Podcasts about golden retrievers

[X] SB – Gad Saad on academic idiocy Bad ideas from universities. Intellectuals come up with some of the dumbest ideas. Have you ever met somebody who was really smart? And I mean REALLY smart. Not “I read a book once and now I'm going to ruin Thanksgiving” smart. I mean genuinely gifted. You say something, and they can spit out facts, figures, studies, dates, names, formulas. And they're not bragging. They just know it. Those people are fascinating. But then there's another kind of person. This is the guy who learned something yesterday and wants to impress you with it today. He gives you the thumbnail version of a subject, but presents it like he did his graduate dissertation on it. You ask one question, and suddenly you discover the man has never actually thought about the subject. He has merely encountered vocabulary. And folks, that brings me to the modern Left. Because one of the great misconceptions of our time is that Leftists are stupid. They're not necessarily stupid. Some of them are extraordinarily intelligent. I know people on the Left who are brilliant scientists, engineers, doctors, mathematicians, researchers. They can explain molecular biology to you while you're still trying to remember what a mitochondria does. But then you ask them about politics. And suddenly the intellectual horsepower disappears. It's like watching a Ferrari pull up to a gas station and discover the driver has no idea what gasoline is. How does that happen? Because intelligence in one discipline does not automatically transfer to every other discipline. You can be a brilliant physicist and have the political instincts of a Golden Retriever chasing a ceiling fan. And I think a major reason for this is academia. Because academia doesn't just teach people facts. It teaches them frameworks. It teaches them what questions are respectable, what conclusions are enlightened, what opinions are sophisticated, and which ideas are beneath consideration. Kevin Jackson has been called, the "white-collar" Joe Rogan. Given their similar backgrounds in TV, comedy, and martial arts, it's easy to see why people enjoy Kevin's show so much. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today - A Florida man released from the Cochise County Jail is searching for answers about the golden retriever he says was adopted while he was behind bars.Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Larkin, Partner & Practice Leader, Cerity Partners Three years after launching his independent RIA, Patrick Larkin merged with Cerity Partners—but not because that was the original plan. He explains how ownership changed the way he viewed enterprise value, optionality, and the future of his business. In Summary Going independent is often viewed as the destination. Patrick Larkin discovered it was just the beginning. Louis sits down with Patrick, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners and former founder of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, to discuss an unconventional journey: leaving Wells Fargo to build an independent RIA, then choosing to merge that business just three years later. Rather than following a predetermined exit strategy, Patrick shares how ownership fundamentally changed the way he thought about enterprise value. A conversation with a prospective acquirer revealed that buyers weren't interested in purchasing a book of business—they were looking for a business. That realization reshaped how he invested, hired, delegated, and ultimately positioned his firm for the future. The conversation from our Build Grow & Transact series also offers a candid look at life after a merger, from evaluating cultural fit and partnership to balancing autonomy with the resources of a larger organization. More broadly, it illustrates how ownership creates optionality—and why the most valuable decision an advisor makes may not be the one they originally envisioned. The Storyline After spending nearly 15 years building a successful practice at AG Edwards, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo, Patrick Larkin launched Oak Hill Wealth Advisors in 2022 with a simple objective: build a business on his own terms. Like many advisors, he expected independence to be the final destination for a long time. But then there was the realization that ownership changes more than economics; it changes perspective. And it became the beginning of an entirely different way of thinking. As acquisition inquiries arrived sooner than expected, Patrick realized something that fundamentally changed his strategy. Sophisticated buyers weren't evaluating his client relationships as a book of business; they were evaluating Oak Hill as an enterprise. That insight shifted his priorities from maximizing short-term profitability to building a business that could thrive beyond its founder. Just three years after launching, Patrick chose to merge with Cerity Partners—not because he was looking for an exit, but because he believed it strengthened the future for his clients, his team, and his family. Louis and Patrick explore what led to that decision, how ownership increased the value of his business almost immediately, why he compares independence to an IPO, and what advisors should consider if they hope to create options for the future—even if they don't yet know what that future looks like. Topics Covered Building enterprise value versus maximizing annual income Creating optionality through ownership Leaving Wells Fargo to launch an independent RIA Why buyers value businesses more than books of business Evaluating strategic partners and acquisition opportunities The economics of independence and business valuation Life after merging with Cerity Partners Balancing autonomy with enterprise-scale resources Leadership, succession, and building beyond the founder Long-term ownership and partnership models > Download a transcript of this episode… Listen and Learn Highlights for Advisors Why did Patrick decide to leave Wells Fargo? (11:07) Patrick explains why growing frustrations around control, firm priorities, and the ability to build his business eventually outweighed the comfort of staying put. How did going independent immediately change the value of his business? (21:42) Patrick introduces one of the episode's biggest ideas: why launching Oak Hill felt like taking a company public and how ownership increased the firm's value almost overnight. Why did Patrick sell only three years after becoming independent? (20:03) An unexpected conversation with a prospective acquirer completely changed how he viewed enterprise value and accelerated his long-term thinking. What separates a business from a book of business? (21:42) Patrick discusses why recruiting advisors, delegating client relationships, and investing beyond himself made Oak Hill more attractive to strategic buyers. Why Cerity Partners? (26:48) Rather than focusing on valuation, Cerity emphasized culture, partnership, and long-term alignment—qualities Patrick says ultimately mattered most. What is life actually like after a merger? (37:57) Patrick offers an unusually candid perspective on autonomy, leadership, and why he says he hasn't second-guessed the decision once. Key Takeaways Ownership creates opportunities that often aren't visible until after independence. Enterprise value is built by creating a business that can thrive beyond its founder. The first acquisition conversation can be valuable even if no transaction occurs. Cultural alignment may ultimately matter more than valuation when selecting a long-term partner. Independence doesn't eliminate future options—it expands them. Strategic transactions can strengthen outcomes for clients, employees, and owners simultaneously. The goal isn't simply to own a business; it's to create choices for what comes next. https://youtu.be/f7FGLGjBbyo Quotable Moments “The day Oak Hill launched felt like the business had gone public.” “Potential acquirers weren't interested in buying a book. They were interested in buying a business.” “Ownership isn't simply about control. It's about creating optionality.” “The fear of leaving is almost always worse than the actual experience of leaving.” FAQs Why did Patrick Larkin merge with Cerity Partners only three years after launching his RIA? Patrick explains that independence changed how he viewed enterprise value. After learning what sophisticated buyers were actually looking for, he intentionally built Oak Hill as a business rather than simply managing for annual profitability. Why does Patrick compare independence to an IPO? Because ownership immediately transformed the economic value of his practice. Rather than participating in an internal succession model, he owned an independent enterprise that carried substantially greater market value. What changed after Patrick became independent? Beyond gaining control, he began making decisions through the lens of enterprise value—investing in advisors, systems, and infrastructure that would make the business less dependent on him personally. What made Cerity Partners stand out? Patrick cites the firm's culture, partnership model, meritocracy, long-term vision, and ability to combine local autonomy with enterprise-level capabilities. Is this episode only relevant for advisors considering selling? No. The broader lesson is that ownership creates flexibility. Whether an advisor ultimately remains independent or joins another organization, understanding how enterprise value is created can influence decisions from day one. What is the biggest lesson Patrick hopes advisors take away? That independence isn't simply about leaving a firm. It's about creating the ability to choose what comes next on your own terms. Patrick explains that independence changed how he viewed enterprise value. After learning what sophisticated buyers were actually looking for, he intentionally built Oak Hill as a business rather than simply managing for annual profitability. Because ownership immediately transformed the economic value of his practice. Rather than participating in an internal succession model, he owned an independent enterprise that carried substantially greater market value. Beyond gaining control, he began making decisions through the lens of enterprise value—investing in advisors, systems, and infrastructure that would make the business less dependent on him personally. Patrick cites the firm's culture, partnership model, meritocracy, long-term vision, and ability to combine local autonomy with enterprise-level capabilities. No. The broader lesson is that ownership creates flexibility. Whether an advisor ultimately remains independent or joins another organization, understanding how enterprise value is created can influence decisions from day one. That independence isn't simply about leaving a firm. It's about creating the ability to choose what comes next on your own terms. Related Resources From Start-Up to $31B Behemoth RIA: The Catalysts Behind the Growth of Mega-Firm Cerity Partners Ownership Matters: What Advisors Need to Know When Evaluating Firms Top Tips for Setting Your Business Up for Success Years Before a Move Patrick LarkinPartner and Practice Leader Patrick is a Partner and Practice Leader in the Lansdowne, VA office. He is a member of the Lansdowne Practice, where he works closely with families, foundations, and non-profits to help them define and achieve their financial goals with clarity and confidence. With a deep specialization in retirement income distribution planning and complex risk and wealth management strategies, Patrick is known for helping clients simplify complicated financial decisions, reduce uncertainty, and build sustainable, long-term plans. His approach emphasizes fiduciary responsibility, transparency, and personalized guidance — ensuring clients always feel informed and empowered. Prior to joining Cerity Partners, Patrick was the founding member of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, where he built a highly respected independent advisory practice that earned the trust of families, professionals, and mission-driven organizations across the region. His leadership was instrumental in shaping a client-first culture that continues today. Patrick's work is rooted in a passion for long-term relationships — guiding clients not just through markets, but through life's milestones such as retirement, business transitions, philanthropic planning, and wealth transfer across generations. He takes pride in being both a strategic advisor and a steady partner to the people he serves. Patrick lives in Bluemont, VA, with his wife Angela, their two children, Paige and Sean, and their Golden Retrievers, Huckleberry and Genoa. Outside of the office, Patrick and his family enjoy an active lifestyle — whether it's hiking and backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, biking the Great Allegheny Passage, or sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. These experiences reflect his belief in balance, resilience, and enjoying the journey — values he also brings to his work with clients. NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation. View the transcript of this episode… Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years A conversation with Louis Diamond and Patrick Larkin, Partner & Practice Leader at Cerity Partners.      Louis Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years. It’s a conversation with Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners. I’m Louis Diamond, and this is The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive, whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique, or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned. And each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education-driven and based on building relationships, starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at 908-879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual Advisor Transition Report. It’s the award-winning, data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Louis Diamond: Ownership as a way of creating opportunities you can’t always predict. That’s exactly why we created our Build, Grow, and Transact series. Independence isn’t the end of the story. It’s often the beginning of thinking differently about enterprise value, optionality, and what comes next. Today’s guest is Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners, and formerly the founder of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. Patrick spent nearly 15 years building a successful practice at A.G. Edwards, Wachovia, and eventually Wells Fargo before launching his own independent firm in 2022. Just three years later, he merged that firm into Cerity. At first glance, that timeline might seem surprisingly short, but as you’ll hear, the merger wasn’t a change in direction. It was the result of seeing his business differently once he owned it. Yet, it’s this perspective that really brings that thought home. Patrick said the day Oak Hill launched felt like the business had gone public because overnight, what had been viewed as a book of business became an enterprise with substantially greater value, some four to five times the value of what it was worth at Wells. And that realization changed the way he invested, the way he hired, and ultimately the way he thought about the future. Pat and I also talk about something advisors don’t often discuss candidly, what life actually looks like after a merger. How much control do you give up? What changes day to day? How do you know whether you’re joining a partner or simply selling a business? Whether your long-term plan is to remain independent forever or eventually join a larger organization, Patrick’s experience is a reminder that ownership isn’t simply about control. It’s about creating optionality and putting yourself in a position where the next decision is yours to make. So let’s get to it. Patrick, thanks for coming on our show today. Patrick Larkin: Oh, my pleasure. Nice to meet you, Louis. Louis Diamond: You too. So let’s start off basically how we start every interview. Tell us about yourself, your background, and how you found your way into our industry in the first place. Patrick Larkin: Yeah, thank you for asking. I knew I always wanted to be a financial advisor. That part really wasn’t in question, but upon graduating college and being a 22-year-old, I knew that it was probably not practical to walk in and start advising people my parents’ age with their life savings. Probably wasn’t going to be a recipe for success. So I took a quick tour through the pharmaceutical industry first, which ended up being unexpectedly valuable. My employers there pushed me to think like an entrepreneur and within our territories. And honestly, that mindset never left me. It shaped how I built everything that came after. Eventually, an opportunity presented itself in Loudoun County, Virginia in Northern Virginia, and I became an FA trainee with A.G. Edwards, absolutely fantastic firm to start my career. Now, what drew me to this career was pretty simple. I felt like it was one of the professions that we had an opportunity to do so much good for others while simultaneously also doing well for yourself, and those two things aren’t in conflict. I also really loved the idea that in this profession there was no hiding. You don’t get paid to show up. You get paid for what you actually do. And perhaps for me, what was most important, I loved the weight of responsibility. I loved earning people’s trust. I loved the idea of deserving, being deserving of their trust, and being a steward of what they’ve worked a lifetime to build. I never took that lightly, and I still don’t. Louis Diamond: That’s amazing. Yeah, I mean, the number of people I’ve heard, you talked so fondly about A.G. Edwards and there’s a bunch of other firms that have since been absorbed or emerged that are like the regional firms of old. So not surprised to hear you loved it. A.G. Edwards, obviously, became Wells Fargo Advisors or was acquired or merged with Wells Fargo. So I know you’re at Wells and A.G. Edwards until 2022. So give us a quick version. How’d you build your practice from the pharma world into being in FA? Patrick Larkin: Yeah, so as I started with A.G. Edwards, I came in at really just the perfect time. It was towards the end of the financial crisis. And I built the business the old-fashioned way with a lot of cold calling and eventually did some dinner seminars, which I can tell you is a very expensive way to learn how to speak in front of a room. But I made some progress, and I was also in a great office, small enough that some of the advisors there would hand off some of the smaller accounts that they weren’t interested in working with, and got an opportunity to get a lot of reps in working with real life clients and individuals. I knew early on I didn’t have enough talent to win on talent alone, so I made up for it and compensated for that with really hard work. The real turning point came for me when A.G. Edwards was first acquired by Wachovia Securities, and that was about five years into my career. And at that point, my branch manager, who was eyeing retirement, asked me to step in as her partner, and that changed everything. We eventually moved over to a Wachovia Securities office, another really great local office in Loudoun County, Virginia. And from that office, I worked on and became a CIMA, a CFP, worked with the clients, built a business through referrals. And I found at that point in my career when I would go to a meeting with Wachovia, eventually Wells Fargo, as a young 30-year-old, I would look around the room often and realize that I was the youngest person in the room. The funny thing was 10 years later, I would go into that same room and I’d look around and I still was the youngest guy in that room. And those demographics in our industry, and when I came into our industry, ultimately led that office that I worked in with Wells Fargo Advisors, I eventually was the recipient and party to five different succession plans- Louis Diamond: Wow. Patrick Larkin: … at Wells Fargo Advisors. I hoped that I had built a reputation as somebody that these other advisors would entrust with their clients. And over that time period, really, I would say professionally, one of my accomplishments I’m most proud of is all five of those retired advisors that I used to work with, who had an opportunity to see me work with clients, all became clients of mine, I still continue to work with. And it’s professionally just one of the greatest honors that I’ve ever had. Louis Diamond: I mean, that’s a large number of advisors you helped sunset, but I would agree it’s the ultimate proof of concept that they not only trusted you with their clients and their life’s work, but now also with their family’s wealth. So I like that, kind of the full life cycle there. So I’m curious, though, you stayed at Wells through a really turbulent time through the fake bank scandal. There’s a lot of attrition. I mean, obviously, they’re still a powerhouse to this day, but what kept you at Wells for as long as it did before you left in 2022? Patrick Larkin: You described it as a turbulent time. Pretty turbulent might be an understatement. Even before Wells, the transition to Wells, Wachovia Bank had been the first company that we transitioned to from A.G. Edwards. And