Podcasts about grinchy

Grinch guys are a holiday form of The Earth's Jokers. I promise you within 5 years there will be dudes doing Jim Carrey Grinch impressions the way they did Heath Ledger. "I'm da Grinchy, baby!" Everything is now a purposeful inversion of beauty and purpose. The entire Grinch fad push reveals itself for what it is. The Grinch's heart grew 3 sizes. He came to love Christmas, and the Whos, and was invited in by them even after all the mayhem he had caused. But every depiction you see of him is still his spiteful, evil self. The Grinch is Christmas Joker. He's Reddit Atheist Santa Claus. It's a way of saying "F Christmas" while still getting to wear a Santa hat. And PODAWFUL is now weaponizing the Jim Carrey Autism of one brave Goon against all of Grinchdom in our WAR ON CHRISTMAS. PLUS: Nick Fuentes' boyfriend assassin, P Diddy Joker, remembering Jan 6 and Charles Howell, Tom Gulley calls in, and Comedy Shaman is too afraid to stream. https://podawful.com/posts/2505  VIDEO: https://youtube.com/live/UU812iDF1DY  Buy A Shirt: http://podawful.shop  PODAWFUL is an anti-podcast hosted by Jesse P-S

Grinch guys are a holiday form of The Earth's Jokers. I promise you within 5 years there will be dudes doing Jim Carrey Grinch impressions the way they did Heath Ledger. "I'm da Grinchy, baby!" Everything is now a purposeful inversion of beauty and purpose. The entire Grinch fad push reveals itself for what it is. The Grinch's heart grew 3 sizes. He came to love Christmas, and the Whos, and was invited in by them even after all the mayhem he had caused. But every depiction you see of him is still his spiteful, evil self. The Grinch is Christmas Joker. He's Reddit Atheist Santa Claus. It's a way of saying "F Christmas" while still getting to wear a Santa hat. And PODAWFUL is now weaponizing the Jim Carrey Autism of one brave Goon against all of Grinchdom in our WAR ON CHRISTMAS. PLUS: Nick Fuentes' boyfriend assassin, P Diddy Joker, remembering Jan 6 and Charles Howell, Tom Gulley calls in, and Comedy Shaman is too afraid to stream. https://podawful.com/posts/2505  VIDEO: https://youtube.com/live/UU812iDF1DY  Buy A Shirt: http://podawful.shop  PODAWFUL is an anti-podcast hosted by Jesse P-S

Like or didn't like what you heard? Share your sip with me! Don't be Grinchy and tune in tomorrow for our final sip and tip in our 12 Days of Christmas Tea calendar.For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

Kick off your Christmas celebrations with a festive true crime game and an encore of our of Laura's most popular episodes, ‘The French Impressionist'.Murder They Wrote with Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling is available weekly on BBC Sounds. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Email us at lauraandiain@bbc.co.ukDetails of help and support with addiction and child abuse are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Have you ever wanted to find a font specimen underneath the tree on Christmas morning‽ Then you might just be...a type person. With gifting season upon us, it is once again time for Josh and Kyle to bring you their favorite physical media from indie foundries and shops, ranging from type that is cuddly to tools that facilitate play to a hat that might just help you get lucky at the bar. And we're really into pencils on this podcast if you're into that sort of thing too. Josh also has a very Grinchy present for Kyle this year, and won't be waiting until Arbor Day to give it to him...Online type shops:Letterform Archive ShopGood Type ShopLetterperson ShopHamilton Wood Type Museum ShopDraw Down BooksCounter Print BooksPresent & Correct Type specimens for your favorite type nerd:Sharp Type Volume OneA Concise Synopsis of the Commercial Type Library as of June 2024After Michaux Type SpecimenOtto: A Tale of a Boy and a Tail — ABC DinamoKelli Anderson BooksGift ideas for that last minute (or Arbor Day) gift:Typotheque Strokes ToteSpecimen Cap — Grilli TypeNebulith Throw Blanket — Space Type Co.Alphabet Runner Stamps — Present & CorrectLetter Love Postcard Set — Letterform ArchiveZuzana Licko 'g' Throw Blanket — Letterform ArchiveKarl Martens 2025 Calendar — Draw DownUniversal Stencil Plate — Draw DownSupport the show

Diane chats with BASED ON A TRUE STORY showrunner Annie Weisman about the second season of the Peacock series. Diane spent some time with SHRINKING cast members at a couple of events. Andy is feeling less Grinchy so he's watching some holiday movies. Plus, we're trying to come up with our Best of 2024 lists.

One of the things we don't often think about is SOUND ENERGY.  It's unbelievably effective in removing that negative grinchy energy, did you know?  Today on the pod, I'm giving you some of my favourite ways to use SOUND to clear those negative vibes!!OM Chanting @432hzhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBiwLibZqfwDAILY DEAL:  I'm bringing back LEVEL 1 PRIVATE COACHING for the remainder of December 2024 ONLY!!!  Click for more:  https://www.thefengshuichick.ca/offers/czoYDNtzSend us a text~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 1:1 coaching with Sandra: www.thefengshuichick.ca/coaching-packages> Sign up for a free 15 min discovery call here: https//calendly.com/thefengshuichick/discovery-call-free >>> Sign up to receive the BEST monthly newsletter ever: www.thefengshuichick.ca/newsletter MY NEW WEBSITE (eeeeeek so excited) https://www.thefengshuichick.ca FB www.facebook.ca/spriestley IG www.instagram.com/sandrarpriestley

On this week's episode of the Oh Brother podcast, Dan and Mike discuss (and surprisingly agree about) the Holdovers. Actor @missvivalee - star of "Polaris" Support the showOh Brother Podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Listen on all podcast platforms Follow us on TikTok & Instagram Leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts

This week on Movie Time Machine, we get Grinchy over our feelings on the Y2K version of the Christmas classic. Leave us your Questions, Comments, and Feedback to the link below. Anchor Voice Message Link Music: Cliff Side by Silent Partner Space Navigator by Sarah the Instrumentalist --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/movietimemachinepodcast/support

Join Claudette as she engages in a discussion with special guests, Heather and Jeannie, about the holiday spirit and who is feeling like a Grinch.

What is that mischievous Grinch up to now?! Join us and find out and this effervescent Christmas poem that will leave you smiling and jumping for joy!

Momo the cat, who has been a resident of the Humane Society of South Central Michigan for several years, might have a bit of a sourpuss when she's fitted with her Christmas hat. But, executive director Jessica Gilbert tells Community Matters she leads the charge when it comes to feline holiday festivities.Momo has the responsibility of receiving holiday cards from nearby - and even hundreds of miles away, thereby serving as the face of all the adoptable pets at HSSCM. Okay, so she's not Santa - but it's a big deal! Click and hear more.Episode ResourcesHSSCM websiteRichard reads to the kittens at HSSCMMore Wiggly Tail episodesABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8-8:30 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln.Battlecreekpodcast.com and The Richard Piet Show are Livemic Communications podcasts. Livemic Communications helps businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs create customized, purposeful podcast content.

Join us for a hilarious yet practical discussion on holiday travel packing tips—for you and your vajayjay! We're unwrapping essential advice to keep your travels merry and your vaginal health happy. Don't let your lady parts feel Grinchy this Christmas! Most of us know our bodies reasonably well at this stage of our lives, or at least we have an idea of the kinds of things that we can be hit with — especially if we are tired, run-down, or stressed-out because all things can happen in the crazy, end of year, holiday season. Tune in for some cheeky yet crucial insights to sleigh your holiday trips while ensuring a fresh and fabulous time. Let's also make sure you're making time for your mental health too. So, let's make this season 'scentsational' together! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year- Love, Dr. Oakley & Holly. Thank you, ladies, for listening. Always feel free to ask Dr. Oakley any women's health questions at any time. Please send in your comments, questions, and suggestions for future topics at TheLadyBodPod@gmail.com.

Join us for a hilarious yet practical discussion on holiday travel packing tips—for you and your vajayjay! We're unwrapping essential advice to keep your travels merry and your vaginal health happy. Don't let your lady parts feel Grinchy this Christmas! Most of us know our bodies reasonably well at this stage of our lives, or at least we have an idea of the kinds of things that we can be hit with — especially if we are tired, run-down, or stressed-out because all things can happen in the crazy, end of year, holiday season. Tune in for some cheeky yet crucial insights to sleigh your holiday trips while ensuring a fresh and fabulous time. Let's also make sure you're making time for your mental health too. So, let's make this season 'scentsational' together! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year- Love, Dr. Oakley & Holly. Thank you, ladies, for listening. Always feel free to ask Dr. Oakley any women's health questions at any time. Please send in your comments, questions, and suggestions for future topics at TheLadyBodPod@gmail.com.

What in the heck is a Greenhorn? A new cocktail that is sure to be a classic. No, seriously, this cocktail WILL BE a classic. Created by Bobby Heugle, the architect of Houston's cocktail scene. This week we introduce you to a new liqueur, Midori - and yes, you need to know Midori. We would talk about it if it wasn't good. Turns out, it pairs well with Tequila - trust us. We also meet up with Suze, a bitter friend who makes everything better. Stick around for the history behind the Greenhorn and Houston's cocktail scene.  Greenhorn Cocktail 1.25 oz of blanco tequila (quality tequila from the highlands of Jalisco - El Tesoro or Puntagave) 1 oz Midori .75 oz Suze Stir in mixing glass, strain into coupe glass, garnish with a green cherry (oh, you know you want to try it) Grinchmas Margarita: 1.5 oz tequila blanco .75 oz Midori, some like to use 1 oz - up to you! 1 oz pineapple juice .75 oz lime juice .5 oz orange liqueur Add to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake. Double strain into a glass with fresh ice, bonus if you'd like to rim the glass with coconut shavings. TIP: Batching martini's The Art of Drinking IG: @theartofdrinkingpodcast  Jules IG: @join_jules TikTok: @join_jules  Website: joinjules.com Brad  IG: @favorite_uncle_brad This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The holidays have the power to turn the greediest misers into generous souls. But scammers and thieves count on that spirit of giving to line their own pockets.

Our culture columnist Tara Lynn Taylor treats us to some seasonal musicals, including Charlie Rhindress's sold-out show How the Grandma Stole Christmas and the film version of A Christmas Dollhouse, inspired by a true story that took place over the holidays in 1930.

Season 6 begins! And it is . . . underwhelming. But we still get in the festive holiday spirit with Grinchy takes.This week we drank:H20Egg Nog and a discount Irish Whiskey with Bourbon and Spanish Barrels?Join our discord server: https://discord.gg/6vQ7nPSH4m

Let's explore the transformative power of Christian wisdom during this joyous season. Join me as we into the positive perspectives that can reshape our mindset, grounded in the teachings of Christ. As we navigate through the 12 negative or Grinchy thoughts often associated with the holidays, we'll unveil the profound and uplifting counter thoughts inspired by a Christian worldview. Join me on this journey of reflection, faith, and rediscovery of the true meaning of Christmas. *⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK DEVOTIONAL:⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1 *⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK JOURNAL⁠⁠:  https://amzn.to/3WvinND CONNECT WITH VICTORIA: EMAIL: choose2think@gmail.com ⁠⁠WEBSITE:⁠⁠  www.choose2think.co ⁠⁠MENTORING:⁠⁠ www.choose2think.co/coaching.html ⁠⁠YOUTUBE:⁠⁠ www.youtube.com/channel/UCz8Z2B9TtXvWn0RKelVY5DQ ⁠⁠FACEBOOK:⁠⁠ www.facebook.com/groups/choose2think ⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠: www.instagram.com/victoriadwalkerlydon/ *When you click on these Amazon affiliate links, I may earn a teeny commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! DISCLAIMER: The Choose 2 Think Inspirational Podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice and counsel. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/support

Bethany doesn't like the Amazon wish lists and the Christmas lists with links. She thinks it's ruining the whole process of gift giving. Is she right or is she just being Grinchy?

VOTE FOR US IN THE POD BIBLE AWARDSWelcome to the Grinchy side of Tik Tok...This week on the world's greatest user-generated movie creation podcast we've got Festive drag, Will Ferrell in Middle Earth & Harrison Ford arrests The PresidentSend us YOUR film (or TV) suggestions by leaving a review on Apple or by getting in touch with us by email dreamfactorypod@gmail.com, Twitter, Facebook, Threads, Tik Tok or Instagram.The Dream Factory is a comedy podcast that turns YOUR film ideas into movie masterpieces. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/dreamfactory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our annual Grinch episode is back for part V. This year we tackle the brand new Nintendo Switch Grinch game, Jenna brings a folder of more facts, plus the two touch on some holiday stuff they're feeling Grinchy on! Jenna also talks about the new holiday movie she wrote, A Perfect Christmas Pairing, which is available onDemand/Peacock/Freevee. Special thanks to our sponsor, Nordstrom! *Order Danny's book here: https://amzn.to/3Z5mjHS*For A Very Merry Iconic Podcast merch go to EverythingIconic.StoreFollow @AVeryMerryIconicPodcast on InstagramDanny: @DannyPellegrinoJenna: @Jenna.Brister Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your heart's three sizes too small, there's no bad time for a check-up! Grinch's cardiologist stops by the studio (5:29), and things go sideways. Luckily, he pulls himself together in time for tonight's guest, comedian Pete Holmes (8:52)! Will Pete's good vibes be powerful enough to grow the Grinch's heart?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The holidays are an emotionally charged time of year, right?You're excited and basking in the ooey gooey warmth of the holidays. Christmas movies are on rotation, Sirius is playing holiday music, you're spending way too much money on holiday decorations when you visit Target, Hobby Lobby and/or Home Depot. Or is that just me? ;)But you know...sometimes the holidays have you feeling a bit like Charlie Brown. Kind of down, but you're not quite sure why. Or maybe you DO know why.I have coined 2023 as my "Year of The Leather Pants," a la Ross from FRIENDS. I thought this year was going to be great, just like he thought leather pants on a date were going to be a good idea. But this year has turned into a hot, sweaty mess. I've tried praying and crossing my fingers and putting good vibes out into the world, but so far, the only thing I've gotten from that is a paste that, like Ross, has prevented me from pulling my life together in the way I'd hoped (or in his case, just being able to pull his pants up would have been a win).It's hard to be thankful when you feel like life isn't going your way. But when I whipped out my magnifying glass to look a little bit closer, I found micro-moments that made me realize there are things I can, and should be, appreciative of.Something I also found...is that by doing something nice and thoughtful for myself, I'm actually showing MYSELF appreciation. All that I've been through this past year, and pretty much my entire life, and I haven't given up. I'm still here. I may not always be standing, but I'm still here, and that's worth acknowledging and celebrating.And when I do good for ME, it shifts my mindset, and I'm able to see things differently. I find that there is more to be thankful for than I realized, or maybe even just wanted to admit because I was feeling down and Grinchy.So if you're struggling this year, know you're not alone. Imagine me grabbing your hand and giving you a hug, telling you "I know how this feels."Go do something nice for yourself, just because. And see how that shifts things for you. And before I go...thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for tuning in episode after episode. I wouldn't be 130 episodes in if it weren't for you and others like you listening, sharing your thoughts and hearts with me, and letting me know that I'm not alone.Your encouragement and support means so much to me. And I hope in some way, I'm able to do the same for you.Happy Thanksgiving, Friend. (Oh...and if you make a trifle, don't follow Rachel's recipe)Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but let's face it, sometimes our budgets don't exactly sing carols of abundance. Yet, we're determined to spread that holiday cheer and show our appreciation, even if our wallets seem to be in hibernation mode.So, I'm sharing some seriously savvy and budget-friendly tactics to stay top of mind during the holiday season. We're talking heartfelt gestures that won't break the bank. Get ready to sprinkle a little extra magic into your client relationships without leaving your pockets feeling Grinchy. Let's make this holiday season one to remember!Black Friday Deals! ➡️ https://rosemarylewis.com/blackfriday Join the Real Estate Bestie Facebook Community ➡️ https://rosemarylewis.com/facebook

Dave and Ethan interview live-streamer, musician, and improv ventriloquist Captain Jen E! Joined by her puppets aka 'people of fabric,' she regularly streams on TikTok and Twitch under the name @CaptainJen_E, where she covers everything from rock to rap and hip hop to Weird Al's versatile catalogue!

Market Proof Marketing · Ep 308: The Lag EffectIn this episode, Kevin Oakley is joined by Andrew Peek and special guest Amanda Martin, an Online Sales Coach here at DYC! Amanda gives some insight into personalization and how far an OSC should go to find an emotional connection for a lead. The team discusses “the lag effect” and the importance of marketers helping their team to understand it and their thoughts on a new Ai rollout of celebrity lookalike chat bots. Story Time (04:29)Amanda quoted Kevin during the Summit “There's never going to be enough emotional drive or urgency if they don't pink something that there's any fear of loss in.” and was inspired by it!Andrew talked with a builder whose content featured the possible objections of their townhomes instead of featuring its positives. Kevin talks about "Lag times"The News (36:15)What are Meta's AI Personas, and how do you chat with them? (https://mashable.com/article/meta-ai-personas-explained)Alexis Rivas on X: BIG news for ADUs today. (https://twitter.com/alexisxrivas/)Google's AI-powered search experience can now generate images, write drafts (https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/12/googles-ai-powered-search-experience-can-now-generate-images-write-drafts)The Q3 2023 Online Sales Benchmarks (https://www.doyouconvert.com/blog/the-q3-2023-online-sales-benchmarks/)Homebuyers Must Earn $115,000 to Afford the Typical U.S. Home. That's About $40,000 More Than the Typical American Household Earns. (https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-income-afford-home-record-high/)Things We Love Things We Hate (01:01:46)Amanda is loving her role of coachingAndrew is loving his task management tool “TikTik.com”Kevin's favorite is the Pro Builder Professional Forty under 40 list! Questions? Comments? Email show@doyouconvert.com or call 404-369-2595 and we'll address them on the next episode. More insights, discussions, and opportunities can be found at Do You Convert All Access or on the Market Proof Marketing Facebook group.Subscribe on iTunesFollow on SpotifyListen On StitcherA weekly new home marketing podcast for home builders and developers. Each week Kevin Oakley, Andrew Peek, Jackie Lipinski, Julie Jarnagin, and other team members from Do You Convert will break down the headlines, share best practices and stories from the front line, and perform a deep dive on a relevant marketing topic. We're here to help you – not to sell you!Transcript:KevinI think it's Kylie Jenner on here.AndrewOkay.KevinAs an option. Let's see.AndrewMaybe a good option Is this Mr. Beast?KevinOkay. Tom Brady.AndrewOkay.KevinI feel like Taylor Swift was supposed to be one of the options.AndrewLet me see.KevinBut there are. There's 15 and total. I think, including Alvin the alien.AndrewI like the alien. Now that I. I'll trust the alien seems trustable.KevinBob. Bob, the robot here kind of gives me vibes of short circuit, Like one of the best movies from the eighties of all time.AndrewDon't you feel bad for that robot? But you develop.KevinJohn. I mean, Johnny five is alive and you can't find him.AndrewI need to revisit this movie. I haven't seen the movie, but it's been years. It's been years, okay?KevinI mean, I would I wouldn't be surprised because you're young and. But.AndrewYoung'un, I'm an I'm in that cut off. Where? Let's see, when, like, animated movies really took off with late nineties and has before them but like Pixar was 99 I think with Toy Story I think that kind of shifts. Like what shows did you grow up as a kid? They went to Blockbuster for and it was an animated, nothing animated, at least for me.AndrewIt it's like, okay, then kid got stuck watching those for like what I playing for the kids now like, oh, I don't know. Like, did they need to watch all the James Bond movies for like the Silhouette music intro? I be like, Oh no. But I was I think we grew up with that. That was that was usual for them.KevinAmanda What was your childhood media content like?AmandaOh gosh, just some of the classics like Tom and Jerry the Road Runner, you know, like, Okay.AndrewYeah, like a weekend.AmandaLike that is classic and stuff like that. I mean, that's like gone way back.AndrewBut The Simpsons, I guess The Simpsons were on there. I mean, I grew up I remember memories of like Seinfeld was on all the time, like all the time. Seinfeld is like Seinfeld. Frasier is like the same order and just knew what it was be on.KevinApparently, there's a new Frasier show.AndrewOh, you can't because there's no family anyway. Oh, man, It's probably not the same.KevinWe should. We should go and start the show.AndrewYou should. Let's do that.KevinWelcome to episode 308. I'm Kevin Oakley. And with me today is Andrew Peek and Amanda martin.AmandaNo, no.KevinAnd Amanda claims she's never been on the podcast before. I don't know how it's possible.AmandaI don't either. But here we are.AndrewI cannot believe that. But Amanda, you would know, like, if we're out here before. So, yeah, that's right. Got to believe.KevinYou. It's your truth. How long have you been on the team now?AmandaOh, man. About four and a half years. Right at it? Yeah. Yes. That's crazy.AndrewI. I don't believe that The.KevinReason that my memory and this might have just been like a teen call that we were on, but I just remember giving you a semi hard time. But it must have just been like sea questions when you first joined anyway. Yeah, sorry. We should. We should have had you on the table. Everyone watch. What do you do here?KevinYeah. TV For those who may not know.AmandaI'm an online field coach with Jen and Jesse and I help you know, everything with online sales, coaching, new offseason and lifting with these and ramping them up for success, helping with onboarding all the good things. I love it. It's so great.KevinHelping out with Online Sales Academy. Oh yeah. Leading sessions at the at the Do you convert online sales and marketing summit doing all the things so that's why I just.AmandaKind of things Love it.KevinWell, now, sorry, Jen, you're just going to have to come on once every quarter or six months because Jesse and Amanda are.AndrewTaking over.KevinTaking this.AndrewBy. I feel like you're like an O.G., because when I started way back in the day with with the convert you were with, I believe, at Royal Oaks Home.AmandaYes. Yes.AndrewWay back in the day, y'all had amazing videos because I feel like the accents and everything are just so, so different. But also, like, you worked amazingly together. Yeah, that's. That's going way back. So, you know, it.AmandaIs way back. And you sort of.AndrewYears.AmandaYou would like, made us for us like late, late at night and they would just magically be ready the next day or.AndrewDefinitely.AmandaKevin America. Okay.AndrewThat was but yeah yeah. Those fun times. So we go way back. This is, this is good.KevinOkay, so, Amanda, story time, no pressure. First story time in four years. Yeah, I'm one of the best on the team. What do you got for us?AmandaWell, I do have a story for you and question for you. Kevin, Did you know that I quoted you in my session at the summit? Oh, no, no.KevinYou didn't go to the cloud, first of all. But only if my my head is not on the image. Like, there's just something.AmandaOkay, Images.KevinJust like, what.AmandaWas it.KevinAbout pancakes or was it actually about someone else's?AmandaI shouldn't have done pancakes. I would have been good. No, no, it wasn't, though. It just really stood out for me. And one of your Pulse episodes. I even read blog about it, so I don't know if you know you're famous. Yeah.KevinThat's a good hint.AmandaYeah, You said, Kevin, that there's never going to be enough emotional drive or urgency. If they don't pick something that there's any fear of loss, then. So that really just inspired me to talk about the like thing. One part about this, though, at the summit, my session was all about the power of personalization and part of it you talked about selecting one and I used your quote and I related that to when I got our second cat there.AmandaAnyway, that was fun. So that was my that was my story I quoted, you know?KevinOkay, now I have questions for you. Yeah.AmandaOkay. So let's here.KevinI think the perception, maybe misconception about online sales is that getting to one doesn't really matter because you're just kind of giving them general information and you want to get them as quickly as possible to the on site team. So talk to me about when when is it necessary to apply personalization. Can you get go too far in that attempt?KevinIs it is it even possible to to go too deep in personalization, do you think so?AmandaI think I think you do have to it. Well, I'm first of all, because, you know, you have to you have to learn enough about them to be able to recommend something for them. So if you don't if you don't take the time to fully qualify them and learn their story, you can't select one. But if you've done your job, then you should be able to select one, right?AmandaSo I think you have to do that.KevinDo you mean I am assuming, but I want to clarify. You're talking about community. You don't necessarily have to get them down to a particular hall. No, but you got to find something to.AmandaTo find something. Yes. Yes. They are emotionally invested in something that's going to be a good fit for them based on what they're looking for. But yeah, community is great. Sometimes you'll get down to a floor plan and if that's, you know, a big must have for them.KevinOr you're on your lot builder and there's nothing else to.AmandaOf course Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You can't you can take it a little bit too far I guess if you, you know, qualify them out of thing if they don't want to get too far. But definitely a good idea to learn their story and select on and to become emotionally invested in it. So yeah. Yeah. I love your.AndrewLast makes sense.KevinThe last qualifying or and I'm just an insanely curious person so.AmandaI love it.KevinWhen you were just talking about that, it made it feel like it's okay for the online sales person to have an opinion on what's best for the customer based on what you learn about them, which I'm maybe if listening is like, Well, duh. But again, I know, I know sales managers and onsite salespeople who are like, Oh, online salesperson is just supposed to absorb and direct the customer on whatever it is they already came in on.KevinAnd I think to me that connects to this is an older number. I don't I actually don't know where we are currently, but I remember doing analysis of Heartland of about one third of the people who came in as a lead for one community ended up becoming an appointment for a different community after verification and personalization was made.AmandaSo of that. Yeah. So the leads, they don't know everything that you have to offer and that's why the OSD is there to really be able to give that easy button. And that's also why it's great to have signage numbers go to that. With me though, like a story, you know, I had someone going out that was driving out path.AmandaThe community they call, they were interested in that, but it completely did not fit what they were looking for at all. And I was able to reroute them to a different community that was a great fit. So, you know, just because they have to show up somewhere that you think they're interested in something doesn't mean that that's the best fit for them.AmandaAnd you're able to provide them with that knowledge because you know all the products, you know. So it's all about uncovering what they're looking for and giving them that easy button and directing them to the right place. So.KevinMM Yeah. The place that people are headed with over the automated systems, we're saying, well if Amanda asks for information about Happy Acres, this is easy. I just load up information about Happy Acres and I send it to her in little bursts over multiple different channels. And and I think that's dangerous because, again, just the reason that someone reaches out is not a clear connection to what it is they ultimately will purchase or even what they're most interested in.KevinYeah. So I think I think that's interesting thought, too, is that at the end of the day, no matter what else is checked off in the CRM, no matter what pages said they came from there. A prospect for a home above and beyond any particular community or floorplan. It's not that it can't inform or shouldn't inform.AmandaMhm.KevinBut you can't just say oh well they asked for Happy Acres, I will schedule you an appointment via text in 30 seconds at Happy Acres because I can, I can make that happen.AmandaYeah. That's exactly right. That's why I exists.AndrewRight. I just, I can't imagine any automated solution I could build like the emotional momentum to then that increases the appointment kept ratio. That increases like it just gets you along the funnel quicker. Like imagine you hear Amanda close your eyes and Amanda's like, you call. It's like, you know, I think that communities like selected, that might be good for you but we have this other one and then you and your great voice, you're talking, talking and you're like, Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's go, let's go.AndrewI want that versus reading something on the screen. And it's a robot and that has no emotional like it doesn't create any emotion within Yeah.KevinI mean any attempt at fake emotion oftentimes comes off worse than no emotion. Honestly.AndrewHappy, awkward, like this. Yeah.KevinYou I don't know what story you would both use as my example. For me, it's typically like Home Depot or Lowe's.AndrewI like Home Depot. Don't like Lowe's.KevinThe same Lowe's I only looking for their they have seem to have a better power tool selection generally than Home Depot does or a larger one. But other than that, I agree with Abraham. Yeah, but you know, when someone offers you assistance, you have kind of this built in thing of I mean, I really do want as is internal talk now.KevinKevin Internal talk, Yeah. I definitely want assistance finding this one size particular special fastener that I need to replace on something in my home. And all I have is the broken one and I have to go line up the right side. And this is obviously a real world example that have a salad go. But someone's like, Hey, can I help you?KevinAnd everything inside of you is like, Yes, I want help, but I really doubt you're going to be able to offer the help that I need or just be an expert that I need versus just taking up my time. Like we've all had those experiences where someone's like, Oh yeah, I'll try to help you, and then they lead you to like the plumbing section.KevinYou're like, No, but like even I know that fasteners are aisle five, so that's where we should go. And so I think there's always this thing that online salespeople and salespeople and even marketers with some of our messaging has to get through is like the relief that you have as a consumer. When you finally talk to an expert, it truly is just the feeling of exhaling.KevinIt's like, Oh, okay, Amanda knows her stuff. And that's what I'm saying. It's this fine line between overconfidence, oversimplification. You want this, therefore you go there as soon as you can become an actual expert and the consumer trust that everything changes, no matter what the emotional state of either party is beforehand. It's like, okay, okay, I could totally be convinced that I don't even need the fastener.KevinI thought I came in with that as a replacement. Maybe there's something better, but that person's first can have to prove to me that they're not just making stuff up.AmandaAnd they also have to understand your story. What you're going to use it for on the right. How can they make that recommendation?KevinYeah.AmandaMm hmm.KevinYeah. So it's this weird. It's the same thing talking about interest rates right now. You know, interest rates at 8%. I don't know if that's I think we've talked about that enough on other places. We're not going to talk about that in this news. But interest rates, mortgage rates going to 8%. There's a whole bunch people saying don't talk about interest rates.KevinIt's not a big deal, just end. And it's kind of like, well, if everyone knows it, I, I don't think you can completely avoid it.AndrewYeah. Yeah. You're crazy not talking about it.AmandaMm hmm.KevinLike not talking about it or having at least some planned responses for the, like, common objection or statement. Because, again, as a consumer, I would feel it's my job to to be a good customer and to protect myself in this engagement, I would have to be like, you know, we're just a little bit concerned with how high interest rates are right now.KevinYeah, if a customer didn't say that, that would be weird, unless they just know they're paying cash. It's the same the same thing as again, you go to a retail store, do you need any help? The default reaction to protect yourself is no, I'm just looking. It's just what our job is as consumers. That's great.AndrewAndrew Yeah, I had one. I think I'm to shift that over to favorite things. I had him because like literally right before we started, I'm like, I just use this in the example of why I like this piece of software, so I'll save it for favorite things as it's more appropriate. Okay. Townhomes. I love townhomes. They're my favorite.KevinThey're that's I don't is that is that true?AndrewThat's not true. That's not true. I'm not true at all. Because I think that's like my first if I had to be like, what did I first learn coming to to do? I see. And like, I was like, Kevin, why are townhomes always like the issue? Like it was almost like a bat in my head. Like, all right, about this is about a townhome for something struggling and like 2017, 2018 it was townhomes, but two weeks ago, two weeks to three weeks ago, I had to call the builder and is about a townhome product and I was looking through their photos.AndrewIt's a coming soon. The price is really nice. You're like, really that price like, but it's a little farther out. So there's all these challenges with it. And at the end of the call it really didn't go the direction I thought it would, but we really uncover that a lot of their content highlighted the objectives as and they like made the objectives valid against townhomes.AndrewLike unintentional.KevinYou mean objective objections? Objectives.AndrewOkay, This my back. The objections? Yeah. The objections were they were like featuring the objections. Like what do you hate about townhomes? They didn't because their photography is so standardized that the way they photograph townhomes is the way they photographed single family homes. There is no intentionality as far as like, okay, cool, this is a I only how the product here, maybe it's 25 feet wide.AndrewMaybe. I mean, our home is sprint. It's 30 feet. We're on a foot, 40 foot lot. So we're at a 30 foot home.KevinIt's pretty decent for them.AndrewSo it's 20, 25, eight. But all the photography, the angles were not featuring like depth. And so in town, home is more like, what do you hate about it? Or why would you not choose this townhome? They're small and cramped. Okay, so the photography should feature mostly images that feature like the length of the home, right? That's going to be it.KevinYou don't have to document the entire crime scene.AndrewCorrect. Like, let's make sure it is showing like it feels big and spacious. What he also not like phantom asylum's privacy. These include a fence in the backyard that are like it cuts off the backyard where I think it's like a 12 foot fence. You could barely see it. And the photos, as far as like separating you, your back patio from the neighbors, you could barely see it.AndrewSo I'm like, hey, if they feature at every it's like they only needed these big shots of the whole building. This I think there were six units per person, per little per building. And so I saw all six. So like me and Alex, really small, it didn't focus in on like, hey, here's like the living area of your outdoor living area and it says example after example after example, in the order of the images, I'm like, if you showed number three versus number one, you might be able to hook them and create like we talked about with Amanda, like enough emotional excitement, like, oh, you know, that actually does look more spacious.AndrewAnd I'd expect and then you tie in to the fact that like more for all rural area where this townhome project is being built, I think there's as you go farther away from like downtown, there's an expectation of land and space. So a townhome close to downtown to like that's perfect for me. You put that 25 miles outside a city center.AndrewPeople were like, I could get a double wide on 45 acres for 250. Okay, And you're trying to give me 3000 square feet of yard space if that even. Yeah. And why would I do that? Like so your everything they did was the opposite content wise and like, Oh that's really interesting. I've never looked at photos of townhomes.KevinSo instead of I guess I want to clarify that like his clarify and what instead of instead of knowing that those are the objections, is your point and then creating content that speaks to them as No, that's not really a valid objection. You just have a misperception about townhomes are are different. You're saying all of the content just affirmed the likely objections?KevinYes, It didn't because didn't always talk about Smucker's is one of my favorite Smucker's. But the name like Smucker's, it has to be good. It's they know the objection would have been when that first became a brand. This is a weird sounding company. It sounds like just smacking saying I mean, it's just bizarre.AndrewIt is.KevinSo there's there's definitely a technique or approach of saying, I know what the objection is going to be. I'm going to hit it head on with answers or solutions or or different viewpoints. You're just saying that was the big miss.AndrewIs big mistake. Yet it made it made you go like, well, this is why I don't like townhomes. It's what I gathered from it. And it's like this builder. They're very process driven. Everything standardize. You've got to recognize their photos with even at least I can without their name on it. So but they're all great. Like they're they're doing an amazing job.AndrewBut the townhomes are photographed the same way as a single families. The buildings are the same way. And I think that's like the not the issue, but it's like, oh, they could probably like I'm like in one here. There's it's a three, three floors and there's four units in the building. And you go like, well, we're I park like it never feels like where's my home within this.AndrewAnd I think they should like just focus on the unit versus the entire building. As far as the big exterior, they only the kitchens and it's like, well, this kitchen's actually pretty spacious, but the way they took the photo, you can't see all of the kitchen and the shape. And so it looks like there's one countertop to cut something on.AndrewAnd then once something like cooking, you're like, This looks miserable to cook in, it's tiny. And so they should have just had different angles on it. And you keep going to go and you're like, Oh, everything I do, it makes us feel like it's a small, cramped townhome they really don't want to live in. But you'll have to settle for versus like, Oh, it actually looks like a nice place to live.AndrewLike there's ten foot ceilings, you have your private outdoor space on there. And so it could be, I guess if you're struggling with townhomes, which is probably everybody, if you have townhomes, maybe like I look at it in that context, like am I reinforcing why people don't actually prefer townhomes first? For the most part if they're not actually like downtown or a walkable location?AndrewYeah, so we'll see if there's new content. Yeah, that.KevinAnd this is true for every community. Page One of my pet peeves is certainly community pages, where 95% of the images and the photo gallery for the community page are the model home. Yeah, I'm like, Oh, that's not the community, but it's even more so true in multifamily scenarios, settings where if you just had photos of the model versus the community, the walkability, the amenities and again, the area around it is the amenities.KevinThat's, that's why even in.AndrewI agree.KevinMarkets like you know, the broader metro area around Washington D.C. I think we still can be on a on a metro line and that is an important amenity of the community, even if it's not in the community and it's ten blocks down the street, it's still. So that just is even more critical. That's your pick because, I mean, that's just by default.KevinThat's why people are choosing multifamily, mostly because of affordability. And builders choose multifamily primarily because, I mean, this is what I heard my entire career, pretty much as I especially pre and VR, when when you're a smaller or even a large private builder and you're just trying to find opportunities on the landside piece of land as identified, I think it's going to go one way and then, you know, eight hour in two, it's like, you know, this isn't going to work as single family.KevinWe're going to have to turn it into multifamily. Yeah, very rarely for for a builder that's focused on the suburbs, do you do you target let's go find more multifamily product. There are those who do it and you know that. And that's why the people who do multifamily exclusively, just like builders do on your lot exclusively, are typically way better on your lot.KevinIf if 90% of a builder's portfolio single family and they just kind of sort of do multifamily again that's the other reason why that can be a challenge.AndrewDo you think multifamily is going to increase? I want to say substantially, but what does that word even mean? Is that five, ten, 20, 30, 40%, Do you think it's going to have a larger increase? And do you think builders will have more multifamily products the next five years from now compared to, say, ten years ago due to affordability and maintaining the margins they want to maintain?AndrewI mean, I would thinks and this my like dumb assumption is like, well, that kind of makes sense if if they.KevinI think the reason that my answer is yes is because land prices again are the main drivers. Yeah. And those don't seem to be improving like land prices and also becoming more affordable anytime soon, even in in even in an economic downturn. So yeah, but I guess my the reason it's making me hesitate is single family for rent and even just really dense single family is all know I was just in a home yesterday and it's a single family community that was built 15 years ago and the homes are traditional, single family homes.KevinIt's not a zero lot line community, if you're familiar with that terminology. There are a lot lines, but the houses can't be more than eight feet apart. And in where I'm from, that's kind of strange, especially for homes that are probably selling in the $500,000 range.AndrewYeah, And it.KevinIs like this is close.AndrewI mean, that's us. We're we're ten feet apart, you know, five feet and inside. So we're we're cozy with our neighbors. And you could probably. Yeah, that might have been the minimum we could do with our air. But the older homes, like older homes right there across the street, like out the back yard there on Thursday, 50 to 70 foot lots.AndrewAnd so they have quite a bit of room between between them. But we're twice the size square footage. So they made it work. I mean, they sold or they sold in a heartbeat, the smaller, much smaller lot sizes.KevinWell, yeah, my story is about lag times, which that's one of those terms that I just didn't hear a lot about or really fully understand until about 10 to 12 years ago. So, I mean, like eight years into my career in homebuilding and then I was like, okay, I'm understanding. But one of the reasons why homebuilding is so hard of an industry is the amount of time that passes between something changing and the result of that change.KevinA real clear example of this is back to land. Builders have to be looking 3 to 5 years out and saying, Where do I want my communities to be in 3 to 5 years? The physical location to figure out, is this the right price I should pay for this land? Will people want to live here in five years?KevinWhat price with what products and that they're tossing the dirt five years into the future in California longer. And so this lag effect is also what we're experiencing right now with interest rates and its impact on the economy. So everyone freaked out, Oh, my gosh, interest rates changed and it's going to be a disaster. Turns out the disaster hasn't happened yet.KevinPeople are still employed. You know, wages going up for the most part, people still buying homes. And it's because interest rates short term interest rates, which is what the Federal Reserve changes, that typically takes 24, I think 36 months before the impact of wherever the rate was changed. You has a fact because that's how long companies are borrowing from the bank at a particular loan and it doesn't have to be renewed for five years.KevinAnd so they're halfway through that at the rates change. And it doesn't really matter which one of the reasons the big tech companies right now are still firing on all cylinders is they've got $1,000,000,000 or I think in Apple's case, like 20 some billion dollars in cash. And so they're like cool interest rates are higher. We don't need your stupid interest rate bank.KevinYou just keep it. We've got cash. So lag as a term is just you know the delay from making a change to seeing its impact and it's real. They're all over the place in the world, but especially in our industry. And one of the things that I had a conversation with this week with one of our builder partners was a particular struggling neighborhood that we with with them and their team have been, I'd say, squirreling away like a squirrel, attacking a bird feeder, trying everything we can to try to make things work.KevinAnd not really a shock. This is one of the things we talked about. It seems like actually I'm going to give full context here. The the head of of sales and marketing made the comment said, you know, my my father made the comment that every time you all seem to focus on a community, things get better. And the joke is like you kind of like insinuate like, can't you just do that all the time for all of them, which, you know, as a, as the marketer perspective is like, can you just make sure the product and pricing is better so that things just work more often and they don't need to, you know, But that'sKevinthat's the healthy tension in the business. So things get better. But what's interesting is one of the takeaways was that the the getting better was related to the most recent thing. So this weekend, this past week, the number of appointments like tripled or quadrupled to the community. And the connection was what must have been the thing we changed on Friday or Thursday.KevinI was like, well, we can't. We can't say that. We really can't because for the prior 30 days we had taken the average amount of traffic to that community from like 1000 visitors a month to 14,000.AndrewIt's a few.KevinAnd and the concern was, hey, the the lead in appointment volume isn't correlating to that immediately. So we're not sure if these folks are the highest quality folks. So let's actually change some of the messaging adjust spend which the spend was already very, very healthy obviously to get to that level. And then it was like that must be the change that made the difference.KevinAnd I was like, What is your average time between website visit to lead, which most people would have a hard time calculating anyway? In this case, the builder actually has. I don't want to go into that right now because it's somewhat proprietary both to us and them, but they have another way of telling some of that cycle time.KevinBut as an example, one of the other builders you work with just told us yesterday they did their latest analysis from lead to contract, which everyone in this, listen should be able to calculate. Their average cycle time right now is 150 days, 150 days from getting the lead to getting a signed contract. There are reasons why and the type of builder they are that that would be longer.KevinBut the point is that is elongating, the lag is getting wider. And so just imagine if you're that builder and you get 300 leads in a month where you typically would get 100 and everyone gets excited and then you don't get sales for I don't even know what that is for five months.AndrewYeah.KevinSo 100 days.AndrewFive months.KevinYeah. So there's, there's, there's potentially four months where everyone's like those leads were all crap. They weren't worth it. What's going on? It's just really hard. If you don't understand the lags that are in the business to make the dots. So one of the things we talked about to try to bring some practical application here besides just understanding the concept and trying to figure out what your lags are in your business is privacy changes make all this really tough.KevinNow their CRM system does a better job than most at identifying source and medium, but it's still not obviously going to be perfect. We know that in time. It's a particular campaign can be even harder. One of the best good old fashioned ways to do this is just have actual start and stop definitions. So there's two ways to kind of do this good enough, I would say.KevinOne is it'll be really scary because this community just took off. But if you turned off all the extra advertising like cold turkey it on a day and then watch the lag from when you cold turkey to it to when does that appointment volume taper off. If it correlates like if if there's correlation there, then you can at least take some of that.KevinAnd now you could do that for individual channels. Like if you're concerned that the meta traffic or the Google traffic isn't good, you could just cold turkey one. But again, you're going to have to watch the lag. It's not going to be what happens tomorrow or next week. But this this idea of stopping, I'm actually trying to resurface as a really important concept.KevinYou know, we talk about sprints like do a two or three week sprint of of spend or change in strategy, then stop and see what happens. And I feel like right now the impetus for most people is just keep piling on, Just keep doing more.AndrewMm hmm.KevinAnd there's a couple of problems with that. One, you're not even really analyzing. You're just like more and more and more and more and more. And you don't have that. You can't you can't really tell. Like if you've if you've done ten experiments on one neighborhood and then things get better, you don't know.AndrewYou're stuck doing those ten forever. Yeah, maybe only two, right? I mean if you, if you get for ten. Yeah. You don't, you don't have answers.KevinYeah. I just that, that is actually for people who aren't trained marketers, you're going to have to help them understand the lag effect and the I didn't even know really that I was doing this. But but one of the in terms of the lag concept, but I used to tell my salespeople all the time at Hartland, if you tell me the last week of the month that you're freaking out and you're not, you're falling behind or you're not going to hit your sales plan, I can't help you.KevinI didn't frame it in the sense of the lag, but I just said it's too late because it's going to take me 2 to 3 weeks to create the traffic, to then have that interest develop for them to then reach out to get scheduled in for an appointment. It's not going to happen in a week. The only the only prayer we have of turning people that quickly is basically email and the phone texting or calling, and that's for someone already in the database.AndrewI feel like this really makes the case to be much more proactive and like the marketer, we should all be like, That's kind of obvious. Everyone should be more proactive.KevinNo, you're absolutely.AndrewBut they have thresholds of traffic that you monitor per community. So you're ahead of the salesperson who's on the last weekend of the month. They're stressed about their quota on the 23rd. They're like, Oh shoot, I need two more sales this weekend on the 27th, 28th of October. But if you already knew traffic was low on the ninth because you're like projecting it based on what you're seeing in analytics, like I need to bump that, traffic it up somehow and that could prevent things from from escalating to that situation.AndrewBut you need the threshold. So you need to figure out like, well, what's my number? What are the numbers for? It's gray and I don't really have to do anything before someone talks to me about it.KevinAnd before you set those thresholds, you better be doing your coffee and analytics time to be able to understand the patterns, because if you just create random defined thresholds.AndrewYeah.KevinThat's also just going to cause tail chasing. It's like because we already see this happening where people mishear our statement of a thousand units of traffic per community to get 1 to 2 sales from that neighborhood. And they think every neighborhood has to have 1000. But you can absolutely sell four homes off of 300 website visitors. That's allowed and does happen.KevinSo you have to be spending that time to really know where those things are, are going to be set. But that's where a lot of people get caught off guard. Last year at this time was they felt so comfortable with the backlog or the sales volume of of spring and summer that even though the numbers were all going down and we were we were saying on this podcast, other places like, hey, things are 1,000% slowing and slowing pretty quickly because people weren't looking at those leading indicators of traffic because everyone was so overwhelmed with the amount of activity that had been going on for the last two years.KevinMost builders really didn't even realize it was happening until like late summer, early fall. And then they started to freak out.AndrewTo like proactive thresholds. All right.KevinOn to the news. First up from Mashable.com, Metta has some new AI personalities and they are super cool people. That's intentionally bad grammar, but we've got people who look like Jenner's and Paris Hilton. Oh, is this a Snoop dog? I did not realize I was Snoop Dogg.AndrewSnoop. I don't know who the bottom four are on the right side. I don't know whether or not they seem like great people.KevinYeah, they're not all celebrities, but I think somebody for everybody and I think about half of them are the celebrity chat bots are live and they're weird is the subheadline from the article and this is my last intro. And then I'll let you guys share. Which do you think? But they're weird that from the article yet another chat bot with a celeb twist.KevinThat's right. And more chat bots baby. We were promised flying cars and hoverboards and instead we get to talk to bots that can just barely hold a conversation akin to your single worst interaction at a cocktail party. But it looks like a famous person. What do we think here?AndrewThis is Amanda you go.AmandaFrom for the Oh.AndrewYeah. Okay.AmandaGot creeped out by the fact.AndrewIt's it's depressing. It reminds me of the movie. And if you have time this weekend, you should watch it and you'll understand the reference. The movie is called Her H.E.R. Just heard her from 2013. He falls in love with the guy. This guy?AmandaOh, no.AndrewIt's super bizarre. It's very uncomfortable. All you're like, Is this really insane what's happening here? But it's won some awards. But it's it's it's definitely in the, like, eccentric, weird movie category. But it's this. But this. He falls in love with Scarlett Johansson, who is the voice actor, who is the A.I.. So, again, that's that's reasonable. So maybe meta onto something.AndrewLet's try to use celebrities as who you're interacting with, but still read it. You're like, this is okay.KevinSo the short answer from the online sales world who, you know, we love anything that would potentially allow us to connect with more people. This doesn't hit the market. We an agreement. Yeah, this is the agreement where you know okay so I think the interesting question is, is what led them down this path also wrong? Here's what I mean by that.KevinI watch my wife in particular and she follows influencers and I just you know, everyone knows how I feel about the word and the thing and whether we are. Do you convert to influencers or not. All the all that stuff. But let's say there is a workout influencer or last night I'm watching her use flip through her stories and she's like, Oh, I love this person.KevinAnd it's just very clearly an ad for some hair serum. And she's like, Oh, I love this. She's so great. I'm like, It says by now. And she's talking strangely high energy and how much she loves this product. And I go, Of course, she says she loves the product because she's selling you the product, she's making money and she's like, Well, but she designed it.KevinShe made it like that makes even more weird because she's talking about how much she loves this product that clearly the IKEA effect, right? I made this. It must be the best thing ever because it has my name like I did it and yet it doesn't matter. She's just enamored with it. So And every once in a while I see her actually comment or talk to these people who have hundreds of thousands of followers.KevinAnd it it gives her this weird high, I think of like I just interacted with an influencer, I guess somewhat akin to, you know, if Rich Barton or somebody on on Twitter X likes a tweet. But that's like in that scenario for me. I don't expect it and I don't it's their reaction to it, not me just talking or adding them.KevinThat is the exciting part. It's just like, oh, they, they, they read it, responded. There's this weird thing, I think that younger generations are like, I just like my kids just would love the idea of interacting with Mr. Beast in the smallest way possible. So I think there's something there that is directionally right. But they they've missed the mark badly.AndrewBut I think they missed because there's no brand assigned to these people for her to be like, okay, the Kardashians have a brand and that's why people want to associate with them. That's why they buy their products. Mark at the summit, I forgot his last name. Mark from a thousand. What? You buy that apparel because it makes you feel part of the club or makes you feel a certain way.AndrewSo like who we follow also I think makes us feel a certain way or we get whatever emotion out of following that person, interacting with them, or just interacting even just engaging with our social media. And as for Metta, it's like I feel like they're trying to piggyback that experience of like, Oh, I'm interacting with this feels like Tom Brady.AndrewIt talks like Tom Brady or like, This isn't Tom Brady. Tom's on a yacht in Miami doing whatever the heck he wants. He's not this isn't a bot. So like, it's like, of course this is fake. It feels like you're like tricking me, like I'm like a child or something like. And, like, that's that's not the real Elsa at Disney World.AndrewLike, I know that's not her.AmandaRight?AndrewBut they do like. The four year old, the three year old, the five year old. Like they're like, That's Elsa. Oh, my gosh, This is amazing. So, like, they're trying to trick us, like we're like children or something. Something like that. That's why I think the cringes. Yeah, it's, it's, it's obviously fake like. And it feels Grinchy. It's a long way to get that point, I think.KevinYeah. The first message is not not having the real name. So it shows Mr. B's likeness, but his name is Zach. It's almost like right from the get go, you're looking at a fake coach purse that you know is fake and everyone else will know is fake because it doesn't even say coach. But everything about it looks like a coach.KevinPurses like once. Scott you're missing the whole better feel of the essence of the brand, right? If it was a if it's a knock off and no one knows is a knockoff, then you know that that's one thing. But this is a clear knockoff.AndrewAnd yeah.KevinIt, yeah, it just doesn't look that good. But I do think there's something to wanting to interact with these, these people that we know or feeling like there's interaction, but it's just not even close to the, to the mark it's fun.AndrewSomeone's probably going to come up with a something very similar and they'll use like deepfake technology. And so you could like video chat with Tom Brady and it's just people, thousands of people in a call center that then they could use their face and then they'll just like use Deepfake to be like, Oh, I'm actually talking to Tom Brady.AndrewCool. Like, what are you doing it with? So they take his voice and that seems more like a fun experience. It's a waste of time and it's not chat bot, but it's like, look, I talk to Tom Brady but it's not Tom Brady.KevinI mean, there are Elvis impersonators and not all of them look like Elvis. Maybe we're completely wrong.AndrewThat's true. We'll find out. That might be gone in a year. All right.KevinNext up, there is an actual article, but we're linking to a Twitter, a tweet on X. Well, I've finally crossed the chasm. I call Matamata pretty consistently, but I am having a hard time with X. I agree. A gentleman named Alexis who said big news for ADD used today, accessible dwelling, accessory dwelling units. These are essentially small homes connected or not connected, but in the yard or somehow on property.KevinThat's for another primary residence have now been able. The FHA policy now allows 82 rental income to qualify for mortgages, further cementing their role in the housing market. And in places like California, you know, if you can rent out your ADU for 3500 bucks a month and that counts, as you know, rental income, that's a big deal.AmandaYeah, that's really neat.AndrewYeah, that's neat.AmandaI actually talked about this on my coaching call today. Like, because, you know, like people are running into this of a high interest rates affordability like it's not it's a condition now that you know just an objection it's the conditions that like how could you overcome that and I thought this was like possibly thinking out of the box like a great opportunity for builders.AmandaYou know, like they build the customers house, Maybe they can build a little tiny home to like L.A. money.KevinOr I mean, it's.AmandaActually.KevinThe construction of an 80. You can be folded in to New construction financing. So now it's like, I'm going to build both these things.AmandaYeah.KevinYeah, yeah.AndrewYeah.AmandaThat's true.KevinI think lenders really may begin offering borrowed mortgages on properties that they to use on the new policies effective immediately. Mm.AndrewYeah. So Alexis builds what appears to be areas that look really nice like they're, they like they would fit in a backyard better than a tiny home looking looking thing like they're really.KevinNice $350,000, probably tiny others.AndrewThey're pricey. My first thought I think it's neat, but I'm like, okay should someone who's buying through an FHA be a landlord? And will this like what is their rate if they have to use 82 income to qualify? Like I'm like, does that hold significantly higher risk? Because if it's ever vacant or if it's vacant for x percent two months out of the year, can I make their mortgage if they don't have that income for two months or three months or four months or something?AndrewSo you qualify for it, or maybe they've been paying rent. That's actually more than what their new mortgage would be. And they're like, Please, just let me do something. I'm not even I rent that thing out there, but my rent now is 5500 a month. I'm a finance and I'll be 4400 per month and I'm saying they'll be rental income.AndrewYeah, I like that.KevinThere's certainly be unintended consequences from this. Like one of the comments on here is I have a house with a garage that I want to convert into an 80. You, you know, well this helped me and so it might Yeah. And then and it might improve your value. It might lower the value of the primary residence if you don't no longer have a garage.KevinSo but I mean people California are super excited about this. And the one I know if it's this particular change or something else that because I think call it the state of California also passed a different law related to its use. But every individual municipality has to basically opt in or say, yes, that's allowed. And so in the markets, even where this is the would be the biggest deal because a lot of aid use already exists in California is can't qualify each individual market.KevinSo L.A., San Diego, you go service each town has to say, yes, that's allowed and that's going to take time. And it won't necessarily be applied everywhere, but super interesting. Next up from TechCrunch, Google's AI powered search experience can now generate images and write drafts. So this is kind of the only lead in here from this article. Is that the trend?KevinFor sure? You've got folks like Jackie Beatty or Openai who are trying to create brand new platforms using alarms and AI powered tools. And then the other trend is just integrate those kind of tools within the already standard platforms. An example of this is Adobe. Adobe is like, I see, I see you daily and I see you, I have to say discord, use it via discord.KevinBut what's the other Netherlands?AndrewI lose, I lose track anyway.KevinThat's what I use all the time. So it's crazy. I can't think of it, but they're like cool and nice. Try trying to like, you know, integrate artificial intelligence in images. We're just going to drop it into Photoshop Illustrator and all the tools that real creatives already use. So they don't need your other little silly thing because it's going to just be built into the platform that those experts already use.KevinSo this to me is kind of big picture. What Google is doing here is let's just integrate all this right into the core product. But what else are your thoughts on this one wager.AndrewI'm a fan. I think it's super cool. The because I think all the tools you've mentioned, they are not user friendly. Like for normal people to use.KevinHaving to learn the average just how to use discord to to use what is the premiere generative visual tool, which I can't think of the name of, is they got.AndrewTo go to Discord first. So it's like, it's annoying. Yeah, it's not accessible. And that's I think that's the way to for the fastest progress is to make it accessible to everybody where there's no login, there's no credits or whatever you have to buy to get it and make it work. I know it's expensive to run these things by Google pushing it.AndrewI'm all for that because I will. I think that will push progress on this a lot faster for the robots to take over the world. Just getting the last one or not, I'm all for it. Let's let's do it. This will help with them be easier to make PowerPoints and decks and presentations. This is what I need. Yeah.KevinAnd it's it's not everything. And they're they're doing it kind of interesting where the one example in the article and I saw a video on this as well if you do a Halloween table setting search and click images in Google where you see you'll see all the normal images and then you'll just see a box that says create something new with our generative A.I. tool.KevinAnd then you click that it will create four additional images for you out of thin air. And so it's it's not like, again, that's trying to incorporate to the to the image search you're already going to. And then it's like if you're not finding exactly what you're looking for, just make it. I think it's I think a smart also, by the way, when you try some terms, that box does not appear.KevinAnd my other thought is, is there some initial scrub there that goes? Is there enough images that we believe would it be highly correlated to this? Then we don't even need to show this generative AI option because there's already.AndrewLike.Kevin10,000 really good options. It might only be appearing in less, less popular searches.AndrewYeah, let's play with that. That's fun.KevinAll right. Next up, we've got the numbers. We've got the third quarter.AmandaWe balanced.KevinIt was benchmark data.AmandaIs this.KevinIs this like a world premiere.AmandaAnd release? Yeah. Okay. Hot out the press. I yeah. So I prepare these calculations with the benchmarks every quarter they call me the nerd over here so many ways. But but good numbers So yeah I compare it to quarter two. So benchmarks for quarter three are lead to appointment. We have 40% though, that went down just by 1%.AmandaSo kind of steady appointment to sell 19%, which is down 2% from quarter to that contribution that went up, which is really neat to see. The online sales contribution went up to 48%, whereas quarter two with 46% and quarter one with 45%. So not only increasing, which is very exciting. Yeah. One thing to point out though, is that leads they did go down by around 15% last count from quarter to quarter three.AmandaSo I'm going to pick your brain off of that. So why do you think lead counts are dropping and doesn't even matter? Or tell us what you think.KevinWhat your rivals and I both saw the same tweet from Lance, formerly of Forbes. He just started his own newsletter on housing data. Now, be a good follow or a sign up if you're if you if you like, that kind of nerdy content. But he just said, hey, basically I crunched the numbers and October is the least affordable month for housing in the last get ready 100 years.AmandaOh least affordable month and.AndrewWe have no problems with affordable.KevinWe got no issues here. Oh work. In fact I think this is this is just data that I saw about an hour ago and I don't have it still pulled up, but I believe of the National Association of Realtors just came out with updated data that showed for the I think for the first time in at least like the last flying blind here 20, 30 years, there are under 4 million transactions that are that are currently like they call it annualized transactions.KevinSo they take a data point and they say if it stayed here and was and happened over 12 months, this would be the number and it was the lowest that it had been in whatever time frame they were talking about, and it was below 4,000,003.96, I think. And so there and the other end and little piece of the puzzle, Amanda, is a lot of our builders who do highly partner with local real estate professionals like were.KevinAnd these are major markets, not like top 15 markets in the country. They're calling the top two or three agents in the market that they've had great relations with. And they're like, Hey, we've got this great thing or we've got this opportunity, We've got these homes. And the response from these these are the best of the best agents and those markets are that sounds awesome.KevinI have no. One to work with. I don't have customers.AndrewWow.KevinTo work with. You know, so 15% those aren't too bad. And the other thing is the overall slope. But what we can see as well from home builder data and other data providers is that the slope of the decline this year is nowhere near as steep as last year. So last year in this and the third and fourth quarter, it just dropped almost actually almost as severely.KevinThis is all transactions used and new, almost as severely as during the Great Recession. It wasn't starting at a higher high like that chart. You look at it, it's just like, oh my goodness, down 80%. Some ridiculous number. But the steepness of the curve is severe but pretty short. This year we didn't ever get as high as last year's highs, but the decline and the slope of the decline is more steady and slow.KevinSo take your poison. Would you rather be down 15% or I bet if you went and looked at the same data last year, third quarter, second quarter. Mm. Just My quick guess would be it'd be 35. So you know that's the thing with percentages is Yeah. The higher high probably felt great. Yeah. But the ride down probably felt worse.AmandaRight. That makes sense. Mm hmm. Yeah.KevinAnd I'm most interested in the apartment to sell ratio. I got 90%. That's what you said was.AmandaFor 19%. Now.KevinThat's still freaking awesome.AmandaI agree.AndrewDown from 21%, I think. Right?AmandaYeah.AndrewSo that's shifted.AmandaAll in 2%. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. And I love these benchmarks because, you know, it's just such a good overall image because, you know, it's all market that's large builders, small builders established online program, new programs. So it's just a really great mix to have an overall view.KevinYeah.AmandaYeah.AndrewIt's real, real data.KevinOh, hey, something just happened. I think. I think somewhere in the last hour we just crossed over officially 25000 minutes of the podcast, which does means I said yesterday so you could listen to market proof marketing Monday through Friday for 8 hours a day and still be able to listen to a fresh new episode for you for over 60 days now.KevinFor over two months now, the tools.AndrewYou will see.AmandaThem catch.AndrewYour life change. It'll be like a sitcom, like an had two kids here now. Yes. Three, seven has a new house like all these things that have happened.KevinI mean, again, the IKEA effect is real. So it might just be because we made it. But if I ran a marketing department and hired someone who was brand, I would be tempted to just mandate like, Yeah, over the next three months I'll give you three months, but you need to listen to like just have it in the background.KevinYou don't need smooth jazz, you don't need rock and roll or country. Just listen. I know it happened years ago. Just listen to it. Anyway.AndrewMy like reprogram their brain. And so if they had something wrong with the brain, maybe it fixes that. There's nothing wrong with it. Maybe there might be something wrong with it, then maybe that'll be fine. Yeah.KevinOkay. So you're going to have to make sure we do favorites because we're going to end on a depressing note on the news stories here, unfortunately. But according to Redfin.com, homebuyers must earn $115,000. That's obviously household income to afford the typical U.S. home. That's $40,000 more than the typical American household actually earns. So, okay, some of you listening are like, I mean, that's that's a lot of money, but that's not terrible.KevinBut when you put it in the context of the average household brings in $75,000, that's a problem.AndrewIt's a lot of buyers that put that were previously in the market are not in the market like they are. They cannot participate. That's a better way. They are they cannot participate in home buying those people because of that.KevinYep. And the typical years homebuyers monthly mortgage payment is 20 $866 an all time high, up 20% from a year earlier.AndrewThat's a bit of a mortgage so crazy.KevinBut you know rates are just a state of mind. Just take the rate.AndrewYou know, just stay in it like it's not permanent. I mean, you still might need 28, 66 for the average average.KevinBut yes, and I do you know, some of the folks that I see posting the stuff I like, I get it when you're speaking to people within the industry, you're you're trying to motivate, put things in context. But then there's other people who are within the industry who are clearly talking to just the average person. And you're like, I don't think you come across the way.KevinYou think you come across here.AndrewYeah, I mean.KevinIt's not if you live in the Bay Area, California, by the way, you have to earn at least $400,000. Oh.AndrewNo big deal.KevinNo big deal.AndrewNo big deal.KevinRust Belt buyers, nearly CENTCOM, Detroit home buyers only have to earn $52,000. Wow. But it's still a 19% increase from last year.AndrewYeah, that's in Detroit. You could buy some houses for like nothing because.KevinYes, if yes, like $10 if you.AndrewThere are.KevinRoom and even give it away, because that sounds interesting. There's Japanese, there's homes in Japan, they're the same way. And Spain and and other parts of Asia. You buy this home for ten bucks. But before you jump out and say, I'm going to become a real estate mogul, you have to promise. In Detroit's case, I think you have three years to bring the house up to a certain level of livability or you lose it again.AndrewSo I still don't.KevinWant people buying up a bunch of land and doing nothing with it.AndrewAmanda has it's close to Detroit, so we move to Detroit.AmandaI know, but no, but actually like 3 hours. But I have your place there. But I am close. Yes.AndrewYou don't. You have no reason to go there.AmandaYou think I'm an area of Detroit.KevinI'm a bigger fan of the west side of Michigan, generally speaking. Okay. But you didn't. You don't care about that. That's not why you're listening to the show. How does affordability get fixed? I think everyone keeps saying the way to fix affordability is just to build more. But I just want to remind everyone that there are still this problem of the price of land, and that's not helping things, and it's build more of a certain type of home which zoning and or voters will not allow.KevinSo you either have the problem, not my backyard or zoning or building a bunch of stuff in a place where no one is, which is its own challenge. So not likely to to be fine is.AndrewNot in my back.KevinEven if manufactured housing takes off like a rocket.AndrewYeah.KevinMm hmm. All right, so let's end with current favorites. Yeah. Got to be a favorite this time. Amanda What do you got?AmandaYeah, well, I. I have really been loving. A favorite is the role of coaching that I have been able to kind of step into the role full time. And it's just been really neat to see the best of clients and kind of be with them through the journey of like really establishing their program. Like Candace, that whole homes, for example, we do the builder shop and she was one of the ones that made it all the way through one of the three.AmandaAnd I was like proud coach moment and thought that just really neat to see their numbers kind of come to life when when they don't have that before and then also see them grow like as they as you spend time with them. So I've been loving that and I've also been loving the fall weather, the shift in perspective, you know, like I was like, no, I don't want summer to end, but that's the best we are.AmandaAnd the the leaves are beautiful and I'm enjoying it.AndrewSo your life change color?AmandaYeah. Without changing color. So they're so prett

Her Husband had NEVER gifted her anything for Christmas in seven years...did we help convince him to open his wallet?! Find out! It's #TextingTutor  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avah is 12 and looking for a way to make extra money for the Christmas season. Rather than stare into the abyss and wallow in self pity she has decided she would like to bring Christmas excitement to young kids around the area. She is asking $20 per visit ($25 if you would like her to leave behind Grinch dust for your children). She will spend 5-7 minutes creeping around the outside of your home while your kids watch with excitement. She will creep around and peek in windows, from behind trees and bushes and can also pretend to steal your Christmas pantookas, dafflers, and wuzzles (don't worry, they will be placed neatly on the side of your house). She plans to even leave a Grinchy gift behind! For her safety she will not enter any homes. Everything will be done outside. If you would like pictures with the Grinch, that is great. But keep in mind they will need to be taken outside and she will not be able to communicate by voice. Instead she will find other creative ways to interact with your children. If you would like to share pictures of your interaction with the Grinch please use the hashtag #GrinchedbyAvah . She would love to see the pictures you have taken

Happy Holidays as we land in Whoville to talk about The Grinch!! In this episode we focus the 2018 animated adaptiation from Illumination! We include aspects of the 1966 an 2000 versions to be inclusive of their genius! We are joined by Stanford professor and host of Know What You See podcaset, Dr. Brian Lowery for this epsiode! We discuss PTSD and the situational triggers that can present around this time of year. Be forewarned, we may get a little Grinchy in this episode! So sit down and join us as we ask the question: was the Grinch's heart really 2 sizes too small??

This week we dissect Brett's pick for the holidays, where we're actually covering 2 versions of a movie, the 1966 and 2000 DR SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. Does your heart grow 3 sizes when watching these? Does the 2000 version hold up 22 years later? Have some Who hash, destroy that roast beast and enjoy our Grinchy dissections. #drseuss #jimcarrey #grinch #boriskarloff  LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE and HIT THE BELL  GO TO OUR LINKTREE FOR ALL OF OUR LINKS https://linktr.ee/dissectthatfilm FOLLOW THE HOST Twitter: https://twitter.com/parkerdissects Instagram: https://instagram.com/parkerdissects FOLLOW THE CO-HOSTS https://twitter.com/dnagaming_1 https://twitter.com/roehm_21dw (Dan) https://twitter.com/aradella (Angela) WATCH THEM ON TWITCH https://twitch.tv/dna_gaming1 Opening/Closing music: Naughty or NIce & Unapologetically Merry  - DARKRAIZARD Follow wherever you listen to your music.

Join Kat and Rachel for a very special pre-holiday episode that is minimally Grinchy and just the perfect amount of brain songs! Tune in to our patreon for the leakiest of leaksSupport the show

TODAY's PODCAST:  MAILBAG MONDAY! Welcome to another great MailBag Monday! If you would like to submit a question, please Direct Message us on Facebook or email us at mail@joemcgeeministries.com Every Monday we will be doing a new MailBag, so make sure to get those questions in! JOIN THE FAMILY Sign-up for the Daily Devotion with Joe to get tips, clips, and more tools to help you build a strong marriage, family, and life using God's Word. Click to JOIN THE FAMILY.   WAIT... (You can also join us online)  Like us on Facebook  Subscribe to our Youtube channel.        

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's our third annual Christmas special and it's a very Grinchy one at that. This year I talk about the attempts to cancel Santa. That's about as Grinch as it gets! I also get in the Christmas spirit by giving my perspective on spirituality, look back on past Christmas memories, and review a couple Christmas movies (and expose a some that aren't)! You can see the video episode on our YouTube Channel at Life's A Garden Podcast!

She hasn't received a Christmas present from her husband in over SEVEN years and needs our help telling him that tradition *has* to change. Will he stay Grinchy? It's #TextingTutor! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She hasn't received a Christmas present from her husband in over SEVEN years and needs our help telling him that tradition *has* to change. Will he stay Grinchy? It's #TextingTutor! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We both start out a little Grinchy, but (as always) feel better after a catch-up. We discuss: the stress of holiday season, Carinn's COVID PTSD, rampant White Lotus theories, About Fate, Fleishman's theory on longing, Emrata and Drew Afuelo, and Jane Fonda.

What would you say to your future sister in law who was insisting on wearing white to your wedding?! Well that's the dilemma Spen and Vogue are answering for listener Olivia. Plus, top 5 compliments, a mummy, is Gigi a secret genius? and will Spen ever stop wearing shoes without socks?Remember, if you want to get involved you can:Email us at Spencerandvoguepod@gmail.com OR find us on socials @voguewilliams @spencermatthews and the new @spencer_and_vogueListen and subscribe to Spencer and Vogue on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

Walmart launches text-based shopping. Lots of new grocery stores are opening. And here are the cities with the most-aggressive drivers.

How long do you leave dishes in the sink? Grinchy places. And dis-udderly conduct. That's what Paul Layendecker is BuZzin' about today on The Daily BuZz!!

One of us was feeling a little Grinchy this week and needs to get some things off her chest! Join us for some fun as we address holiday party etiquette, showers, snowflakes, Snoop Dog, and we share some insider tips for visiting New York this holiday season. Thank you to The Lumen for sponsoring this episode.  Be sure to stop by for dinner and drinks this holiday season, right across from SMU. The Lumen 6101 Hillcrest Ave. thelumendallas.com 

It's Wednesday 11/30/22 the last day of no shave November. Will Ben shave his mustache? | Master Thespians perform "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" | New prank called The Driveway Disaster with a prank on dad! | Who wins the game of Mouthreaders, Danny or Meghan? | Did you regift something and it backfired? | All that and more!

Calling all Christmas orders please, going once, going twice! The time is here! How do you determine the cut off for holiday deadlines? Plan ahead with us now so we're not feeling Grinchy in December. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Career girl seeks job. Good with Grinchy bosses. Check out our website: mistletoesecret.com, and our Twitter: @HCUsecret Make sure to leave a review on iTunes if you're enjoying the show! Special thanks to Colin Robertson for providing our theme music. You can find more of Colin's great music at: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/colinrobertson/love-songs-from-far-away

INTRODUCTION:This is the third time I'm having Branch on my show!!! He, like me, is a former drug dealer, he's been to jail, he's been homeless, and like myself he understands his mission is to do all he can to help others now that he's been given a second chance. Branch is a poet, a storyteller and the author of 22 books! Branch was born in Osaka, Japan (my favorite country) and has the traveled the world extensively! Branch graduated from Texas State Univ. B.S.Ed., did post graduate work at the University of Houston, M.Ed Adm., and holds an Oxford M.A. Theology degree from Trinity Bible College and Seminary. Branch shares how strength of choice can change consequences and this man is known worldwide for his contemporary short story prose that reveals emotions and issues often experienced, but not always voiced.  Author of twenty-two books Branch Isole shares "how and why" strength of choice can change consequences. He's known worldwide for contemporary short stories revealing issues and emotions often experienced, but not always voiced. Storytelling is either about 'what has been' or 'what can be.' The story of "what can be" encourages us to embrace the duality of what is and more importantly, what is possible. Podcast program audiences tune-in to learn if your guest can help fulfill their aspirations and ambitions. My efforts are to help you produce a show with takeaways that benefit your listeners. The topics I share impart elements for personal, career and/or spiritual self-reflection. I believe we will give your audience a show they'll receive, use, and thank you for.I share edifying and entertaining self-development topics offering information and takeaway steps listeners can use after hearing our episode. These topical conversation starters provide audiences with identifiable grounding and growth elements for contemporary life issues.Spiritual Christianity:Life 101: Albatross or Millstone?The ‘Bucket List' Item Many IgnoreThird Act Specs; Rose Colored or 20-20?Relationships:7 Steps of Relationship RepairChange Your Response, Improve Your RelationshipsWork-Life Balance: 12 Key LessonsReligion:Bible Prophecy: Warnings or Promises?These 'today topic' discussion starters are designed for seekers, searchers, the fallen away and disillusioned. Those who question, wonder or are ready to explore self-reflectively their lives and relationships.  You're invited to book one today!Previous engagements and upcoming shows- https://www.manaopublishing.com/bookings.html  INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE (But not limited to):·      Stop Being Hard on Yourself·      Guilt and Condemnation Defined – do not serve us·      An Interesting Look Into Unconditional Love·      A Discussion About the Holy Ghost·      What Evangelicals Are Not·      A Warning Against Hypocrisy·      Is Consuming Alcohol a Sin?·      Is Masturbation a Sin?·      Is Dancing a Sin?·      Why Churches and Church Leaders Are Not NecessaryCONNECT WITH BRANCH: Website & Other Books: https://www.manaopublishing.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastguestbranchisoleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/branch-isole-851433201/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzN66BkAUAemYX76Smnn0GA CONNECT WITH DE'VANNON: Website: https://www.SexDrugsAndJesus.comYouTube: https://bit.ly/3daTqCMFacebook:    https://www.facebook.com/SexDrugsAndJesus/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexdrugsandjesuspodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TabooTopixLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannonEmail: DeVannon@SexDrugsAndJesus.com DE'VANNON'S RECOMMENDATIONS:·      Pray Away Documentary (NETFLIX)o  https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370o  TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_CqGVfxEs ·      Upwork: https://www.upwork.com ·      FreeUp: https://freeup.net·      Disabled American Veterans (DAV): https://www.dav.org ·      American Legion: https://www.legion.org INTERESTED IN PODCASTING OR BEING A GUEST?:·      PodMatch is awesome! This application streamlines the process of finding guests for your show and also helps you find shows to be a guest on. The PodMatch Community is a part of this and that is where you can ask questions and get help from an entire network of people so that you save both money and time on your podcasting journey.https://podmatch.com/signup/devannon TRANSCRIPT:[00:00:00]You're listening to the sex drugs and Jesus podcast, where we discuss whatever the fuck we want to! And yes, we can put sex and drugs and Jesus all in the same bed and still be all right at the end of the day. My name is De'Vannon and I'll be interviewing guests from every corner of this world as we dig into topics that are too risqué for the morning show, as we strive to help you understand what's really going on in your life.There is nothing off the table and we've got a lot to talk about. So let's dive right into this episode.De'Vannon: Hey everyone. And welcome to the sex drugs and Jesus podcast. I am so thankful to have you with me again. One more week branch Isole my guest on today. This is the third time I've had this incredible soul on my show.He's a former drug dealer like me. He's been to jail, he's been homeless, like I've been before. And we both get that. We have a second chance on life and we intend to spend this second chance helping as many people as we possibly can. So today we're going [00:01:00] to talk about why we should stop being so damn hard on ourselves.We're going to talk about guilt and condemnation and ultimately how those two things do not serve us. So we're going to take a really interesting look at unconditional love. Love is really the most important thing of all and loving ourselves is key to us. Being able to love anyone else. Please take a deep listen at this episode and enjoy the show.Thank you, Branch Isole for coming on the sex drugs and Jesus podcast. I believe that this is your third time. Taking a voyage with me. How are you feeling today? Branch: Good morning. Yeah, I'm feeling great. I was thinking about third time. I hope is the charm and we are able to answer some questions and touch some people where they live and help them down that path a little bit.De'Vannon: Right. The third time is always the charm darling, but we've been charming since the day [00:02:00] one, because that's how the fuck we get to down. And so. So we talked about eschatology before and all kinds of things. Before today, we are going to be talking about guilt, shame, condemnation, things like that, because people to stop being so hard on themselves.know, we live in a time where the world is full of judgment and it always has been, but with media and everything like that, You can see it happening a lot, a lot simultaneously, and you can get overwhelming. And, you know, we look at the news and we go, oh my God, how can people be so mean? You know, and everything like that.I wonder how much of that really starts within ourselves because you can't give away what you don't have. I heard a wise woman say one time. And so what are your initial thoughts on guilt? Shame, condemnation. Branch: You know, when we talked about doing this topic [00:03:00] I, I wanted to look at it from a place that everybody could, could start from the same spot. Okay. So I, I looked up the definition. Of guilt and condemnation. And I found was, and I'm going to bore our audience for just a minute, but the different issue of guilt is the fact of having committed a specific or implied offense or crime.And that's the legal definition. And then the personal or social or cultural definition is the act of making someone feel guilty in order to induce them to do something. I then looked up condemnation and the legal definition of condemnation is the [00:04:00] act of subjugating to a punishment. And then the personal or a cultural definition is an expression of strong discipline.And the more I thought about it, it's interesting that those two concepts or those two words have dual definitions. That is the first one in both of those as defined, dealt with the legal and the second one dealt with, you know, our personal actions. And so the legal is real simple. You either obey the law or you go, but the second definition for both of those is a lot more subjective and it really touches us each personally in our choices and our behavior and our consequences.So [00:05:00] today I guess our top. To discuss is focused on that second definition. And as you and I talked before we got started Yeah. you know, one of the things that we have a tendency to do when we've made some kind of a mistake in judgment or behavior that we're ashamed of that took place is regardless of what the consequence may be.Legally, a lot of us have this tendency to go to that place where we want to beat ourselves up. And, you know, I guess that's the ultimate action for both guilt and condemnation when we feel guilty. And we condemn ourselves that a lot of times we spend an inordinate amount of time beating ourselves.[00:06:00]De'Vannon: Well, not anymore. We, we, we, we, we just got rid of that right now. And so w what really prompted this branch was still on when I was growing. And shit. I really started to really accept myself probably like last year as I approached my 39th birthday. But when I was growing up, I really struggled with feelings of self-loathing self-hatred condemnation, guilt, all of those bad emotions. That just, and it's, you know, the thing about all of this is we're not really born this way, you know, at some point in life and it, and now it is true that whatever our mothers do when they're carrying. It does have an impact on us. So we are born with some predispositions. I do believe that, but still that's out of the child's control.And so, you know, we are, we are, we are learning, we are, we learn and we are taught this [00:07:00]negativity, you know, from somewhere else, it's like racism and things like that. You know, somebody has to tell you how to be mean like that. You know, you wouldn't arbitrarily just be like, you know what? I think I hate myself today.You know, I think I just don't like this about myself today. You know, those are not our natural thoughts that comes from somewhere else. And in today's world, you know, we could feel bad about ourselves from looking at too much social media. You know, we judge ourselves by ridiculous standards and things like that.We listen to bullshit coming from the church and Branch: Yeah. De'Vannon: epicenter of the, of, of our strength should be in our own knowledge that we gained for ourselves, listening to media, superstars, and things like that, but to ourselves and our own knowledge and our own private time with our spiritual power. And so the scripture that I think sums it all up is Romans eight and one, it says, therefore, there is [00:08:00] now no condemnation for those of us who were in Christ Jesus. John three and 17 though says that for God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world. But in order that the world might be saved through him.So if God is not interested in condemnation, Why should we be branch? W where to, where are we getting this from? How did we get. Branch: yeah, well, you hit it right on the head when you opened up your shot and that is, are, are good. Mental health is, is dependent upon our. Acknowledgement that we are worthy. And this is what love in Christ and love in God is all about because when we love God and when we love Christ, it's easy for us or easier for us to be obedient to the moral and ethical [00:09:00] laws, commandments God has set down for us as, as humans.And if we feel unworthy of God's love, then that's reflected in our lives. And we feel unworthy of others. Other people's loves in our lives. And if we are not lovable and we're not worthy of being loved, then you know what, where's my moral compass. Where's my ethical compass. So I find that a lot of people who struggle.You know, with their own identity of who they are and why they are, who they are, comes in this concept that we don't always feel worthy of being loved. And if we don't feel worthy of being loved, then what's the point, know, of, of trying to become a better [00:10:00] person or be a better person. I think at the pivotal grounding point worthiness.And, and, you know, I find in working with a lot of fallen away, Christians, that once they understand God loves us just as we are and for who we are, he created it and he loves everything that he's created. Otherwise he wouldn't have created it. So if God can love it. Then we are worthy of love. And if, we're worthy of love, then our, our legwork, our chore, our job is to find that love, you know, in and of ourselves, but in others, in our lives, the people we find important.So, you know, it's it's can be convoluted and it can't be layered upon or under ourself [00:11:00]delusional concepts. But, you know, as, as John Lennon said, it's all about love. And we get to that point we realize that God loves us and we are lovable, there's no reason for us not to be lovable.You know, in our daily lives, but to be lovable, you have to love, and you have to, as you said, you have to sort of come to grips with yourself and realize you've got the power to make that change. And so you kick out of your life, all of that negativity and all of those things that we allow ourselves to bring this down, which really, you know, are just self-delusional concepts.They really don't have control of us unless we give them that power and that control.De'Vannon: And then the first John three and 20 [00:12:00] helps us regain some of this power and control this group. You hear reads that for whenever our heart condemns us. That's talk about us making a decision, executing, a judgment decision about ourselves, the blooper, whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and he knows everything.So see, this scripted here is saying, and it mimics another scripture that says when we judge ourselves, like we should not be judged. If along those lines, basically. God is really the only one who could have render an effective judgment of us, not ourselves, so that we can be thinking we're like super righteous and not really be super righteous.we could be thinking we were like super shitty and bad and evil into the most terrible thing in existence in God could actually think the complete opposite of that. And so, because we've got all kinds of shit swirling around in our subconscious, the voices of our past, the voices of bad preaching we've heard and everything like that.And it's all static and confusion. And then too often it comes out in [00:13:00] guilt, condemnation and shame. First, John three and 20 is letting us know that when it's all confusing or like David said, when my heart is overwhelmed, then lead me to the rock that is higher than I. And so what he's saying is God got better sense than me.So let me ask him what he actually says about this. And so. This is why it's important to get close enough to God, to be able to talk to him and to hear him and to get peace from the chaos inside of you. When I was researching this branch, I was finding where these feelings, guilt, condemnation, shame can have physical effects on people.It can cause stress, physical health low self-esteem issues of depression, you know, and everything like that, stemming from a belief that you're not enough. And, and it doesn't have to be this way. So challenge here is to understand why we think what we think, we believe what we believe about every thought that comes [00:14:00] to us.And if it's something that is not lining up to what the word of God says, what we know to be true, what's serving us. Then we have to gain the power to reject a thought that is not We can't run off with everything that flies into our brains. And so. What you have to say about that? Like thoughts that come to us, you know, learning how to filter them out and even much beginning to believe that every thought that comes to you, isn't a true thought.Cause that, that thought that notion in of itself is boring to many people. Branch: Wow. First of all, you know, for, from us talking previously and corresponding that for me, the essence is having that spiritual connection. With God through Christ, all the things you just said, you know, it felt thought was rallying around my head is this is a perfect [00:15:00] example of those who do have a relationship with Christ with God.And those who don't have a relationship. If you don't have that relationship, then you've got no guidance outside of yourself. And as, as humans, we we've all experienced this. You know, our thoughts can get the better of us really easily. We can give energy to those negative thoughts or self-destructive thoughts or self self-pity thoughts very easily.And if we don't have any way to. That it can run wild and make us do crazy things or dangerous things. So for people who are struggling, I find a lot of times, one of the reasons they struggle so intently is that they don't have that spiritual relationship, being a spiritual person, being connected to [00:16:00] God.You understand that you have somewhere else to turn and you have the power within you through God's spirit, living within you to stop and to change those negative thoughts. This is what the power of the holy ghost, the holy spirit living within the believing Christian does. It's what separates us from other religions and other practitioners of religion and itself separates us from the non-believers.you have the spirit of Christ in you, then you can call upon his. At any time in any situation and he will respond. is what Jesus says to us. When he, when he describes that he'll send his spirit to be with us, to guide us and to counsel us. And you can only get his spirit active in your life, if you believe in and accept Jesus [00:17:00] as the Christ.once we have his spirit, we then have his holy spirit power within us guide our steps, to guide our thoughts to get us away from those negative thoughts. If we don't have that spirit living within us and we're kind of on our own. And you know, if we're not well-grounded, we can respond do kinds of things ultimately harm us.that for me is the first. Essential part of any conversation that has to do with our mental wellbeing or mental health like you said, you know, of those negative mental things can manifest themselves in us physically and can cause all kinds of physical Millay or physical illness, just, just by giving thoughts, that [00:18:00] power.So the first thing we want to do is take that power away from ourselves by allowing God's power, his holy spirit within us to give us the power to stop the negative. It sounds and crazy, but I truly believe that's what it's about. If we've got that. Living with us that we have God's holy power guide us through the, you know, the negative stuff and the dangerous stuff that we bring up on ourselves.De'Vannon: So then Branch: I think you hit it right on the head.De'Vannon: I concur with what you're saying. I believe in serenity. I believe in God, I believe. And I, I don't feel weak. I don't feel less than because I believe he's more capable than I am. I feel relieved that I don't have to do at all. I don't have to know it all and I don't have to be right all the [00:19:00]time.So, so whenever I hear people. Branch: no matter. God is like a loving parent. Okay. He wants best for us above all else. He, wants what's best for us. He knows what's in our best interest, even more than we do. And instead of a lot of people, you know, these visions or thoughts of what God is and what he's like and what he looks like.Well, I often tell people, you know, think of God as a loving parent and, you know, maybe we didn't have loving parents our growing up cycles and stages, but God is a loving parent and loves all of his children. He responds to those who respond to him. If you don't recognize God for who he is or what he [00:20:00] can do and wants to do, then how can he help you?So I always think of him as a loving parent, as opposed to this, you know, power, that's Helen fire and brimstone and punishment and all these things, every loving parent wants what's best for his or her children. So that's. You know, a way to think of him as a relationship instead of I'm this little thing or person and he's, he's got, and, you know, nothing can come between us that would bring us together.Nothing could be farther from the truth. He's the loving parent. And he walks to treat his children as a loving parent. That's what unconditional love is, is understanding your children and, you know, doing what you can in their best interest.De'Vannon: Yeah, I feel that same way about my cats. You know, I try to [00:21:00] understand them Branch: yeah. Yeah. yeah, yeah. I always, I always, I always tell women who come to me for help and counseling and tell me about their boyfriends or a fiance and, and all this. And I always say, well, you know, how is he with pets? If you want to know how he's going to tell you this. Watch how he treats this paps.De'Vannon: The simple things. So I want to ask you so like, and we're talking about like God having the answers and everything like that, and more so than we do with that conflicts, with the movement in the world that has to do You know, a lot of talk about all the answers already reside within us. You know, this is found in a lot of meditation circles.A lot of people who believe in the universe, you know, they'll go, you know, the, the things that I have friends like this, and I love them. And this is one point that I disagree with them on, but it doesn't matter. I don't look at them [00:22:00] any less than or anything like that. just more of an interesting thing to me, you know, the way they think it's like, know, the power is already within you.You have all the answers you already need. You are your most capable, so you don't need to look outside of yourself or anything. So what, what are your thoughts on that? Branch: I think to a certain degree, the right, the power is the power is within you. Okay. The power is within each of us because we're created by God and his spirit. Then our spirit is part of him, right? So when we are born, we have the power of God within us. We have all the solutions are already within us. Okay.But the dividing line comes between the believer and non believer. You [00:23:00] know, you can believe in the universe and you can believe in the power of the trees and the rocks and whatever. But if you don't have the power of God activate. The power that's in you already, if you, if that power at that spirit is not activated, then you don't have the power of God within you to discover the solutions.Okay. When we're born, we all have God's spirit within our soul, within our spirit. However, it's inactive. Okay. We know innately right from wrong because we are created by God and his character and nature is morals and ethics. So that's already within us, but because we don't have a living relationship with.His spirit that lives within [00:24:00] us is inactive. In that case, then we're going through life, making choices and decisions based on what we want for us, right. The ways of the world. And because we innately know that there is something more powerful, a lot of people then traps for that power to all of these other images or concepts you just described.Yes, I've got the power and I've got the answers and I've got the solution, but I don't have the key to unlock them. Right. So I, I, I'm going through the life captured by life and in life's grasp, and I'm doing the things and I'm behaving and responding the world's way. When, when you had enough of that.And that knowing in your heart and [00:25:00] in your, the essence of who you are, is knowing at you telling you there's something greater, there's a different path. When you turn to Christ and ask him to come into your life, he will send his holy spirit, which is already in you, but he will send his power to activate the holy spirit within you.And when his holy spirit is activated within you, you have the key to finding the answers and the solution, because the solutions and the answers are all grounded in recognition of Christ as who he is, the son of God. And that's, me, that's the difference. You know, people can believe in anything they want to believe in, but just like the religions of the ancient, you know, The gods of Egypt and the gods of our [00:26:00] own all of those gods were given mystical and mythical powers, but they were never really able to express or expose that power in reality along comes Jesus and all of a sudden the power of God becomes manifest in Jesus and in the things that she's said and did you know, the people call it miracles, let me call it miracles.Well, we have that same power. If we want to use it, but you have to use it the way Christ used it, you know, you've got to, you, can't use it for authority and control. You have to use it for, for love for, for loving things. And that's the big struggle for Christians is how, how can I emulate and be Christ like.When the things that I say and do are so hypocritically, not Christ-like. [00:27:00] And that's the struggle I see going on today. And in our day and age is that we have a lot of Christians who claim, you know, that they are Christians, that they follow Christ, but everything they say and everything I do is just the opposite.You know, who they're following is the prince of this world. And yet they're using Jesus and God as an excuse for their hypocrisy. You know, even a lot or most of the churches too. It's very hypocritical because for the church being an organization, you know, it's all about power and money. So they're of the world more than they are of Christ.But if you, you already got the power to know the answers and to find the solution, but if you don't have a living relationship where that power can be activated, and then you don't have the key and believers, followers [00:28:00] of Christ, individuals who emulate Christ in his thoughts, words, and deeds, you've got that activated power.You see the great thing about being one with Christ is you see the truth all around you. And when you know what the truth is, and you see the truth that it's very easy to recognize what's untrue in your. Then you've got the power to say, I'm not going to be part of that world. You know, you and I are not going to stop the evil in this world.And the power of evil. That's trying to dominate people in this world. We aren't going to stop that. It's going to continue, but for the, for the person who becomes a believer in Christ and has his holy spirit within them, they recognize the truth. And then it's very easy to turn away from the truth. You know, most of [00:29:00] United States, Christian now is very racist.And very xenophobic, homophobic misogynistic, you know, and they're following their cult leader down that path. when you have Christ in your life and you have his holy spirit within you, you recognize that from the outset and you know, you choose not to be part of that world. You choose to see the lie for what it is.Hopefully, you know, people will, will hear and and change. But as long as you're on the path, that's not spiritual that doesn't lead to Christ there. You're going to be on the path of struggle and conflict.De'Vannon: The Bible says that when. That the, my sheep hear my voice. You know, they recognize the voice of God from any other voice. So [00:30:00] what this is telling us is that there will be many voices. Jesus said there will be many spirits, you know, and he encouraged us during his physical lifetime to gain the gift of discernment, which is what it is for to not believe every spirit.And so you mentioned activating the holy spirit. So I want you to tell people how they can receive the gift of the holy ghost if they want it. And the holy ghost, the holy go ahead. Branch: No, no, go, go ahead. I'm going to pull up, pull up a scripture.De'Vannon: Yeah. So my precursor to that, so God is a tri human being. So he's three persons in one way of God, the father, God, God, the son, the holy ghost, the holy spirit, whatever you want to refer to him as his symbol is the dove. And so Jesus came physically in the body roamed [00:31:00] around here for like 33 something years.And once he peaced out, he said, I'm going to drop the comforter back down on you. So I don't go to the comforter, can't come for whatever reason, they can occupy the same space in the world at the same time, maybe be too much power for us to handle. And so, but nevertheless, once he left, then end of the book of acts, we see this, the holy ghost enter the world on the day of Pentecost.And so, or at least manifest himself as being here on the day of Pentecost. And so is the power. As we see it first being filled and people These people spoke in tongues. When that happened. There is an instance in the book of acts. I believe when Peter was with Cornelius, where people got the holy ghost and they did not speak in tongues.Don't quote me on that because acts had a lot of action going on in it. So I want, I want you to tell us how people can the gift of the spirit. And when someone in chairs tells them that they have to speak in [00:32:00] tongues or they don't have the spirit, is that true?Branch: I can't answer that. I, you know, I,I don't know. I don't know anything about speaking in tongues or, you know, I know there's churches that do that and accept it. I'm not familiar with that. So I can't comment on that. I'll try and answer the other part. How do we, how do we. You know, spiritual grounding and then how do we make it spiritual strength?So in John 4 24, we're told the God's spirit and as being our creator, then we therefore are also spirit just as he is. However, because we're human, we possess the capacity. We have, we have a spirit that we were born with. That was God-given okay. [00:33:00] As humans, we have a capacity to acquire and possess the holy spirit.That is God, the father, and is God the son. And he is God, the holy spirit. Okay. God is spirit. And as such, because he can't. Because of his very nature of being holy and pure, he can't be in the presence of anything unpure, so he can't come to earth. Okay. However, his spirit can transcend and can transmute time and space.Butthe way that that spirit comes to us is through Jesus Christ. Okay. We've got a spirit, but the holy spirit won't live with and conjoin with our spirit, unless we've accepted Christ. We won't get [00:34:00] into the old Testament stuff, but new Testament stuff, his spirit comes through our recognition of Jesus as the son of God as Christ.So how do we get that spirit? Well, real simple. And Matthew seven. Seven through eight. Jesus tells us simply we invite Jesus into our lives. That is we accept Jesus for who he is, the son of God. Okay. So when we ask or invite Jesus into our lives, because he's no longer living, but his spirit is living, he will send his spirit that same spirit of God, the father to be with us, okay.To be with our spirit. So that's when our spirit gets activated is when we invite Christ to come into our lives by invitation. So he won't come to us unless we ask. [00:35:00] And that's the real kicker, because God won't respond to us. He loves us as children, but he won't respond to us unless we have his spirit.Which proves our recognition of him. So when we ask Jesus to come into our lives, we are accepting the spirit of him and of his father, the same spirit. And now we have that same sphere that is God and the same spirit that is and lives with Jesus, the spirit now, because he's no longer a man on earth, but we now have that connection.We have that spiritual connection. So all we have to do is invite Christ into our lives. He will send his spirit to be with us. Once we have that spirit Jesus says to us in John 14, chapter 16, I will ask the father. And he will give you an [00:36:00] advocate, the spirit of truth to help you and be with you forever.You will know him for, he lives with you and will be in you. She wants he's there. We recognize Jesus for who he is, truth and love. And we recognize God, the father for who he is. And therefore we have an immediate and personal connection with God through Jesus Christ. And in verse 26, he tells us, but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send in my name will teach you all things.And we'll remind you of everything I've said, Nope, this indwelling of the holy spirit activates our spirit to start receiving God's support and direct. So we, we invite Jesus into our hearts. He sends his spirit to live within us with our [00:37:00] spirit in our soul. And we therefore become children of God with the rights and privileges to talk with God and to receive God's blessings, God's protections.Anything that God wants to give us as obedient believing children. Once you've got the spirit within you, then every time you you're in a situation where you have to make a decision, especially when it's, you know, important decisions. I won't say life and death, but to you, what seems to be a life and death decision or choice before we decide an act, if we will ask Jesus what we should do, he will respond.And what. You say, what would Jesus do in this situation? And his holy spirit living within you, living within us will respond and show [00:38:00] us the path that we should choose. Now here's the dilemma for Christians? Do I choose that path or do I choose the path that, you know, I wanted for me, am I going to do what I want or I'm going to do what God would have me do?And that's the Bailey, you know, dilemma. That's the carrying of the cross. When Jesus says, take up your cross daily. That's what he's talking about. Your cross is whatever that temp tation to be disobedient to God's spirit within you, which is encouraging you and directing you to be moral and. And the ways of the world are trying to kick us, take us off that path of being moral and ethical by tempting us you know, with all the things of the world and all the ways of the world.And [00:39:00] that's the struggle for every Christian, but those who claim to be Christians and are not following the spirit of Christ that lives within them, that's counseling them and guiding them and directing them. And they're turning their back on that spirit and still doing what they want to do. You know, then, then we get a lot of struggling, Christians who say one thing and behave and respond differently.Well, that's, that's the whole. That's the whole challenge for Christians. Are you going to respond Christ-like or are you going to respond saying you're a believer in Christ and yet not respond as he would respond? And to me, that's the problem with the Christian Church today. We have a lot of carnal Christians who want lots of things and possessions and things that they want and will do anything they can to get that [00:40:00] instead of following what Christ would have them do too.And it's just, you know, what you just had had in tones. Very, very correct. My sheep, hear my voice, right? If you're a true believer in Jesus, who he is and what he did for you as a center, then you hear his voice and you hear. The direction and guidance of his holy spirit living within you. You don't turn your back on and say, well, I believe in Christ, but I'm going to go and do this, you know, immoral amoral or unethical thing.And that's how Christ can tell. That's why he says, you know, that the path is narrow. The door is narrow. It's only got space for two, you and him. That's why he says, you know, there's a lot of people who are going to say Christ Christ, and he's going to say, I knew, I knew you not, know, [00:41:00]you can't say you're a Christian and behave like a heathen.You know, you, you can fool yourself, but you can't fool him. And that's what it comes down to. Are you going to be true to him and therefore take the easy path being true to yourself? Are you going to say one thing and do it. If you do, you know, you're like a lot of evangelical Christians out there who are saying one thing and doing the exact opposite. So we're not here to judge them. They're going to be judged just like we're going to be judged, but I'd rather stand before the judge with a, with a true and open heart, you know repenting of my sins than to go all that, all that way, declaring myself to be a follower of Christ and actually acting like a follower of, of evil [00:42:00] and corruption.It just, it's a choice. It's a choice.De'Vannon: I love, I love everything that you just said and and that, although we will not be judging evangelicals and Republicans in such. Today, we, we, we, we can open the library and throw just a tad bit of shade because you know, reading is fundamental as mama Ru, Paul would say, and that's not necessarily judging your, just reading the writing on the wall.And so I got Matthew seven and one through three, and I read from this, I pulled descriptor from the message Bible because there's this a very, very, like, kind of silly reading to me, like in a fun way. I love the message of Bible was very lighthearted. I think somebody might've been smoking some reefer, some fucking good as Cali dank whenever they translated this shit, but I love the message Bible.And so this says, don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults. Unless of course you want the same true. That critical spirit as a [00:43:00] way of boomeranging, it's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, let me wash your face for you when your own face is distorted by contempt.It's this whole traveling road show mentality all over again, playing a holier than now part, instead of just living your own part, wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. And so basically this is saying, judge, not that you don't be judge for God is not mocked with a romance.Those that also will he reap now this what gets us into the craziness of the church. And everything like that. And what you were saying earlier about like the other religions and how I was talking about people who like, you know, pray and worship through the universe. I think a lot of this came was birthed at, from the lack of love that is found in the [00:44:00] church.You know, a lot of these other, you know, religious and followings because people went to church and they didn't feel loved. They didn't feel accepted. You know, and so they went and found it some the fuck where else. And so. A lot of my own confusion I had in myself came from within the church. You know, the place where I'm supposed to go and leave there feeling better than what I showed up.I came there and I felt worse than what I showed up. And then that shit followed me home. And so to give a few examples of that, I wanted to touch back on the, on the tongues that I was talking about earlier. wanted to talk about this because it is in the Bible and it's something that use the debate in the Pentecostal church.in the Bible, when you see people getting filled with the holy ghost, see them speaking in unknown tongues, tongues, or other languages of the earth. It doesn't say in there, there's an instance where that doesn't happen. There are instances where it does happen, but it doesn't say explicitly you're not qualified to say that you have the holy [00:45:00] ghost, unless you speak in a tongue that you don't know what churches do of and everyone out there.I believe that. Read things into things that, that are not there. You know, just because, you know, the apostles are writing about what their first experiences were with the spirit, because they had never had the holy ghost before. they're just recording what happened as a matter of fact. they're saying they were sitting in a room, they heard a rushing mighty when the tongue showed up, they could see them.And then they started speaking in other languages. just saying what happened to them. I don't read in there or anything where they're saying, and in order for anyone else, for the remainder of the rural world, they have to have the same experience. You know, I don't, I don't agree that you have to speak in tongues in order to believe that you have the spirit living inside of you.to point that out because a lot of preachers, especially here in the south and in Pentecostal churches will say, if you can speak in tongues and the spirit is not in you you need to go speak in [00:46:00]tongues, I've seen preachers, literally forced people to speak in tongues. And then when the preacher said, say that crazy shit, now you have the spirit because you've done what I said you needed to do to get it.But before that you couldn't have it. And so I don't agree with that. And so I wanted to liberate people from this ex expectation because some people are really freaked out by tongues and everything like that. And rightfully so because some people have just ran it into the ground, but that's the way churches can twist things around and they can use.To manipulate you into doing what you want. There's no excuse for, for a preacher to tell someone to speak in tongues. seen them put their hands on people's foreheads and like forced them. I've had, it happened to me, know, put the hand on my forehead and forced me to lay on the ground, you know, and shit, and God is not forced.The Bible says that Jesus taught with such simplicity. You know, the fact that it was noteworthy, that he was being chilled and his delivery, you know, tells us everything about [00:47:00] other religious people, Branch: Yeah. De'Vannon: calm and authoritative. And this stood out to them. You know? So your Sadducees are Pharisees where Jesus is enemies today's world.Those are your Republicans and your evangelicals. Okay. These are the people who are trying to put on a show, all of the pump and all the circumstance. And everything's a big deal. Everyone else is wrong and we're right. Every generation has it. And so. So in, in, so in keeping with this thinking, I want to talk about some of the things that church tells us it's fucked up because other people have heard it. These are the things, some of the, some of the things that have pissed people off about the church and why they've left, because it doesn't add up when talking about alcohol, dancing, worldly music, all of that stuff.Those are the things that I was told was just the devil. When I was a child and I was all fucked up and confused. I was like, shit, I want to go to my high school dance. But if I do, I'm going to burn in hell and God won't love me and everything like that. [00:48:00] And so, so that start with alcohol and the Bible tells us not to get drunk off our asses and things like that.And it gives us a reason because it'll make a mockery of us and it will act a fool, just like all the things God tells us to do is not because he's trying to be authoritative it's because there's actually a common sense reason behind it. Why you wouldn't want to do it any way, if you stop and think about it.So. Just initially, what are your initial thoughts on the consumption of a refreshing adult beverage? Branch: Yeah, well, let me, let me go back to what you had just said a minute. You know, the church today, anyway, the church we're familiar with, but all the way back into the church history, I mean the Christian Church, the church is very accepting of people. As long as the congregants are [00:49:00]accepting the church's doctrine and interpretation of doctrine and of the, the mediators of the priests pastor and the Pope, you know, the church is about control and it's about money.Okay. The church is always ready to condemn those who are not doing what the church wants them to do. And this is what you just alluded to, you know, in the Pentecostal church, that the only way that you can come to God is through the speaking of tongues. Well, the Catholic church is the same way. The only way you can come to God is if you come through the priest, right, or through ultimately the Pope, then you're the intermediaries [00:50:00] between you as a, as a believer and God as the entity and the fallacy of the church is any church is that you have to come through us as the church.In order to have access to God. And as long as that's the belief that someone is in, that they are going to be accepting of and proponents of the way the church operates. And once you, you find people who step outside of that boundary, then they're ostracized or ex-communicated, or pressured to either get back into the fold orally because the church can't have any dissent within it because that threatens their whole, the power base that they control over the people who come to church.So whether it's speaking in [00:51:00] tongues or whether it's, you know, taking communion on Sunday or going to confession or, or having to go through the priest to get to God. That's the fallacy of the church has an organization, regardless of what the church name is or what they call themselves. God never intended for us to have to go through somebody else to come to him.All we have to do is go through Christ. That's one of the reasons you provided Christ for us, and so that we would have a direct line to him as the creator and sovereign power of the universe. As far as, you know, drinking drugs, sex, rock, and roll, that's a personal choice. And my personal belief is whatever activity you intend to engage in.As long as it [00:52:00] does no harm to others. And you do it in moderation and it doesn't make you a wild and crazy dangerous person, you know, who am I to dictate what you can and can't do. God has already dictated to man in the 10 commandments, what he should and shouldn't do. And there's nothing about drinking wine or beer or any other alcoholic beverage in there, except don't do it to excess.You know, don't become a drunkard. You know, it's only the, I watched an interesting program last night on this Trumpy attempt to take over the government and it was on CNN and it was about, you know, the rise of fascism and this is nothing new, but you'll notice as was pointed out through history, all of these kinds of movements are all.Weighing conserver [00:53:00] political conservative movements. And rather than give up power to the Progressive's to the liberals, for the people who walk to spread the wealth, provide for their, their communities and their people. It's very all of these movements, all of these fascist political things happen because of the conservative parties, the people with the power and money, not wanting to lose that power and money.And they would rather destroying the system, then provide for the people. Of their own countries with progressive kinds of programs and, and help. And that's what we're seeing. And the people who are drawn to that are the people who are afraid that what they have is going to be taken away. And this is the [00:54:00] common theme of all of these right-wing political movements, and that is those others are going to take what you've got and they'll use any part of religion that they can to bolster their right, to keep what they've got and not let anyone else have an opportunity to get all of these things play in to, you know, this is why religion is such a big part of political law.And social life, because if you're not with us, you're against us. And you know, we have the only access to God. So if you don't want the access to God and you're not going to come with us, then we're going to do what we can to destroy you. And we live in dangerous times and church, the church as an [00:55:00] organization uses its power and its corruption to keep its power.And the people who buy right into that are the political right in every country, not just here in every country, the hard nosed extreme. Right. You know they're out to destroy the system rather than let anybody else participate in the system. That's not exactly like them. White, Christian. No, it's, it's the world we live in.And once you realize it's the world we live in, then all the more reason you should get a spiritual relationship with God, so that you see the truth. And even if, if the, you know, the truth comes knocking at your door in the form of dangerous people, at least you have God on your side and [00:56:00] his protection.And if your life has taken, at least, you know where you're going to go and you can stand before God knowing you had a truthful heart. Yeah. It'll be interesting to see how many of those hardcore evangelical Trumpy and Christians, you know, missed that last call and are not where they think they're going to be when it's all over or they're there.And they have to face Joe. You know, people need, we need to think about the future right now because we're part of what is going to escalate into very dangerous times. And if we don't have a relationship with the Lord, we're going to be in dire straights.De'Vannon: Right. I agree. It's very, short-sighted this whole fight over things of this world, you know, but this is, this is the spirit of anti-Christ, you know, the way Republicans and Angelicals are, know, they're fighting for political power, but if the world's going to burn up and not going to be here anyway, then I [00:57:00] think it's more prudent to.To fight for a spiritual strength because you have an afterlife is permanent. This one's not permanent. You don't know if you're going to be alive one day to the next. So it was very shortsighted and to be on Grinchy about it. Branch: Yeah. De'Vannon: want our money, But not the black and brown people and the Asians and all of them, you know, but they're going to just take it all.You know, the Bible says that there will be where no fear was because of inequity, you know, because iniquity shall abound, you know, they get really, ain't got nothing to be afraid of, but they're so the way they are, whatever word you'd want to put in there, they've created fear where there isn't anything to be afraid of immigrants and people like that.Coming here with like little or no power at all, how in the hell are they going to take anything from white people? They just trying to get a job help out where they can not cause a scene not to get deported and maybe help their family come over here. Their needs are very simple. And so, but insecure people is not.Branch: and I, you, [00:58:00] you and I both served in the military. And when you're in the military, you are thrown together in a living and working situation with all kinds of different people, from all different kinds of backgrounds and all kinds of different places and beliefs and.I couldn't count on one hand, the number of adverse relationships I had with different people in the military. I had friends that were from all kinds of different places, all kinds of different backgrounds, all kinds of different colors and beliefs. And, you know, that's the one melting pot that if you don't have a closed heart, you will be able to see people for who they are and what they bring to the situation.You know, you, you can break that bond of about [00:59:00] racism when you serve with people of different color. Yeah, you may not get along with all of them, the ones that you do get along with you see them as people. And not as, you know, a different race or different religious belief ethnicity.now you still have, obviously, especially today, you know, white supremacists and right-wing extremists are serving in the military. But my experience growing up as a military and then serving in the military is I had friends of all persuasions and all colors, and they were just great people, and, and bias or prejudice that I had going in.With soon negated when I saw them as real people and not some concept, know, that I had [01:00:00]been sold or believed in or raised with they are certain way because of their skin color their religious background. So you can get over it. If you choose to see people as people and having a, a spirit relationship with the Lord will help you do that.You know, I hate to always keep coming back to that spiritual relationship, that's what it's all about. If you want to grow a person, get connected to God, you know, get connected to Christ and he will you to see the He'll allow you to see people for who they are. You know, are all brothers and sisters, believe it or not the ones who, who won't believe that it won't change.To come to realize that early hurting themselves, and there's going to be a heavy price to pay for it here. I'm here after.De'Vannon: You mentioned communion and I'm going to be doing. Show in the [01:01:00] future about communion and everything like that, but just to touch on it, because we're talking about, you know, wine and everything like that, you know, Jesus, his first miracle was turning water into wine. I heard a preacher one time say trying to defend his thou shalt, not drink wine stance.He was like, Well,he, Jesus turned the water and the great Jews. They didn't have time to ferment. I'm like, bitch. I think if God created the whole world, he could at least make fermented wine if he wants to, you know, just saying. And so, but I love the communion story. The way Jesus is having the dinner with his the dinner that the bread and the wine with his disciples and everything like that the night before he goes to be crucified when he's getting ready to go before the council is not the night before he gets crucified.And so what I'd like to do is to do communion at home. And so I want to be [01:02:00] teaching people how to do that in a future episode, because there's power in communion. I don't look at it. I don't think I need to eat it out of the hand of a priest or anything like that. I just ordered me some unleavened bread online, and I got me some wine, some fermented wine.That's about 15% alcohol. And and that's what I do because when I've had communion, I had at one time when I was a kid, the priest, actually the pastor brought it over to my grandmother's house because back in those days, the preachers used to deliver communion to the elderly people. And so, and I was just a nosy kid.I wouldn't run it up there. I don't know. I must've been like seven, eight, you know, back in like the eighties, early nineties or something. And I'm just, I'm just running on in there just to see what's going on. And the preacher turns to me, he's like, he wants them to him. I like share, I don't know what this is.I'm like that type of kid, whatever. Let's just do it. It isn't about, but when I when I drank that, that, that in his case, grape juice out of that cup, I felt power shoot through the lower half of my body [01:03:00]is like, like, God touched me. Not my upper half, but just from like my waist down. And I like, kind of like stumbled it, it was something the spirit did.Maybe it was a healing I needed, I don't know, but my body was clicking that way and I it's, something was loose and, you know, and it changed the change in my anatomy or something happened. So I can't explain exactly what happened, but I know I didn't make it up. And I know that there is power in taking the time to honor the sacrifice of the Lord through communion.And I believe in doing it at home, I do believe in doing it at church. And so, so I'm gonna teach people how to do communion for themselves. In a future episode, I got me this cute little communion cup set off the internet too. It's going to be a whole thing. And so, and so, but you know, Jesus, I wanted to clarify, you know, Jesus being a Nazarene versus a NAZA right, because. Do you know, Jesus refused a strong drink when he was on the wine. Some people may try to when he was on the cross and [01:04:00] some people may try to take that and try to say, you know, guilt you about you. You want to stop by happy hour or whatever after you've had a long day at work. Okay. So I'm going to read this excerpt.So y'all bear with me for a second. So Jesus was a Nazarene. He was not a NAZA right. The two terms are often confused for one another. The term Nazareen refers to someone who lived in the town of Nazareth. We know he's called Jesus of Nazareth and a NAZA right. It's someone such as Samson, you know, Sampson couldn't cut his hair, you know, who took a special vow before God and was subsequently consecrated to God for service.So a Nazarite is something you have to take a vow to become the, put yourself under. Extra restrictions. And as a Marine is just word where Jesus was born. And I read somewhere where that, that strong drink that Jesus refused had like like a numbing agent in it. And he didn't want to do it, take anything that was going to take away any of the pain for what he was going through.And so this is getting back to what I always tell people is to research things for yourselves. [01:05:00]So don't let anybody tell you, alcohol is wrong. You can have your drink, baby. Just don't get a DUI, you know, and just don't be reckless with it. God teaches us responsibility, but he is not opposed to libations. And Let's talk about masturbation and my gosh, there's nothing better than a good wink. All. Sometimes you just got to like pull it out and pleasure yourself, you know, and just, you know, it's, it's so great. And I've done shows on this before. There's all sorts of great things that happen in your anatomy.Whenever you have a sexual release is good to relieve stress, and it just helps all kinds of things like that. In the case of men, you know, we wouldn't want to get blue balls now, would we? That's not like. That's not just like a, a term, like, it's real. Like if you, if you, like, if a guy, especially for me, like if I have that busted in that in like a while, or maybe like a day or whatever, like my balls start to hurt, [01:06:00] like that whole area is really Tinder.And but if I just go wink it and spank it real quick, you know, all that pain goes away. It's like an actual medical term for all of this. Now, when I was growing up, they told me masturbation was the devil in charge. And so I was all fucked up and confused. You know, I'm like a teenager now I've got this hard Dick, you know, but nobody's telling me what I can do with it.They're just telling me what I can do with, and then that's something that's a blame. I lay at the feet of the church. They've got all these nos, but they don't have any fucking alternatives. And so. There's a situation that happened in the old Testament. I can't remember this dude's name, but the Lord told everybody to be fruitful and multiply.His brother died, left a wife. And in the nation of Israel, the custom was, if the brother died, then the living brother would take on that wife and raise up children in as a way to honor the dead brother. Well, I guess he didn't [01:07:00] give a fuck about his brother or whatever. So he wanted to fuck this girl. He didn't want to come and bite of her to have the children, but he wanted to use her body.The Lord saw his deception and killed him because of his deception. So the people in church said, well, you see that his semen was filled on the ground, whether than the woman. So therefore, because it, semen was spilled on the ground, no one should. And so that was a lot that they gave me as a teenager, I believe.And so that every time I masturbated, I would just feel terrible and I'll fill out guilt and condemn like days after that, I would just feel like so bad, know, because of what these people told me, the only other thing is in the old Testament, and this is the old Testament. Jesus released us from all of these restrictions, unless you just want to be restricted by Branch: Cool. De'Vannon: But if a man had a wet dream that he had to go into a period of isolation and because he was considered unclean, okay, well, you [01:08:00] know, that doesn't really have anything to do with us anymore, but those are the only two things that really ever had anything to do with sperm, you know, but they use the. The case of the deceitful man, to try to tell us that all masturbation was wrong.So it's just like with the tongues, just because they had a tongue experience on the day of Pentecost, does it mean that that has to apply to everybody else, to the rest of all life? You know, just because this dude decided to be all evil got killed by God, does it mean that I can not jerk off? So what are your thoughts about this? It felt Branch: Well,Here again, the church is about control. They try to control your thoughts by threats of a punishing God, and they try to control your actions to make you feel guilty. You're human. So [01:09:00] you're going to respond in human waste. I mean, you know, that's a simple fact, especially young people who are, you know, growing and coming into puberty and, and testing the bounds of their rebellious.That's just what teen life and young adult life is all about finding your place in your world and the things, how you express yourself. So the church tries to control your thoughts by presenting God as a punishing gun. And they try to control the congregants actions by saying, if you do these things, your condemn, and the only way you can get out of that condemnation is through us through the church, through the priest, through the pastor, through the Pope, because we are the intermediary intermediate between you sinner and doer of terrible things.And [01:10:00] God, and if you want God's forgiveness, the only way you can get that for your sinful actions is to come through us. So, you know, it's all a contrived situation of power and control again. And if they can control you, then you'll do whatever they say to do or not to do. You know, you don't need that intermediary to have a relationship or to.Commune with God. No. How many people did John, the Baptist baptized in God's name? I don't recall him ever getting a theology degree and he certainly wasn't a rabbi. So, you know, those, those who are working for God, if they're truly working for God and they're not doing it to elevate themselves or gain control or power or money, [01:11:00] they're doing it because they've been called to serve. We know what's right and wrong innately. We know because we are creatures of God. He created us. So he put that sense of right and wrong within us from the. And assess that as we grow as children, it becomes manipulated, you know, we can do what is right and be rewarded, or we can do what is wrong and be punished.And that's, you know, that's our sole experience with right and wrong is reward and punishment. And that's exactly how the legal system works. That's exactly how the Jewish legal system worked, you know, in the, in the ancient days, in the old Testament days that was reward and protection, or there was punishment Christ has done away with all of that.As you said earlier, you know, with the new Testament and with the [01:12:00] advent of Jesus Christ as savior. That that negates the power of the church. You don't need the church B any denomination to get to God you need, you know, an intermediary and for the Christian, that intermediary, that arbitrator, that mediator is Jesus Christ.If you have a relationship with Christ, that's all you need. Again, you know, if you want to, whatever your activities are, who is who's going to condemn you outside of Christ. And the whole point of his coming was to save us centers. If you, if you're a believer in Christ, you know, your sins are covered.The key is to stop sitting once you, you know, make that belief once you accept that relationship with Jesus, [01:13:00] And if you get baptized in his name, you declare that publicly that you are now a child of Christ, okay. Then the choice becomes, what activities are you going to do? And within those activities, are you going to continue to be a believer or you just gotta be a drunken, you know, masturbating, fool. If I w if you believe in Christ, you are covered, we're godless of what society says, or regardless of what the legal system says. If we don't obey the laws, whatever they may be, then there's a punishment to those laws. But if you are a believer and follower of Christ, you need not worry about those things because your innate desire is to be obese via both.You know, and to the moral and [01:14:00] ethical character and nature of God it's, it's not difficult to obey the speed limit. You know, it's not difficult to be law abiding citizens, but you could also be a spiritually abiding citizen, and that will cover you in all the other areas of your life that you're struggling with.Those who will meet Christ in the next life, regardless of who they are here or what their behavior has been here will be, there will be a tone for, and we'll be, you know, face judgment, but be relieved because of their belief. But when you become a belief that doesn't give you free license, as Paul said, you know, to continue to be wild and crazy, you become a thinking analytical person at that point.And you realize something that is illegal or immoral [01:15:00] or unethical is not in my best interest. The consequences of that kind of activity, whether I'm a believer or not can be detrimental to my health and wellbeing. The point of having that relationship is that before I engage in excessive

Let's talk about one of our favorite holiday baddies - The Grinch! We give him some possible diagnoses, and discuss how we can all get a bit Grinchy during the holidays.

Grinchy, Grinchy, Grinchy! Unlike the character, the pod is nice, and we decided to discuss all the movies that star the iconic Dr Seuss character the Grinch! Starting with the Boris Karloff classic in '66, then BRIEFLY discussing 2 horrible renditions you may not even know about, before we get to the 2 modern takes on the Who's from Whoville with the Jim Carrey 2000 rendition, and the latest Benedict Cumberbatch animated feature in 2018. The Holiday Hoopla wouldn't be complete if we didn't have these classic Christmas movies to critique. With the gift stealing gadgets and the quippy one liners, few classic characters are considered to be finer. He's grumpy and green with a dog named Max, and he steals the Who's Christmas right behind their backs. This cl... wait... am I speaking in RHYME!? Sorry Mr Grinch. Anywho, enjoy Liz and I discussing what makes each iteration different as well as pick our favorites parts of each movie based on certain categories. Also, please forgive Spencer for his Holiday movie hot take about halfway through.

You wanted a holiday episode full of brightness and so much cheerfulness? This is a chronic illness podcast, after all! We bring the real to you, and the real deal is that the holiday season is tough stuff, especially for Spoonies. So this week we're talking about how it's okay to not be okay with the holidays.  Yes, it's okay to cringe at Christmas caroling. It's okay to dread the dreidel. It's okay to go to sleep before that midnight countdown on New Years'. Our bodies are our priority, and this time of year tests our bodies, minds and souls. So, no, we're not going to do an episode on ways you can make your heart grow three sizes. You can find those "good cheer" podcasts everywhere. This episode is about being okay where you are with who you are this season. It's about getting through these next few weeks until January 2nd when we can all breath again.  Oh, and we know we've been gone for a bit. We address that, too. Did we mention we're being real? Yeah, because things have been a bit real for us, too. So, thanks for standing by and thanks for joining in again. We appreciate all of you!