice President & Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, and Neil Saunders, Managing Director at GlobalData Retail for a lively, insight rich discussion about the future of retail.The episode kicks off with U.S. retail sales results from the NRF/CNBC Retail Monitor and the US Census Bureau, which showed surprisingly strong growth despite inflation, tariffs, and shaky consumer sentiment. Neil and Sucharita explain why inflation-adjusted numbers tell a more modest story, while digging into the growing disconnect between historically low consumer confidence and healthy sales. They highlight how wealth concentration and media filter bubbles distort the economic picture, making retail performance appear stronger or weaker depending on perspective."The Analysts" then turn to the state of mega-brand retail turnarounds. Neil delivers a tough assessment of Kohl's—calling it the “turnaround that never happened”—while offering cautious optimism on Macy's and Gap, which are showing small but real signs of progress. Sucharita points to structural weaknesses in department stores but also notes resilience in Walmart, Costco, and dollar stores. Together, they weigh how tariffs, operational missteps, and consumer shifts complicate recovery.Next up: AI in retail. Sucharita underscores that artificial intelligence isn't new—retailers have relied on it for years in pricing, supply chain, and labor planning. The novelty lies in generative AI and so-called “agentic AI,” which she characterizes as incremental rather than revolutionary thus far. The panel agrees that while these tools can deliver efficiency, they're unlikely to transform the top or bottom line soon—though Amazon's deep AI and automation investments continue to give it a strategic edge.Looking ahead, holiday forecasts are mixed. Deloitte predicts growth under 3.5%, while eMarketer forecasts just 1.2%. Neil and Sucharita expect more resilience driven by consumers' determination to celebrate. The panel also highlights Amazon's bold logistics move to fulfill orders for Walmart and Shein, underscoring its unmatched infrastructure advantage.The discussion closes with Steve, Michael, Neil and Sucharita each offering what's on their radar screen, including Saks Global's financial turbulence, macroeconomic signals like inflation and jobs data, and AI's potential labor impacts.  About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Want to double your ticket average without being pushy? Get access to real-time sales training, scripts, and role-play coaching inside the Blue Collar Closer community — join today before the next live Q&A drops: https://wastenoday.pro/BCC Join the Waste No Day! Facebook group: https://wastenoday.pro/FBgroup Dr. Benjamin Hardy is a renowned author recognized for his influential books on personal growth and business success. He has co-authored bestsellers such as Who Not How, The Gap and the Gain, and 10x Is Easier Than 2x. His latest work, The Science of Scaling, focuses on strategies for rapidly growing and expanding businesses beyond typical organic growth. In this episode, we talked about scaling, goals, strategy, leadership, and delegation...

From hospice nurse to Chief Nursing Officer, Erin Shadbolt, CEO of Ascension Living, discusses the importance of helping families understand the benefits of moving into senior living prior to a health need. Erin shares her unique journey from nurse and hospice caregiver to senior living executive, and the surprising lessons she's learned along the way.From bridging gaps in the healthcare continuum to reshaping the perception of senior living, Erin offers candid insights on why community living is a life-giving alternative to isolation.This episode was recorded at the NIC Fall Conference 2025Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Produced by Solinity Marketing.Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTok

What do Hot Wheels, Disney, Burton, and WWE have in common? They've all had Mark Michaylira driving their brand forward. With two decades of creative leadership behind some of the world's most beloved names, Mark knows how to make work that's not just bold and joyful but rooted in culture—and powerful enough to move business. What You'll Learn in This Episode - How to build authentic brands by starting with humanity and understanding your audience - Why taking creative risks—and even failing—can move brands forward - What it means to create joy and edge in storytelling across very different industries - How Friends Everywhere is rethinking the agency model with cultural insiders and seasoned creators - The role of AI as a creative tool and why transparency matters in its use Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:35) Starting with humanity in brand building (03:15) Lessons from Cracker Barrel and Gap missteps (05:55) Leading creative teams through swings and misses (09:30) Creating joy and edge across brands like Hot Wheels, Disney, Burton, and WWE (12:18) The Friends Everywhere model of cultural insiders and seasoned creators (16:38) The role of AI as a creative tool, not a replacement (22:12) Advice for emerging creatives (24:31) The brand that's made Mark smile About Mark Michaylira Mark Michaylira is Creative Director at Friends Everywhere, where he also leads agency growth for the independent partner to visionary teams building beloved brands. He previously led Global Brand Creative for Mattel's vehicle portfolio, including Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Disney Pixar Cars, overseeing disruptive, culture-driven campaigns for some of the world's biggest toy brands. Earlier in his career, he built creative for Burton Snowboards, Disney, WWE, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., and Levi's. With more than two decades of experience across creative direction, brand strategy, experience design, and integrated campaigns, Michaylira has shaped work that blends bold ideas with business impact. He is based in Long Beach, California. What Brand Has Made Mark Smile Recently? Mark shared Bug Assault, a quirky brand that sells salt-powered fly blasters. What made him smile wasn't just the product—it was how the brand solved a real problem with humor, storytelling, and an unexpected creative twist. Their branding struck the right balance of playful and educational, proving that even pest control can be memorable when approached with imagination. Resources & Links Connect with Mark on LinkedIn → Friends Everywhere website → Bug Assault website → Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After starting as a brick-and-mortar nail salon in Los Angeles in 2013, Olive & June closed up shop in 2020, with founder and CEO Sarah Gibson Tuttle pivoting her focus to DIY manis. By November 2024, Helen of Troy had acquired the brand for $225 million in cash and a $15 million earnout subject to performance over three years. Helen of Troy's beauty portfolio also includes Drybar, Curlsmith and Hot Tools, among others. But Gibson Tuttle was intent on remaining involved in her brand's operations — operating essentially as it did prior to the acquisition, but with greater support. Now, nearly a year post-acquisition, Gibson Tuttle joins the Glossy Beauty Podcast to discuss life after selling her brand, why an obsession with the customer can almost guarantee product success and how the nail category differs from other beauty categories. But first, co-hosts Sara Spruch-Feiner and Emily Jensen discuss industry news, including Sephora's announcement that it will launch its own affiliate platform, the recent acquisitions of Nudestix, Byoma and Cos Bar, and Gap's increased investment and new hires as it looks to grow its beauty offerings.

The Missing Piece 12 week program is ready and waiting for you! Sign up today!_________________________________________________________Too many entrepreneurs pivot too soon, out of boredom, discouragement, or because a launch feels hard. The truth is, most offers don't fail because they're bad. They fail because they weren't given enough time, consistency, or strategy.Whether you're a coach, consultant, done-for-you expert, VA, OBM, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will show you how to stop pivoting out of emotion and start making data-driven decisions that grow your business.You'll learn:Why pivoting without proof wastes momentumThe 3 data points you need to track before making changesHow to refine and repackage instead of starting overWhy objections are opportunities, not failuresThis is the real truth about building offers that last, especially for service providers ready to grow beyond stop-and-start cycles.__________________________________________________________