we, of course, went through the financial crisis during that time period and handholding our clients and helping them get through that time period and dealing with concerns that we shouldn’t really have to be prepared with. “Is my money safe? It’s not what’s happening to the market, but is my money safe in your institution?” But once things stabilized, I found real purpose in partnering with some of the retiring advisors and opportunities that came up. It was a really wonderful climate and atmosphere in our local office. It was really a family-like atmosphere, and I still had a lot to learn. And all those advisors that I partnered with, I’ve joked I’ve never had an original idea in my entire life. I stole all my good ideas from them. And some of them were really ahead of their time, and I learned, adopted, and built my own philosophies by working closely with them. Ultimately, by the time I left Wells Fargo, I was finishing up the fifth sunset program and had only made my way halfway through the sunset before the opportunity presented itself to create my own practice. Louis Diamond: So I’m curious, when did you first seriously start thinking about leaving and what really tipped the scales for you? What was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back? Patrick Larkin: Yeah, it really was a number of small items and ultimately one big one. But for a long time, I’d been content, but as I tried to grow the business beyond what I could do individually, I felt like I kept running into walls. There were it felt like limitations on how I could build out my team and structure the practice the way I envisioned it. Additionally, there were some new policies that also started to bother me. One of them was the platform advisory fee, which in my eyes was less about client transparency and more about replacing a declining revenue source on the firm’s balance sheet. And after dealing with clients and helping them through the bank scandal at the firm, I was concerned that this would come back and hurt me and the relationships that I had with my clients. Incidentally, I just recently onboarded a new client that transferred to us. And for them, looking at their statement, identifying this platform advisory fee- Louis Diamond: Oh boy. Patrick Larkin: … was the last straw for them before they moved about 15 million of assets to us. Also, I thought I would be I would be a better allocator of resources than Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo retained about half of the revenue that I earned for the business. They seemed to think that the best allocation of that money was additional middle management. Whereas, I thought investment in technology, investment in additional personnel, and an investment in marketing were best places to continue to build out my vision. The final straw, and really a thing that crystallized everything for me was when I read a book in 2021 called The Infinite Game, a book written by Simon Sinek. Chapter eight, the title is Ethical Fading. And it uses the Wells Fargo bank scandal as a case study in what happens when a firm loses its moral compass. I read the chapter and thought, “There it is, I have to do something.” That was really the final push I needed. I mentioned earlier I was very fortunate to start my career with a company called A.G. Edwards, a regional brokerage firm. And while I was at A.G. Edwards, there was a research report that came out on A.G. Edwards as a company. And I’m going to paraphrase a little bit on what was said in that report, but ultimately there was a line in there, and it was a criticism, but I took it as a huge positive as being an employee there. The line said, “While management does not necessarily say it, we believe the client is put ahead of the shareholder.” And that was something I was very proud of. And I just, upon reflecting on it, felt confident those were words that I never was going to see go to print about Wells Fargo. Louis Diamond: So you left Wells in 2022 and founded Oak Hill Wealth Partners in Lansdowne, Virginia. Walk us through that decision. Why go independent rather than going to another firm? Patrick Larkin: I really thought moving to another firm, the things that I had grown frustrated with at Wells Fargo Advisors, I would also find at another wirehouse firm. I was ready, and honestly, the simple answer is I thought I could do better. And I wanted control after having what I felt like was very little control. I had grown frustrated with others making important decisions, and I wanted an opportunity to grab the reins and make decisions on my own. I believe at that time, the future of wealth management was going to be built around fiduciary advice, and I didn’t want to watch that from the sidelines anymore. I was watching what was happening in the industry. And as we were trying to hire new advisors, reaching out to college graduates who were studying CFP programs, identified that they were more inclined to want to start employment with an RIA than a wirehouse. What made the timing work really well was Wells Fargo had actually introduced a program to help advisors in the private client group spin off and establish their own RIAs. Now, whenever I tell this to another advisor, particularly ones that are wirehouses, they can’t understand it. And quite frankly, I don’t understand why they helped us do it, but we were about the 30th practice that they helped us through this process and they provided real support. They hired consultants, made vendor recommendations, even referrals to financing so I could pay off my last succession plan before I left. The only really upside for Wells Fargo was that the ask was that we continue to use First Clearing as the custodian. And one of the downsides for me was I was going to leave all of my deferred comp behind with Wells Fargo. Now, all clients had to do to join me was sign a positive consent. And on May 9th, 2020, we turned on our computers in our new office and our clients were already there. That same day, we launched and started a relationship with Charles Schwab. And it was so exciting to be able to start shopping for what I thought was the best FinTech, really feeling like I was stuck with proprietary tools that Wells Fargo advisors had offered. I felt like I was a kid in a candy store. And if there was a cool tool that I identified that would help us serve our clients better, I was all in and I was buying it. I really feel that some of the technology that Oak Hill eventually bought into and some of the tools we’re using now are going to take years and years before they eventually trickle down to where the wirehouses are, if ever. Louis Diamond: Interesting. So it was really it was for the most part an internal move from one- Patrick Larkin: It was- Louis Diamond: … channel to the other. Patrick Larkin: … it was an internal move, but there was no requirement to stay at First Clearing. As a fiduciary, they couldn’t make those demands. And again, they helped us with the financing, which is really unusual that they helped us secure a loan so I could pay off the last retiring advisor. It’s really unusual that a bank will loan money where there is no business at the time, but because of previous experience that financial institution had working with Wells, they helped us facilitate the transaction. And the program is still in place at Wells Fargo, which is absolutely amazing to me after the experience that I’ve just had myself. Louis Diamond: Yeah, it’s interesting. I mean, does it cannibalize a more profitable revenue source? Sure. But if the alternative was all the assets go to Schwab or Fidelity, to me, honestly, it’s smart. I think they played the long game by not being adversarial on it. Patrick Larkin: I think they played a long game and they took the philosophy, and I think they use it as a recruiting tool that if you love them, set them free. And that’s exactly what they did. Louis Diamond: So for the rest of the episode, I want to talk about your eventual, and not that long period of time, transaction or decision to merge Oak Hill with Cerity Partners. This is our Build, Grow, Transact subseries. And I was really struck by your story because you were three years or so into running Oak Hill, and then your merger with Cerity Partners, an amazing RIA closed. That’s a fairly short runway. Usually when I see folks go independent for the first time, it’s 10, 15, 20 years, maybe never, that they decide to merge or sell. I’m curious to understand your thinking about the transaction. Were you looking to do something? Or was it just like right place, right time and the opportunity presented itself? Patrick Larkin: I had started Oak Hill with the intent of eventually down the road, much closer to retirement, looking for a partner. The opportunity and what I learned early on helped change that idea and philosophy, and I adapted and made modifications to take advantage of it. Louis Diamond: Interesting. So you weren’t necessarily planning on selling or merging the business, it just kind of circumstances happened the way they did? Patrick Larkin: Yeah. When we started Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, it was a really pretty short period of time before we started getting calls from larger national RIAs about potential acquisition, much sooner than I expected. Early on, I just brushed them off, but about a year in, I took one of those calls and it really just opened my eyes up. I realized for the first time this small firm, this little practice actually had some real value, way more than I’d given it credit for. That first call, that first exploration didn’t go anywhere. It wasn’t a good fit. But what it gave me was a much clearer picture of what the serious acquirers were actually looking for. And that changed decisions I made at Oak Hill going forward. I really at that point stopped trying to optimize for near-term profit and really thought of my business as a business and started building towards enterprise value, sometimes at the cost of short-term income. And that turned out to be exactly the right call. Louis Diamond: That’s such an interesting perspective. Let’s double-click into that concept. So it sounds almost counterintuitive that if you kind of had this light bulb moment that like, “Okay, maybe I want to transact my business sooner than I initially thought.” I think most people would say, “Let’s become lean and mean. Let’s become as profitable as possible so my EBITDA’s higher.” But you took the different approach. What were the decisions you did to invest more in enterprise value rather than current cash flow? Patrick Larkin: A true business is one that doesn’t need me to be here every day to operate. And when we left Wells Fargo Advisors, it was myself and one other advisor that created Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. I was responsible for about 95% of the assets and revenue. And one of the more significant investments we made is in additional advisors. I recruited three new advisors, all CFPs, to join Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. Whereas, before I had been largely managing all the relationships myself. For someone that kind of grew up in the regional wirehouse space, it’s pretty counterintuitive to start moving relationships away from you onto other advisors. You’re trained and built to create a moat around your relationships, and realized that the potential acquirers are not interested, at least the ones I was interested in, weren’t interested in buying a book. They were interested in buying a business. And that just meant every decision we made going forward was not profit-driven, but how can I increase the value of the business? So after that first call, I knew I probably would be looking to move forward with a transaction sooner as opposed to the end of retirement. That information that I got on that first call helped me realize that when Oak Hill Wealth Advisors opened its doors on May 9th, 2022, we effectively had an IPO. I had great familiarity with how the succession plans at Wells Fargo Advisors worked. And on that day that we opened our practice, the value of my business jumped to be four to five times the value of it in a succession plan at Wells Fargo Advisors. Now, I knew going forward that I was going to be able to increase revenue. I was going to be able to increase EBITDA. I was going to potentially have some benefits from a market tailwind. I knew the multiples of EBITDA that the firms use may fluctuate, but the biggest change by far occurred leaving the wirehouse and having the value of my business grow four to fivefold in that same day. So what I really focused on was making sure that I was going to, when I was ready to start looking again after I had worked on improving the practice, really was going to look for a firm that was going to be a good cultural fit for both my clients, my team, and myself. Louis Diamond: That’s such a cool perspective. I’ve never heard anyone say that the day we launched your independent business was like an IPO. But honestly, it’s so true. You’re planting a flag in the ground that like, “Here is real value. This is value that we’ve created that we own rather than it being a book of business and a W-2 paycheck.” And it’s a fascinating perspective. Patrick Larkin: Yep. It really is amazing that the value changed that much on one day and the future value changes. Looking at the equity that I owned in Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, it made sense to consider is there a better way to take some risk off the table for myself and my family and diversify some of the equity that I had in Oak Hill Wealth Advisors with a larger enterprise? Louis Diamond: It makes complete sense. Obviously, everyone would sign up for 4 to 5X increase in value. Patrick Larkin: Sure. Louis Diamond: That’s not the reason most people go independent, but it’s important to know. And also, what I really liked about what you shared is I think a really valuable learning for anyone is those calls come in, whether it’s from annoying people like me or from an acquirer, from a firm, they’re not all noise. You took it as an opportunity to learn. Even though that first person who called wasn’t the right fit, it crystallized something in your mind and it let you make proactive decisions that ultimately paid off in spades when it came time to sign the dotted line for your transaction with Cerity. So I think it’s brilliant. And it’s very big picture, big-business-owner-type stuff that I think a lot of people will just filter out because it’s annoying and I’m young, I’m not looking to sell, but that was the journey. Patrick Larkin: Yeah, that first call changed my opinion about timing of when to move forward with a partnership. Originally, I thought this would be something at the end of retirement. The timing of doing so sooner seemed a lot more appealing after having that conversation and realizing what we had actually built. Louis Diamond: Amazing. So ultimately you decided to merge with Cerity Partners. We’ve had Kurt Miscinski from Cerity Partners on the show. They’re a real heavyweight within the RIA world. Most recently, they were valued at $8 billion in a recap, and it’s a very impressive firm. What specifically drew you to Cerity versus other potential buyers? Like you said, you got a lot of calls. Patrick Larkin: After that first call, I just got to work and focused on continuing to take care of our clients, building a team, adding new advisors, being a mentor to those advisors. But at the same time, we were being approached fairly regularly by that point. And I had a pretty good system for quickly deciding whether something was worth a second look, and most weren’t. But about a year ago, one of the national RIAs caught my attention and I started having conversations with them. And once I had progressed with them, I though, “You know what? If I’m giving this consideration, I really need to cast a wider net.” So I reached out to other RIAs that I had looked at and admired and been keeping an eye on. And ultimately, my longtime business coach, Barbara Kay, suggested I talk with Cerity Partners, a company that one of her other clients had just recently joined. And from the very first call, I could tell something was different. And I talked to many different companies. Cerity Partners, and an individual I spoke with, Geoff Newman, they weren’t leading with valuation formulas or deal structure. They were asking questions about my clients, my team, and how I actually ran the practice. They had a very defined process for identifying partners who were genuinely compatible, not just advisors with books that were transferable. And that distinction mattered greatly to me. They also offered really, in my opinion, the right balance of support and still having some autonomy. And their aspiration to deliver consistent standard of care to clients, whether they be in California or Virginia, so that those individuals get the same quality of experience, resonated with how I was already running things within my practice. That combination of support and autonomy, I really liked the idea of continuing to have oversight over my local practice, over our practice, which included the budget, salaries, and bonuses. It more than anybody else felt like a partnership and not a buyout. And I really appreciate it during that first call, Cerity was the only company that talked about a hundred-year plan. It was amazing to me to hear what their thoughts were. Most of the other firms I spoke with talked about valuations. And very quickly in the process, I found myself on a Zoom call with a Patagonia fleece vest-wearing private equity rep walking me through a valuation. And it was efficient, but it was not a cultural fit for me. And the infrastructure behind us and the combination of autonomy is really harder to find than most people think. As I progressed with Cerity, I remember early on in the process thinking to myself, “My God, I hope they want me, I hope they want me,” because I could tell I’m a very process-driven person They had a process with the way they brought me on board. And ultimately, we had a due diligence trip set up to go to one of their larger offices where I met with one of their leaders, Claire O’Keefe, part of their practice development, and had an opportunity to meet with different leaders within the firm and really get my arms wrapped around the potential that they had. Just the quality of the people I encountered through the whole process just kept reinforcing the decision. And by the time we got to the finish line, it didn’t feel like a transaction. It felt like I was joining something that I was excited to be part of. So just a little bit more about what attracted me to Cerity, their culture is just phenomenal. Cerity Partners uses the word “meritocracy” and they actually mean it. Ownership and influence here track your contribution, not your tenure or how well you play the politics. I just attended my first partner meeting in April, and without exaggeration, it was the most extraordinary professional meeting I’ve attended in my 25-year career. During the meeting, there was open debate about the direction of the firm, and every voice in the room carried weight. You could feel the culture. And that type of culture is built over years. You can’t fake it. Everyone in the room it felt like was rowing in the same direction. And by the time the meeting was over, I was so excited to get back to my team and tell them about what I had just witnessed, I wasn’t looking for the exit. I was looking for the brick wall to run through. I was so excited. And every once in a while I wonder having spent so much time in the wirehouse spaces, the bar just set really low for me when I talked to some of my other colleagues that have been independent for a long time. But it was just an absolutely amazing experience. And I do want to just add, one of the last really important things to me about Cerity Partners is I’ve been very fortunate with my career and in this profession. And part of my goal over the rest of my career is to have a legacy. And my legacy currently exists with the families I’ve advised and the team that I’ve built and have served and led. But Cerity Partners is helping me achieve even a greater legacy in our industry with our shared long-term goals. During my first meeting, they talked about their hundred-year vision of being a worldwide employee-owned professional services firm. And currently, and this is very exciting, the employees are the largest shareholder of the firm. No one else I talked to talked about their long-term goals like this, and it’s a vision I believe in. I want to contribute to help to see it accomplished. And one day when I do retire, I want to look back and see how I contribute it to a company that I believe is going to change the direction of professional wealth management. Louis Diamond: Wow. Patrick Larkin: My partnership with Cerity Partners is going to make that a reality. It’s just an amazing place. Yeah, very happy. Louis Diamond: Honestly, you can’t fake that type of enthusiasm. It sounds like- Patrick Larkin: It’s not- Louis Diamond: … you entered into a transaction, which is it’s like jumping into the deep end. How do you sort through what’s the sales process versus what’s real? How much of this is actually going to translate to my life? But hearing you not that long after the transaction, you