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Send us Fan MailWholehearted Enneagram: A Year Through the Types | Type 5 | Episode 1 of 4What does it look like to be the most prepared person in the room… and the most alone?Amy opens Type Five month with her co-teacher and spiritual director Deanna Sudom, exploring a type that is profoundly misunderstood — often seen as cold or aloof when they are actually among the most perceptive, generous, and deeply feeling people you will ever know.You'll hear about:The Five's core fear of being depleted, incapable, or incompetent — and how it shapes every relationship and decisionWhy Fives aren't emotionally unavailable… they're protecting something precious (and waking up every day feeling like they're already at 20%)The withdrawing stance and what it actually costs a Five and the people who love themHow Fives experience God intellectually before they trust Him — and what shifts when they move from knowing about God to being known by HimThe 18-inch gap between head and heart, and why filling it with more knowledge isn't the answerThe gift of the Five's wisdom, depth, and singular capacity for focused presence, and why the world genuinely needs what they've been holdingWhether you're a Five yourself or you love one, this conversation is an invitation: you don't have to earn your place at the table by knowing enough. You already belong.You have more to give than you know. And you don't have to disappear to be safe.Support the showRESOURCES FOR YOU:Join the Waitlist for 1:1 Coaching with Amy Wickshttps://www.simplywholehearted.com/callamywicksNot sure about your Enneagram Type? Start here: https://www.simplywholehearted.com/enneagramquizEnnea-what? The Beginners Guide to the Enneagram(free course + printables)https://bit.ly/Enneagram101GuideConnect with Amy:IGWebsite

Send us a text & leave your email address if you want a reply!Do Women Actually Want to Become Masterful Lovers, or Have We Only Ever Trained Men to Try? Leah and Willow dig into real conversations with men who are quietly craving more curiosity and skill from their partners, unpack why presence can be more powerful than technique, and get honest about the conditioning that's kept women playing it safe in bed. Funny, tender, and overdue. IN THIS EPISODE:Why men are craving more reciprocity, not just more sexThe nine minute presence trick that stops a roomWhat a hand resting on his body really means to himThe conditioning behind why women hold backWhy it's finally safe to want sexual mastery tooLINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE: https://www.sexreimagined.com/blog/masterful-lover Erotic Polarity Online Masterclass - Join us July 29th for a live masterclass on zoom. Starts at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern. Register for $33 HERE (free limited replay window available) The Sacred Spot Couples Retreat | Sep 25-26, 2026 in Vermont  | Join Leah & Dr. Willow to learn the Tantric Sacred Spot Ritual Sequence! Click Here to Register.  Slow Tantric Sex Online Masterclass - Join us September 2nd at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern for a live masterclass on zoom. Register for $33 HERE (free limited replay window available)Support the showFREEBIE- Introduction to Tantric Kissing Video and WorkbookSxR WebsiteDr. Willow's WebsiteLeah's Website 

Episode 152: John Goodson (Part 1) John Goodson is a model maker and digital artist who spent more than three decades at ILM. His credits span The Rocketeer, Star Trek: First Contact, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Rogue One, and most recently The Mandalorian and Grogu. In this first of two episodes, I talk to John about his lifelong obsession with spacecraft and model-making, how he got to ILM, what the model shop was like at its peak, and the craft philosophy that has defined his career. In this episode:Growing up obsessed with Lost in Space, Star Log, and the making-of books that shaped his ambitionsWriting letters to ILM at age 14 — and getting politely told to stopHow a childhood friendship and a homemade recreation of the Battle of Hoth eventually led to his first visit to ILMThe advice that sent him back to finish school — and why it was the right callGetting hired for one week on Body Wars and spending the first three days hiding in the model shop hoping nobody would noticeWhat the ILM model shop culture was like at its peak, and what he absorbed from Bill George, Lorne Peterson, Larry Tan, and the rest of that teamThe 18-foot Titanic model for Ghostbusters II and learning to just start buildingThe 33-foot Hindenburg for The Rocketeer — eight months of construction, a night shoot at a decommissioned Air Force base, kerosene running out of the holes, and a cherry picker at 25 feetThe pasta trick, pancake syrup, and other unexpected materials that found their way into ILM shotsWatching the digital wave arrive and feeling like parts of the machine were being taken awayThe transition to digital model-making and eventually finding his footing with MariWhat it felt like to return to physical model-making for The Mandalorian — and what was hardest about working without the model shop around himThe mechanical language of spacecraft: why weathering works, what Star Crash got wrong, and the disposable camera exercise that taught a kit-bash class to see the real world differentlyHow the Razor Crest started as a 3D-printed assembly that couldn't survive construction — and what he did about itPart two is coming soon...This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you'd like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube:Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentariesAll my links

Send us Fan MailMark Mills started buying and selling at school — literally, with bags of broken biscuits from the biscuit factory where his aunt worked. Three decades and five businesses later, after a £20,000 debt from the failed pay phone venture that took years to clear, and a publishing business he sold for £1, he built Cardpoint into a £100M-a-year cash machine business turning over £2M a week. He now takes other founders through the 40-step process he ended up writing after selling his own company disastrously badly on the first attempt.In this episode:The broken-biscuits business at school that started it all, and why he thinks the best entrepreneurs are always capable salespeopleThe pay phones business in the early '90s that made money on hardware but nothing on calls, and the recession that wiped it outThe £20,000 debt he decided to pay off personally rather than take anyone down with himThe mobile phone moment: sitting around a table laughing at the idea that "someone would want one for his wife" — and the revolution they completely missedThe publishing business that got so broad it had no audience, and the £1 exit that followedThe 1999 trip to New York with his brother "because all the good ideas come from the States"The five business model rules it took him three failed ventures to figure out: recurring income, location-independent, scalable, necessary rather than fashion, and of its timeCardpoint: 36,000 free ATMs already in the market, and the counter-intuitive decision to put paid ones in more convenient locations — corner shops, petrol stations, tourist spotsThe maths behind £1.50 charges adding up to £100M in revenue, and why the business ended up needing a lot of accountantsWhy he ran Cardpoint with an exit in mind from day one, and how that discipline shaped every small day-to-day decisionThe disastrous first attempt to sell it — running buyer meetings while trying to do his day job — and the Christmas Day conversation with his wife that reset everythingThe six-month "I'm not for sale" period he used to prepare properly, and why saying no created more interest not lessThe 40-step exit process he now takes founders through, from tidying up leases and share structures to sharpening the sales pipelineThe four kinds of buyer he thinks about: PLCs, PE-backed roll-ups, private equity taking a hybrid stake, and pure trade sales — and the Minicam deal that used two of themWhy buyer due diligence matters as much as the other way round, and the founders who took less money because they preferred one buyer's team to another'sThe anticlimactic feeling after selling — the founder who ate beans on toast and cried the night the deal closed, and Mark's advice to do nothing for 12 months afterwardsMarking the occasion: daft cars, one burnt orange McLaren, and a pair of cufflinks Mark still wears years laterThe five "disinheritance events" his kids can recite, and why they occasionally try to talk each other into breaking the rulesHis definition of true wealth: not the money, but the choices — and why he'd rather be rich than famousA conversation about ruthlessly interrogating your own business model, the discipline of running every day as if the exit is coming, and why the moment after the wire transfer clears is often quieter than anyone expects.Mark's Website: https://www.mark.co.ukBook “Making Your Mark” - https://amzn.eu/d/04iC0CF7This podcast is produced by TribunistaSponsored by Capital Partners

I sat down with Chris Sugai, General Manager of Gates Corporation's Mobility Unit — and the founder of Niner Bikes, where he championed 29" wheels back when they were less than 1% of the market. Now he's doing it again, this time with belt drives.We talked about:The uncanny parallel between the resistance he faced pushing 29ers in the early 2000s and the skepticism belt drives face today — almost all of it from people who've never actually riddenWhat it's like being an "ingredient brand" inside OEM partnerships, and why the real work happens in the trenches with frame and drivetrain manufacturers, not in front of the end consumerSelling Niner after 20 years, the capital strain of growing a company at double-digit rates, and what it taught himThe transition from 40 years as an entrepreneur to being an employee at a 115-year-old, $3.5B public company — and why he actually prefers itThere's something great about hearing a founder talk candidly about giving up control, and what he gained in return.Read the latest 'The Business of Cycling' BlogSign up for 'The Business of Cycling' Newsletter

Knowing Hymn – Episode 50"Welcome Home"What does it mean to truly feel welcome home?In this episode of Knowing Hymn, Steve and Angi explore the touching new hymn "Welcome Home" from Hymns—For Home and Church. Together, they discuss how the hymn beautifully portrays three sacred invitations: gathering with fellow Saints at church, entering the peace of the temple, and ultimately returning to the loving presence of our Heavenly Father.Throughout the episode, Steve and Angi reflect on the Savior's open invitation to all of God's children, the importance of creating welcoming congregations, and the peace that comes through temple worship. They also share personal experiences—including Angi's service as a temple worker—and testify that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, every one of us can one day hear the words, "Welcome home."The story and message behind the hymn "Welcome Home"Three meanings of "home" found throughout the hymnCreating welcoming church congregationsFinding peace and healing through temple worshipAngi's experiences serving as a temple workerThe Savior's invitation to return to HimThe symbolism of Christ's outstretched armsHow the Atonement makes it possible for us to return to our Heavenly FatherWhy every disciple can help others feel welcome in the Church"Welcome Home" (Hymns—For Home and Church)Isaiah (the repeated invitation that "His hand is stretched out still")2 Nephi 1:15 ("encircled about eternally in the arms of his love")Additional references to the Savior's invitation to come unto HimClark G. Gilbert (April 2026 General Conference): "To those who are struggling to come home, know that it is your Savior who is calling you back."John H. Groberg on the temple being "the real world" because it represents eternal realities rather than temporary earthly concerns.Coming unto Jesus ChristFeeling welcome in the ChurchTemple worshipEternal familiesThe AtonementGod's mercyReturning to our Heavenly FatherChristian fellowshipMinistering with kindness and love"Welcome Home" presents a beautiful progression through three sacred places of belonging. The first verse celebrates the welcoming spirit of the Church as disciples gather to worship together. The second verse turns our attention to the temple, where covenants bring peace, healing, and a deeper connection with God. The final verse looks beyond mortality to the joyful day when the Savior, with arms outstretched, welcomes His faithful children back into His presence—a reminder that through Jesus Christ, our eternal home is always within reach.

What happens when the thing you're most afraid of is also the thing that gives your life the most meaning?Matt Bromley chases storms for a living. Literally.He tracks weather systems forming across the globe, and when the wave looks big enough, he flies in, straps on an inflation vest, and paddles into waves three to seven storeys tall.Besides getting all the titles you can imagine in the Big Surfer World - Matt spent almost 20 years learning how to work with fear instead of around it to unlock more of his potential in this life.In this episode, Matt takes us inside the mind of someone whose "office" can genuinely kill him — and the mental training that makes that survivable, and even purposeful. We talk about:

Sahej Suri is the founder of Blue Dot Investors, a late-stage growth equity firm that invests exclusively in fintech across both primaries and secondaries. Before Blue Dot, he built his career at J.P. Morgan, TPG, and as chief of staff to Nigel Morris at QED Investors. In this conversation, Sahej explains the scrappy origin story of the firm, the overlooked opportunity in fintech secondaries, and his new report with FT Partners on the coming fintech liquidity supercycle, including the finding that the top 100 private fintechs now out-earn the top 100 public ones.What We CoveredSahej's path from J.P. Morgan to TPG to QEDThe 2008 recession and why access to financial services stuck with himThe happenstance origin story of Blue DotWhy fintech is closer to biotech than to generalist techThe gap in the market for late-stage fintech specialistsWhy the top 10 names dominate secondary market activityFinding undervalued companies outside the marquee namesThe "Liquidity Supercycle" report with FT Partners and how it came togetherWhy the top 100 private fintechs out-earn the top 100 public onesThe state of the IPO window and the SpaceX bellwetherWhy the 2025 IPO cohort cleared a much higher barThe have versus have-nots dynamic in fintech fundraisingThe Blue Dot dinner series and building communityHis AI thesis and where the value creation will landA 10-year view on fintech as an asset classKey TakeawaysThe best fintech companies are now private, and on the top 100 they out-earn their public peers on revenue, a finding Sahej says had never been put on paper before.Fintech rewards specialists. Banking, payments, capital markets, and insurance are almost different worlds, and most investors who piled in during 2021 without that depth are no longer around.The IPO window is real but conditional. The 2025 cohort was roughly three times the size on revenue and more profitable than historical norms, and the near-term window hinges on how bellwether listings perform.Sahej's bet on AI value creation is not the startups or the large AI labs, but the scaled fintechs that already own distribution and customer trust.About Sahej SuriSahej Suri is the founder and Managing Partner of Blue Dot Investors, a New York-based late-stage growth equity firm investing exclusively in fintech across primaries and secondaries. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan in the financial institutions group, at TPG in growth equity and buyouts, and as chief of staff to Nigel Morris at QED Investors. Blue Dot came out of stealth in early 2026 and manages roughly $100M in assets, with a team of six and around 30 advisors. Peter is an advisor to Blue Dot Investors.Connect with Fintech One-on-One:Tweet me @PeterRentonConnect with me on LinkedInFind previous Fintech One-on-One episodes

Send us Fan MailNiraj was 30, healthy and getting ready for work when a stroke put him on the bathroom floor and eventually into the stroke unit at St Mary's Hospital in London. Fifteen years on, he has built five businesses across property, meditation, sports tech and now M&A, all while carrying two convictions the health scare gave him: that a useful thought beats a true one, and that energy is a strategy in its own right. His latest venture, DKZ Equity, is out to fix what he sees as broken about how smaller entrepreneurs get sold.In this episode:The stroke at 30 that came with no family history, no warning and no explanation, and the "car crash" analogy his doctors used when they discharged himThe father he lost at 14 to a heart attack aged 47, and the two ambitions that shaped Niraj at 15: run his own business and see the worldWhy the plan he was already forming to leave employed life got accelerated the day he woke up in hospitalThe year he spent inside two tech startups just to learn how to build, and the mistake he was making that stopped anything getting off the groundThe pivot into real estate out of "desperation and frustration", the London Plan document nobody in property was reading, and the co-living niche that replaced his salaryWhy he built video viewings, electronic signatures and fibre-optic broadband into his lettings in 2012, and why he still finds property "incredibly boring"Riding the London wellness wave in 2014 and 2015, building a meditation and mental wellbeing movement, and the "moderately successful" exit that taught him more than a bigger one might haveThe sports tech partnership with Mac Lackey that nearly delivered a seven-figure exit on something that fundamentally didn't workThe three near-miss accountancy acquisitions that turned into the origin story of DKZ Equity in December 2024Why he thinks the sub-£50M M&A market is where things get "murky", and the incentive structures that push good advisers up-marketThe retainer-free M&A model he thinks founders should be wary of, the four-to-six percent fee range, and the tail provisions that have quietly wrecked good dealsThe 24-month tail clause that trapped one founder, cost them a £20M exit and forced them into another funding roundWhy he stacked his firm with two experienced partners from day one, and why he almost never takes equity when early-stage founders offer itEnergy as a strategy: the physical, mental and social edge that shows up in every meeting whether you notice it or notHis two-part definition of true wealth: winning the demographic lottery of a free-market Western economy, then having the bravery to define what you actually want rather than what social media tells you you shouldA conversation about treating your own health as infrastructure, building businesses in markets other people have written off, and the questions every founder should be asking before they sign an M&A engagement letter.Niraj's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niraj5hah/DKZ Equity Website: https://www.dkzequity.comThis podcast is produced by TribunistaSponsored by Capital Partners

⚠️ Content WarningThis episode contains open discussions about gambling addiction, alcohol and drug use, domestic violence and suicide. Please take care of yourself first. If you're not in the right headspace, come back to this one when you're ready. There is no rush.If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (available 24/7) or visit lifeline.org.auThis week I sat down with Luke Bateman, and this was one of those chats that covered so much ground I genuinely didn't want it to end.Luke played 71 NRL games for the Canberra Raiders before injury and his own mental health forced him to step away from the game. What most people don't know is that behind the footy career, Luke was fighting a serious gambling addiction that ended up costing him around $500,000 over four years, alongside struggles with alcohol and drugs. He's been incredibly open about how that addiction took hold, what it cost him, and what it actually took to get out the other side.We also got into something Luke is really passionate about right now. Ahead of State of Origin Games 2 and 3, Luke is using his platform to call out the link between alcohol, masculinity and violence, with research showing a 40% rise in domestic violence incidents on State of Origin nights. We talk about why he believes alcohol and gambling advertising in sport needs the same scrutiny we've seen applied to tobacco, and why this conversation matters so much to him.And then there's the part of Luke's story that surprised everyone. From hiding fantasy novels in the toilet as a tough country kid playing first grade footy, to becoming one of the biggest names on BookTok and signing a two-book fantasy series deal with Atria Books. It's a brilliant reminder that it's never too late to embrace who you really are.This one covers addiction, advocacy, masculinity and reinvention. Luke is honest, switched on, and using his voice for something that really matters.In this episode we cover:Luke's journey through the NRL with the Canberra RaidersThe gambling addiction that cost him around $500,000 over four yearsHis struggles with alcohol and drug use during his playing careerWhat recovery actually looked like for himThe culture in elite sport around gambling and drinkingThe link between alcohol, masculinity and domestic violenceThe 40% rise in family violence incidents during State of OriginCalls to tighten alcohol advertising regulation, similar to gambling and tobaccoHiding his love of fantasy novels as a kid on a cattle propertyBecoming a BookTok sensation and signing his Atria Books dealWhy storytelling and reading matter for boys and menThe numbers behind this conversation:Alcohol is involved in up to 47% of all police-reported family violence incidents47% of women sexually assaulted by a man in the past decade said alcohol or another substance contributed to the most recent incidentResearch shows a 40% increase in violence towards women and children in NSW on State of Origin game nightsState of Origin Game 3 — Wed 8th JulyIf this episode brought something up for you:

⚠️ Content WarningThis episode contains open discussions about gambling addiction, alcohol and drug use, domestic violence and suicide. Please take care of yourself first. If you're not in the right headspace, come back to this one when you're ready. There is no rush.If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (available 24/7) or visit lifeline.org.auThis week I sat down with Luke Bateman, and this was one of those chats that covered so much ground I genuinely didn't want it to end.Luke played 71 NRL games for the Canberra Raiders before injury and his own mental health forced him to step away from the game. What most people don't know is that behind the footy career, Luke was fighting a serious gambling addiction that ended up costing him around $500,000 over four years, alongside struggles with alcohol and drugs. He's been incredibly open about how that addiction took hold, what it cost him, and what it actually took to get out the other side.We also got into something Luke is really passionate about right now. Ahead of State of Origin Games 2 and 3, Luke is using his platform to call out the link between alcohol, masculinity and violence, with research showing a 40% rise in domestic violence incidents on State of Origin nights. We talk about why he believes alcohol and gambling advertising in sport needs the same scrutiny we've seen applied to tobacco, and why this conversation matters so much to him.And then there's the part of Luke's story that surprised everyone. From hiding fantasy novels in the toilet as a tough country kid playing first grade footy, to becoming one of the biggest names on BookTok and signing a two-book fantasy series deal with Atria Books. It's a brilliant reminder that it's never too late to embrace who you really are.This one covers addiction, advocacy, masculinity and reinvention. Luke is honest, switched on, and using his voice for something that really matters.In this episode we cover:Luke's journey through the NRL with the Canberra RaidersThe gambling addiction that cost him around $500,000 over four yearsHis struggles with alcohol and drug use during his playing careerWhat recovery actually looked like for himThe culture in elite sport around gambling and drinkingThe link between alcohol, masculinity and domestic violenceThe 40% rise in family violence incidents during State of OriginCalls to tighten alcohol advertising regulation, similar to gambling and tobaccoHiding his love of fantasy novels as a kid on a cattle propertyBecoming a BookTok sensation and signing his Atria Books dealWhy storytelling and reading matter for boys and menThe numbers behind this conversation:Alcohol is involved in up to 47% of all police-reported family violence incidents47% of women sexually assaulted by a man in the past decade said alcohol or another substance contributed to the most recent incidentResearch shows a 40% increase in violence towards women and children in NSW on State of Origin game nightsState of Origin Game 3 — Wed 8th JulyIf this episode brought something up for you:

⚠️ Content WarningThis episode contains open discussions about gambling addiction, alcohol and drug use, domestic violence and suicide. Please take care of yourself first. If you're not in the right headspace, come back to this one when you're ready. There is no rush.If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (available 24/7) or visit lifeline.org.auThis week I sat down with Luke Bateman, and this was one of those chats that covered so much ground I genuinely didn't want it to end.Luke played 71 NRL games for the Canberra Raiders before injury and his own mental health forced him to step away from the game. What most people don't know is that behind the footy career, Luke was fighting a serious gambling addiction that ended up costing him around $500,000 over four years, alongside struggles with alcohol and drugs. He's been incredibly open about how that addiction took hold, what it cost him, and what it actually took to get out the other side.We also got into something Luke is really passionate about right now. Ahead of State of Origin Games 2 and 3, Luke is using his platform to call out the link between alcohol, masculinity and violence, with research showing a 40% rise in domestic violence incidents on State of Origin nights. We talk about why he believes alcohol and gambling advertising in sport needs the same scrutiny we've seen applied to tobacco, and why this conversation matters so much to him.And then there's the part of Luke's story that surprised everyone. From hiding fantasy novels in the toilet as a tough country kid playing first grade footy, to becoming one of the biggest names on BookTok and signing a two-book fantasy series deal with Atria Books. It's a brilliant reminder that it's never too late to embrace who you really are.This one covers addiction, advocacy, masculinity and reinvention. Luke is honest, switched on, and using his voice for something that really matters.In this episode we cover:Luke's journey through the NRL with the Canberra RaidersThe gambling addiction that cost him around $500,000 over four yearsHis struggles with alcohol and drug use during his playing careerWhat recovery actually looked like for himThe culture in elite sport around gambling and drinkingThe link between alcohol, masculinity and domestic violenceThe 40% rise in family violence incidents during State of OriginCalls to tighten alcohol advertising regulation, similar to gambling and tobaccoHiding his love of fantasy novels as a kid on a cattle propertyBecoming a BookTok sensation and signing his Atria Books dealWhy storytelling and reading matter for boys and menThe numbers behind this conversation:Alcohol is involved in up to 47% of all police-reported family violence incidents47% of women sexually assaulted by a man in the past decade said alcohol or another substance contributed to the most recent incidentResearch shows a 40% increase in violence towards women and children in NSW on State of Origin game nightsState of Origin Game 3 — Wed 8th JulyIf this episode brought something up for you:

  What if the only thing standing between you and the business you were meant to build isn't money — it's the decision?  In this episode of That Will Nevr Work, Maurice sits down with Scott Curry — founder of Faith Roar, keynote speaker, author, and serial entrepreneur who spent 15 years building businesses that didn't work before going all in one final time with zero startup capital and transforming his entire life in 90 days. In January of 2021, working 16 to 20 hours a day on three to four hours of sleep, Scott launched a YouTube channel teaching investing strategies. Three months later, he had replaced his six-figure income. Today, his videos have been viewed over six million times by more than two million people worldwide — and through his company Faith Roar, he is on a mission to help one million people achieve financial freedom through business ownership and stock market investing.   This episode covers it all:Why "no money" is a myth — and what actually stops people from startingThe morning his twin boys stood at a gate crying "Daddy, please don't go" — and how that broke everything openWhat 15 years of failed businesses actually built in himThe exact 90-day breakdown that took him from zero to replacing six figuresWhy faith isn't just spiritual for Scott — it's the operational philosophy behind everything he buildsThe mission to help a million people, and why your why has to be bigger than your bank account  This one is for anyone who has ever told themselves they'll start when they have more money, more time, or more certainty — and needed someone who's been through the fire to tell them the truth. 

A note before you listen: Adam shares a personal experience involving grief and suicide that emerged naturally during our conversation. This episode isn't focused on those themes - we're exploring resilience, authenticity, masking, and boundaries - and I'm flagging this so you can choose whether this feels ok for you. Ultimately, this is a wide-ranging conversation between two friends; an episode of tenderness, hope and connection.Balancing Authenticity with Self-Protection and Resilience - In Conversation with Adam LindToday I'm joined by Adam Lind, author of Floating Home, for the second of our three-part deep dive on resilience.We explore what happens when we feel we need to mask our true selves - and the difference between masking (an unconscious survival strategy) and performative behaviour (a more conscious choice about how we show up). We also discuss compartmentalisation: how we can temporarily set things aside to function, and when that strategy risks becoming unhealthy.The most important aspect of this whole conversation is that there is no 'one right response' to our experience of the world. All these strategies and behaviours are deeply, truly human. And we are all learning how to navigate what life reveals to us, in our own way, in our own time.You'll hear:How masking can show up in any environment where we don't feel safe - and why it can be exhaustingThe difference between masking, performative behaviour, and compartmentalisation - all strategies that can look like resilience from the outside (or feel like resilience from the inside)Why authenticity and unmasking can perhaps begin to feel more resilient than protecting ourselves has done in the pastBoundaries as the foundation of compassion - and how clear boundaries enable resilienceHow Adam refuses to mask, even when it's socially awkward - and what that costs and gains himThe paradox: we need both authenticity AND the ability to protect ourselvesWhy self-trust comes from honouring our own boundariesAdam and I are also co-creating a retreat in October. The Weekend of No Requirements, 16-19 October 2026 is a space where you can show up exactly as you are.Find out more here: https://www.hennyflynn.co.uk/the-weekend-of-no-requirementsSettle in and see where this conversation takes you. ★ Support this podcast ★

What if reconnecting with God didn't require more effort, but more honesty?In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Willow sits down with Allison Byxbe to talk about what it really looks like to feel disconnected from God… and how to find your way back.After walking through a devastating diagnosis for her son, Allison found herself in a season where faith felt confusing, distant, and colorless. The way she once connected with God no longer worked, and she didn't know how to move forward.But in the middle of that pain, God gently invited her into something new.Through journaling.Not perfect words.Not polished prayers.Just honest, raw connection.In this episode, Allison shares how journaling became a powerful spiritual practice that helped her process grief, ask hard questions, and slowly rediscover God's presence—even in the middle of a 10-year valley.If you've ever felt stuck, numb, or unsure how to talk to God anymore… this conversation will meet you right where you are.What You'll Learn:Why feeling disconnected from God is more common than you thinkHow journaling can help you process pain and reconnect with HimThe power of honesty in your relationship with GodA simple daily journaling question to get startedHow to find God in the middle of long, hard seasonsWhy your “old way” of connecting with God might not work anymore—and what to do insteadSimple Practice to Try:Ask this one question each day...“God, where did I see You today?”Write whatever comes to mind.No pressure. No perfection. Just presence.Connect with Allison: Website | Book: Journaling as a Spiritual PracticeFollow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Brendan Sorsby has been ruled eligible by a Texas court after the NCAA deemed himThe ruling was met by outrage after Sorsby admitted to betting on games. TCU and Kansas athletic directors have discussed not playing Texas Tech in football this year. The court was made up of Texas Tech alums. Why is this being allowed? The decision should be made by NCAA directors.

A regionals-Sunday BDH that lands on one of the cleanest hitter-evaluation frameworks Trevor's laid out on the pod.The cold open: an insider defense of Tre Phelps after his celebration set off the old-school crowd. Trevor went down to Athens, spent 45 minutes with him off camera, and is on the record about who Tre actually is. Then West Virginia + Steve Sabins make their first program-history trip to Omaha — Sabins is the No. 1 head coach Trevor would hire if he were running a Power Four program right now.The middle of the show is Cristopher Sanchez's historic May — 50.2 scoreless innings, near-Hershiser territory, dominant with three pitches in a six-pitch era. Then Cleveland's offensive rookie crop (Bazzana, DeLauder, the broader call-up class) and why young hitters are debuting more "ready" than they've ever been.The back half is the keeper: the hitter data that actually predicts who plays at the top. Three numbers — contact rate, in-zone swing decisions, and exit velocity — and the rule that you need at least two of three at an elite level. The Kurtz-vs-Caglianone comparison shows how raw athleticism can carry you through college and the minors but flips on you at the top if you don't check the boxes.Topics covered:The Tre Phelps celebration and an insider defense of his actual character (30 minutes early, asking questions, no entitlement)Why Coach Wes Johnson + the Georgia community see Tre the way Trevor does after meeting himWest Virginia + Steve Sabins's first-ever trip to Omaha, and why Sabins is the No. 1 head coach Trevor would hireCristopher Sanchez's historic May — 15.2 scoreless, near Hershiser, dominance with three pitchesThe Sanchez sinker + change-up tandem and how a 6'6" lefty "makes the plate bigger"60% ground ball rate + elite swing-and-miss = a wild card threat with Wheeler behind himThe offensive rookie crop — Bazzana, DeLauder, JJ Wetherholt, Cole Emerson — and why they're coming up readier than everThe ABS zone + modern training resources as the reason young hitters debut as closer-to-finished productsThe hitter evaluation framework — contact rate, in-zone swing decisions, exit velocityThe 2024 draft test: every box-checker is in the big leagues right now (except Charlie Condon)The Kurtz-vs-Caglianone comparison — out-athleting the level vs checking the boxesWhy bad-ball-hitter power doesn't translate to the topWhy the floor of a roster spot is built on contact + zone control, not slugWhy this matters:The slash line is still the way most casual coverage talks about hitters. Inside the actual front offices, the conversation lives in barrel, contact, chase, and exit velocity — and the rule that you need at least two of three at elite to play at the top. This episode is the cleanest framework Trevor's broken down on the pod, with the 2024 draft as the working proof. 00:00 Intro · First Scorcher of Summer 02:00 The Tre Phelps Celebration · Insider Defense 13:30 Steve Sabins + West Virginia to Omaha 19:00 Cristopher Sanchez's Historic May 26:00 Three Pitches in a Six-Pitch Era 33:00 Sanchez + Wheeler · The Wild Card Threat 38:00 The Rookie Crop · Why Hitters Come Up Ready 44:00 The Hitter Evaluation Framework 50:00 Kurtz vs Caglianone · The Athlete vs The Box-Checker 58:00 The 2024 Draft Test · Box-Checkers Already in the Bigs 1:03:00 Why the Floor Wins Lineups

Something has shifted in how organisations handle feedback and it's costing leaders their confidence, and teams their standards. In this short, direct episode, James Rule names what's happening: honest feedback is increasingly being labelled as bullying, leaders are going quiet, and the silence that follows isn't kindness. It's negligence. A rallying call for any leader who has hesitated before a difficult conversation they knew they needed to have.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe clear distinction between genuine bullying and honest, professional feedbackWhat James is seeing in his work with senior leaders and why it concerns himThe real cost of going quiet: how silence erodes culture, standards, and your best peopleWhy the standard you tolerate becomes the standard you setA direct challenge to every leader who has pulled back from a conversation they knew was necessaryHow to deliver feedback that is honest, fair, and unambiguous without apologyRELATED EPISODES FROM THE ARCHIVEEpisode 80 - Feedback Culture: The Secret Weapon of High Performing Teams (Part 1 - Giving Feedback)Episode 81 - Feedback Culture: The Secret Weapon of High Performing Teams (Part 2 - Receiving Feedback)ENJOYED THE EPISODE?James works with senior leaders, CEOs, and founders who want to perform at the highest level without losing what matters most in the process. If this conversation has prompted something for you professionally or personally James would genuinely love to hear from you.You can reach him directly via LinkedIn or through the website below. Everything shared is in complete confidence.If this resonated, the single most valuable thing you can do is share it with one person who needs to hear it. A leader you know who is carrying this quietly. A colleague who is building something significant and paying a price at home they haven't fully examined yet.A five-star review on your podcast app also makes an enormous difference in helping this podcast reach the leaders who need it most. It takes thirty seconds and it matters more than you know.ABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. CONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dewey Gaedcke was in Hawaii as a last-minute concierge favour when a friend told him about a volcano worth seeing at night. Five days later, he was rescued by a teenager in a tourist helicopter. The park service had already told his family he was probably dead.Dewey Gaedcke is known for surviving one of the most extraordinary ordeals in recent memory — five days lost on a remote lava field in Hawaii without water, proper footwear, or any idea where he was.The small decisions that compounded into a survival situation — an hour-and-a-half hike, a pair of jogging shoes, and no waterWhat it actually feels like to be lost with no landmarks, no path, and no signalHow he kept himself alive in conditions that should have killed himThe footage he recorded for his daughters in case he didn't make itHow a teenager in a tourist helicopter found him after the park service had already told his family to prepare for the worstConnect with Dewey here:FacebookFind us on social media — links on the About page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Brian Luebben breaks down the exact framework he has used to work six months a year while building a business doing over $10 million in revenue.Brian covers:Why both corporate America and traditional entrepreneurship broke himThe two seasons every high performer needs: acceleration and navigationHow reverse goal setting and Parkinson's Law make him more productive in less timeWhat his actual calendar looks like and how he knows when to switch seasonsWhy navigation is not vacation and how to tell the differenceHow to apply this framework whether you have a nine to five, young kids, or a growing businessThis is one of the most honest conversations Brian has had about how he actually structures his life and business - and why the finish line is never coming. Curious as to how we've bought multiple businesses and built millions in equity? Give this episode a watch for a full breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cviipnGtDWI&feature=youtu.beIf you are serious about building a life on your terms and want to surround yourself with people who are actually doing it, go to: https://actionacademy.com?el=action_academy_podcastIf you want to leave corporate America in the next 6-18 months - you should check out our Action Academy Community

"Preparation feels like progress. It's not."Welcome back to The Speaker Lab Podcast! After thousands of calls with speakers at every stage, host Dan Irvin has noticed something: it stops sounding like thousands of different stories and starts sounding like the same three. The names change. The cities change. The topics change. But the place where people are stuck? Almost always one of three patterns.In this solo episode, Dan breaks down the three speaker archetypes he sees on repeat — the Two-Year Thinker, the One and Done, and the Plateaued Earner — and gives you the honest, direct truth about what's actually keeping each one stuck. If you hear yourself in one of these today, that's not a bad sign. That's the first move.You'll learn:Why studying, researching, and redesigning your logo for the third time is not the same as building a speaking businessWhy "I just need to figure out my topic first" is almost always code for something elseWhat happens when a great talk goes nowhere — and why it's not because the moment was a flukeWhy the relationship and the room were always the real asset (not the talk)How speakers who are already getting paid hit a wall — and why it's a strategy problem, not a skill problemWhy the thing that got you a $1,000 fee will not get you a $10,000 feeHow Dan went from a self-described two-year thinker to eventually buying the company that taught himThe one thing all three archetypes have in common — and what actually breaks the patternWhy "my situation is different" might be the most expensive sentence in your speaking businessWhat 17,000 speakers who've broken through all have in commonAnd much, much more!"You are not lacking talent. You're not lacking passion. You're not lacking a message. You're lacking a system."--Heard yourself in one of those patterns? That's exactly the conversation Dan has on every Speaker Business Assessment call. Grab a free 15 minutes at thespeakerlab.com/SBA — no pitch, just a real look at where you are and what to do next.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Disclaimer: Due to a studio change and some equipment issues, the audio quality in this episode isn't what you're used to from Heart of Man. My team has done the best with what we had. I can however say with absolute confidence, the conversation itself was worth every minute. I hope you feel the same.Gil 'the Grid' Gomes Leal is the founder and artistic director of the Amenti dance collective and creator of the Amenti MoveMeant method. As a choreographer, performer, and movement teacher drawing from hip hop, African embodiment, Jungian psychology, and shadow work, Gil now incorporates movement as a form of medicine, connecting others to the inherent wisdom of their body.Gil grew up inside a Jehovah's Witness household in Rotterdam, where the joy, freedom, and expression he found through dance became a direct threat to his sense of belonging... It was within those early years of tension between attachment and his authentic expression that the foundation of everything he now teaches was laid...Through workshops, immersions, and trainings, Gil works alongside the Amenti collective with individuals to access their innate intelligence, guiding them towards deeper empowerment and healing of incomplete past experiences.I attended one of Amenti's workshops in Bali last year and was struck, as a somatic practitioner myself, by the potent places I got to access through this movement method.At the core of this conversation is a question Gil and I keep returning to: how can we move through experiences where we may have been legitimately victimized, and come into a felt embodiment of our agency and power, which I would argue is our birthright. We explore how this can be reclaimed through movement, shadow work, and the willingness to stop identifying as a victim of our story and start taking responsibility for it.In this episode, find out:How Gil's childhood within the Jehovah's Witnesses shaped himThe value of the pain teacher, and what it teachesWhy authenticity requires the willingness to lose people, and the cost of choosing attachment over truthThe link between unresolved trauma and powerlessness, and how the body can become the access towards agencyThe difference between being victimized by an event and adopting the victim identity as a way of lifeWhy anger is such a foundational emotion to work with, and the wisdom it carriesWhy fundamental safety can never be a given, and why the focus according to Gil is about creating brave spaces rather than safe onesI loved this conversation with Gil, and admire the way he was fuelled by his own pain, making incredible art out of it that individuals worldwide now get to benefit from.This episode is for anyone who has spent years feeling like life is happening to them, and is ready to step into the truth that it no longer has to.—Connect with Alex Lehmann:

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation centers on the family of God learning to live in the reality of Christ within them through faith, not feelings or circumstances. The family shares how God is looking for those who trust Him consistently, recognizing that faith, love, authority, and power all come from Him and are expressed through us. As believers grow in their identity in Christ, they begin to see others through His perspective and function together as one body. The life of Christ within becomes the source of everything—guiding, sustaining, and ministering through the family as they walk in unity and trust. Show Notes God is looking for a family that walks by faith and trusts Him in every situationFaith is not based on feelings, but on trusting who God is and what He has spokenThe challenge is consistency—learning to trust God beyond circumstancesFaith, love, authority, and power are all one in Christ within usOur walk is not based on our ability, but on His life working through usThe family begins to see others as potential brothers and sisters in the LordThe gospel is about stepping into sonship and living from the SpiritGod created us in His image and is restoring us to that realityFree will gives us the ability to choose surrender and alignment with HimThe family of God functions together, sharing life and strengthening one anotherChrist within us is the one who ministers, sustains, and leadsFaith does not depend on feelings—it stands on trust in GodGod brings people into our lives for His purpose, and we respond with His loveEach member of the family is positioned to be His voice and His channel Quotes “Without faith, it's impossible to please God.”“God's looking for those who trust Him and walk with Him by faith.”“Don't be moved by what you see or what the world is saying.”“It's not even our faith—it's His.”“They're only a revelation away.”“We don't have to do anything—we just be who we are.”“God loves each one of us just as much as He loves Jesus.”“Not my will, but Yours be done.”“We're in this together—we're not separate.”“It's Christ in us that's doing the ministry.”“Faith does not require feelings.”“We just love them and let God reach them through us.”“We are His voice. We are His channel.” Scriptural References Hebrews 11 (6)Faith is essential to a relationship with God and is what pleases HimColossians 2 (3)All wisdom and understanding are found in Christ, who lives in usJohn 10 (27)Believers are able to hear and recognize God's voiceJohn 1 (51)Christ is the connection between heaven and earth, always at workGenesis 1 (26)Humanity was created in God's image with His nature and purposeLuke 22 (42)True surrender is choosing God's will above our ownJob 23 (10)Trials refine us and deepen our knowledge of God2 Corinthians 5 (17)In Christ, we are made new and no longer defined by the old lifeGalatians 2 (20)The life we live is now Christ living through us1 Corinthians 12 (12)The family of God functions together as one unified body2 Corinthians 5 (20)Believers represent Christ and carry His message to the world Takeaway The family of God is called to live from the reality of Christ within, not from feelings, circumstances, or personal effort. As we trust Him and walk by faith, His life flows through us—uniting us as one body and expressing His love, power, and purpose to the world.

What happens when you have faith… and nothing changes?In this deeply personal episode, Scott and Deb sit down with Meg to talk about what it feels like when prayers seem unanswered, outcomes don't shift, and God feels silent.Meg shares her family's journey—raising a daughter born deaf and navigating years of exhausting uncertainty with their son—while doing everything “right” and still not getting the miracle they hoped for.This episode wrestles with:Why faith doesn't always lead to the outcome we wantThe trap of treating God like a “vending machine”What it really means to trust HimThe difference between faith in outcomes vs. faith in a relationshipHow to find peace when nothing changesIf you've ever felt forgotten, frustrated, or like you're doing everything right and it's still not working—this conversation is for you.

Hold onto your hats, folks! Today's episode features political heavyweight Andrew Egger, joining the Heitkamps from The Bulwark, breaking down the current state of Donald Trump's influence, the midterms' future, and the perils lurking behind all that grievance for Heidi and Joel. If you thought Trump was invincible, think again. Andrew's got the scoop that might just make you question everything.In this episode:Andrew's take on whether Trump has worn out his welcome in American politicsHow Trump's coalition is changing and why midterm races might be brighter for DemocratsThe impact of Trump's foreign policy blunders and economic missteps on his baseInsights into Iowa's surprising blue shift and rural America's economic pain pointsThe peculiar pattern of Trump firing women in his cabinet—and what that says about his characterThe shifting power dynamics in Congress and why even insiders are starting to talk differently about himThe global repercussions of Trump's economic policies and diplomatic misstepsWhether you're an annoyed voter, a political junkie, or just here for the laughs, this chat lays out the stakes in a way that's as sharp as Andrew's take on the Trump saga. Plus, a deep dive into the bizarre lawsuits, foreign policy flops, and the deepening schism in the GOP. It's like watching a slow-motion car crash—fascinating, inevitable, and possibly the end of an era.Resources & Links:The BulwarkAndrew Egger's Morning Shots NewsletterEchelon Insights polling in IowaAnd remember: If Trump is a cat, he's probably on his eighth life. But this episode highlights the cracks in the armor, so buckle up. Things might just get interesting.The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject). (00:00) - Introduction to the Hot Dish Podcast (00:57) - Trump's Political Standing and Challenges (05:56) - The Impact of Trump's Actions on His Base (11:56) - Congressional Dynamics and Trump's Influence (18:46) - Public Perception and Trump's Leadership (19:53) - Economic Concerns and Political Implications (22:03) - Tax Refunds and Economic Reality (23:58) - Midterm Elections and Shifting Political Landscape (27:09) - Rural Economy Challenges and Farmer Perspectives (31:56) - Manufacturing and Economic Policy in Rural America (38:30) - Democratic Strategies for Rural America (39:52) - Trump's Economic Pitch and Its Consequences (41:48) - Gender Dynamics in Trump's Cabinet (44:30) - Closing Thoughts with Andrew Egger (45:59) - Understanding the Dispatch and Conservative Media (47:01) - Character and Leadership in Crisis (48:30) - Closing Thoughts with Heidi and Joel

The Uncle Who Changes Every Time You Remember HimThe Uncle Who Changes Every Time You Remember HimBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/darkest-mysteries-online-the-strange-and-unusual-podcast-2026--5684156/support.Darkest Mysteries Online

Inside the mind of a Nazi—and the psychiatrist who studied him.In this powerful episode of Review It Yourself, Sean sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Jack El-Hai to discuss his gripping and deeply researched book, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.This is not just another Second World War/World War II book review. It's a psychological investigation into evil, power, ego, and moral reckoning at the aftermath of history's darkest chapter.A Psychological Duel at NurembergIn The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, Jack El-Hai explores the extraordinary relationship between Hermann Goering, the highest-ranking Nazi captured alive, and Douglas M. Kelley, the U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating him during the Nuremberg Trials.During our conversation, we unpack:How Kelley psychologically assessed leading Nazi defendantsWhy Goering fascinated and manipulated those around himThe concept of the “banality of evil” in practiceThe absence of a single psychiatric diagnosis to explain atrocityThe moral and professional toll the Nuremberg experience took on KelleyWhy these questions still resonate todayJack reveals how Kelley's pioneering psychological work challenged simplistic narratives about madness and evil — and how America struggled to process the uncomfortable conclusions.Why The Nazi and the Psychiatrist Matters NowWith the upcoming 2025 film Nuremberg renewing interest in this story, El-Hai's book has never been more relevant.In a world still grappling with extremism, ideology, and the psychology of power, this episode asks:Are monsters born—or made?Can ordinary individuals commit extraordinary evil?What responsibility does psychology bear in interpreting history?About Our Guest: Jack El-HaiJack El-Hai is an award-winning author and journalist specialising in narrative non-fiction, medical history, crime, and ethics.

Dallas Willard believed that the aim of God in human history is the formation of a community of loving persons — people apprenticed to Jesus, shaped by his character, and prepared to co-reign with him in eternity. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with Keas Keasler, author of the first comprehensive academic study of Willard's theology. Together they trace Willard's life from Depression-era Missouri to the halls of USC, unpack the philosophical roots of his spiritual formation theology, and ask why his vision for discipleship feels especially urgent in the church today.WHAT YOU WILL LEARNWhy Keas Keasler spent seven years researching Dallas Willard — and what he discovered that surprised himThe key biographical facts of Willard's life: a broken childhood, a pivotal choice between philosophy and seminary, and 47 years at USCHow Willard's friendship with Richard Foster and a small Quaker church in Southern California helped birth the modern spiritual formation movementWhy Willard chose phenomenology — the study of consciousness — and how it shaped his theology of transformationWhat it means that Willard was a committed metaphysical and epistemic realist — and why that grounds everything he taughtWillard's vision of humans as co-rulers with God: what it means, what the parable of the pounds has to do with it, and why formation is training for that callingThe famous Willard line: “Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning” — and the sophisticated theology behind itThe Golden Triangle of spiritual formation: the Holy Spirit, the spiritual disciplines, and the ordinary decisions of daily lifeThe “sanctification gap” that Richard Lovelace identified in the 1970s — and why it has only widened sinceWhy there is a crisis of character in the church today, and what Willard's vision offers as a remedyGUEST BIOKeas Keasler (PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology at Friends University, where he also serves as Program Director of the MA in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership. He is a Research Affiliate of the Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. An ordained Baptist minister, Keasler has traveled to over forty countries and preached on six continents.RESOURCES & LINKSKingdom Apprenticeship by Keas Keasler (IVP Academic)Hearing God by Dallas Willard (IVP)Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas WillardThe Divine Conspiracy by Dallas WillardRenovation of the Heart by Dallas WillardBecoming Dallas Willard by Gary MoonThe Kingdom Among Us by Michael Stewart RobbCelebration of Discipline by Richard FosterConversatio.org – Dallas WSend us Fan MailCONNECT WITH USSubscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave ConourEdited by Dave Conour

Living in Braga, Portugal: An Expat's Personal Journey Toward Peace, Community, and TranquilityJoin us as we sit down with John Pistana, a retired American expatriate who moved from New York and Fort Lauderdale, FL, to the charming city of Braga, Portugal. Discover his insights on cost of living, community integration, healthcare, and what makes Braga a peaceful haven for retirees seeking safety, walkability, and authentic culture.In this episode:John's personal journey from Upstate New York to Braga, PortugalWhy Braga's climate, cost, and lifestyle attracted himThe local real estate market: rentals and renovationsCost of living comparison: Braga vs. Lisbon, Porto, and the USAHealthcare system overview: public vs. private options and costsNavigating visas and residency as a retireeLocal transportation, walkability, and connectivityLGBTQ+ community presence and integrationThe vibrant food scene: regional dishes, international cuisine, and marketplacesCultural norms: outdoor living, social habits, and community safetyPractical tips on language, banking, and managing taxesThe emotional and practical aspects of downsizing and starting anewTimestamp Highlights:00:00 - Welcome and John's story: From New York to Braga 02:22 - Why John fell in love with Braga's vibe and community 04:41 - Braga's geographical location and local environment 06:11 - Weather and climate patterns across seasons 08:40 - Cost of living essentials: rent, utilities, and groceries 12:57 - Comparing Braga's expenses with Lisbon and Porto 15:00 - Public services, transportation, and walkability 19:49 - Train travel between Braga, Porto, Lisbon, and beyond 23:17 - The local dining and wine scene 27:55 - Embracing the peaceful lifestyle and community safety 42:15 - Cultural approaches to neighborliness and outdoor living 45:16 - Portugal's acceptance and safety for LGBTQ+ residents 54:22 - Practical tips for managing belongings and downsizing 58:17 - Tax considerations for US retirees living in Portugal 62:26 - Transportation options, owning a vehicle, and exploring the country 64:03 - Safety and crime: Braga's secure community environment 66:55 - The political climate regarding LGBTQ+ rights 71:20 - Final advice for those considering Braga as their retirement havenWhether you're contemplating retirement abroad or just curious about life in Portugal, John's experience offers valuable insights into creating a peaceful, connected, and fulfilling life in Braga.

Living in Braga, Portugal: An Expat's Personal Journey Toward Peace, Community, and TranquilityJoin us as we sit down with John Pistana, a retired American expatriate who moved from New York and Fort Lauderdale, FL, to the charming city of Braga, Portugal. Discover his insights on cost of living, community integration, healthcare, and what makes Braga a peaceful haven for retirees seeking safety, walkability, and authentic culture.In this episode:John's personal journey from Upstate New York to Braga, PortugalWhy Braga's climate, cost, and lifestyle attracted himThe local real estate market: rentals and renovationsCost of living comparison: Braga vs. Lisbon, Porto, and the USAHealthcare system overview: public vs. private options and costsNavigating visas and residency as a retireeLocal transportation, walkability, and connectivityLGBTQ+ community presence and integrationThe vibrant food scene: regional dishes, international cuisine, and marketplacesCultural norms: outdoor living, social habits, and community safetyPractical tips on language, banking, and managing taxesThe emotional and practical aspects of downsizing and starting anewTimestamp Highlights:00:00 - Welcome and John's story: From New York to Braga 02:22 - Why John fell in love with Braga's vibe and community 04:41 - Braga's geographical location and local environment 06:11 - Weather and climate patterns across seasons 08:40 - Cost of living essentials: rent, utilities, and groceries 12:57 - Comparing Braga's expenses with Lisbon and Porto 15:00 - Public services, transportation, and walkability 19:49 - Train travel between Braga, Porto, Lisbon, and beyond 23:17 - The local dining and wine scene 27:55 - Embracing the peaceful lifestyle and community safety 42:15 - Cultural approaches to neighborliness and outdoor living 45:16 - Portugal's acceptance and safety for LGBTQ+ residents 54:22 - Practical tips for managing belongings and downsizing 58:17 - Tax considerations for US retirees living in Portugal 62:26 - Transportation options, owning a vehicle, and exploring the country 64:03 - Safety and crime: Braga's secure community environment 66:55 - The political climate regarding LGBTQ+ rights 71:20 - Final advice for those considering Braga as their retirement havenWhether you're contemplating retirement abroad or just curious about life in Portugal, John's experience offers valuable insights into creating a peaceful, connected, and fulfilling life in Braga.

The Uncle Who Changes Every Time You Remember HimThe Uncle Who Changes Every Time You Remember HimBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/darkest-mysteries-online-the-strange-and-unusual-podcast-2026--5684156/support.Darkest Mysteries Online

This episode is a little different from our usual conversations.What I am sharing with you comes from a live women's gathering where I was invited to tell part of my story. It is not polished or carefully edited. It is simply real. My hope is that as you listen, you might feel as though we are sitting together, quietly talking about the deeper places of life.This is a personal Christian testimony of healing, faith, and the presence of God in the middle of pain.In this episode, I share about growing up with deep loneliness, the longing to be loved, and the confusion that shaped much of my early life. I speak honestly about broken relationships, hidden struggles, and a moment when life felt too heavy to carry. It was in that place that everything began to change, not because I had the right words, but because God met me right where I was.You will hear about:living with a deep hunger for love and belongingcoping with pain in quiet and unseen waysa turning point in a moment of despairwhat it means to truly know God, not just know about Himthe difference between God's love and His holinesssurrender, faith, and the ongoing journey of healingwalking through grief, suffering, and loss with GodThis conversation is not about having everything together. It is about discovering that even in our brokenness, we are seen, known, and deeply loved.Whether you are searching for hope, questioning your faith, or simply feeling alone, this episode is an invitation to consider that God is present and He cares deeply about your story.You do not need perfect words. You do not need to fix yourself before coming to Him.Sometimes the most honest prayer is simply:“God, if You are who You say You are… show me.”

We're back with another episode of blind reactions to the most unhinged Christian dating stories our listeners have sent in.If you've been following this series, you already know the drill. We read the stories for the first time on the podcast and react in real time. And somehow the stories keep getting crazier.In this episode we react to stories like:The girl who asked God for a sign about a guy… and the next day he got arrestedThe guy who would only hold hands during worship songsThe date that somehow ended with a trip to the dean's office at a Christian collegeThe man who compared a girl to a 12 passenger van while explaining why he wouldn't date herThe ministry leader who used a Samson Bible verse to try to convince a girl to marry himThe relationship that came with a very intense and very prophetic future telling momThe church play that ended with someone leaving their fiancé and marrying the GrinchSome of these stories are hilarious. Some are uncomfortable. And some are genuinely cautionary tales about manipulation, immaturity, and confusing spirituality with wisdom.If you've ever wondered whether your Christian dating experience was the weirdest one out there… it probably wasn't.

Indiana fell to Northwestern 74–61 in the Big Ten Tournament, dropping to 18–14 and surely ending any remaining hopes of an NCAA tournament bid.The Hoosiers built an early 10-point lead and looked sharp offensively before a late first-half collapse and second-half defensive breakdown allowed Northwestern to seize control and pull away.Andy Bottoms, Coach Tonsoni, Jerod Morris, and Ryan Phillips break down the season-ending loss and what it revealed about Indiana's roster and program direction:The strong opening stretch where Tucker DeVries, Lamar Wilkerson, and Sam Alexis fueled an early double-digit Indiana lead before everything unraveledThe brutal offensive collapse late in the first half that flipped momentum and set the tone for the rest of the gameNorthwestern's Nick Martinelli dominating the second half and why Indiana never found a defensive answer for himThe recurring defensive strategy questions — especially switching decisions that repeatedly created favorable matchups for NorthwesternFrustration with Indiana's shot selection and empty possessions during a pivotal second-half stretchA bigger-picture discussion of the offseason ahead and why portal additions will define the next phase of Darian DeVries' rebuildPlus, as always: the big moments you might have missed, stats that stood out, and our game ball and hustle award.This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Homefield Apparel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Olsen is one of the biggest social media stars in the world. He joined TikTok in 2020 and quickly became a viral sensation. I've admired him for a long time - his social media content is so funny, honest, and just impossible to scroll past. But what I didn't fully appreciate until this conversation was just how much he's been through to get to where he is today. Chris opens up about getting sober at 19 - before he'd ever had a legal drink - and the intervention that forced him into an impossible choice: choosing between his family and alcohol. We cover: His journey to sobriety and what it's taught him The heartbreaking moment his mum told him she was an alcoholic How he handles online criticism without it defining himThe best advice Meghan Trainor ever gave him How Chris met his new boyfriend Harrison This conversation is about choosing yourself, even when it's hard, and about building a life that feels worth protecting.Chris Olsen is Great Company.If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram- @greatcompanypodcastTikTok - @greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk This episode is sponsored by The AA, the UK's No.1 breakdown provider. It's OK with the AA, they're the fastest major breakdown provider with more patrols up and down the country, 24/7, 365 days a year. So, if you want that peace of mind and be back on the road in no time - Join today at theaa.com/Great T&Cs apply. Verify claims at theaa.com/bestTHE CREDITS Executive Producer: Ewan Newbigging-ListerProducer: Helen Burke & Jack ClaramuntAssistant Producer: Issy Weeks-HankinsVideo: Jake Ji & Josh BennettSocial Media: Laura CoughlanAudio: Rafi Amsili Geovannetti Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if opting out wasn't about selfishness… but about conviction? In this episode of Claiming Zero, I take a deep dive into the life of Mark Boyle, better known as The Moneyless Man. He gave up money. He later gave up modern technology. And in his early 30s, he chose to have a voluntary vasectomy — deciding not to bring children into what he believes is an overconsuming world.We explore:The misconceptions about himThe moment that changed his worldviewHis three years living without moneyHis decision to be child-free — and how it affected his relationshipsAnd what we can learn from someone willing to live radically differentlyWhether you agree with him or not, Mark Boyle forces us to ask a hard question: If we say we care about the world… how far are we willing to go?Support the showEmail: claimingzeropodcast@gmail.comIG/FB: @claimingzero

Can you really come back after Hollywood shuts the door on you?Many actors fear one big mistake, one bad rep, or one slow year will end their career.In this episode, we look at how that fear is not the end of the story. We break down how Robert Downey Jr. went from being called “unhirable” to leading Iron Man and helping launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe.His journey shows what is possible when you take full responsibility and rebuild step by step.In this episode, you'll discover:The quiet habits that helped him earn back trust when no one wanted to hire himThe mindset shift that turned pain and failure into emotional depth on screenThe simple career truth about reputation that most actors learn too lateIf you've ever felt behind, stuck, or embarrassed by your past, this story will remind you that your comeback can start today - so press play and learn how to rebuild your acting career the smart way.Email: martin@cityheadshots.comWebsite: https://www.martinbentsen.comAdditional Resources:Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.comShoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.comEdit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.comThis show dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

What matters after decades of building, losing, and rebuilding?In this episode of KP Unpacked, KP Reddy turns 55, and Nick uses the milestone for a lightning round conversation exploring career highs, crushing losses, and the philosophy that's shaped three decades of entrepreneurship. From living in a truck eating 19-cent tuna to running a VC fund, KP reflects on the moments that actually stuck and why they weren't the trophy wins.The conversation moves between tactical and existential. KP explains how Claude Cowork is now his nurse practitioner (drafting insurance appeals, scheduling appointments, analyzing x-rays), why he runs four Mac Studios doing different jobs while he unpacks office furniture, and why the future of CRM is taking people to lunch instead of data entry. But the deeper thread is about identity: why his worst fear (going back to zero) doesn't actually scare him, why his family has more confidence in him than he has in himself, and why the 2008 financial crisis validated the self-doubt that still drives him today.Key topics covered:Why KP spent his 55th birthday at the DMV after his assistant cleared his calendar without askingHow Claude became his healthcare coordinator and delivered better emotional support than his momThe blank slate moment after his first exit paying off the house and feeling peace, not accomplishmentLiving in a truck with sleeves of tuna and stolen mayo packets and why going back doesn't scare himThe 2008 crisis, personal guarantees, and why losing everything validated his lack of confidenceWhy "celebrating small wins" is for people not building unicorns assume wins, magnify lossesVibe working: running four Mac Studios with Claude Cowork while doing manual labor he actually wants to doWhy relationship-driven CRM beats software: take engineers to lunch after RFP meetings, not Salesforce data entryThe manager vs. maker schedule and why KP operates at sprint speed with no please-and-thank-yousMorning meditation as leadership: visualizing every founder and team member's context before the workdayWhy one founder said "I can feel when you're praying for me" and what that reveals about leading mission-driven teamsThe 10-year goal isn't three private jets, it's building community where all LPs are former founders who exited and came backIf you're navigating what success looks like after the wins, trying to lead without micromanaging while operating at full speed, or wondering whether your worst-case scenario is actually that bad, this episode will reframe how you think about ambition, fear, and what matters most.Listen now.BuildingWorks & Brookwood Sponsors

Have you ever said, “I don't even know what I want anymore?”You're not alone. Life is full of decisions. Some feel urgent, others overwhelming, and often we're caught between choosing what brings peace and what brings purpose. Let's talk personal development for introverts.In this episode of The Driven Introvert Podcast, I'm walking through Chapter 8 of The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman, and we're digging into a question we all need to answer—What do you really want… and what do you want more?I share a personal story from 2020, a quiet season where life slowed down and work was steady—but something was missing. I wasn't juggling a big personal project or working toward a dream, and while that brought peace, it also stirred something else in me.Purpose.Desire.Impact.Sometimes the thing we want (like calm, simplicity, or comfort) isn't the thing we want more (like meaning, movement, or mission). And often, those two don't always go hand-in-hand. This is personal development for introverts.We also explore:Why naming your desire out loud matters more than you thinkWhat we can learn from blind Bartimaeus and how Jesus responded to himThe hidden cost of indecision—and why not deciding is still a decisionHow to move past fear of judgment and be honest about what you wantWhy a pro/con list might not be serving you—and what to do insteadWhether you're deciding between two good options or navigating a situation with no clear answer, this episode is for you.You'll walk away with clarity on how to:Listen inward, not outwardPray from an honest placeDiscern what's life-giving versus life-drainingTrust that God is guiding even when things feel uncertainFriend, if you've been stuck in indecision or afraid to name what's really in your heart, this is your gentle nudge forward. There's more ahead of you than there is behind you. And your next right thing starts with being honest about your desire. Looking for personal development for introverts? This is it!Support the showContact Us Ask a question or leave a comment, visit shepact.com/voicemail Follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/remiroy Email us: thedrivenintrovert@shepact.com Enjoying the podcast? Share the podcast with a friend: shepact.com/TDIPodcast Leave a review: We'd appreciate it if you could WRITE a review for us. Your support and feedback mean a lot to us. Thank you! For the driven introvert, the introvert leader, the lonely introvert, introvert entrepreneurs, the confident Introvert, dreamers, faith driven entrepreneur, passionate leaders and anyone who wants to close the gap between where they are and where they need to be. We discuss Leadership for Introverts, career development for introverts, introvert success, introvert success strategies, networking for the introvert, and other pertinent issues to help you as an introvert grow personally and professionally.

Anne Boleyn myths destroyed live at Katherine of Aragon FestivalRecorded live at the Katherine of Aragon Festival, this special episode of History Rage sees host Paul Bavill joined on stage by Owen Emerson (Assistant Curator, Hever Castle) and Alfred Hawkins (Curator, Tower of London) to challenge the biggest myths surrounding Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII and Tudor England.Anne Boleyn remains one of the most mythologised figures in British history. Was she a ruthless schemer? A Protestant heroine? A tragic innocent? Owen Emerson argues that much of what we “know” about Anne was shaped by Victorian historians. Far from being a woman without substance, she was highly educated, shaped by Renaissance France, politically aware and deeply engaged in religious reform — though not the architect of the English Reformation.The panel explores:Anne Boleyn's relationship with Catherine of AragonWhether Anne pursued Henry VIII — or resisted himThe political reality behind the Break with RomeThe truth about her execution and burialWhy we don't actually know what most ordinary people thought of herAlfred Hawkins also tackles a major misconception: the idea that the Tower of London is simply a grim execution site. While Anne's death looms large, the Tower was a royal palace, administrative hub, armoury, archive and community for centuries. Reducing it to a Tudor “theatre of death” ignores over 1,000 years of English history.This live discussion is packed with Tudor historiography, debates about historical “expertise”, the limits placed on queenship, and why applying modern labels to early modern women can distort more than it clarifies.If you're interested in Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII, the English Reformation, Tudor queens, or the Tower of London, this episode restores complexity to one of the most dramatic periods in British history.Guest DetailsOwen Emerson Assistant Curator, Hever Castle Visit: https://www.hevercastle.co.ukAlfred Hawkins Curator, Tower of London Visit: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-londonFollow & Support History Rage

In this episode, we explore the foundational truths about God's goodness, our creation in His image, and what it truly means to live as His beloved children. Walk away with a renewed perspective on identity, grace, and the nature of God's covenant with humanity.Key topics:The significance of Genesis 1:26 and being created in the image of GodThe covenant of a good father rooted in God's nature of kindness and loveHow God's declaration "very good" affirms our worth, regardless of mistakesThe myth of becoming like God and understanding our perfect identity in HimThe contrast between law of stone versus the bread of lifeThe role of shame and the power of God's consistent goodnessThe prophetic promise of Jesus crushing evil and restoring all thingsPractical ways to live confidently in our identity and walk in graceRemember, your true identity is secure in God's goodness—live confidently from that truth!

Send us a textIn Episode 427 of The Unrestricted Podcast, host Dre Rawka sits down with special guest Josiah Simpson — a husband, father of three, United States Marine Corps veteran, and professional Middleweight MMA fighter with his eyes locked on one goal: making it to the UFC.Josiah opens up about what it's really like balancing the grind of being a family man while chasing greatness in combat sports. We talk about the mindset it takes to keep pushing, the discipline he gained through military service, and the work he's putting in to level up as a fighter.We also get into his life outside the cage — including his love for hunting, his passion for building knives, and what keeps him grounded while chasing the biggest opportunity of his life.

Send us a textIn Episode 427 of The Unrestricted Podcast, host Dre Rawka sits down with special guest Josiah Simpson — a husband, father of three, United States Marine Corps veteran, and professional Middleweight MMA fighter with his eyes locked on one goal: making it to the UFC.Josiah opens up about what it's really like balancing the grind of being a family man while chasing greatness in combat sports. We talk about the mindset it takes to keep pushing, the discipline he gained through military service, and the work he's putting in to level up as a fighter.We also get into his life outside the cage — including his love for hunting, his passion for building knives, and what keeps him grounded while chasing the biggest opportunity of his life.

Rob Jones - "Put Your Legs On" | Paralympic Medalist & 31 Marathons in 31 Days on Defeating the Inner Terrorist

The Christmas story is filled with miracles—not just to amaze us, but to inspire us to believe that God still works miracles today.In this episode, Three Keys to Receiving a Miracle, we explore why Scripture is filled with supernatural events and how those moments were written to strengthen our faith and raise our expectation for God's intervention in our lives.God is famous for great and unexpected acts. From the virgin birth to angelic visitations, dreams, visions, and signs in the heavens, the miracles of Christmas remind us that the supernatural is part of God's nature—and part of His plan for us.This teaching reveals three essential biblical keys to receiving a miracle, drawn from the Christmas story and the lives of Mary and Zacharias.In this episode, you will learn:Why believing God's promise must take priority over circumstancesHow past disappointments can weaken our expectation if we allow them toWhy aligning your words with God's promises mattersHow spoken faith helps prepare the way for miraclesWhy understanding God's love is essential to receiving from HimThe contrast between Mary and Zacharias highlights two very different responses to God's promise. Mary believed and aligned her words with God's Word, while Zacharias allowed years of disappointment to shape his response. Their stories reveal how belief, words, and trust in God's character work together in the miracle process.This episode also addresses a common struggle many believers face—the belief that they are not worthy of a miracle. The Christmas story declares the opposite truth: God's love is greater than every disqualifier. Jesus was given not because we were worthy, but because God loved us.As we reflect on the miracles of Christmas, this message invites us to respond like Mary:“Be it unto me according to your word.”God is still a God of miracles. He is still surprising His people. And He is still ready and willing to move in your life today.

LYRICS:Well Edgar is dead there is nothing to sayNothing Mike can do will make it okayThere's nothing to do to return him to formBetter to stay home and hang out with NormMike kills a spider inside of his houseHe carries it with him whenever he's outMichael thinks he'd do better out of the homeSo Mike goes to Texas, down to bluster's groveTex has an idea of what's going onHe sends Mike to Yellowknife to live on a farmThe Yellowknife folks don't like Mike's planSo they break his calculator, no more numbers, manMike escapes back to Bluster's GroveHe's been living as stock with the numbers aloneThe lost year is gone, it's burned in the pastTex pushed mike right into a vatIt's better to let these things goBut mike can't keep well enough aloneThere's talks at the tavern of a rerack todayBut Tex gets dethroned and Mike is set freeA is in charge, he's cracking the whipOutlaw and Bluster are now wanted menMike is retired after such a long tripHe piles up the past to try and get over itBase is continuing correcting the timeMike sleeps through a conference and steps on a spiderMeanwhile Al is the king of the crabsHe puts down a mutiny with a wave of his handsLieutenant swears revenge and you know that he'll get itOperose will be back if Mike will just let itTy visits Mike to make a house callActing like he doesn't want anything at allHe makes Mike promise he won't do something drasticMike tells Ty he can kiss his asscheekIt's better to let these things goBut mike can't keep well enough aloneMike starts to blink when he's at the compoundDestabilized timelines are going aroundAnd Norm gets too close to remain in the foldBradford and Stinky take over his homeStinky plays dumb, Mike blinks outMike is getting desperate for help right nowHe begs Michael for guidance, Michael says yepHe proves Mike will become him, cuts off his fingertipEdgar blinks out inside a correctionHe cannot avoid Operose's detectionEveryone is trying to remember him aliveBut Mike is determined he will never dieLieutenant's set free, he sends Al to TyAl sends Mike to yellowknife and then al's sent to dieLieutenant kills A and frees Tex from the vatsHe sends Edman to Yellowknife where Mike is atIt's better to let these things goBut mike can't keep well enough aloneBradford sends Mike to Norm, he don't remember a thingMike transports in the room and ruins everythingHe meets the cured Edgar and chooses to save himThe iteration storm stars, cue the mayhemBut what about the lost year, that voice that we heard?Is it fated to stay buried in the dirt?Now that Mike initiated the stormWhat will become of the Mikes that are born?Is Operose now a foregone conclusionThat Mike founded it to keep Edgar elusiveAnd maybe the most important question of allWill the Matt Pack get screentime in this season at all?It's better to let these things goBut mike can't keep well enough alone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coach Gus "Big Dog" Felder - "The Inside Game" | From North Philly High School Dropout to the NFL on Faith, Stoicism & Building Champions

In this liminal moment between Ubud and Uluwatu, Michael Trainer reflects on a profound series of downloads:a Thanksgiving future-self meditation, a deep Vedic astrology reading, a life chapter of karmic stripping-away, and the sudden, crystalline vision of his next book about initiation.Speaking from the jungle, on the eve of his movement to the cliffs and horizon line, Michael explores:Initiation as a life path — the lived rites of passage, dissolutions, and sacred encounters that have shaped himThe emergence of Book Two — a non-traditional memoir weaving the magic, the teachings, and the soul-level story of becomingKarmic fires and pruning — leaving homes, releasing illusions, and discovering the true gardens where his seed is meant to growAstro-cartography and destiny — how place, soil, and timing shape flourishingThe call to root — recognizing that partnership, family, and deeper embodiment require a home baseMen's work and purpose — the rising need for rites of passage, belonging, and grounded masculine presenceThe spirit of Bali — gratitude for the ceremonies, ancestors, and guardians of this land during a powerful 10-day windowThis episode is a transmission from the threshold—a moment of honoring the insight, metabolizing the lessons, and preparing for the next life chapter. It's a message about becoming the vessel that can hold the vision you are meant to birth.If you're standing at a crossroads, shedding old skins, or seeking the garden where you are meant to flourish, this one will resonate. Michael Trainer has spent 30 years learning from Nobel laureates, neuroscientists, and wisdom keepers worldwide. He's the author of RESONANCE: The Art and Science of Human Connection (March 31, 2026), co-creator of Global Citizen and the Global Citizen Festival, and host of the RESONANCE podcast.Featured in Forbes, Inc, Good Morning America. Follow on YouTube

Artificial Intelligence is no longer science fiction—it's shaping how we think, work, and even create. But what happens when creation begins to create? In this thought-provoking episode, Rev. Dr. Jeff Skinner explores the spiritual and ethical questions surrounding AI through the lens of faith. Drawing from Genesis 1:27, he reflects on what it means to be made in the image of a Creator who gave humanity reason, imagination, and moral responsibility. You'll discover:How the biblical image of God shapes our understanding of creativity and technologyWhy holiness restores God's image rather than replaces HimThe difference between creation that serves and creation that seeks controlPractical ways to discern God's purpose in a rapidly advancing digital worldJoin the conversation as Dr. Skinner asks the deeper questions of our age: If humanity reflects the Creator, how should creation reflect us? And where does God still hold the center?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/echoes-through-eternity-with-dr-jeffery-skinner--5523198/support.Echoes Through Eternity Guiding church planters and pastors to plant seeds of prayer, holiness, and courage that outlast a lifetime. contact drjefferydskinner@protonmail.com

WhoBarry Owens, General Manager of Treetops, MichiganRecorded onJune 13, 2025About TreetopsClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Treetops Acquisition Company LLCLocated in: Gaylord, MichiganYear founded: 1954Pass affiliations: Indy Pass, Indy+ Pass – 2 daysClosest neighboring ski areas: Otsego (:07), Boyne Mountain (:34), Hanson Hills (:39), Shanty Creek (:51), The Highlands (:58), Nub's Nob (1:00)Base elevation: 1,110 feetSummit elevation: 1,333 feetVertical drop: 223 feetSkiable acres: 80Average annual snowfall: 140 inchesTrail count: 25 (30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced)Lift count: 5 (3 triples, 2 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Treetops' lift fleet)Why I interviewed himThe first 10 ski areas I ever skied, in order, were:* Mott Mountain, Michigan* Apple Mountain, Michigan* Snow Snake, Michigan* Caberfae, Michigan* Crystal Mountain, Michigan* Nub's Nob, Michigan* Skyline, Michigan* Treetops, Michigan* Sugar Loaf, Michigan* Shanty Creek – Schuss Mountain, MichiganAnd here are the first 10 ski areas I ever skied that are still open, with anything that didn't make it crossed out:* Mott Mountain, Michigan* Apple Mountain, Michigan* Snow Snake, Michigan* Caberfae, Michigan* Crystal Mountain, Michigan* Nub's Nob, Michigan* Skyline, Michigan* Treetops, Michigan* Sugar Loaf, Michigan* Shanty Creek – Schuss Mountain, Michigan* Shanty Creek – Summit, Michigan* Boyne Mountain, Michigan* Searchmont, Ontario* Nebraski, Nebraska* Copper Mountain, Colorado* Keystone, ColoradoSix of my first 16. Poof. That's a failure rate of 37.5 percent. I'm no statistician, but I'd categorize that as “not good.”Now, there's some nuance to this list. I skied all of these between 1992 and 1995. Most had faded officially or functionally by 2000, around the time that America's Great Ski Area Die-Off concluded (Summit lasted until around Covid, and could still re-open, resort officials tell me). Their causes of death are varied, some combination, usually, of incompetence, indifference, and failure to adapt. To climate change, yes, but more of the cultural kind of adaptation than the environmental sort.The first dozen ski areas on this list are tightly bunched, geographically, in the upper half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. They draw from the same general population centers and suffer from the same stunted Midwest verticals. None are naturally or automatically great ski areas. None are or were particularly remote or tricky to access, and most sit alongside or near a major state or federal highway. And they (mostly) all benefit from the same Lake Michigan lake-effect snow machine, the output of which appears to be increasing as the Great Lakes freeze more slowly and less often (cold air flowing over warm water = lake-effect snow).Had you presented this list of a dozen Michigan ski areas to me in 1995 and said, “five of these will drop dead in the next 30 years,” I would not have chosen those five, necessarily, to fail. These weren't ropetow backwaters. All but Apple had chairlifts (and they soon installed one), and most sat close to cities or were attached to a larger resort. Sugar Loaf, in particular, was one of Michigan's better ski areas, with five chairlifts and the largest in-state vertical drop on this list.My guess for most-likely-to-die probably would have been Treetops, especially if you'd told me that then-private Otsego ski area, right next door and with twice its neighbor's skiable acreage, vertical drop, and number of chairlifts, would eventually open to the public. Especially if you'd told me that Boyne Mountain, the monster down the road, would continue to expand its lodging and village, and would add a Treetops-sized cluster of greens to its ferocious ridge of blacks. Especially if you'd told me that Treetops' trail footprint, never substantial, would remain more or less the same size 30 years later. In fact, just about every surviving Michigan ski area on that list - Crystal, Nub's, Caberfae, Shanty Schuss - greatly expanded its terrain footprint. Except Treetops.But here we are, in the future, and I just skied Treetops 10 months ago with my 8-year-old son. It was, in some ways, more or less as I'd left it on my last visit, in 1995: small vert, small trail network, a slightly confusing parking situation, no chairlift restraint bars. A few improvements were obvious: the beginner ropetows had made way for a carpet, the last double chair had been upgraded to a triple, terrain park features dotted the east side, and a dozen or so glades and short steep shots had been hacked from the woods of the legacy trail footprint.That's all nice. But what was not obvious to me was this: why, and how, does Treetops the ski area still exist? Sugar Loaf was a better ski area. Apple Mountain was closer to large population centers. Summit was attached to ski-in-ski-out accommodations and shared a lift ticket with the larger Schuss mountain a couple miles away. Was modern Treetops some sort of money-losing ski area hobby horse for whomever owned the larger resort, which is better known for its five golf courses? Was it just an amenity to keep the second homeowners who mostly lived in Southeast Michigan invested year-round? Had the ski area cemented itself as the kind of high-volume schoolkids training ground that explained the resilience of ski areas in metro Detroit, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee?There is never, or rarely, one easy or obvious explanation for why similar businesses thrive or fail. This is why I resist pinning the numerical decline in America's ski area inventory solely to climate change. We may have fewer ski areas in America than we had in 1995, but we have a lot more good ski areas now than we did 30 years ago (and, as I wrote in March, a lot more overall ski terrain). Yes, Skyline, 40 minutes south of Treetops, failed because it never installed snowmaking, but that is only part of the sentence. Skyline failed because it never installed snowmaking while its competitors aggressively expanded and continually updated their snowmaking systems, raising the floor on the minimal ski experience acceptable to consumers. That takes us back to culture. What do you reckon has changed more over the past 30 to 40 years: America's weather patterns, or its culture? For anyone who remembers ashtrays at McDonald's or who rode in the bed of a pickup truck from Michigan to Illinois or who ran feral and unsupervised outdoors from toddlerhood or who somehow fumbled through this vast world without the internet or a Pet Rectangle or their evil offspring social media, the answer seems obvious. The weather feels a little different. Our culture feels airlifted from another planet. Americans accepted things 30 years ago that would seem outrageous today – like smoking adjacent to a children's play area ornamented with a demented smiling clown. But this applies to skiing as well. My Treetops day in 1995 was memorably horrible, the snow groomed but fossilized, unturnable. A few weeks earlier, I'd skied Skyline on perhaps a three-inch base, grass poking through the trails. Modern skiers, armed with the internet and its Hubble connection to every ski area on the planet, would not accept either set of conditions today. But one of those ski areas adapted and the other did not. That's the “why” of Treetops survival. It was the “how” that I needed Barry Owens to help me understand.What we talked aboutLast winter's ice storm – “it provides great insight into human character when you go through that stuff”; record snowfall (204 inches!) to chase the worst winter ever; the Lake Michigan snowbelt; a golf resort with a ski area attached; building a ski culture when “we didn't have enough people dedicated to ski… and it showed”; competing with nearby ski areas many times Treetops' size “we don't shy away from… who we are and what we are”; what happened when next-door-neighbor Otsego Resort switched from a private to a public model in 2017 – “neither one of us is going to get rich seeing who can get the most $15 lift tickets on a Wednesday”; I attempt to talk about golf and why Michigan is a golf mecca; moving on from something you've spent decades building; Treetops' rough financial period and why Owens initially turned down the GM job; how Owens convinced ownership not to close the ski area; fixing a “can't-do staff” by “doing things that created the freedom to be able to act”; Treetops' strange 2014 bankruptcy and rebuilding from there; “right now we're happy” with the lift fleet; how much it would cost to retrofit Treetops' lifts with restraint bars; timeline for potential ski expansion at Treetops; bargain season passes (as low as $125); and Indy Pass' network power.What I got wrong* I said “Gaylord County,” but the city of Gaylord is in Otsego County.* I said that Boyne Resorts, operator of 11 ski areas, also runs “10 or 11 golf resorts.” The company operates 14 golf courses.* I said that Michigan had a “very good” road network and that there was “not a lot of traffic,” and if you live there, you're reaction is probably, “you're dumb.” What I meant by “very good road network” is this: compared to most ski regions, which have, um, mountains, Michigan's bumplets sit more or less directly alongside the state's straight, flat, almost perfectly gridded highway network. Also, the “not a lot of traffic” thing does not apply to special situations like, say, northbound I-75 on a July Friday evening.* I said that Crystal, Nub's, Caberfae, and Shanty Creek were “close” – while they're not necessarily all close to one another, they are all roughly equidistant for folks coming to them from downstate.* I said that Treetops was “the fifth or sixth place I ever skied at,” but upon further review, it was number eight (which is reflected in the list above).Podcast NotesOn the ice stormAn ice storm hammered Northern Michigan in late March of this year:On the lightning strike on Treetops' golf courseOn the Midwest's terrible 2023-24 ski seasonSkier visits cratered in the Midwest during the 2023-24 ski season, the region's worst on record from a snowfall point of view. Weather - and skier visits - settled back into normal ranges last winter:This is a bit hard to see with any sort of precision, but this 10-year chart gives a nice sense of just how abnormal 2023-24 was for the Midwest:On Michigan's ski areasMichigan is home to 44 active ski areas - more than any state other than New York. Many of them are quite small, operate sporadically, and run only surface lifts, but Treetops is close to a bunch of the better lift-served outfits, including Boyne Mountain, Nub's Nob, and The Highlands (the UP ski areas may as well be in another state). It helps Treetops that so many of the state's ski areas have also joined Indy Pass:On Otsego ResortFor decades - I'm not certain how long, exactly - Otsego Resort, right next door to Treetops and with roughly double the vertical drop and skiable acreage, was private. In 2017, the bump opened to the public, considerably amping up competition. Complicating the matter further, Otsego sits a bit closer to Michigan's Main Street - I-75 - than Treetops.On Snow OperatingOwens mentioned working with “TBL” – he was referring to Terrain Based Learning, Snow Partners' learn-to-ski program. That company also runs the Snow Cloud operating system that Owens refers to at the end.On Treetops' rough period I quoted this Detroit Business News article at length in the interview. It goes deep on Treetops' precarious early 2000s history and the resort's broken employee culture at the time.On people being nice at ski areasYeah I'm super into this:On the hedgehog conceptOwens mentions “the hedgehog concept,” which I wasn't familiar with. It sounded like a business-book thing, and it is, adapted by author Jim Collins for his book Good to Great and described in this way on his website:The Hedgehog Concept is developed in the book Good to Great. A simple, crystalline concept that flows from deep understanding about the intersection of three circles: 1) what you are deeply passionate about, 2) what you can be the best in the world at, and 3) what best drives your economic or resource engine. Transformations from good to great come about by a series of good decisions made consistently with a Hedgehog Concept, supremely well executed, accumulating one upon another, over a long period of time.More:On safety-bar requirements in New York and New EnglandThis is kind of funny…That's my 8-year-old son, who's skied in a dozen states, taking his first ride on a lift with no safety bar, at Treetops last December. Why such machines still exist in 2025, I have no idea - this lift rises about 30 feet off the ground. In the East, all chairlifts are equipped with bars, and state law mandates their use in New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont (and perhaps elsewhere). I don't advocate for rider mandates, but I do think all chairlifts ought to have bars available for those who want them. Owens and I discuss the resort's plans to retrofit Treetops' three chairlifts - CTEC machines installed between 1984 and 1995 - with bars. The cost would be roughly $250,000. That's a significant number, but probably a lot less than the figure if, say, someone has a heart attack or seizure on the lift, falls off, then sues the resort. Besides, as Owens points out, chairlifts must be equipped with restraint bars for summer use, which would open new revenue streams. Why are bars required for summer activities, but not winter? It's a strange anachronism, unique among the ski world to America.On “Joe from SMI”I mentioned “Joe from SMI” offhand. I was referring to SMI Snowmakers President Joe VanderKelen, who appeared on the podcast back in 2022:On potential expansion Owens discusses a potential expansion looker's left of Chair 1, which would restore lost terrain and built upon that. This 1988 trailmap shows a couple of the trails that Treetops eliminated to make way for its current top-to-bottom access road (trails 1 through 4):The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe