Podcasts about hartford

In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey , host Joanne Carey interviews Emily CoatesIn this episode of  "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey engages in a deep conversation with dancer, choreographer, and writer Emily Coates. They explore Emily's journey from her early dance training in ballet to her transition into modern dance, her experiences working with renowned figures like Baryshnikov, and her current project 'Tell Me Where It Comes From.' Tell Me Where It Comes From, was sparked by the discovery of an archival box housed at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut, chronicling George Balanchine's brief touchdown there in 1933. The discussion highlights the importance of following one's artistic instincts, the role of dance history, and the collaborative nature of creating new work. Emily shares insights on the creative process, the significance of archival research, and the impact of dance on personal and artistic growth.Emily Coates is a dancer, choreographer, and writer and has performed internationally with New York City Ballet (1992-98), Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Project (1998-2002), Twyla Tharp Dance (2001-2003), and Yvonne Rainer and Group (2005-present), and worked with an array of choreographers, including Jerome Robbins, Angelin Preljocaj, Trisha Brown, Deborah Hay, Mark Morris, John Jasperse, and Sarah Michelson. Career highlights include performing three duets with Baryshnikov, in works by Morris, Karole Armitage, and Erick Hawkins.Her choreographic work has been commissioned and presented by Danspace Project, Performa, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, Ballet Memphis, Wadsworth Atheneum, Carnegie Hall, University of Chicago, Yale Repertory Theatre, Yale Art Gallery, and Columbia Ballet Collaborative, among other venues. She is currently completing a film project titled “Dancing in the Invisible Universe” in collaboration with filmmaker John Lucas and Yale's Wright Laboratory.Her essays have appeared in PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art, The Huffington Post, Theater, PEAK Journal, programs and an exhibition catalogue for the Paris Opera Ballet, and in the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Ballet. Her awards and distinctions include the School of American Ballet's Mae L. Wein Award for Outstanding Promise; the Martha Duffy Memorial Fellowship at the Baryshnikov Arts Center; Yale's Poorvu Family Award for Interdisciplinary Teaching; a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in the category of Public Understanding of Science, Technology, and Economics; a 2016 Fellowship at the Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU; and a 2019 Jerome Robbins Dance Division Dance Research Fellowship at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. She graduated magna cum laude with a BA in English and holds an MA and MPhil in American Studies from Yale. Her first book, Physics and Dance, co-written with her longtime collaborator, particle physicist Sarah Demers, was released in January 2019 by Yale University Press.She is Professor in the Practice in Theater, Dance and Performance Studies at Yale University, with a secondary appointment in Directing at the Yale School of Drama. She has directed the dance studies concentration at Yale since its inception in 2006.Informationhttps://campuspress.yale.edu/emilycoates/Make plans to check out this piece on tour!February 26, 2026 at The Avery Theater , Hartford ConnecticutApril 23 & 24th 2026 at Schwarzman Center , Yale University“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/Please leave us a Review.You support the podcast:https://gofund.me/e561b42acFollow Joanne Carey on Instagram@westfieldschoolofdance

Private funders are increasingly shifting from funding short-term service delivery to long-term systems change, pushing nonprofits to rethink their role in their community. Many are now asking, how do we stay mission-focused while building the relationships needed to attract funders who want deeper change? In today's episode, we explore the idea of power ecosystems — what they are, how they work, and why they're reshaping the nonprofit-funder relationship. Tune in to learn how to identify your power ecosystem, build collective power, and engage private funders more effectively. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Public Health and Racial Equity (PHaRE) Model for Systems Change https://gingerleeglobal.com/public-health-and-racial-equity-phare-model-for-systems-change/ [NPFX] Rethinking How We Do Good: What We Can Learn from This Funding Crisis https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/rethinking-how-we-do-good-what-we-can-learn-from-this-funding-crisis [NPFX] Federal Funding Uncertainty: How to Assess the Risks and Respond Strategically https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/federal-funding-uncertainty-how-to-assess-the-risks-and-respond-strategically [NPFX] Building Resilience in the Face of Funding Cuts https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/building-resilience-in-the-face-of-funding-cuts [NPFX] Advocacy Matters: Defending Federal Funding for Nonprofits https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/advocacy-matters-defending-federal-funding-for-nonprofits Guests Ginger Lee, DrPH, is the founder of the Ginger Lee Global Health Consulting Group, supporting communities and organizations committed to social justice and equitable systems change. Raised in low-resourced neighborhoods, she brings a deep commitment to community power building and transformational change. Dr. Lee has served as CEO of two nonprofits, a highly successful development director, a government policy maker, and president of a globally focused foundation. Her expertise centers on systems and organizational change, non-profit leadership, and on shifting traditional philanthropy to invest in systems-level solutions alongside direct service. She is the author of the research-based Public Health and Racial Equity (PHaRE) Model for Systems Change, which clarifies the mechanisms for systems transformation led by communities most impacted by inequities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/weavingchange/ https://gingerleeglobal.com/ Dr. Anthony "Tony" Iton, CEO of The Health Trust, is a physician, attorney, public health leader, and nationally recognized advocate for health equity. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. Iton has tackled systemic barriers to health and championed community-led solutions to address inequities. At The California Endowment, he served as Senior Vice President for Healthy Communities, leading the landmark $1 billion, 10-year Building Healthy Communities initiative—one of the largest philanthropic efforts of its kind in the nation. His visionary leadership focused on empowering marginalized communities, shifting policy systems, and reimagining public health practices. Dr. Iton holds an MD from Johns Hopkins University, a JD and MPH from UC Berkeley, and a BS in Neurophysiology from McGill University. He is a Lecturer of Health Policy and Management at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health and serves on the boards of national organizations focused on health equity, including the Public Health Institute and Prevention Institute. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtonyiton/ https://healthtrust.org/ Elizabeth Silverstein has served the not-for-profit sector for more than 40 years, specializing in transformational giving, vision casting, inspiring boards, and building passionate, effective teams. Beth has been instrumental in cultivating major gifts for capital campaigns in healthcare, two presidential libraries, higher education, K-12 independent schools, and social service organizations. With an ardent passion for protecting and propelling the nonprofit sector, Beth has joined the team at VisionConnect, a consultancy specializing in strategic planning, coalition building, governance excellence, and nonprofit capacity building. A BoardSource-certified Governance Consultant, she is passionate about coaching boards toward purpose-driven leadership and crafting bold strategic plans that drive maximum mission impact. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-reynolds-silverstein-b211b7a/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/ Hosts Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

Nineteen-year-old music student Jessie Blodgett returned home from a cast party, went to sleep in her childhood bedroom, and never woke up. By morning, her mother found a scene that shattered the quiet town of Hartford, Wisconsin. There was no forced entry and no clear motive, leaving investigators with more questions than answers.Then, in a nearby town, a young woman survived a violent attack in a park. Her detailed account pointed police toward someone no one expected. Jessie's close friend, Daniel Bartelt, had been the last person anyone would suspect. But a slip during questioning, a blue van, and a roll of HVAC tape began to connect the two crimes.When detectives searched Bartelt's home and the trash cans at the park, the pieces snapped into place. DNA, ropes, tape, and his own writings revealed a disturbing double life. Bartelt was spending his days pretending to work, isolating himself, and writing violent fantasies while spiraling further into darkness.Jessie's family now carries her legacy forward through the Love Is Greater Than Hate Project, ensuring her light continues to reach others long after her life was stolen.What do you think happened that summer? Did Daniel plan this, or did something snap?

The City and the Hospital (Chicago 2023) focuses on an urban paradox: American hospitals are imagined as sites of healing and care, and yet the people who live and work in nearby neighborhoods have some of the worst health outcomes in the nation. One part urban sociology and one part policy analysis, this book reports insights from a collaborative research team that investigated three sites (Hartford, Cleveland, Aurora, CO) and conducted more than two hundred interviews for this study. The book explores how collective memory operates, how “anchor institutions” connect with the people living in their midst, and the very meaning of “community” itself. Theoretically rich and empirically insightful, the book will be of interest to scholars, scientists, advocates, and administrators in medical setting and in any powerful organization (universities, museums) that may inadvertently cause harm to those nearest to them in their efforts to do good. This interview was a collaborative effort among Professor Laura Stark and students at Vanderbilt University in the course, “American Medicine & the World.” Please email Laura with any feedback on the interview or questions about how to design collaborative interview projects for the classroom. email: laura.stark@vanderbilt.edu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Inside a phone-free kitchen in Hartford, teens prepare beautiful meals for neighbors in health crises—and, mentored by patient adults, discover confidence, belonging, and voice. Healing Meals Founder Sarah Leathers shares the five simple practices that turned service into community transformation.Chapters00:00 – Intro & Welcome05:18 – How Healing Meals Supports Teens and Families11:12 – Measuring Impact: Surveys and Data on Teen Growth18:18 – The Transformative Power of Volunteering30:20 – The Secret Sauce Behind Healing Meals' Success34:03 – Break36:19 – Inside the Healing Meals Kitchen44:20 – Teens Realizing Their Impact on Others47:36 – How Healing Meals Changes Career Aspirations52:27 – The Power of Intergenerational Relationships54:06 – How to Get Involved and Spread Kindness01:00:32 – Staying Hopeful and “Overly Optimistic”01:04:11 – Closing Thoughts

The City and the Hospital (Chicago 2023) focuses on an urban paradox: American hospitals are imagined as sites of healing and care, and yet the people who live and work in nearby neighborhoods have some of the worst health outcomes in the nation. One part urban sociology and one part policy analysis, this book reports insights from a collaborative research team that investigated three sites (Hartford, Cleveland, Aurora, CO) and conducted more than two hundred interviews for this study. The book explores how collective memory operates, how “anchor institutions” connect with the people living in their midst, and the very meaning of “community” itself. Theoretically rich and empirically insightful, the book will be of interest to scholars, scientists, advocates, and administrators in medical setting and in any powerful organization (universities, museums) that may inadvertently cause harm to those nearest to them in their efforts to do good. This interview was a collaborative effort among Professor Laura Stark and students at Vanderbilt University in the course, “American Medicine & the World.” Please email Laura with any feedback on the interview or questions about how to design collaborative interview projects for the classroom. email: laura.stark@vanderbilt.edu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/medicine

The City and the Hospital (Chicago 2023) focuses on an urban paradox: American hospitals are imagined as sites of healing and care, and yet the people who live and work in nearby neighborhoods have some of the worst health outcomes in the nation. One part urban sociology and one part policy analysis, this book reports insights from a collaborative research team that investigated three sites (Hartford, Cleveland, Aurora, CO) and conducted more than two hundred interviews for this study. The book explores how collective memory operates, how “anchor institutions” connect with the people living in their midst, and the very meaning of “community” itself. Theoretically rich and empirically insightful, the book will be of interest to scholars, scientists, advocates, and administrators in medical setting and in any powerful organization (universities, museums) that may inadvertently cause harm to those nearest to them in their efforts to do good. This interview was a collaborative effort among Professor Laura Stark and students at Vanderbilt University in the course, “American Medicine & the World.” Please email Laura with any feedback on the interview or questions about how to design collaborative interview projects for the classroom. email: laura.stark@vanderbilt.edu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

The City and the Hospital (Chicago 2023) focuses on an urban paradox: American hospitals are imagined as sites of healing and care, and yet the people who live and work in nearby neighborhoods have some of the worst health outcomes in the nation. One part urban sociology and one part policy analysis, this book reports insights from a collaborative research team that investigated three sites (Hartford, Cleveland, Aurora, CO) and conducted more than two hundred interviews for this study. The book explores how collective memory operates, how “anchor institutions” connect with the people living in their midst, and the very meaning of “community” itself. Theoretically rich and empirically insightful, the book will be of interest to scholars, scientists, advocates, and administrators in medical setting and in any powerful organization (universities, museums) that may inadvertently cause harm to those nearest to them in their efforts to do good. This interview was a collaborative effort among Professor Laura Stark and students at Vanderbilt University in the course, “American Medicine & the World.” Please email Laura with any feedback on the interview or questions about how to design collaborative interview projects for the classroom. email: laura.stark@vanderbilt.edu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

This hour, Daniel G. Lugo, the new president of Trinity College in Hartford, joins us to talk about the value of higher education, his background, the challenges of leading a college at this time, and more. GUEST: Daniel G. Lugo: Trinity College’s 23rd President Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early winter weather has us pondering an alternate definition of “slush pile,” albeit the mucky, grey residue remaining after a city snowfall. Our Slush Pile is far more fresh, but still a wintry mix as we discuss the short story “Catherine of the Exvangelical Deconstruction” by Candice Kelsey. You might want to jump down the page and read or listen to it in full first, as there are spoilers in our discussion!   The story is set on the day of the Women's March, following 2017's Inauguration Day, but only references those events in the most glancing of ways. Instead the protagonist glances away to an array of distractions: Duolingo, a Frida Kahlo biography, a bat documentary, European architecture, banjo music, a stolen corpse flower, daydreaming, and actual dreaming. In the withholding of the protagonist's interiority, Sam sees a connection to Rachel Cusk's Outline, while Jason is reminded of early Bret Easton Ellis. The editors discuss how fiction might evoke the internet's fractioning of our attention, by recreating the fractioning or reflecting it?   We'd like to offer congratulations to Sam whose debut book of short stories, “Uncertain Times,” just won the Washington Writers Publishing House Fiction Prize. As always, thanks for listening!   At the table: Dagne Forrest, Samantha Neugebauer, Jason Schneiderman, Kathleen Volk Miller, Lisa Zerkle, and Lilllie Volpe (Sound Engineer)   Listen to the story “Catherine of the Exvangelical Deconstruction” read in its entirety by Dagne Forrest (separate from podcast reading) (Bio): Candice M. Kelsey (she/her) is a bi-coastal writer and educator. Her work has received Pushcart and Best-of-the-Net nominations, and she is the author of eight books. Candice reads for The Los Angeles Review and The Weight Journal; she also serves as a 2025 AWP Poetry Mentor. Her next poetry collection, Another Place Altogether, releases December 1st with Kelsay Books. (Website): https://www.candicemkelseypoet.com/ (Instagram): @Feed_Me_Poetry   Catherine of the Exvangelical Deconstruction Catherine's thumb hovers over Duolingo's question, her mind dim from doom scrolling, chest dead as TikTok. The green owl stares. She swears its beak is twitching.  “Got 5 minutes?”  She swipes Duo, that nosy bastard, and his taunting French flag icon away. “Non.” The apartment is dim, the air too still. Days feel hollow and unhinged, as if she's Edmond Dantès tossed off the cliff of Chatêau d'If, a brief and misplaced shell weighted to the depths of the sea. So much for learning a language to calm the nerves. Frida Kahlo's face stares from the page of a book she hasn't finished reading. “I should just return this already.” There are days she commits to her syllabus of self-education and days she resents it. Kahlo's eyes pierce her, and giving up feels like large-scale feminist betrayal—how she has shelved the artist, her wounds, tragic love, and all. But even sisterhood is too much this January 21st, and of all people, Kahlo would understand. Catherine opens her laptop and starts a documentary about bats instead. Chiroptera. A biologist with kind eyes speaks of their hand-like bones, the elastin and collagenous fiber wings. The chaos of nature is its own magic realism. She learns bats are vulnerable like the rest of us. Climate disruption and habitat loss. Plus white nose syndrome and the old standby, persecution by ignorant humans who set their caves aflame. In the documentary, there is a bat with the liquid amber eyes of a prophet. Maybe that's what this world has had too much of, she begins to consider. Mid-deconstruction of decades in the white, evangelical cesspit of high control patriarchy, Catherine sees the world as one big field day full of stupid ego-competitions like cosmic tug-a-wars. And prophets were some of the top offenders. King Zedekiah, for one, had the prophet Jeremiah lowered into a well by rope, intending he sink into the mud and suffocate. All because he warned the people of their emptiness. Her mind wanders to Prague, to art, to something far away that might fill her own cistern life. “Maybe next summer,” she whispers. “Charles Bridge, St. Vitus.” The rhythm of bluegrass hums through the speakers, enough to anchor her here, in this room, in this thin sliver of a world she cannot escape. “That could be the problem; I need to learn Czech. No, fuck Duo.” J'apprendrai le français. J'irai à Prague. Je verrai les vieux bâtiments. But then, something strange. The banjo's pluck feels different, deeper, its twang splitting the air. She Googles the history of Bluegrass, and the words tumble from the page, layering like the weight of a corpse settling into the silt off the coast of Marseille. The banjo isn't Appalachian in origin but rather West African—specifically from the Senegalese and Gambian people, their fingers strumming the akonting, a skin drum-like instrument that whispered of exile, of worlds ripped apart. American slavers steeped in the bitter twisting of scripture trafficked them across the Middle Passage, yet in the cruel silence of the cotton fields, they turned their pain into music. How are we not talking about this in every history class in every school in every state of this nation? The akonting, an enslaved man's lament, was the seed of a gourd that would bloom into the sounds of flatpicking Southerners. Still, the banjo plays on in Catherine's apartment. A much more tolerable sound than Duolingo's dong-ding ta-dong. But she can't quite cleanse her mind of the French lessons, of Lily and Oscar. Il y a toujours plus. Her voice is barely a whisper, trying to reassure herself. There must be more. A recurring dream, soft and gleaming like a pearl—her hands moving over cool clams, shucking them on a beach house in Rhode Island. It's a faint memory, but no less ever present. Aunt Norma and Uncle Francis' beach cottage and the closest thing to a Hyannis Port Kennedy afternoon of cousins frolicking about by the edge of a long dock lured back by the steam of fritters. But this time, Ocean Vuong stands beside her. He's talking about the monkey, Hartford, the tremors of the world. And the banjo has morphed into Puccini's La Bohème, which laces through the rhythm of Vuong's syntax like a golden libretto. They notice a figure outside the window, a shadow in the sand—the new neighbor? He's strange. A horticulturist, they say. Catherine hasn't met him, but there are rumors. “Did he really steal it?” Vuong asks. She practices her French—it's a dream after all—asks “Le cadavre fleuri?” They move to whispers, like a star's breath in night air. Rumor stands that in the middle of California's Eaton fire, the flower went missing from the Huntington Museum in Pasadena. The Titan Arum, bloated and bizarre in its beauty and stench, just vanished. Fran at the liquor store says the new neighbor, gloves always pressed to the earth, took it.  At night, she hears him in the garden, talking to the roots. She imagines his voice, murmuring something incomprehensible to the moonlight. Like that's where the truth lies—beneath the soil, between the cracks of broken promises, smelling faintly of rot. She recalls the history she once read, so distant, so impossibly rotten. During WWI, when the Nazis swept through Prague, they forced Jewish scholars to scour their archives. They wanted to preserve the so-called “best” of the Jews—manuscripts, texts, holy materials—for their future banjo-twisted Museum of an Extinct Race. She shudders. The music, the wild joy of the banjo, now seems infected with something ancient and spoiled. The act of collecting, of preserving, feels obscene. What do you keep? What do you discard? Whom do you destroy? She wakes from the dream, her phone still alive with French conjugations. The bluegrass hums, but it's heavier, like a rope lowering her into Narragansett Bay. The neighbor's house is dark. But she thinks she can see him, a silhouette against the trees, standing still as a warning. Everything is falling apart at the seams, and she is both a part of it and apart from it. Like each church she left, each youth group and AWANA or Vacation Bible School where she tried to volunteer, to love on the kids, to be the good follower she was tasked with being.  She leans her forehead against the cool glass of the window, closing her eyes. The ache is there, the same ache that never quite leaves. It's sharp, it's bitter, it's whole. The small, steady thrum beneath it all. Il y a toujours plus. Maybe tomorrow she will satisfy Duo. Maybe next fall she will dance down a cobbled street in Prague. Find five minutes to feel human. Perhaps she will be whole enough, tall as St. Vitus Cathedral, to face whatever is left of this America. She closes her eyes to Puccini's Mimi singing Il y a toujours plus and dueling banjos while her neighbor secretly drags a heavy, tarp-covered object across his yard under the flutter of Eastern small-footed bats out for their midnight mosquito snack. A scene only Frida Kahlo could paint.

What if your sales team woke up on Monday to a calendar already full of qualified discovery calls? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alleyoop, who has helped companies from startups to giants like Microsoft, Peloton, and ZoomInfo transform their sales pipelines. Under his leadership, Alleyoop.io has pioneered a two-step model that separates prospecting from closing—backed by 11 million cold calls a year and a focus on authenticity in outreach. In this episode, Gabe shares the systems, stories, and strategies that have fueled Alleyoop.io's rapid growth and its role in scaling billion-dollar brands. Key Takeaways: → The two-step approach that separates prospecting from closing. → How Alleyoop.io serves both startups and global enterprises. → The “hot lead vs. warm lead” model—and why timing matters. → What really causes sales teams to stall (hint: it's not always leads). → Why most “lead gen companies” aren't actually prospecting. Gabe Lullo's expertise in sales, marketing, recruiting, and management began when he started his own business after graduation from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford. He owned and operated his own sales, training, and marketing firm for more than a decade. He excelled in training sales and marketing professionals, and additionally, Gabe has had a successful career in executive recruiting. He has been instrumental in expanding the company's search and placement for IT, Software Development, Sales, Customer Success, Marketing, and Executive leaders. Gabe's most recent success has been with us here at Alleyoop. For many years he has been working to build and grow the company by focusing on our culture, environment, customer success, and sales. Connect With Gabe Lullo: Website: https://alleyoop.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alleyoop-io/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE FEATHERWEIGHT (2023)Director: Robert KolodnyWriters: Tyler Taormina; Eric BergerCast: James Madio; Ruby Wolf; Keir GilchristSYNOPSISIn 1964, a camera crew follows retired featherweight boxing champion Willie Pep. Down and out in Hartford, Conn., married to a woman half his age and facing mounting debts, Pep decides to return to the ring.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedInSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Piper hosts Plaidcast in Person in front of a live audience at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut with Michael Britt-León, Berry Porter and Steven Bluman. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid HorseGuest: Michael Britt-León is the owner of Windsor Stables in Alpharetta, GA. Michael has earned countless International, National and Zone championships. Michael spent his junior career under the guidance of the top professionals on the west coast who had him showing extensively in hunters, jumpers and equitation. He eventually worked at “The Oaks Farm” for Joan Irvine Smith developing quality young horses into nationally ranked Hunters and Jumpers. Michael was eventually recruited to ride privately for a family and it was there that he ran their facility and campaigned their horses nationally, solidifying his place on the professional circuit.Guest: Berry Porter is the head trainer at Brookside Pine Farms in Conroe, TX. Berry has developed many riders from the beginner level to the collegiate ranks to succeeding at the top levels of equestrian competition. Recognizing this is a sport that constantly evolves, Berry trains with some of the most respected and successful professionals in the industry, applying his skills as he personally competes at prominent venues across the country. Berry's students have successfully competed at the FEI North American Young Riders competition, National Junior Hunter Finals, in International Hunter Derbies, at Medal Finals, and in Grand Prix.Guest: Steven Bluman is an Israeli show jumping rider, trainer, and entrepreneur based between Wellington, FL and North Salem, NY. A cornerstone of Bluman Equestrian, he oversees the development of junior and amateur riders while managing a competitive string of horses at the FEI level. Known for his meticulous approach to flatwork, horsemanship, and team structure, Steven's coaching style blends high-performance goals with patient education. He also founded the Equo app, a platform designed to simplify horse transportation across North America.Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse MagazineTitle Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance ServicesSponsors: Purina, Great American Insurance Group and Windstar Cruises  Join us at an upcoming Plaidcast in Person live event!

I have the authors of Letters from the Mountain Steve Chase and Brad Meiklejohn then at 53 minutes Dr Michael Mann joins to talk COP 30 and more Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE : On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous soul Join us Thursday's at 8EST for our Weekly Happy Hour Hangout!  Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE  On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete   Steve Chase   A native of Connecticut, Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with an Earth Science Minor from the University of Hartford, and a Master of Public Administration from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration. He was the first Presidential Management Intern from the Barney School. Steve joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1990 as a Presidential Management Intern, where he worked on National Wildlife Refuge System, Migratory Bird, and Law Enforcement issues in Headquarters.  In 1993 he joined the staff of the NCTC where he was deeply involved in the design and development of the NCTC campus and its operations.  He later become Division Manager of Facility and Administrative Operations, Division Manager of Education and Outreach, and Division Manager of Training Support and Heritage.  Steve was instrumental in the establishment of the Fish and Wildlife Service's national history/heritage programs, including development of the NCTC museum, exhibits, and archives.  He has also served as the Financial Officer and Special Assistant to the Director at the NCTC.  He is a member of Cohort 1 of the FWS Advanced Leadership Development Program, and received the Service's Heritage Award in 2018. Steve has been instrumental in a number of national-scope conservation initiatives and gatherings over the past two decades.  He was a lead organizer of the National Dialogue on Children and Nature in 2006, an event that kickstarted the Connecting People to Nature Movement in America.  He is a co-founder of the Student Climate and Conservation Congress (SC3) and the Native Youth Community Adaption and Leadership Congress, both of these youth leadership events have fostered a new cadre of young adult leaders in Conservation.  Steve also co-organized a series of important national conservation history symposia, including the 1999 Leopold Historical Symposium, Rachel Carson Symposium, The Muries Symposium, and the 50th Anniversary of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Symposium, He co-edited proceedings documents on several of these events. In the past Steve has worked as a river guide in northwest Maine, as a backcountry caretaker for the Randolph Mountain Club in the northern Presidential Range in New Hampshire; a buyer and technical representative in the ski and climbing industry; a Legislative Fellow for the Connecticut State Legislature; a teacher and coach; and a municipal public works administrator.  He also worked as a media specialist at the Talcott Mountain Science Center in Connecticut. Steve is the former Board Chair of The Murie Center in Moose, WY; is the founding President of the American Conservation Film Festival in Shepherdstown; and is the past President of the Unison Preservation Society.  Non-work activities include river running, fishing, writing, playing mandolin and bass, going to live music shows, and spending time with his family.  Steve resides in Middleburg, Virginia.  Brad Meiklejohn  Brad has represented The Conservation Fund in Alaska since 1994. He has completed hundreds of conservation projects across Alaska and the Western United States, including the dramatic removal of the Eklutna River Dam. Brad is currently leading the construction of a wildlife highway crossing near his family home in northern New Hampshire. Brad previously served as President of the Patagonia Land Trust, President of the American Packrafting Association,  Associate Director of the Utah Avalanche Center and  a board director of the Murie Center. Brad has been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the National Land Protection Award and the National Wetlands Conservation Award, and he received the Olaus Murie Award from the Alaska Conservation Foundation. Brad is a wilderness explorer and birder who has traveled widely across Alaska and the world. Dr. Michael Mann is Presidential Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, with a secondary appointment in the Annenberg School for Communication. His research focuses on climate science and climate change. He was selected by Scientific American as one of the fifty leading visionaries in science and technology in 2002, was awarded the Hans Oeschger Medal of the European Geophysical Union in 2012. He made Bloomberg News' list of fifty most influential people in 2013.  He has received the Friend of the Planet Award from the National Center for Science Education, the Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication from Climate, the Award for Public Engagement with Science from the AAAS, the Climate Communication Prize from the American Geophysical Union and the Leo Szilard Award of the American Physical Society. He received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement 2019 and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2020. He is a Fellow of the AGU, AMS, GSA, AAAS and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is co-founder of RealClimate.org, author of more than 200 peer-reviewed and edited publications, numerous op-eds and commentaries, and five books including Dire Predictions, The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars, The Madhouse Effect, The Tantrum that Saved the World, and The New Climate War. Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube  Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page

In Episode 424 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger head to Hartford, Connecticut, for their Thanksgiving dessert. Hartford Election Cake is a massive confection that dates back to 1796 when America was holding its first contested presidential election. Voting used to be a big event with parties and banquets and a HUGE cake as a reward. The people of Hartford made an 80-pound cake following the recipe of Amelia Simmons. Over time, election day became less of an event, but Thanksgiving got bigger. So the people of Connecticut moved their favorite cake over to Thanksgiving. Enjoy!   See more here: https://ournewenglandlegends.com/podcast-424-thanksgiving-dessert-hartford-election-cake/  Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: https://www.patreon.com/NewEnglandLegends  Buy Jeff Belanger's new book Wicked Strange New England on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lMkM3G  Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! https://shadowzine.com/  Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! https://localraydio.com/ 

Spencer Lewis, born 1979 in Hartford, Connecticut, lives and works in Los Angeles. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of California, Los Angeles. Known for his gestural paintings on cardboard and jute, Lewis uses flashy bright and colorful notions executed through streaked lines, smears of paint and rough strokes that suggest the impulsive creative process underneath. With chaotic, almost infinite layers, Lewis's canvases conceal and simultaneously unveil a brushstroke, a gesture over the other, stories and moments culminating and accumulating on the painting's densest parts. Despite the apparent unpredictability of Lewis's compositions, they are based on a methodology and structure. Lewis is, in fact, interested in pictorial organization and image-making. Consistently concentrating towards the centre of the canvas, Lewis's brushstrokes frantically tell the different layers of the same narrative. In a podcast recorded live in his LA studio, he and Zuckerman discuss wanting positive things, paint as a fluid object, seeing and feeling distance between ideas, cities, being courageous, finding novelty, what art is really good at, timelessness, how artists want to be free, having an anxious attachment style, why people like complexity, what feels big, the space of color, how and why you need a studio, how to make great paintings, his phrase “for me to make a painting,” how art is still about beauty, remembering that making art will feel bad, and how gratitude works every time!

Portland ranks 80th out of 81 cities for real estate investment – only Hartford, Connecticut is worse. What happens when progressive policies meet economic reality? Spoiler alert: it's not pretty. We dive into how sky-high taxes, rampant homelessness, and woke leadership have turned what was once a booming real estate market into an absolute wasteland that investors are fleeing faster than you can say "defund the police." The best part? Governor Tina Kotek and Mayor Keith Wilson – the same people who helped create this mess – are now personally courting investors to come back. It's like asking the arsonist to help rebuild the house they burned down. With empty offices, cratering property values, and businesses jumping ship daily, Portland's progressive experiment is delivering exactly what you'd expect. Is anyone surprised that taxing and regulating your way to prosperity doesn't actually work? How long before other blue cities follow Portland's lead straight off the economic cliff? Don't forget to subscribe and hit that notification bell – we'll keep tracking every delicious detail as progressive policies continue their spectacular face-plant into reality.

Greg Bordonaro from The Hartford Business Journal joins us to talk housing in Hartford, a secret committee, and banking.

We begin this week's show with a celebration of this Fall season and Thanksgiving from Jamal and Monk. Also of note in Hutcherson's vibes and Trane's lament. New music from Hartford's guitarist Tony Davis and maestro Kenny Barron. Playlist  Artist ~ Name ~ Album Ahmad Jamal ~ Autumn Leaves ~ Marseille Thelonious Monk ~ Stuffy Turkey ~ It's Monk's Time Bobby Hutcherson ~ Little B's Poem ~ Components John Coltrane Quartet ~ Lonnie's Lament ~ Crescent Tony Davis ~ Viridian ~ Jessamine Kenny Barron & Kurt Elling ~ In The Slow Lane ~ Songbook Marquis Hill ~ Joseph Beat ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox Marquis Hill ~ Libra ~ Composers Collective: Beyond The Jukebox

Episode Notes S6E40 -- Join us as we dive into the mind of creater, writer & film makerTroy Duffy. He'll be in the house telling tales from writing & dircting the smash hit Boondock Saints to his newest venture as an Author with The Boondock Saints -Blood Origins Vol.1 and much much more.Troy Duffy (born 1970 or 1971) is an American filmmaker. He has directed two films, The Boondock Saints and its sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. Duffy was the subject of the 2003 documentary film Overnight.Duffy was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He was one of five children, and his father is a Harvard-educated English teacher. Duffy was born to a wealthy family that bought several hotels among the New Hampshire and southern Maine coast, where Duffy spent most of his youth. He graduated from Exeter High School in New Hampshire, and spent two years at Colorado State University before dropping out to move to Hollywood with $2,000 given to him by his father.HELPFUL LINKS:VETERANS:https://www.va.gov/.../mental-health/suicide-prevention/ADDICTION:https://lp.recoverycentersofamerica.com/.../continuum-of.../Due you know someone that has lost their lives due to addiction? Or even someone that has made a full recovery? Reach out to Johnny Whitaker so they can help to celebrate the lives lost/ lives recovered at overdoseawareness0831@gmail.com___________________________________________Follow our guesthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Duffyhttps://x.com/troyduffy?lang=enhttps://www.amazon.com/Books-Troy-Duffy/s...______________________________Toking with the Dead:https://www.stilltoking.com/—————————————Follow Still Toking With and their friends!https://smartpa.ge/5zv1—————————————Produced by Leo Pond andThe Dorkening Podcast NetworkMORE ABOUT THE GUEST:Duffy moved to Los Angeles in his twenties to pursue a music career with his band, the Brood. While working at a bar, he wrote the screenplay of The Boondock Saints,[which was inspired by seeing a dead woman being wheeled out of a drug dealer's apartment in his building. The script featured two brothers in Boston dedicated to killing Mafia thugs. Find out more at https://still-toking-with.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/still-toking-with/feee2528-461f-4670-8b88-19a1af17badb

Lesley and Brad recap key insights from physical therapist Dr. Jen Fraboni (@docjenfit), co-host of The Optimal Body Podcast. Known for helping people move with less pain and more confidence, Dr. Jen redefines pain as an “alarm,” not a stop sign—your body's way of asking for better care and awareness. Lesley and Brad unpack her practical strategies for building stability before flexibility, tuning in before you train, and aging with strength and ease.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How Lesley's pain-as-alarm concept to daily self-check habits.Brad overcomes foot pain by staying active instead of stopping.How Lesley's yoga experience illustrated “stability before flexibility” The importance of reflection and consistency when pain shows up unexpectedly.How building strength supports graceful aging and confidence in movement.Episode References/Links:OPC Winter Tour - https://opc.me/tour0Pilates Journal Expo - https://xxll.co/pilatesjournalCambodia Retreat Waitlist - https://crowsnestretreats.com/waitlistAgency Mini - https://prfit.biz/miniContrology Pilates Conference in Poland - https://xxll.co/polandContrology Pilates Conference in Brussels - https://xxll.co/brusselsSubmit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questionsDr. Jen Fraboni's Website - https://jen.healthThe Optimal Body Podcast - https://www.docjenfit.com/podcastDr. Jen Fraboni's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/docjenfitEpisode 589: Brad Bizjack - https://beitpod.com/ep589 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:00  When we feel pain, really doing some sort of, creating some sort of, like, okay, hold on, what's my sleep like, what's my intake like, what's my fuel like, have I been consistent? You know, just do some reflection. Lesley Logan 0:12  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 0:51  Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, Brad, and I are going to dig into the empowering convo I had with Jen Fraboni in our last episode. If you haven't yet listened to that interview, you've missed out on an incredible interview with DocJenFit. That's her Instagram handle or her handle everywhere. So many of you love her, know her, and this was a really cool, I thought, very vulnerable convo as well. She shared a lot about going on her life, how she handles things. I love when people are like, just a human and so it's gonna be really good. So I can't wait to recap it, but before we do that, today is November 20th 2025, and we have two days to celebrate. And to be honest, there was like seven, so we could have chosen. There was a few that I was like, well, I don't use less, so we can't use use less day, because I'm so not participating. But there's a couple others, but we're going to focus on two of them. One is the Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society sponsors a Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November annually, challenging smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours. If you or a loved one smoke cigarettes, consider joining the movement and take the first step towards quitting cigarettes forever. How? Let's both try to do something tough for a day. I'll give up either coffee, sugar, social media. Brad Crowell 2:10  You're you are allowed to pitch this to them. Lesley Logan 2:13  Oh, this is how you're gonna pitch it. Brad Crowell 2:14  Yeah. This is how you're gonna pitch this to them. Lesley Logan 2:15  This is how you're gonna pitch it. So you're gonna, you, if you're a non-smoker, if you're a smoker, then you can tell another smoker, you guys could do it together. But if you're a non-smoker, asking a smoker, then you're gonna say, I'm gonna give up something they know. You're gonna have a hard time giving up for 24 hours. Brad Crowell 2:30  Like, maybe it's Instagram, maybe it's chocolate, could be sugar.Lesley Logan 2:35  Coffee, you know something like that and you give up smoking, think of it as a reset, not a rule. So.Brad Crowell 2:43  And that's what you can also tell them, It's a reset, not a rule. Lesley Logan 2:45  Well, Brad, can we, like, let's how hard, can we talk about it? Brad Crowell 2:50  We can certainly talk about it. Lesley Logan 2:51  Okay, you quit smoking. Brad Crowell 2:53  I did quit smoking. Lesley Logan 2:54  If he had been a smoker when we met, it would have not we would not be married 10 years. Brad Crowell 2:58  It's true. Lesley Logan 2:59  Because we would not have gone on a date. Brad Crowell 3:00  Yeah. I mean, it's. Lesley Logan 3:02  My grandfather was a smoker. Brad Crowell 3:04  It doesn't smell good. Lesley Logan 3:05  Yeah. So I have had two grandfathers who are massive smokers, one who lost a lung to smoking, and another one who had multiple heart problems, and the heart doctor refused to operate on him unless he quit smoking. So I, like, this is a big like, personal thing, because I lost family members to smoking. But I know it's not easy. So Brad.Brad Crowell 3:26  Yeah, I mean, I've told this story before, so it was the decision to smoke or to quit smoking was, for me, it was made emotionally, which is what made it easy. The decision to stop, to stay with that initial decision was actually quite challenging, you know, because of the addiction, because of nicotine, but because I wanted to sing more than I wanted to smoke, that was the emotional decision. It was like, oh my god, this is a very I just have to stop, like, I can't, I can't be on stage and not be able to sing. So that I think that was hard, because I had to hit a wall in order for that decision to become emotional and then for it to actually happen in my life. But okay, great. That's step one. Then step two is consistently not smoking when I used to smoke. So in the car with the window down, or I don't remember, you know, walking out of my apartment complex, there was a there was, like, part of my routine, you know, and doing those things, like continuing to do life, you're going to run back into those instances where you used to do the habit and would always make me think, this is what I would normally pull out a cigarette. And so that was, that was a constant battle for, honestly, for just a few weeks. Lesley Logan 4:56  Well, it's interesting, because so in a couple of weeks, we have a habit series starting and in one of the episodes, I talked about how to unravel a habit. And for smoking, like all we can be completely honest, there is an addictive element to it, in that they made it addictive. So you have a habit, you smoke when you're in traffic. My old roommate, she would she when she quit smoking was the hardest thing, because she's like, Lesley, I'm in traffic for 45 minutes, and I used to just sit there and smoke, and now I am not. So she had lollipops and teas and coffees because she needed something to do in the car. She actually had, like, the patches like, well, that helps you quit. So she's like, I don't even have the craving to smoke. I have the habit. So I will talk about how to unravel a habit in that series in December, so make sure you're paying attention. Okay, the other day, this is really important to Brad and I that we wanted to bring it up. (inaudible)Brad Crowell 5:47  Second thing we wanted to remember today. Lesley Logan 5:50  Yes. So it's Transgender Day of Remembrance. For generations, the transgender population has suffered various forms of abuse and even death for or murder, so we'll call it that, for challenging the views, notions and stereotypes around male and female identity. Every year, we set aside today as Transgender Day of Remembrance. This holiday is meant to honor, commemorate and memorialize those who face discrimination and stigma on a daily basis across this nation. This holiday is also meant to advocate for transgenders people's rights, as well as focus on the persistent struggles they face in their everyday lives and how others can share their love, support and hope. If you listen to this podcast and you have a fucking problem with transgenders, I am just going to be on, I need you to explore why. These are just people. They're just people, and they've been around forever. And I bring it, I bring it up in one of the FYF is coming up about like, how in the indigenous cultures, they actually have people, they already had words for this. This is something. It's actually a fucking cool thing. Like you have the ability to see the world the way they see it through both lenses. It's a powerful thing. And I fucking clearly I'm pissed about it, but I get so annoyed. We flew on a plane the other day, and no one has a problem using a toilet on a plane, but all of a sudden they have a fucking problem of sharing a bathroom with another person of a different gender, and it's like, what are we talking about here? You just shared a bathroom. So I don't understand when they make neutral bathrooms, how people get pissed about that. I also just listened to this one thing. If I could find the reel I'll send it to the team to link it. If you don't see the link below, it's because I couldn't find it. But this person is is explaining how it's sort of the safety of women to in the bathrooms, of why they want people using the bathrooms of their own, like birth certificate, right? And this one person is a trans man. He goes, so what you're actually saying is that men are a danger to women and you don't want them in their bathrooms. So that's the problem. We should solve that problem. We shouldn't be policing genitals. So I just get really upset because it's just bothersome to me. Why do we why do we care so much we have healthcare issues in this country. We have poverty issue. We have children who don't have enough food. Brad Crowell 8:06  We have food issues, yeah. Lesley Logan 8:07  The higher percentage of people. Brad Crowell 8:09  We have water issues. Did you know, I don't remember what the number is, but like, (inaudible) I think, I think it was Jackson, Mississippi, like, they don't have running water in in, like, many parts of the city. I don't know what the the numbers are, but like, that was a thing in a couple years ago. Lesley Logan 8:24  Yes, no, there's a higher percentage of people who are listening to this show that know someone who's homeless, who is a pover in poverty, who has food. What do you call it? Like a food uncertainty? Then then know of someone who's transgendered and so why? Like, what are we doing? So I'm just pissed about it. I'm just over it. I'm over people being so uptight and like that they're a threat to who you are. You know, it goes to that whole thing where it's like, if you don't like abortions, don't get one. If you don't like gay marriage, if somebody of your same sex asks you to marry them, don't say yes. Like, you don't have to do any of these things. You don't have to be trans like this is I just get annoyed. I'm pissed. Anyways, so today is the day to remember the people who have been fighting to exist as they feel like they should exist, and we should do what we can to honor those people. And if you don't know anyone, maybe consider looking at a community service organization in your area that you could donate to if you are listening from Las Vegas, when you buy food from the Bronze Cafe, their proceeds, part of their proceeds go to the LGBTQ community for mental health. So it's really, really cool. We use their restaurant for all of our retreats here in Las Vegas. We can help support that.Brad Crowell 9:37  And they have a second location at the.Lesley Logan 9:43  Oh Brad's so excited. Brad Crowell 9:45  The conservation preserve, the Springs Preserve here, which has has a massive cactus garden. So go to the cactus garden. Go eat lunch, and you'll be also helping support (inaudible) the transgender community here.Lesley Logan 9:58  Yeah, when you come visit Las Vegas, you should go to Springs Preserves, and then you can go to Bronze Cafe. Okay, cool stuff coming up now. So here we go. Brad Crowell 10:06  All right, so here's what we got coming up on the docket, actually, next week, or Yyeah, literally, in a few days, is the Black Friday Cyber Monday coming up for you've probably already been inundated with everything that's been crazy, but for us, we're going to do it actually, during the old school Black Friday Cyber, Cyber Monday is even new. Black Friday, so it's the 26th to the first of December for OPC only, y'all so check your email for more details, starting yesterday. So just go check your emails if you haven't already, we've got an offer for you with OPC.Lesley Logan 10:37  If you didn't get an email, it's because you have not signed up for our emails, or you unsubscribed from us, and we don't take that personally. You could just resubscribe. But yeah, the dates will be November 26th December 1st. Brad Crowell 10:47  If you're wondering what it is and you didn't get the email, just DM us and we can send you the right place.Lesley Logan 10:52  We're really excited about this sale, and it's the one time of the year we do it, so take advantage. Don't ask us on December 2nd for it. It's not how it works. It's actually a lot of work. Brad Crowell 11:01  Speaking of December, we're gonna be on the road again for our winter tour for OPC, and the actual dates we're gonna get, it's like starting on the seventh or sixth.Lesley Logan 11:11  No, it's like the fifth, I think it's the fifth in Colorado Springs, and it ends on. Brad Crowell 11:15  Oh, yeah, we gotta drive there, though, so we leave.Lesley Logan 11:18  We leave earlier than it starts. We come home the day that it ends so but it's like, it's like, December 5th through the January 6th or January 7th. Brad Crowell 11:28  And we do come home the day that ends. Lesley Logan 11:30  I, yeah, I know that we sound like when it comes to this tour that we're like, not organized. The last time we recorded, we had no idea where we're going. And now we do, and it's huge. The whole tour is listed, 23 cities. Brad Crowell 11:42  Yeah, 23. Lesley Logan 11:43  Colorado Springs. Brad Crowell 11:45  23 public events. Lesley Logan 11:46  St Louis.Brad Crowell 11:47  Yeah, the fifth, the first the first event is on December 5 in Colorado Springs, then we go to Fayetteville.Lesley Logan 11:54  Oh, Fayetteville. Oh, I'm so sorry. How could I skip Arkansas. Brad Crowell 11:57  Then St Louis on the 7th. Lesley Logan 11:58  Then St Louis, then Detroit, then Columbus. Brad Crowell 12:01  No, then Lexington. Lesley Logan 12:03  I'm going to Lexington. Brad Crowell 12:04  You're going to Lexington.Lesley Logan 12:04  Oh, I am going to Lexington, but I'm going in that order.Brad Crowell 12:06  Then you're going to Columbus, then you're going to Detroit.Lesley Logan 12:09  What? How does the map work? Am I going like zigzag?Brad Crowell 12:14  Believe it or not, they're almost in line. Yeah, they're, they are.Brad Crowell 12:18  I don't understand the middle. I'm so sorry. Okay, then we go to Pittsburgh. Lesley Logan 12:22  Okay, Pittsburgh. Then we go to. Brad Crowell 12:25  Rochester Lesley Logan 12:26  RochesterBrad Crowell 12:27  New York Lesley Logan 12:27  Oh, yeah, we're going to, do you say Rochester or you go Rochester. How do you say it? Brad Crowell 12:31  RochesterLesley Logan 12:32  RochesterBrad Crowell 12:33  Rochester, New York. And then we go to Boston, Cape Cod, Hartford, Connecticut. That's a new one for us. Hershey, Pennsylvania. We're coming back Rehoboth Beach. Lesley Logan 12:42  That's a new one for us. Brad Crowell 12:43  That's new, to Delaware, that'll be just after Christmas, and then we have Washington, DC, Virginia Beach, Charlotte, North Carolina. That's new for us. We've got Delray. This is Florida. We're gonna be hoofing it from North Carolina all the way down to Delray, Florida. This is new.Lesley Logan 12:59  Christmas Eve, Del Rey. Brad Crowell 13:01  Nope, New Year's Eve Del Rey. On a roll, here.Lesley Logan 13:07  You guys Del Rey is near Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Florida, correct? Brad Crowell 13:11  Yeah. It's just north of Fort Lauderdale, I think. Lesley Logan 13:14  So our Miami stop has moved up a little bit because most of you are driving from that area anyway, so you're welcome. And then we do New Year's Day with our Pilates crew that's in Tampa.Brad Crowell 13:26  Yes. Lesley Logan 13:26  And then we go to Pensacola. Brad Crowell 13:28  Yes. Then New Orleans. Lesley Logan 13:30  New Orleans, and then Houston. Brad Crowell 13:31  Then, Houston. Lesley Logan 13:32  Houston. We haven't been to Houston in years.Brad Crowell 13:34  Yeah, it's been quite a few years for us to be in Houston. That'll be on January 4th and then fifth in Austin, and then Phoenix, we're coming to you on the seventh.Lesley Logan 13:42  Yeah. So get your tickets at opc.me/events, by the way. Brad Crowell 13:46  Nope, opc.me/tour, opc.me/tour. Lesley Logan 13:50  There's two links. Okay, sorry, opc.me/tour is where you get your tickets. And at the time we're recording this, we're over 57% sold out. By the time you're hearing this, it's going to be way closer to sold out, because literally, nine events only have one spot right now in them. So go to opc.me/tour. Bring your friends. Also in December, we didn't do a Profitable Pilates Black Friday, Cyber Monday this year, because we want you to focus on, so save the date, December 26th or the 31st that will be on the Profitable Pilates newsletter list. So you have to be on that one. So for the Pilates instructors studio owners who want business flights, we're gonna have some special deal on Agency. We've never done it before. So make sure you're watching your inbox for that if you don't get those emails, just DM us and the team will help you out. Brad Crowell 14:36  By the way, we're 55% sold out. Lesley Logan 14:39  Oh, I know, but we're. Brad Crowell 14:40  I just checked. Lesley Logan 14:41  I know, but it hasn't been updated in 48 hours, so.Brad Crowell 14:44  Maybe even more, so it might be closer to 60. Good stuff.Lesley Logan 14:48  Yeah, I think so. And then after our tour, we come home for one day, kick off, eLevate, get our roots done, get our nails done by (inaudible), and then we go to Huntington Beach. Teach for the Pilates Journal Expo. This is a really cool two-day event, huge lineup of teachers. I don't I it's like a fucking party. So you should just go to xxll.co/pilatesjournal. So just two Xs guys, xxll.co/pilatesjournal. And then if you aren't already on the waitlist, you'll want to be on the waitlist because also, in January, we're going to open up the early bird registration for our Pilates retreat in Cambodia. This we just came back from. Brad Crowell 15:28  Y'all it is going to be amazing. Lesley Logan 15:30  I'm making so many mistakes, because we just got back and it was the coolest retreat of life. No offense to the people we've been on retreats with before, you were amazing.Brad Crowell 15:37  Incredible retreat. Lesley Logan 15:38  But like, if you have ever thought, oh, my god, they must get bored of this. We don't. We had the best fucking time. It was like we I just loved it. So I can't wait to take you,Brad Crowell 15:48  Yeah, and I think, I think this year is going to be sorry, next year, So 2026, is going to be even better. And I know we've had a lot of interest already, but one of the things we're going to do differently, in January, we're going to have a call for everyone who's curious about this, the retreat, all the questions. We're going to have a couple of our past retreaters join us live, and we're going to have them just answer those questions. You can ask them directly. They can share with you their experience, you know, the process of getting there, like, did they feel safe? What kind of food was it? What kind of activities did they enjoy? All the things that you might be curious about. And I'm telling you, it is gonna next year, is gonna sell quickly. So, get yourself on the waitlist. Go to crowsnestretreats.com and we can't wait to see it all there.Lesley Logan 16:34  Every group is got its own, different vibe. This group, we were like, rapping in the in the bus on the way to like, no one took a nap. Usually people are napping. We were like, half a native. So anyways, crowsnestretreats.com, crowsnestretreats.com/waitlist get you on the waitlist. Okay, in February, that is when our Agency Mini is happening. That is our three day event. I don't know if we're doing a second one next year. We're going to try, but you know, we'll see. So you're going back to Agency Mini, you want to get on the waitlist for that if you want to make sure you don't miss the early bird discount, prfit.biz/mini holy fucking molly, there's a lot of events coming up. So Poland and Brussels, that is in March, you guys. And I mean, a lot of questions about, are you doing anything in Europe? Anything? This is it. We're going, we're like, literally not getting on a plane until March, and I don't have plans to get on a plane after March until Cambodia. So if you want to see me, you need to check out the Poland Controlology Pilates conference. xxll.co/poland and or Brussels, xxll.co/brussels, two events, different workshops to both events, you can you're welcome to come to both. Karen Frischmann is actually collabing on that with me and the host studios, so you get two amazing teachers for the price of a weekend. And it's pretty kind of it's pretty awesome. So different workshops, plus there's a day of privates and semi private classes. So you can also jump in and enjoy some workouts with us. You don't want to miss it, because I don't know when we're coming back. Okay? And then we're gonna leave that. Brad and I are gonna do a vacation. Brad Crowell 18:08  What? Weird. Lesley Logan 18:09  About nine, 10 days vacation in Europe, and then April after our vacation, we wrap up in April at P.O.T. London, and now it's official. Now if you've been hearing me say, I'm not allowed to tell you, I don't know if we're allowed to tell you, we can tell you I signed a contract. I don't I don't I don't know if there's a link out yet, but I'm sure there is. So just look at like, P.O.T. London from Balanced Body, and you'll find it. All right, oh my gosh, okay, should we let's get to this audience question, and we got to get to this amazing recap episode.Brad Crowell 18:34  All right, so the audience question this week was from @audreyphipps1726, on YouTube. She, this is for the Pilates equipment for beginners video. She said, hey, what size is that Try Me Stability Ball. I would love to find one. Lesley Logan 18:50  Yeah, so the triad ball that's.Brad Crowell 18:53  I was wondering. Lesley Logan 18:54  Audrey, it took me a second. I was like, try me. I'd have to Google this, because sometimes people go, hey, what do you think of this item? And I'm like, I don't know what you're talking about, but I realize it's my accent. It's the triad ball, and I don't actually know the dimensions. It's a purple ball that you don't want to fill all the way up. It's smaller than a I guess it'd be like, volleyball size when it's filled up, but you want it to be a little squishy. And where did I get it. I think I went on Balanced Body. Let's see.Brad Crowell 19:24  The OPTP triad ball nine and a half inches. Lesley Logan 19:27  Is it purple? Brad Crowell 19:28  Um, yeah, it's purple. Lesley Logan 19:30  Yeah, the OPTP. Brad Crowell 19:32  Yeah. OPTP triad ball nine and a half inches. Lesley Logan 19:35  You can get it at like, Target. Brad Crowell 19:37  Yeah, even at Walmart. Lesley Logan 19:38  I'm not shopping at Target these days, but you can get on OPTP's website, they have a bunch. They have a huge website, lots of amazing stuff on TP actually, you'll kind of like, it's good products, good stuff. So if you have a question, you can text us at +13109055534, or submit it to beitpod.com/questions. You can also leave a win. And I love getting your wins, because I love helping people see like there's a celebration in everything. You know there's a reason to celebrate the whole every if you just watch the news and open up your phone, it fucking sucks. So you got to have a place where you know it's going to be some good news, and you might hear your win on a day you need to remind yourself that you had a fucking win.Brad Crowell 20:17  Yeah, that's true. Yeah, you are 100% right. Well, stick around. We'll be right back. Brad Crowell 20:23  Okay, welcome back. Let's talk about Dr. Jen Fraboni. Dr. Jen Fraboni, also known as Doc Jen Fit, is a physical therapist passionate about helping people move more with less pain and more confidence. She is the founder of Jen.Health, a platform and app designed to make strength, mobility and recovery accessible for everyone. Alongside her husband, she cohosts The Optimal Body Podcast. Her work has also been featured nationally, including on Good Morning America and NBC, where she shared simple strategies to ease back pain during the pandemic. So we well, it was just a great conversation, by the way, nobody knows this, but I get to watch the the full interview call, right? And. Lesley Logan 21:06  You watch it? Brad Crowell 21:07  Yeah, watch every single one of them. That's how I do prep. Oh, I thought you just listened, nope, 100% of the time watching the interview. So the beginning of it was really fun because you were saying that, basically you were like, oh my gosh, this is how my day is gonna go today. I'm so excited to start today with this interview.Lesley Logan 21:26  Well, because, because it was a Zoom call with Jen Fraboni. And I was like, it's Jen Fraboni. And then it was then she showed up, like, Oh my God. Like, I was like, I mean, I guess I could have looked up.Brad Crowell 21:39  Doc Jen Fit. Lesley Logan 21:40  I mean, I knew I was interviewing her at some point, but I just my brain didn't like keep her, keep her last name associated with her Instagram handle, but yeah, how fun is that? I don't know, maybe the team left in the outtakes. Yeah, it was so good. Brad Crowell 21:53  Yeah. So you know what, what the two of you were digging into. I thought it was just really great talking about paying because I I related a lot to that, especially this past year, I've actually had a lot of pain with my my foot. So anyway, you know. Lesley Logan 22:08  But well, that goes into, like, something like, what I liked that she addressed about pain was that, like, most of the time it's just an alarm. Especially if you didn't get an accident, like, and sometimes your pain is like, you're just sitting there, and all of a sudden something hurts in your body, and you're like, ah, this hurts. And I'm like, just sitting there, like, what are you talking about? So in that case, if it wasn't, like, you know, you fell down the stairs, you tripped across the street, you were in a car accident, if you have pain, it is your body going, Hey, hi. You're not taking good care of me, right? It's like, just trying to get your attention. And I just like, if we think of that as what it is, as opposed to, I have to stop doing everything that was associated with that, because this is what happens, right? People come to Pilates once a week. The goal is three to four times. Week four is better. That's the goal, right? But I have someone who'll come once a week, and they go, they'll see me the next week. Oh, last last week. My back hurt, so we need to be conscious of that. And it's like so there are six other days, plus the 23 hours of the day. I didn't see you. What did you do? How are you taking care of yourself? I'm not saying the Pilates doesn't didn't hurt you. What I am saying is more likely than not, it wasn't the Pilates, but the Pilates is the unique thing about your day, right? So it's, it's similar to, I have some stomach digestive issues, and I would go, Oh, I think I got gluten, or I must have had some dairy. When I found out that I'm also allergic to oats. And every fucking day I was having oat milk, right?. And I wasn't associating, like, any of the other boring food I was having all of the time, I was coming up with, like, this unique thing that could have happened, so I really like that.Brad Crowell 23:53  We were just with our friend, and the next day he was like, I think I got glutened yesterday. It must have been that meal that we ate, you know? And I said, you know, I'm I'm also not feeling 100% and then I thought about the restaurant, which is we've eaten at 100 times. And I was like, what did we do differently? And he had the spiciest Margarita I think I've ever tasted, and I was loading on the hot sauce. I was like, You know what, man, I wonder. I mean, look, it's possible that you got glutened but they were, they specifically came out and told us that they made this gluten free. So I'd be surprised. Maybe there was some leftover, something (inadible) but also, like, the two of us ate something that was pretty off the path. I like to eat spicy stuff, but, like, we ate a lot of it.Lesley Logan 24:39  His his his Margarita was almost undrinkable. Lesley Logan 24:42  It was crazy. You diluted it twice.Lesley Logan 24:44  And you know, I like a spicy mar I was like, I I think that was gonna provide a colonic, to be completely honest, anyways. But I just think, like, she gave some really great stuff, like she talked about her own personal experience, like she's got some back pain, and she's like, Oh, I've been sleeping less, I'm breastfeeding, I'm sitting more, and I'm not moving my body. So what can I do to be more conscious about the things that I need to give myself?Brad Crowell 25:06  Yeah, I think, I think, with the, with the the idea that people coming into class and saying, Oh, well, last week, I was in pain afterwards, you know, the what she mentioned, which I thought was really obvious but needed to be heard. She said, you know, if you're in the gym lifting and you like, tweak your back, obviously you're going to say, well, I shouldn't do that again. No, no problem, of course. But that was probably not that was the moment that things were stressed to the point of ouch. But that wasn't the only moment. There are definitely other things leading up to that exact moment of when, when your body is, like, we're done trying to hold it together here, now you're in pain. And she said, so, so there's other movements that you're probably doing in your life that are, it's cumulative, right? It's, it's, it's adding up over time, and then bam, maybe the moment that it happened was in a class when you're probably doing something particular that you wouldn't be normally doing, like doing a headstand, or whatever it might be, you know, being on one leg, you know, the, the, but, that's probably not where it started. Lesley Logan 26:16  I think we could all agree in this moment where we're not in pain, right? I hurt my knee doing a deadlift. When I hired my trainer, I said, Yeah, I've been dead lifting a lot lighter because it doesn't bother my knee. But the actual thing that's bothering my knee is the fact that I had weak inner thighs and hamstrings compared to my quads, and then the way my gait is on that leg, that's why my knee hurt. It just so happened that I felt the pain doing the deadlift. The deadlift is actually not the problem my form and my deadlift is not the problem. It is an in-balance and muscles on that leg. And so what can we be doing to make sure that we're taking, like, consistent care of ourselves, and then when we hear, when we feel pain, really doing some sort of creating, some sort of like, okay, hold on, what's my sleep like, what's my intake like, what's my fuel like, have I been consistent? So if you are someone who, like, doesn't work out for a week, and then goes and works out hard, like, I got to get in it, just so, you know, you're going to be in some pain afterwards because you didn't have consistency going into it. So, you know, just do some reflection before you go, oh, that's a problem.Brad Crowell 27:20  Speak about reflection, which, which is, this is pretty funny for, for if you have people coming in and saying, well, last time I did this, I hurt. Lesley Logan 27:29  Or if you are that person. Brad Crowell 27:30  Yeah or if you are that person, do you wake up and hurt like, should this? Does that mean you shouldn't sleep like? You know what I mean, the logic doesn't apply here. I just heard like. Lesley Logan 27:43  So this has nothing to do with that, but it's just my brain thing. Okay?. So this person goes, like, this, like, thing I saw. This person goes, I need to go on a vacation. And this other person goes, did you just come back from a vacation? And then it's like, you should just say, Did you have lunch yesterday? And they're like, yeah, that does that mean you need lunch today? Right? Like, yeah, like, you're if you're.Brad Crowell 28:06  Like, obviously, you're not gonna say, Well, I guess I shouldn't sleep because, because maybe you just slept on your shoulder, weird, or whatever. And also, too, it doesn't (inaudible) it also doesn't mean that your shoulder is broken or jacked up. It means you stressed it improperly for an extended period of time. Maybe you were sleeping on it weird, right? And how, like, you know, you know how that is, you know how that that feeling is. It could be your ankle or something where it takes a couple of hours for it to work itself out. And what's happening there, which I which I thought was interesting. She talks about how pain. It's a signal from the brain saying something is not 100% correct here. Something is not 100% correct here. Just a reminder. A reminder, a reminder.Lesley Logan 28:50  It's like, when you hit the button and the community goes, er, and you're like, let me hit that again, it goes, er, and you're like, I don't know why I'm expecting something different. Brad Crowell 28:58  Yeah, well, and here's how this, here's how this relates to what I loved. She said. She said, the more we don't use it, we lose it, right? You use it or lose it. You've heard that phrase a million times. But she said the thing that was that frustrates her the most is when she her clients come to her and say, the doctor told me I'm not allowed to do this anymore, right? The thing, whatever the thing is, and this is what related to me because, you know, a couple months, Well, geez, in February of this year, it's now, you know, November, I started to feel pain in my foot, in the top of my foot, it was like this pulling pain. It felt like fascia or nerves. I couldn't decide. I still can't decide. And for a long, long time, I just stopped things. I just stopped doing, you know, like, the pointing of my toe, stopped it. All the stuff that you do in yoga class, stopped it. I was like, I need some time off. Well, I gave up the time off, and it didn't fix it, right? So, then what? Then what it was the next thing we do? Started going to the chiropractor. Chiropractor couldn't figure out what's going on, right there. She's like, Hey, you're you're aligned. What are you talking about, right? So, you know, then I was like, must be these other things. So I'm starting to massage myself. I'm doing all this stuff. And then a couple, like, two months ago, I just decided, You know what, I'm just gonna get warm and I'm gonna keep using my foot. I'm just gonna keep using it. Because, you know, one of the things that she said is especially being pregnant a second time, she leaned into, you know, doing her workouts, when her body was was starting to, like, freak out, but her body was going through a major change, and she said, you know, maybe she modified the exercise, but she always felt better after doing her workout, despite being told, you know, you know, her body, you know, sending a signal. And I think, I think that we have to be careful with this. You know, same for me, I have to actually be careful with this. It's not no pain, no gain, yeah, it's not real. I don't agree with that. It's also, you know, there are, there are moments where your body is is trying to warn you on something, but you need to be able to decide for what that is and and understand, right? Is it like pain to the point of like damage, or are we talking that, that signal of warning, you know, that's like, Oh, you have to be cautious, right? Lesley Logan 31:12  Yeah. Well, it makes it so this morning, I was doing my first Pilates practice on the Reformer in three weeks. And I did not I was like, man, I got my Spine Corrector, and I was like, this not feel awesome. It didn't hurt. It just was like, right? And then I got in the Reformer, and the first overhead kind of was like, but then the second one felt better and the third one felt better. So it's not, it is no no pain, no gain. But is you, if you have a consistent practice of any kind of movement. When you start going, you know, if your body is telling you, this is not a good day or, Oh, hold on, this is opening up. I'm warming up to it. And so when I was doing tendon stretch on the Reformer, normally, I do a single leg tendon stretch. And I did tendon stretch. I did three, and I was like, I in no way feel safe, to lift a leg off. I'm gonna do four more and get off. I got to headstand. I did all the things but the actual headstand, because I have a consistent enough practice in my body, I could tell that I'm going to feel better when it's over, but I'm not pushing myself to do something it shouldn't do. And that just comes with time. It just comes with listening to your body. So, you gotta do that.Brad Crowell 32:20  Yeah, I mean, you know, she said something that I also thought was interesting, that we never, that I never thought about before. She said, clearly, the outside of our bodies change, our faces sag, or we get wrinkles, things, lalala, why would we never, why would we expect that there are no internal changes as well, right? And she was talking about, you know, joint degeneration, and, you know, all those kinds of things which are natural and they happen, you know, discs in your back, compression, all that kind of stuff. But the only way to age gracefully, despite your body deteriorating is strength. Is strong muscles, right? And so we still should be we need to be prioritizing that in our lives now so that we can be moving with ease as we age.Lesley Logan 33:11  Yeah, no, it's so and that's just it, you guys, you will never stop having to sleep enough drink, enough water and strengthen your muscles like that you're, so sorry, guaranteed in life until we no longer get to live on this beautiful planet. So, there you go.Brad Crowell 33:28  Yeah, yeah. All right. Well, stick around. We'll be right back. We're gonna dig into those Be It Action Items that we got from Dr. Jen Fit. Brad Crowell 33:35  All right, welcome back. Let's dig into these Be It Action Items. What bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action items. Can we take away from your conversation with Dr. Jen Fraboni? She explicitly advised against relying on passive stretching as a primary solution for pain, even though it can feel good and relaxing, she said it's better to create stability, that is the fundamental requirement for the body to feel safe. So you were talking about the off balance muscles that you had, which is why your lifting was feeling pain, because you were unstable. Your one muscles, your one set of muscles, were stronger than the other set of muscles. She said, when you create stability, it creates a sense of safety. And she recommends focusing on active stretching, isometric holds and strengthening exercises. She highlighted Pilates as a modality that is great at creating stability and teaching the body safety, especially in the initial phases of pain recovery. So yay for Pilates. That's fantastic. What about you? Go ahead, go ahead.Lesley Logan 34:37  I was gonna say, like today, we were in yoga, and my left hamstring just would not open up. And the reality is my left hip just feeling unstable. That's why we're headed to the chiropractor after this. And it's like, I cannot open up this hamstring when my pelvis is out. And so I just really like, that was such a that's such a takeaway for me. I love that Be It Action Item. So be mindful of the passive stretching, my loves. Just be mindful. I love, this is great, t only way that we start to know how to move forward is if we tune in first. So it's really, this is this kind of goes back to, like a Brad BizJack's episode, actually, and that and that, maybe he didn't say it in this episode, but he has said it in something that I've heard of him before, which is, but go listen to that episode anyways, he's like, you would never, you would never just like, go get in the car and drive somewhere without having, like, a destination in mind. Unlike most people, don't check in with how they feel before they like move their body. They just start moving their body like they're not tuning in. So before you set a goal, before you do things, you have to kind of go inward first, so that you know where you're putting your compass, where you're putting your directions, where you're moving forward to. So otherwise you're like, oh, maybe I should do if you don't tune in first, you're gonna be the person who's like, oh, the hot new thing is Jiu Jitsu, and I'm doing Jiu Jitsu, and then that new hot thing is this box thing on a trampoline, like you're not going to actually be able to look at a movement modality and go, oh, that's what my body needs. You'll just be like, going hopping from one thing to the next expecting a quick fix. So I did love that one. And then she really, she advised onto every day to take five deep, long, slow breaths, mouth closed, and focus on taking breath into the sides of your rib cage. OPC members know this. Brad Crowell 36:24  Diaphragmatic breathing. Lesley Logan 36:26  And avoid breathing into your shoulders, neck or chest. Otherwise you're gonna feel stressed. But if you take these deep breaths, you often will see that the pain starts to diminish. I'm Lesley Logan. Brad Crowell 36:35  And I'm Brad Crowell. Lesley Logan 36:36  I really hope this was helpful, especially if pain is part of your daily life, it is really hard to be it till you see it in that kind of state. And so hopefully this gave you some tips, gave you some ideas, gave you some permission and share it with a friend who needs to hear it, especially one who's like this topic is like, what they're needing right now. It's, I don't know, there's just so much permission in this episode. Until next time, Be It Till You see it. Brad Crowell 36:55  Bye for now. Lesley Logan 36:57  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 37:39  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 37:44  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 37:49  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 37:56  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 37:59  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Lesley Logan 38:11  I don't know if we're doing a second one next year. We're gonna try, but you know, we'll see. Brad Crowell 38:16  You are just making up the URLs here. Lesley Logan 38:19  I'm not. Lesley Logan 38:19  Yeah, crowsnestretreats.com. Just go to crowsnestretreats.com. Lesley Logan 38:23  You gave me the waitlist one. Brad Crowell 38:25  No. Lesley Logan 38:25  Yeah, not on this sheet, but in life.Brad Crowell 38:28  Okay, because of 404. So I'll have the team fix that right now. Lesley Logan 38:31  Fix that, please, because I gave it to somebody else last week on Instagram, because you gave that to me. Okay.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tom Dubay from Hartford Flavor Company and Rory Gale from Hartford Prints discuss not only the Health of Hartford but the Business Health of Hartford and different events they have going on.

Loneliness seems to be part of what it means to be a relational being. Does that mean loneliness can never really be “solved”? Here's one way to think about loneliness: As a gap between relational expectation and social reality—something that signals our essentially relational, reciprocal nature as human beings.This episode is part 6 of a series, SOLO, which explores the theological, moral, and psychological dimensions of loneliness, solitude, and being alone.In this reflective conclusion to the series, Macie Bridge and Ryan McAnnally-Linz explore loneliness not as a pathology to solve but as a universal, creaturely experience that reveals our longing for relationship. Drawing on insights from conversations throughout the series, they consider how loneliness emerges in the gap between what we desire relationally and what we actually have, and why this gap might be intrinsic to being human. They discuss solitude as a vital space for discernment, self-understanding, and listening for God; how risk is inherent to relationships; why the church holds unique potential for embodied community; and how even small interactions with neighbors and strangers can meet real needs. Together they reflect on grief, social isolation, resentment, vulnerability, and the invitation to turn loneliness into attentiveness—to God, to ourselves, and to our neighbors, human and non-human alike.Episode Highlights“Loneliness is just baked into our creaturely lives.”“There really is no solution to loneliness—and also that's okay.”“We invite a certain level of risk because we invite another person closer to our own human limits.”“There's no blanket solution. We are all experiencing this thing, but we are all experiencing it differently.”“I realized I could be a gift to her, and she could be a gift to me, even in that small moment.”About Macie BridgeMacie Bridge is Operations Coordinator for the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. Macie is originally from the small town of Groton, Massachusetts, where she was raised in the United Church of Christ. As an undergraduate at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, Macie studied English literature, creative writing, and religious studies. She spent a year in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with the Episcopal Service Corps after receiving her B.A. There, she served as Events & Communications Coordinator for L'Arche North Carolina—an emerging L'Arche community, and therefore an incredible “crash course” into the nonprofit world.About Ryan McAnnally-LinzRyan McAnnally-Linz is Associate Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture and a theologian focusing on flourishing, meaning, and the moral life. He is co-author of Public Faith in Action and The Home of God with Miroslav Volf, and Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most with Miroslav Volf and Matt Croasmun.Show NotesLoneliness as Creaturely ConditionLoneliness as “baked into our creaturely lives,” not a sign of brokenness or failureThe “gap between what we want and what we have” in relationshipsLoneliness as a universal human experience across ages and contextsSolitude and DiscernmentSolitude as a place to listen more clearly to God and oneselfTime alone clarifies intuition, vocation, and identity.Solitude shapes self-knowledge outside societal expectations.Community, Church, and EmbodimentChurches can be embodied spaces of connection yet still feel lonely.Hospitality requires more than “hi”; it requires digging deeper into personal encounter.Embodied church life resists technological comforts that reduce vulnerability.Grief, Risk, and VulnerabilityDistinguishing grief-loneliness from social-isolation lonelinessRelationships inherently involve risk, limits, and potential hurt.Opening oneself to others requires relinquishing entitlement.Everyday Encounters and Ecological AttentionSmall moments with neighbors (like taking a stranger's photo) can be meaningful.Loneliness can signal attention toward creaturely neighbors—birds, bugs, landscapes.Turning loneliness outward can widen our capacity for care.Production NotesThis podcast featured Macie BridgeEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Alexa Rollow, Emily Brookfield, and Hope ChunA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Christopher Ramos is currently serving as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He conducts the UVU Wind Symphony and directs instrumental studies within the music education area. He additionally teaches courses in conducting, music education, and music appreciation. He received the DMA in instrumental conducting at The Hartt School, studying with Glen Adsit and Edward Cumming. While at Hartt, he assisted in conducting Hartt's instrumental performing ensembles and the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble, and as part of the adjunct faculty he taught courses for graduates and undergraduates in conducting, brass methods, diversity and belonging, jazz pedagogy, and in the core music theory sequence. Before Hartt, Chris served as a band director at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia where he taught Western classical and jazz music in performing and theory courses across grades 6-12, and his students were invited to perform in international festivals across Southeast Asia. He is also an active scholar working at the intersection of musicology, wind band studies, and music education with his latest publications forthcoming in the Music Educators Journal (NAfME) and the Utah Music Educators Journal (UMEA). In 2022 he received the Goldstein Award from the University of Hartford, and in 2016 he received the Joanne Kealinohomoku Prize from the Society of Ethnomusicology Southwest for his scholarship. He holds additional degrees from the University of New Mexico where he studied with Eric Rombach-Kendall, and from East Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce) where he studied with Phillip Clements (conducting), Luis Sanchez (piano), and Mike Morrow (horn). In addition to his conducting, researching, and teaching, he actively performs both on the French horn and at the keyboard. He has produced, performed, and conducted on records for the Naxos, Summit, and Parma record labels, and he has performed in and conducted ensembles in concert halls, stages, forests, and patios across the United States and Asia. An avid supporter of new music, he has been part of numerous commissioning projects for solo horn, chamber ensembles, and wind ensembles. He is a second-place winner in The American Prize for conducting and in 2025-27 he holds the Harry Begian Conductor Scholar Award at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He is an active member in the College Band Directors National Association, Utah Music Educators Association, Utah Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, American Musicological Society, and National Association for Music Education, and is an honorary member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity.

Dive into this electrifying episode featuring Caitlyn Grabenstein (@cult.class), a dynamic visionary excelling as an artist, designer, author, and digital marketing strategist hailing from the Hartford, Connecticut, area. This acclaimed collage artist, boasting over 660K Instagram followers, masterfully fuses photorealism, vintage aesthetics, and sci-fi surrealism in her captivating creations. Her innovative portfolio has secured prestigious commissions from industry giants like Netflix, Adobe, Porsche, Sony Music, and Unilever, while earning rave features in Vogue, WIRED, Goop, and beyond.In 2025, her groundbreaking debut sci-fi thriller One Red Arrow, Part I skyrocketed to Amazon's Top 100 Conspiracy Thrillers and claimed the #1 spot in Superhero Fantasy (Kindle Free Store): https://a.co/d/bFVw1SHFrom pioneering government web development to leading as a BMI Music Row executive, Caitlyn founded CLG Design Co. (delivering 150+ transformative projects) and BANDADE—a visionary philanthropic initiative partnering with icons like Imagine Dragons and Florence Welch to host 50+ high-impact events, generating vital funds for cancer research.In this episode, Caitlyn unveils spine-tingling personal paranormal experiences; we talk Bigfoot, freaky nature, enigmatic UFO phenomena, and mind-bending high-strangeness explorations!https://linktr.ee/cult.classWe are thrilled to announce the official launch of Let's Get Freaky merchandise! Our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and more. Explore the full range at http://tee.pub/lic/aQprv54kktw.Do you have a paranormal or extraordinary experience to share? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us to be a guest on the Let's Get Freaky podcast. Email us at letsgetfreakypodcast@mail.com or reach out via social media on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, or YouTube at @tcletsgetfreakypodcast. Connect with us at https://linktr.ee/letsgetfreaky.

Community listening sessions are essential for effective nonprofit work, yet too often they become a box-checking exercise rather than a chance to uncover blind spots and foster true collaboration. In today's episode, Josh Gryniewicz interviews Dana Perlman to explore practical strategies for meaningful, co-creative listening. Tune in for a fresh perspective on systems change, community listening, and narrative strategy. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Dana Pearlman's Systems Change toolkits (free download) https://danapearlman.com/toolkits [NPFX] From Micro-Stories to Meta-Narratives: How to Influence Perception and Drive Change https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/from-micro-stories-to-meta-narratives-how-to-influence-perception-and-drive-change-narrative-strategy [NPFX] Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/authentic-ethical-and-effective-messaging-from-theory-to-practice [NPFX] Flipping the Script: Using Narrative Strategy to Improve Messaging and Prevent Donor Attrition https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/flipping-the-script-using-narrative-strategy-to-improve-messaging-and-prevent-donor-attrition [NPFX] When Your Nonprofit's Case for Support Just Isn't Working https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/when-your-nonprofit-s-case-for-support-just-isn-t-working [NPFX] How to Find Authentic Voices That Inspire Action https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/narrative-strategy-how-to-find-authentic-voices-that-inspire-action Guests Josh Gryniewicz is the founder and Chief Narrative Strategist at Odd Duck, a storytelling-for-social-change creative consultancy focused on impact-driven organizations. Josh is the co-author of the award-winning national bestseller, Interrupting Violence. For over a decade, he has worked in nonprofit communication. In 2018, he founded Odd Duck to combine his passions for storytelling and social change. The agency's Navigating Misinformation for Community Health framework has been shared with over a thousand community health organizations. Odd Duck has worked with nearly a hundred change-making organizations and advised hundreds more, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the White House. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgryniewicz/ https://oddduck.io/ https://www.interruptingviolence.com/ Dana Pearlman is the founder of ChangeLeaders Network. As a systems change designer, facilitator, and catalyst, she helps individuals, teams, and organizations innovate and thrive. Her work spans one-on-one mentoring, multi-stakeholder workshops, and large-scale transformation efforts. She equips groups with practical skills in dialogue, systems thinking, complexity navigation, and creative problem solving while fostering inclusive environments that honor diverse perspectives. Drawing on a versatile toolkit of frameworks and methodologies, Dana collaborates across sectors to co-create pathways toward shared goals. She also speaks on co-creation and leadership development and designs education programs and change labs, bringing a holistic and experiential approach grounded in her multidisciplinary academic background. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-pearlman-27134312/ https://danapearlman.com/ Hosts Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/ https://www.visionconnectllc.com/

Look here listeners, podcasts come and go, but the chance to talk about Hartford . . . The Whale?  You only get to do one of those episodes maybe once or twice in a lifetime.  And lucky you, tonight is one of those nights and we're talkin' about the 1985-86 Hartford Whalers!  Considered by most to be the most successful season in club history, the squad was lead by names like Ron Francis, Ray Ferraro, Sylvain Turgeon and Kevin Dineen, plus not one but two (!!!) Babych brothers and the steady Mike Luit between the pipes!  The dispatched the division winning Nordiques in three straight, the only playoff series victory in franchise history, before losing to the Habs in the Adams final in 7 games.In period two we talk about the suddenly inconsistent Winnipeg Jets, talk about the injury bug that seems to be biting everyone and dip our toes into international waters with a little Team Canada chatter.In the third, we've got a brand new sponsored segment for ya, plus another Score pack attack, and maybe a GLH update for you if you play your cards right!

Bull Markets, Investor Hubris, and the Hidden Risks of Annuities Are you feeling smarter about your investments after years of strong market returns? In this episode of The Financial Hour of The Tom Dupree Show, Tom Dupree and Mike Johnson explore a critical truth that even legendary investors like Benjamin Graham learned the hard way: bull markets can create dangerous overconfidence. For those thinking about retirement or already in retirement in Kentucky, this discussion reveals why understanding what you own—and maintaining investment humility—matters more than chasing the latest “simple solution.” Unlike mass-market advisory firms that promote one-size-fits-all products, Dupree Financial Group emphasizes personalized investment management and portfolio transparency. This episode examines the psychology of market success, the realities of annuity contracts, and why direct access to portfolio managers who show you exactly what you own provides than opaque insurance products. Key Takeaways: Investment Lessons from Market History Bull Markets Create False Confidence: Even Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett’s mentor, nearly lost everything after early success made him believe he “had Wall Street by the tail”—a lesson for today’s investors experiencing strong returns Market Success Often Includes Luck: Quick wins can lead to psychological distortions, especially when you’ve “unknowingly broken the rules of the game but won anyway” The Dangers of Autopilot Investing: Index funds and passive strategies mean following a “prescribed path that lots of other people are going,” with little thought given to how portfolios are composed Annuities Are Complex Insurance Products: Despite being marketed as simple solutions, annuities involve counterparty risk, surrender penalties, and fine print that rarely delivers promised returns Portfolio Transparency Is Powerful: Understanding exactly what you own—seeing individual stocks and bonds rather than packaged products—provides genuine comfort during market volatility Fear-Based Investing Creates Poor Outcomes: Investment decisions driven solely by fear (whether fear of loss or fear of missing out) typically underperform thoughtful, process-driven strategies The Benjamin Graham Story: When Success Breeds Dangerous Confidence Mike Johnson shares a compelling historical example that resonates powerfully with today’s investment environment. Benjamin Graham—the father of value investing and Warren Buffett’s teacher—started his investment firm in the Roaring Twenties with $400,000. Within just three years, he turned that into $2.5 million. As Mike explains: “Because of the great success over that short period of time, he knew that he knew it all, had Wall Street by the tail. He was thinking about owning a large yacht, a villa in Newport, race horses. And he said, ‘I was too young to realize that I’d caught a bad case of hubris.'” The consequences? When Graham thought the worst of the 1930 market crash was over, he went all in—and even used leverage. The result nearly wiped him out personally, and his firm had to be bailed out by a partner. By 1932, his portfolio had lost over 50%, dropping from $2.5 million back to just $375,000. Tom Dupree emphasizes the universal lesson: “The market can humble you real quick. You always have to view past successes in the lens of ‘okay, you may have had a good run, a good success, and some of that could be luck.'” Why This Matters for Kentucky Retirement Planning Today For those thinking about retirement who have benefited from recent market strength, this story serves as a critical reminder. Mike notes: “In the environment we’ve been in for the last several years in the market, some people have made life-changing money. Some people have made good returns and they got to their goal quicker than they thought they would.” The question becomes: How do you respect the gift the market has given you? Through careful analysis with a local financial advisor who can provide personalized portfolio analysis rather than assuming past success will automatically continue. The Problem with “Autopilot” Investing: Index Funds and Groupthink Tom Dupree delivers a powerful critique of passive index investing that challenges conventional wisdom. When Mike mentions autopilot investing, Tom responds: “Autopilot isn’t ever autopilot. It’s a path that someone else has selected that you’re going on and you’re going on it because everybody else is.” He continues with a critical observation: “In the case of an index, it’s an arbitrarily picked index of, say, 500 stocks that meet a certain size criteria, certain management criteria. What you don’t understand frequently is that by going on autopilot, you’re actually being told what to do. You’re not just going with the flow—there’s almost no thought going into it. There’s no real investing.” Mike adds: “That’s the definition of mediocrity. Even if the return is good and everybody’s getting a good return because the market’s doing well, it’s still mediocrity because you’re not spending any time thinking about what you’re doing or how you’re doing it.” The Windfall Effect: Why Unearned Money Often Gets Lost Mike shares another psychological insight relevant to both inheritance and market windfalls: “We’ve seen it when someone inherits a windfall unexpectedly. A lot of times you see bad decisions with that money. Not all the time, but a lot of times. They’ve never had that kind of money before. They didn’t earn it. How can you respect it that way? How can you fear it?” This applies directly to portfolios that have grown significantly without the owner fully understanding why or how. As Mike notes: “You don’t have the respect that also goes along with having made it. That’s why you see somebody that’s gradually built something over a long period of time—you don’t have that dopamine hit.” For Kentucky retirement planning, this suggests the importance of understanding your investment philosophy and how each holding contributes to your goals, rather than simply celebrating portfolio growth without comprehension. Annuities: The “Simple Solution” That Rarely Delivers The second half of the episode tackles annuities—insurance products increasingly marketed to those in or approaching retirement. Mike presents sobering statistics: “In 2025, more Americans than ever are going to be turning 65—about 4.2 million US citizens will be turning 65 this year.” He connects this demographic trend with research from Allianz: “64% of those surveyed were more worried about running out of money than death.” Tom responds: “That’s a really frightening comment on where a lot of people are.” This fear creates demand for products marketed as “easy solutions”—but the reality is far more complex. Types of Annuities and Their Real-World Performance Mike breaks down the main annuity categories: Index Annuities (Currently Most Popular): These promise you can earn up to a certain percentage annually without losing principal if markets decline. However, Mike explains the reality: “What you generally see is the rate of return on an index annuity averages pretty close to what the going CD rate is. That’s just the math of it.” The problem lies in the fine print. Mike offers a detailed example: “Let’s say it’s a one-year point-to-point, and they say over the year you can make up to 6%. If you take that on a monthly basis, that’s half a percent a month. If in January the market goes up 1%, they credit you half a percent. But then come December, the market goes down 7%. It’s still up for the year, but December wiped out your credit. Even though the market is up for the year, you’re credited with zero.” Immediate Annuities: The “purest form” where you give an insurance company principal in exchange for monthly income. Mike notes: “In those scenarios, you’re essentially getting your own money back for 15, 18 years, and then you start coming out ahead—not even taking into account time value of money.” Fixed Annuities: Similar to CDs inside a tax-deferred wrapper. The primary risk? “The insurance company is able to use the money to earn a return, and in exchange for what they’re paying you. The risk that you’re agreeing to take on is inflation risk.” Variable Annuities: Once popular in the 1990s and early 2000s but less common now due to previous issues at major insurers. The Hidden Risks Nobody Tells You About Annuities Beyond the obvious issues like surrender penalties (typically 7 years, but Mike has seen contracts as long as 14 years), several critical risks receive little attention: Counterparty Risk: Who’s Really Backing Your Annuity? Tom explains: “You have the insurance company as the counterparty, and the insurance company is investing its own money in corporate bonds, and some of those are going into these AI data centers.” Mike expands on this: “Most people think when they have an annuity from an insurance company that it’s similar to something AAA because it’s insured. But what’s it insured by? It’s insured by securities that are backing it that could have trouble.” Tom recalls historical examples: “I’ve seen it happen before. AIG, Executive Life before that—lots of it during my career. Hartford got in trouble with writing variable annuities.” The Insurance Company Squeeze: When Spreads Get Tight Mike reveals a current market concern: “There’s huge demand for bonds, and at the same time, the hyperscalers financing data centers are looking for buyers. The marginal buyer, the largest buyer, has been insurance companies of the data center debt.” The consequence? “Spreads are the tightest they’ve been since the nineties. They’re being priced for perfection, priced almost like a Treasury. But we’re talking about bonds that are backed by a data center with a revenue stream that’s not yet to be determined.” Tom summarizes: “When the spreads aren’t attractive, they’ll go out on the risk spectrum and take more risks to try to get a little more spread there. It’s a vicious cycle.” The Commission Structure Nobody Mentions Tom notes: “We didn’t even talk about the commission part of the annuity structure—the fact that it’s a very, very heavily commission-structured product.” This contrasts sharply with Dupree Financial Group’s approach: “We are fee-based, and it takes all incentive to not—well, we’re fiduciaries also, so we must by law do what’s best for the client. That aligns our interest with the clients as well, which gives you a different product.” The Power of Portfolio Transparency: Seeing What You Actually Own Throughout the episode, Tom and Mike return to a core principle that distinguishes personalized investment management from packaged products. Tom explains: “Our style of investing is that when you get your statement, you are looking under the hood because it’s right there. You’re seeing what your money’s invested in. You’re not looking at an investment that’s invested your money in something else that you can’t see.” Mike emphasizes why this matters over time: “You gain an understanding and a comfort level that’s not just taking somebody’s word for it. You’re seeing it with your own eyes over a long period of time. You see the income, you see price movement. You see these different aspects, and really, it makes the thing come to life.” This transparency provides advantages that no annuity contract or index fund can match: You know exactly which companies you own shares in You understand why each holding is in your portfolio You can see income generation in real-time, not theoretical returns You develop genuine comfort during market volatility because you know what you own You avoid the “black box” problem of packaged products Tom adds: “We’ve always invested with people typically where we show them what is under the hood, what they own. It’s not a package product. It’s not an ETF, it’s not a mutual fund, it isn’t an annuity. It’s not some structured note. It’s bonds and stocks for the most part.” Learning from Mistakes: The Value of Experience Tom shares an honest perspective on how Dupree Financial Group has developed its approach: “There’s nothing like mistakes to help you with financial stuff. Mistakes are valuable if you can limit them to a certain amount to where it doesn’t knock you out of the box. But one of the best investing tools is making mistakes.” He continues: “We’ve learned a lot in our firm with companies that we invested in that were just mistakes. We didn’t think they were mistakes at the time, but over time, you know, it was. And what we began to learn is: Don’t go there again. Let’s not do that one again.” This experiential learning creates pattern recognition: “When you see something again, you see similarities and differences and you’re like, ‘Okay, that’s an opportunity.’ You just learn.” This accumulated wisdom—built over 47 years in Tom’s case—represents a significant advantage of working with experienced local financial advisors rather than being assigned an investment counselor at a large national firm who may lack this depth of historical perspective. The Critical Questions to Ask About Your Retirement Portfolio Mike provides a framework for evaluating your current situation: “You have to pause and view it in the context of you, specifically your situation. There’s always going to be people richer than you. There’s always going to be people that have more of something than you have, and you have to be careful of viewing your situation through their context.” He offers specific questions: “Do the numbers work for you at where they are?” “Do a critical analysis of what the investments are” “Is there an investment plan?” “Or is it—has it just been on autopilot and the autopilot’s taking you where you wanted to go?” “You need to reevaluate where things are today” Mike emphasizes the market context: “This market—people who have had assets invested in the stock market for the last several years—you’ve been given a gift. Generally speaking, a gift in terms of the returns. And you need to respect the gift.” How do you respect it? “By analyzing what it is that you have and thinking critically about how can this be used. Is it being utilized properly in terms of an investment mix, in terms of just an investment approach?” Fear vs. Process: Making Better Investment Decisions A recurring theme throughout the episode is the danger of emotion-driven investing. Mike warns: “You have to be very concerned about allowing your investment decision to be driven only by fear. Yes. And to the point we were making in the first half, having a process—an investment process, an investment plan—that is dynamic enough to change when things need to change.” He identifies two common fear patterns: Fear of Loss: “Think about what fear drives you to do generally. You can look at fear in a situation like an annuity where you leave potential earnings on the table out of fear.” Fear of Missing Out: “And then sometimes there’s fear of missing out in an up market and you can jump in when you shouldn’t.” Tom adds: “Fear is a good thing to have in relation to investing.” Mike clarifies: “Respect. I would call it respect. A respect that things can happen.” This balanced perspective—maintaining respect for market risks while following a thoughtful process—characterizes the approach at Dupree Financial Group. Review their market commentary archive to see how this philosophy has been applied across various market cycles. When Annuities Actually Make Sense (It’s Rare, But It Happens) Despite the episode’s critical examination of annuities, Tom shares an important caveat: “I have seen annuities where they actually make sense for the person. And in those instances, keep it.” He shares a specific example: “I had a client one time that did buy an annuity. It grew in value. He passed away and his wife received a significantly higher payout than what would have happened if we had just invested in investments because the market had gone down, but the value of the annuity had gone up.” Tom reflects on the outcome: “That was a case where I feel like that lady was blessed. I’ve seen it happen too where there have been clients that I feel like—and the only way I can put it is—it’s like God touched them in ways that I can’t explain. Just in ways that it’s just a blessing.” The key takeaway? “You need to have an unbiased analysis of the contract. What are the terms? Does it actually accomplish your goals?” If you currently own an annuity, Mike encourages: “You can give us a call and we can talk with you about the specifics of your contract.” Why “Simple Solutions” Rarely Work for Retirement Mike concludes with a fundamental truth about retirement investing: “Investing’s never just a simple one decision solution. It’s a process. It has to be because things change. Markets change, people’s lives change, and there has to be a process behind what you’re doing.” Tom reinforces the warning: “Whenever they tell you you don’t have to look under the hood with this investment, you better look under the hood.” This principle applies equally to: Index funds marketed as “set it and forget it” solutions Annuities sold as eliminating all market risk Any investment product that promises complexity has been eliminated Mass-market approaches that treat all investors identically For those thinking about retirement or already in retirement in Kentucky, the alternative is working with advisors who provide direct access to portfolio managers, show you exactly what you own, and maintain a process-driven approach that adapts to changing circumstances while remaining grounded in time-tested principles. Ready to See What’s Really Under the Hood of Your Portfolio? If you’re concerned that recent market success may have created blind spots in your retirement planning—or if you’re evaluating whether an annuity truly serves your interests—Dupree Financial Group offers complimentary portfolio reviews for Kentucky residents thinking about retirement or already in retirement. During your consultation, you’ll receive: Honest assessment of your current portfolio’s strengths and vulnerabilities Analysis of whether you’re taking appropriate risks given your life stage Evaluation of any annuity contracts you currently own (unbiased review of actual terms) Direct conversation with experienced portfolio managers who personally manage client assets Clear explanation of what you own and why—no black boxes or packaged products Discussion of how to respect and protect the gains the market has provided Don’t let bull market confidence create blind spots in your retirement plan. Schedule your complimentary portfolio review today. Call Dupree Financial Group at (859) 233-0400 or visit www.dupreefinancial.com to schedule directly from our homepage. Experience the difference that personalized investment management, portfolio transparency, and direct access to portfolio managers makes in your Kentucky retirement planning journey. Frequently Asked Questions About Bull Markets, Annuities, and Retirement Investing What does it mean that “bull markets make you feel smarter than you really are”? This phrase captures how extended periods of market gains can create false confidence in investment abilities. As the Benjamin Graham story illustrates, even legendary investors can mistake favorable market conditions for personal genius. For those in or approaching retirement in Kentucky, this means strong recent returns shouldn’t lead to overconfidence or excessive risk-taking. Working with a local financial advisor who provides objective perspective helps distinguish between skill and fortunate timing. Why did Benjamin Graham nearly lose everything despite being Warren Buffett’s teacher? After turning $400,000 into $2.5 million in just three years during the 1920s, Graham developed what he called “hubris”—thinking he “had Wall Street by the tail.” When he believed the 1930 crash was over, he went all in using leverage. The market continued falling, and his portfolio dropped back to just $375,000. The lesson: even brilliant investors can be humbled by markets when success breeds overconfidence. His partner had to bail out the firm, and Graham didn’t take a salary for years while making clients whole. What’s wrong with index fund investing for retirement? While index funds work for some investors, Tom Dupree notes they represent “a path that someone else has selected that you’re going on because everybody else is.” There’s “no real investing” happening—just following an arbitrary selection of stocks based on size criteria. Mike Johnson adds this is “the definition of mediocrity” because “you’re not spending any time thinking about what you’re doing.” For Kentucky retirement planning, personalized investment management provides understanding of actual holdings rather than passive acceptance of whatever an index contains. How do index annuities actually work, and why do they underperform? Index annuities promise upside participation (often “up to 6% annually”) with downside protection. However, the mechanics rarely deliver. In a typical point-to-point structure, if the market gains 1% monthly for 11 months (crediting you 0.5% monthly due to caps), you’d have 5.5% credited. But if December sees a 7% decline, your entire credit gets wiped out even though the market is up for the year. The result: returns typically match CD rates despite the complex structure. The fine print and monthly/quarterly calculations favor the insurance company. What is counterparty risk with annuities? Counterparty risk refers to the possibility that the insurance company backing your annuity could face financial trouble. Insurance companies invest your principal in corporate bonds and other securities to earn returns higher than what they promise to pay you. Currently, many insurers are heavily invested in AI data center debt with unproven revenue streams. Historical examples like AIG, Executive Life, and Hartford show this isn’t theoretical—insurance companies can and do get into trouble, potentially affecting annuity values. Are there situations where annuities make sense? Yes, though they’re rare. Tom Dupree shares an example where a client’s widow received significantly more from an annuity than she would have from traditional investments because her husband passed away after the annuity grew but when markets had declined. However, these favorable outcomes are exceptions. The key is having an unbiased analysis of your specific contract terms and whether they truly accomplish your goals. If you own an annuity, Dupree Financial Group can review whether keeping it makes sense for your situation. What does it mean to “look under the hood” of your portfolio? Looking under the hood means seeing exactly what individual stocks and bonds you own rather than just seeing a packaged product name and account value. Tom Dupree explains: “When you get your statement, you are looking under the hood because it’s right there. You’re seeing what your money’s invested in, not what packaged product your money is in.” This transparency allows you to understand what companies you own, why you own them, and how they generate income—creating genuine comfort during market volatility. Why is “autopilot” investing dangerous for those approaching retirement? Autopilot investing—whether through target-date funds, robo-advisors, or simple index strategies—means following a prescribed path with little thought given to your specific situation. Tom notes you’re “actually being told what to do” rather than having a strategy tailored to your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. As retirement nears, one-size-fits-all approaches can leave you overexposed to market declines or invested in ways that don’t generate needed income. Personalized investment management adapts to your changing life circumstances. What should I do if I’ve benefited from recent strong market returns? Mike Johnson advises: “You’ve been given a gift. Generally speaking, a gift in terms of the returns. And you need to respect the gift.” Respecting it means analyzing what you have, ensuring your investment mix still makes sense, and not assuming past success will automatically continue. Ask: “Do the numbers work for you at where they are?” and “Is there an investment plan, or has it just been on autopilot?” A complimentary portfolio review with Kentucky retirement planning specialists can provide this objective assessment. How do I know if fear is driving my investment decisions? Fear-driven investing shows up in two ways: fear of loss (leading to overly conservative choices like annuities that sacrifice potential growth) and fear of missing out (jumping into hot investments at precisely the wrong time). Both create poor outcomes. The alternative is what Tom calls “respect” for markets—acknowledging risks while following a thoughtful process. Mike emphasizes having “an investment plan that is dynamic enough to change when things need to change” rather than reacting emotionally to short-term events. What’s the difference between fee-based advisors and commission-based annuity sales? Annuities typically involve substantial commissions paid to the salesperson, creating incentives that may not align with your interests. Tom Dupree explains: “We are fee-based, and it takes all incentive to not—well, we’re fiduciaries also, so we must by law do what’s best for the client. That aligns our interest with the clients.” Fee-based structures mean advisors earn based on portfolio performance and client retention, not product sales. This fundamental difference affects which solutions get recommended. About The Financial Hour of The Tom Dupree Show The Financial Hour provides practical investment wisdom and retirement planning guidance for Kentucky residents approaching or living in retirement. Hosted by Tom Dupree, founder of Dupree Financial Group, with insights from portfolio manager Mike Johnson, each episode delivers actionable strategies based on decades of experience in personalized investment management and portfolio transparency. Listen to more episodes and read additional market commentary at www.dupreefinancial.com/podcast. The post Bull Markets, Investor Hubris, and the Hidden Risks of Annuities  appeared first on Dupree Financial.

This hour, it’s our show on the relationship and chemistry between Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick (and the lyricist Hal David) recorded live onstage at Watkinson School in Hartford. It’s an hour of music, conversation, and demonstrations of how GPS can help you find the way to San Jose. GUESTS: Lou Bocciarelli: Bass Atla DeChamplain: Vocals, Atla & Matt Matt DeChamplain: Piano, Atla & Matt Latanya Farrell: Vocals Steve Metcalf: Piano Molly Sayles: Drums The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Maegn Boone, Meg Dalton, Robyn Doyon-Aitken, Megan Fitzgerald, Dylan Reyes, and Lily Tyson contributed to this show, which originally aired April 24, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southwest Michigan's Morning News podcast is prepared and delivered by the WSJM Newsroom. For these stories and more, visit https://www.wsjm.com and follow us for updates on Facebook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. This Category 5 storm caused devastation in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, permanently changing the lives of those living and working in this region. Here in Connecticut, many residents have felt the ripple effect. The West Indian community makes up a large portion of the immigrant population in Connecticut. There are 70,000 West Indian immigrants in greater Hartford area alone. Many individuals in this community were unable to reach loved ones at the height of the storm, and are now stepping up to provide support for those impacted by the hurricane. Today, we hear from them. Guests: Azaria Tyler: Business Development for Shubert Theater and member of the Jamaican American Connection in New Haven Dr. Gary Rhule: member West Indian Social Club of Hartford, and Health Sector Representative for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Carolyn Vermont: Vice President of the West Indian American Association of Bridgeport Caribbean organizations in Connecticut are requesting the following items for people impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Non-perishable food, fruit and vegetable seeds, animal feed, food containers, food storage bins, disposable utensils and plates, MREs Bedding foam, cots, mattresses, pillows, pillowcases, robes Tools and equipment, flashlights, batteries, radios, message boards, work gloves, garbage bags Health supplies, hygiene kits, water storage containers, water purification kits Tarps, tents, buckets with lids, mobile storage units Items can be dropped off at a number of locations located across the greater Hartford area. Rehoboth Church of God, 1170 Blue Hills Ave., Bloomfield Homecare Services, 112 Cottage Grove Rd., Bloomfield West Indian Social Club of Hartford, 3340 Main St., Hartford North United Methodist Church, 1205 Albany Ave., Hartford Hartford Fire Dept. Engine Co. 10, 510 Franklin Ave., Hartford Sport and Medical Sciences Academy, 280 Huyshope Ave., Hartford Semilla Cafe, 1283 Main St., Hartford A Step Above Childcare, 30 Quarry Rd., Glastonbury Grace Episcopal Church, 311 Broad St., Windsor Fish N Tingz Bar & Grill, 384 Middle Turnpike West, Manchester Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneur Magazine, The Grio, Black Enterprise, Author Recently Rahkim wrote in Entrepreneur Magazine""I Went Viral for Quitting My Job Because It Was Impacting My Mental Health. Here Are the 4 Things I Did to Prepare for Full-Time Entrepreneurship.Want to 'fire' your boss? You'll need to be prepared."Rahkim Sabree Mission is.............. "To inspire multi-generational growth; spiritually, mentally, and physically through the lens of my words and experiences."From Section 8 to Owning Multiple Homes, Rahkim has grown from being raised in humble dwellings to reaping the benefits of owning his investments.As a speaker Rahkim has graced stages, classrooms, work spaces, and board rooms serving on panels and delivering workshops, seminars, and keynotes. Most notable of which was the TEDx stage in Hartford, CT. Rahkim is always looking for opportunities to spread his message.On the heels of his new book entitled Financially Irresponsible, author Rahkim Sabree says that closing the financial literacy gap can be done with the establishment of a team.Rahkim is a millennial /Gen Z African American man who's accomplished financial goals like attaining the coveted 800 FICO credit score, to purchasing his first home under 30. He mentions, “These were not things discussed growing up in Mount Vernon, NY.”His hope is to inspire others like him to not only become financially literate, but to share what they know with others.Rahkim's book is packed full of advice, tips, guides, and powerful insights that many people are going to find useful and empowering. For more information about the book, please visit here.He can be reached on Instagram @UnlimitedInvestmentInquiries and is looking to connect with celebrities and influencers who share in his passion to spread Financial Literacy awareness.For more information visit his official web site at rahkimsabree.com© 2025 All Rights Reserved© 2025 BuildingAbundantSuccess!!Join Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASJoin Me @ Spot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAmazon Music ~ https://tinyurl.com/AmzBASAudacy: https://tinyurl.com/BASAud 

If you ask Omar Coffee CEO Nicolas Bokron how to run a successful, fourth-generation business, he'll tell you about the core values posted on the walls around his company. “Trust, not tricks” is one of them. “Generally, the coffee business is about on-going relationships, so it's very important to take care of issues and make them right,” Bokron said. “People need to trust and rely on you.” Bokron recently sat down to talk about all things coffee—and his family's always-evolving 88-year-old business—with first-time CBIA BizCast guest host Ari Santiago, well-known for his Made in America podcast series. Founded in 1937 by Bokron's great-grandfather John Costas, Omar Coffee started in Hartford's South End. Over the years, it gradually grew into a regional company that roasts raw coffee beans, then sells, packs and distributes them to customers throughout the Northeast and beyond. Omar also provides and services coffee brewing equipment for food service establishments. On the retail side, Omar sells its coffee online. “We'll give you everything you need to get set up and get brewing so you can sell coffee by the cup,” Bokron said. In line with its business culture and family values, Bokron says when it comes to hiring new employees, the first thing the company looks for is character. “If someone has the right attitude, shows up at the right time, day in and day out, and they're reliable, then we'll try to give them the appropriate skills, whether its manufacturing, sales, or service,” he said. The family's values and strong culture built on hard work and integrity run deep at Omar. “We're big believers of training from within,” he said. “There are people who work at Omar now whose parents worked for my grandfather. “They share the same connection and affinity to the business because it means more to them than just a job.” When it comes to keeping a family business evolving with the times—and staying competitive regardless of industry trends—Bokron said he's learned to maintain a long-term perspective. “My grandfather taught me you just sort of have to remain steady,” he said. “Good things are going to happen, and bad things are going to happen. “So I feel like it's my responsibility to take the information in, try to solve the problems, and remain cool, calm and collected. “I mean after all we're making coffee here. We have to remain steady because we have a long-term focus.” Related Links Omar Coffee Website: https://www.omarcoffee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/omar-coffee-company/ Nicholas Bokron LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bokron-09a0a823/ Made in America Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Made in America Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari/ Ari Santiago LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ CBIA Website: https://www.cbia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/ The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell, contact Amanda Marlow.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Schilkowsky to dive into her recent win at the Hartford Marathon, her impressive early morning training schedule, and the challenges she's faced. We discuss her performance at Hartford, how/why a PR can be gratifying yet still feel disappointing, and the crucial role of fueling during races. Rachel opens up about her running journey, how she balances family life, and her future goals in both marathon and track events. Sponsors ASICS - Explore the METASPEED Edge and Sky Tokyo along with the newly released Megablast and Sonicblast at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.asics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blue Moon is the ninth movie directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ethan Hawke. It is written by Robert Kaplow and “inspired by” the letters of Lorenz Hart and Elizabeth Weiland. Hawke plays Hart on the night that the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! opens on Broadway. And: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is written and directed by Scott Cooper based on the book Deliver Me from Nowhere by Warren Zanes. It stars Jeremy Allen White in the title role, and it mostly tells the story of Springsteen writing and recording his 1982 album, Nebraska, and some of the material that appeared on his 1984 followup, Born in the U.S.A. GUESTS: Rebecca Castellani: Co-founder of Quiet Corner Communications and director of marketing at Washington Montessori School Jim Chapdelaine: An Emmy-winning musician and a patient advocate for people with rare cancers Rich Hollant: Founder and principal of CO:LAB, a hall of fame designer, and a co-partner at CENTER Steve Metcalf: Founder and director of the Garmany concert series at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School Irene Papoulis: Taught writing for a long time at Trinity College MUSIC FEATURED (in order): Everything I’ve Got – Blossom Dearie Mountain Greenery – Shirley Horn Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered – Ella Fitzgerald Nebraska – Jeremy Allen White I’m on Fire – Jeremy Allen White I’ll See You on the Radio – Grayson Hugh The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachael's got a new diagnosis! And a new office. (And they both start with the sound Awwww.) Listen as she takes you on that journey, and then enjoy Elle Hartford's delightful story! Elle Hartford has written in several genres but is currently working on a cozy mystery series with an alchemical twist. As a historian and museum educator, she firmly believes in the value of stories -- and fantasy in particular -- as a mirror for complicated realities. Though she grew up on the beaches of the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in New Jersey with a grumpy tortoise, a three-legged cat, and a very supportive partner. Find her blog and other stories at ellehartford.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop-podcast--4429642/support.

Stassi's in full Halloween mode with C-O-Lo French! Between birthday shoutouts and planning her big pre-Halloween bash, she shares Hartford's hilarious Disney costume contest moment—aka the “walked straight off the stage” debut. Then it's on to her shockingly great dentist visit complete with laughing gas, Gilmore Girls, and a cashmere blanket. The girls dive into TikTok's latest trend —Christmas in February? Re-grouping the months? Stassi swears the year really starts in September—and debate whether early Christmas lights mean you're happy… or just holding on. Plus, the final showdown: candy or baked goods?Thanks for supporting our sponsors:Boll and Branch: For a limited time get 20% off Bed Bundles, plus free shipping andreturns, at BollAndBranch.com/stassi.IRestore: Unlock your best skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on the iRestore Illumina Face Mask with code Stassi at irestore.com/Stassi! #irestorepodWayfair: Get organized, refreshed, and ready for the holidays for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.Caraway: Visit Carawayhome.com/STASSI10 you can take an additional 10% off your nextPurchase.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.