still feel that and it’s very cool. In the press release I read, you cited estate planning, private markets access, and cross-border planning as key reasons for the merger. Can you talk about what it was about those? Maybe- Patrick Larkin: Yeah. Louis Diamond: … anything else that was missed? Patrick Larkin: Yeah. Louis Diamond: And were those not things that you felt like you could have delivered yourself as a standalone? Patrick Larkin: I thought that they were going to help me be able to be more effective in delivering those, but they weren’t the complete picture. The capabilities that we cited in the release were genuine gaps I wanted to fill and have available for clients and be able to prospect and go after new additional clients. But being fully honest, there were also deeper drivers. One was my team. Sometimes we get emotional about this. Being someone who’s trusted is really important to me, and that’s something I hold in high priority. There are people that followed me out of Wells Fargo to join me. One of my client associates had delayed her retirement so that she could join me and help us launch for the first three months. One of my other client associates has been with me close to 15 years. These are people that trusted me to do the right thing and to make sure that I wasn’t walking them off the plank. Being able to join Cerity Partners and give them a future that didn’t hinge entirely on my personal longevity was a huge relief. And Cerity Partners is an ownership culture. I’m so happy to say today that every single individual on my team in our practice in Lansdowne is now either an equity owner in Cerity Partners or very shortly will be an equity- Louis Diamond: So cool. Patrick Larkin: … equity owner. So they have a stake as well in what they’re building. It matters. My youngest client associate noticed how much it costs to send to FedEx. And he goes, “Now that I’m an owner, maybe we should rethink about sending regular mail.” Another driver was my family. And I’ve always had the philosophy of trying to prioritize and clients first, team and colleagues, and then my family. And I’ve always made decisions that if I put those others before myself, eventually I’ll be taken care of. And going through this transaction, it was so generous to my family and provided such security. There was a little bit of guilt that, “Am I doing this for all the right reasons?” But being able to secure my family’s future, converting equity in a three-year-old RIA into a stake of a $8 billion-plus valuation with institutional backing, that was a meaningful moment and I’d be less than honest if I glossed over that. I also really wanted to be part of something larger than myself. And the opportunity to help build a legacy in this business with Cerity Partners really gives me the platform to do that. Louis Diamond: Very cool. I can tell that you’re genuine, not just because of the way you sound, the way you’re speaking, but in the very beginning of the episode, you talked about the reason you got into this business was because you thought it gave you the dual purpose of being able to help people, but also being able to enrich yourself or your family. So this answer, it comes full circle. You’re able to accomplish all these goals, which made it the right decision. And I think, look, I say to advisors all the time, “You’re allowed to be greedy, you’re allowed to be selfish as long as the clients are still in the front of your mind as the most important thing.” There’s nothing wrong with doing better for clients, building a legacy in your case, but also reaping the rewards of all your hard work and labor and also all the risks that you’ve taken over your career. I got to ask you, though, from being an employee of Wells, where you were running your team, for the most part, you can run the business within their guardrails the way you want, to then running an RIA, which is really like you’re fully in control of everything, to now being a partner, but you’re not the one who has the name on the door anymore. Patrick Larkin: Right, right. Louis Diamond: Well, how do you think about the giving up control and full ownership of your practice versus owning a very small amount of a much larger entity? Patrick Larkin: There was such continuity. Oak Hill Wealth Advisors and Cerity Partners were so philosophically aligned that I genuinely never felt like I was giving up anything that I wasn’t glad to let go. My wife joined the business shortly before I left Wells Fargo Advisors. And still to this day, on my drive home from work, I call her up and say, “You’re not going to believe this.” And it’s all a positive, good thing. So Cerity has struck the perfect balance of that autonomy and support combination that I was looking for. So I still have control and a say over the way our practice is managed. Very shortly after the merger, my supervisor came down and met me for the first time, and we went out together after the day had ended. And early in the conversation I said to him, “What can I do to make your life easier?” And he said, “Pat, what can I do to make your life easier?” And that set the tone that still exists to this day. I almost cried when he said that because that was so different than what I had experienced up to that point. So the collaboration, the way we work together, it’s just absolutely amazing. And not once for a single moment have I second-guessed my decision. And it’s really weird because I’ve now been part of this organization for nearly nine months, and there just has not been one thing that’s occurred where I said, “That’s a disappointment.” It’s just been absolutely amazing every single day. Louis Diamond: Very cool. To me, there’s different arcs of when you want to ask people the question of, “Hey, any regrets?” And usually you don’t want to ask them too soon because they’re still going through the transition and integration and growing pains. And you don’t want to ask them too far in the future because you forget about what was life before. To be this short of a duration into this new partnership and to have these feelings, that’s absolutely pretty special. I got two more questions for you, Pat, if you don’t mind. Patrick Larkin: Sure. Louis Diamond: First one, economically, to me, one of the hardest things for really any advisor to really grapple with or to fully comprehend or make their own is, “I own 100% of the equity in my business. I get to decide when I want to sell in the future. My business is growing 10% per year. I wait to sell until 10 years from now, my business is going to be much bigger and I get to keep all the cash flow. I get to make all the decisions.” That compared to the path that you took, which was take cash off the table, which everyone understands, to, “Now, I own a much smaller piece of a much larger pie.” How would you talk to someone about the financial trade-off between a hundred percent ownership in their business, full control, full discretion over everything, versus becoming a minority equity partner in a larger entity? Patrick Larkin: You have to look at the valuation of my business, again, the day that we opened our doors as Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. There was such a massive jump in the value of the business. There was not going to be an opportunity for an appreciation at that level. So then, you have to compare what the growth rate is of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors versus a Cerity Partners. And I’m not embarrassed to say that Cerity Partners is and has been growing at a much faster rate of return. The value of the equity that I have retained in Cerity Partners, my ownership stake, I fully expect by the time I transact that business as I get closer to retirement, that’s going to be worth many times more than whatever opportunity I would have had at Wells Fargo with the valuation they would have provided me. Nevermind, very important, the tax consequences of a structure like this is all the retiring advisors that I worked with were taxed at their highest marginal rate. I owned a business and we were taxed at long-term capital gains rates. A significant difference in savings in what as the owner we actually realize. So yeah, I feel very comfortable with the ownership that I have and the control and continued opportunity with the meritocracy culture to increase my share of ownership in the company. Louis Diamond: Okay, and let’s do one more question here. I’ll pick it back up. So Pat, I think it’s a really cool perspective. It’s almost do your homework, and if you find the right horse and the right jockey that can run faster than you can on your own, that the equity value will compound and grow and appreciate in a faster, more efficient way than what you’re doing on your own, which makes complete sense. It’s the ultimate trade-off. And again, it’s like jumping into the deep end. On the one hand, Oak Hill was all you, right? You control the growth, for better or worse, for the good days, the bad days, the good years, the bad years, versus now your growth is diversified amongst hundreds of partners across M&A, across different lead flow channels, et cetera. It makes complete sense. But honestly, if I were an advisor, I don’t know how I would think about it. I think it’s all just fact-and-circumstance-based on where I am in my life and who the firm is and what I’m trying to accomplish. But it’s such a cool perspective because usually the playbook that we see, which is why we did this series, is go independent and there’s a long pause until there is a realization of all the value that’s been created. So seeing you do this in a much quicker timeframe, it seems like it was the absolutely right decision. To me, it just is another path, another way that an advisor or a firm is able to think about their future. Any final advice or parting words for someone who is sitting right where you were in 2021 or 2022 thinking about making the leap? And we’ll say a transition in general, or really anything you want to share to wrap our episode here. Patrick Larkin: Thank you for having me, and this is a great question. Happy to give a thoughtful answer to it. Before I’d left Wells Fargo Advisors through the program and started Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, I had an opportunity to go through a due diligence process and make sure that this was going to be a right move for me. There was no carrot out there that was obvious. I learned after that first conversation that I had built a practice that had some value to it. I was leaving behind the security of something I knew, leaving behind a significant amount in deferred compensation, and I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision. And through that due diligence process, talked to about five other firms that had recently left Wells Fargo to join this RIA program. I asked them a lot of different questions about what their experience was. And at every point during those conversations, they all said the same thing at different points. And it sounded like this. They said, “I’m working harder than I ever have before, but I wish I had done this sooner.” So my advice to those people, do it. I know that sounds simple, but I mean it. The fear of leaving is almost always worse than the actual experience of leaving. And I understand the inertia of not leaving and the real apprehension of what was on the other side. But what I found was a version of this profession I genuinely didn’t know was possible. One where I could do things the right way on my terms for the people I care most about serving. And not every path is going to look like mine. Some advisors should go fully independent and stay there, and that can be an incredible life. But when it comes time to look for a partner, quite frankly, if Cerity Partners is not on your shortlist, you’re making a significant mistake. And I say that not to sell anything, but because I’ve lived the comparison firsthand and there’s simply nothing else like it. Louis Diamond: So Pat, it’s been really fun, but I don’t think we’ve had anyone on the eight years or so we’ve been doing this show that’s gone through this type of arc or journey that you have. One of my big takeaways or sticking points that this episode brought for me is by going independent and taking control over your future, you created complete optionality for yourself to do exactly what you wanted to do with your business, even if that was different than what you initially planned. So in your case, it was selling within three years of going independent, but by taking action, being proactive, playing some offense, you made the opportunity happen on your terms and your timeline. So this has been fun in so many different ways. I loved your comment about how when you went independent, it’s basically like the day of your IPO, the four-to-five-times increase in value versus an internal succession deal, and even just the way to think about getting equity in a larger entity versus running your own plays only. So thank you so much for doing this. This has been fun. Mindy Diamond: As a financial advisor, you hold yourself to the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and credibility. You are successful because you take your professional responsibility seriously and are dedicated to your clients. But are you living your best business life? Are your goals aligned with your firm’s or could a better option exist? Should I Stay or Should I Go? Is a book written with you in mind? It’s a self-guided journey that walks you through the key steps that we take with our advisor clients. This strategic thought process and roadmap to professional self-discovery is designed to help you ask the right questions and think critically and objectively, whether you’re considering change or not. Learn how to get your copy at diamond-consultants.com/thebook.   Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years A conversation with Louis Diamond and Patrick Larkin, Partner & Practice Leader at Cerity Partners.      Louis Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years. It’s a conversation with Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners. I’m Louis Diamond, and this is The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive, whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique, or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned. And each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education-driven and based on building relationships, starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at 908-879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual Advisor Transition Report. It’s the award-winning, data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Louis Diamond: Ownership as a way of creating opportunities you can’t always predict. That’s exactly why we created our Build, Grow, and Transact series. Independence isn’t the end of the story. It’s often the beginning of thinking differently about enterprise value, optionality, and what comes next. Today’s guest is Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners, and formerly the founder of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. Patrick spent nearly 15 years building a successful practice at A.G. Edwards, Wachovia, and eventually Wells Fargo before launching his own independent firm in 2022. Just three years later, he merged that firm into Cerity. At first glance, that timeline might seem surprisingly short, but as you’ll hear, the merger wasn’t a change in direction. It was the result of seeing his business differently once he owned it. Yet, it’s this perspective that really brings that thought home. Patrick said the day Oak Hill launched felt like the business had gone public because overnight, what had been viewed as a book of business became an enterprise with substantially greater value, some four to five times the value of what it was worth at Wells. And that realization changed the way he invested, the way he hired, and ultimately the way he thought about the future. Pat and I also talk about something advisors don’t often discuss candidly, what life actually looks like after a merger. How much control do you give up? What changes day to day? How do you know whether you’re joining a partner or simply selling a business? Whether your long-term plan is to remain independent forever or eventually join a larger organization, Patrick’s experience is a reminder that ownership isn’t simply about control. It’s about creating optionality and putting yourself in a position where the next decision is yours to make. So let’s get to it. Patrick, thanks for coming on our show today. Patrick Larkin: Oh, my pleasure. Nice to meet you, Louis. Louis Diamond: You too. So let’s start off basically how we start every interview. Tell us about yourself, your background, and how you found your way into our industry in the first place. Patrick Larkin: Yeah, thank you for asking. I knew I always wanted to be a financial advisor. That part really wasn’t in question, but upon graduating college and being a 22-year-old, I knew that it was probably not practical to walk in and start advising people my parents’ age with their life savings. Probably wasn’t going to be a recipe for success. So I took a quick tour through the pharmaceutical industry first, which ended up being unexpectedly valuable. My employers there pushed me to think like an entrepreneur and within our territories. And honestly, that mindset never left me. It shaped how I built everything that came after. Eventually, an opportunity presented itself in Loudoun County, Virginia in Northern Virginia, and I became an FA trainee with A.G. Edwards, absolutely fantastic firm to start my career. Now, what drew me to this career was pretty simple. I felt like it was one of the professions that we had an opportunity to do so much good for others while simultaneously also doing well for yourself, and those two things aren’t in conflict. I also really loved the idea that in this profession there was no hiding. You don’t get paid to show up. You get paid for what you actually do. And perhaps for me, what was most important, I loved the weight of responsibility. I loved earning people’s trust. I loved the idea of deserving, being deserving of their trust, and being a steward of what they’ve worked a lifetime to build. I never took that lightly, and I still don’t. Louis Diamond: That’s amazing. Yeah, I mean, the number of people I’ve heard, you talked so fondly about A.G. Edwards and there’s a bunch of other firms that have since been absorbed or emerged that are like the regional firms of old. So not surprised to hear you loved it. A.G. Edwards, obviously, became Wells Fargo Advisors or was acquired or merged with Wells Fargo. So I know you’re at Wells and A.G. Edwards until 2022. So give us a quick version. How’d you build your practice from the pharma world into being in FA? Patrick Larkin: Yeah, so as I started with A.G. Edwards, I came in at really just the perfect time. It was towards the end of the financial crisis. And I built the business the old-fashioned way with a lot of cold calling and eventually did some dinner seminars, which I can tell you is a very expensive way to learn how to speak in front of a room. But I made some progress, and I was also in a great office, small enough that some of the advisors there would hand off some of the smaller accounts that they weren’t interested in working with, and got an opportunity to get a lot of reps in working with real life clients and individuals. I knew early on I didn’t have enough talent to win on talent alone, so I made up for it and compensated for that with really hard work. The real turning point came for me when A.G. Edwards was first acquired by Wachovia Securities, and that was about five years into my career. And at that point, my branch manager, who was eyeing retirement, asked me to step in as her partner, and that changed everything. We eventually moved over to a Wachovia Securities office, another really great local office in Loudoun County, Virginia. And from that office, I worked on and became a CIMA, a CFP, worked with the clients, built a business through referrals. And I found at that point in my career when I would go to a meeting with Wachovia, eventually Wells Fargo, as a young 30-year-old, I would look around the room often and realize that I was the youngest person in the room. The funny thing was 10 years later, I would go into that same room and I’d look around and I still was the youngest guy in that room. And those demographics in our industry, and when I came into our industry, ultimately led that office that I worked in with Wells Fargo Advisors, I eventually was the recipient and party to five different succession plans- Louis Diamond: Wow. Patrick Larkin: … at Wells Fargo Advisors. I hoped that I had built a reputation as somebody that these other advisors would entrust with their clients. And over that time period, really, I would say professionally, one of my accomplishments I’m most proud of is all five of those retired advisors that I used to work with, who had an opportunity to see me work with clients, all became clients of mine, I still continue to work with. And it’s professionally just one of the greatest honors that I’ve ever had. Louis Diamond: I mean, that’s a large number of advisors you helped sunset, but I would agree it’s the ultimate p

Did you know Golden Retrievers could need an emotional support duck? Barley does...and she's got that in Louie the duck! STORY: https://www.wdjx.com/a-duck-became-this-golden-retrievers-emotional-support-bestie/

The Gateway Podcast _ Timothy Shaw_ Satanic PanicAbout Timothy Shaw Tim Shaw is a lifelong researcher of the paranormal and metaphysical, hailing from Western New York. With a background influenced by both Roman Catholicism and Spiritualism, and a family connection to the Lily Dale Spiritualist Assembly, his interest in mystical fields developed naturally. As a medium, Tim trained with the National Spiritualist Association of Churches, The Omega Institute, and under various instructors. He holds a Master/Teacher level in Usui Reiki, an ART certificate in energy healing, and is currently studying to be a Life Coach. He has also explored Modern Witchcraft, New Orleans Voodoo, and Appalachian Hoodoo. Tim is an accomplished author, lecturer, media personality, and photographer, with notable works including "Ghosts of Buffalo," "The C2D1 Haunting," and "Rev. Zombie's Book of Divination." He has contributed to multiple publications and appeared in films and TV shows such as Discovery Channel's "Ghost Lab," SyFy's "Ghost Hunters," and Travel Channel's "America's Most Terrifying Places." He hosts the vodcast "The Black Cat Lounge," which airs on Facebook Live, and volunteers at Lockport Community TV. Tim's varied interests include urban exploration, cryptozoology, historical reenactment, and paranormal investigation. After retiring from the Town of Cheektowaga Highway Department in 2017, Tim continues to pursue new adventures daily with his wife, Nancy, and their dog, Winifred.

Bailey Ward is an Atlanta-based interior designer, founder of Cuvée Home, and the creative force behind the brand's thoughtfully curated collection of lighting and home décor. With over a decade of design experience and a degree in interior design, Bailey brings a refined eye for detail, craftsmanship, and functionality to every project and product she creates.Guided by a designer's perspective, Bailey personally leads the design and curation process for Cuvée Home. Inspired by global interiors, timeless craftsmanship, rich layers, bold color, and the interplay of pattern and texture, she founded the brand to fill a gap in the market for accessible luxury lighting and thoughtfully curated home accents. Every collection is intentionally designed to help create homes that feel both elevated and deeply personal.Bailey lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, William, their daughters, Maddox and Olivia, and their Golden Retriever, Tako. Whether she's designing a new collection, working with clients, or preparing her home to gather friends and family around the table, Bailey is passionate about creating spaces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.Shop at shopcuveehome.comSupport the show

A 9 week old Golden Retriever is calling shots for the 12 person town. How in the world did this happen? Find out from Jamie Brann who owns the puppy, named Waylon!

A 9 week old Golden Retriever is calling shots for the 12 person town. How in the world did this happen? Find out from Jamie Brann who owns the puppy, named Waylon!

In this episode of The Englewood Review of Books Podcast, Lindsey Cornett, the Managing Editor of Englewood Press and Assistant Editor of The ERB, is joined by children's book authors, Dana VanderLugt and Karina Yan Glaser. They address the role of storytelling and imagination in a life of faith and the sometimes surprising ways faith and spirituality show up in children's literature, with a particular emphasis on life in community and the challenge of loving our enemies. They talk about the tension between marketing books for children when they can, in fact, be enjoyed and appreciated by all readers. Finally, Lindsey, Dana, and Karina discuss some of their favorite contemporary middle grade readers and offer recommendations for anyone needing stories of hope, faith, and love.Dana VanderLugt is a writer and teacher who descends from a family of Michigan apple growers and storytellers. Her first book, Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse was published by Zonderkidz in September 2023. The middle grades novel is based on the stories of German POWs who came to work on her grandfather's orchard during the 1940s. Dana's work has been published in Longridge Review, Relief: A Journal of Art & Faith, the Michigan Reading Journal, and The Reformed Journal, where she is also a frequent contributor on its daily blog. A former middle school English teacher, Dana now works as a literacy consultant and has an MFA in Creative Writing from The Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University. She lives in Michigan with her husband, three sons, and a spoiled Golden Retriever. And yes, she makes a mean apple pie.Karina Yan Glaser is a Newbery Honoree and a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator. Originally from California, Karina came to New York City for college and has stuck around for nearly thirty years. She has had a varied career teaching and implementing literacy programs in family homeless shelters and recruiting healthcare professionals to volunteer in under resourced areas around the world. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can't go anywhere without a book. She lives in Harlem with her husband, two teenagers, two dogs, three cats, and a fish named Gustav. Books Mentioned in this EpisodeIf you'd like to order any of the following books, we encourage you to do so from Hearts and Minds Books (An independent bookstore in Dallastown, PA, run by Byron and Beth Borger) By Dana VanderLugt:Enemies in the Orchard: A WW2 Novel in VerseBy Karina Yan Glaser:The Vanderbeekers of 141st StreetThe Vanderbeekers Ever After (Book #7 in The Vanderbeekers Series)The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli Other Books Mentioned: The Wednesday Wars by Gary SchmidtOkay for Now by Gary SchmidtOrbiting Jupiter by Gary SchmidtThe Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary SchmidtThe Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel NayeriHome of the Brave by Katherine Applegate Birdie by Eileen SpinelliBrown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline WoodsonThe Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth BrowerThe Life by Carrie FountainSpiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life by Charlotte DonlonThe Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey HartmanBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererThe Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer Owls and Other Fantasies by Mary Oliver 

The Gateway Podcast – Dacre Stoker– A Trip Through Transylvania Date: August 4, 2026 Episode: 141 Discussion: A Trip Through Transylvania About Dacre: Dacre Stoker is the great grand nephew of Bram Stoker and the New York Times and International best-selling co-author of Dracula the Un-Dead (2009), and Dracul (2018). Dacre is also the co-editor of The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker: The Dublin Years (2012). He has published Stoker on Stoker Dracula Revealed (2022) a companion book to his informative audio-visual presentations. In 2022 Dacre and Robert Eighteen Bisang published Dracula Annotated for the 125th Anniversary, a culmination of years of research, this version includes many of the passages edited out of the final Dracula typescript, including the first three chapters and the original ending. Dacre and Chris McAuley have created the StokerVerse which as the name implies the range was originally inspired by the works of Bram Stoker. With a series of novels, comics, audio dramas, video, tabletop and RPG games published, The StokerVerse is becoming known as one of the leading brands in the Horror genre Dacre is a native of Montreal, Canada, he taught Physical Education and Sciences for twenty-two years, in both Canada and the U.S. He has participated in the sport of Modern Pentathlon as an athlete and a coach at the international and Olympic levels for Canada for 12 years. Dacre has consulted and appeared in recent film documentaries about vampires in literature and popular culture. The Real Vampire Files (2010 History Channel), The Tillinghast Nightmare, (2014 Historical Haunts), Secrets of the Dead (2015 PBS), Mysteries at the Museum, (2017 Travel Channel) Legend Hunter (2019 Travel Channel) American Vampires (2022 Fox Nation). Dacre currently hosts tours to Dublin Ireland, Whitby England, and Cruden Bay Scotland, to visit places where Bram Stoker lived, was educated, worked, researched, and wrote Dracula. He has been leading groups to Transylvania over the past 10 years to explore both the life and times of the historic Vlad Dracula III and the locations where Bram Stoker set his famous novel.

In this article, James Davis compares and contrasts the Big Three retrieving breeds: Labs, Goldens, and Chesapeakes. Use code PU20 for 20% off onX Hunt.Read more at projectupland.com.

The Gateway Podcast – Shawn Kelly– The Paranormal Update Date: July 28, 2026 Episode: 140 Discussion: The Paranormal Update Open Chat About Shawn: Shawn is a retired Paranormal Investigator and the founder of the Pittsburgh Paranormal Society. He has been in the field for over 30 years. Shawn is a host for his podcast Into the Night on UPRN talk radio. Sunday and Tuesday nights 8:10 pm -9:10 pm. Host: CL Thomas C.L. Thomas travels widely every year as a fine arts photographer and writer exploring various afterlife research, OBEs, metaphysics, folklore, and lectures at events. C.L. does "Spirit" art on request. She is the author of the haunting memoir "Dancing with Demons" and the acclaimed historical-fiction novel “Speaking to Shadows”. C.L. is the creator and host of The Gateway Podcast & Small Town Tales Podcast. She has written many articles and maintains a blog on legends, folklore magic, and paranormal stories. Currently, she resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with her beloved Golden Retriever and Maine Coon cat.

¡Feliz lunes de lenguas! Bienvenidos a su espacio favorito para curarse con las desgracias ajenas y escuchar consejos de comedia (recuerden que esto es puramente para fines de entretenimiento). Hoy Laura regresa recuperada tras un mes de gripe y celebrando que dos lengüeteros de Punta Cana se encontraron con ella. Al grano con los casazos de hoy:  

Steve Wirth has spent more than 5 decades helping shape the EMS profession as a paramedic, attorney, consultant, educator, author, and mentor. In Episode 332 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve joins me for a wide-ranging conversation that goes well beyond EMS law.We discuss the early days of his career in rural Pennsylvania, what inspired him to pursue a career in law, and the chance meeting with EMS pioneer Jim Page that helped lay the foundation for what would become Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, one of the most respected EMS law firms in the country. Steve also shares memorable stories about Randolph Mantooth, reflects on the mentors who influenced his career, and talks about the honor of being recognized as one of Pennsylvania's EMS Legends.The conversation also explores how Page, Wolfberg & Wirth became involved with the documentary Into the Unknown and why telling the authentic story of today's EMS professionals is so important. There are few surprises as well. And because no Medic2Medic episode is ever completely predictable, our Executive Producer, Bailey Belle, my Golden Retriever, decided it was the perfect time to make her presence known. I left that moment in because sometimes the best conversations are the unscripted ones.This episode is filled with history, humor, leadership, and stories that remind us how relationships, mentorship, and a passion for serving others have helped shape the EMS profession we know today.Subscribe to Medic2Medic wherever you get your podcasts, and if you enjoy the show, please share this episode with a colleague or friend. Every conversation helps preserve the stories and history of our profession.https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-332-steve-wirth--73168989

The Gateway Podcast – Steven Intermill & Toni Rotonda– Behind the Glass: America's Museum of Witchcraft Date: July 21, 2026 Episode: 139 Discussion: Behind the Glass: America's Museum of Witchcraft About Steven: Steven Intermill is the director of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick in Cleveland, Ohio, where he oversees one of the world's premier collections dedicated to the history of witchcraft, folklore, and the occult. Under his leadership, the museum has become an internationally recognized destination, preserving the legacy of Raymond Buckland, who founded America's first museum of witchcraft in 1966. Drawing on his background in museum operations and historical interpretation, Intermill is dedicated to presenting the collection through an educational lens, helping visitors understand the cultural, historical, and anthropological significance of witchcraft and magick. Through guided tours, public lectures, media appearances, and educational outreach, he continues Buckland's mission of preserving the material culture of the occult while challenging misconceptions surrounding these traditions. About Toni: Toni Rotonda is the owner and steward of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick and High Priestess of the Temple of Sacrifice, the Ohio-based coven she co-founded with Raymond Buckland. A longtime practitioner of modern witchcraft and one of Buckland's closest friends and students, Rotonda was entrusted with preserving his life's work when he transferred ownership of the museum collection to her in 2015. She spent years restoring, cataloging, and safeguarding hundreds of historic artifacts before establishing the museum's permanent home in Cleveland. Under her stewardship, the Buckland Museum continues to honor Buckland's vision by preserving the history, folklore, and traditions of witchcraft while serving as an educational resource for visitors from around the world.

Tom ArrixTom Arrix is the founder and CEO of Get Joy, a Connecticut-based pet wellness company building what may be the first truly functional gut-health platform for dogs. Before pivoting to pet nutrition, he spent nearly three decades at the top of media, sports, and advertising — most notably at Facebook, where as VP of Global Marketing Solutions for North America he built and led the company's North American advertising business, growing it from roughly $18 million to over one billion dollars in revenue.Tom's career spans several of the defining media companies of the last 30 years. He began in banking before moving into media, holding senior roles at Turner Broadcasting and serving as SVP of Digital Sales & Marketing at CBS Sports, ahead of his landmark run at Facebook. In 2016 he co-founded Adjacency Partners, a business advisory firm helping early-stage companies scale faster — a bridge that kept him close to founders as he considered his own next chapter.That chapter became deeply personal. After his Golden Retriever, Cooper, was diagnosed with lymphoma, Tom immersed himself in canine nutrition, and the power of whole-food nutrition gave him and Cooper 18 more months together. That experience led him to found Get Joy, built on a gut-health thesis and its BellyBiotics line. Today the company has launched across 477 Sprouts Farmers Market doors nationwide, counts Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner as its wellness ambassador, is trusted by more than 30,000 pet parents, and runs much of its operations — from customer service to marketing analytics — on AI. Largely bootstrapped, Tom's vision is to make Get Joy for dog nutrition what AG1 has become for human health: a daily, foundational product pet parents never question.

Watch this heartwarming video of a sweet puppy leading the blind here --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

About David: For over thirty years, David L. Sloan IV has lived where Key West's history and folklore collide. As a researcher, cold-case investigator, and author of more than 25 books, he doesn't just tell stories; he unearths the strange, the unusual, and the hidden secrets of Key West and the Florida Keys. Whether he's documenting the island's ties to the JFK assassination, protecting the legacy of Robert the Doll, or defending the true history of Key lime pie, David is the source journalists, filmmakers, and curious travelers rely on for the real Key West. www.DLS4productions.com www.ghostkeywest.com Host: CL Thomas C.L. Thomas travels widely every year as a fine arts photographer and writer exploring various afterlife research, OBEs, metaphysics, folklore, and lectures at events. C.L. does "Spirit" art on request. She is the author of the haunting memoir "Dancing with Demons" and the acclaimed historical-fiction novel “Speaking to Shadows”. C.L. is the creator and host of The Gateway Podcast & Small Town Tales Podcast. She has written many articles and maintains a blog on legends, folklore magic, and paranormal stories. Currently, she resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with her beloved Golden Retriever and Maine Coon cat. www.clthomas.org Follow CL on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cl.thomas.428549/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_cl_thomas/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clthomas United Public Radio & UFO Paranormal Radio www.uprntalkradio.com

Today's adventure felt more like mountaineering than trail running as I tackled the steep Irvine Trail in the summer heat, with plenty of climbing, hydration breaks, and a few scenic pauses along the way. A missing Golden Retriever named Murphy became the unexpected storyline of the morning, as I could hear the owner's increasingly desperate calls echoing through the forest long after we'd parted. The tough terrain pushed me into Zones 5 and 6, but months of cross-training are clearly paying off, leaving me feeling stronger and more capable than I have in a long time. Along the climb I reflected on scaling back my podcasting plans, my annual alcohol-free August, and the importance of looking after both body and mind as the years go by. Reaching the upper slopes near the antenna, I chose the South Ridge descent, finishing another satisfying midweek adventure with the camera full of photos and my calorie goal well within reach.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-running-jackal--500980/support.

John writes "We owned a home in New Jersey, about three miles northeast of Chestnut, roughly a half hour from Hacklebarney State Park. The house sat on the west side of the Black River Wildlife Management Area and had only been built about three and a half years earlier. I had just returned after enlisting in the United States Navy. Someone dropped me off at the house around 4:30 that afternoon. We had two dogs a Golden Retriever and a little black dog. I let them outside, and the little black dog wandered off into the woods. It was a beautiful day around 75 degrees with a light breeze. I decided I'd take a walk through the woods myself. I headed southeast from the house and walked about 700 or 800 yards before stopping and turning back toward the house. That's when I heard the most god awful sound off to my right. It was incredibly loud, and at the time I had no idea what I was hearing. Later, after hearing other people describe it, I realized it sounded like what many call the 'samurai chatter.' I looked up and saw a berry bush about four feet tall, roughly 40 to 45 yards away. Standing on the other side of it was a massive figure. He looked to be about 6'8″ or 6'10", covered in reddish hair from head to toe. His build reminded me of a fit basketball player wearing shoulder pads, broad and muscular, and imposing. He was facing me, and we just stood there staring at each other. After a few seconds, I couldn't take it anymore, I turned and ran all the way back to the house. This wasn't my only time seeing one."   We will wrap up with the guys from Sasquatch-Nations. BECOME THE LEGEND A third-person open-world survival RPG where you play as Sasquatch. Explore vast wilderness regions inspired by real-world locations. Hunt. Survive. Raise a family. Master paranormal abilities. Navigate a fragile coexistence with humanity while confronting Dogmen, Skinwalkers, secret military programs, and the hidden forces shaping our world. Earn the respect of your tribe, uncover forgotten truths, and decide what kind of guardian or monster you will become. https://sasquatch-nations.com/

This week on Mel & Floyd: Saga fills in for the absent ‘Pants; House On the Rock – a natural mushroom trip?; A cross on the moon?; Uses for tungsten; Tales of cultural exchange; Mel regulating nuclear plants?; New UFO distractions released by Pentagon; Breaking: Cannibalism is bad; And other random topics; Notice something missing?  For the complete Mel and Floyd Experience, buy the CD “The Very Best of James Brown” and play it on your Hi-Fi while listening to this podcast!  Or listen live at 89.9 FM or wortfm.org/listen-live/ every Friday from 1 to 2 PM Central Time. Photo courtesy Barnabas Davoti on Unsplash Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Like Shaking Hands with a Golden Retriever appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

The Gateway Podcast – The Haunted Therapist – The Ghosts We Carry: Trauma, Memory & the Paranormal Date: July 7, 2026 Episode: 137 Discussion: The Haunted Therapist – The Ghosts We Carry: Trauma, Memory & the Paranormal About Brett: Brett, also known as The Haunted Therapist, is a licensed mental health counselor, EMDR-certified trauma therapist, and host of The Haunted Therapist podcast. Her work explores the intersection of trauma, spirituality, paranormal experiences, and the nervous system through a compassionate, trauma-informed, ethically grounded, and curiosity-driven lens. She is passionate about helping people make meaning of both their psychological and paranormal experiences while fostering healing, self-awareness, and connection.

What's the treat you refuse to give up for the cost of living crisis? Grandma accidentally got wasted. Our most wild topic: is your family the Village People? Is Clint a Golden Retriever? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gateway Podcast – Kerrilynn Shellhorn – The Unbroken Bond: Love, Loss & the Afterlife Date: June 30, 2026 Episode: 136 Discussion: Kerrilynn Shellhorn – The Unbroken Bond: Love, Loss & the Afterlife About Kerrilynn: Kerrilynn Shellhorn is a generational psychic medium, intuitive mentor, paranormal investigator, and radio host based in Ontario, Canada. Known for her accuracy, humour, heart-centred approach, and down-to-earth presence, Kerrilynn creates meaningful connections between the living and the spirit world through private sessions, live theatre events, gallery readings, séances, workshops, and paranormal investigations. She is the host of Spirit Switchboard on the United Public Radio Network where she explores mediumship, the paranormal, folklore, spirituality, and the mysteries that live just beyond the veil. Through her work, Kerrilynn blends compassion, curiosity, and just the right amount of sass to help people feel seen, supported, and reminded that love never truly leaves us.

Craig Koshyk has spent decades researching the history of sporting dogs, traveling the world to interview breeders, historians, and experts in search of one question: How did our dogs become who they are today?In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating story behind the Labrador Retriever—from the rugged shores of Newfoundland and the St. John's Water Dog to the breed that would become the most popular dog in the world. Craig explains why retrievers retrieve, how natural selection shaped the earliest working dogs, and why Labradors possess the unique combination of toughness, intelligence, cooperation, and heart that makes them so special.Along the way we explore the origins of the Golden Retriever, Flat-Coat, Curly-Coat, and other retriever breeds, discuss the evolution of hunting dogs, and even venture into the philosophy of why humans form such profound bonds with dogs in the first place.Whether you're a retriever trainer, hunter, breeder, or simply someone who loves dogs, this conversation will change the way you think about your best friend.

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Heather Gibson, founder of Big Heart Breeders, shares how a family's love for pets evolved into a thriving business generating over $700,000 annually with a team of 10. She discusses her journey from solopreneur to business owner, the challenges of hiring and delegation, and the importance of building the right team. Heather also reveals how Google marketing, SEO, and AI tools have fueled her growth. The conversation explores lessons in leadership, work-life balance, and creating a meaningful impact through pet breeding, nutrition, and education. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Heather Gibson shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is staying consistent and having the grit to keep going when results are not immediate. She explains that while some businesses appear to achieve overnight success, most growth comes from years of steady effort and learning. Heather believes that persistence, the right mindset, and showing up every day are what ultimately create opportunities for breakthrough growth. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Heather Gibson shares that the business book that has helped her the most is Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy. She explains that the book transformed her mindset around hiring and delegation, teaching her that business success comes from finding the right people to help achieve goals rather than trying to do everything yourself. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Heather Gibson shares that she enjoys learning from a variety of podcasts and online resources that focus on business growth, mindset, and practical implementation. She specifically mentions the Grow A Small Business podcast as a valuable resource and emphasizes the importance of continuously learning from experienced entrepreneurs, coaches, and industry experts to stay ahead in a rapidly changing business environment. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Heather Gibson recommends AI as one of the most powerful tools available to small business owners today. She highlights tools like Claude for copywriting, Gemini for image creation, and ChatGPT for a wide range of business tasks. Heather believes AI can dramatically improve productivity, provide valuable business insights, and help small businesses compete more effectively while saving both time and money. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Heather Gibson shares that if she could give advice to herself on day one, she would say, "Buckle in and get ready for a wild ride." She never imagined her business would grow to its current size and emphasizes that entrepreneurship comes with both difficult and rewarding seasons. Her advice is to stay resilient during the tough times, enjoy the successful moments, and always plan ahead for future challenges.  Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: My hires don't have to do things exactly the way I do—if they can do it 80% as well, that's a great hire — Heather Gibson Success isn't about the numbers; it's about the value you create and the lives you impact — Heather Gibson The biggest breakthroughs in business come from consistent effort, continuous learning, and the courage to keep going — Heather Gibson      

Date: June 23, 2026 Episode: 135 Discussion: Neal Gibbons – Midnight in Chicagoland: Paranormal Investigations About Neal: Neal Gibbons is the founder of Graveside Paranormal, a paranormal researcher, public speaker, and event host with more than 11 years of experience leading ghost tours and supernatural events throughout the Chicagoland area. Combining historical research, eyewitness testimony, and paranormal theory, he has investigated some of the Midwest's most notable haunted locations, including Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, The Roff House, and the legendary Resurrection Cemetery. Prior to his work in the paranormal field, Neal served more than 30 years with the Cook County Sheriff's Department, including 22 years working with psychiatric inmates, bringing a disciplined and investigative perspective to his research. Through documentaries, podcasts, speaking engagements, and immersive paranormal experiences, Neal continues to explore the unexplained while engaging audiences with compelling discussions on history, hauntings, spirituality, and the supernatural. BOO!

More is becoming clear but the mayor of the neighbourhood where it happened says she and her constituents are still looking for answers. We'll also hear from a local rabbi who knew Michel Mizrahi -- a fixture of the city's Jewish community, who appears to have died trying to save others. Members of the Taliban were in Brussels today for talks with European officials. A former Afghan MP tells us that's a dangerous step towards normalizing Taliban rule. For weeks now, a Zulu architect has been walking across South Africa to raise money for housing -- and hopes for a more equitable society. An Oklahoma family goes viral after video captures their Golden Retriever helpfully bringing a live armadillo inside the house -- a guest they are very vocal about not wanting. An Alaska woman opens her home to some unhoused parakeets and winds up with a surprising number of them -- all of which you will hear. As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that thinks that puts the "bird" in "burden."

Footage has come to light of an uber delivery driver in Melbourne who erupted when he saw a Golden Retriever come to the door. Plus, has Harry Styles just given the best performance he ever has? We think maybe…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragic and inexplicable shooting in Los Angeles has a dog owner and several organizations demanding answers. While responding to a report of a woman screaming, officers knocked on the door of Knick’s fan, 45-year-old Marie Marseille who’d been screaming following her team’s historic victory. Her 2-year-old St. Bernard, Golden Retriever, Poodle mix dog named Jameson ran out of the apartment and according to police, charged the officer. Now people want the body cam footage to see what really happened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragic and inexplicable shooting in Los Angeles has a dog owner and several organizations demanding answers. While responding to a report of a woman screaming, officers knocked on the door of Knick’s fan, 45-year-old Marie Marseille who’d been screaming following her team’s historic victory. Her 2-year-old St. Bernard, Golden Retriever, Poodle mix dog named Jameson ran out of the apartment and according to police, charged the officer. Now people want the body cam footage to see what really happened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragic and inexplicable shooting in Los Angeles has a dog owner and several organizations demanding answers. While responding to a report of a woman screaming, officers knocked on the door of Knick’s fan, 45-year-old Marie Marseille who’d been screaming following her team’s historic victory. Her 2-year-old St. Bernard, Golden Retriever, Poodle mix dog named Jameson ran out of the apartment and according to police, charged the officer. Now people want the body cam footage to see what really happened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragic and inexplicable shooting in Los Angeles has a dog owner and several organizations demanding answers. While responding to a report of a woman screaming, officers knocked on the door of Knick’s fan, 45-year-old Marie Marseille who’d been screaming following her team’s historic victory. Her 2-year-old St. Bernard, Golden Retriever, Poodle mix dog named Jameson ran out of the apartment and according to police, charged the officer. Now people want the body cam footage to see what really happened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 8 years in a row, the golden retriever has been the most popular dog in Ireland. So, why exactly is it so loved here?Orla Murray, Secretary of the Golden Retriever Society of Ireland and a Director of the Irish Kennel Club joins Seán to discuss!

Summer means more time outdoors, beach trips, barbecues, and adventures with our pets. It can also be one of the busiest times of year in the veterinary emergency room.In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by Dr. Carly Fox, Senior Veterinarian in AMC's Emergency and Critical Care Service, to discuss the most common summer emergencies and what owners need to know to help protect their pets.Topics include:Which pets are most vulnerable to heat-related illnessThe warning signs that a pet may be overheatingWhat to do in a heat emergency — and one common mistake that can make the situation worseWhy a day at the beach can sometimes end in the ERSummer travel risks many pet owners overlookPicnic and barbecue hazards that can lead to an emergency vet visitWhat ER veterinarians wish every pet owner knewAlso on this month's show:Trending animal story about a Great Horned Owl rescued after becoming trapped inside a concrete mixerAnimal news, including new research suggesting beluga whales may recognize themselves in mirrors, a study exploring how zebra finches learn complex skills, and fascinating findings about what pet hair may reveal about the indoor environments pets and people sharePet Health Listener Q&A: Addressing breathing concerns in a Yorkie with pancreatitis; whether Golden Retrievers should be shaved during the summer; and ongoing diarrhea and excessive thirst in a cat being treated for thyroid diseaseDo you have a pet health question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet!

Sometimes the moments that challenge your identity the most end up reshaping your entire relationship with money. In this episode of Money Tales, Bobbie LaPorte shares what it looks like to navigate financial highs and lows with humility and resourcefulness. After years of corporate success, Bobbie found herself asking a very different question. What do you do when the path you expected disappears and you still need to move forward? Bobbie's story is candid and full of hard-earned perspective and thoughtful generosity. Bobbie is a leadership advisor, executive coach, Founder and CEO of Bobbie LaPorte & Associates, where she helps leaders navigate volatility, complexity, and constant change. She works with Fortune 500 companies, global organizations, and high growth start-ups to build confident leaders who can think and perform at their best when the ground is shifting. Bobbie brings rare credibility to the conversation, having served as a CEO, COO and CMO in multiple Fortune 50 companies, including IBM, GE, and UnitedHealthcare, as well as leading two healthcare technology start ups. Bobbie is the and author of When the Curveballs Keep Coming. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Master's in Positive Leadership and Strategy from IE University in Madrid. Known for blending real world executive experience with science-based insight, Bobbie helps leaders strengthen personal agency, confidence and decision making under pressure. Her work spans keynote talks, leadership workshops, enterprise learning programs and one on one executive coaching. When she's not working with leaders, Bobbie is training for her seventh Ironman triathlon—often alongside her two Golden Retrievers on Bay Area trails. Here are three money conversations this episode will help you navigate: 1. How your relationship with money is shaped early and evolves over time. Growing up between abundance and scarcity, Bobbie learned to be self-sufficient and still carries that lens into how she saves, spends and supports others today. 2. What it really takes to get through financial uncertainty. Bobbie shares the reality of starting over, including the humbling decision to take any job available while building something new, and how that shaped her confidence and independence. 3. How to define “enough” when success keeps raising the bar. Through her work with high-earning clients, Bobbie brings a grounded lens on balancing ambition and wealth with the relationships, health, time and everyday experiences that often get pushed aside in the pursuit of more. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that inspire thoughtful, intentional decisions about money.

On today's episode, I interview Siobhan McCarthy, the writer, director, editor, animator and composer of SHE'S THE HE, a high-school farce about two guys who pose as trans women to sneak into the girls' locker room and allow one bud the opportunity to finally chat up his crush. However, when the other realizes she feels more than comfortable as a trans woman, to the point where she realizes she IS trans, the movie blossoms into a gentle yet goofy primer on the trans experience.McCarthy and I chatted about the memery laden within, the intersections of economic and gender oppression, the GOAT David Lynch and much, much more. I dare y'all to find someone with a brighter Golden Retriever energy. They're just that joyful.---Check out SHE'S THE HE showtimes hereFollow The Movies on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Throw a couple dollars in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tip jar!

In this fascinating episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Alamelu Sankaranarayanan—a KPA-certified training partner based in the San Francisco Bay Area—for a deep dive into the intersection of technology, science, and the evolving dialogue between humans and animals. Alamelu shares her remarkable journey from pursuing a PhD in computer engineering and designing microchips to finding her "true north" in the world of positive reinforcement animal training. Alamelu reflects on her roots in India, where the cultural message to stay away from street dogs eventually gave way to a profound curiosity and a secret relationship with the neighborhood packs. She discusses how these early experiences, combined with a "remarkable chain of lucky encounters," led her to the Karen Pryor Academy and Dr. Susan Friedman's Living and Learning with Animals course—experiences that helped her articulate her ethics and lead with clarity and kindness. The conversation also explores Alamelu's unique ability to marry her tech background with her passion for dogs, including her development of the Canine Rally app for competitors and her current labor of love, Woof School. Alamelu candidly shares a powerful learning moment from her certification process involving a complex 10-behavior chain with her Golden Retriever, Monty, and how a "failed" assessment became a masterclass in understanding hidden cues and behavioral repair. Together, Shelly and Alamelu explore: ✅ From Microchips to Mutts: How a career in tech informed a systematic and analytical approach to animal behavior. ✅ The Internal Compass: The life-changing experience of finding community and philosophy at Clicker Expo. ✅ Everything is on Cue: A deep dive into the idea that even "wrong" behaviors are often responses to cues we aren't aware we're giving. ✅ The Chicken Camp Comeback: How working with a new species helped break a spell of dejection and rediscovered the joy of being a learner. ✅ Husbandry and Choice: Moving from "no-choice" contingencies to honoring "yes" and "no" buttons for procedures like nail dremeling. ✅ Digital Ripples: The story behind the Canine Rally app and using technology to make dog sports more accessible. ✅ The Dialogue of Training: Why training is a constant dance of communication where the animal is cueing the handler just as much as the handler cues the animal. This episode is a celebration of the "discovery path" and the humility required to stay a student of behavior. Alamelu's story is a beautiful reminder that when we treat training as a dialogue rather than a monologue, we don't just achieve fluency—we build a partnership rooted in trust, clarity, and mutual respect. Links alamelu@woof.school

Could your dog save another dog's life just by taking a sniff? The answer is a resounding yes! Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of biomedical olfaction with Dr. Cindy Otto and Dr. Clara Wilson, authors of the groundbreaking paper, Trained Dogs Can Detect the Odor of Hemangiosarcoma in Canine Blood Samples. Hemangiosarcoma—a silent killer that devastates breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers—is often diagnosed too late. But pioneering work at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center is changing that. Discover how these incredible canines are using their powerful sense of smell to accurately detect the deadly cancer in blood samples, achieving over 70% accuracy and even revealing discrepancies that stumped traditional pathologists. Learn about the intensive training that turns working dogs into life-saving disease detectors, and what this research means for the future of veterinary medicine and early cancer screening.◇ ─ ◇ ─ ◇Froggy's Golf Ball Retrieval offers the best programs helping you achieve the most from your water hazards. Not only will we treat your course with the utmost professionalism, our experience in removing balls from water hazards has taught us how to operate in an efficient, safe and productive manner since 1995. As we move into our next chapter, Froggy's provides insured services, uses proven techniques and the most updated equipment to take care of the golf community.We handle even the toughest water hazards that make our competitors walk away. Froggy's is the Midwest's premier ball collection company. Froggy's offers several options to make your water hazards a profit center!Please call us today to arrange to have Froggy's harvest the balls from your water hazards.Contact Owner Emily Newland at 574-544-9890 or email Froggysretrieval@gmail.com.◇ ─ ◇ ─ ◇All footage is owned by SLA Video Productions.

The Gateway Podcast – John Kozik – The Devil's Game? Exploring the Truth About Ouija Date: June 2, 2026 Episode: 132 Discussion: The Devil's Game? Exploring the Truth About Ouija About John Kozik: John Kozik's obsession with collecting and researching Ouija began when he inherited his grandmother's board in the late 1990's. He was surprised to discover that Ouija was simply one specific brand of Talking Board, and that they date much further back than the Ouija of Parker Brothers fame. Through years of dedication John is now one of the most knowledgeable people on the subject. In 2013 he became a founding member of the Talking Board Historical Society, a group that researches and preserves the history of Talking Boards. Fast forward to 2019 - John opened the doors of The Salem Witch Board Museum to the public. It is the only museum dedicated to the history and lore of the Talking Board, boasting the largest collection of boards, obscure memorabilia, and ephemera under one roof. In May of 2024 he realized one roof was not big enough for Ouija's rich history, so he opened a second location, Witch Board Museum Baltimore. Whether you believe it's the tool of the Devil or just an innocent kid's game, a visit to the museums will allow you to learn more about this fascinating and iconic piece of Americana.

The Golden Retriever of Comedy Tour is coming to your city!Get tickets at https://www.dansoder.com/tourJune 1-2 Key West,FLJune 5 - Newark,NJJune 13 - Mill Valley,CA - Special TapingJuly 9-11 Batavia,ILJuly 16-18 Stamford,CTJuly 31 - August 1 - Albany,NYAugust 13-15 Baltimore,MDAugust 20-22 Spokane,WASeptember 18-19 Manchester,CTOctober 2-3 Bernalillo,NMOctober 22-24 Calgary,ABNovember 5-7 Salt Lake City,UTDecember 10-12 Rochester,NYFollow Chris Fagahttps://www.instagram.com/chrisfrombklyn/https://x.com/ChrisFromBklynPLEASE Drop us a rating on iTunes and subscribe to the show to help us grow.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soder/id1716617572Connect with SoderTwitter: https://Twitter.com/dansoderInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansoderTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dansodercomedyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dansoderYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/@dansoder.comedy#dansoder #standup #comedy #entertainment #podcastProduced by  Mike Lavin     https://www.instagram.com/thehomelesspimp/?hl=en

Is your boyfriend a good boy? Should we train him? Or is it time for him to be handed to the dog home for someone else to take him on as a problem? In this episode, join Chidera as she talks about the importance of the black cat-golden retriever dynamic, and why women should consider leaning into ethical narcissism. Join my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for access to more revealing episodes, a 65-page guide on whether to keep or leave that guy, as well as answering your dilemma questions! Get my latest book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠POCKET POWER FROM THE SLUMFLOWER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gateway Podcast – JOSHUA SHAPIRO – CRYSTAL SKULLS Date: May 19, 2026 Originally Aired August 25, 2025 Episode: 130 Discussion: CRYSTAL SKULLS About Joshua Shapiro: Joshua Shapiro has been a Crystal Skull Explorer since 1983, working as a public speaker, author, and investigator who has consulted for TV shows and documentaries. He co-authored "Mysteries of the Crystal Skulls Revealed" (1989) and the "Journeys of the Crystal Skull Explorers" series, with versions published in multiple languages and various travel logs documenting expeditions to Mexico and Peru. In 2014, Joshua partnered with novelist Karen Tucker to write "Journeys into the Unknown and Back Again, Book #1," a spiritual adventure novel about crystal skull investigators who receive messages from Spirit to find a portal in Peru's Andes mountains. He continues his research with partner Katrina Head and their collection of over thirty crystal skulls, offering private sessions and coordinating crystal skull conferences while being featured in numerous TV documentaries.

New Purina Pro Plan Grant Program Levels the Playing Field for All Dog Clubs Host Laura Reeves is joined by Purina's Heidi Hartman to discuss the exciting evolution of the Purina Parent Club Partnership (PPCP) into the brand new Pro Plan Grant Program. For years, the PPCP distributed funds based on Pro Club member receipt uploads, which unintentionally favored highly popular breeds with large club memberships, leaving smaller clubs with minimal funding. The new Pro Plan Grant Program is designed to level the playing field, ensuring that a small breed club with just a handful of members has the exact same opportunity to secure a grant as massive organizations like the Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever clubs. Now, any qualified 501(c)3 parent breed club can apply for a grant of up to $5,000. These funds act as a strategic partnership to support vital initiatives, including canine health research, educational outreach, breed preservation and rescue programs. Key Takeaways & Important Dates: Equal Opportunity Funding:The David and Goliath dynamic is gone. Small and large clubs now have an equal shot at earning substantial funding for their initiatives.Application Timeline:The simple online application process opens onJune 1and closes onSeptember 30.Approval & Payouts:Grant applications will be reviewed by a diverse committee between October 1 and November 30. Winners will be announced in December, with funds dispersed in January.Purina Pro Club is NOT Going Away:While the PPCP donation matching is ending, you should absolutely keep uploading your receipts! The Pro Club and its redemption programs are still highly active. How to Apply: Starting June 1, eligible clubs can access the straightforward online application to submit their grant requests. You can scan the QR code found on Pro Plan Grant Program literature at Purina dog show booths to apply directly. Remember, the application must be submitted by the board of your parent club.

On this episode of The Daily Dog, Michele Forto profiles the Golden Retriever on Dog Works Radio.  Other Episodes You Will Love ·      Zombie Dogs Support the Show This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B and a Rodecaster Pro II Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review. FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it. Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time. Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog. Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership. Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn   ©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

Episode 067 | Dr. Amanda Hill—Founder of RENEW Longevity & Medical Aesthetics—is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in longevity medicine, regenerative aesthetics, and precision-based care. She completed her dermatology residency at Stanford University (with Dr. Lewellis!), where she served as Chief Resident, and later served as Chief of Dermatology at Nellis Air Force Base, caring for service members and their families.Through her work with RENEW, Dr. Hill integrates metabolic health, hormone optimization, and skin longevity into comprehensive, individualized treatment plans. She has advanced training in bioidentical hormone therapy and regenerative aesthetics and is currently completing the A4M Longevity Medicine Fellowship (Spring 2026). Dr. Hill is an active member of Longevity Docs, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and the American Board of Dermatology (ABD).Dr. Hill believes great skin is a reflection of overall health—not an isolated concern. With expertise spanning dermatology, nutrition, and regenerative medicine, she created RENEW to help women stop guessing and start healing. Her approach is thoughtful, data-driven, and deeply personal, focusing on how patients feel as much as how they look.Dr. Hill's areas of focus include: hormone-driven skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and melasma; Aging-related concerns including skin laxity, dullness, and volume loss; Regenerative treatments such as PRP, laser therapies, and natural injectables; Integrative care that connects skin health, hormones, metabolism, and overall vitality.Outside the clinic, Dr. Hill is married, a mother of four, and a proud dog mom to two Golden Retrievers—bringing real-life perspective to her aspirational yet sustainable approach to longevity and wellness.More from Dr. Hill and RENEWInstagram: @amandahilldermdocLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-hill-dermdoc Email: amandarayemd@gmail.comMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois and Nebraska.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.Above & Beyond DermatologyNutrafol -- special pricing and physician exclusive productsNeoGenesis -- my favorite source of stem cell released molecules for skin/hairSilagen.biz -- physician dispensed scar refinement products delivered to your door (use practice code 1206240832P)NewsletterLinkedInFacebookDr. Lewellis on InstagramAbove & Beyond Dermatology on InstagramYouTubeTikTokTwitter/XChange Your Mind, Change Your LifeSoMeDocs (Doctors on Social Media)This page may contain affiliate links.

Support the sponsors to support the show!Our listeners get 15% off plus free shipping when they buy two or more pairs of prescription glasses at WarbyParker.com/SODER — using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #adhttps://www.warbyparker.com/?&wpsrc=Podcast&singular=59085_2026Q1?utm_campaign=2026Q1&utm_content=audio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=soderProtect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/soder Application times may vary. Rates may vary.https://www.ethos.com/?utm_source=arm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=soderGet moving with Mack Weldon. Comfortable anywhere. Go to MackWeldon.com and get 20% off your first order of $125 or more, with promo code DAN. That's MackWeldon.com code DANhttps://mackweldon.com/The Golden Retriever of Comedy Tour is coming to your city!Get tickets at https://www.dansoder.com/tourApril 4 - Huntington,NY - 2 shows 7pm & 9:30April 10 - Charlotte,NCApril 11 - Durham,NCApril 17 - Munhall,PAApril 18 - Cleveland,OHApril 19 - Columbus,OHApril 24 - Larchwood,IAFollow Eric Andréhttps://www.instagram.com/ericfuckingandre/?hl=enhttps://x.com/ericandre?lang=enhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2RwrjomuHqHkmTsDE3e6cuPLEASE Drop us a rating on iTunes and subscribe to the show to help us grow.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soder/id1716617572Connect with SoderTwitter: https://Twitter.com/dansoderInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansoderTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dansodercomedyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dansoderYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/@dansoder.comedy#dansoder #standup #comedy #entertainment #podcastProduced by  Mike Lavin     https://www.instagram.com/thehomelesspimp/?hl=en

Support the sponsors to support the show!If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at MINTMOBILE.com/SODER That's MINT MOBILE dot com slash SODERDISCLAIMER: Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month 5 gigabyte plan required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details. https://www.mintmobile.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=mint_podcast&utm_content=soder&dnfemfkahqkdlf=soderStop shopping and get styled today at StitchFix.com/soder to get $20 off your first orderhttps://www.stitchfix.com/men?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=audioboom&utm_campaign=podcast|audioboom|mens|m|fix|pros|web|us|soderDownload Cash App Today: [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/wdild9do] #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Cash App Green, overdraft coverage, borrow, cash back offers and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.The Golden Retriever of Comedy Tour is coming to your city!Get tickets at https://www.dansoder.com/tourApril 4 - Huntington,NY - 2 shows 7pm & 9:30April 10 - Charlotte,NCApril 11 - Durham,NCApril 17 - Munhall,PAApril 18 - Cleveland,OHApril 19 - Columbus,OHApril 24 - Larchwood,IAFollow Justin Stagnerhttps://www.instagram.com/justin.stagner/https://www.youtube.com/@Justin.Stagnerhttps://www.tiktok.com/@justinstagnerPLEASE Drop us a rating on iTunes and subscribe to the show to help us grow.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soder/id1716617572Connect with SoderTwitter: https://Twitter.com/dansoderInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dansoderTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dansodercomedyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dansoderYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/@dansoder.comedy#dansoder #standup #comedy #entertainment #podcastProduced by  Mike Lavin     https://www.instagram.com/thehomelesspimp/?hl=en

Patty Laushman, a speaker, autism life coach, and the author of the book Parenting for Independence: Overcoming Failure to Launch in Autistic Emerging Adults, joins me to talk about one of the misunderstood stages of parenting: supporting our neurodivergent kids as they move into emerging adulthood. In our conversation, Patty and I unpack the concept of “failure to launch,” why that label is actually unhelpful and inaccurate, and how redefining independence can change everything. We talk about self-determination, motivation, and what support actually looks like during this phase of life. Patty also shares her SBN parenting framework—Support, Boundaries, and Nudges—and offers grounded, compassionate guidance for navigating this transition while strengthening trust and connection along the way. About Patty Laushman   Patty Laushman is an author, speaker, educator, and coach who specializes in supporting neurodivergent individuals and the families who love them. With both personal and professional experience, she deeply understands the challenges of being neurodivergent in a world designed for those who are more neurotypical—and the transformative power of the right kind of support. She is the founder and head coach at Thrive Autism Coaching, where she and her team help neurodivergent teens and adults, as well as their parents, build the skills and confidence needed to thrive. Patty developed the SBN™ parenting framework, a step-by-step system that teaches parents how to use support, boundaries, and nudges to help their autistic emerging adults reclaim motivation, build momentum, and move toward more meaningful lives on their own terms. Through her Parenting for Independence group coaching program, Patty has guided hundreds of families through this unexpected stage of parenting—helping them rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and finally start seeing progress. Her compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming approach has been described by clients as “the only thing that has ever worked for us.”She lives with her husband, son, and Golden Retriever in the Denver/Boulder metro area. In her spare time, you'll find her hiking, camping, headbanging to heavy metal, or devouring medical or crime dramas. Things you'll learn from this episode   How understanding a child's lived experience lays the groundwork for more effective, compassionate parenting Why the term “failure to launch,” while loaded, can help families find the right support and resources How redefining independence to include positive interdependence supports healthier outcomes for emerging adults Why self-determination is central to helping neurodivergent young adults move out of stuckness and burnout How the SBN framework—Support, Boundaries, and Nudges—guides parents in creating momentum without control Why resetting expectations and timelines can ease parental shame and anxiety while supporting real growth Resources mentioned Patty Laushman's website Thrive Autism Coaching Parenting for Independence: Overcoming Failure to Launch in Autistic Emerging Adults by Patty Laushman How to Get Your Autistic Emerging Adult in the Driver's Seat of Their Life (freebie from Patty) Parenting for Independence (Patty's program) Private Coaching for Parents with Patty The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1) — a crossover episode with Penny Williams (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast) The Real Work of Parenting ND Young Adults (Part 2) (Beautifully Complex podcast) A Conservation with Dr. Gina Riley on Self-Determination Theory & Motivation (Full-Tilt Parenting) A Conversation with Linda Murphy About Declarative Language episode (Full-Tilt Parenting) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices