Podcasts about guarantees

What marketing strategies are actually working in 2025? Karla Singson shares standout tactics from a DC Mexico meetup she hosted, where 6- and 7-figure founders revealed how they're landing clients organically through Facebook groups, trade show podcast hacks, and thoughtful LinkedIn comments (no ad spend required). We also dive into Karla's own playbook: how she's built multiple businesses around authenticity, reputation, and smart delegation. She shares tips for handling sales calls, choosing offers that sell themselves, and why relationships (not reach) are her #1 growth lever. LINKS: Karla's Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/karla.singson) Karla's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/karlastefan/) Karla's Business (https://proximityoutsourcing.com/) Dennis Yu's “Dollar a Day” Strategy (https://dennisyu.com/category/dollar-a-day/) Connect with generous global entrepreneurs (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Founders getting together in Bangkok this October for DCBKK 2025 (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GFaF1Vj7I7H0f5BmGYuyoaGuEdMCo-3CkBnVDuaSwrI/edit?usp=sharing) Read Dan's book “Before the Exit” (https://www.amazon.com/Before-Exit-Thought-Experiments-Entrepreneurs-ebook/dp/B07BN2KD1J) Share your story/sponsor the pod (https://forms.gle/gKZFuwReHSvg8LD48) CHAPTERS: (00:00:13) Intro: Affordable Marketing for Scrappy Founders (00:01:29) Karla's Business Portfolio: From Flowers to Facebook Funnels (00:05:00) Why Founders Struggle to Delegate (00:10:17) 3 Low-Cost, High-Impact Client Acquisition Channels (00:12:59) Organic Facebook Marketing Still Works (Here's Why) (00:15:34) The 400% Revenue Trade Show Hack (00:18:29) How to Capture Leads by Commenting on LinkedIn (00:21:17) Why Most Founders Are Hesitant to Run Ads (00:22:50) The Rise of Hyper-Authenticity (00:26:30) Why In-Person Still Matters (But Not for the Reason You Think) (00:27:25) The '10 Industry Friends' Strategy for Rapid Growth (00:34:41) Why Karla Keeps a Business Portfolio (Not Just One Focus) (00:36:30) The “Duh” Test for Business Ideas (00:38:46) Sales Calls: What Actually Works in 2025 (00:38:54) Building Rapport That Converts (No Cringe Small Talk) (00:41:23) Refunds, Guarantees, and the Power of Reputation (00:42:11) Lessons from a Business Partnership Gone Wrong (00:45:31) Why Golf Is the Best Business School (00:48:05) Playa del Carmen as a Business Base: Pros and Cons (00:52:37) Karla's Love Letter to DCBKK CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Marketing to High-Dollar Clients (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/marketing-to-high-dollar-clients) $1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/million-from-linkedin) Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/b2b-content-youtube) 50/50 Partnerships: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/50-50-partnerships)

Welcome back to 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs!'    In this lively and heartfelt episode, Danielle Ireland chats with Ashlyn Thompson from the Parent Empowerment Network. Ashlyn shares her journey from growing her nonprofit organization to the emotional rollercoaster of her daughter's complex medical journey.    Get ready to explore how pain can be an unexpected teacher, the magic of community support, and why tapping into creativity can be your secret weapon against anxiety. Filled with laughs, valuable insights, and touching moments, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and joy. Tune in and enjoy the ride!   00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 00:20 Ashlyn Thompson's Journey and Nonprofit Growth 01:10 The Importance of Community and Support 01:37 Embracing Big Feelings and Finding Joy 02:52 Welcoming Ashlyn Back and Discussing Growth 05:44 Navigating Pain and Empowerment 09:51 The Power of Perspective and Decision Making 14:27 Balancing Life and Nonprofit Work 21:21 The Role of Pain as a Teacher 30:48 Finding Comfort in Movement and Nature 33:09 Returning to Basics 33:35 Reflecting on Past Decisions 35:20 The Role of Pain and Fear 38:20 Parent Empowerment Network 44:25 Creativity as a Lifeline 49:21 Embracing Emotions 53:07 Don't Cut Your Own Bangs Moment 01:01:20 Conclusion and Resources   Ashlyn Thompson interview links Ashlyn Thompson, a passionate advocate and storyteller, is co-founder of the Parent Empowerment Network, a nonprofit providing emotional and mental health support to parents navigating pediatric medical complexities. She also co-hosts theEmpowered by Hope podcast, which equips parents with practical tools, resources, and a strong sense of community—delivered with a heavy dose of humor and hope to empower them as their child's best advocate. Ashlyn's fire for advocacy was ignited by her daughter Emery, who was born with bladder exstrophy. After Emery nearly died following a major surgery at just seven weeks old, Ashlyn became a fierce voice for patient safety. Unwilling to accept the limitations of domestic medical care, she discovered a surgical option in the U.K. that wasn't available in the U.S. at the time. In early 2023, Emery became the first American to undergo this procedure—and thanks to Ashlyn's relentless advocacy, that surgery is now available in America. When she's not advocating or recording podcasts, Ashlyn moonlights as a budding driveway chalk artist, chaos coordinator for her spirited family, and an avid nature lover. Chocolate is her daily vitamin, ADHD is her superpower, spiders and small talk are her sworn enemies, and she firmly believes laughter and boldness are two of a parent's greatest tools.   Parent Empowerment Network:  The Parent Empowerment Network exists to support, encourage, and educate parents of children with medical complexities—empowering them with community, knowledge, and confidence to be their child's fiercest advocate. www.ParentEmpowermentNetwork.org Empowered by Hope podcast on all major podcast streaming platforms: https://parentempowermentnetwork.org/podcast/   Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Parent-Empowerment-Network/100083218456295/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentempowermentnetwork/   She is Charlotte book by co-founder, Emily Whiting:https://parentempowermentnetwork.org/she-is-charlotte-book/ DANIELLE IRELAND, LCSW I greatly appreciate your support and engagement as part of the Don't Cut Your Own Bangs community. Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or anything you'd like to share. You can connect with me at any of the links below.   Website: https://danielleireland.com/   The Treasured Journal: https://danielleireland.com/journal   Substack: https://danielleireland.substack.com/   Blog: https://danielleireland.com/blog/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleireland_lcsw   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielleireland.LCSW   Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@danielleireland8218/featured “Don't Cut Your Own Bangs” is about creating a community around, and familiarity with, the messy middle—that uncertain and often chaotic and uncomfortable time in the middle of a process or journey. The messy middle is replete with ambiguity and challenges, but it's also where the hard and rewarding work happens.   Transcript [00:00:00] Danielle: Hello. Hello, this is Danielle Ireland and you are watching or listening to Don't Cut Your Own Bangs. I am so excited to be back in the interview seat. We've done some solo cast. It's been a blast. But Ashlyn Thompson is here with me today, and we just wrapped an incredible conversation. Ashlyn came on as a guest to talk about her work with Charlotte's Hope Foundation a couple of years ago. [00:00:26] She was about ready to embark right in the interview we were, she was. Days away from embarking on a trip to the UK for her daughter having a surgery with the only surgeon in the world who performed the specific type of surgery that her daughter needed. Her daughter's made a full recovery. It's a beautiful story we're gonna get into in this episode, but what I'm truly, if you could imagine even beyond that beautiful story, what I'm so excited to introduce to you and to that I was so grateful to witness and learn from. [00:00:53] Is that Ashlyn has grown her nonprofit organization, not no money in organization, but yes, a nonprofit organization that at the time, two years ago when we last checked in with her, was called Charlotte's Hope Foundation. It has grown. It's expanded, and it's evolved, and it's now the Parent Empowerment Network. [00:01:10] She and her co-founder also have a podcast for that same work, and what I love about the work that they do. They create community connection space and resources for parents and families raising children or any provider helping a child navigate medical complexities. And that sounds like such a hard and heavy and challenging topic. [00:01:33] And it is. But what Ashlyn embodies is. The work that I really wanted to bring to this season and this new phase of don't cut your own bangs, which I want big feelings to feel less scary. I want approaching them to feel possible. And then with that in mind, wherever possible, as much as possible, finding lightness, levity, and joy. [00:01:54] However we can do it. And I'm telling you, in this episode we did that. We accomplished that. We talk about important things, we talk about heavy things, and Ashland is vulnerable in a way that is inviting. But also something we can all learn from. And through the specificity of her life experience and what she's learned, there are universal nuggets that we can all find value in. [00:02:17] I know I did, and this was such a beautiful place to share, and we laughed. We had joy, we smiled . I hope that this topic invites you and encourages you to lean in and tune in because there are so many great nuggets of this. Thank you for being here, and I can't wait for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy. [00:02:38] Ashlyn Thompson [00:02:39] Hi. Yes, I know. Big jumps for both of us. I know. I feel like we're, it does feel like a lifetime ago. It I mean, in many ways it is. It's like we're, I mean, I'm still, me and all the key players are still playing. Right. But it does feel like a different life in a way. And I, with that in mind, I just wanna officially welcome you back. [00:02:55] Yes. Welcome. Ashlyn Thompson. Oh, thank. Don't cut your own bangs. I am so excited that you're here for many reasons, but the thing I'm most excited about is I think that. Building something or starting something creates a certain amount of effort and energy. Sustaining something, growing with it, breathing new life into it, that's a different part of a different element of a creative process. [00:03:17] And that's something I think specifically I'm really excited to talk to you about because you're parent Empowerment Network, which has it, it exists to support, encourage and educate parents and caregivers of children with medical complexities. And that was, it already was in existence when we, right, when we recorded the first time. [00:03:34] But it has grown. Grown. I went to a gala, people, she's throwing a gala fundraiser for her for her network. And so, I mean, I wanna hear about all the twists and all the developments of that, but more specifically the context I wanna provide for us and for this conversation. The thing that I'm really excited about, , and why I feel really passionate about bringing this to video. [00:03:57] Is that I want to help make big feelings feel less scary. Yeah. And I want to make, approaching them feel possible. And then with that in mind as much and as often as possible, laugh as much as possible. Amen. And so, right? So like, you are swimming in the trenches with people and even in your own life with people who are holding and making space for heavy things. [00:04:23] Yes. And yet there is a bright smile on your face. There's a twinkle in your eye. You laugh and you smile. And I wanna, and I don't know how to articulate what that is, but I want to, I wanna, that's something I wanna make space for in this conversation too. So it's important and it's big and it's emotional for sure, but also like, let's allow levity too. [00:04:42] Absolutely. I am so excited to be continuing our conversation, and I'm also really happy to know that. The person who's sitting here with you today is very much a different person from two years ago. And I feel like I have gone through multiple versions of myself just in the past two years. And that's one of the things that I truly celebrate about, not just the journey of parent empowerment network, but I think just growing and evolving as a human spirit, experiencing this life is recognizing that I say this phrase to only certain people, but I act, I feel compelled to share it now. [00:05:26] I feel like I have died a thousand times. And greeted so many versions of myself. But every time I rise into that extroversion and realize who I am, I like that person more and more. And. I feel like one of my greatest accomplishments just this past year has been truly settling into a, knowing a deep belief that life is meant to grow through, not go through. [00:05:58] And that change, that pivot of how I see the next big thing that comes up has been such a grounding force for me and has really helped me feel like I'm actually sitting in the driver's seat of my car. I don't know what I'm going to pass as I'm on this highway. In life. And sometimes life yanks me off on an exit I didn't plan. [00:06:23] And those exit ramps are typically the next lesson. But I'm grateful to be at a point where I can now see the next really hard thing emerging and not wanna hit reverse. Wow. Wow. Not that I like it all the time. No, God. But I can appreciate that this isn't out to crush me. This isn't here to take me down like I used to feel. [00:06:53] , Wow. There's a lot to unpack there for. Thank you so much for sharing that, but also not going in reverse. I wanna make a mental note, not going in reverse. The next version of me, I like better, and this is not here to crush me. Right. The, there's something, I got chills. I got full body chills when you, the la with the last thing that you said, because when I'm working with clients, there is this element and this is something. [00:07:18] I promise I'll come back to that original point there. There's an element of the work that I do where, and I'm sure you get this in your own way too, with like hearing stories from families who are holding really hard and heavy things. I think when I meet people for the first time, a common response is, wow, I don't know how you do what you do, or I don't know how you listen to that all day. [00:07:36] Or Oh man, and I think, yes, sure. There, there are certainly days and clients or moments where those stories are making space for people's big, heavy, painful experiences. Right. Is can be a lot at times. Far less anymore. But I think more than anything the va like, I feel so lucky to have the experience a hundred maybe even thousands of times over hurt people's pain. [00:08:03] And I know what pain sounds like. Yes. And there are different types and one thing that I absolutely believe to be true is that our pain is not personal. Our story is personal, right? But pain is not personal. And the events of our life, even things that happen to us, it's, there's it's almost shifting out of a, and I hope I can say this within the context that, that is heard with love. [00:08:27] But shifting out of a victim mentality right into it. Because being victimized or being stricken with grief or holding something hard like that is absolutely real. And also knowing that this is happening to me, but this is not gosh, what are the words I'm trying to find. It, what I'm hearing is you recognize how hard this is. [00:08:51] Whatever that insert blank. I recognize how hard this is, and I'm not going to make this pain so precious that I don't also see it as temporary. Yes, exactly. But there's something, so I think there's something really powerful and there's so much nuance to that because I certainly don't want to, people can be victimized, but the victim mentality is one of, in my professional experience it's one of the more challenging headspace to, for someone to walk out of. [00:09:21] Agree. It's really hard. Exactly. It shrinks your world. So, so much. That's well said. And we experience that very often. We really fo I mean we say all the time, you know, we are non diagnosis specific, non prognosis specific with the families that we work with, and we focus on the parents or the parent role, which could be performed by a sibling, a grandparent, a friend, an adopt, a lot of different people, but. [00:09:51] What we really found early in our journey and what helped us evolve into parent empowerment network was that recognition that, like you pointed out, pain is not it's not customized to your experience. The feeling, the emotional and physical experience relationship with pain is common through all of us, and it actually is a way that we can connect with each other when we recognize that. [00:10:18] When we stop comparing one another's pains. Now, don't get me wrong, if your kid got a bump on the head versus your kid needs a, you know, brain surgery. Right. Those are different. Yes. Very different. Yes. But most of the time we're not dealing with that. And what we have found is that when somebody is in that victim mentality, which is understandable, I think that's a, very important aspect to acknowledge when you're feeling like a victim, why is this happening to me? Or why is this happening to my child? Because I'll be the first to say, it's never okay when your child is hurting or sick or in harm's way or worse. I will never be okay with it. But when we say stuck in a victim mentality, our ability to problem solve goes from about here to here. [00:11:08] Yeah. And then your child is really the one who suffers. And I hate, it's a hard truth. But we have to face that truth because when we can help a parent start to find glimmers of hope, start to see that there's a way to build on quality of life rather than cure. Then you start to see this new version emerge where they are truly, you know, empowered advocates for their child. [00:11:45] There's something that I heard in what you said too, that a lot of times when I'm working with clients who are maybe knee deep in anxiety or depression, for example. I think why can be a powerful question, but I think a misplaced why is a really exactly damaging question. Like, why me? Why them? [00:12:02] Why this, why now? Because those are questions you can't answer that only lead to a defeating answer. Exactly. And usually another question or shame, but what I'm hearing a lot in when you. When you can kind of broaden your focus and sort of release that constriction from why you then can open yourself up to a different type of question. [00:12:23] How can I, exactly. How can I get through today? How can I get through this moment? What is needed most of me now? What do I need now? Right. And those types of the what and the how. Who do I need to show up for? Is it me? Right. Is it them? Who do I need to ask for help? Who has information that I need? [00:12:43] Those types of questions don't eliminate the pain, but it broadens the scope Yes. Of, of your field of vision. And I know that though, like, 'cause you are here in many ways. Oh, I hope it's okay to use this term. But I hope that you're here as an expert and you're also the executive Hope director of of the power impairment network. [00:13:05] And I think a lot of times. What we would imagine as the worst possible case scenario. Like the worst thing we could imagine would be something happening to our kids. This has been your lived experience. This has been your business partner's lived experience. And for, even though you have a podcast as well, where you really create a space and content and a community that helps people with that very specific set of circumstances, that Right. [00:13:33] I would imagine it's like. The best and worst club to be a part of. So we always say, we're so sorry you're in this club. Yes. But we're so glad you found us. Yes. Like it's the yes, we're really sorry, but at the same time, like, welcome home, welcome. And so I think a lot of the, a lot of the people who tune in to don't cut your own bang, I don't know how many would have this specific life experience. [00:13:57] Right. And if you do, oh my gosh, what a gorgeous resource you have in Ashlyn. Oh, thank you. And the Parent empowerment network and their podcast. But I do think that even in something like this, in within the specificity of everything you're saying, there is such a broad truth that I think we can all access and find value in. [00:14:16] And, yeah. So just thank you for all of that. And I want to, okay. I wanna shift a little bit to the growth of the parent Empowerment network. Right. Because, so when I originally started this podcast, what I was, what I really motivated me, one was I was terrified of becoming a therapist and having worked as a creative, and I just wanted to surround myself with other people who, who were building things, right? So that I could sort of sneak in my own needy questions. Like, how did you do it? How did you figure it out? What happened when you were scared? Like, what happened when your computer crashed? Oh my gosh. And you went from newly building something to, you have really grown. [00:14:53] Yes. You have really grown. And I wanna know having experienced the, you know, the gala that Right. That you that you threw that was so lovely. I wanna know . What led to the growth over the last two years? Because you're still momming, you're still life. Yeah. Your daughter is still being you. [00:15:08] I mean, like your life is still life and Yes. Life is still lifeing. How, in the midst of your lifeing, how have you also continued to grow this? And I really wanna know like what fueled your fire. And just tell me more about that story please. Yes, absolutely. So at the beginning of this, you know, when we started talking, you were very talking about how I'm sitting here smiling and I mean, I am fully, I am genuinely full of joy in this moment. [00:15:35] And I think I know actually that comes from being in something like we have with Parent Empowerment Network, which has been truly its own huge like business, right? We are called a nonprofit, but let me tell you, I mean, it is straight up business. [00:15:57] Is what it is in a lot of ways, and. That's the worst possible name for a tax category. It totally is. Because it's so confusing. Nonprofit doesn't mean no money. Right. Exactly. It's so confusing. We do not exist for free. Is great an idea as that sounds. I want that to be the slogan for every nonprofit. [00:16:16] I just, 'cause we don't exist for free. Right. You know the whole, you get what you pay for. It's, yeah. That's a whole other conversation. We're not gonna spend too much time there today. We should have a part two then. There we go. I'm okay with that. All right. So for that, what I think the biggest lesson that has. [00:16:33] Emerged from this journey just since we were, you know, you and I were talking a couple years ago when we were actually still called Charlotte's Hope Foundation. Yes. Which was our initial name. Yes. Because we had an idea for something that was this big at the beginning. And the name Charlotte's Hope Foundation fit that in theory. [00:16:52] But the thing I'm most proud of my, of Emily Whiting, who's my co-founder, fellow mom, fellow sister, fellow savior, at times the best thing we have done is allowed ourselves permission to grow and shrink as needed. And that's what we've done throughout this journey. It has not been a step process. [00:17:15] There have been countless times where we have grown two or three steps, been bigger, you know, working with international teams of surgeons, pulling together collaborations that have never been done, and then. There have been times where we have pulled back and we haven't released an episode for six weeks. [00:17:33] We have had maybe two or three social posts because our lives were on fire or just demanded all our attention, but it didn't mean we had to stop. I need to, oh my gosh. I don't know how many of you listening or watching can relate to that. I, there is a relationship I have with the expansion and contraction of output where if I'm not putting something out, producing something, making something that it really does a number on my sense of self worth. Right. And self esteem. And that is something that I'm still actively healing and repairing, because I definitely know the facts. I know. The really bumper stickery, self helpy sounding talk. [00:18:26] And I believe it. It's not that I, I don't hear it and think like, yeah. Right. It's just that there's a more practiced version of me, right. That has just had more at bats operating in a certain way. And then life in many ways rewards you for that. In theory. In theory. And I don't mean the like the laurels, like you get the the kudos pat on the back accolades but there is a cost, right? [00:18:47] There is a cost. And I think, in the I this past year I wrote a children's book called Wrestling a Walrus. And this the act of writing this book was something that I didn't realize that in the contraction, or even like in the I love the visual of the caterpillar becoming the butterfly. [00:19:09] 'Cause there's a two week process where the caterpillar is literally, we talk about the messy middle in this podcast and think, thank you Brene Brown, wherever you are for creating language and context for us for this very conversation. 'cause so much of this is inspired by that, but that gooey, mushy middle where it's not a butterfly, it's literally goo and it's Exactly, and it, and, but in that place, there is magic happening there. [00:19:33] Even if it, even though it looks like a pile of shit, right. Like, it's, there's magic happening there. I'll say the impetus or the inspiration, the. It was tough moments with my daughter, moments where I didn't feel like I was doing anything. Right. It like hitting the wrecking ball of, you know, being a parent of a toddler and a parent of an infant like that was, there's not enough grace in any space to help you go through that without serious, you know, support. [00:20:02] There were, I had some victim mentality at that point in time, even, and all things can be true at once. But all of that was what I experienced before I had the idea to write the book. And had I not had that experience, I wouldn't have been able to do that. Exactly. I don't think it would've been the same. [00:20:16] And [00:20:16] , and I promise this whole podcast isn't an ad for the book, but like, I really believe in this damn book and I love it so much. And I love that you talk about that expansion and contraction for yourself. And that you doesn't, it doesn't mean you have to stop. 'cause I think a big reason why I maybe avoided picking up the torch again and doing this podcast like I left it for so long, or I abandoned it for so long, or can I still do it right? [00:20:41] Like all of that stuff. And then yeah it. Yeah. Doubt doesn't mean you're done. No. And taking a pause doesn't mean you're stopping forever. But yeah. I mean, you can't just exhale forever. You can't just output like you eventually have to breathe in. Exactly. And that relationship is very necessary. [00:21:00] And so, I mean, everything you're saying is exactly what I need. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. You're welcome. And it, that lesson doesn't come easily. Nope. But I think another element of that, you know, building off of what you were just talking about, pain and discomfort and naturally shying away from it. [00:21:21] I challenge anybody in life to just take a moment to consider pain as a potential teacher, as a professor, rather than pain as an enemy, or pain as a destroyer. Right. If you ask yourself. Why does this feel painful? Because how many times do we all experience in our life something that really gets under our skin, but whether it's a spouse or it's a friend or a coworker and they seem totally unfazed by it, [00:21:56] and that used to be something that bothered me. I was kinda like what's, am I ever sensitive? Or like, what is my thing? And I grew up always hearing, not necessarily even from my parents, but I feel like. Teacher schools and saved by the bell commercials about find what you love in life and you'll never work a day in your life. [00:22:16] And that was great in theory, but I'm a very eclectic person. Yep. I love a lot. And all I was getting was a lot of burnout. That's also like saying like, love your kids and you'll never have a hard day with them in your life. You're like, no bs. No. I love my kids. But like, you know, oh my gosh, kids are the greatest, hardest thing of life. [00:22:33] Right. Right. But I think the same is true. Like , I never stopped loving this. Right. But I don't always have control over the life around. Right. But it's a, I think allowing things to be a part of you, not all of you, is really important. Yeah. And I think it's so easy to define ourselves by that output. [00:22:53] For me and Emily, the word is often it's impact. Are we actually making an impact? And the thing that helped us. Become okay with hitting the pause button when we needed to, and not officially throwing in the towel. Don't get me wrong, there were conversations about it, but we were always very honest with each other and we held each other accountable that if you are feeling like this is not jiving with your life, if it's not jiving with you personally, or it's not good for your family at this moment, let's hit the pause button and talk about it. [00:23:26] But realizing that if we only help each other while working on this, Emily and I, that's helping our kids, that's helping our families. And there's a domino effect from that goes from that. And if that's all we ever do, what's bad about that? You said something that I, it still stuck with me and it will probably be the title of this episode. [00:23:49] Pain is a Professor. Yes, it is. And I wanna go back to that because something that I talk about in my sessions a lot is that your emotions never lie to you. Now your thoughts are very different. Yes. Your thoughts can go a, now granted, we need to think critical thinking is important. [00:24:04] We probably need more critical thinking, but thoughts happen to us all day, every day, constantly. Right. I don't remember what the statistic is. I think we have roughly like eight thoughts a minute, something like that. I'm surprised it's not . Maybe that's just a DH adhd. And that could be too, like, yeah, there, maybe there's a spectrum. [00:24:18] Maybe it's eight to 80 thoughts a minute. Give or take. Give or take a hundred. But so thoughts happen to us now. We can certainly consciously choose what to focus on and what we think. But thinking happens, the emotions are in response to what we're thinking and believing. Exactly. And they never lie. [00:24:35] Right. And I But something you said like pain as a professor. And I like the thought that emotions are energy in motion. Yes. And they always have something for you to learn. There's something for every emotion. There is something it wants you to know. Right. And when you're not feeling good are we have more pain receptors in our body, unfortunately. [00:24:55] We have more pain receptors in our body than we do pleasure receptors. Like, and so when pain is activated, it just has a firmer grip. There's something that Martha Beck talks about that I love. It's called the, I think she calls it the Viper in the box of puppies. So if you were to imagine like, and enough said, right. [00:25:10] Done. You get it. But you hand, if I handed you a box full of like 15 adorable, gorgeous little puppies, I mean, it's, they're the most abundant, silly, loving, fuzzy source of love, safety, pleasure. I could really go for that right now. I mean, would it, that should be a, I'm hoping there's one hiding around somewhere. [00:25:28] We have a surprise for you, but if I were to then put a Viper in or a cobra in your box of puppies. All you're gonna see is the threat. Exactly. All you're gonna see is the threat. And I think in life, it's like we pop mo most of us more often than not, are probably living in lives with a lot of puppies. [00:25:48] But the viper, the threat is what consumes Oh yeah. So much energy and attention and shifting your focus from one to the other is easier said than done. And I wanna talk to you specifically about how you have found meaning or, and I, when I say success, I don't mean it in like a bullet point sense, but right. [00:26:12] Where you have found access to, you know, the viper, you know, or the cobra, you know, the box of puppies. Right. How you access that. I can certainly share how I have, but my emotions, I. I've learned in time. I don't always know exactly what they're telling me in the beginning, but I trust them enough to know that it's something. [00:26:36] And so the first place I try to access, if I'm not dissociating or avoiding, is to sit with it. Yeah. So usually it's like, I'm I'll just dissociate in my fantasy book or rewatching parks and recreation for the MPH teeth bajillion time. You know, it's just always a Sure bet. Yeah. It's just, it's hard for, life can only be so hard with Leslie Nope and little Sebastian, you know? [00:26:57] So anyway. But I wanna know where you find yourself in that shift. Yeah. Yeah. So you've got my head's like turning, I'm also still picturing puppies to be honest. That's okay. So I actually, I feel like I wanna give an example of something that I experienced last year, so two years ago. [00:27:11] It's crazy to think two years ago I went on this crazy journey to England. I went to London to take my daughter, who was not quite two years old yet to have a surgery over there for her ultra rare condition that was not available in the States. And I had talked to everybody in the States, of course, that had any knowledge about it and all they could tell me was, we don't really know anything about it. [00:27:35] We don't do it here. Kind of you're on your own, go for it. Or don't, we can't say that we would support you. All that matters is I went for it. And fortunately it did end up being the right decision, but I also knew that it could not be the right decision. And what I found on that experience was that I was originally desperate for picking the right way in life to move forward, that I could not make a decision. [00:28:06] I could not possibly move forward unless I was a hundred percent sure. But guess what? Life isn't real big on giving you a guarantee. Yeah. Guarantees with anything. And I think where I, that's where I started to learn that I don't have to have the answers to move forward. I can be looking at that box and I can see, oh my gosh, this could go terribly wrong. [00:28:34] But I think living with a hopeful mindset is something that allows me to keep my eye on that viper and then still interact with the puppies over here. My eye is still trained on it, but what I found is a peace in making my decision. And it was a, that feeling, that gut feeling. You know, it, I, it doesn't matter what you've gone through in life. [00:28:58] I can't believe that there's anybody out there who hasn't just had that. I call it just that knowing in your gut, it's a physical experience and that is something. That has helped me move forward in life. Because here's the thing, guys, nobody can ever stay truly still. And that's where a lot of our pain and discomfort comes from, is fighting moving forward without certainty. [00:29:23] Oh, let's pause right there. Oh my gosh. So there's something that Dr. Becky Kennedy who she has the good, she wrote the book Good Inside, and she's got her own beautiful podcast and work and content. She does. She really she focuses on kids, but she's really working on parents relationship with their inner child and by extension their parenting. [00:29:43] But she talks about something called, I've called it the Gap, but she calls it the learning space. So with kids, most of their frustration, tension and meltdowns happen between meeting a moment or. A moment arising and knowing how to meet the moment. And that learning space is usually the gap in knowing or understanding of this is what's arisen and I don't know how to meet this moment. [00:30:04] Right? And then if their context or their ability to meet it, if the moment exceeds their ability that's usually when there's a lot of pain or big feelings. Right. And I think with adults, that's usually where I see self-doubt, rumination anxiety, self-destructive tendencies. [00:30:23] Come in and you're right. You're, I love that you said we're never really still, I mean, one that's just true based on science and physics. We're never still that's actually one of the, like, there's like two necessary components, maybe three to being a living, being or a living entity. [00:30:36] I think, what is it? Movement, cell division, reproduction, and, I don't know, something else. Hey, anyone here pop off in the comments if you're a science boss, please gold star for you. Please. But but yeah, we're never truly still. And so even when you feel stagnant and stuck and even hearing you say that I'm actually processing in real time, one of the things that I have done that I, I discovered by accident, but probably because my body knew better than my mind did. [00:31:04] I would, it often does. I would take my feelings on walks. I would, I talked about that movement is essential if you are literally feeling stuck. I tell, that's what I tell everybody. Anytime they're spiraling. Which it's understandable. Go for a walk. Even if it is five minutes, walk up and down your stairs. [00:31:22] Or at the least one of my favorite things thank you Instagram reels for sucking up so much of my life at times in the hospital, but sometimes, but it's, sometimes it's, it is the perfect escape. It's okay to let the pressure off of ourselves. But there was this one that I saw it was this therapist who was like in her seventies and she was in Ireland and she's walking around in like this, you know, the quintessential Ireland landscape. [00:31:47] And she said, I tell all of my clients when you have a problem or a worry or something that's making you feel like you need to hurry, walk outside where you can see the sky and look up. Because the moment you remove a ceiling from your view, from your your line of sight, your mind opens with it. [00:32:08] And possibilities grow. And I have experienced that so often. And you think about it where you, when you're in a confined space. It only adds to those feelings of I'm stuck or I'm out of options, or I can't deal with this. But when you go outside and the world is just showing you how big it is and how small you are, there's actually a ton of comfort in that. [00:32:35] There's, I've also read and heard that there's something about the way that our eyes sort of gently move and follow and track side to side. Yeah. The movement around us that activates a similar calming sensation that our body experiences in REM sleep. Because if you're tracking a bird or tracking a squirrel, or just simply seeing like the trees and movement, track your kids. [00:32:55] Right. That'll keep you, your eyes all over the place. Girl. But like, 'cause right now we're facing a computer screen and we're in, we're under lights. Like, it's a very I mean, it's a lovely container, but it's a sterile container by comparison of being outside. And I Right. I do think that sometimes, like, like Lifeing. [00:33:11] It can be hard, and I never wanna oversimplify holding the challenges and moving through the challenges. Right. And yet I think sometimes when something feels overly, when something feels complex and impossible, it's almo. I, my instinct is to abandon the basics. And that is always the place to start. [00:33:32] That's always the place to start, is to go back to the basics. [00:33:35] Knowing what you know now what. Do you think the version of you, I wrote down three years ago, but I wanna go back to two years ago bef, like as you were navigating all the travel plans and the decision to go to the UK for your daughter's surgery, what do you think that version of Ashlyn needed to hear or needed to know? [00:33:55] And then the follow up question to that, after you answers, do you think she would've believed you? [00:33:59] It's really funny that you're asking this question because I actually had a conversation yesterday with a neighbor's daughter who is a film student, and this question has actually been going through my mind a lot lately about, I wonder where my life would be if I'd known this in my early thirties, if I'd known, or if I had known this in my twenties. [00:34:23] And I kept kind of going backwards like, I didn't know this then. Oh maybe if I'd known this. And I kept just, like I said, looking back and then what I realized is. It's so important that I didn't know those things because I had to experience them with the challenges. I had to climb the mountains for the first time to really understand the importance of gaining those skills for myself. So I actually think that Ashlyn, a couple years ago, I may have wanted to hear, I, what I wanted to hear was, you're making the right decision. I wanted to be validated by doctors, by people who I typically refer to as the ones who have the alphabet after their name. [00:35:06] Can somebody please just tell me, check, you know, you're making the right choice. Or this is what I would do if it were my child. And I wanted it so desperately that I, it did almost prevent me from going. But I am blessed that because of other experiences before that, right where pain had started to evolve into a guide for my life, a way of understanding what is most important to me. [00:35:37] It clarifies a lot. Exactly. Because often, you know, pain and fear are often about things we can't control, right? And what it showed me was that I don't need guaranteed outcomes to be able to sleep at night. I know that if I don't give it everything, including the kitchen sink, I won't be able to sleep at night. [00:36:03] I won't be able to look at Emery when she's an adult and tell her. We tried absolutely everything we could to give you the best quality of life, and that's what I needed to be able to give her. In order for me to feel good about the mom I am. And that's what was most important to me at that time. [00:36:23] So it sounds like maybe you trust in your ability to meet the moment enough that you don't think you would've gone back and told yourself anything? No, I think, and that's something that, like I said, I'd been thinking about a lot, like how many times if I'd only known this, if I if I'd only held my boundaries or if, or you know, these standards or, you know, all the things I could have done differently. [00:36:48] But as I said at the beginning of this, I feel like I have lived a thousand lives and become. A thousand new versions of myself, but you don't become your next self without going through something that carves away at you to reveal it. We don't grow through the easy no we stay stagnant. And besides small talk, my biggest fear in life is staying stagnant. [00:37:20] God, can we just let go of small talk? Oh my gosh. We all have a weather app and we all know the traffic patterns at this point. Like, do you know what's so funny about the weather app? I'm gonna use it every day. I treat my husband like the weather app, and we have an Alexa, like in, literally, like, I'll ask him what the temperature is and he'll be like. [00:37:41] Alexa. I just, oh my goodness. It's like those basic the basic like things of moving through life. I don't know why. It's like I've, I have this like faux that's of publicist. I'm like, I don't know what I'm, so what's the weather? I can't look out the window. I can't ask my own Alexa. [00:37:56] I always think, I think it's, I think it's more like, I think it's fair to acknowledge those as high. There's higher priorities that take up front of mind space. That's right. That's right. Things' so focused on the big things. Right? Yes. It's okay. We're not meant to like, you know, and I think that's another, that's one point I feel really compelled to bring up in this conversation based on all these things we've talked about, you know? [00:38:20] Yes. thank you for the chance to share what Parent Empowerment Network does, and the Empowered By Hope podcast is about addressing the real hard, the messy like, because as far as we're concerned, like once you get the news, your child is not okay. You're living in the messy middle from there on out. [00:38:36] And it can make you, or it can break you. And we're there to tell everybody, we promise this will make you. Even with worst case scenario, and that's a bold statement, but, you know, but it's one you've lived and I exactly. And I've seen countless others live, right? But I think it's so important that everybody, you know, I guess my dream would be if everybody could just realize we are not meant to carry pain and hardship and struggle by ourselves. [00:39:07] That's really what Parent Empowerment Network does. That's really what our podcast does, is it directly says to everybody who gets a chance to interact with us or who we have the honor to meet with. It just says, Hey, you are not expected to hold this alone. You know, put some of that on our plate. [00:39:24] Let's hold it together because it'll be better for everybody. It's not just you is like, again, that's what frees you from a victim mentality. You are not the only one who's ever experienced this. Right. You are not the only one who has suffered this way. And in by no means it's not to minimize. [00:39:40] Right. Exactly. It's not belittling it, it's not, it's definitely not dismissing it. But it's meant to serve as a lighthouse. Right. Our stories are unique. Yes, of course. And so that's, and I think that's what is endlessly, I will never be bored having an in-depth. Not small talk with the love of God, but like, I will never I will be endlessly fascinated by other people. [00:40:01] Because the stories are unique. Yeah. But there is a common thread that we can all see ourselves in or relate to. That, it's so enriching. Yeah. It's almost like, maybe because it's spring and, but I'm thinking it's like the pain is like the compost. Yeah. Something has to die in rotten decay in order to nurture something new. To grow. Yep. Exactly. And I, and that pain serves as fur. It's fertilizing the new, the next round of growth. Right. Yeah. It's not making anything vanish or destroying it, it's just, but it has to break down to build back up. I think that's why mosaics are my favorite type of art. [00:40:39] Yeah. I have such a strong connection to any piece that I see that's made up of a mosaic. And I remember that coming true for me when my dad had his massive stroke and. You know, he was completely debilitated, couldn't speak for himself, couldn't move his own body. He lived like that almost two years. But I remember getting really close to a couple key therapists in his life. [00:41:04] And I remember just after he passed, I got them both a small gift. It was these little mosaic art pieces for them. And I said, when I saw those, I knew that this was the right thing because you didn't see my dad as a destroyed person. You saw him as for the broken pieces. He was that to be put back, to be put together into something that was new and beautiful on its own. [00:41:33] And that's what I feel like pain has the ability to do for all of us. It's okay. And I to acknowledge that you are broken. But it's also just as important to acknowledge that you can be remade into something. You, the old you is gone. You know, when we go through something awful hard, unimaginable it's really easy to think that I will feel this way forever. There is a finality that we attach to painful experiences and it takes often somebody from the outside to gently help us realize that's not reality. I often, when I'm in that transition and I'm not aware or I'm just not ready to admit there are either, there's usually it's I there's usually things I wanna carry along with me. [00:42:28] Yep. It's like. Like an old dingy snugly blanket or like a stuffed animal that like has like holes worn in and like an eyes popped off. It's just but I when I've gone through those transitions, it's saying goodbye to maybe friendships that aren't serving me. [00:42:42] Yep. Or titles, roles levels of output expectations, stories, ways of being and the way, and to go back to pain as a professor, which is going to be the title. That it's only when I try to take the old way of being or the old relationship that is no longer serving into my new now reality. [00:43:04] When it feels anything other than good. Yeah. That's information exactly that it's showing me something and. That curiosity over constriction can also for me look like curiosity over criticism. And because that criticism is usually either dialed inward, what's wrong with me? Right. Or what's wrong with them? [00:43:25] Versus , what is happening Exactly. What's going on? What is this showing me? And I would say probably saying goodbye to relationships or friendships has probably been the hardest. Yeah. The hard, because there is this idea that I'm like if I like it, and it's like in a possessive way. [00:43:42] It's, if I like you forever. And I, and of course that is true. I mean, it, there's nobody who's been in my life that's added value that I don't appreciate. Right. But but I think that the shedding. Yeah. It's like I, I want the next thing, but I also don't wanna let the old thing go. [00:43:56] Right. And so it's, I think I've spent a lot of time and energy trying to like, pull that thing with me. Whatever it is and whatever that stage. But I think that there's when you can fully embrace, 'cause what I'm hearing from you is when you can fully embrace I am different now. [00:44:11] Yep. This is different. This mosaic. I'm not, I may not be able to carry water like I was as a vase. Right. But I'm gonna look really great as this. Yeah. And the other thing I wanna shift to before, before I get to your, don't cut your own bangs question. What I wanna ask you, you've mentioned art a couple of different times. [00:44:28] And this is to, to reference Dr. Martha Beck again. She has done a lot of incredible work in the last couple years where a way to. Step out of anxiety is not to try to access calm. 'cause we talked about going for a walk, right? So, because as much as I love these big conversations, it can be sometimes like, what is something tangible I can actually hold onto? [00:44:53] So walking with something we talked about community and connection with something else we talked about, but Art, I wanna talk about that for a moment because that is what my book was for me. Yeah. It was I created something that only that felt like it was to serve me. The process of interacting with that idea was so delightful and so delicious and so fun that I was like, I feel like I'm just the luckiest person that like this is, oh wow, I get to play with this thing. [00:45:21] Yeah. And it wants to play with me. And I don't feel that all the time. Like sometimes it's origami or doodling or coloring with my daughter. But to go back to Dr. Martha Beck's work that the opposite of anxiety is not calm, it's creativity. Oh, I love that. And you have by default really spoken through, like just healing through creating. [00:45:43] Oh, absolutely. And also there's something about, 'cause calm, there's something about calm that like, we must be still, and granted I love meditation, but like, I must be still, I must be calm. But when you are holding something that is buzzing and shaking or heavy or hot, like just some emotions are hot, like you, it's like you wanna move it through your hands or your words or your body and make something, right. [00:46:06] And you made me, she made me this bracelet before we started this episode. So like, it feels like you have a relationship with creativity too. A hundred percent. Creativity is a lifeline. And I feel like, and the most chaotic moments of my life have been the least I'm my least creative and I think it's a really. [00:46:29] Valuable, tangible thing for anybody to take from this conversation is if you are feeling out of control, lean into something as simple as I'm obsessed with those adult, you know, like the coloring books. Yes. You know, for adults to have like tons of different like lines all over the place that you have to be like really specific to keep the marker in there. [00:46:51] It can't, I do get a little bugged when it like bleeds over to the next section, but, , it's okay. I know I'm working through my, , my stressors at that moment. But yes, giving yourself a creative outlet, it's like taking a big drink of water after you've been exercising and you are so parched. [00:47:07] And I also agree that , calm sounds great in theory, but for me I feel like the more important, like the word that's become more important or I'm better able to. Absorb is the idea of am I grounded? Are my feet touching the ground? I can still have a lot going on, but when I'm like rising higher, you know, off the ground, 'cause like, I'm like a bird at this point, just flapping my arms so fast, right. [00:47:35] That I'm actually taking flight. I'm not in my best head space, but when I can just take a moment to literally just ground myself, make sure that my feet are, whether it's in the grass or sit down like this. And a conversation with a friend, somebody who really knows you is a great moment for that. [00:47:53] It's a great way to remind you who you are is somebody else. Sometimes I talk all the time about the value of when you can connect with somebody who feels with you, not just for you. Oh my gosh. It makes the world so much lighter and goodness. I mean, huh. That's probably if I could have answered the question I asked you a little bit ago, what's something that you could have if I could have told my former therapist self, like when I very when I first started, you're there to hold space for people to feel and feel with them. [00:48:23] Right. Exactly. You're not there. It's sacred. Yeah. It's there's nothing, one, it's like, there's nothing I can tell someone who's deeply in pain that they're actually gonna No. , That's, the words are just like, right. It's just noise. Yeah. And not to take anything. I'm sure I have clients who have been impacted by words. [00:48:40] But having a safe space to feel your feelings free of judgment. Is one of the reasons why I love journaling so much, but also doing that in communion Yeah. With another human right who expects nothing of you. I love Elizabeth Gilbert has language I love, like there's no precious outcome. [00:48:57] Like I can, that I can sit and have space with you or I can make plans with you or be, and there's no precious outcome. You don't have to perform for me. Right. You don't have to be anything for me. Like we can just be that is what a gift. Yes, that is. I just want to, this conversation has inspired way too many thoughts, but in the best way. [00:49:15] But something that hit me and then I think we could absolutely move on to Yeah. This the cut your bangs question. But what I've realized even in our conversation is that logic is not loud . our emotions are loud and they get louder and louder. The more we. Push them back the more we ignore them. [00:49:36] Think of your kids until they, when they need your attention. Because they deserve your attention. They do. The best thing we can do is acknowledge those emotions and just, even if it's as simple as, it's totally understandable. I feel this way right now. That is such a freeing sentence. Of course, I feel this way right now. [00:49:58] That was some serious shit that I just went through. Yeah . of course, I feel, and it doesn't have to make sense when those feelings hit the timing a lot of times feelings for me, I've found won't hit until I'm in a safe space much further down the road. Yes. And it's like being T-boned, like yes, totally out of the blue. [00:50:19] But that's also what happens to kids when they have tantrums. Ah, yeah. They'll hold. And then when they're finally either home at the end of the day or something, when the container is so full and they're finally in a place where they feel safe, they'll erupt over an orange peel not being peeled correctly. [00:50:32] Or , or a banana not being peeled correctly. Oh gosh. And it's not that, don't even start me on string cheese. God. Oh God. Parenting is fun. The best, but No, but you're right. Sometimes, I think that's probably why I cry almost with like every movie and TV show I watch. [00:50:47] Yeah. Because the emotions are just always right there and I just need a place to let it trickle out. Right. And that's okay. And I think, but just not judging ourselves for feelings. And then I think once we give that space or the feelings, the sooner we can do that, the sooner that logic, you know, like you, you mentioned multiple times, I know this, then you give logic. [00:51:13] The space that it needs to speak to you in a calm and quiet manner that you can actually trust. And that's where I think that those gut feelings truly come from. Those inner knowings are, when you've allowed space for the emotions first, given them their due. So then the logic can start to talk to you because it's never going to yell for your attention. [00:51:35] No. And I think we want it to, but that's not the way it works. And that's okay. A lot of times things make sense in hindsight, oh gosh, hindsight's 2020. Always. South Park has a great episode. If people if you have just like a dark sense of humor and you wanna laugh at, there's a character called Captain Hindsight and it's really funny. [00:51:54] . So yeah, a lot of times things don't make sense until we're. A little bit more removed from them. Yep. And some what I have found to be helpful, I've noticed you using your hands. Yeah. And I find when I am, when my mind is really active and I need it to stop or slow down or I just i'll sometimes even throw my hands up. Yeah. And I'll say, and even saying. I'm feeling something and just to myself in my kitchen. 'cause I'm almost always , because I work from home, I'm either like in my office or in my kitchen, like I'm feeling something. As soon as you did that, it's gonna show on video. [00:52:25] I like saw from the corner of my eye myself, naturally going, whew. Yeah. Just sound like inhale. Exhale. Yes. It's like something is being felt. Something's happening. I don't know what it is, but something's happening. And I think, in a lot of ways too, like that's how we have these internal smoke signals. [00:52:42] Yeah. And it's the same way, like your smoke detector in your house doesn't know the difference between burnt toast and something on fire, right? But it will beep when it senses. Yeah. When it senses something. And so my body is like sensing something. Is this a threat? [00:52:56] Are we safe? Yes, we're safe. Oh, we're likely. We just needed water. We're just dehydrated. Uhhuh. Or we just, yeah. So any number of things. But that was so good. Thank you. And yes, I would love, love, love to know your don't cut your own bang moment. And for anybody who is new to the podcast, 'cause I think there are some new people here. [00:53:15] Thank you for being here. Don't cut Your own bang moment is a moment where you went all in on something like cutting your own bangs, you grabbed some scissors, you watched a YouTube video, you're like, I got this. And you go, and then, oh no, this wasn't what I thought it would be. But the value in a don't Cut Your own Bang moment is not only that we can share in the silliness of humanity and mistakes, but also like maybe we learn something from it. [00:53:42] So, Ashlyn? Yes. I would love to hear your Don't cut your own bang moment. Oh my goodness. I think that there's probably a plethora of them. Oh, of course. And, let's see here. I'm even, I tried to have one prepared, and then I got excited about the rest of our conversation. Oh my gosh. Don't worry. So, okay I'll share one. [00:53:58] So what's a good, don't a good, oh. I invited my husband to record a podcast with me because I thought it would just be, , fun to bring him back on. And what I realized was I didn't prepare him for it at all. I just set up lights and set up a camera and asked him to sit. And he was so, visibly like he was trying, he was sitting, he was trying. [00:54:23] But I could just tell, again, something's happening. And I could tell he was a little uncomfortable and a little stiff. And I kept, because our eyes look out. My first assumption is, what's wrong out there? And I was like, what are you okay? What's wrong? And he he was , I don't really know what I'm supposed to be doing. [00:54:41] And then I was like. Oh, no, it was snip the bangs. I didn't provide any context. I didn't give him any preparation for what we'd be talking about, why we'd be talking like he had no context. And the whole setup is different, uhhuh. And it was such a humbling, settling moment of context. [00:55:04] It's I'm writing something right now about this idea of play. I'm a freedom loving, freedom seeking play hungry, greedy person right now. I want more play. I could never get enough. But what makes play feel fun and safe is to understand the context. Yeah. , There's rules in a game. [00:55:20] Otherwise, what is it? And I, my first instinct is to buck. Rules. I don't like ingredient lists. I don't like recipes. I just wanna feel my way through it. But, if you wanna make a beautiful croissant, you can't just feel your way through that. There's a very exacting way to do it. And so, it, it was such a one, I'm endlessly grateful for him and his patients with me. [00:55:40] I'm grateful that , our dynamics not new, so he probably knew what was going on, but just did yeah he's pretty sweet that way. But I, it was such a refresher that , if I wanna create a space and container to play safely with people Yeah. I need to give them the context. Absolutely. And it doesn't matter how long I've known someone, how well I know someone. [00:55:59] I laughed at myself because I, the part of the reason why it feels funny to me, but in like a humbling way. I thought the problem was him for like the first 15 minutes. I was like, what dude? Relax. I was like, what? Is he doing it right? [00:56:12] Yeah. like come on. And I was like. Oh no. Context. Zero. Oh my goodness. So that was a great one. Thank you. Okay, I'm gonna do mine in like short seconds because this one just hap this that inspired me perfectly. So my 8-year-old son and I are both going to the same therapist right now. [00:56:30] I'm a believer everybody should have at least an annual checkup with a therapist, but that's a great endorsement. Everyone should have an you annual checkup. You welcome, reach out to Danielle, she's fantastic. If you live in Indiana, by all means. If not, we'll help you find someone. Yes. And also order the book. [00:56:44] Yes, order the book. Get resting the wall risk. Get treasured. Yes. But go on please. So anyway one, one of the things that my I, the reason I love the person we're working with is because she's the first therapist I've worked with when it comes to, with my kids, she actually tells me what I can work on rather than just , you're doing the best you can and like you just love 'em. [00:57:03] And like, yes, I know, but that is not helping me. And so one of the things that got pointed out to me. Was so Cole , has very low frustration tolerance, like more so than is necessarily healthy for an 8-year-old. And of course with all the trauma with our his sister, our journey, it's understandable. [00:57:22] So we're working on that. What she kindly pointed out to me was, okay, we could work on his, but do you also realize that your tolerance for acceptable emotions is about this big? Oh, she's , therapist, be therapist Uhhuh. She's , but there's like a whole lot more emo like, she's , it's like a whole rainbow. [00:57:42] We need a whole arc for acceptable emotions. She's so you need to stop making it your responsibility to control which emotions he experiences. And it's up to you to provide the solid ground for him no matter which emotion comes up for him. And I will say that has changed my parenting in the last week. [00:58:04] More than maybe anything has like faster than anything. Because all of a sudden I'm like, of course it's acceptable that his sister just made him extremely mad. Of course it's understandable that he's jealous or sad or excited or whatever the feeling is, but it also doesn't define him as right or wrong, what emotions he's experiencing in that moment. [00:58:28] And the big thing was the realization that every emotion he experiences is not a direct reflection of who I am as a parent. No. Because that was what I needed to let go of that any emotion that is considered negative that my child has doesn't mean. That I'm doing a bad job as a parent. Oh my God. [00:58:49] That is one. What a beautiful. Don't cut. Thank you. With Dr. Sarah. Yes. Thank you, Dr. Sarah. You'd be therapizing all up in that session. That was so good. And it's the, that to me is a great example that hard truths can always be delivered with kindness. Yeah. But I think the big important thing there is you had the right context. [00:59:12] Exactly. You went to her for that information. Right. It wasn't like someone on the street. But the thing that we can't give someone what we don't have. Exactly. And I actually think that what you just said, if there was ever an endorsement for what. Self-care actually is not the commoditized, right. [00:59:29] Faux sense of, I'm gonna create a problem and I'm going to prescribe collagen. Did you know that the reason why, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah is these things that you need to buy and, oh, my program for blah, blah, blah, blah. And I'm gonna, I have all that stuff. I'm not I'm wanna, I wanna keep it in perspective. [00:59:45] I am drinking the same Kool-Aid 'cause I'm getting sent the same algorithm ads that we're all getting sent. Like I'm doing colostrum now. I don't even know. Like, I just, because I was like, my gut might grow up I own, but anyway but I think self-care and the best possible context is when you nurture. [01:00:03] And heal yourself. It becomes the medicine. Yes. Yes. And the offering for the other people in your life that you love most. It's like as you increase your own palette of what you're able to allow yourself to experience, you're then also able to see it in your son and give it to him. That is so beautiful and it's hard. [01:00:26] Sometimes, but it's some God that a well timed, articulated loving truth like that can change your life. Yeah. That is amazing. Thank you. I don't know, we can't top that. That was good. We're good. That was real good. Ashlyn Thompson, thank you so much for coming back and we're going to have you back. [01:00:43] You have to come back. Yes. And you're coming over to Empowered by Hope very soon. I would love that so much. And Yes. And so all of the ways, if you or anyone you know in your life has been impacted by a little one with complex me complex medical issues and you want some support, you want some information, you want some resources. [01:01:01] The link in the show notes will have every way that you can connect with Ashlyn, her business partner, and what was formally Charlotte's Hope Foundation, what is now the Parent Empowerment Network. Pick up all the books, all the resources, everything I talked about too for my stuff is also in there. [01:01:16] But , it's all linked for you there. So I hope that you get what you need and. Thanks so much, . Oh my gosh. [01:01:21] If you've ever wanted to pick up journaling,

Tired of pouring money into dental marketing with uncertain ROI?

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!They say there are no guarantees in life. That's not quite true. God offers us guarantees, both in this life and in the next. This week we'll discuss the assurances God has given His people and whether they come with strings attached; the guaranteed financial results God either does or does not offer His investors; the commitment I make to you, my loyal listener, and the lengths I go to to keep it; and the biggest gamble of all and how you can assure yourself of coming out on top.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.

Ed, Harvey and Simon discuss various developments in the real estate marketplace industry, including CoStar's potential rebranding of Domain to homes.com.au, Quinto Andar's decision to cut its rental guarantees product, and TradeMe's acquisition of a stake in a media company. They also delve into the regulatory scrutiny facing major players in the industry across different countries, highlighting concerns about anti-competitive behavior and the implications for consumers and agents alike.

If you could lock in one guarantee for the Texans during the quiet stretch of the offseason, what would it be? ITL dives into the wish list and what fans want most. Lunch-Time Confessions brings a call for good vibes all around, and Dynamo FC Head Coach Ben Olsen drops by for a candid convo about Houston soccer and more.

We hear that “consistency is key” in a lot of areas of our lives, and dental growth is no exception. But what's difficult is strategizing for consistent growth. In this episode of The Dental Economist Show, host Mike Huffaker sits down with Mick Janness, CEO and Co-Founder of Oakpoint, to explore how his team grew a single practice to over 40 locations through strategic hub-and-spoke specialty care models. Through the conversation, they unpack practical insights on everything from revenue cycle management to maintaining clinical autonomy in a growing organization. Focusing on fundamental execution and patient experience is what takes businesses to the finish line of success, allowing them to find the key in the first place. If you want to grow more, without settling for less, this is the episode for you!

Most Coaches seek Certainty, Guarantees, and don't want to risk much but want to create successful businesses.   In today's conversation we discussed “The Real Reason 90% of Coaches Quit & How to Avoid It.”   There are so many nuggets and takeaways in this one, so make sure to take notes and listen to the full episode.   Keep serving, impacting lives, and getting 1% better all around!   In This Episode, we discuss: The 2 missing skills killing most coaching businesses You are at the test not your capacity, there is so much more in us Solutions to stay in the game and not quit   Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisandericmartinez/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Dynamicduotraining Attention: Icon Meals is offering 40% off your first order for Dynamic Lifestyle Podcast Listeners!   See all the delicious Meals and Goodies they have HERE  and use the Code: FITPROS when you checkout.   *Attention: Legion Athletics is offering 20% off your first order for Dynamic Lifestyle Podcast Listeners!   See all their products and Goodies they have HERE and use the Code Dynamic when you checkout.    Attention Health Professionals & Coaches: "FREE Online Health Coaching Biz Scan + a 15 Min Business Consult”  See HERE   Free Online Training:   Discover How Nutrition and Fitness Coaches Install a Proven System That Adds Six Figures to Their Business Without posting endless organic content, sending 100's of cold DM's, and charging low ticket priced programs   Watch Here   See the full Show Notes to this episode here: https://www.liveadynamiclifestyle.com/podcast/the-real-reason-90-coaches-quit-how-to-avoid-it/  

Knicks in 26 has become the new Positive Tommy rallying cry

This Move Guarantees Probate Avoidance.

Hunter gets you ready for all of the storylines heading into this weekends tournament! Subscribe ► https://youtube.com/@GripLocked?sub_confirmation=1 Check out the Store: http://foundationdiscs.com Patreon: http://patreon.com/foundationdiscgolf Foundation Disc Golf: http://youtube.com/foundationdiscgolf

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed:  Why would you want to stop taking in income?  Three types of irrevocable lifetime income teams  Light-switch Annuity Products   Key Takeaways:  There a myriad reasons why you would want to stop taking income, and there are annuity reasons that allow for this. One reason could be if tax laws change in the future and you want to shut down the income stream to not getting taxed, or when you want the income to accumulate for your death benefit. The three types of irrevocable income lifetime income streams are Single Premium Immediate Annuity, Deferred Income Annuity, and Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts.  A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity is the annuity industry version of a CD. It allows you to take out interest while keeping the capital intact, and it's a light-switch annuity product. Another light-switch product is an income rider attached to an indexed annuity.    "There are annuities that aren't light switch annuities: SPIAs, DIAs, and QLACs - but there are annuities that are light switch for income, MYGAS, and then income riders which are lifetime income products." —  Stan The Annuity Man.    Connect with The Annuity Man:  Website: http://theannuityman.com/  Email: Stan@TheAnnuityMan.com  Book: Owner's Manuals: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/how-do-annuities-work YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXKKxvVslbeGAlEc5sra2g  Get a Quote Today: https://www.stantheannuityman.com/annuity-calculator!

Need a specialist but don't have the budget? Remote staffing gives you access to top talent without the high costs, and with Bridge Hiring, you're guaranteed to get the best person for the role you want to fill. Learn more at https://bridgehiring.com/ Bridge Hiring City: Parowan Address: 41 N Main St Website: https://www.bridgehiring.com

Visit our website: https://www.thewealthwarehousepodcast.com/Becoming Your Own Banker by Nelson Nash: https://infinitebanking.org/product/becoming-your-own-banker/ref/46/In this week's follow-up episode, Dave and Paul are continuing their discussion of the “process vs. the product”.Last week, they examined “the process” of Infinite Banking – now, they are dissecting the product that helps you create your own banking system, dividend paying whole life insurance.From the basics of “what it is and how it works” to more specifics on guarantees, dividends and much more.The guys also share their perspective on the structure, liquidity and stability you get from this financial product, and what makes it so good for IBC.Episode Highlights:0:00 - Introduction and recap of last episode5:35 - Talking about the product12:59 - The structure14:43 - Guarantees and dividends16:19 - “What is guaranteeing all of this?”20:54 - Liquidity23:08 - Stability31:01 - Episode wrap-upABOUT YOUR HOSTS:David Befort and Paul Fugere are the hosts of the Wealth Warehouse Podcast. David is the Founder/CEO of Max Performance Financial. He founded the company with the mission of educating people on the truths about money. David's mission is to show you how you can control your own money, earn guarantees, grow it tax-free, and maintain penalty-free access to it to leverage for opportunities that will provide passive income for the rest of your life. Paul, on the other hand, is an Active Duty U.S. Army officer who graduated from Norwich University in 2002 with a B.A. in History and again in 2012 with a MA in Diplomacy and International Terrorism. Paul met his wife Tammy at Norwich. As a family, they enjoy boating, traveling, sports, hunting, automobiles, and are self-proclaimed food people.Visit our website: https://www.thewealthwarehousepodcast.com/ Catch up with David and Paul, visit the links below! Website: https://infinitebanking.org/agents/Fugere494 https://infinitebanking.org/agents/Befort399 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-a-befort-jr-09663972/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-fugere-762021b0/ Email: davidandpaul@theibcguys.com

Mark and Tom discuss some things about the Steelers schedule

Mark and Tom discuss some things about the Steelers schedule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most freelancers aren't selling to strangers. They're stuck relying on referrals and word-of-mouth… So they never realize how fragile their business actually is. Because when that word-of-mouth dries up and you finally try to reach outside your cozy little network? Suddenly the “no's” and ghosting start piling up. And it's not because your work isn't good. It's not because your prices are too high. It's because you're asking people to take a leap… With no parachute. This week's episode is about fixing that with Risk Reversal and Guarantees. And it's one of the most powerful ways to get more “hell yes” responses—even from people you just met. This episode breaks down: The types of risk clients are actually worried about How to flip that fear into your biggest sales asset Real examples from other freelancers using these tactics to close faster and stand out How to NOT screw yourself over with a bad guarantee If you want more clients, faster closes, and fewer “let me think about it” replies… This episode will change how you pitch, forever. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/362

Newly released federal law enforcement body camera footage shows Rep. LaMonica McIver, a Democrat, attacking officers in the attempted insurrection against the detention facility in Newark on May 9

Once again, politicians 'solve' a housing crisis by making it worse. Washington State's new rent control bill promises relief while guaranteeing skyrocketing costs and 7,000 fewer housing units over the next decade. Governor Ferguson just signed legislation capping rent increases at 7% (plus inflation) or 10% - whichever is lower - but completely ignored the real issue: supply shortages. Now developers have even less incentive to build in a state already drowning in regulations, while property values will drop by $1.1 BILLION and maintenance spending will decrease by $16 million annually. Is anyone surprised that the three states with rent control (Washington, Oregon, California) also have the highest rents in the country? Why do politicians keep implementing policies that economic data clearly shows will backfire?

Sunday AM

Sunday AM

It's Part One of our Way Too Early 2025-26 Oscars Predictions Special, or Guarantees Special as we should have called it. Screenplays, VFX, Sound, Score, Song, the Shorts, yes - The Shorts, Make-up & Hairstyling, plus Lead Actor and Actress are all discussed. Original Screenplay reveals films where we're heavy + where Vegas leans - 3:07 Adapted Screenplay includes former winners, noms + a UFC champ - 11:37 VFX w/ Avatar & F1 + sentimental favorites & trailers that look good to us - 18:00 Sound Design w/ F1 as the favorite + other blockbusters - 23:00 Original Score has a murderers row of legendary contenders - 25:22 Original Song includes multiples by two films + the Diane Warren rule - 28:48 Documentary Short included the most research ever - 31:48 Animated Short included the least research ever - 35:09 Live Action Short is as clear a vision into the future as we've ever had - 36:44 Make-up & Hairstyling where we share 4 noms, but talk honorable mentions more - 39:26 Lead Actor has huge stars and irrational confidence levels from us in our picks - 41:05 Lead Actress - 47:07 OUTRO - 55:00 - Make sure to go back to the rest of our Oscars Year In Preview Series. We have specials to preview each section of the calendar, plus a Sundance review and a Cannes preview. Also stay locked on our feed for Part Two, where we'll predict the Supportings, Director, Casting, Best Picture and the rest of the 24 Oscar categories. And as always, let us know your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, and your predictions via our socials. https://linktr.ee/mikemikeandoscar

To give visit: www.BennyHinn.org/donate PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/BennyHinnMinistries Text: BHM to 45777 #PastorBennyHinn #BennyHinnMinistries #ThisIsYourDay

The Sixers are 5 days away from finding out whether or not they will keep their first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In the meantime, Sixers GM Elton Brand made an interesting decision that may signal his thoughts at running the team again in the future. In other news, Paul George gets honest about the Sixers and their fans, and Tyrese Maxey guarantees that everyone will be better next season. If not, heads will start rolling. Today, we discuss it all!ADVERTISE WITH US: https://forms.gle/BHCmXV9XZs41CKPGACHECK OUT THE NEW MERCH: https://phillytakewithrb.com/Playback: https://www.playback.tv/phillytakewithrbPhilly Take Discord: https://discord.gg/vEXh2AqpVenmo: https://venmo.com/phillytakewithrbCashApp: https://cash.app/$phillytakewithrbSubscribe to Philly Take with RB on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6xo8_BSzZJVYfWEqEt1GwINSTA: https://www.instagram.com/rbphillytake/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RBPhillyTake

Running a business is demanding—but so is planning for your own financial future. In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities business owners face when it comes to personal financial planning. From separating business and personal finances, to tax-efficient retirement strategies and succession planning, we'll break down the key steps every entrepreneur should take on their path to financial independence. Take control of your financial future: https://www.btwealthshow.com/start-planning Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.   The opinions voiced in this show are for general information purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for  any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for  you, consult with your attorney, accountant, and financial or tax advisor prior to investing.   All performance referenced is historical and is not a guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.  Premier Investments of Iowa, Inc. and LPL Financial do not provide tax advice, please consult your tax professional.  Economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.  There is no assurance that the techniques and strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes.  The purchase of certain securities may be required to effect some of the strategies.  All investing involves risk including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. All performance referenced  All performance referenced is historical and is not a guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. There is no assurance that the techniques and strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. The purchase of certain securities may be required to effect some of the strategies. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Rebalancing a portfolio may cause investors to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against loss. This recording contains only general descriptions and is not a solicitation to sell any insurance product or security, nor is it intended as any financial or tax advice. For information about specific insurance needs or situations, contact your financial professional. This video is intended to assist in educating you about insurance generally and not to provide personal service. They may not take into account your personal characteristics such as budget, assets, risk tolerance, family situation or activities which may affect the type of insurance that would be right for you. In addition, state insurance laws and insurance underwriting rules may affect available coverage and its costs. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company. If you need more information or would like personal advice you should consult an insurance professional. #personalfinance #retirementincome #financialplanning #financialfreedom #financialadvisor #retirement #investing #stockmarket #mortgage 

After months of tense negotiations Ukraine and the US have signed a much-anticipated natural resources deal - and YOU have lots of questions about it.Why is Ukraine going ahead with it? Can it still join NATO? What could the US offer Russia?Lucy is joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse, BBC Verify's Olga Robinson and diplomatic correspondent James Landale to answer these and more.Today's episode is presented by Lucy Hockings. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Ben Carter. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast's Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Today, Bruce and I want to unpack a question we frequently encounter: Is cash value life insurance enough for retirement? It's a compelling question, but one without a simple yes or no answer. The effectiveness of cash value life insurance as your primary retirement vehicle heavily depends on your personal discipline, your overall financial strategy, and, importantly, your understanding of what retirement means to you. https://www.youtube.com/live/rASx9CvIpbg When I started my financial career back in the late 1980s, a presentation caught my attention. It claimed that by consistently funding a whole life insurance policy, individuals could join the "Lucky 3%"—those who felt completely secure about their retirement. This idea was captivating, promising financial freedom through disciplined saving. Yet, over the years, I discovered something crucial: consistency, discipline, and long-term thinking significantly outweigh the choice of any specific financial product. The Retirement Dream vs. RealityIs Cash Value Life Insurance Enough for Retirement?Defining Retirement: What Does It Really Mean?The Importance of Consistent Savings and DisciplineWhole Life vs. VUL and IUL: Stability and GuaranteesThe Myth of "Zero is Your Hero" in Indexed Universal Life (IUL)Cash Value Life Insurance as Part of a Comprehensive Retirement PlanThe Infinite Banking AdvantageCan You Rely Solely on Cash Value Life Insurance?Book A Strategy Call The Retirement Dream vs. Reality By the end of this article, you will clearly understand whether cash value life insurance—such as whole life, variable universal life (VUL), or indexed universal life (IUL)—can sufficiently fund your retirement. We'll explore the advantages and drawbacks of using life insurance as your main retirement tool, emphasize the critical importance of consistent saving, and outline how to effectively integrate life insurance into a comprehensive retirement plan for optimal security and growth. Furthermore, you'll understand why no single financial instrument is perfect for everyone, and why a diversified, well-balanced retirement strategy that includes guaranteed income, buffer assets, and growth-oriented investments can lead to lasting financial security and peace of mind. Is Cash Value Life Insurance Enough for Retirement? Defining Retirement: What Does It Really Mean? Many of us grow up envisioning retirement as a milestone where we stop working at age 65 and comfortably live off our accumulated savings. However, this traditional model presents significant challenges. The reality is that you're often expecting 40 years of work to fund potentially 30 or more years of retirement, especially as life expectancy increases. Rather than viewing retirement as an abrupt halt to working life, a more sustainable approach is to see retirement as a transition to financial independence. Instead of merely accumulating savings, focus on acquiring cash-flowing assets, such as rental properties, dividend-producing stocks, or profitable businesses, which can continuously generate income regardless of market fluctuations. The Importance of Consistent Savings and Discipline Bruce emphasizes that consistent saving and disciplined behavior are the foundation of successful retirement planning. Unfortunately, many people fall short in their savings efforts early in life, later attempting to compensate by chasing higher-risk investments for potentially greater returns. This strategy often introduces unnecessary risk precisely when financial security is most critical. Establishing disciplined savings habits early and maintaining them throughout your career is far more important than selecting the "perfect" financial product. Time and consistency enable compound growth, providing greater financial security in your retirement years than riskier, late-stage investments ever could. Whole Life vs. VUL and IUL: Stability and Guarantees

The integration of guaranteed lifetime income solutions into workplace retirement plans remains a hot topic among plan advisors, sponsors and participants. To get an idea of the current state of these efforts, we talk with Matt Stubblefield, Aggregator Channel Director at Allianz, who highlights some key findings from a new report by the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.The report that examines participant attitudes, preferences and demand for annuities in defined contribution retirement plans, and Stubblefield will share ideas on how plan advisors can put these learnings into practice to enhance their client offerings.Key Insights:Rising Demand for Lifetime Income SolutionsAllianz's research reveals that participants strongly favor guaranteed lifetime income options like annuities, with 86% preferring predictable income over managing a lump sum. This trend reflects growing concerns around market volatility, inflation, and longevity risk.Millennials and Diverse Groups Lead Interest in AnnuitiesMillennials show the highest interest in adding annuities to their retirement plans, followed by Gen X and Baby Boomers. Black, Hispanic, and Asian-American participants express more interest than white participants, showing a shift toward securing stable retirement income across demographics.In-Plan Annuities and Personalized Advice Are PreferredParticipants prefer contributing to annuities gradually via payroll deductions. They prioritize features like market protection, flexibility, and portability. Many view personalized advice and managed accounts as critical tools for effectively incorporating these products into retirement strategies.See Also:Solving the Portability Puzzle with Allianz Life's Ben ThomasonExploring Retirement Income Strategies with Joshua Grass and Todd LevyResearch Cited: The State of Lifetime Income: Participant Survey, conducted by the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement in November 2024 with a nationally representative sample of 2,488 respondents aged 18+ who are currently contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.Fixed index annuities are designed to meet long-term needs for retirement income. They provide guarantees against the loss of principal and credited interest, tax-deferred accumulation potential, and the reassurance of a death benefit for beneficiaries.This content is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide fiduciary, tax, or legal advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Please note that Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, its affiliated companies, and their representatives and employees do not give fiduciary, tax, or legal advice. Allianz does not provide financial planning services.Guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America is not Affiliated with 401(k) SpecialistAllianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz), 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. 800.542.5724 www.allianzlife.comFor institutional use only - not intended for use with the public.

In this episode of Ambitious, I dive into one of the most frequently asked questions about entrepreneurship: what makes a product or service truly successful? We explore the essence of creating a compelling, scalable, and sustainable offer. I'll be breaking down what I call the '8 Ps'—core principles that are vital to every high-performing product or service. I'll guide you through understanding your target person, crafting your promise, defining your positioning, and structuring your packaging. We'll also touch upon the importance of proof, the necessity of having a clear process, pricing strategies, and the concept of progression to continually refine your offer. 02:46 The Eight Ps: Core Principles for Business Success03:46 Defining Your Ideal Client11:55 Crafting a Compelling Promise23:06 Unique Positioning: Standing Out in the Market30:11 Packaging Your Offer for Maximum Impact36:23 Creating Effective Service Packages40:54 The Role of Guarantees in Packaging44:34 The Power of Proof in Your Business48:53 Developing a Clear Process Framework54:04 Pricing Your Offer Based on Value57:45 Ensuring Offer Progression and EvolutionTo join the Ambitious Network for free, click HERE. To connect with Kate on Instagram, click ⁠HERE⁠. To apply for ITI, click ⁠HERE⁠.To submit a question to be answered on the podcast, click HERE.

Tune into this episode #137 Why having your courage against bullies guarantees your success with, host, Nichel Anderson, in this inspiring podcast about courage and receiving success due to having the courage to stand up for yourself and your worth. Nichel shares the identifiers of bullies and how they operate that can prevent you to moving forward, to feeling good enough to keep going for your purpose. In addition, stay tuned to when Nichel shares one of her many journey of experiencing being bullied and how she triumph towards the success to moving forward and understanding the power of self courage Official website | Support the podcast buy Ms. Anderson's book and share it:   NichelAnderson.com ---- Follow Nichel Anderson on Social Media: twitter.com/nichelanderson facebook.com/nichelandersonfanpage   ANNOUNCEMENTS:    ( If you are interested in being on the show contact as special guest speaker email info@nichelanderson.com with your bio and expertise to apply and if you have any questions or need consultation reach out via email to set up an appointment) Get in the Know and Empowered:  Sign-up Here For Nichel eList Tips Newsletter Stay in the know of Nichel Anderson events and merchandise products at Official Website: NichelAnderson.com Buy my book:  "Corporate America: Surviving Your Journey Towards Success"   --- Nichel Anderson Career Consultation: Schedule Now --- Check out Nichel Anderson second Podcast Show: "Nichel Anderson Short Stories And Beyond"   NEW Book:  My new collection "It's A New Day" a Motivational Journal highlighting 31 days that Nichel guide you on prompts and activities to focus on and inspire you to focus on things that help your sustainability of mental and joy for another day to live on our journey. available on Amazon.com https://kdp.amazon.com/amazon-dp-action/us/dualbookshelf.marketplacelink/B08HCW2FBZ  NEW Travel Flight Record - its a part of another collection, "The Proactive Traveler" that is a notebook with forms indicated the important data to write down for your record that highlights being organized, proactive, and proficient enough to be on top of key data when contacting the airline, travel agency, especially, with todays world pandemic changes. Available on Amazon.com -  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GZLGM3Y   Thank you! If you like this podcast share it!      

Analysts Don Kellogg and Roger Entner discuss encouraging developments at Comcast that are likely to benefit internet users, along with Starlink's evolving role in the broadband market.00:25 Comcast announces new price plans and guarantee 05:26 Competition is driving service improvements 07:04 Contracts are unnecessary with quality products 07:37 Guarantees are now commonplace 10:41 Use cases for Starlink 13:10 Episode wrap-upTags: telecom, telecommunications, wireless, prepaid, postpaid, cellular phone, Don Kellogg, Roger Entner, Comcast, Xfinity, internet, cable, data caps, router, contracts, guarantee, fiber, FWA, Starlink, customer service, Charter, AT&T, Verizon, Fios, Chris Winfrey, MSO, Elon Musk, BEAD

The resurrection is the most amazing event in all of human history. Absolutely nothing compares to Christ rising up from the dead to conquer sin and death. Apart from the resurrection, it would be impossible for us to experience God's goodness and blessings. Let's discover the difference the resurrection makes for all of us—here, on Foreshadows Report!Learn more about Steve and his books at https://SteveMillerResources.comProduced by Unmutable™

Big O talks Dolphins

Commitment is something we haven't talked enough about. It's human nature to be a little intimidated about a new venture, especially one like life insurance.But the most successful agents are those who 100% commit to their process.Listen in- I hope this inspires you to increase your commitment.YouTube link:https://youtu.be/2D5FqPCFOG8If you have any questions, you can reach us here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lifemattersagency.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you're an agent looking for a mentor, start here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lifemattersagency.com/opportunity/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have an idea or topic suggestion?Talk to me:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/6aLkM8MSTwH4eteVA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#lifematters #lifeinsurance #wholelifeinsurance #agentsforlife #lifeinsuranceagent #infinitebanking

Good morning! Start your day with Go Birds! Daily, a daily Eagles podcast giving you everything you need to know for April 9th. In today's episode Eliot Shorr-Parks brings out the NFL Draft Pick Trade Value chart to predict where the Eagles could move to if they do make a trade, which ESPN's Adam Schefter ‘guarantees' they will do. Plus, Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Eagles first two picks — and has them once again going defense in the first two rounds.  Presented by betPARX Online Casino and Sportsbook App.New customers DOWNLOAD NOW and get up to $ 1000 dollar casino bonus back if you're not a winner in your first 24 hours.Visit betPARX.com for terms/conditions. You must be 21 and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan or Ohio. Gambling problem, 1-800-Gambler. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From 'Go Birds' (subscribe here): Eliot Shorr-Parks brings out the NFL Draft Pick Trade Value chart to predict where the Eagles could move to if they do make a trade, which ESPN's Adam Schefter ‘guarantees' they will do. Plus, Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Eagles first two picks — and has them once again going defense in the first two rounds.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Going viral isn't luck — it's a system. In this episode, Natalie reveals the proven formula behind content that spreads like wildfire — even if you're starting from zero. You'll learn how to reverse engineer what's already working on social media, use AI to optimize your posts, and finally understand the psychology and structure behind viral growth. This isn't about copying trends or hoping a post takes off. It's about following a step-by-step process that guarantees more reach, more visibility, and more impact.  And if you're inside of The Société, don't forget to grab the exclusive 10x10 Viral Content Workbook to put this strategy into action today. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Why going viral isn't luck — and what most people get wrong 01:29 - The 10x10 method that reveals the secret behind every viral post 03:16 - How to use AI to create better content in half the time 04:35 - The real reason your content isn't taking off (yet) 06:25 - Why your first 50 posts matter more than you think 08:17 - How to find content inspiration outside your niche 10:01 - Five viral hook styles you should be testing 13:13 - Case studies: From 280 followers to 2M+ views 17:16 - Turning research into results — the secret to repeatable virality 24:01 - What to do after you go viral to build long-term momentum RESOURCES + LINKS Join The Société: Our Exclusive Membership To Help You Build A Freedom-Based BusinessTM. Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter & Get Insights From Natalie Every Single Week On All Things Strategy, Motherhood, Business Growth + More.  Drop Us A Review On The Podcast + Send Us A Screenshot & We'll Send You Natalie's 7-Figure Operating System Completely FREE (value $1,997).

The concept of relationship compatibility is often misunderstood. In today's episode, Kevin and Alan challenge the myth that love alone is enough. With honest stories and real-world insights from coaching couples, they talk about the hard truth that some people just aren't meant to stay together. You'll learn why shared direction, values, and life goals matter more than we often admit—and how to recognize when a relationship is forcing you to become someone you're not.Learn more about:Next Level Live 2025 - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/Saturday, April 5th, 2024 (10:00 am to 4:00 pm EST)_____________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, please check out our website at the link below.

HR2 - Falcons' latest signing guarantees there will be a kicking competition in camp In hour two Mike, and Beau continue to react to all of the Sweet 16 games that happened last night in the NCAA Tournament, preview the Sweet 16 games that are being played tonight, including the ones here in Atlanta, and continue to react to the Atlanta Braves losing to the San Diego Padres 7-4 on Opening Day yesterday after the Braves had some late inning bullpen struggles. The guys also continue to react to the Atlanta Falcons reportedly signing German kicker Lenny Krieg to a three-year deal, discuss what this signing could mean for the other Falcons' kicker Younghoe Koo, react to ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and Insider Matt Miller's latest mock draft where he has the Falcons drafting two guys Falcons fans may not have had on their board with their first two picks. Finally, Mike and Beau close out hour two by reacting to the Atlanta Hawks losing to the Miami Heat in Miami last night 122-112, and play a round of Fair or Foul!

Tony Connelly, RTÉ Europe Editor discusses what's happening at a high powered summit in Paris to discuss peace and security for Ukraine

Knowledge doesn't guarantee godliness. But it seems that ignorance guarantees ungodliness. The power that leads to godliness is given through knowing God.

5-STAR REVIEWS DON'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT...HERE'S THE SECRET!Most Airbnb hosts wait until it's too late to fix problems.Leading to bad reviews, lost revenue, and angry guests.What if you could eliminate guest complaints BEFORE they happen?In this episode, we break down:●︎ The EXACT Pre-Stay Checklist that guarantees 5-star reviews●︎ Why most hosts don't inspect their properties—and why that's killing their ratings●︎ How to create a guest experience that WOWs from check-in to checkout●︎ The secret to spotting & fixing issues before your guests arrive●︎ Why small details = more repeat bookings and higher profitsWant to run a STR business that guests rave about?This checklist is non-negotiable.02:30 - Using AirDNA to Accurately Analyze STR Deals05:15 - Avoiding Pricing Mistakes That Kill Your Margins07:50 - The Power of Pre-Launching Listings for Maximum Bookings10:00 - The Strategy That Landed a $9,600 Booking Before Going Live12:15 - Why Professional Photos Aren't Always Necessary at Launch14:30 - The Key to Standing Out in a Highly Competitive STR Market16:45 - Solving the 90-Day Restriction Problem on New Listings18:20 - The Power of Mood Boards to Secure Bookings Without Final Designs20:00 - Building a STR Brand That Instantly Attracts Guests22:30 - Creating an Unforgettable First Impression for Your Guests25:45 - Implementing a Rock-Solid Pre-Stay Inspection Process28:15 - The Game-Changing Checklist for Flawless STR Operations30:10 - Why Pre-Staying at Your Own Property is the Ultimate Quality Control33:00 - Final Advice: How to Set Your STR Business Up for Long-Term SuccessGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:group.strsecrets.com

The British prime minister Keir Starmer says an online summit with twenty-five fellow leaders has built momentum towards setting up a peacekeeping force in Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. We speak to an Italian MP on why his country is not ready to send troops. Also in the programme: Tens of thousands march against alleged government corruption in Serbia's capital Belgrade; and Sri Lanka conducts first-ever census of wildlife harmful to agriculture. (Image: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking to the media in Downing Street, London. Credit: Leon Neal/PA Wire)

"PREVIEW: Colleague John Hardie of FDD reports on what the Kyiv delegation at the Munich Security Conference (February 14-16) considers minimum guarantees for a ceasefire. More later." 1942 Ukraine