The latest retail sales data shows U.S. consumers are still spending it up, even in the face of higher tariff costs and a shaky labor market. Wealthier Americans are driving the trend, but a “culture of treats” might also play a role. Marketplace's Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain her theory. Plus, brands like Gap are pitching themselves to Gen Z by riffing on Y2K fashion. Are you onboard?Here's everything we talked about today:"Retail sales up 0.6% in August from July even as tariffs hurt jobs and lead to price hikes" from AP News"Top 10% of Earners Drive a Growing Share of US Consumer Spending" from Bloomberg "For some consumers, luxury is not a treat — it's a lifestyle" from Marketplace "Why are millennial brands trying to ride the Y2K trend?" from Marketplace"Why Gap's ‘Better In Denim' Ad Struck The Right Chord" from ForbesWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The latest retail sales data shows U.S. consumers are still spending it up, even in the face of higher tariff costs and a shaky labor market. Wealthier Americans are driving the trend, but a “culture of treats” might also play a role. Marketplace's Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain her theory. Plus, brands like Gap are pitching themselves to Gen Z by riffing on Y2K fashion. Are you onboard?Here's everything we talked about today:"Retail sales up 0.6% in August from July even as tariffs hurt jobs and lead to price hikes" from AP News"Top 10% of Earners Drive a Growing Share of US Consumer Spending" from Bloomberg "For some consumers, luxury is not a treat — it's a lifestyle" from Marketplace "Why are millennial brands trying to ride the Y2K trend?" from Marketplace"Why Gap's ‘Better In Denim' Ad Struck The Right Chord" from ForbesWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you a law firm owner looking for advice on filing taxes? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Jacqueline and Adam Williams, co-founders of Pennywise Tax Strategies, share their journey from traditional tax roles to building a firm focused on proactive, year-round tax planning for small businesses and law firms. Proactive tax planning for small businesses is so important and needs to be prioritized. Many small business owners react to their numbers and don't think ahead when it comes to taxes. Because of this, businesses are in a bad situation due to not knowing how to make the most of their money, where the money is going or how to proactively plan ahead. Jacqueline and Adam work to ensure small businesses are not left behind and succeed during this stressful time.Jacqueline and Adam speak to the errors small businesses make during tax season. One of the biggest issues is a lack of communication between the tax preparer and the business owner. Most times, business owners hand accountants everything and call it a day. Sometimes, the business owner doesn't want to fill out the questionnaire, which means the dots are not connected. Big things can be missed, which can lead to issues after filing. Transparency between both parties is extremely important.Listen in to learn more!03:21 Gap in Small Business Tax Planning 05:19 Trusted Advisor Model vs. Traditional Accounting 06:08 Proactive Tax Planning in Practice07:34 Monthly Client Check-ins and Accountability08:16 Common Mistakes by Law Firm Owners 09:36 Avoiding Numbers and Year-Round Tax Season 11:27 Regular Tax Planning Activities12:23 Understanding and Tracking Tax Liability Tune in to today's episode and checkout the full show notes here. Connect with Adam and Jackie:Website FacebookLinkedin  Instagram Resources:Join the Guild MembershipSubscribe to the Maximum Lawyer Youtube ChannelFollow us on InstagramJoin the Facebook GroupFollow the Facebook PageFollow us on LinkedIn

What do you say to someone who's just lost the love of their life? Is it better to stay quiet for fear of saying the wrong thing, or is silence actually the most painful response of all? In this deeply moving episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, Stacy Francis sits down with Amy Woody, Director of the Widows Program at Stand in the Gap - and a widow herself - to talk about what real support looks like. Amy opens up about her own journey of losing her husband suddenly at 36, raising her young daughter, and discovering her calling to help other widows. Together, they explore the words and actions that truly matter when someone's world has been turned upside down. You'll hear them discuss: Why saying something is always better than saying nothing, even if it's simply “I'm so sorry” The harm of avoiding the “elephant in the room” and how acknowledging loss brings comfort Practical, concrete ways to help - from mowing the lawn to dropping off paper goods - that make a real difference The importance of building trust early so that widows feel safe enough to ask for support when they need it most How sharing memories and stories honors loved ones and helps keep their presence alive Amy's life motto of using your hurt to help others and making beauty from ashes — and how it can change the way we face our own challenges Resources Amy Woody on the Stand In The Gap | Facebook | LinkedIn | Email: amyw@sitgm.org | Phone number: 405-476-0165 Stacy Francis on LinkedIn | X(Twitter) | Email FrancisFinancial.com Reach out to receive a complimentary consultation! Contact Francis Financial at +212-374-9008 or visit Francis Financial today!

You know that feeling when you should be celebrating—but instead, you're mentally already onto the next thing?You hit a milestone—moved into a new house, crushed a personal challenge, finished a retreat—and instead of basking in your badassery, your brain starts whispering: "Yeah, but what now?" or worse, "That wasn't enough."In this solo episode, I (Laurie) invite you into a mindset shift that high-achieving women in midlife desperately need: moving from the Gap (what you haven't done) to the Gain (how far you've already come).This one is personal. I share real-life examples from:My recent move (so many boxes, so many metaphorical mic drops)The brutal-but-beautiful 29029 TRAIL challengeA business retreat that almost sent me into a shame spiral—until someone reminded me of the badass things I'd already doneYou'll walk away with:The 4 key questions to help you catch when you're stuck in the GapA journaling prompt that will shift your whole damn weekHow to celebrate your wins without disclaimers (ahem—stop talking people out of complimenting your sweater)And why “starting from experience” beats “starting from scratch” every. single. time.If you're a high-achieving midlife woman who's secretly exhausted from always striving and never arriving—this episode is your permission slip to flip the script.

From fashion merchandising at Tommy Hilfiger and Gap to leading e-commerce at Lucky Brand, Tiana Ravden spent over two decades shaping how people experience style. But a personal challenge—ruined silk tops and sweat marks—sparked her entrepreneurial journey and led to the founding of Eroe.   In this episode, Tiana shares how she transformed a DIY solution into a patented product while juggling corporate roles, restaurant ownership, and motherhood. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and purpose. You'll hear how she navigated the complexities of product development, built a brand rooted in authenticity, and found support in unexpected places, including her identical twin sister.   Whether you're a founder or a dreamer, this episode is packed with insights on balancing vision with business realities, protecting your ideas, and building a brand that truly empowers. About Your Host DCA Virtual Business Support President, Denise Cagan, has been working with small businesses for over 20 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations such as Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC) and the National Association of Women Business Owners Charlotte (NAWBO). Denise is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs. Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys speaking to business groups about social media for small businesses and motivating remote and work-from-home (WFH) teams. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University. With extensive experience in outsourcing solutions that provide administrative, creative, marketing, and website support, she is able to help other small businesses grow and thrive. Connect with Denise DCA Virtual Business Support website. View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan. LinkedIn

Few platforms have changed culture as quickly—or as globally—as TikTok. Khartoon Weiss, VP and GM of North America and Global Business Solutions, is at the center of it, helping brands and businesses connect with audiences in ways that are creative, authentic, and impactful. From scaling Spotify to leading top agencies, she's built a career on turning bold ideas into cultural movements—and now she's shaping the future of TikTok. What You'll Learn in This Episode How TikTok has broken the traditional brand storytelling arc Why authenticity and “real production” outperform polish on the platform How content, commerce, and search converge on TikTok Why short form content can still drive loyalty and long-term brand love What brands like Chipotle, McDonald's, and Gap are doing right on TikTok Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:38) Why TikTok has changed brand building (02:12) Stewarding TikTok's brand and helping other brands grow (03:34) Unlearning traditional storytelling on TikTok (06:01) Authenticity over polish with examples from Chipotle and McDonald's (10:20) Content, commerce, and the rise of search on TikTok (14:04) Can short form content build brand loyalty (21:08) Brand safety, trust, and TikTok's uncertain future (24:48) Lessons from scaling brands at Spotify, agencies, and TikTok (27:09) The that made Khartoon smile recently About Khartoon Weiss Khartoon Weiss is the VP and GM of North America and Global Business Solutions at TikTok. She previously led global revenue at Spotify, served as Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director at MDC Partners and Mediacom North America, and was a VP at iHeartMedia. She began her career at BBDO, Ogilvy, and Grey Worldwide. Weiss has been recognized by Campaign's “40 Over 40,” AdAge's “40 Under 40,” and AdWeek's “Top 50.” She completed executive education at The Wharton School and lives in New York City with her husband and two rescued cats. What Brand Has Made Khartoon Smile Recently? Khartoon pointed to Gap as the brand making her smile lately. She praised the retailer for collaborating authentically with creators, staying true to its roots, and showing up on TikTok in ways that feel natural and culturally relevant. For her, Gap's bravery and creativity prove that when brands lean into community and culture authentically, audiences instantly recognize it—even without the logo. Resources & Links Connect with Khartoon on LinkedIn. Learn more about TikTok for Business. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Text us your questions!What happens when political labels lose their meaning? Dr. Laurie Johnson, political philosopher and president of the Maurin Academy, joins us to unpack the tangled roots of America's culture wars and explore pathways toward overcoming our divisions. We discuss her book The Gap in God's Country: A Longer View on Our Culture Wars.The conversation begins with a clarification of political terminology. Laurie explains how American understandings of "liberal" and "conservative" have drifted far from historical and global meanings, with both Democrats and Republicans representing different flavors of liberalism while "true" conservatism remains rare in American politics. This terminological confusion reflects a deeper problem: an increasingly narrow political imagination that limits our ability to envision alternatives.In Laurie's view, at the heart of our cultural divisions lies capitalism's continuous transformation of communities and human connections. She describes how economic changes have hollowed out rural areas, separated families, and created profound insecurity. When people feel economically adrift, they become susceptible to scapegoating others rather than recognizing systemic problems. This resentment fuels the political extremism we see today.We also explore potential remedies. Laurie suggests churches could play a crucial role in rebuilding community if they moved beyond superficial fellowship toward genuine cooperation. By creating structures that provide mutual benefit, such as shared childcare, elder support, or time banks, people might rediscover how community offers security that money can't buy.Though unflinching in her assessment of our challenges, Laurie maintains a tempered hope. Perhaps only through experiencing genuine hardship will we rediscover the value of community and cooperation. Her work offers an invitation to attempt this rediscovery before crisis forces our hand.*Note: This episode was recorded before the appalling assassination of Charlie Kirk.=====Want to support us?The best way is to subscribe to our Patreon. Annual memberships are available for a 10% discount.If you'd rather make a one-time donation, you can contribute through our PayPal. Other important info: Rate & review us on Apple & Spotify Follow us on social media at @PPWBPodcast Watch & comment on YouTube Email us at pastorandphilosopher@gmail.com Cheers!

Subscribe to Throwing Fits on Substack. Starfuckers Anonymous. This week, Jimmy and Larry are kicking off New York Fashion Week with new haircuts, the unceremonious return of some bad habits, cotton/silk blends, Gen Z's latest obsession with paper thin vintage tees, vintage GAP, Katseye rocks, bodega sandwiches, we briefly discuss the murder of Charlie Kirk, James had to become a new worst version of himself to make his US Open finals dreams come true even though Trump tried to foil them, a scene report from inside the Grey Goose box including all the celebs James attempted to win over like Stanley Tucci, Jon Hamm and Usher, Lawrence realized there actually might be a thing as too many A-listers at the J.Crew dinner and might've but probably not fat shamed by a Hollywood up-and-comer, giving our pal Noah Johnson his flowers as Highsnobiety releases their first magazine under his tenure as editor-in-chief, an old enemy of the pod is named the new creative director and president of J. Press so naturally we really get into it, Jeffrey Epstein's closet has hit the luxury resell market which isn't that shocking when you think about it and much more.

Paul was recently invited to be a guest preacher last month. He is no longer on staff at a church and does not preach regularly, but it's one of his favorite things to do when he gets invited back into the puplit!In today's episode, Paul preaches on Galatians 2:20: The Danger of a Gap in Your Gospel.If you want to listen to 150 archived sermons from his days as a preaching pastor, you can find those on our dedicated Paul Tripp Sermon Podcast. Just search Paul Tripp Sermon Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.