Podcasts about Graduation

They have worked hard learning the English language trying to be the best they can be, making change in their own lives and the lives of generations to come. On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to a very emotional WIDA graduation. WIDA stands for World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment. Listen as we talk to graduates about the great pride they take in their achievement, becoming proficient in the English language; listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Find out what the milestone means to the multilingual students and their families now and well into the future.

We made it up to Genesee, Idaho last fall and met with Genesee Joe Anderson.

Oxford, ein Morgen zwischen Aufbruch und Abschied. Die Straßen wirken ruhiger als sonst, fast feierlich. Schwarze Talare tauchen zwischen Sandsteinfassaden auf, weiße Hemden blitzen unter Mänteln hervor. In der Luft liegt diese besondere Mischung aus Erwartung, Stolz und leiser Nervosität. Ein Tag, der für viele Studierende der Anfang eines neuen Lebens ist. In dieser Folge von BRITPOD – England at its best begleitet Alexander-Klaus Stecher seinen Neffen Maximilian Stecher am Tag seiner Graduation an der University of Oxford - einem ganz persönlichen und zugleich zutiefst britischen Moment. Vom Frühstück im Kellogg College bis zur feierlichen Prozession durch die Stadt öffnet sich ein seltener Blick hinter die Kulissen einer akademischen Tradition, die seit Jahrhunderten gepflegt wird. Im Zentrum der Tradition steht das Sheldonian Theatre. Ein Ort, an dem Geschichte nicht ausgestellt, sondern gelebt wird. Lateinische Formeln hallen durch den Raum, Orgelklänge erfüllen das Rund, livrierte Diener führen die Graduands nach vorn. Hier wird Wissen zelebriert, Arbeit gewürdigt und ein neuer Abschnitt offiziell eröffnet. Der Moment, in dem aus Studierenden Graduates werden, ist still, würdevoll und überraschend emotional. Zwischen Talar und Mortarboard, zwischen familiärem Stolz und akademischem Ernst geht es um mehr als einen Abschluss. Es geht um das Ende einer intensiven Zeit, um Freundschaften, um Zweifel und um die Frage, was bleibt, wenn der Kreis sich schließt. Oxford zeigt sich dabei von seiner vielleicht eindrucksvollsten Seite. Wie fühlt es sich an, im Sheldonian Theatre vor den Präsidenten der Universität zu treten? Warum ist diese Zeremonie weit mehr als ein formeller Akt? Und was macht Oxford mit Menschen, die hier lernen und wieder Abschied nehmen? BRITPOD – England at its best. WhatsApp: Du kannst Alexander und Claus direkt auf ihre Handys Nachrichten schicken! Welche Ecke Englands sollten die beiden mal besuchen? Zu welchen Themen wünschst Du Dir mehr Folgen? Warst Du schon mal in Great Britain und magst ein paar Fotos mit Claus und Alexander teilen? Probiere es gleich aus: +49 8152 989770 - einfach diese Nummer einspeichern und schon kannst Du BRITPOD per WhatsApp erreichen. Ein ALL EARS ON YOU Original Podcast.

After a full year of conversations, shared experiences, and hard-earned lessons, the first season of Grade 1 View has reached the finish line. In this final wrap-up episode with our first four hosts, we're reflecting on what it truly takes to survive and grow through nurse anesthesia school, clinicals, graduation, and the transition into practice. Today's show is honest, personal, and often humorous, covering everything from the emotional toll of clinical rotations to the shock of becoming a “real” CRNA overnight. Find out what surprised us the most, the moments that nearly broke us, and the experiences that ultimately shaped our confidence, resilience, and identity as anesthesia providers. Thank you for being a part of the journey, but stay tuned for the next iteration of the show. We'll have four more SRNAs or RRNAs taking the reins for year two, and that announcement will be coming soon! Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

Today on What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada discuss a breakup that ended in court after a man in China sued his ex-fiancée over dating costs, a Canadian student who went viral for falling in love with Singapore’s neighbourhood bakeries, and a US graduation ceremony that ditched tradition for memes as students turned their big walk across the stage into internet gold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Today we're exploring a remarkable success story - 40 SME business have just completed Business in the Community Ireland's All-Ireland Climate Action Programme, doubling the participation from last year. The programme, delivered in partnership with Business in the Community Northern Ireland, brought together these SMEs with support from major corporates including Bank of Ireland Group, ESB, and SSE Airtricity.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Orange juice. Oranges in stockings. Graduation. Re-gifting day. Kicked by a camel. Parking spots. Adult experiences that no one talks about. Jokes with Will.

In this special alumni edition, three Penn Staters (Jill Ferguson '98, Jaden Crudup '25, and Alysha Foo '25) reflect on their unexpected career paths and the lessons they learned along the way. From operational leadership to legal strategy and organizational transformation, they offer candid stories about growth, purpose, and navigating an industry where people, food, and values intersect.Music credit: "West in Africa" by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Eric Schmidt, imprenditore statunitense ed ex amministratore delegato di Google, ha tenuto la sua lezione dottorale il 10 settembre 2021 in Piazza Maggiore a Bologna in occasione del conferimento della Laurea ad honorem in Direzione Aziendale dell'Università di Bologna, durante la cerimonia di Graduation di Bologna Business School.  Il video completo è disponibile sul canale YouTube di Ateneo:https://youtube.com/live/f0LuSRYhaWk

On Sunday, a Hanukkah celebration in Australia was interrupted by a horrific shooting which killed at least 15 people. At Brown University in Rhode Island, a gunman shot and killed two students and left nine injured at a Saturday exam study session. In light of these tragedies, we're re-releasing a conversation about violence and antisemitism between Mike Cosper, Rabbi Joshua Stanton, and Bishop Robert Stearns. Then, Australian Steve Cuss of CT Media's Being Human podcast drops by with a Christmas meditation on the hospitality of God to those the world considers strangers.  REFERENCED IN THE SHOW: -Trump Disses Putin, Kermit Speaks at Graduation, and The Israeli Embassy Suffers Loss - The Bulletin -Hosted by God at Christmastime - Being Human with Steve Cuss GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN:  -Join the conversation at our Substack.  -Follow the Being Human podcast. -Find us on YouTube.  -Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Rabbi Joshua Stanton is associate vice president for interfaith and intergroup initiatives at the Jewish Federations of North America. He is also on the board of governors with the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, which presides over Jewish-Christian relations with the Vatican.   Bishop Robert Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings and the presiding bishop of the historic Tabernacle Church in Buffalo, New York. Stearns serves as president of the Israel Christian Nexus in Los Angeles and has ministered in more than 30 nations around the world, with a central focus on the nation of Israel.  Steve Cuss is a pastor, former chaplain, and founder of Capable Life which helps people lower internal and relational anxiety in the workplace and at home. He is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs and The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God. Steve hosts the CT Media podcast, Being Human. ABOUT THE BULLETIN:  The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.    The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.    “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today  Producer: Clarissa Moll  Associate Producer: Alexa Burke  Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps  Executive Producer: Erik Petrik  Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Sloan Simmons joins Student Practice Group Co-Chair Ruth Mendyk and student practitioner Rebal Halabi-Boutros for the year's annual student legislation round-up.  Ruth and Rebal discuss the most significant bills passed by the close of this year's legislative session and their impacts going into 2026. Show Notes & References 1:34 – New laws related to immigration enforcement (Assembly Bill (AB) 49) (See Client News Brief 41 – October 2025) 3:54 – Judicial vs. administrative warrants (See Attorney General Guidance) 4:43 – Immigration enforcement and the impact on average daily attendance (ADA) (AB 1348) 5:40 – Comprehensive school safety plans (Senate Bill (SB) 98) (See Client News Brief 41 – October 2025) 7:08 – Family Preparedness Act (AB 495) (See Client News Brief 46 – November 2025) 10:56 – Identification cards (AB 727) (See Client New Brief 54 – November 2025) 12:21 – Homeless students and health screenings (AB 677) (See Client News Brief 54 – November 2025) 13:22 – Smartphone use and the emergency exception (AB 962) (See Client News Brief 53 – November 2025) 17:50 – Antisemitism and discrimination (AB 715 and SB 48) (See Client News Brief 43 – October 2025) 20:54 – Prichett et al. v. Newsom et al., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Case No. 5:25-cv-09443-NW 23:00 – Governor Newsom’s statement on AB 715 and SB 48 (October 7, 2025) 23:16 – Graduation ceremonies and student adornment of cap and gown (AB 1369) (See Client News Brief 44 – October 2025) 28:11 – Cyberbullying (AB 772) (See Client News Brief 53 – November 2025) 33:43 – Readmission following expulsion (AB 1230) (See Client News Brief 58 – December 2025) 35:47 – Truancy (AB 461) (See Client News Brief 58 – December 2025) 38:24 – Diwali added to list of state holidays (AB 268) (See Client News Brief 58 – December 2025) For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast

Our final episode for 2025 is a special tribute to our graduating students reflecting on their time at AGPS. Enjoy!

GDP Script/ Top Stories for December 11th Publish Date: December 11th PRE-ROLL: SUGAR HILL ICE SKATING From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Thursday, December 11th and Happy birthday to Nikki Six I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Atlanta Christkindl Market proving a hit in Lawrenceville Gwinnett commissioners OK 4% salary adjustment for county employees Paul Duke STEM High School honored for work to improve student outcomes Plus Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: GCPS Hiring-Villa Rica Wonderland Train STORY 1: Atlanta Christkindl Market proving a hit in Lawrenceville Avery Boutin and Jordan Lettis had never been to the Atlanta Christkindl Market before, but now that it’s landed in their backyard? They couldn’t resist. Sunday night, they joined the crowd under twinkling string lights, wandering the aisles, riding the Ferris wheel, and—of course—grabbing raclette sandwiches. This is the market’s first year in Lawrenceville, and it’s already a hit. City Manager Chuck Warbington said it’s tripled downtown foot traffic. Vendors? 90 booths, everything from bratwursts to alpaca scarves. And the hot chocolate line? Let’s just say, patience required. STORY 2: Gwinnett commissioners OK 4% salary adjustment for county employees Gwinnett County employees just got an early Christmas surprise—4% raises, approved by commissioners on Tuesday. Starting pay? Now at least $40,000 a year for full-timers. Not bad, right? The adjustment, retroactive to Oct. 25, bumps up pay ranges across the board, including public safety roles. Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson called it a step toward addressing inflation and keeping Gwinnett competitive. “We’re investing in the people who keep this county running,” she said. With a $2.6 billion budget vote looming in January, it’s unclear how this raise fits in. But for now? A little extra in the paycheck feels good. STORY 3: Paul Duke STEM High School honored for work to improve student outcomes Paul Duke STEM High just snagged a huge honor—one of only two schools in Georgia named a 2025 National ESEA Distinguished School. Pretty big deal, right? This recognition isn’t handed out lightly. It’s for Title I schools that are crushing it academically and making real strides with their students. Principal Dr. Jonathon Wetherington couldn’t be prouder. “This is about our students, our teachers, our families—all of us,” he said. Their STEMforALL initiative? Game-changer. It’s hands-on, rigorous, and inclusive, reaching multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and those facing economic challenges. Oh, and Flex Fridays? Genius. Targeted support, projects, college prep—it’s working. Graduation rates? Over 90%. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: Kia Mall of Georgia - DTL HOLIDAY STORY 4: Gwinnett County Public Library offering RISE Teen Entrepreneurship program Got a teen with big dreams of running their own business? Gwinnett County Public Library’s RISE Teen Entrepreneurship Program might be just the thing. Starting Feb. 17, 2026, this four-week crash course will teach teens (ages 13–19) how to turn ideas into real businesses. Here’s the deal: they’ll brainstorm, build a business plan, and pitch their ideas to local entrepreneurs in a Shark Tank-style showdown. Winners? Cash prizes. Meetings are weekly, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at the Lawrenceville Hooper-Renwick branch. Deadline to apply? Jan. 5. Oh, and library cardholders can use maker spaces—think laser printers, podcast gear, sewing machines—for free. Dream big, Gwinnett! STORY 5: Touchdown Club of Gwinnett Honors Best in 2025 High School Football The Touchdown Club of Gwinnett threw a big bash Monday at 12Stone Church, celebrating the absolute best of Gwinnett high school football from the 2025 season. And wow, what a lineup. Buford’s Tyriq Green snagged Athlete of the Year—no surprise there, considering he’s leading his team to the Class AAAAAA state finals. North Gwinnett cleaned up too, with Zach Lewis (Offensive Lineman), Max Patterson (Tight End), and Chauncey Davis (Defensive Back) all taking home top honors. Other schools? Brookwood, Collins Hill, and Grayson had multiple winners, too. Honestly, the talent in this county is unreal. Full list? It’s long—like, really long. But trust me, these kids earned it. GEORGIA SWARM: The Georgia Swarm are itching to get back on the floor. After dropping their season opener to Buffalo—yeah, the three-time champs, no big deal—they’ve had a week off to regroup. That 15-11 loss? Not ideal. Saturday, Dec. 13, they’re finally at home, Gas South Arena, facing the Oshawa FireWolves. Rookie Nolan Byrne? Scored his first goal in Buffalo. Shayne Jackson? Four goals, still a beast. And this team? Big. Fast. Aggressive. Fans better buckle up—it’s gonna be fun. Here is Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre Break 3: THE STRAND - Ingles Markets 7 - THE SUGAR HILL HOLIDAY Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com www.kiamallofga.com Ice Rink – Downtown Sugar Hill Holiday Celebration 2025 – City of Sugar Hill https://www.downtownlawrencevillega.com/ Team GCPS News Podcast, Current Events, Top Headlines, Breaking News, Podcast News, Trending, Local News, Daily, News, Podcast, Interviews See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In hour 2, Spadoni and Shasky give graduate awards for the 49ers players, who would be your valedictorian this season?

Students from Meán Scoil Mhuire have made regional history by becoming the first in the Midlands to graduate with a University Level 6 Module Certificate in 21st Century STEM Skills from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). The graduation ceremony took place at the Midlands Showcase on 3 December at TUS, where the school's Transition Year students received their certificates in front of an audience of businesses, educators, and regional innovators. The STEM Passport for Inclusion Programme represents a significant step towards educational equity in the region. Built on the success of similar work with Maynooth University in Longford, the programme was adapted and delivered by TUS after their lecturers shadowed the original Maynooth team. Meán Scoil Mhuire volunteered to be the pilot post-primary school for this Midlands expansion. The qualification now carries substantial weight for students' futures. TUS has recently secured accreditation to offer a DEIS STEM pathway, awarding 50 Leaving Certificate CAO points to programme graduates. This creates a direct route into third-level education and STEM qualifications for students regardless of their backgrounds. Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, "These young people have shown remarkable determination and vision. By completing this demanding university-level programme whilst still in secondary school, they've proven that talent exists everywhere - it simply needs the right opportunities to flourish. This graduation marks the beginning of our ambition to position the Midlands as Ireland's premier region for ICT education and digital innovation." Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, "Education transforms lives, and this programme demonstrates what becomes possible when local government, universities, and schools work in genuine partnership. We're committed to extending the STEM Passport for Inclusion across all Midland counties. Every student who gains these skills and qualifications strengthens not just their own future, but the economic and social fabric of our entire region." The programme's expansion is supported by collaboration between Longford County Council, the STEM Passport for Inclusion team at Maynooth University, TUS, and the Midlands ICT Network. TUS joins MTU Kerry and Maynooth University in delivering this pathway, ensuring students from underrepresented groups gain increased access to STEM careers. A panel discussion at the Midlands Showcase, titled "How STEM in the Midlands is Redefining Ireland's Digital Horizon", featured Christine Collins (Broadband & Digital Officer, Longford County Council), Sabahat Khan (Assistant Chief Executive/CIO, LGMA), Elizabeth Clinton (INFUSE Team Lead, Ericsson), and Shannon Boyle (Teacher, St. Mary's Primary School, Edgeworthstown). The discussion was hosted by Gráinne Seoige. The initiative receives EU Just Transition funding. See more stories here.

#PoloG #GHerbo #GangstaGraduation #Rap #Hip-Hop #TrapSeason 11 BEGINS! For Let's Talk About It: MUSIX REVIEWS. The Music Critic is gearing up ready to deliver a action packed season. Daily episodes are fully back! This SEASON is the first yearly long season! Get ready for the wild RIDE OF S11! Fun Pop Reviews, Rap Reviews AND MORE! Polo G, G Herbo, Gangsta Graduation, rap music, hip hop, Chicago rappers, new rap songs, music collaboration, lyrical rap, street rap, hip hop artists, rap collaborations, Polo G songs, G Herbo music, gangsta rap, rap lyrics, trending music, rap culture, Chicago music

Today, Bob makes a desperate plea to be involved in any capacity with the next Beatles biopic. Pantone's Color of the Year has been announced - Cloud Dancer - a shade of white that causes a stir in the studio. Finally, this semester's interns, Aubrey, Emily, & Georgia, graduate from KLBJ, but not before taking a final exam. Support the show: https://www.klbjfm.com/mattandbobfm/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nominate Vtubers for Awards! https://forms.gle/xZ5pHHoK6AoQzgc87 Buy Merch Here!  https://otamerch.shop/ Each week we aim to bring together the biggest events in Vtubing and talk about what's been going on. Stop by, hang out, and let's catch up with us! Join this discord : https://discord.gg/M7tVYWTSFR Follow here for updates: https://twitter.com/SuperChatsPod Shorts over here: https://www.tiktok.com/@superchatspod Playlist of music: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6uXoGNUwk9Tq0NWOwaCLGruX0XdVBfd 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:17 Kanata's Graduating 00:30:30 Globie Shutdown 00:42:08 Brave Group Re-Structuring 00:53:50 An Idol(EN) Returns 01:06:29 Lia 3d Debut 01:14:54 HoloX x Monogatari 01:17:50 Raora's Surgery 01:18:51 VAllure on Twitch 01:20:09 Miko's Tokyo Tour 01:23:11 Beastiez 4th Member Teaser 01:24:14 Shabel Tonya New Model 01:27:22 Original Songs 01:31:53 Cover Songs 01:45:48 Dr Nova House Review 01:47:49 Kaminari Clara's Birfday Stream 01:52:55 Fuwamoco's Twin Sync Stream 01:54:58 GG's Honkai Adventure 01:59:11 REM's Parade 02:01:15 Paige Turner's Submarine Roleplay 02:05:14 Phyla played Thank Goodness You're Here 02:06:31 Nimi Played Fear and Hunger 02:08:50 Riki Poppet Zatsu 02:10:25 Miwa's Good December Guide 02:11:22 Komo Dokueki's Karaoke 02:12:03 Ala's Scuff Stream 02:13:08 Community and Shilling 02:17:28 Birfdays

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 170 - Cristian Mungiu - Director In this extended episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Cristian Mungiu (R.M.N., GRADUATION, BEYOND THE HILLS). Cristian's films—which we deeply admire—largely focus on social issues in his native country of Romania, and though they are told in his own unique voice, his films explore problems many in the world face today. We learn how the fall of communism and Ceaușescu's regime in Cristian's youth enabled him to become a filmmaker, and he reflects on the lingering effects of the country's cinematic culture before and after the Romanian Revolution. We spend much of our conversation discovering how Cristian approaches filmmaking and cinematic storytelling, and he shares how he works on any given day in production. Cristian also reveals how his films are received by Romanian audiences, and we discuss our commitment as filmmakers to presenting the truth as we see it. Plus, Cristian lets us know what to expect in his upcoming feature, FJORD. - Recommended Viewing: R.M.N., GRADUATION, BEYOND THE HILLS - This episode is sponsored by Aputure

TigerTalk turns its attention to adult education in Mississippi as Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery meets with Northeast president Dr. Ricky G. Ford for an in-depth look at one of the state's strongest programs. Calvery leads the conversation as Ford highlights how Northeast's award-winning approach serves as a model for colleges across the Magnolia State. Their discussion explains how adult education supports individuals who did not complete high school and often faced setbacks that kept them from earning a credential. Ford outlines why adult education plays a key role in strengthening Mississippi's workforce. Programs focus on literacy and practical work skills that can help drive economic growth, though he notes the need for sustainable funding to meet the scale of demand. Current estimates show 301,301 Mississippians lack a high school diploma, and statewide programs helped 8,465 people reach that milestone last year. Challenges remain significant. Many students enter reading at a third-grade level or below, and 97 percent fall under an eighth-grade learning level. Ford details how programs like Northeast's work to close those gaps and offer a pathway toward long-term success for learners and communities across the state. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

The Christmas Tree Lot, the Steak, and Why the Hard Part Is What Makes It Worth It In this episode, Doc Danny Matta shares a story about a Christmas tree lot in Columbus, Georgia, the best steak he's ever eaten, and how hard work—and the struggle that comes with it—makes success and reward deeply meaningful. He connects that experience to clinic ownership, growth, and why building a successful cash practice is supposed to be hard. Quick Ask If this episode helps you reframe the hard parts of business, share it with another clinician who's grinding through a tough season—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare it. Episode Summary Documentation pain: The #1 complaint on satisfaction surveys is clinicians hating to write notes. Clair AI scribe: Clair has been trained specifically for PTs to write high-quality notes, like a meticulous student in the corner capturing everything. Time freedom: Using Clair allows clinicians to reclaim hours of documentation time and spend it with family, hobbies, or simply resting. Danny's background: Staff PT, active duty military PT, cash practice founder, seller, and founder of PT Biz, helping 1,000+ clinicians build cash practices. The Christmas tree lot job: As a teenager in Columbus, GA, Danny and his brother took a sketchy, hard manual-labor job at a Christmas tree lot near Fort Benning. Uncertain payoff: The owner warned them they'd only get paid if they worked hard—and not until the end of the season. Hard work in the cold: Long days hauling trees, sawing, tying them to cars, all while smelling Texas Roadhouse across the street they couldn't yet afford. Finally getting paid: On the last day, the owner pulled out a wad of cash, paid them what he owed, and even gave them a bonus for working hard. The greatest steak ever: They walked across the street to Texas Roadhouse, ordered the most expensive steak, and it remains the best steak Danny's ever had—because of what it represented. Meaning through struggle: The steak wasn't special because of the restaurant; it was special because of the work it took to earn it. Business parallel: The hard parts of clinic ownership—slow growth, cash stress, buildouts, staffing—are what make the wins meaningful. Normalizing struggle: Building a successful clinic that changes your life and your family's life should not be easy. Celebrate wins: Most entrepreneurs power past achievements without celebrating; Danny argues you need to mark the "steak moments." Reframing frustration: Instead of "Why is this so hard?" shift to "It's supposed to be hard—and that's why it will feel incredible when it works." Lessons & Takeaways Hard work makes reward meaningful: Wins feel better when they're earned through discomfort, sacrifice, and persistence. You need contrast: Without the "shitty stuff," victories don't stand out—you need struggle to appreciate success. Business is not meant to be easy: A clinic that creates time and financial freedom will demand hard things from you. Struggle is not a sign you're failing: It's a sign you're doing something significant and transformative. School and business are similar: Graduation and growth feel good precisely because the journey is challenging. Positive reinforcement matters: Celebrating wins keeps you moving through the next tough stretch. Mindset & Motivation Embrace the hard: Instead of resenting the grind, accept that it's the price of a different life. You're not broken: Being tired, stretched, and challenged doesn't mean you picked the wrong path. Remember what's at stake: A successful clinic can change your family's finances, your time, and your identity. Reframe the question: Move from "Why is this so hard?" to "Who am I becoming because I'm doing hard things?" Use the steak moment: Have a tangible reward in mind—your version of Texas Roadhouse—to look forward to after big milestones. Pro Tips for Clinic Owners Automate documentation: Use Clair to remove hours of note writing and free up time for life outside the clinic. Define your "steak": Choose a specific reward (trip, dinner, purchase) you'll give yourself after a big business milestone. Track your wins: Keep a running list of milestones reached so you can look back and see your progress. Expect friction: When something feels hard, remind yourself: "This is exactly what I signed up for." Build celebration into your plan: Schedule a pause to celebrate when you hit revenue, hire, or space goals. Notable Quotes "If you don't have the shitty stuff, then it doesn't feel very good whenever you get the good stuff." "Why would something that changes your life be easy?" "Anything meaningful—like a successful clinic—should be hard." "If you can just reframe from 'Why is this hard?' to 'This is supposed to be hard,' it changes everything." "The hard part is what makes the win feel like the greatest steak you've ever had." Action Items Identify one current "hard thing" in your business and consciously reframe it as part of what makes your future success meaningful. Pick a specific reward you'll give yourself when you hit your next major milestone. Write down three big wins you've already earned and how hard you worked for them. Consider trying Clair for a 7-day free trial to reclaim documentation time. Share this story with a spouse, partner, or friend so they understand why you're pushing through the hard season. Programs Mentioned PT Biz Part-Time to Full-Time 5-Day Challenge (Free): Get crystal clear on how much money you need to replace, how many people you need to see, and the strategies to go from side hustle to full-time practice owner. Join here. Resources & Links PT Biz Website Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge MeetClair AI — Free 7-day trial for PTs About the Host: Doc Danny Matta — physical therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of PT Biz and Athlete's Potential. He's helped over 1,000 clinicians start, grow, scale, and sometimes sell their cash practices and is dedicated to helping PTs build businesses that create true time and financial freedom.

TigerTalk offers a look at Northeast Mississippi Community College's legislative focus for Fiscal Year 2027 as Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery joins Northeast president Dr. Ricky G. Ford for a detailed conversation on statewide community college needs. Calvery guides the discussion as Ford outlines priorities shared by all 15 colleges in Mississippi, including a proposed six percent raise for faculty, staff and all employees, support for rising operational costs and continued funding for the Career Tech Advantage Program that supplies updated equipment and new programs for workforce training. Ford also explains the system's request for $150 million in capital improvements and repairs, with Northeast seeking between $6 million and $8 million. In total, Mississippi's community colleges are asking lawmakers for $211.5 million in state support for the upcoming fiscal year. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges. 

Download My Top 20 Books Every Man Needs To Read:https://books.menofearth.co.uk/Join The Mens Online Community:www.skool.com/menofearth/aboutThe Bear-Intentions GraduationIn 2019 he set out on a mission to simplify wellbeing… a homemade degree in order to study the simplest ways to manage stress- tension.He set himself 4 years of challenges;To Listen: Year 1 - 365 day vow of silenceTo Play: Year 2 - 365 days of wearing only fancy dress/costumesTo Love: Year 3 - 365 days of serviceTo Empower: Year 4 - 365 days barefoot====== BEAR =====IG ▶ https://www.instagram.com/bearintentionsWEBSITE ▶ https://www.bearintentions.com/====== CHRIS GEISLER ======WEBSITE ▶ thechrisgeisler.comMens Community ▶ www.skool.com/menofearth/about====== SUPPORT ======Support The Podcast: www.patreon.com/thechrisgeislerTelegram: https://t.me/thechrisgeislerpodcast

Except Sarah. She wants them on her lovely tall girl legs, but will she just end up selling them on Depop? Meanwhile, Lise has reached lunchbox liberation, and there are two types of people; the rare people who love having 'Happy Birthday' sung to them..and everyone else. And the show phone reveals a listener dilemma for the ages: what's more important - Year 6 Graduation or Lady Gaga? The show phone is: 0489 214 653 Want to support the show and become a Goldie? Subscribe to Lise and Sarah GOLD here For Android users, we got you! You don't need the Apple Podcasts app - you can subscribe via your web browser. How does it work? Here's a step-by-step (and yes, we promise it's easy!) • Click here: http://apple.co/LiseandSarah • The link will open in a web browser • From there, just hit sign in, log in/create an Apple Account - it's free to do this • You can now proceed to sign up for The Lise & Sarah Show subscription (it may look like a TRY FREE button) • We suggest you save/bookmark/create a shortcut for the link for easy access whenever you want to tune inSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge week in the Coulson household — ADHD dilemmas, graduation milestones, big Roblox safety updates, and a brutally honest conversation about whether homeschooling is finally over. In this episode, we unpack the emotional load of parenting when life feels stretched thin, and why the choices we make for our kids rarely come with simple answers. KEY POINTS ADHD medications, family wellbeing, and the real question behind parental burnout Why “child problems” are often “environment problems” A major Roblox safety update parents need to know about Graduation highs, formal prep… and food poisoning A heartfelt mother–daughter conversation about going back to school How exploration conversations help kids feel heard (and make decisions they trust) QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "We’ve got to stop blaming the child — most of the time it’s not a child problem, it’s an environment problem." RESOURCES MENTIONED ADHD episode (“Halloween ADHD Overdiagnosis”) Sammy Tamimi’s Searching for Normal and Naughty Boys Happy Families Podcast feedback: podcast@happyfamilies.com ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Pause and ask: Is this really a child issue, or is the environment overstretched? Revisit routines — sleep, movement, screens, food — before jumping to quick fixes Try an “exploration conversation” with your child when emotions are high Stay curious, not certain — especially with big decisions Monitor new Roblox age-check and chat-safety changes if gaming is in your home See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery look at how student feedback shapes leadership on campus. Ford reflects on a key lesson he has learned from listening to students and how their input plays a part in guiding tough decisions. He points out that colleges must adjust their expectations as each new group of students arrives with different needs and priorities. Their conversation includes Ford's take on the familiar phrase “Back when I was in college,” and why educators cannot rely on what worked years ago. He explains that meeting today's students where they are means building programs and services that fit a new generation's outlook. A major topic in the episode is technology and its role in modern education. Ford highlights Northeast's progress in this area and notes that other institutions often look to the college as they work to strengthen their own technology efforts. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

What comes after the episode after the prom? Graduation, of course! Joey is stressed about the speech she'll have to give as winner of the Pinnacle Award; it's a good thing Bessie had a premortem letter from their poor dead mom to hand off and inspire her. Pacey is stressed about passing enough exams to graduate with his friends, and while he's not as big a monster about it as David Silver was whenever HE got stressed on Beverly Hills, 90210, he doesn't exactly cover himself in glory either; it's a good thing Mr. Kasdan is very patient and generous. Drue is stressed about his terrible parents; it's a good thing Jen and Grams love taking in strays. Principal Peskin is stressed that someone's going to prank the graduation ceremony. Tobey is stressed about asking Jack why he isn't calling Tobey his boyfriend. Jack is stressed about getting to the airport on time to pick up Andie. Lily is...probably stressed about when she's going to be old enough to see color? Don't stress: our episode on "The Graduate" is right here! JOIN THE AWT CLUB

WGU Senior Director of Alumni Engagement Robert Sullivan joins the alumni podcast to explore what happens after graduation—how a WGU degree becomes real momentum through lifelong career support, community, and connection. He walks us through the services alumni can tap into at any stage, from resume reviews and interview prep to region-based events and local networks that help graduates stay relevant in a changing job market.Robert also pulls back the curtain on WGU's AI-powered Ask-a-Grad tool, which gives learners and alumni fast, practical insights from people who've walked the same path. He shares why commencement remains such a powerful milestone, how community shapes resilience, and what it means to build an alumni ecosystem that supports every learner for life. His perspective is a reminder that the WGU journey doesn't end at graduation—it expands.

Would you like to learn more about earning scholarships as a college student? Then download our free guide, Scholarships for College Students. This free guide shares the five steps for earning scholarships as a college student. Links to more free scholarship resources are also included. Go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegescholarships ---------- If your child is turning 18, whether they are going away to college or remaining at home, please consider getting a Power of Attorney in place. You can use my discount code, ScholarshipCoach20, to take 20% off the total price at Mama Bear Legal Forms when you use this link: https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/youngadult?oid=1&affid=44 ---------- Today, we are joined by Kolby Goodman, a career strategist and job search expert dedicated to helping students and emerging professionals successfully navigate today's competitive job market. Kolby is also the author of “Start Now: And 49 Other Things You Can Do To Be Employed By Graduation.” In our conversation, Kolby and I discussed: What students (and their parents) get wrong about finding a job after graduation Skills students need to gain employment after graduation Why students shouldn't think of themselves as ‘just a job seeker' What it looks like when a student is career-ready before they graduate What a student should start doing in their freshman or sophomore year to land a great job after graduation Advice for students who don't know what they want to do yet Advice for parents who want to help their student prepare for life after college And much more… To connect with Kolby and learn more about how he works with students and families, go to employedbygraduation.com. You can also find him on LinkedIn. ---------- Featured Scholarships: Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin $2000 FSTN Veteran Scholarship Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law $1000 Path to Success Scholarship Kaire & Heffernan $1000 I Am A Fighter Scholarship WebstaurantStore $5000 Culinary and Hospitality Scholarship $1000 Carson Scholars Fund Scholarship $2000 Bucket List Scholarship $2000 Smarter College A Better Financial Future Scholarship Subscribe to the free "Your Daily Scholarship" Newsletter here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/  

Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery discuss how the college helps students get ready for life beyond campus. Ford explains that preparation begins well before graduation and continues as students step away from the City of Hospitality and into the wider world. Their discussion covers how Northeast supports students heading into the workforce, transferring to a four-year college or university or joining the United States military. Ford also points out that the college aims to give students the skills to manage college pressures while building habits that carry into everyday life. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Today on the show we have Vova Feldman, the Founder and CEO of Freemius.In this episode, Vova shares his experience in launching Freemius from a side project into a platform powering thousands of indie software businesses.We then discussed how Freemius is repositioning itself from its WordPress roots to become the go-to solution for small SaaS and desktop software businesses.We wrapped up by discussing their new transparent pricing model — designed to align with growth and reduce graduation churn.Mentioned ResourcesFreemiusLinkedIn | Vova FeldmanRatingWidget.comSenexx | GartnerTechstarsWordPressPaddleStripePayPalChurn FM is sponsored by Vitally, the all-in-one Customer Success Platform.

Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery discuss an activity-filled 2025 Fall Semester. Ford highlights several moments that stood out to him and explains how the steady rhythm of campus life helps build the college's momentum. Their discussion focuses on how the day-to-day events, large gatherings and community partnerships help strengthen the bond between students, employees and the region the college serves. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

Every once in a while, I meet someone whose story reminds me why inclusion and communication go hand in hand. My guest this week, Shabnam Asthana, is one of those people. She's a global PR leader, entrepreneur, and author who has spent her life turning words into bridges that connect people and purpose. We talk about her journey from teaching and lecturing at India's National Defence Academy to leading global communications for major brands—and what it taught her about empathy, leadership, and real inclusion. Shabnam shares how storytelling can turn data into emotion, and why true diversity is less about representation and more about respect. Her message is powerful and deeply human: being unstoppable begins with an open heart, quiet courage, and the willingness to rise again. If you're ready to lead with empathy and communicate with purpose, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Highlights: 00:43 – Hear how early role models and a working mother raised ambitions and set a path toward leadership. 03:39 – Learn why strong communication skills pointed her toward PR and how debates built confidence. 05:24 – See why teaching became the first step when women in PR roles were rare in smaller cities. 08:12 – Discover what it took to lecture at India's National Defence Academy and earn respect in a rigid setting. 12:09 – Understand the leap from academia to corporate PR after being scouted for communication excellence. 15:50 – Learn how serving as a spokesperson shaped internal and external messaging at a Swedish-Indian firm. 17:01 – Gain a humble view of global work and why inclusion means moving from tokenism to listening. 21:08 – Compare India and Sweden and see how representation differs from real inclusion in practice. 24:18 – Learn how small, specific acts like adding sign to slides can make people feel genuinely seen. 34:24 – Find out how storytelling turns CSR spreadsheets into human change that inspires action. 43:22 – Explore the choice to found Empowered Solutions and why entrepreneurship kept growth alive. 53:06 – Take a fresh definition of an unstoppable mindset rooted in resilience and an open heart. About the Guest: A multi-faceted Professional, who has fast tracked from being a reputed National name to a well-respected and emulated global one! Shabnam Asthana has added new dimensions to Global PR and Communications. She has to her credit, post graduate degrees in English Literature, Public Relations and Advertising, an MBA in Marketing Management & several International certifications including a prestigious Hon. Doctorate in Business Administration from the National American University USA (NAU). She has over 25 years of rich professional experience. She started her career in the educational field as a high school teacher and then moved on to the role of a Lecturer at the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadkwasla. She was the only civilian who compered for the Passing out parades, PT & Equestrian display and the Graduation ceremony of the NDA for 3 consecutive years. This was covered live on Doordarshan. It was after one of the Passing out Parades that she was compering at the NDA, that a senior position in a reputed company was offered to her and thus began her foray into the corporate world. After her successful corporate stint in senior positions with reputed companies including Multinationals in India and abroad and reputed real estate businesses, she started her own PR and communications firm, Empowered Solutions in 2005 which has been running successfully since then. Adding offices in USA and Canada as part of its international expansion. Ways to connect with Jan: Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabnam_Asthana Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shabnamasthana/?hl=en Linked in - https://in.linkedin.com/in/dr-shabnam-asthana-7b174a5 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ShabnamAsthana/ X - https://x.com/shabnamasthana VyaapaarNiti Expert Profile - https://www.vyaapaarniti.com/expert/dr-shabnam-asthana- Tring Celebrity Platform - https://www.tring.co.in/shabnam-asthana About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:20 Well, Hi again, everyone. I am your host, Michael Hingson, and you are here listening to or watching or both, unstoppable mindset today, our guest is a person of many talents, and I think you're going to be as amazed about her as I am. Shabnam Asthana is a person who has been involved in she was a teacher for a while. She's been very heavily involved in a variety of things at the corporate level. She started her own marketing firm in 2005 and I don't know what all my gosh, she's got so many things, it's really hard to keep up, but I'm sure she's going to tell us all about it, and I am looking forward to that. And I really appreciate all of you being here with us. So Shabnam, I want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset. And thank you for being here.   Shabnam Asthana ** 02:15 Thank you, Michael, truly wonderful to be with here, and thank you for that amazing introduction. You make me feel as if I've worn a professional cape of so many accolades and so many things. It's wonderful to be here with you.   Michael Hingson ** 02:32 Michael, well, you do have lots of awards and lots of accolades.   Shabnam Asthana ** 02:38 That's just one part of the journey. The true reward is in the, you know, work that I do, these stories, that I shape, the narratives that spring in that is the true reward. And of course, accolades are always welcome, and they are a way of encouragement, which do ensure that, yes, I continue doing the good work.   Michael Hingson ** 03:00 Well, why don't we start back at the beginning, which is always fun to do. Why don't you tell us about the early Shabnam growing up?   Shabnam Asthana ** 03:08 Okay, that's something which is very close to my heart. I was born in India in a small city called Bokaro, Steel City. It was a Steel City. It was an industrial town, and we were a very close knit community, and we had lots of, you know, interaction with people. I came from a background where both my parents, my mother and my father were working, and at that point of time, a working woman was sort of seen as a novelty, not something I'm talking way, way back. And now the people will also guess my age, I guess because it's pretty way back. And that was the time when we weren't India was still developing, and women were still not seen as the working class, you know, especially in senior corporate positions. And my mother was a senior officer in the steel plant, so that set my aspirations and ambitions very high. And I wanted to emulate her. I wanted to be someone who was working now what I would do I was not very sure of, but yes, I wanted to be working. And then later on, my sister, my both my sisters, were also working, my older siblings, and of course, that set the tone for me to also hop into the professional shoes, and, you know, chart out a career path for myself. So,   Michael Hingson ** 04:44 so what? What did you do? As far as schooling? Did you go to college?   Shabnam Asthana ** 04:51 Yes, I went to the local school there, which was an English medium good school called sin Xavier School. And that was some. Thing which really groomed me for the future, that set the foundations for my career. And after that, I did my schooling in the my college, sorry, in the capital city of India, which is Delhi. And then on, I moved to a place which is close to Mumbai, which is Pune, and I continued my education there. And of course, my career started in Pune. That is when I got into academics, and then henceforth,   Michael Hingson ** 05:34 so when you were in college, and as you were coming out of it, what did you want to do with your life? What was your plan? Or did you have one?   Shabnam Asthana ** 05:43 Yes, I did have one. Like I said, I was always good in communications, and people used to tell me that you are a good communicator. I used to win all the debates. I used to win elocution competitions. And I said, Well, yes, communication does seem to be my forte, so why don't I build on that? And then I saw my father, he was in the public relations industry, and I somehow at the back of my mind, I said, Yes, that is something I would surely want to do. So why not try my hand at PR? And that's how the seeds of my career was planted in my mind, and then it developed there on.   Michael Hingson ** 06:30 But you started out in education and in teaching.   Shabnam Asthana ** 06:34 Yes, that's very interesting. I'll tell you. I wanted to start my career in PR, but I was in a place which was a small city, and it was a place called Jamshedpur, before I moved on to Pune, and there, the career scope was very limited. We didn't have women in the PR. In fact, it was unheard of. So the best thing, or the easiest thing that a woman could do was to hop on the bandwagon of academics. And not saying that it was something you know, that was not looked up to. But yes, I did enjoy my role as a school teacher. That was my first job in Jamshedpur, a small it was, again, a steel city in India, and I became a high school teacher, and quite enjoyed it, because that was also communication. It was the way you communicated with your students, and, you know, sort of got them into, got them interested in what they were learning. So that was, again a stepping stone, and it was the area of communications which expanded later on.   Michael Hingson ** 07:47 So how long did you stay in teaching?   Shabnam Asthana ** 07:51 I was there for about two years in Jamshedpur, and then I moved on to Pune. And guess what the next opportunity I got was as a lecturer in the National Defense Academy. That was a place where the future generals were being groomed, and I was a civilian who, sort of, I was the only civilian, probably, who got into the teaching profession there and there I spent a good four years truly memorable. Worth remembering recounting. There was so many incidents, and I loved teaching. That was something which I did at the National Defense Academy too. Although that was at a higher level, it was very different from the school teaching which I had done. This was more, you know, on a national level, where you had to be more, and there was a lot of discipline which came in, because it was the future, you know, Army personnel, Navy personnel, so all that, there was a lot of discipline that came in and that groomed me better. I understood what the world of discipline meant in the true sense, because I lived   Michael Hingson ** 09:10 it right. What? How did you discover the job at the defense Academy? Though that's certainly a whole lot different than teaching high school students or maybe not.   Shabnam Asthana ** 09:23 It is a whole lot intimidating. Let me tell you that it's very intimidating to walk into a room full of, you know, future generals, army people you don't know who you know who you are, I mean, who they are, and you sort of get very intimidated by the kind the aura is very, very intimidating.   Michael Hingson ** 09:46 How did you discover that job? Yes,   Shabnam Asthana ** 09:49 that was done. We in India, we have something which is called the employment exchange. So you register there and you give your qualify. You list down your qualifications, and you know whatever you are planning to do, and they invite you for certain vacancies. So one fine day, I was just sitting and having my lunch at home when I received a letter, and the letter was an interview call for the National Defense Academy. I literally jumped out of my skin because I was a school teacher, and then being asked to appear for an interview in the National Defense Academy itself was a big leap for me. Whether I got it or not was a different thing. But then to sort of come on board and go and sort of appear for an interview was also something very exciting. And when I went there, I was like, I said, the only civilian The rest were army officers, wives and daughters, you know, related to the working personnel there. So when I went, I was interviewed by the three representatives from all the three wings, that is the Navy, the Air Force and Army. And that was a very good experience. They asked me a lot of questions, and I believe it was later on I was told that it was my confidence that got me in. So thanks to that, I   Michael Hingson ** 11:23 was going to ask you why you why you got in, or why you think you got in. And yes,   Shabnam Asthana ** 11:30 yeah, I did ask them that later, and unofficially, I was told that. Well, it was the way you carried yourself, the confidence and, you know, the excitement and enthusiasm that you shared, which was very, very refreshing.   Michael Hingson ** 11:48 So what exactly did you do at the academy?   Shabnam Asthana ** 11:53 I was teaching them English, and I was teaching them literature. I don't know how interested they were in literature, but then the feedback that I got, which was, you know, the it was a routine feedback, which we have the teachers get. So I used to get good marks, and people used to say, yes, that, you know, your classes are engrossing. It's good. And then, apart from that, there was something very interesting I did, which was I compared for their passing out parades, and I compared for all their shows. And that was something which was covered on television, and that gave me a different kind of foothold in my profession, where I was being seen, where I was being heard, and my confidence grew by leaps and bounds. I was being accepted as a woman. I was being accepted as a civilian. And that was something which was very, very heartwarming for me,   Michael Hingson ** 13:01 and I would assume, very difficult to achieve,   Shabnam Asthana ** 13:05 I think so I do yes, in retrospect, yes.   Michael Hingson ** 13:09 So you did that for roughly four years. Yes. And why did you leave that? What was your? Was your thought about that,   Shabnam Asthana ** 13:21 okay, I would have gone on. It was such a glorious part of my career. But, you know, change, they say, is constant, and that is something which happened. I was comparing for a passing out parade when the chairman of a corporate company which was doing rather well, heard me, and he was impressed by my communication, my speaking abilities, my, you know, the way I was presenting things. And he said he offered me a job, and he said, Why don't you come and join my office and come in as a PR person for my company, and that's exactly I was actually, you know, not very sure whether I wanted to leave this an industry and career where I was already established, where people knew me, and just hop on to the corporate world. But if you remember, that was my ambition. That was what I had always won right at the start. So the moment it came, it almost felt as if it fell into my laps. And I said, Why don't I do that? Yes, and this is a good opportunity, and I must take it up. My I spoke to my family, and they too, felt that it was a good stepping stone to move on. And so I accepted it, and that was my entry into the world of PR, in the corporate   Michael Hingson ** 14:48 world. So what year was that this   Shabnam Asthana ** 14:53 was way back on now you are prompting me to give away my age, which is like. Like ancient, I'd be a fossil. Okay, yes, this was way back in the 90s,   Michael Hingson ** 15:06 okay, and that was kind of what I was curious about. So at that time, industry was a little bit more stable than it was later on, but, but still, you You did it, and you so you stepped into that goal, into that role, and so you became part of the PR world, which is, as you said, what you wanted to do initially, anyway. So, so how long did you stay at that company? I   Shabnam Asthana ** 15:39 stayed there for about four years, and then the chairman of the company passed away. Unfortunately, he was on a trip to China, and he suffered a massive cardiac arrest, so I was working very closely with him in his office, and as is the norm of the industry, once the leader is not there things you know, sort of crumble, and you know, there's reorganization. New faces come in, and normally the new people bring their own teams. So I felt as if, you know, before they told me to sort of move out or something. I don't know why I pre empted that. I said, Why don't I myself make a shift and join some other industry? I mean, join some other company, which I did. Again, I applied. It was a Swedish company, and again, it was one of the best moves that I could have made. I spent a good 12 years in that company, which Hogan is India Limited, I must name them. They were brilliant. And I spent a very, very good part of my career with that company.   Michael Hingson ** 16:56 And so again, you did primarily PR, or what did you Yes, it was   Shabnam Asthana ** 17:02 PR and it was handling the chairman and managing director's office. So the entire communication was handled through me, the internal as well as the external communication. I was a spokesperson, yes,   Michael Hingson ** 17:18 so you became so in a sense, sort of the face of the company.   Shabnam Asthana ** 17:21 Yes, I did. It's nice to feel that yes, that it was a good many years that I was the face of the company in terms of communication, yes,   Michael Hingson ** 17:33 right, right. And, and where were you doing this?   Shabnam Asthana ** 17:38 This was in Pune, and their head office was in Sweden. I used to sort of move between the two. It was a very global company. The subsidiary was an Indian subsidiary, but the parent company was Swedish. So we had a lot of global travel   17:56 that kept you busy. That did so   Shabnam Asthana ** 17:59 there were conferences, and there were so many meetings which were happening,   Michael Hingson ** 18:03 yes, right? So what did, what did you? What did you learn from all of that? Do you think   Shabnam Asthana ** 18:12 it was a very humbling experience? You know, more than the excitement, I was armed with a lot of excitement, because that would have been one of my first trips outside India. I was I had a lot of excitement, lots of things were on my mind, but then ultimately, when one does travel and work in a global company, it's a very humbling experience, because you are exposed to your strengths and also your blind spots, your strengths, your weaknesses, everything comes to you and then you feel that diversity is not always about representation. It's about respect and inclusion is moving from tokenism to listening. That is what I felt, you know, adapting various voices to your workplace, working in unison, trying to empathize with people from different cultures, different streams, different departments, all that really broadened my horizon. So that was something which I learned.   Michael Hingson ** 19:30 So what was the culture like, in terms of since you were at a global company, as it were, how was it different when you were dealing with Sweden, as opposed to when you were dealing with India.   Shabnam Asthana ** 19:45 In India, we don't have diversity as a choice. In India, we are served diversity on a platter because you are born with being diverse. You have. Are numerous religions, you have culture. So we are adaptable people in that sense. But strangely enough, it's a paradox. If I would tell you that inclusion is still a work in progress. Inclusion isn't automatic. It doesn't come to you like that. You have to work for it. Now there is a big change, but I'm talking of the days, way back in the 90s when women in boardrooms were a novelty. So sometimes it was just purely for ornamental value. Sad to say that. But gradually you had to open up, you have to open the doors, and you have to say, look, we are here for a reason. And please listen to our voices too. And that's how we started. I started sort of, I remember once when I was moving in India. I mean, not in Sweden, but once when I was in India, and I was in a strategic board meeting. I was the only woman in the room, and the people were sort of, I could sense the expressions. People were curious, people were dismissing. People were sort of, you know, not sort of prepared to take or listen to me, that was a little bit of a setback. But then gradually, when I started moving abroad, and I started seeing more women, and then gradually, when I was moving so were the others, and they too saw the kind of change that was happening. And so it was pretty difficult in India, initially, if I were to be very honest, Sweden was more inclusive. I could see a lot of women in the workforce. And gradually, since we were sort of interacting with each other, we absorbed each other's cultures and values, and the company became very, very inclusive. So it was a pleasure to work there.   Michael Hingson ** 22:08 Okay, so in a sense, there were, there are parts of Sweden that made you happier than what you were in the East initially experiencing in India.   Shabnam Asthana ** 22:19 Absolutely, absolutely, and I have no hesitation in saying that, because they were welcoming. They were welcoming. And the not necessarily my company, but any company in India, the representation of women, especially in PR, was very, very limited. Now we have evolved, and it's a world of difference, and I'm so happy to see that.   Michael Hingson ** 22:48 How about you, may or may not have a lot of expertise in this, but how about if we're going to talk about inclusion and so on, people with disabilities, both in India and in Sweden and so on and again. I don't know whether you really had much experience or exposure to that. I   Shabnam Asthana ** 23:06 do. I did have my share of exposure, maybe not extensive, but yes, I do. I remember there's this one incident I'd like to talk to you about. It was in Paris. I was in a conference, and there was a deaf girl in the conference room. I could see people making presentations and knowing fully well, because we had the list of participants, and we had their intros, their introductions with us, my team. And you know, of course, I headed that team. We made a special endeavor to include sign in our presentation. And she was so happy because she said, you know, she came to me and she expressed to me that although I have participated so many times in meetings, and especially corporate meetings, I am so happy to see. It was the first time that I felt I was seen and I was not just a presence. So she was very happy with the kind of, you know, preparation that we did for her especially. So I believe it's very nice if people learn to respect each other and learn to believe that not everybody is similar. You may have so many strengths which I don't have. I do not see any physical disability as a handicap. I'm very, very sure about that, I do not see anybody who appears different or who doesn't have the same listening capacity, hearing capacity, to be different from me. They have their own strengths. So I truly believe that, you know, disability. In that sense, is something which does not put a person in the back seat. How.   Michael Hingson ** 25:09 How was that attitude received? Well, both at the company, when you were when you were in the room with her, and you were signing and so on. How did other people receive that? And how was that kind of attitude received initially in India?   Shabnam Asthana ** 25:29 Well, to be very honest, Michael, it wasn't something that is the done thing. People do not accept that. They are like, well, it's a general presentation. We really don't have to make specific I do remember a person who came up to me and said, Shabnam, why did you make a very specific presentation? It was a very general presentation by you doing that, you have set a precedent for others to sort of make them feel small, you know. So he took it in a very negative way. Said, you've made us feel very small. I said, no, please do not look at it that way. It is something where we have made her feel a part of us. It is not trying to belittle anybody, trying not to, you know, get a an edge over others. All of us are the same. It's just that I made it a little easier for her. That's what I just told him, and probably he did, walk away with a smile. I don't know whether it was a sarcastic one or whether it was a smile of acceptance, but then I got my   Michael Hingson ** 26:38 point. I took was this was this in Sweden or India. This was in Paris. In Paris, okay, yes,   Shabnam Asthana ** 26:46 okay, this was a conference, which was   Michael Hingson ** 26:49 she said that, right? Well, you know, the reality is that's all part of the inclusive mindset and the inclusion mindset, and it is so true that most people don't tend to realize it Yes. So I hear what you're saying,   Shabnam Asthana ** 27:10 yes, and realization and sort of acceptance has evolved. People are more accepting. People are more flexible. You know, the rigidity earlier, people were very rigid. Now there is a lot of flexibility. I believe that, right?   Michael Hingson ** 27:32 Well, I think it's better. I'm I think there are still all too many people who tend not to really have an overly inclusive mindset. And it is, it is something that that will be with us for a while, and hopefully over time, people will become more open and realize the value of inclusion. In this country, we have, well and around the world, we have a significant number of people who have these so called physical disabilities, and the reality is that the disability is more caused by inaction mostly than it is by real action.   Shabnam Asthana ** 28:12 Absolutely yes. And I also seriously believe that diversity enriches the outcomes. I have some I have practical experience, and I've seen that. So inclusion enriches outcomes in many ways, right?   Michael Hingson ** 28:35 How has all of your traveling and all of your exposure in various places around the world. How has that tended to shape your understanding of diversity and inclusion?   Shabnam Asthana ** 28:50 Okay, yes, that's a very interesting question. I have seen that challenges are real, biases, stereotypes and expectations that women need to prove themselves twice as much also exists in many, many parts of the world. So they have been. I mean, there have been certain cultures, certain countries, which are very easy to breeze through when you are at work meetings or you're talking to people. But there are certain countries in the let's say in the Middle East, the Far East, which are still not very open to, you know, women taking on lead roles, women strategizing, women talking things that would influence decisions. So sometimes there's also a word I'd like to put in here that sometimes it is not country specific. Specific. It is very individual, specific. So there, like you said, you know, there are certain mindsets which still exist. There are people who may be residing in countries that are very open and very receptive, but their own mindset is limiting. And it is a mindset which is closed, it is rigid. So that stops and that prevents any inclusion. You know that, if I were to put it that way, so I would say it's not merely, not always country specific. Yes, individuals have to evolve themselves and change their mindsets. So it's sometimes I've seen it's countries are good, but some individuals are rigid. I've seen some individuals that are good, but the countries that are rigid. So it sort of works both ways.   Michael Hingson ** 30:54 And it's not just about women, it is about anybody who is different. Yes, then the so called norm, whatever that happens to be, absolutely   Shabnam Asthana ** 31:03 inclusion is not limited to women. So again, I'd like to clarify that it's inclusion is a broad spectrum. So yes, of course, we are a small part of it. But yes,   Michael Hingson ** 31:17 you have written a book, yes, romancing your career and and also you've done a lot of mentoring, obviously, and so on. But what do you mean when you talk about women? And I would say anybody who's different need to define success on their own terms. Tell me more about that.   Shabnam Asthana ** 31:41 So women, or anybody, let's not be very specific about women, because then it would be detracting from the main subject of inclusion. Anybody who wants to be heard has to believe in one thing, that silence is not the answer. Courage is so you have to move from silence to courage. Try and portray your point of view. Speak to people if they listen to you good enough if they don't, it's not as if the doors are closed. If the doors are closed, you can surely open a window for yourself, and it works. So just being silent or being very subdued or being very you know sad that your point of view, or being upset, for that matter, that your point of view is not being listened to is not the answer. You have to show courage. You have to do your homework, right? Remember that value is something that takes anybody places. It's not about being a woman, it's not about being any nationality, any ethnicity. It's just that you have to carry value in whatever you are trying to bring to the table. Once people see value, they will forget whether you are of XYZ nationality or you're an Indian, or you are of any other you're any other gender, if I may say that. So it's the value that a person should work towards. Everybody should work towards bringing value to the table. That is what will get you noticed, and that is what will see you going places. Yes, it did.   Michael Hingson ** 33:43 And again, I think one of the important things is that, from my standpoint, and I keep pushing it, but it's there is that it also is the same for for so called disabilities. One of the things that I maintain is that everybody on the planet has a disability, and the disability for most people is that you depend on light in order to function, and when suddenly light disappears, you have a big problem, unless you have a way to get light back on demand. But we are. We're not ready to accept that as a as a race yet, so people think that's cute, but, but they're not ready to accept it. It doesn't change the fact that it's really there. But the fact of the matter is that that people do have to speak up for themselves, and there are ways to do that, and there are ways not to do that. It isn't a matter of being obnoxious and demanding, but it is all about, as you expressed it earlier, being confident and showing that confidence and showing your knowledge and showing what you bring to the table absolutely well. You've been involved in PR for a long time, and I'm sure that you would agree, one of the main tools that people in the public relations world and elsewhere have to offer is storytelling. I believe the best salespeople are people who can tell stories and can help relate. But my question would be to ask you, how can storytelling bridge communities and bring people together?   Shabnam Asthana ** 35:31 Storytelling is a very, very strong element of PR. Storytelling humanizes everything. It brings in a lot of connection. So people connect automatically, if your storytelling is good, so like I keep telling all my juniors as well or new interns who join in corporate fact sheets can be informative. They can give you facts, but storytelling will transform everything. So you move from information to transformation. Storytelling is the human angle to everything. All of us love you a human angle. For example, let me tell you I was in a meeting which was quite a few years ago, and the CEO of the company was telling me they've done a lot of work in corporate social responsibility. So he wanted to tell me about all the expenditure that they've done. They've uplifted so many schools. They've done so much. They've spent so much on education, they've spent so much on water, on sanitation and so many other things, which has improved the lives of the citizens there. I told him, could you tell me one story of one life that has been affected. So he was at a loss because he had not he did not dive deep into that. He didn't look beyond the numbers and the figures. So his HR person stepped in and he told me a story of a girl. She was an Indian girl. Her name was Aarti. How they had transformed her life, and she had moved on to studying in Howard, and she was being employed in one of the top American companies there. So that was something, a story of transformation. So that is so you know, I believe the power of storytelling and that connected everybody, even his own people, were not aware. The employees were not aware. They were just sort of working like robos, putting in their number of hours, doing their work, not going beyond their call of duty to actually see what was happening to the effects, the efforts of their activities. This was something which we brought out in all their corporate brochures, in all the marketing that they were doing, in all the marketing collaterals that worked wonders. We had lots of inquiries for people who wanted to support them in many ways. We had an interview of the girl, and it was something which was very we added a human angle. So like I said, storytelling humanizes the entire concept, and that is something which connects people. So, yes, it's very   Michael Hingson ** 38:42 interesting. Did he learn to tell stories after that?   Shabnam Asthana ** 38:46 I believe so, because he was so he was really taken aback. And he said, Wow, I never really thought about it. And you told me, You changed my perspective. You made me see it differently. And if I were to say we got a good retainership After that, because he was very happy and my contract was renewed. So that was something which sort of affected the contract too well.   Speaker 1 ** 39:19 The reality is that when you tell a story, it is telling stories is something that most everyone can truly relate to, and when you tell a story that someone listens to or hears and reacts to it,   Michael Hingson ** 39:40 there's nothing better than that, and it's really important that that kind of thing happens. So I'm really glad to hear that you like storytelling. I think it is so important that we have that   39:51 absolutely,   Michael Hingson ** 39:54 yeah, it's so important to be able to do that. Well, you've told us a little bit. About inclusion and diversity and so on in India and in other countries. Do you think it's changing, both in India and in other countries? And how is it changing?   Shabnam Asthana ** 40:15 It is changing. If you go back to the 90s to the present day, you will see that people have become I think it has a lot to do with travel. It has a lot to do with interaction. So people are interacting with each other. I speak to you, you speak to me, you tell me something about you, and I say, Hey, is that worth listening to? Yes, it is. And I try and change my mindset. I become more receptive. I try and tell you my viewpoint. You listen to me. You hear me out. So I have seen companies that have moved beyond check boxes of how many women, how many people with disabilities they've, you know, inducted in the employment stream, in their jobs, and it's become more of the CEOs or the top management asking their people, how many voices have we listened to? How many decisions have been made by these people whom we have taken in. You know, how have we evolved as a company? So that has made me see in boardrooms, in various meetings, that the top management is also very aware of what kind of decisions, what policies, are being framed with people as a diverse group. And it's not funneled or restricted to just the top few. It trickles down and it goes to the people they've hired from diverse groups, and it becomes like a voice of the company. So I have seen that changing, and I have seen that diversion is now diversity sort of is moving more towards the corporate DNA. So it is not a demand anymore. It's not a checkbox. It's more as if it is flowing in naturally, and people are more aware of it. So that's what I've seen.   Michael Hingson ** 42:32 It's a mindset, it is, and people are starting to adopt that. How is it changing in India? You said that in India there's a lot more diversity. But you said inclusion isn't so much there.   Shabnam Asthana ** 42:46 Yes, it is in see in India, it was globally, I saw that diversion was backed by policies, and there was a certain framework which had a set of rules. It had a set of code of conduct. But in India, it was more based on individual goodwill. So we had people, if the CEO or the top management was pro diversity, it would happen automatically, because the ones at the junior level had no choice. They had to naturally comply. But here now in India, it's become more organized, more structured, and people, there are departments now which look into issues of diversity and inclusion, and they try and make the organization work towards that. So they are big companies. They are small companies in India, all are trying to absorb this in the corporate DNA, like I said. So people are conscious. And there are conscious. There are seminars which are happening. People are being spoken to. There is workplace, you know sensitization that follows. People talk about it, people discuss it, and there is a lot of exchange of dialog which happens. So people talk, people learn, people adapt   Michael Hingson ** 44:15 well. So you you work for the Swedish company, for you said, like, 12 years, and then what did you   Shabnam Asthana ** 44:25 do after that? I moved on to, you know, start my own company, which was empowered solutions. That's my brain child, and it's a communications PR and communications company, and I, sort of, I'm the founder director for that the Empowered solutions is my company now, and we are completed. It was set up in 2005 October.   Michael Hingson ** 44:50 2005 what? What made you decide to leave the bigger corporate world and take on all of the challenges of entrepreneur? Leadership and starting your own company, because that certainly is a major change.   Shabnam Asthana ** 45:04 It is I was in the top management. I had a set job, I had the name, the recognition, everything that comes with that. But somehow there was still that kind of, I would say, curiosity, to experiment and to try on newer things. And I am a person who gets a little bored of stagnation, and I had almost reached the height of my career in these companies, and there was nothing more I could do unless I bought over those companies and sort of, you know, became the president and the chairman, which I would I could not do. So I said, Why don't I sort of diversify and take all this learning that I have, all the goodwill that I've earned over the years with the people that have been my clients, with my colleagues, with the people I've met in my business conferences. Why don't I take all this and try and set up something on of my own where I am at liberty to do whatever I want to do without the time pressure, you know, without a pressure of morning meetings and you know, things which have to be a nine to five kind of a role here, I do agree that it is a 24 by seven job that I'm doing at present, because I'm always available. And, you know, I believe that accessibility is very important if you have to be successful, you can't sort of close off and say, no, no, I'm, you know, if somebody needs you, you can't say, Okay, I'm just closing my door and my office. So that was the the, you know, the excitement of experimenting once again and seeing, of course, entrepreneurship is something which is very exciting, and that was something which I wanted to experiment and try and see how I could change that. And, you know, get it into my career. And, you know, get off the normal nine to five job. So that's what I did. I wanted to experiment.   Michael Hingson ** 47:21 So tell me a little bit more about if you would what your company does and how you serve clients and so on. And where are your clients?   Shabnam Asthana ** 47:29 Okay, so basically, it is a PR and communications company, and we have clients now globally. I have primarily in India, because that is where my office is. But I do have clients in Europe, in us, in Canada, where I am currently. And yes, it is more about public relations and communications, and that's what we do. So it's essentially a diversification of I have also taken on writing as part of one of my services. So I do a lot of book writing. I take on people who want to be either who want to tell a story, and who don't have either the time or the expertise. I write for them. I ghost right for them. We also do events. So we have done a couple of events globally, not on a very large scale, but yes, we do have. So it's events, it's public relations, it's communications, it's training, and it's writing.   Michael Hingson ** 48:39 So that's it, right? Well, so you have written one book. Are you looking at doing any more books? By any chance?   Shabnam Asthana ** 48:49 Now I have ghost written about 16 books. So they're all ghost written and under a contract where I don't disclose the names of the books. But yes, I've authored three books, and the first one was romancing your career, a very interesting and fascinating book. That was my first book, and later on, I went on to do two biographies, and yes, I'm doing a couple more correctly, where they are being authored by me. So I'm writing the biographies.   Michael Hingson ** 49:26 So today, in all the work that that you're, that you're doing, do you, do you get involved with many international projects?   Shabnam Asthana ** 49:39 Yes, not many, but yes, we are doing a slow and steady progress there. And we do, I do, keep getting a lot of inquiries. And I must say that I have got a couple of inquiries recently which are very interesting. And I. Working on those. Maybe it's a little premature to tell you that, but yes, there is one big project that has come my way, and we're planning to expand from there. Well.   Michael Hingson ** 50:12 So you have experienced a lot of different countries and so on, and India is certainly becoming more of an economic and a world power in the in terms of what all is happening. Do you think that that the attitudes of India and the way India deals with inclusion and so on is making a difference, and Will that continue to happen?   Shabnam Asthana ** 50:43 Well, Michael, it will, because we are moving out of our country, and we have, you know, taken spots in so many other countries. So if we want to be included, it's high time we practice the same. So we have to welcome other cultures. We have to welcome other nationalities if we hope to be welcomed in other countries as well. So that is something which has really influenced the thinking of people, because we can't be rigid. We can't be, you know, thinking in our own way. And say, Well, let's not do it, because we have to welcome other countries if we have to work and move out of India. So yes, Michael, I will say that very hard. It's very heartening to note that it is changing, and it will continue to do so. In fact, you know, India is moving from being seen as an outsourced to something which people sort of welcome with open arms. But then, yes, things are changing. There are things which are happening which may limit the movement of people, or it may increase the flow of people. But then, well, we have to adopt, adapt and move on.   Michael Hingson ** 52:04 Yeah, well, there's always going to be some of that which makes which makes sense. Yes. What kind of advice would you give to someone, especially young professionals, women and others who are different? What advice would you give to someone who may feel excluded or undervalued in their careers.   Shabnam Asthana ** 52:25 The best thing that I would like to say is that if you hear a no, don't let it bog you down, because be sure that tomorrow you will hear a better yes, it will be something that is shaping the way for your future. So you must not let any naysayers or any projects that fail bog you down just because you're a woman or because you're different or anybody you know. You have to show your courage, you have to be resilient, and you have to lean on your inner strengths. The best magic, the you know, time tried and tested formula, which I would advocate, is leaning on your inner strengths. All of us have a lot of strengths, believe you me, we may not know it, but all of us have a lot of strengths. So when you see a situation that is not to your liking, just lean on your inner strengths. Take a deep breath and say today's no will be a yes tomorrow, and that is the courage that you must move ahead with anybody, irrespective of whether you are a woman or you are any person who is stepping into the corporate world. Just value yourself. Always Be confident. Wear the confidence. And that's the best accessory that you would have.   Michael Hingson ** 54:03 How would you define unstoppable mindset?   Shabnam Asthana ** 54:08 Unstoppable mindset is not something which is something which rises beyond limitations. And by limitations, I don't mean only individual limitations. It may be the limitations of the other people. Let that not define your limitation. Your the term unstoppable, to me, is a term which shows resilience. It shows something where you can fumble. It's very natural to fumble, to stumble, to fall down, to face challenges, to face, you know, rejections. It's very normal, but unstoppable is. Being able to get up again with greater strength, with a better mindset, more courageously, and more importantly, with an open heart, which says, Yes, I will do it. You cannot say you cannot. You know, sort of put me down in any way. My courage is there, my inner strength is there. I am unstoppable in that sense.   Michael Hingson ** 55:28 I think the most important thing that you just said is that you have to do it with an open heart. I think everyone should do that you may learn that your idea may not be the best solution, and it might be the best solution, but you won't know that until you truly have an open heart and an open mind.   Shabnam Asthana ** 55:46 Truly, yes, absolutely, an open heart, I would say, is really, really key. It's very, very important.   Michael Hingson ** 55:56 What keeps you motivated as you continue to advocate for adverse diversity and inclusion and equity and so on.   Shabnam Asthana ** 56:04 What keeps me motivated? Michael, are many things, but then what i If I could just zero down on a couple of them, I would say that what keeps me motivated is the trust that people had in me, and, you know, to give me certain jobs, roles, the trust that they had to sort of say, okay, you can do it. And then I did it. And the people, what keeps me motivated is something also very nice, which somebody came up to me at a recent conference in Germany, and they said, you know, the reason why I didn't give up is because of you. That is me, because I motivated them to do something, and that was your motivation for me, I was like, Okay, if I can motivate you, I too can stay motivated for a long, long time to come. And that's something which I do. I try to inspire and I try to inspire myself as well in the process.   Michael Hingson ** 57:07 Well, if you could leave everyone who is involved in hearing this podcast and so on today, if you could leave them with one powerful message about embracing diversity and so on. What would that message be?   Shabnam Asthana ** 57:23 Well, that message would be that whatever is happening today, if you feel that there is even a little bit of acceptability, that is because somebody else has worked towards it, so now it is your chance to give it back to society, to keep working, to keep opening doors for people, for a better tomorrow, for a more inclusive tomorrow. And diversity doesn't and inclusivity doesn't happen overnight. You have to work towards it. There is a it's the whole process, and you have to work towards it relentlessly. Continue working. Somebody else has worked. They have pushed you forward. They have done a whole lot of things. Now it's your turn to do your bit and ensure that the people who are coming after you come to a better tomorrow, a more inclusive tomorrow.   Michael Hingson ** 58:27 It also, by definition, means that we need to learn how to work with each other and support and help each other,   Shabnam Asthana ** 58:34 of course. And empathy. Empathy is the key, empathy, sensitivity, all that.   Michael Hingson ** 58:41 So if people would like to reach out to you, maybe use your company services or talk with you. How can they do that?   Shabnam Asthana ** 58:48 They could contact me. You can write to me at my email id, which is Shabnam, S, H, A, B n, a m, at empowered solutions, my company name, E, M, P, O, W, E, R, E, D, S, o, l, U, T, I O, N, S, dot, I n, that's my name. The emails will reach me. That's an inbox which you know I'm monitoring myself, and be sure that you will receive a reply. I'd love to hear from people, and I love to communicate. I love to write back. So very welcome.   Michael Hingson ** 59:30 And I would ask, just sort of on principle, if anyone reaches out to Shabnam, who has heard this podcast, please mention that, just so that she knows where you where you discovered her, and I think that would be a good thing to do. Well, I want to thank you for being here. I think this has been absolutely wonderful. I think we've learned a lot I have and I value the insights that you bring. So I hope that other people will take the. Those same insights away, there's there's a lot to learn here, and there's a lot to gain from this. So I want to thank you again for being here, and maybe we'll have to do this again in the future.   Shabnam Asthana ** 1:00:12 I'd love to do that. And Michael, I'd like to thank you for hosting this wonderful, wonderful show. I have seen your episodes. They are brilliant, and it's really nice. I was so looking forward to this. It's been an absolute pleasure to interact with you, and I hope that we'll be doing more of this in the near future.   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:35 Well, we'll have to explore that, and I want to thank all of you who are out there watching and listening. I want to thank you for being here. We appreciate you very much. Wherever you're listening or watching. Please give us a five star review. We value that very highly. We really would appreciate you saying good things about us. A five star review is always a wonderful thing. I'd like to hear from you as well. I'd like to hear what your thoughts are about this podcast. Feel free to email me at Michael M, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, love to hear from you. Love to hear your thoughts. We value them, and we take all the comments that we get from people very much to heart. So we appreciate you doing that. And if you know anyone else who ought to be a guest on our podcast, who you think ought to be a guest, let us know. Introduce us. Shabnam, that's also true for you, please. If you know anyone who ought to be a guest, we'd love to meet people and have them come on the podcast and also help us show how we're all more unstoppable than we think we are, or we thought we were. So once again, though, I want to thank you for being here. Shabnam, this has been wonderful. Thank you very much.   Shabnam Asthana ** 1:01:51 Thank you, Michael, thank you to all the listeners.   **Michael Hingson ** 1:01:59 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

We're Back! Season 2 Kickoff + Life Lately Catch-Up We're back, friends! After an unplanned (but very needed) break, we're so excited to be jumping into Season 2. In this catch-up episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of where we've been, what's been going on in our lives, and why hitting pause was actually the healthiest thing we could've done—for ourselves, our families, and this podcast. From quiet celebrations and major life shifts to slow summers, big feelings, family news, and homeschool chaos—we're covering it all. We're sharing real, honest updates about divorce, parenting, new rhythms, pregnancy complications, career changes, and even a cat obsession that may or may not be driving us up the wall. It's raw, lighthearted, emotional, and full of the good stuff that comes with growth. Timeline Summary: [0:35] - Why we took a break and learning to practice what we preach [2:10] - Navigating divorce, burnout, and the power of pausing [3:48] - Graduation celebrations and making space for big transitions [5:24] - Slower summer rhythms and processing deep emotions [7:02] - Family trips, Disney magic, and announcing a new baby on the way [9:20] - Pregnancy complications, irritable uterus woes, and adapting to new limitations [12:12] - Homeschool chaos, cat obsessions, and looking ahead to Season 2 Closing Thoughts: Thanks for sticking with us. We're so thrilled to kick off Season 2 and can't wait to bring you more conversations, stories, and guests in the coming weeks. If you loved this episode (or just missed us a little), don't forget to follow, rate, share, and leave us a review. See you next week!

Send Jay comments via textWhat if staying close to your adult children didn't require long calls, perfect timing, or instant replies? In this episode, author Tammy Cohen introduces a straightforward, impactful practice: short, consistent texts that convey love, gratitude, and wisdom without expectation or pressure. Think of them as modern lunchbox notes—daily messages that meet your kids where they are, cut through digital noise, and nurture trust over time.Tammy shares how her own mindset shift during the pandemic inspired this approach, shaped by her years of learning about resilience, accountability, and mindfulness. She explains how to start in just 10 minutes a day, what to send when you feel stuck, and how consistency transforms texting into a quiet superpower—keeping the door open even when life gets messy.This episode offers practical advice on meeting your adult children on their terms, strengthening your long-term bond, and showing up with authenticity—and without overwhelm. Highlights & Key Takeaways:Texting is today's version of the lunchbox note—simple, steady, and meaningful.Meet your kids where they are—without pressure or expectations.Focus messages on love, gratitude, and wisdom.Detach from outcomes; prioritize consistency over perfection.Use 10 minutes daily to build a habit of heartfelt connection.Use books and quotes to inspire reflection and deeper connection.Tammy Cohen BioTammy J. Cohen is an author, entrepreneur, and podcaster who helps families foster meaningful connections in a digital age. As a mother of three and wife, her recent personal journey has centered on embracing her identity as a "human being" grounded in faith and self-awareness, especially after a transformative pandemic experience. She is passionate about using everyday tools like mobile devices to nurture deep relationships, exemplified through her book Text Messages to My Sons. Tammy's work blends personal growth, faith, and practical communication strategies to inspire others to build love and understanding with their loved ones.Find Tammy Online: Instagram, WebsiteSupport the showBECOME A VIP SUBSCRIBER (Join Today!) Bonus Content for Subscribers Only Episode Shoutouts Thank You Emails Private Meet & Greets via Zoom + More ENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify and many more. Review us on Love the Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we'd appreciate your support greatly. LOVE THE SHOW?Get THIS EMPTY NEST LIFE swagCONNECT WITH JAYEmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok

Starlight Reunion is thrilled to welcome Chicago-based DJ, Brian Uvodić: bringing their love for house music to college parties, public beaches, and now, our weekly mix series! Inspired by the unifying power of house, Brian Uvodić creates mixes that get people moving and connect strangers through the magic of sound. - What's Your DJ name? - Brian Uvodić - How long have you been DJing? - 8 Months - Why did you get into it? - There's nothing I love more than energizing others while mixing my favorite genres of music (house). - What events have you played? - College house parties, Fraternity parties, Graduation parties, Public spots (Oak St. Beach Chicago, etc.) - Where are you from? - Chicago, IL - What inspires you? - I'm inspired by how house music is bringing people together all over the world. I've seen it first hand, especially while mixing in public spots in/around Chicago, strangers congregating and dancing together is a beautiful thing. - What genres are in your mix? - Melodic house, Deep house, Tech house, Techno - A few words about your mix? - This mix follows my traditional mixing format, starting with more upbeat melodic/deep house, and than slowly transitioning into synth heavy tech house and techno throughout the mix. This mimics the dynamics of a crowd during sunset; starting with fun melodic dance tunes as the sun is setting, then as dusk turns to dawn slowly switching to more party and rave oriented songs. - Who are some of the artists in your mix? - Chris Stussy, Josh Baker, Matroda, Luuk Van Dijk, FISHER, Sean Lanigan, Angrybaby - Where can people find more of you? - https://linktr.ee/brianuvodich

10-30 Adam and Jordana 9a hour

GKE turned 10 in 2025! In this episode, we talk with GKE PM Gari Singh about GKE's journey from early container orchestration to AI-driven ops. Discover Autopilot, IPPR, and a bold vision for the future of Kubernetes. Do you have something cool to share? Some questions? Let us know: web: kubernetespodcast.com mail: kubernetespodcast@google.com X: @kubernetespod bluesky: @kubernetespodcast.com News of the week Cloud Native Computing Foundation Announces Knative's Graduation llm-d 0.3: Wider Well-Lit Paths for Scalable Inference vllm-project/semantic-router on github Announcing the Certified Meshery Contributor (CMC) Introducing Headlamp Plugin for Karpenter - Scaling and Visibility Links from the interview Kelsey Hightower's Kubernetes the Hard Way MiniKube Kind Docker Compose Docker Swarm GKE Autopilot Dynamic Resource Allocation (DRA) Google Cloud TPUs Node Auto Provisioning (GKE) Jax (Machine Learning Framework) Horizontal Pod Autoscaling (HPA) Serverless on Google Cloud Grafana Prometheus Kubectl-ai Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA) Kubernetes v1.33: In-Place Pod Resize Graduated to Beta In-place Vertical Scaling of Pods - Resize CPU and Memory Resources assigned to Containers GKE under the hood: Container-optimized compute delivers fast autoscaling for Autopilot

Graduation rates at community colleges have remained low, especially for students with low incomes. One effort to help students graduate and succeed in the workforce is MDRC's Scaling Up College Completion Efforts for Student Success (SUCCESS), a comprehensive student support program supported by 15 years of MDRC's postsecondary research. Through its Expanding SUCCESS Initiative, MDRC is partnering with states and districts to expand the SUCCESS program to new locations and campuses.   In this episode, Leigh Parise talks with Jonathan Lowe, program director of Coaching for Success at Dallas College, and DeShawn Preston, a research associate at MDRC, about implementing a model of comprehensive student supports at Dallas College, as part of the Expanding SUCCESS initiative.

In this week's episode of TigerTalk, Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery sits down with Northeast President Dr. Ricky G. Ford to discuss how Northeast continues to live up to the “community” in its name. The duo highlights the upcoming TigerTown Tent or Treat, a family-friendly Halloween event that brings students, faculty, and local residents together for an evening of fun and fellowship on the last home football game or a date close to it. Ford also talks about the importance of connecting the college with the community it serves through major events such as the Showband from Tigerland's Band Contest in early October, the Night of Exceptional Baseball at the Plex in the Spring, and many other outreach efforts that showcase Tiger Pride in action. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

This week, Fordham's President Emeritus Checker Finn joins the show to unpack a troubling trend—the collapse of graduation standards—and why it matters for every American student.Then, on David Griffith's first Research Minute, a new study looks at the demographics of college applicants interested in teaching in America—and explores why some who enter similar “helping professions,” like nursing and social work, steer clear of the classroom.Recommended content: High school graduation standards have collapsed. Does it matter? —Michael J. Petrilli, SchooledAre high school graduation standards too low? —Michael J. Petrilli, SchooledThe end of MCAS is the end of an era. Now let's figure out what comes next. —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWho wants to be a teacher? — Robert Chung, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWho wants to be a teacher? — Brendan Bartanen, Andrew Avitabile, and Andrew Kwok, EdWorking Papers (2025)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

Sometimes people go wild at graduation and perform spontaneous fun dances. | Jacob read The Godfather book and Jay is amazed because he can't stand the movie. | Bobby references his sexy actress friend and Jay picks her apart. Jacob likes a woman with "Riot Girl Face" and creates a new term. | Bob likes to kiss his wife's belly and calls her up to see how she feels about it. *To hear the full show to go www.siriusxm.com/bonfire to learn more! FOLLOW THE CREW ON SOCIAL MEDIA: @thebonfiresxm @louisjohnson @christinemevans @bigjayoakerson @robertkellylive @louwitzkee @jjbwolf Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of The Bonfire ad-free and a whole week early.  Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of TigerTalk, Northeast Mississippi Community College President Dr. Ricky G. Ford and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Liz Calvery share how the college helps every student — from high school dual-enrollment participants to returning adult learners — discover their purpose and achieve success. Ford highlights the vital role of the Student Success Center, where personalized guidance and support have transformed countless student journeys. He also celebrates the achievements of the college's award-winning Adult Education Department, which continues to help individuals earn their HiSET diplomas and take the next step toward their goals. Whether a student is fresh out of high school, navigating their way through their first or second year of college, or coming back after time away, Northeast is committed to helping everyone succeed. Plus, get the latest updates on athletics, academics, workforce development, and all the incredible things happening at one of the nation's premier community colleges.

The Rickey Smiley Morning Show Podcast opens with a worrisome moment for singer Brandy, who abruptly left the stage mid-concert due to severe dehydration after weeks of intense rehearsals — she later issued a statement thanking fans and prioritizing her health. Next celebrity drama: reality star Tami Roman revealed she won’t allow her daughter’s girlfriend to attend her graduation, sparking widespread backlash and a heated conversation about family, boundaries, and acceptance. In political news, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined the show — offering candid commentary on party dynamics, leadership pressures, and the road ahead for Democrats as they navigate a turbulent midterm environment. And finally, the trial of former deputy Sean Grayson — charged with the murder of Sonya Massey in Illinois — is now underway. It’s drawing national attention for its implications on policing, accountability, and community trust. Website: https://www.urban1podcasts.com/rickey-smiley-morning-show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send Jay comments via textWhat if the space between parenting and grandparenting became your most vibrant, alive season? In this episode, entrepreneur and community-builder Carol Tice shares her transformative journey—from selling their Seattle home to living full-time on the road in a 24-foot RV. Discover how she and her husband designed a life centered on mobility, minimalism, and meaningful work, turning “someday” into their everyday reality.Carol recounts their pandemic-era trial run—healthy habits, vegan cooking, long bike rides—and how a full year on the road reshaped their priorities. She dives into the practical choices behind RV life: choosing a rig that fits anywhere, solar power as a game-changer, and navigating boondocking at hidden gems like the Lost Coast. She also highlights the social fabric of RV communities, especially in Quartzsite, Arizona, where neighbors swap help regardless of class or politics.Highlights & Key Takeaways:Why waiting for grandkids isn't the only way—start living now.Building sustainable, location-independent income streams.Minimalism as a pathway to financial and personal relief.Selling your house to reduce costs and embrace freedom.How a trial RV trip can jumpstart healthier habits and clarity.Carol Tice BioCarol Tice is the founder of Community Growth Academy on Skool. Her previous community, Freelance Writers Den, grew to 1,500 paying members over a decade, generating $6 million across the life of the business. She sold the Den in 2021 and she now travels in her RV with her husband while she helps coaches, consultants, and other experts build their own communities with help from Community Growth Academy.Find Carol Online: Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, WebsiteSupport the showFREE WORKBOOK3 Steps to Loving Your Empty Nest Life ENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify and many more. LOVE THE SHOW?Get your THIS EMPTY NEST LIFE swagReview us on Love the Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we'd appreciate your support greatly.CONNECT WITH JAYEmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok

Fr. Sean and Fr. John do a deep dive into the understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation. If Confirmation is not a graduation, then how do we properly understand it? Listen to know the essentials and Confirmation 101.

Get your own personalized summer school diploma here.Today on our final episode of Summer School 2025, we will test your knowledge. We will salute the unsung heroes of government service. And we will pick our valedictorian from among you of the class of 2025. Editorial Note:President Trump attempted to fire Lisa Cook, a Biden appointee to the Federal Reserve Board. Our daily podcast, The Indicator, has coverage on their latest episode. We'll have an episode in the Planet Money feed soon, in the meantime, here's some background listening on why this is so important. Years before she joined the Fed, we profiled the work of Lisa Cook. Listen here.Also these: Happy Fed Independence DayA primer on the Federal Reserve's independenceThe case for Fed independence in the Nixon tapesTurkey's runaway inflation problem Arthur Burns: shorthand for Fed failure? Should presidents have more of a say in interest rates?Can the Federal Reserve stay independent? It's hard out there for a Fed chair The series is hosted by Robert Smith and produced by Eric Mennel. Our project manager is Devin Mellor. This episode was edited by Planet Money Executive Producer Alex Goldmark and fact-checked by Emily Crawford.Always free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy