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Morgan Evans is a biomechanical engineer, serial medtech entrepreneur, and angel investor. She shares her journey from aspirations of becoming a doctor, to working in mergers and acquisitions at Medtronic, to co-founding/founding six companies, including Agitated Solutions and Avio Medtech Consulting. Morgan discusses the importance of supporting startups in accelerating market entry, the challenges and opportunities with innovative medtech development, and the value of servant leadership.   Guest links: www.aviomedtech.com Charity supported: Polaris Project Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 063 - Morgan Evans [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey, and today I'm excited to introduce you to my guest, Morgan Evans. Morgan is a serial medtech entrepreneur and investor, which means her passion is launching new businesses. She's a biomechanical engineer by training, went to business school and worked for Medtronic in corporate development before jumping fully into the world of startups. Over the past 10 years, she has founded or co-founded six companies: two medical device companies, two medtech accelerators, and two venture investing vehicles. She spends most of her time with Agitated Solutions, which is developing several innovations related to contrast and ultrasound, and Avio Medtech Consulting, which helps lower the barriers to entry for new ideas and new medtech companies. All right. Well thank you so much for joining us today, Morgan. I'm so excited to speak with you. [00:01:42] Morgan Evans: Thank you again for having me. Pleasure to be here. [00:01:45] Lindsey Dinneen: Of course. Well, I'd love if you wouldn't mind starting off by sharing just a little bit about yourself, your background, and maybe what led you to medtech. [00:01:53] Morgan Evans: Sure, of course. Originally from Houston, I went to school in the Bay Area and studied to be a biomechanical engineer. I originally thought that I was gonna be a doctor, and wanted to start in heart lung transplant of all things. Did an internship between my freshman and sophomore year and quickly learned two things. One is that I love people a bit too much to distance myself emotionally, so it would've really been a hard career for me, I think being on the front lines with that. But the second important thing I learned as well was there was a lot of technologies that existed in the medtech side of the world, just trying to buy people time and give options. And so I fell in love with medtech as a career relatively early. Started working for my first startup in the neuromodulation space before I even graduated undergrad, and loved that. Wore a ton of hats ranging from engineering, clinical commercial. I did some vertical line integrations in there and I started before we were even at 10 employees, left at 55. Thought it was massive 'cause we had middle management. Then toward the tail end of that, started studying to go to business school 'cause I realized I was getting further and further away from my engineering degree. And then I went to Kellogg at Northwestern and when I was there, co-founded my first startup with a clinician that had a great idea, didn't really know how to navigate the regulatory side of the world, and we co-founded that company together. And toward the tail end of that, was recruiting for formal kind of post-business school. Where am I gonna land? What am I gonna do? And decided to go to Medtronic and do mergers and acquisitions within the corporate development team. Did that for about two years. Loved it, learned a lot. The team was great. But big company was a huge change, especially as I just mentioned, you know, I thought 55 was large with middle management. And then you go to 90,000 at the time and deal teams of that. And kind of felt like my calling was going back to startups, so left in 2016 and have been innovating and building companies ever since. [00:03:53] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow. Okay. Well, thank you for sharing a little bit about your background and everything that's led you to where you are today. I really appreciate it, and so I am so intrigued. Okay, so you were on track in, in theory, initially to be a doctor and to go that route and then decided, "Okay, well, maybe this isn't for me," which is so great that you learned earlier rather than later, of course. But so as you were processing through making this transition into medtech and going, "Oh my goodness, there's actually a whole lot here." Were there any particular things that really stood out as being the most intriguing? Were you just kind of interested in the industry as a whole, or were there specific things where you thought, "Oh gosh, I really wanna learn about X, Y, and Z." [00:04:37] Morgan Evans: Yeah. Two things happened in relatively short order that I think landed me in my love, right? The first is, when I was doing this internship, they actually had some preclinical research going on in the basement of the hospital. And I, it's a long story, but I randomly ended up wandering into this place and figuring out it existed, and saw some of the early preclinical research happening live where they actually had a pig that they were trying to induce a heart attack in to then do a treatment for. And this pig actually coded in the middle of the procedure and they literally come out with paddles. And I'm just like, "This is the coolest thing in the world, this is actually how innovation is done and people learn." So that kind of, "Oh, cardiovascular sounds really interesting," was where I originally started. And then, at the time when I was at Stanford, I was playing on the basketball team as well, and I went to a event with some supporters of the program. And the person at my table was Chairman of the Board of a neuromodulation startup, autonomic technologies. And the one thing I at least love that I'm not afraid to ask questions. And so I just was like peppering him with like, "What is this? How does that work?" And that actually led to my first job. And it's kind of fortuitous that you're in the right place at the right time, but then just get exposure, and that was in pain and pain's a hard space. The type of treatment we were doing was treating condition that was known as a suicide headache. And so I think that was helpful to see the impact of the work we can do so early on. And then I, like I said, I've been hooked ever since. [00:06:05] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah, that's great. And those are great stories. I love the synchronicity and how those moments sometimes just play out perfectly and lead you to your next right step. So now you are in a position where you are advising startups, but you have lots of things going on. I feel like when I was looking at your LinkedIn, there were multiple different organizations you're a part of and participating in. So could you share just a little bit about all the wonderful things you're up to these days? [00:06:31] Morgan Evans: Yeah, for sure. So my day job, as I call it, but where I spend by far majority of my time is I am co-founder and CEO of a company called Agitated Solutions. And we say that we're unlocking the potential of diagnostic ultrasound. So we have multiple products that include a contrast agent that's revolutionary and that it has a temporary micro bubble, looking for holes or flaps known as a patent foramen ovale in the heart that's highly associated with cryptogenic stroke. So we have contrast side, and then we also have some software as a way to have better prediction of what our high risk shunts and what could cause stroke. That had a company spin out of it called Moonshot Medical that is more of a traditional incubator where we put all of the IP and ideas that weren't quite ready to be full-blown companies, but we knew there were some things there that I also technically lead. So those are the two that I'm CEO of. I founded a company called Avio, that I'm very passionate about, that is really focused on trying to help get these medical technologies to market faster. The work we do is on the backend of medtech, so quality systems, regulatory, R&D project management. But just in the theory that there's so much paperwork that is behind any innovation, like how do we get better at that paperwork so that we can keep innovators doing what they do best. And then we're just really that helping hand alongside. I joke, all of the things I'm involved in, this was my happy accident. I felt like I was building what I needed for my own startups. Literally no intent of anyone else ever seeing this or offering that as a service. And I just remember distinctly, I woke up one day shortly before my son was born and I was like, "Oh, I think there's actually a business here. Maybe I should run it like one." So that's another one. And then passionate about angel investing in early stage as well. When I fundraised for the first time, I was 29. I'm now 37. I get asked that a lot, although you're not supposed to ask a woman her age. When I fundraised for the first time, especially in these early stage rounds, no one looked like me, both in gender or age. And so I'm one of those believers, "Put your own money where your mouth is," even if they were baby checks to start, they were something. And that's been another area that I also spend some time. [00:08:48] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Wow. Okay. So you've got a lot going on to, put it mildly, which is fantastic. You mentioned something that really stood out to me. You're trying to help these startups bring their medical technology to market faster. And I'm curious, are there maybe one or two things that you see a lot of startup companies perhaps either accidentally overlook, or delay too long, or something like that, where, at the beginning, if they had done X, Y, and Z, they could have gotten their technology to market faster. [00:09:21] Morgan Evans: Yeah, a couple thoughts. One is I think people underestimate the amount of time that it takes to formally document all of the things that go into getting your device compliant and on the market. For example, I've had a client before that came to us that had a product that was working. He had tested it, he'd done all these things and it was a software, and ready to go, and submit to the FDA. And then you're like, "Well, we need user needs and product requirements, and your design schema," which, you know, there is a reason that these processes exist and I think they can make you have a better product at the end of it. But I think, you know, people assume, "Let's build the right product first and then worry how to document it." And then you forget sometimes why certain decisions were made or you know, is this actual requirement or was that done because it was an off the shelf thing? And so there is a lot of learning that I think can be lost by waiting. Now all that said, the other part of it would be that if people kind of shore up too fast, so you overbuild the team, you have a quality person, a regulatory person day one that feel like they need to be doing all of the things and justify their full-time job, then you end up documenting and revising. So there is some healthy balance and tension between the two. So it's not easy to get it perfect. But I would say those are the two areas that come to mind. [00:10:37] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And I can see where the polar opposites could be challenging. So staying happily in the middle, working with an expert such as yourself, is a really wonderful way to go about that. You mentioned angel investing and being passionate about helping. It sounded like based on your own experience, you're very passionate about helping the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs in this space create the products and bring what they envision to market. As you've gone about this, and even as you learned for yourself how to fundraise, maybe feeling like, "Hey, nobody else looks like me, is my age," or whatever, what are some learning lessons that you've experienced that you would suggest for somebody who's maybe in a similar situation that you were in? [00:11:28] Morgan Evans: Yeah. Some of it is just to be a little bit fearless, I would say. There's a lot of people that have told me over the years, "Pick one. I don't understand how you do all these things." My least favorite question I've ever gotten is, "Do you ever see your kids?" Yeah. But people ask you that, you know? And I think it's easy to let other people tell you what you should be or what your product should look like or your path should be. And I think I have been fortunate to find some wonderful mentors that empowered me to be my own version. I didn't have an example of someone that had built the things in the way that I had built them or that had a couple of them at one time. But I also knew very confidently that I wasn't dropping a ball and I was doing the right thing by the companies I was building and supporting. And it was helpful to have the army behind me that just loved me for me and supported me in that, in developing it. And I think that next generation of entrepreneur, if you can find the same, that's willing to lean in just for you and there's no ulterior motive other than just to see you be successful, hold on with both hands and then pay it forward to the next one. [00:12:38] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yes. That's great advice and insight. So when you're thinking about your own career and the companies you're leading, what are some things that you're looking forward to in the future as you yourself continue to evolve and develop your own skill sets and whatnot, and also for your companies that you're leading? What are you excited about? [00:12:59] Morgan Evans: Yeah, I think for me, I'm excited about building that next generation of entrepreneur, which we've talked about a little bit. And how do I influence and build and develop those things without me being the one actively leading them? That's been a new learning that I'm continuing to kind of dabble in and grow personally, which is leading through the art of board work or questions or advising, which is different than leading a company by physically being the head of that company. And thinking about how to train and develop and give people enough of a leash to go and run and be them, but yet have that support system that you're still within their appropriate guardrails that-- I'm kind of mixing metaphors, but I think you get it. You know, it's an art, not a science, and one that I'm enjoying learning and growing and developing in this next phase too. [00:13:53] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Well, and speaking to that in general, so I'm sure you've had a mixture as most of us have had, of good experiences with leadership and poor experiences with leadership, and I'm curious how that has shaped your own leadership style now, especially as you're in this new phase of further developing your leadership skills to look a little different than perhaps they have in the past. But what do you draw from and what's your inspiration when you've developed your own leadership style? [00:14:23] Morgan Evans: Yeah. As I mentioned earlier, I've had a wonderful network of mentors that I think have really leaned in and and done it in the right way for the right reason. And I hope to emulate that myself, of being there to grow people and the technologies and the businesses that you're doing and giving them those chances to shine. As a leader, I believe very much in servant leadership. I never want someone to work a weekend that I'm not working as well. But then you kind of realize that isn't always feasible and can feel uncomfortable sometimes. And how I've evolved to give other people those opportunities, but recognize I'm not gonna be in the weeds enough to help them in the same way, it's a journey. I'd love to say I'm at the destination. I'm one of those, I love iterative improvement. I don't think I'm ever at a destination. But just really trying to lead through the art of question, for example, as opposed to coming with thoughts and opinions, has been a big one for me in the last couple months in particular. [00:15:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. So approaching with curiosity, it sounds like in an effort to understand and or provoke even perhaps that person taking additional ownership or responsibility in their own creative solutions to perhaps what they're coming up with. Are there particular questions you've found that are really helpful as you're shaping these conversations, helping people understand their next right step? [00:15:46] Morgan Evans: Yeah, I, it's funny because one of my mentors that's been coaching me on this is, she's kind of had that progression of learning to shift from, in the absence of leadership, lead, to leading someone else through that. I actually text her periodically and ask her for guidance of, "Hey, they came to me with... This is what I would normally say. How do I frame this in a question such that I'm giving them enough direction, but not leading the horse to water." So it the art of the question is in, in fact, itself an art. In general, I would think about asking something in the framework of, "Have you thought about the ramifications of?" or, " What is the key thing that we should focus on this week?" It's almost trying to pick out what I would focus as being the main thematic issue or next step, and giving them enough of a carrot that they can get there, but not quite telling them exactly how it should be done. [00:16:44] Lindsey Dinneen: Okay. Yeah. So in general those sort of probing questions that might suggest, "Hey, have you thought about X, Y, and Z? Or, what are your thoughts about X, Y, and Z related to this?" And letting them continue to take ownership and responsibility for that. That's really great. One thing I noticed, and I don't know if this is something you currently still do or not, but I was noticing on your LinkedIn that at least at one point you had a Medtech Startup CEO Bootcamp, which just sounds awesome and I would love, if you don't mind, sharing a little bit more about that and what that looks like. [00:17:17] Morgan Evans: Well, the good news is we are doing it, we're doing another one, I think in June. I'm happy to say I don't know the exact date 'cause that means I'm not in it enough to know exactly the dates. So in the spirit of me trying to take myself up a level -- success. But no, it's interesting because I had worked in medtech for five years before business school, went and got a traditional, you know, learning in all things business, right? Graduated, went to Medtronic, did M&A, and then came and did my first startup. And I remember day one it was like, "Do I form an LLC or C corp?" No one had taught me that. And it's funny because, now you can understand the nuance of the question, but I can't imagine how much money I spent on the first attorney. And yes, there's pass through income, but you know, is that appropriate for investors for me to take a disproportionate loss or there's 1202 tax code and all these other nuance. So I started realizing that a lot of just taking the first step where things that you have to learn on your own or find a really awesome board member, advisor, et cetera, to lean in and help you too. Other examples would be, you know, "How much stock options do you normally give your board?" Or, " Should I do a convertible note or a safe? What is a quality system," right? I knew entrepreneurs that had no idea what those things were. So the thought was, "How do I give enough detail to these other entrepreneurs, so where they at least feel that they can ask the right question?" Because to think that I can teach someone the nuance of verification, of validation strategy in an hour or four, versus someone that has done nothing but R&D for 15 years, right? That's not gonna happen. But if you could teach them enough to then say, "Hey, my CTO or contract design partner, should we dry run this test first? Or what test should we dry run?" Right? If we can give those people just enough there to phone a friend, that was the goal of the program. So just giving people that lay of the land and enough of a roadmap. And a lot of this too, like we literally have an acronym sheet because medtech is full of acronyms, and it's funny that like our acronyms can mean something completely different in other people's spaces. And so just even learning the lingo day one, like what's an SOP or CMO or CDO? [00:19:40] Lindsey Dinneen: That's incredible. I love that. That's so great that you have a cheat sheet because I remember that being such a learning curve when I first got into the industry of, " You just said an entire paragraph worth of acronyms and I would love to understand what you're talking about, but I don't yet." so learning how to decipher all of that was great. I'm thankful for it, but yeah, that's wonderful. A cheat sheet sounds fantastic. You know, it's interesting 'cause you mentioned, with this bootcamp, first of all, I'd love that you offer that. What a fantastic offering for anyone in that position who's just needing that support and that extra guidance, and having something that's so specific to the industry is great. Do we just go to your website for details if anyone's interested in that? [00:20:24] Morgan Evans: Yeah, it would be on the aviomedtech.com website. And then I believe there's a tab that is regard to the bootcamp. And yeah, like I said, it's all the stuff that I wish I would have learned or I learned. It took me way too much time and money, that I just want people to know where the landmines are that I had to step on. And if we can just accelerate that learning and that s-curve for the next entrepreneur, we can get these products to market a lot faster. [00:20:50] Lindsey Dinneen: Yes. I love that you offer that. You've gotten to have an amazing career where you've been diving into the industry itself and working for other people, and then of course being a leader in your own companies now as well. I'm wondering if there are any stories that stand out to you as really just affirming, "You know, I really am in the right place at the right time in the right industry"? [00:21:12] Morgan Evans: Yeah, it's funny. I don't get to reflect on this very often, but I co-founded Agitated Solutions and I founded Avio within one week of each other. I didn't know, again, that I was building what I was building on Avio's side. But what's been so much fun is that as I build and grow this awesome company, that's being an entrepreneur myself, being able to take learnings where I see them and try to pull them thematically into Avio so that you kind of have that flywheel effect. So I'm learning that I enjoy both operating within these technology companies, but also trying to figure out what of the system, or the process, doesn't make sense. Like I know other people might do it this way, but why? And, being able to innovate on the system and the output at the same time has been super fulfilling for me. And like I said, it's kind of a little bit of coincidence that it was within one week of each other, but that's part of where I've learned for myself that I don't think I'm fulfilled by just being in one company or one thing fully, and in fact, me being in something else is part of what makes me better at the other thing. So I feel really fortunate to have found that and to know where my passion lies. [00:22:41] Lindsey Dinneen: Yes. That's very cool. And definitely a gift. And you know how things sort of translate into each other-- I was thinking about this earlier because-- I noticed, and you also mentioned that basketball was, and is as my understanding, a core part of your life. And so you've been both a player, you've been a coach. How has basketball played a role in either life lessons, life skills that you've drawn from it, and or how does it just incorporate into your life? [00:23:11] Morgan Evans: You know, it's actually a really fitting question. So first of all, as an athlete, it taught me I cannot stand to be the weakest link on a team. And when you think about that servant leadership, or that hustle or that grit, I was tall, but I was not the most naturally gifted athlete. And so a lot of where I excelled in basketball was on fundamentals, just solid, putting in the time and doing it. And then I got to the point in my career where I could not outwork other people. I could put all the time in the world in there and I was not going-- like I played behind All American Centers when I was at Stanford, and everybody was an All American coming in to play basketball. And it was a good evolution for me to learn a little bit of "How else can I then play a role if I'm not the most gifted athlete?" and to recognize that a team can function well with all those pieces regardless, right? So I don't need to be the leading score to still have an impact on the team was kind of a good mental awareness of how talent gets pulled together to make effective teams. The other thing on the coaching side, so I actually had career ending surgeries between my junior and senior year. And basketball was, and still is, a big love of my life. And to then have my playing days over unexpectedly was a big transition, and I got to see basketball from the sidelines my senior year. And my job then was to make the other players more effective, to study scouting report, to teach, to try to do what I could to get the team ready, knowing I would never step foot on the court. And if you think about some of the parallels we've already just talked about, which is leading through the art of question or being able to lead and guide, but not being able to be out there, running around with everybody else in and of, in itself is a very similar transition to what I'm going through and continue to go through. I coach young women. I did except for this last year. It's been hard with two kiddos, in particular on my husband, especially, you know, we would do travel tournaments and things like that. But coaching young women too, and realizing it's the end result, but it's also wanting them to be good people and life lessons and skills through it. And how do you have them help respond in adversity? All of that, I think, makes me a better leader, and there's a lot of parallels to the working place, for sure. [00:25:35] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah, that's wonderful. And having a gift like that, even when it looks different and morphs over time, I love that you've been able to draw from it such inspiration and application to other areas of life. I think that's really special. Such a cool aspect of being an athlete. So yeah, thank you for sharing about that. [00:25:51] Morgan Evans: Of course. [00:25:53] Lindsey Dinneen: So, pivoting the conversation a little bit just for fun. Imagine that you are to be offered a million dollars to teach a masterclass on anything you want-- could be within your industry, doesn't have to be-- what would you choose to teach? [00:26:07] Morgan Evans: I would teach something on scrappiness. From my experience, I think there's a lot of people that would know the industry really well, but the how to get things done atypically for less money faster. And that's some of the thematic elements that I hope I'm-- not for a million dollars-- but, you know, starting to teach in our bootcamp. Some of the belief that I think sometimes you get these companies in medtech in particular that are kind of overbuilt, too much too soon. And now they have a really high burn rate and everybody has to leave, essentially a unicorn exit or bust. And how can you burn down and mitigate risk with little dollars and making sure you're spending your dollars in the right places early on? I continue to learn from others in that too, I should mention, but I think it's an area with a lot of impact. [00:26:59] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. And so relevant and helpful for startups that have no choice but to be scrappy and learn how to be creative on a dime. I think that's fantastic. Great. And then how do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:27:16] Morgan Evans: Yeah. I hope it's something to do with innovating on technologies that improve and help patients, but also innovating with people and process, that hopefully on all of this, that we're leaving the world a little better than we found it. [00:27:33] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And then final question, what is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:27:42] Morgan Evans: Definitely my family. I have two kiddos, Marley and Mason. So my daughter's three months, my son is three. And then my husband Matt. It's hard to do all the things that I do without having an amazing support system. And, you know, you can have the hardest, most stressful day and you come home and my son's like, "Do you wanna play with me?" Or, "Let's play hide and seek" or something. And it's just funny how instantly all that stress kind of melts away. Very grateful for my family. [00:28:10] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, family is such a gift. Wonderful. Well, this has been such a great conversation, Morgan. I really appreciate you spending some time with us today, and thank you for sharing about your life and your story and your advice. I am excited to see how you could just continue to grow and thrive. I love the fact that you are just a total boss with all the things that you're doing. So thank you for contributing your gifts to the world, and gosh, I just wish you the most continued success as you work to change lives for a better world. [00:28:42] Morgan Evans: Thank you again for having me. I appreciate you. [00:28:45] Lindsey Dinneen: Of course, and we are so honored to be making a donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time today to the Polaris Project, which is a non governmental organization that works to combat and prevent sex and labor trafficking in North America. So thank you for choosing that organization to support. Thank you also to our listeners for tuning in, and if you're feeling as inspired as I am right now, I'd love it if you'd share this with a colleague or two, and we'll catch you next time. [00:29:16] Ben Trombold: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium. Velentium is a full-service CDMO with 100% in-house capability to design, develop, and manufacture medical devices from class two wearables to class three active implantable medical devices. Velentium specializes in active implantables, leads, programmers, and accessories across a wide range of indications, such as neuromodulation, deep brain stimulation, cardiac management, and diabetes management. Velentium's core competencies include electrical, firmware, and mechanical design, mobile apps, embedded cybersecurity, human factors and usability, automated test systems, systems engineering, and contract manufacturing. Velentium works with clients worldwide, from startups seeking funding to established Fortune 100 companies. Visit velentium.com to explore your next step in medical device development.

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Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we sit down with George, who recently graduated with not one — but two master's degrees. His story is a powerful reminder that getting clean and sober isn't the end of the road — it's the start of an entirely new life. George opens up about his journey through addiction, the turning points that led him to sobriety, and how he's used his recovery as a launching pad for personal and professional transformation. From rebuilding his self-worth to achieving academic excellence, George's story proves that recovery can unlock possibilities you never thought were within reach. If you've ever wondered what's truly possible in sobriety, this episode will leave you inspired and motivated to see the opportunities waiting on the other side of addiction.

This episode is a one-off episode from the Tom Watchman YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TomWatchmanFinals Course: https://zerotofinals.com/courses/medicalschoolfinals/Questions can be found at https://members.zerotofinals.com/Books can be found at https://zerotofinals.com/books/The audio in the episode was expertly edited by Harry Watchman.

Join Bill Nowicki as he delves into the compelling life of Patrick Roche—a submariner shaped by family tradition, personal responsibility, and decades of experience beneath the waves. From growing up in a Navy family to serving on both diesel boats and missile submarines, Patrick shares intimate reflections on family, service, resilience, and camaraderie in the US Navy's Silent Service.   ### Highlights & Key Points **[00:00:00] - Beginnings in Groton & Naval Heritage** - Patrick grew up in Groton, Connecticut, with his father serving on submarines.   - Graduated high school in 1965; influenced by his father's Navy career.   - Joined the Navy after moving to San Diego (“I guess that's where I got the…”)   - Family tradition: Patrick and his father served together on the USS Ronquil (SS-396), completing three WestPac deployments to Japan and Vietnam.   **[00:03:00] - Life Aboard with Family** - Served with his father but led separate lives aboard; father was a chief quartermaster.   - Never faced negative bias due to his father's position.   Liberty meant different things for each—dad to the chief's club, Patrick and friends to the beach.   **[00:05:00] - Family Life & Responsibility** - Married at age 18, became a father early.   - Now the proud father of four daughters, eight grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.   - Emphasizes responsibility and “growing up quickly” as a driving force behind his life choices. **[00:09:00] - Naval Career & Historic Moments** - Started as a fireman apprentice with a guaranteed school for submariners.   - Went from diesel to nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), including the USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600).   **[00:12:00] - Life and Duties on Submarines** - Served as an interior communications electrician (“IC man”), specializing as a gyro technician (explains the importance of gyros for navigation and missile launches).   - Patrolled with the George Bancroft (SSBN-643); recalls the predictability of SSBN rotations—three months on, three months off.   **[00:13:00] - Homecomings & Family Dynamics** - Kept family routines stable by letting his wife handle finances and household matters. - No issues adjusting to or from life at sea; credits strong partnership with his wife.   **[00:15:00] - Submarine Evolutions & Technological Changes** - Comments on advancements from older boats to modern fast attacks and Virginia-class submarines. - Describes watchstanding: battle helmsman responsibilities, auxiliary duties, and the unique experience of bunking arrangements.   **[00:19:00] - Challenges & Close Calls** - Survived a major flooding incident on the Roosevelt due to a head valve left open during snorkeling—highlights the ever-present dangers of submarine duty (“…we were down at 80-90 feet with the head valve open…”).   **[00:20:00] - Advancement, Brotherhood & Initiations** - Rose through the ranks to Chief in 12 years; shares stories of chief initiation rites. - Reminisces about camaraderie, qualification processes, and the support systems in place—especially as a “legacy” submariner.   **[00:24:00] - Civilian Career & Life After Service** - Transitioned to civilian roles with NAVSEA (Supervisor Shipbuilding), working in San Diego, New Orleans, and Bath, Maine. - Reflects on moving frequently for assignments, supervising ship construction.   **[00:25:00] - Retirement & Reflections** - Currently resides in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, after retiring 10 years ago. - Considers returning to Maine for its beauty and tranquility. - Stresses the importance of staying in touch with Navy friends and the legacy of the submarine community.   **[00:27:00] - The Holland Club & Submarine Brotherhood** - Member of the US Submarine Veterans' Holland Club—honoring 50+ years of qualification. - Describes the meaning of these traditions and the enduring bonds among submariners.   **[00:29:00] - Lasting Partnerships** - Acknowledges the unwavering support of his wife, Barbara, throughout their 60 years of marriage. - Offers closing reflections on the rewards of naval service and maintaining life-long friendships.   ---   ### Notable Quotes: - “I had a responsibility and had to do it.” - “People treated you a lot different, too, when you're not dink (delinquent in qualifications).” - “I just enjoyed being on the boats—wouldn't trade it for anything.” - “She [his wife] is a winner. Sixty years coming up in December.”   ---   ### Listen For: - Insights into multi-generational Navy life (00:00:00–00:04:00) - Early marriage and parenting in the military (00:05:00–00:07:00) - Historic submarine incidents (00:09:00–00:10:00) - Submarine technology and daily operations (00:12:00–00:16:00) - The legendary Holland Club tradition (00:27:00)   ---   ### Closing   **Want to hear more voices from beneath the waves? Subscribe and leave us a review!**   **Got a story to share, or questions for a guest? Email us or visit our site to connect.**   ---   **Contact & Resources:**   - Want to learn about the Holland Club? [USSVI Holland Club](https://www.ussvi.org/) - More about the Nautilus Memorial: [Submarine Force Museum](https://www.ussnautilus.org/)

Talking happens between songs. A talking sandwich if you will. Sometimes there'll be guests. Sometimes there won't. But there will always be...dancing. Write in to the pod: fahimanwardancehour@gmail.com Song Pick: Jessy Lanza - Limbo    

Jacob Phillips is Co-Founder of Lombard Finance, the company building the full stack of Bitcoin infrastructure needed to bring Bitcoin Capital Markets on-chain and pioneer behind LBTC - the fastest staking protocol to reach $2B TVL. Jacob previously served as Partner at Polychain Capital leading venture investments and governance, and in Product & Strategy at Perennial Labs. Graduated from Case Western Reserve University with degrees in Economics and Computer Science.In this conversation, we discuss:- NYC is the crypto capital of the world- Working at Polychain Capital- BTC ecosystem and markets- Lombard history and LBTC accomplishments- Bitcoin Capital Markets introduction- Lombard roadmap to accelerating Bitcoin Capital Markets adoption- Connecting Bitcoin liquidity to external ecosystems and markets- How Lombard securitizes your BTC- Integrating BTC tooling onchainLombard FinanceWebsite: www.lombard.financeX: @Lombard_Finance Discord: discord.gg/2HG7G69twcJacob PhillipsX: @JacobPPhillipsLinkedIn: Jacob Phillips---------------------------------------------------------------------------------This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.  PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50 This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below: PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Cold Case Investigators: The Prostitute Killer by Merrill VaughanFor years, someone has been killing prostitutes on the same day of the same month; in their business room. However, the first one was a mistake. All of the killings were in the state of California with the exception of one that was in Las Vegas.The first one was just a weary traveler that just wanted a place to sleep for the night before seeing her son and daughter-in-law the next day. For years, the Bakersfield Police Department tried to solve the case but to no avail.Soon, the highly successful Cold Case Investigators, or CCI, were called in to help solve the killing of Denise Robinson. Soon the lead of CCI investigator, Patrick Johnson, a retired U.S. Air Force Security Police Investigator found move victims of what was soon to be called The Prostitute Killer.Even though he eventually thought he knew who did the killings, along with an accomplice, it was not until the killer and accomplice died in a murder-suicide act.I was born in Santa Anna, CA January 3, 194,9 and raised in Monrovia and Duarte, CA. Graduated from Duarte High School in 1967 and Citrus Jr. Collee in 1970. Entered the U. S. Air Force in November 1971, serving in CA, Thailand, FL, NY, Greece, HI, WY, Germany and Honduras. Retired May 31, 1993, with the rank of Master Sergeant. After retiring, he moved to Pittsfield, NH where he was a substitute teacher for Pittsfield School District until 2020. He also attended Franklin Pierce University, graduating in 2012 with a degree in General Studies. He is committed to his community by being involved in his church and local committees.https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Case-Investigators-Prostitute-Killer/dp/B0DNS7F9LS/ref=monarch_sidesheet_titlehttps://merrillvaughan.comhttps://www.ecpublishingllc.com

Nieves Contreras talks about what inspires her and how she wants to take design, material and in particular color out of context. She explains how material and processing have become part of the innovative brand Lladrò, what are the challenges for the Spanish design market in the next years and how AI may influence the return to true craftsmanship. Graduated in Industrial Design as well as a Master's in Design Management from UPV in Valencia. She has developed a significant part of her professional career in Paris, France, collaborating with product design studios, creating designs and artistic direction for various sectors, from furniture and home appliances to luxury brands and connected objects, at studios such as Marc Berthier, Pascal Mourgue, and particularly eliumstudio, where she worked for 10 years. Simultaneously, she has been active as an independent designer, deeply involved in craftsmanship and its contemporary renewal, creating furniture for Expormim, and as the co-founder and creative director of the handmade ceramic brand sagenceramics (Manises).Since 2019, she has been the Creative Director of Lladró, a Spanish porcelain company recognized internationally, heading the Creation and Development Department, consisting of a team of 15 people. She is responsible for the creation and implementation of the new creative strategy and the revitalization of the brand through product diversification and a contemporary approach.Support the showThank you for listening! Follow us through our website or social media!https://www.thecolorauthority.com/podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_color_authority_/https://www.linkedin.com/company/78120219/admin/

Send us a textHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul. This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Janet Bava, Chief Commercial Officer, Windstar Cruises. We have had several small ship specialists on the podcast as well as leaders from some of the lines, and of course passionate cruisers providing us their cruise reports from their time on various small ship and river cruises. This is the first time we have exclusive focused on Windstar Cruises, and I am excited to meet Janet and learn about Windstar.Cuban born and Miami raised, Janet Bava found her love for travel at a young age. She had her first taste of cruising at the age of 15 when she celebrated her quinceañera onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and never looked back. She describes herself as a cruise lifer and internationally travel driven — she even met her husband while traveling through Italy during her college years.Prior to joining Windstar Cruises during the summer of 2023, Bava was most recently the Chief Marketing Officer for AmaWaterways River Cruises, and she has spent upwards of 20 years working in the travel industry. Most notably, prior to AmaWaterways, Bava was the VP of Marketing (The Americas) for Silversea Cruises where she fell in love with small-ship luxury cruising. Graduated from Florida International University with her Marketing and International Business degree, she always dreamed of working for a global brand poised for expansion and that would allow her to focus on bringing people from all over the world closer together. As a member of Chief [Professional Network for Women], she enjoys connecting and supporting women executive leaders and emerging future female leaders in the corporate world.She prides herself on being a results-driven professional who is able to lead by example and set a clear vision for her team. Bava values collaboration, creativity and innovation. She sees the advantages of leveraging new emerging technologies to consistently deliver results and she looks forward to further elevating the Windstar experience ensuring every touch point with our guests can be 180 degrees from ordinary.There's one thing Bava has that never expires — her passport. If she could, she would explore the whole world on a ship with her beloved colleagues, family & friends. With an already accomplished travel portfolio, Bava is most eager to experience Tahiti and the Middle East the Windstar way, on an intimate private-yacht style cruise delighting in the culinary experiences this award-winning global travel brand is renowned for.Do you have a dream car?Support the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon

After a two-month pause, Power and Poised is back and what better way to return than with a milestone moment. In this deeply reflective episode, I share my raw, unfiltered thoughts on graduating college, hitting the big 4-0 in podcast episodes, and what it means to start over—again. From the vibrant energy of living in Miami to the emotional reality of coming back home, I unpack the lessons, shifts, and revelations that come with major life transitions. Whether you're navigating your own reset or celebrating a season of growth, this episode is your reminder that the number 4—symbolizing foundation, stability, and transformation—might just be your sign too. Welcome back. Let's talk.

"The division of the world is creating a conflict of interest." -MasaIn this episode, Dr Espen and Masa Mezaki explore the intricate balance between achieving financial success and living a spiritually fulfilling life. Masa shares his journey from a high-powered finance career to a decade of global travel and spiritual exploration, ultimately leading him to create a renewable energy business that benefits local communities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of happiness through service, the interconnectedness of humanity, and the need for a unified approach to global challenges.About our guest:Graduated from the Faculty of Commerce, Keio University in Japan. Master of Social Anthropology from London School of Economics (LSE), University of London, and was an interest rate derivative trader for Merrill Lynch working in Tokyo, New York and London. After leaving Merrill Lynch, travelled to more than 100 countries around the world for nearly 10 years. In 2012, set up Japan Megasolar Inc. to achieve grid parity with photovoltaic power generation. Looking to the development of renewable energy business, changed the company name to GPSS Holdings Inc. in April 2017. Also conducts educational activities for dissemination of renewable energy information through various media.

Praveen discusses the user experience of setting up a Bitcoin wallet, emphasizing the need for improved onboarding for new users. He explains the flow for both hardware and hot wallets, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility in Bitcoin custody. The discussion also covers the concept of graduated wallets, the role of layer 2 solutions, and the ongoing debate about filters and mining centralization. Praveen shares his vision for Cove wallet, including future features and the importance of catering to users who prioritize self-sovereignty in their Bitcoin journey.Takeaways

In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, Duncan Kane, Senior Vice President at Toshiba America, shares insights from nearly two decades of working at the intersection of industry and education. Drawing from his leadership in STEM outreach, Duncan explains why Toshiba sees early STEM engagement not just as a good cause—but as a strategic investment in the future of innovation and the workforce.One way Toshiba brings this vision to life is through its long-standing partnership with the National Science Teaching Association on ExploraVision, a science competition that challenges K–12 students to design technologies 20 years into the future. But as Duncan explains, the program isn't really about competition—it's about creativity, purpose, and helping students see themselves as future innovators. The conversation explores what happens when kids take ownership of real-world problems, the importance of dreaming big (with or without big budgets), and how industry can play a more active role in developing STEM talent.Listen to learn:Why students are more innovative when they don't know what's “impossible”How choosing personally meaningful problems changes how kids approach STEMWhat happens when students design technology for the year 2045Why Toshiba believes building a STEM pipeline starts in your own backyardWhat schools risk losing when STEM programs are first on the chopping block3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. Students come up with more creative solutions when they haven't yet learned what's “impossible.” Duncan explains that younger students are often more willing to dream big because they haven't developed the cynicism or constraints that come with adulthood. In ExploraVision, fifth graders have proposed ideas like AI-powered glasses that interpret sign language and wearable devices to predict seizures—solutions rooted in bold thinking, not technical limitations.2. When students choose problems that matter to them, STEM learning becomes personal and powerful. Many teams in ExploraVision choose issues they've encountered firsthand, like a relative's epilepsy or local environmental concerns. That personal connection drives deeper engagement and creativity, whether it's robotic honeybees to help pollinate crops or fire-resistant materials inspired by mushrooms.3. Building a future STEM workforce doesn't require a billion-dollar initiative—it starts locally. Duncan urges companies to start in their own communities, supporting local students and educators in ways that feel personal and authentic. Toshiba's partnership with NSTA and the success of ExploraVision demonstrate how consistent, community-rooted efforts can scale to national impact—reaching 450,000 students over 33 years.Resources in this Episode:To learn more about ExploraVision, visit: exploravision.orgExploraVision partner NSTA (National Science Teaching Association): nsta.orgAdditional resources from this episodeExploraVision Winners: See details on this year's winners + previous yearsDiscover more from the We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

Guest: Nick Sowards   Guest Bio: ​Started cleaning machines in California at 18 years old at my grandfather's company. Graduated into selling machines at 19, then left his company at 20 to sell new machines. Left California in 2004 and joined Absolute Machine Tools, selling their imported brands. In 2015, became GM for Absolute, running their Chicago facility. 2017 needed a change in my life and left Absolute with joining Ellison Technologies in December 17, and the ride has been great thus far! I'm a sales manager for NE Ohio and a territory manager for Lake and 1/2 of Cuyahoga County. I was honored to have been the #1 salesman in Ellison for GP and units for 2023, with also getting salesperson of the year awards. Been in the top 5-10 ever since I started with Ellison in 2017. We have a great team in Ohio, so that helps!   Key Points: Early Influences and Entry into Sales · Grandfather's machine shop played a formative role. He started by cleaning machines as a kid to earn money for things his family couldn't afford. · Originally planned to become an FBI agent, but his mother recognized his strong communication skills and encouraged sales. · A pivotal moment came when he accidentally made a $10,000 sale, earned $200 commission, and realized sales were more rewarding than cleaning machines.   Motivation and Personal Drive · Grew up poor, became a young father, and was driven by the desire to support his family, including allowing his wife to stay home. · Has seven daughters, now expecting three grandchildren, further reinforcing his motivation to succeed financially and professionally.   Leadership and Management Style · Leads a tight-knit sales team of three, focusing on trust, open communication, and family-like support. Believes success is shared: if his team does well, he does well. · Encourages open access; his team can call him anytime, for work or personal matters.   Hiring Philosophy · Looks for motivation (expensive hobbies, family responsibilities) and coachability. · Avoids hiring “negative” people; prioritizes positive, adaptable personalities. · Uses personality assessments and informal settings (like lunch) to gauge candidates more authentically. Watches for signs of intrinsic drive, not just skill.   Building Trust with New Hires · Leads by example: gave a full commission on a deal made the day before a new rep joined, demonstrating generosity and fairness. · Builds trust through action, not just words, follows through, supports his team, and solves problems directly or connects them with the right resources.   Sales Philosophy · Be honest and transparent: admit when you don't know something, but always get the correct answers. · Never be a “yes man”, integrity builds long-term relationships. · Success is based on persistence, teamwork, and customer focus.   Guest Links: Cell: 216-347-9566 Email: nsowards@ellisontechnologies.com Connect on LinkedIn     About Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders Download your free gift, The Salesology® Vault. The vault is packed full of free gifts from sales leaders, sales experts, marketing gurus, and revenue generation experts. Download your free gift, 81 Tools to Grow Your Sales & Your Business Faster, More Easily & More Profitably. Save hours of work tracking down the right prospecting and sales resources and/or digital tools that every business owner and salesperson needs. If you are a business owner or sales manager with an underperforming sales team, let's talk. Click here to schedule a time. Please subscribe to Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to https://podcast.gosalesology.com/ and connect on LinkedIn and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our website at https://gosalesology.com/. 

For the most powerful voice in business in Michigan. The Michigan Chamber Business Brief. Jim Holcomb is the Chamber President and CEO. Ballot language before Board of State Canvassers Today. Graduated income tax. Minimum wage. Make Your Voice Heard! JOIN TODAY!!! 

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Tessie D. Edwards. A family and criminal law attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and themes from the episode:

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Tessie D. Edwards. A family and criminal law attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and themes from the episode:

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Tessie D. Edwards. A family and criminal law attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and themes from the episode:

Sue and Kendra had some fun guessing what year our listeners graduated high school by the fashion, the music and the TV shows they were watching while in school!

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

In this episode of Discover Lafayette, we shine a light on a unique community tucked away in South Louisiana: veterans who find healing, camaraderie, and fun on the ice rink. Our guests, Eric Iorio and Danielle ("Dani") Francis, share their inspiring journeys from military service to building a new mission at home — through Acadiana Veterans Hockey. “I was born here in Lafayette, Louisiana. Graduated from Teurlings back in 2008, which seems like forever ago,” Eric begins. After joining the 101st Airborne in 2013 and deploying to Afghanistan, he recounts how life changed on July 28, 2013, when his base came under attack and he took two rounds from a sniper. “I always say it could have been a lot worse. I have all my digits,” he says humbly, remembering the buddy he lost that day. Eric was the recipient of the Purple Heart in honor of his service to our country and sustaining injuries due to enemy action. For Dani, the path started in Illinois. “I actually went into the military right out of high school. I did a bunch of sports in high school and then didn't know what I wanted to do,” she shares. Inspired by her older brother, she became a military police officer, serving in Guantanamo Bay and later alongside Joint Special Operations Command in Iraq where she was one of four females selected. “It was truly incredible because it was the sense of I was actually doing something with a purpose. There was a bigger purpose at the end of that mission.” Both Eric and Dani's stories highlight the resilience and discipline they built in uniform — and how they carried that into civilian life. Now, they channel that same spirit into Acadiana Veterans Hockey — an open-arms, non-contact league for veterans of all ages and skill levels. “For us as an organization, being able to play hockey together is absolutely amazing, for physical reasons and mental health,” Eric explains. “If they didn't have hockey here… they don't know where they would be at this point.” Dani laughs about how she was pulled onto the ice by Courtney Dugas, who along with her husband, Max, are active with the team: “I said, Courtney, I've never played hockey before. She goes, it's okay, come on out. Next thing I knew, I was meeting her and the team at the rink on a Tuesday night and they were giving me all the gear.” Eric also recounted how fun it is to play with his dad, Angelo ("Pops") Iorio, who is retired from the Lafayette Police Department. "He is known as a Goon, someone that is like an enforcer. They go out and hit people on the ice. He's not meaning to do it. He just can't stop. So he uses other people to stop for him. We'll have to let the other teams know, hey, he didn't mean that, you know? It's just he's learning." More than just a game, Acadiana Veterans Hockey is a lifeline. The group connects veterans to resources, benefits, and — most importantly — each other. They help with VA ratings, build wheelchair ramps for local VFWs, and make sure no one feels alone. “We want everyone to feel included… call us at two, three in the morning if you're having something wrong and someone's going to be there,” says Eric. But ice time and equipment aren't free. The team welcomes local support — whether you can sponsor a practice, donate gear, or come cheer them on at their next scrimmage. “Hockey is very expensive, from just the ice alone to the gear involved,” Dani points out. “Any donation or sponsorship truly helps.” Save the Date:

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

Today I have the incredible pleasure of sharing this interview. Content Syndicate member, Angela Knox, shares her insights on branding - and they are GOLD.    ⭐️ Swipe her free Brand Voice Cheat Sheet: https://thedivinegroup.myflodesk.com/udn4bubt6a  

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

You walked across the stage, threw your cap, and now reality hits: student loans. In this episode of Horizon Advisers Unleashed, Ryan and Andrew tackle the big question facing new grads—“I've got debt… now what?” Whether you're just entering the workforce or navigating repayment options, this episode breaks down the key financial moves that can help you build momentum—not stress. From choosing repayment plans to building credit and avoiding lifestyle creep, this is your blueprint for taking control of your money post-college.

Are you a recent high school graduate or a parent of one?

You're invited to join the BETA round of my Instagram program: https://www.gogramgrow.com/order-now  Here is my ‘30 days of content in 30 minutes' workflow from this episode: https://rachelpedersen.clickfunnels.com/30-min  ⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

Topics on this week's episode with Greg Huss and Bryan Smith:Jaxon Wiggins dominance and timeline to ChicagoNow that both Matt Shaw and Cade Horton have graduated from prospect status, who is the Cubs new #1 prospect between Wiggins, Moises Ballesteros, Owen Caissie, and Jefferson Rojas?Why people are experiencing prospect fatigue with Owen CaissieShoutout to lower level prospects Cameron Sisneros, Edgar Alvarez, Jackson Kirkpatrick, and Cole Reynolds

Dave Burnett started his degree in 1976. Now 49 years later, he is graduating. He talks to Matt Galloway about that moment crossing the stage nearly half a century in the making. The 68-year-old just completed his agriculture degree — and reflects on the long road to graduation — a story of addiction, recovery and achieving long-held dreams.

Jennie opens the pages of her journal to discuss how she's feeling about her youngest daughter Fiona's recent high school graduation. As a Mom, she's feeling a load of emotions, and needed to get them on the page. From the highs and the lows, you feel as a mom watching your kid go through the tough years of high school, to watching them become young adults...Jennie is processing not only her daughter's next chapter, but her own. Follow the "I Choose Me" Podcast on Instagram and TikTok Follow Jennie on Instagram, TikTok, and FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of people don't know I'm quietly a musician... Writing music has had a massive impact on my ability to write copy!  This episode is powerful. Content Syndicate member, Annelise LeCheminant, shares amazing tips and tools that every entrepreneur can use from writing songs.  ⭐️ Swipe Annelise's 101 songwriting prompts and learn about the Fifty Songs Challenge: https://www.envoleemusicacademy.com/  Learn more about The Content Syndicate, my most exclusive mastermind: https://pedersenrachel.wufoo.com/forms/myoc8yv09gaats/ —------------------------------ Want to grow your business without the overwhelm?  I've got tons of free business and marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen Ready for a deeper dive? My book (yep, it's a USA Today Best Seller!) breaks down exactly how to get there: https://hayhs.com/u_pp_hc_az From Welfare to 8 Figures | Hay House Author | Marketing Strategist | Mom of 3 ❤️ —------------------------------ Hi, I'm Rachel Pedersen.  Some people call me the Queen of Social Media... but I didn't start there. My story isn't a straight line. It's a rollercoaster filled with mistakes, lessons, wins, and growth.  Here's a little bit of the backstory:  2010: Became a mom at 21. Unplanned, unprepared, but determined. 2011: Became an alcoholic single mom on welfare. Rock bottom? Pretty much. 2012: Enrolled in hair school to turn my life around. Graduated with 5 job offers from the top salons in my city. 2013: Landed a job at a top salon. It felt like the start of something new. 2014: Met my husband. Married him 13 days later (yep, 13 days). 2015: We had another baby and both changed careers. Life kept evolving. 2016: Got my first real social media management client, got sober, and went viral—all in the same year. 2017: Replaced my 9-5 income, resigned, and retired my husband too. Freedom tasted good. 2018: Crossed $1,000,000 in my business and welcomed baby #3. Growth in business and family. 2019: Built a second business to $1,000,000. Turns out lightning can strike twice. 2020: Hired my dream team and scaled both businesses to 7 figures. Leadership became my new obsession. 2021: Landed a dream book deal with Hay House and gave a TEDx Talk. A surreal “pinch me” year. 2022: Hit a wall. Complete mental breakdown. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Faced my trauma, did the hard healing work, and came out stronger. 2023: Began writing fiction books with my husband - and testing out more creative marketing campaigns. Went mega-viral multiple times, too! 2024: Started our consulting company, Pelanora, and scaled some pretty cool businesses.  2025: About to be the most exciting year yet! Today, I run multiple 7-figure businesses, help entrepreneurs scale without losing their sanity, and teach marketing strategies that actually work. No gimmicks, no sleazy tactics, just authentic growth. Success isn't about having a perfect story - it's about writing your own, one messy, beautiful chapter at a time. Here are my marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen    

Jennie opens the pages of her journal to discuss how she's feeling about her youngest daughter Fiona's recent high school graduation. As a Mom, she's feeling a load of emotions, and needed to get them on the page. From the highs and the lows, you feel as a mom watching your kid go through the tough years of high school, to watching them become young adults...Jennie is processing not only her daughter's next chapter, but her own. Follow the "I Choose Me" Podcast on Instagram and TikTok Follow Jennie on Instagram, TikTok, and FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Of course she shakes that a** and kisses and humps and all that stuff...” This week, Ann and Amanda discuss Love Island, Paige DeSorbo's departure from Summer House, and other reality TV happenings! We release two types of episodes -- pop culture/reality TV chats (that's this one!) and interviews. If you missed our recent interviews with the Katie Marovitch and Tess Higgins, we HIGHLY recommend you check those out!WSANDA SUBMISSIONS: wsandasubmissions@gmail.comFollow us on instagram @wesignedannda @mikiannmaddox @liffordthebigreddog so you can slither in our DMs with constructive feedback, but please, for the love of god, don't cyberbully us. We're fragile :-/If you're picking up what we're putting down and want even more Ann and Amanda comedy content, support us on Patreon. You have no idea how many times we've said "Wait, this is too batshit.....we'll put it on Patreon." Our cover art was made by America's sweetheart, producer Maddy, and our theme song features parts of "Kawaii Til I Die" by Starjunk 95 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tyler's Graduated! 05/27/25

Joshua GRADUATED!!! Join us in part 2 as we talk to our first homeschool graduate! Yes, unschoolers can graduate! Yes, they can have great lives! Let's chat with Joshua and get his perspective! I apologize for the audio on this one! I am travelling and the mic was NOT having it! Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call School to Homeschool YouTube Channel Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag *Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links. CONNECT with US Join the Private Facebook Group  Learn more about School to Homeschool Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

From Folk Dance to Film Host: Anna Harsh Guest: Beau Bowden Beau is an actor, singer, dancer and Allegro Dance Company Alumni that was born and raised in Clarksburg, West Virginia.Graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre (Acting) from West Virginia University.Follow Beau:https://www.instagram.com/beaugbowden/ Anna Harshwww.AllegroDanceCompany.net

This is a personal episode this week about how Jordan graduate from college and how to achieve long-term goals. Join Besties: https://stan.store/thespacesocial/p/join-my-membership-5cawq

Income taxes are paid on a graduated scale. Run a law firm? Get expert bookkeeping and tax strategy—free consult here: https://bigbirdaccounting.com

Send us a textParenting doesn't end at 18—it evolves into supporting young adults who have adult freedom but still-developing brains through age 25.Contact:podcasts@calfarley.org To Donate: https://secure.calfarley.org/site/Donation2?3358.donation=form1&df_id=3358&mfc_pref=TTo Apply:https://apply.workable.com/cal-farleys-boys-ranch/j/25E1226091/For More Information about Cal Farley's Boys Ranch:https://www.calfarley.org/Music:"Shine" -NewsboysCCS License No. 9402

Get the FREE Broll Video Prompts AND FREE Video System: https://rachelpedersen.clickfunnels.com/30-min —------------------------------ Want to grow your business without the overwhelm?  I've got tons of free business and marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen Ready for a deeper dive? My book (yep, it's a USA Today Best Seller!) breaks down exactly how to get there: https://hayhs.com/u_pp_hc_az From Welfare to 8 Figures | Hay House Author | Marketing Strategist | Mom of 3 ❤️ —------------------------------ Hi, I'm Rachel Pedersen.  Some people call me the Queen of Social Media... but I didn't start there. My story isn't a straight line. It's a rollercoaster filled with mistakes, lessons, wins, and growth.  Here's a little bit of the backstory:  2010: Became a mom at 21. Unplanned, unprepared, but determined. 2011: Became an alcoholic single mom on welfare. Rock bottom? Pretty much. 2012: Enrolled in hair school to turn my life around. Graduated with 5 job offers from the top salons in my city. 2013: Landed a job at a top salon. It felt like the start of something new. 2014: Met my husband. Married him 13 days later (yep, 13 days). 2015: We had another baby and both changed careers. Life kept evolving. 2016: Got my first real social media management client, got sober, and went viral—all in the same year. 2017: Replaced my 9-5 income, resigned, and retired my husband too. Freedom tasted good. 2018: Crossed $1,000,000 in my business and welcomed baby #3. Growth in business and family. 2019: Built a second business to $1,000,000. Turns out lightning can strike twice. 2020: Hired my dream team and scaled both businesses to 7 figures. Leadership became my new obsession. 2021: Landed a dream book deal with Hay House and gave a TEDx Talk. A surreal “pinch me” year. 2022: Hit a wall. Complete mental breakdown. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Faced my trauma, did the hard healing work, and came out stronger. 2023: Began writing fiction books with my husband - and testing out more creative marketing campaigns. Went mega-viral multiple times, too! 2024: Started our consulting company, Pelanora, and scaled some pretty cool businesses.  2025: About to be the most exciting year yet! Today, I run multiple 7-figure businesses, help entrepreneurs scale without losing their sanity, and teach marketing strategies that actually work. No gimmicks, no sleazy tactics, just authentic growth. Success isn't about having a perfect story - it's about writing your own, one messy, beautiful chapter at a time. Here are my marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen    

You're invited to join the BETA round of my Instagram program: https://www.gogramgrow.com/order-now  Here is my ‘30 days of content in 30 minutes' workflow from this episode: https://rachelpedersen.clickfunnels.com/30-min  —------------------------------ Want to grow your business without the overwhelm?  I've got tons of free business and marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen Ready for a deeper dive? My book (yep, it's a USA Today Best Seller!) breaks down exactly how to get there: https://hayhs.com/u_pp_hc_az From Welfare to 8 Figures | Hay House Author | Marketing Strategist | Mom of 3 ❤️ —------------------------------ Hi, I'm Rachel Pedersen.  Some people call me the Queen of Social Media... but I didn't start there. My story isn't a straight line. It's a rollercoaster filled with mistakes, lessons, wins, and growth.  Here's a little bit of the backstory:  2010: Became a mom at 21. Unplanned, unprepared, but determined. 2011: Became an alcoholic single mom on welfare. Rock bottom? Pretty much. 2012: Enrolled in hair school to turn my life around. Graduated with 5 job offers from the top salons in my city. 2013: Landed a job at a top salon. It felt like the start of something new. 2014: Met my husband. Married him 13 days later (yep, 13 days). 2015: We had another baby and both changed careers. Life kept evolving. 2016: Got my first real social media management client, got sober, and went viral—all in the same year. 2017: Replaced my 9-5 income, resigned, and retired my husband too. Freedom tasted good. 2018: Crossed $1,000,000 in my business and welcomed baby #3. Growth in business and family. 2019: Built a second business to $1,000,000. Turns out lightning can strike twice. 2020: Hired my dream team and scaled both businesses to 7 figures. Leadership became my new obsession. 2021: Landed a dream book deal with Hay House and gave a TEDx Talk. A surreal “pinch me” year. 2022: Hit a wall. Complete mental breakdown. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Faced my trauma, did the hard healing work, and came out stronger. 2023: Began writing fiction books with my husband - and testing out more creative marketing campaigns. Went mega-viral multiple times, too! 2024: Started our consulting company, Pelanora, and scaled some pretty cool businesses.  2025: About to be the most exciting year yet! Today, I run multiple 7-figure businesses, help entrepreneurs scale without losing their sanity, and teach marketing strategies that actually work. No gimmicks, no sleazy tactics, just authentic growth. Success isn't about having a perfect story - it's about writing your own, one messy, beautiful chapter at a time. Here are my marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen    

Here's the Domino Content Workflow I told you about: https://rachelpedersen.clickfunnels.com/content-domino  —------------------------------ Want to grow your business without the overwhelm?  I've got tons of free business and marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen Ready for a deeper dive? My book (yep, it's a USA Today Best Seller!) breaks down exactly how to get there: https://hayhs.com/u_pp_hc_az From Welfare to 8 Figures | Hay House Author | Marketing Strategist | Mom of 3 ❤️ —------------------------------ Hi, I'm Rachel Pedersen.  Some people call me the Queen of Social Media... but I didn't start there. My story isn't a straight line. It's a rollercoaster filled with mistakes, lessons, wins, and growth.  Here's a little bit of the backstory:  2010: Became a mom at 21. Unplanned, unprepared, but determined. 2011: Became an alcoholic single mom on welfare. Rock bottom? Pretty much. 2012: Enrolled in hair school to turn my life around. Graduated with 5 job offers from the top salons in my city. 2013: Landed a job at a top salon. It felt like the start of something new. 2014: Met my husband. Married him 13 days later (yep, 13 days). 2015: We had another baby and both changed careers. Life kept evolving. 2016: Got my first real social media management client, got sober, and went viral—all in the same year. 2017: Replaced my 9-5 income, resigned, and retired my husband too. Freedom tasted good. 2018: Crossed $1,000,000 in my business and welcomed baby #3. Growth in business and family. 2019: Built a second business to $1,000,000. Turns out lightning can strike twice. 2020: Hired my dream team and scaled both businesses to 7 figures. Leadership became my new obsession. 2021: Landed a dream book deal with Hay House and gave a TEDx Talk. A surreal “pinch me” year. 2022: Hit a wall. Complete mental breakdown. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Faced my trauma, did the hard healing work, and came out stronger. 2023: Began writing fiction books with my husband - and testing out more creative marketing campaigns. Went mega-viral multiple times, too! 2024: Started our consulting company, Pelanora, and scaled some pretty cool businesses.  2025: About to be the most exciting year yet! Today, I run multiple 7-figure businesses, help entrepreneurs scale without losing their sanity, and teach marketing strategies that actually work. No gimmicks, no sleazy tactics, just authentic growth. Success isn't about having a perfect story - it's about writing your own, one messy, beautiful chapter at a time. Here are my marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen    

Mom-guilt BANISHMENT guide: https://www.momguiltbegone.com/cheat-sheet  Want to grow your business without the overwhelm?  I've got tons of free business and marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen Ready for a deeper dive? My book (yep, it's a USA Today Best Seller!) breaks down exactly how to get there: https://hayhs.com/u_pp_hc_az From Welfare to 8 Figures | Hay House Author | Marketing Strategist | Mom of 3 ❤️ —------------------------------ Hi, I'm Rachel Pedersen.  Some people call me the Queen of Social Media... but I didn't start there. My story isn't a straight line. It's a rollercoaster filled with mistakes, lessons, wins, and growth.  Here's a little bit of the backstory:  2010: Became a mom at 21. Unplanned, unprepared, but determined. 2011: Became an alcoholic single mom on welfare. Rock bottom? Pretty much. 2012: Enrolled in hair school to turn my life around. Graduated with 5 job offers from the top salons in my city. 2013: Landed a job at a top salon. It felt like the start of something new. 2014: Met my husband. Married him 13 days later (yep, 13 days). 2015: We had another baby and both changed careers. Life kept evolving. 2016: Got my first real social media management client, got sober, and went viral—all in the same year. 2017: Replaced my 9-5 income, resigned, and retired my husband too. Freedom tasted good. 2018: Crossed $1,000,000 in my business and welcomed baby #3. Growth in business and family. 2019: Built a second business to $1,000,000. Turns out lightning can strike twice. 2020: Hired my dream team and scaled both businesses to 7 figures. Leadership became my new obsession. 2021: Landed a dream book deal with Hay House and gave a TEDx Talk. A surreal “pinch me” year. 2022: Hit a wall. Complete mental breakdown. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Faced my trauma, did the hard healing work, and came out stronger. 2023: Began writing fiction books with my husband - and testing out more creative marketing campaigns. Went mega-viral multiple times, too! 2024: Started our consulting company, Pelanora, and scaled some pretty cool businesses.  2025: About to be the most exciting year yet! Today, I run multiple 7-figure businesses, help entrepreneurs scale without losing their sanity, and teach marketing strategies that actually work. No gimmicks, no sleazy tactics, just authentic growth. Success isn't about having a perfect story - it's about writing your own, one messy, beautiful chapter at a time. Here are my marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen    

Learn about The Content Syndicate - my hands on mastermind/mentorship program:  https://www.contentvortexchallenge.com/join-the-syndicate Want to grow your business without the overwhelm?  I've got tons of free business and marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen   Ready for a deeper dive? My book (yep, it's a USA Today Best Seller!) breaks down exactly how to get there: https://hayhs.com/u_pp_hc_az   From Welfare to 8 Figures | Hay House Author | Marketing Strategist | Mom of 3 ❤️   Hi, I'm Rachel Pedersen.    Some people call me the Queen of Social Media... but I didn't start there. My story isn't a straight line. It's a rollercoaster filled with mistakes, lessons, wins, and growth.    Here's a little bit of the backstory:    2010: Became a mom at 21. Unplanned, unprepared, but determined. 2011: Became an alcoholic single mom on welfare. Rock bottom? Pretty much. 2012: Enrolled in hair school to turn my life around. Graduated with 5 job offers from the top salons in my city. 2013: Landed a job at a top salon. It felt like the start of something new. 2014: Met my husband. Married him 13 days later (yep, 13 days). 2015: We had another baby and both changed careers. Life kept evolving. 2016: Got my first real social media management client, got sober, and went viral—all in the same year. 2017: Replaced my 9-5 income, resigned, and retired my husband too. Freedom tasted good. 2018: Crossed $1,000,000 in my business and welcomed baby #3. Growth in business and family. 2019: Built a second business to $1,000,000. Turns out lightning can strike twice. 2020: Hired my dream team and scaled both businesses to 7 figures. Leadership became my new obsession. 2021: Landed a dream book deal with Hay House and gave a TEDx Talk. A surreal “pinch me” year. 2022: Hit a wall. Complete mental breakdown. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Faced my trauma, did the hard healing work, and came out stronger. 2023: Began writing fiction books with my husband - and testing out more creative marketing campaigns. Went mega-viral multiple times, too! 2024: Started our consulting company, Pelanora, and scaled some pretty cool businesses.  2025: About to be the most exciting year yet!   Today, I run multiple 7-figure businesses, help entrepreneurs scale without losing their sanity, and teach marketing strategies that actually work. No gimmicks, no sleazy tactics, just authentic growth.   Because success isn't about having a perfect story - it's about writing your own, one messy, beautiful chapter at a time.   Here are my marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen