Podcasts about Horatio Alger

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?  1/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) 1983 Afghanistan https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. LA 1917

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?  2/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) 1983 Afghanistan https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. PASADENA 1920

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?  3/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. SAN DIEGO 1920

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 4/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. SANTA  BARBARA 1903

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 5/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reve1920 PALISADE CANYONals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. LA 1917

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 6/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. 1940 PALISADE 

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 7/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. 19$)

HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 8/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. 1904 SAN JOSE

The “Novelty” song has deep roots in popular culture. Masters of the form, like Weird Al Yankovic, Warren Zevon, Tom Lehrer, Spike Jones, and Allen Sherman have illuminated our consciousness and tickled our sense of the absurd. How much WAS that doggie in the window?…., WTF is Marzy dotes and dozy dotes about?…,  They're coming to take me away, Haha…(that one actually scared me). Probably each of us can recall from childhood some goofy ditty that either made you feel smarter, or got stuck inside your head like RFK's brain worm. Let's give thanks to Doctor Demento for archiving and disseminating many of these gems for future generations, and my introduction to Larry Groce's Junk Food Junkie came from one of his collections. Jerry Blavat's One More Time, Back to School may not demonstrate the same amount of cleverness, but its delivered lustily by one of the premier DJs of his time. LARRY GROCEJunk Food Junkie comes from 1975, and is perfectly in key with today's anti-woke sentiments. But, Mr. Groce delivers his mockery with such gentleness and good humor that it creates a universal warmth devoid of malice. Yes, he intimates, you can try to be upright and health conscientious, but the reptilian brain in all of us needs to be satisfied - even if it has to happen under cover of darkness.  Hypocrisy is the target here, and Mr. Groce, cast as the titular shlemiel, puts himself first in line for ridicule. JERRY BLAVATJerry Blavat's “Horatio Alger” story reads like a Martin Scorsese screenplay. His colorful bio, recounting his journey from son of a Philly bookmaker, valet to Don Rickles, mob-connected DJ and club owner, to broadcasting Hall of Fame icon, could be the stuff of a Netflix series. Known as “the Big Boss with the Hot Sauce,” and “the Geater with the Heater,” Jerry swaggered through his bigger than life life like a toreador. But, lest we forget - it was always his love of those Philadelphian musical goodies - that made him a beloved home town super hero. 1965's One More Time Back to School, on the Cameo Parkway label, is an fascinating glimpse into his inexhaustible energy. It's delightfully sadistic as the singer declares the end of vacation time fun. Not only that, there is something in the edgy cacophony of its production, with the clanging cowbells, that evokes that end of summer feeling. 

Putting lives back together after the battle.By FinalStand. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.Either you embrace Change and are destroyed by it, or you resist Change and are overwhelmed by it. What is your choice? (The Politics of 'Not' Being Dead)The rest of the trip was made in silence. They dropped us off at the edge of Miercurea Ciuc, home base of the 61st Mountain Troops Brigade, of Professor Loma and from whence all this craziness had originated. The meeting was already awkward before I arrived. It only got worse. Where to begin? Well, Russia, the United States, the UK, Romania, Hungary and Ireland were now all interested parties. And I had gained two personal distinctions:1.) Not only was I now heralded (and not really joking anymore) by some sources as Magyarorszag es Erdely Hercege, I was thereby re-awakening old nationalistic and territorial fears. Hungary didn't want a Prince, yet they did have an anemic Monarchist party. I might not be a Hapsburg (the last royal house of Hungary), but I could possibly be misconstrued as a long-lost Árpád scion (first King and founder of the Hungarian state), which would be even better.A crisis was looming in my ancestral crucible. It seems I already had a webpage in Budapest and six hundred "friends" within 24 hours. Worse, they had some pictures of me. Besides being 'of regal bearing' in the descriptions, I was sexy-hot and a soldier of fortune, a modern day 'Wild Geese, (Goose?)' who was wanted for questioning in a, or perhaps multiple, murder(s) involving either a duel over a woman's honor or killing a dozen armed gangsters who prayed on young innocents newly arrived to the big city.I wasn't alone. My trusty companion was A.) an ascetic Jedi Mistress (my own, personal Yoda), B.) an ancient witch schooled in the necromantic arts (apparently the reason I couldn't die), or C.) a Cold-War Era SMERSH (too much James Bond) assassin repaying an old debt to the descendent of an anti-communist partisan she'd killed years ago, eerily close to the truth for once. That, plus the TEK investigation, were Hungary's main points of concern involving me.2.) I was now a person involved in significant events for half a dozen nations on the world scene.Let's start with Romania. Okay, foremost, I was responsible for the single deadliest day in modern (post-WWII) Romanian Land Forces history. There was no covering this up. Close to one hundred men and women had died in combat, and then you added the forty-some dead Amazons, many of them apparently tortured, and this was a political and public relations nightmare.No one doubted their troops behaved heroically. That wasn't the problem. The political conundrum was how could they explain Ajax and his fifty seasoned killers penetrating into central Romania with no one being aware of the danger? A few politicians wanted to blame Székely nationalists (by that, they meant the ethnic minority who 'vaguely' wanted Transylvania to rejoin Hungary), except they had me, the Hungarian Prince, leading the charge.Life would have been so much easier for them if I had died. Yes, I could read the minds of those politicians. Screw a girl, then her younger sister, and then his wife, who all say they love me, and you'll recognized the emotional intent a father directs your way. (I'd only done that once, and once was enough.) I was getting that vibe again.Unfortunately for them, I wasn't dead and three big time foreign governments (and Ireland) seemed really curious about me, my performance and my mortality. So dragging me out back for a firing squad wasn't going to happen. Riki Martin of the US State Department was there and she told me a representative of the US Military Mission was on his way up to debrief me. Russia's sexy military attaché was still on site and looking happy for some reason. Flaviu, who had some experience with me, was soon to be gone; replaced by some person who had some serious lettuce before his actual name and didn't know me from didly. Not good.The UK had one of their diplomats coming up as well, just so I didn't get lonely. They weren't driving up with the Irishman, or the American. No one considers their carbon footprint in a crisis, I swear. But wait! It gets better. My Romanian Special Force dudes had brought the rest of their company (around a hundred new buddies) with them, they seriously didn't want me to get homesick and wander off (because, you know, I liked living and freedom).The Romanian army shouldn't have worried. It seemed that there were some US Army Rangers with NATO in Kosovo, Albania, or Bosnia and Uncle Sam was expressing a desire for them to 'stop by'. Maybe they could share their C-130 with the British paratroopers who were equally concerned about my well-being. I just hoped everyone was going to play nice when the Spetsnaz arrived. Putin was suddenly (and surprisingly to me, anyway) my new pal. I had a feeling I'd soon be discovering my secret Russian heritage if I wasn't careful. I was thinking maybe I could squeeze an Order of Lenin, or a Hero of the Soviet Union out of him. I heard they both looked nice, were obsolete and came without an actual pension.If Katrina wouldn't let me write off this calamity as PTO, I was going to be irate. I was on the verge of having a large family to support after all, unless you considered me marrying a billionaire's heiress to be compensation enough. The only group involved who weren't trying to actually see me was the Khanate.Temujin most likely had some shamanistic mojo that would let him know if I croaked. That bit smacked of paganism, so it was kept under wraps because he had to appear dutifully Islamic for the masses. Still, some koumiss would have been nice. Heck, right then I could have gone for an 'atta boy', perhaps even a 'two thumbs up'.Oh yeah; the general of the 4th Romanian Division wanted me to stop by when I had the chance (if I didn't, he'd send men to kill me, or so it was insinuated). The 61st Mountain Troops was part of his division's combat command and if the General Staff went looking for someone to crucify, he was making damn sure it wasn't going to be him.It occurred to me that I could send a handsome-looking Spetsnaz (if there was such a thing) to go in my place. They were brother Slavs, right? I was sure that between the 'Fall of the Berlin Wall', Moldavian Independence and Romania joining NATO, they would have much to discuss. Out of the blue, Pamela smacked me on the back of my head, Jethro Gibbs' style. My 'more-evil Russian doppelganger' idea must have been poorly thought out.Before I could implement that silliness, or trigger the big brouhaha, there was a preamble: I had three compatriots. Of greater importance, I had three heavily armed/gravely-serious bodyguards who wouldn't surrender their weapons and/or abandon me. So I thought "play nice" thoughts to myself.Diplomacy, sovereignty and legality all reared their ugly heads. I wasn't really an Irish diplomat. My paperwork was still valid, but the Romanian government hadn't permitted my entry into their country under the standard diplomatic protocols. Ireland wanted to talk to me about that, why was I running around armed and killing people in two Central European countries? I was acting more like an Irish adventurer from the 17th century, than a genteel civil servant from the 21st.Then there was the niggling little complication that involved me, my friends and our criminal possession of military-grade hardware. Chaz had the dubious excuse of being an official British government agent on assignment. That meant he could hope for a prisoner exchange within the next decade. Rachel and Pamela were private citizens with painfully sketchy proofs of US citizenship.When the Romanian legal system finished buggering them, it would be off to Hungry and its serious inquiry into all the dead bodies we'd left in our wake. Who was I kidding? What I was really worrying about was how many members of the Romanian penal system would die when they escaped. Their flimsy identities gave no clue to how dangerous they actually were. Hell, they'd beat me home.I had the added difficulty of Ireland and their questions about who the fuck I was and why I had their gold filigree on something I didn't deserve sitting snugly in my back pocket.So first off, this new band of 'Eagles' wanted to disarm and separate us."Don't insult me," I scoffed. "I am your Prince. Don't make me explain it to your widow.""I'm not married," the Lieutenant snarled back, daring me."Well, rush out and marry somebody. I haven't got all day. We don't want me to be caught in an idle boast now do we?" I grinned. Verbal sparring apparently wasn't in his repertoire."What?""Shut the fuck up, Carl," Chaz blithely inserted himself into the conversation."But you don't even speak Romanian," I countered. "How do you even know what I said?" The Romanians didn't know English, but they knew Carl. The tension between us ebbed."By the expression on the officer's face, Hercege," he winked. "It's universal to the brotherhood.""Who is he with?" The officer questioned me."You and he are the same," I answered."You cannot go any farther armed," he returned to his mission parameters."I don't envy you going in and telling the Colonel to come out here, but so be it," I held my ground."We could kill you and take them off your corpses," he studied my reaction."You are the second handsome man to tell me that today," I shook my head. "I'll tell you what I told him: 'you sure are cute, just not my type'." Pause then laughter."You are a madman," the lieutenant snorted. "I'll go talk to the Colonel."I was a jerk, loved maidens and was a master of bullshit. Did that make me a modern day Minotaur? The lieutenant came back out, then ushered me inside; Riki had to wait for the moment. He motioned my team come along. In the staff room of the 61st were a handful of officers and several suits."Mr. Nyilas," the Colonel gazed upon me. "I don't know what to make of you.""You and my Mother both," I mumbled. Despite the somber atmosphere, a few of the men and women let their moods lighten. They didn't hold my levity against me. I'd been there, on the battlefield and if humor was how I dealt with the experience, so be it."Ha," the greying man mused. "It is wholly my fault that I disregard most of the information you supplied my staff. You were unerringly accurate in your assessment of our enemy's capabilities. I know my men and I know how good they are. Veteran commanders can barely describe what my troops endured. You warned us and I didn't believe you. I was wrong and my men died because of it," he sighed."Sir, I do not believe you could have done anything else and succeeded," I interrupted."Succeeded? Is this what you consider success?" he hardened."Absolutely, Sir. Had you been slower to respond, those men would have most likely come here, to Miercurea Ciuc, and you would have fought the same battle, except your civilians would have been caught in the mix," I lied.If Ajax had escaped he'd have hunted me down. The location would have been irrelevant to him. How he knew where to be was a question for later and something to be presented to smarter, more experienced minds."Perhaps," he allowed. "They were heading north when we encountered them.The Alal in me was going back over the plan. It had been sound."Sir, you had every reason to doubt my military experience and to believe I exaggerated the threat. I was right and I take no joy in that, nor do I think anyone can hold your decisions against you," I stated.Now he gave a bitter laugh. Yes, they could hold all the deaths against him."We both know your men and women didn't die for their country, they killed for it. Quite frankly, I believe they killed some of the most vicious creatures to ever walk the face of the Earth. Fuck them for taking so many of us. Pile their bodies up and burn them," I suggested."They deserve no more Romanian soil than a spot to inter their ashes," I concluded."You do not sound like any diplomat I've ever met," the Colonel regained his gruff exterior."I'm not. I'm a fraud. I know as much about Ireland as I do about being a prince," I confessed. "That said, I didn't come here to kill anyone. I came to save lives.""How has that worked out for you?" a sitting woman in a suit questioned, in Romanian. She was slender, waspish and didn't sound comfortable speaking English, though she knew enough to get by."I am not a fortune-teller. I don't know how this is going to work out," I said."That's not what I asked," she prodded."Yes it was," I corrected her. "You wanted to know if I thought the price of your dead countrymen was worth the life of me, my friends and the lives of your countrymen I came to save. I can't measure the promise of those lives against the loss of all the dead. Don't play games with me. I'm have a degree in Philosophy and I eat morally ambiguous people like you for lunch."Pamela laughed aloud and lively."Kimberly and Katrina would be so proud of you right now," she chortled."I don't think you grasp the deep pit your find yourself in, Friend" the suit stayed chillingly calm."Oh, I think we all know we both screwed the pooch big time," I smirked. "The difference is me and mine are all happy to be alive after two of the most trying, fun-filled days of our lives. You want to throw us in prison. The Hungarians want to throw us in prison. I'm sure if I get back to the States, they will want to put us in prison too. Have I missed anyone?""I'm glad you will confess. It will make it easier on us," she grinned like sexy weasel."Wait," Rachel put a restraining arm on me. "I've wanted to say this for some time." To the weasel, "Blow it out your ass, dipshit.""Rachel, you don't know what she said," Pamela faux-gasped."I don't know the words, but I know what he meant," Rachel glowered. She missed Charlotte so much, she was willing to court pain and death. "I want to go back in time and slap her mother repeatedly for not strangling her in the crib. Is that succinct enough?""I apologize for ever meeting you, Rachel. I've brought you to a bad end," I gave her a tender look."It's okay. I never thought I'd live long enough to sleep with you anyway," she smiled back.Phifft, sigh. It was so sad that I recognized the sound of a low-caliber, silenced round."Listen up, dipshit," Pamela snickered. "Good one, Rachel. If you don't believe the next one is going through your skull, you clearly haven't been listening to us. You are fucking with the wrong monkeys. You have this bizarre idea that if I kill you, your government won't replace your worthless, bullet-riddled hide with someone we find more agreeable. My grandson sent in motion a half million combatants a few hours ago, he nearly died leading your soldiers against your nation's enemies and you want him to kiss your shoes as if you matter at all in the grand scheme of things?" she snarled. "Think again."No one was moving because Pamela had her silenced 22 Beretta out and pointed at Weasel's head. The SF's were caught flat-footed, as was everyone else. No guards came rushing in because the closed doors further muffled the sound. "I think this is a good time for us to get a drink," Chaz advised as he slowly reached out and lowered Pamela's gun hand.It was Pamela's gunboat diplomacy yet again. She hadn't meant to kill the women. Hell, she'd been a random target of opportunity. What Pamela had done was clear up the doubts in the room. Everyone on the staff could self-consciously let themselves off the hook for not being in the front lines, risking themselves with their comrades. Thanks to Pamela, they too had confronted violence.'Crazy' Grandma had fired off her piece and everyone sighed with relief when Chaz got her to lower it. I was pretty sure Chaz was in on this dangerous game. It resided with the Colonel as to how to resolve this hiccup in our dispute."Mr. Nyilas, why don't we take a walk outside, just the two of us?" he 'requested'.I nodded because I'm not always as dumb as I look. He was letting my people off with incredible temperance and I could honorably send them away. They'd scoped out the scene and believed I'd be safe enough. He, in turn, had an excuse to take a step away from his political watchdogs."I think that is for the best," I nodded. "Do you want me to leave my guns behind?""No, Mr. Nyilas, we might run into trouble out there and one of my Captains has suggested you are a man who can take care of himself," he replied. That was very nice of him indeed. If I did do something stupid, he had a ton of troops about who would make my regrets rather temporary. I decided to behave as if I had a passing acquaintance with sanity.His first questions were about the fighting at the ruins. I peppered our exchange with my interest in what had happened to the advance force of the 22nd. It was bleak news, yet the Colonel felt a sense of relief. He was coming to accept the lethality of his enemies, which in turn, led to an understanding, if not acceptance, of the carnage his men had been subjected to.He was in a cycle of context, grief, context. He'd gambled on me and men died. Once the battle was joined though, his soldiers had done precisely the right thing under considerable stress. He could be proud without dishonoring the dead. Only Pamela and I had engaged Ajax earlier. Only I had talked with the man.The Colonel had to look into my eyes to get the spark that led to understanding the mind and ruthlessness of his opponent. The name 'Ajax' never came up. That was more than a rational mind could accept at the moment. He knew his men had fought and killed the best and that helped him cope a tiny bit. Our interview ended when the first of the unwanted guests arrived.Only when I walked inside did it occur to me that this had been my first soldier to soldier chat. We had respected one another and discussed matters like men who knew the score. That was depressing in its own right. It was well passed nightfall when we went back inside. In our absence, Riki had started to redeem my existence. My salvation lay in Romantic Americana Symbolism.Translation: I was a Horatio Alger, a working class kid raised by a widower father, who earned a scholarship to a quiet New England college, graduated near the top of my class and gotten an excellent job (salary and benefits not disclosed). That was the was the first part of the Americana, proof positive that America was still the land of opportunity and a place where poor children could still reach the highest levels of society (umm, okay?).The second Americana Part: my Father had been murdered in a case of mistaken identity. Those heavily-armed foreign corporate/rogue governmental-sponsored terrorist mercenaries (their exact origin was shrouded in double-dealing misinformation) had ruthlessly murdered my Pa to cover up their error. Like any true Son of the American Dream, I had sworn vengeance.The Symbolic Part: My compassionate, understanding government (the good governmental servants of Republican Democracy, not the bad, hires the covert, secret, black-bag, unaccountable private contractors/ pawns of the Wall Street Elite bureaucrats) allowed me to participate in a multi-national taskforce. These selfless guardians of the freedom had formed a coalition which had hunted down the villains.With the priceless assistance of two Central European countries, who currently had to remain nameless (cough: Hungary and Romania), we'd achieved a final, violent confrontation in which my allies and I had emerged bloody, scarred, yet victorious. Once more, free men and women had answered the call of duty and some had made the ultimate sacrifice.See, I had a good government that cared enough about me to let me become a gun-toting menace to the civilized world. Like a Hollywood Western hero of the 1950's, 60's and 70's, I had taken personal revenge against the forces of wickedness, exit the railroad tycoons and cattle barons, enter the shadowy world of private security forces and uncontrolled corporate capitalism.

CNN, Horatio Alger Award  "Chicken Soup for The Soul" Founder Mark is one of 'America's Ambassador of Possibility' is author of the Cash In A Flash" & " Best of Your Life for The Rest of Your Life". The Chicken Soup idea was just one of many that has propelled Mark into a worldwide spotlight as a sought-after keynote speaker, best-selling author and marketing maven. His credentials include a lifetime of entrepreneurial success, in addition to an extensive academic background. He is also a prolific writer with many popular books such as The Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor, Dare to Win and others.Along with business partner Jack Canfield, Hansen is best known for creating what Time magazine called "the publishing phenomenon of the decade". Chicken Soup for the Soul books are one of the most successful publishing franchises in the world today, with more than 500 million books sold internationally and more than 100 licensed products.In the year 2000, The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans honored Mark with the prestigious Horatio Alger Award. Each year, this association honors American leaders who personify the virtues and principles inherent in the success stories written by 19th century American author Horatio Alger, Jr. As an award winner, Mark's extraordinary life achievements stand as a powerful example that the free enterprise system still offers opportunity to all. In 2000, Northwood University honored him as the Outstanding Business Leader of the Year. In 2002, The University of Toledo presented Mark with an Honorary PhD in Business Administration and established the Mark Victor Hansen Entrepreneurial Excellence Fund, that will help shape the minds of future business leaders and assist in the development of the faculty who will teach them. The Mark Victor Hansen Foundation was Mark's lifelong dream and is dedicated to helping young people become financially literate, and to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into business achievements.He created Richest Kids Academy to teach entrepreneurial leadership and financial literacy to kids around the world.He has appeared on Oprah, CNN and The Today Show and was featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, The New York Times and Entrepreneur Magazine.© 2022 Building Abundant Success!!2022 All Rights ReservedJoin Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAmazon Music ~ https://tinyurl.com/AmzBASAudacy:  https://tinyurl.com/BASAud

What You Need to Know is about the body of literature that has shaped Donald Trump. Trump’s formative years were spent on the tail end of a great period of American literature (Horatio Alger and others) that taught us we can work hard and make it. Anyone can work hard and make it. You can see in Donald Trump, in Elon Musk, and in many famous, successful business folks of the line of these works of literature and the ethos they inspired. Todd Bensman, Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies and author of Overrun, joins Ed to discuss what border policy will look like over the next 4 years under Trump’s administration. AJ Rice, President & CEO of Publius PR and author of The White Privilege Album: Bringing Racial Harmony to Very Fine People…on Both Sides, joins Ed to discuss his book. AJ tells about his writing process and career, and how he is always working on the next thing, “like Pac Man.” He also talks about how he uses irreverent humor and satire to bring of salient and critical political points. John Schlafly, co-author of the weekly Schlafly Report, discusses with Ed the tenuous situation with Russia. Trump wants to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to a speedy resolution, but Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to use U.S.-made missiles is putting a wrench in those works.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Hilliard, President of Badger Oil Corporation, has led a wonderful life of generosity and love of community that provides a humbling lesson in being a good steward of God's resources. At 99 years of age, he is sharp and insightful, a true testament to his wisdom and vitality. Paul was 17 when he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps during his Senior year in high school in February 1943, quitting school when he received permission from his mother to join the war effort. He trained to be a gunner, handling machine guns in the back of Douglas SBD Dauntless (Scout Bomber by Douglas Aircraft) planes in air missions conducted in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. SBD was jokingly referred to as “Slow But Deadly.” He flew 45 combat missions and was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in addition to receiving the Air Medal with six bronze stars.  Following his service, Hilliard earned his law degree from the University of Texas before beginning a career in the oil and gas industry. He credits the GI Bill for the opportunities it afforded him and so many other servicemen who would not have otherwise been able to obtain an education. Hilliard exemplifies the selfless spirit and pride of our WWII generation of heroes, as well as the successful ingenuity of a veteran oil and gas entrepreneur.  Known for his self-effacing wit and ability to achieve in spite of a hardscrabble upbringing in Wisconsin, Hilliard has been a successful independent operator and owner of Badger Oil Corporation since 1955 and has seen fit to use his success in business to help others in need. Awarded the Civic Cup in 2003 and the esteemed national Horatio Alger Award in 2009, Paul has also been active in statewide associations working to improve the oil and gas industry, business, and civic endeavors. Paul has also been active in statewide associations working to improve the oil and gas industry, business, and civic endeavors.  In 2015, he received the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. UL Press released Dauntless: Paul Hilliard in WWII and a Transformed America in 2023. Written by Rob Citino with Ken Stickney and Lori Ochsner, the book documents some of the most fascinating decades in American history: the impact of World War II, the importance of post-war social and economic changes, and the development of the oil industry from the 1950s to today. “Dauntless is a compelling narrative tracing Paul Hilliard's life experiences during the Great Depression, from farm life in Wisconsin's Dust Bowl to his distinguished service as a Marine in World War II, his education through law school, and a long and successful business in the oil fields. Paul's lifelong philanthropy and his passion for education and the lessons of WWII make him an inspiration. His life is the Horatio Alger story. He is, and always be, one of my heroes.”—Boysie Bollinger Paul has been a generous benefactor in causes to help at-risk children learn to read so that they can overcome poverty as he did.  He and his late wife, Lulu, provided $5 million dollars in seed money to start the Paul and Lulu Hilliard Art Museum at UL – Lafayette. Paul has served as a National WWII Museum trustee, and he and his wife, Madlyn, have been two of the Museum's most active advocates and supporters. They have provided transformative support for several Museum initiatives, including acquisition and restoration of artifacts, collection of oral histories, and education programs. In September 2018, Hilliard accepted the position of Board Chair of the museum, focusing on the completion of the its $400 million campus expansion. For more information, visit https://www.nationalww2museum.org, a treasure trove of thousands of oral histories and hundreds of thousands of photos depicting the WWII experience. Paul ended the interview by sharing his gratitude for being born in the United States of America.  He spoke of a favorite quote by Cicero: “Gratitude...

Holly's journey began in a poverty-stricken family in Delaware, where she became the first in her extended family to attend college, earning a full scholarship to Liberty University. After graduating with a degree in Biblical Studies and receiving the Horatio Alger scholarship, she initially aspired to be a missionary but later navigated a 20-year marriage that ended amicably. Embracing various roles, Holly found her true passion in empowering women and fostering communities that combat loneliness. Through social media, she helps women navigate relationships and promotes self-love, drawing from her extensive personal growth journey. Now living on a farm near Charlotte, North Carolina, she leads a women's group called Soul Sisters, connecting women in support and sisterhood.Navigating Love and Self-Discovery: An Empowering JourneyIf you follow relationship and dating coaches on any of the social media platforms, then you'll have come across @Hope with Holly, who delivers straight talking, b******t-free advice, mainly based on her own experience from a restrictive upbringing in a Christian cult to the often chaotic world of modern dating. Holly's experiences are a testament to the complexities of love, intimacy, and self-discovery, and I could have talked to her for hours! From Restriction to LiberationHolly's background undeniably shaped her views on sex and relationships. She experienced sex for the first time on the first night of her wedding. Growing up in a cult environment, she faced strict limitations that impacted her understanding of intimacy and it was fascinating to hear how she has transformed those early lessons into a journey of exploration and empowerment that has led her to become the superstar she is today. The Role of Emotional IntelligenceOne of the most striking points Holly made was about the critical importance of emotional intelligence in dating. Relationships are not just about chemistry; they require a deep understanding of oneself and one's partner. Communication about sexual preferences is essential for building fulfilling connections. “You can teach a good man to be a good lover,” she reminded us, highlighting the importance of sharing desires openly.The Dating App DilemmaWe also discussed the wild west world of dating apps. While they can sometimes feel like a “dumpster fire,” they also offer opportunities for connection - once you know what you want. Holly shared her very amusing anecdotes, navigating the ups and downs with these platforms, and highlighting the need for patience, resilience and, above all, knowing what you want and sticking to your guns until you find a suitable partner.Friendship as a FoundationWe touched on the idea that friendship can serve as a strong foundation for romantic relationships. Situationships, while often complicated, can provide valuable insights into compatibility and what we truly desire in a partner. Compromise, as Holly emphasised, is key to navigating these particular types of relationships.Redefining Societal ExpectationsThroughout our conversation, we acknowledged how societal expectations can limit personal happiness. Women, in particular, should feel empowered to express their desires and understand what they want in relationships. Physical connection is essential for emotional well-being, and for Holly, that meant holding off on intimacy until she had established a genuine connection with her partner. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hope with Holly05:55 Exploring Sexual Awakening and Education11:54 Finding Emotional Connection in Relationships18:04 Building a Relationship from Friendship28:11 The Journey of Self-Discovery35:06 The Importance of Physical Connection42:47 Empowerment and Hope in Self-DiscoverySex Advice for Seniors is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I can't keep going without your help to pay for all the work that goes into this, including software subscriptions, editing, and time.You can also schedule a 1:1 call with her on her website:https://stan.store/HopeWithHollyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@hopewithhollyhttps://www.instagram.com/hope_with_holly/https://www.facebook.com/HopeWithHollyCoach/http://www.youtube.com/@hopewithholly Get full access to Sex Advice for Seniors at www.sexadviceforseniors.com/subscribe

5/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) 1981 Inauguration https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

6/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author)  1981 Inauguration Speech https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

7/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) March 1981, the shooting https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

8/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) 1983 Afghanistan https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

4/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades. 1952 Nancy Davis and Ronald Reagan

1/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

2/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades. 1942 Jane Wyman and Ronald Reagan

3/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades. 1944 Camp Wacky

[SEGMENT 2-1] October surprises 1   We are more than halfway through the month of October and only a few weeks away from the 2024 Presidential Election. What "October Surprises" await the candidates? The term "October Surprise" refers to a political event or scandal strategically revealed just before an election to sway voters. The term originated in the 1970s and became widely used during the 1980 presidential campaign, when allegations were made that the Reagan campaign had negotiated with Iran to delay the release of American hostages until after the election, damaging Jimmy Carter's chances of reelection. Since then, October surprises have included dramatic revelations aimed at influencing the outcome of presidential or midterm elections. When it comes to Trump, I can report that there will be no October surprises. As Trump said the other night when interviewed by Harris Faulkner, I've been investigated more than Alfonse Capone, in reference to the infamous crime boss. And all the historical nonsense has been played; and no, https://theblacksphere.net/2024/10/exposed-the-so-called-racist-acts-of-donald-trump/. And what of JD Vance? As it turns out, he's not "weird" as he proved in his debate destruction of Tim Walz. In fact, Vance is cleaner than a preacher's sheets. So this pretty much leaves only the https://theblacksphere.net/2024/10/the-october-surprise-republicans-plan-for-harris/. And as I've opined, that party has lots of potential scandals. Based on historical precedent and current vulnerabilities within the Democratic Party, below is my analysis of potential October surprises that could still occur: 1. Walz History of Lies and Sexual Misconduct [X] SB – Trump on Tim Walz at the Al Smith Dinner Governor Tim Walz has the charm of a cardboard cutout, but he really wants to be liked. Democrats present him as Mr. Midwest Joe, but it's fallen short as Walz appears more like big brother to Chris Farley. But sadly for the Democrats, Walz doesn't have that Farley feel when it comes to help his ticket. The man who tried to paint JD Vance as "weird" appears to be covering for his own weirdness. Will https://theblacksphere.net/2024/10/did-tim-walz-get-caught-in-another-lie/ that could damage Walz public persona. Short answer: likely. If rumors of sexual misconduct persist, you can bet the Democrats will be scrambling big city fire department going to a five-alarm. Credible https://countylocalnews.com/2024/10/12/shocking-allegations-tim-walz-accused-of-assaulting-high-school-football-player/ have emerged against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz regarding "sexual misconduct during his time as a high school football coach. According to these claims, Walz is accused of sexually assaulting a student and taking the victim to a gay bar during his coaching career. These serious accusations, which first gained traction on social media, have prompted calls for an investigation, although they remain allegations without substantiated proof at this time​." The https://countylocalnews.com/2024/10/12/explosive-walz-accused-of-sxual-assault-and-gy-bar-scandal-during-coaching-career/ has stirred up considerable public outrage and discussion, with some questioning the trust placed in individuals in positions of authority, like Walz, and calling for accountability if the allegations are proven true. Walz, who has previously worked as a teacher and coach before transitioning to politics, has not yet publicly addressed these specific claims, but investigations are reportedly ongoing​  [SEGMENT 2-2] October surprises 2  2. Kamala Harris' Crooked Brother-in-Law Tony West, Kamala Harris' brother-in-law and currently Uber's Chief Legal Officer, has been a controversial figure recently due to his past work with the U.S. Department of Justice. In the spirit of Leftists helping Leftists and hurting the country, West was involved in facilitating significant settlements with large corporations, particularly banks. He committed his skullduggery during the Obama era. Instead of ensuring the settlement funds went to impacted individuals or the U.S. Treasury, West fhttps://www.allsides.com/news/2024-08-27-1353/politics-kamala-s-brother-law-fleeced-taxpayers-billions-give-left-wing-groups to left-leaning NGOs and activist groups. While his actions may have been framed as legal, they don't appear to be ethical. Moreover, West is accused of enriching political allies and advancing progressive agendas using taxpayer money. In effect, West provided "legalized money laundering" for leftist causes. And in his role he diverted billions of dollars were diverted away from public coffers to non-governmental organizations supporting left-wing political activities.  3. Doug Emhoff's Rage and Other Dalliances Ah, Doug Emhoff—the First Gentleman of Things That Don't Matter But Might. While he's generally managed to stay in the background, stories arose of Emhoff hitting a former girlfriend due to jealousy. If a story grows about him raging like a toddler denied a Happy Meal, it could turn Harris' already-awkward PR game into a nightmare. Emhoff appeared in various media recently calling the incident a "distraction" from his wife's campaign. Frankly, given Harris' campaign trajectory, she could use a distraction. The lesson for Democrats is don't try to make a wife-beater and nanny-f*cker a paragon of virtue and poster child for honorable manhood.  4. Kamala Harris Plagiarism If you thought Joe Biden had the monopoly on plagiarism, think again. Kamala Harris has a history of, shall we say, "borrowing" phrases like a broke college student borrows quarters on laundry day. Although Harris' plagiarism surprises no one, it doesn't help her tarnished image of being a one-trick phrase pony. By this time even Harris seems to have sickened of her "I was born into a middle-class family" schtick. Further, consider the plagiarism of her ascension. Harris wants people to believe she rose to prominence due to hard work. However, she plagiarized the life of millions of skanks before her, then presents herself as a middle-class Horatio Alger. And if you are of the ilk that Harris has an original thought, I suggest you remove her teleprompter then time hos quickly her mouth stops moving. Don't be surprised to learn that Harris has never had an original thought. By the way, is that her teleprompter or did she lift it from Joe Biden?  [SEGMENT 2-3] October surprises 3  5. J6 Committee Corruption and Liz Cheney Liz Cheney's obsession with January 6th was like watching someone lose themselves in a soap opera. In this particular soap, in a sea of bad guys, Liz Cheney played the role of the righteous villain. And October has already revealed much about her. As it turns out, Cheney (and the committee) hid evidence, manipulated testimony, or ran a partisan hit-job. And the Republicans have the receipts. In what was already a political career in shambles, Cheney may have provided Republicans the final nail for her coffin. And what about Harris trotting the crooked old girl out for campaign points? Talk about dropping a political turd grenade. Cheney has gone from self-proclaimed savior of democracy to just another Uniparty politician who sold out for the limelight and a couple of New York Times headlines.  6. Election Cheating Verified Hardly an October surprise, election cheating in almost all significant states have been verified. Still, Americans learn almost daily of the shenanigans Democrats pulled to fraudulently appoint Biden as president. But what if suddenly we get even more undeniable proof of election fraud that "hits 'em where the good Lord split them"? Even now, Democrats plot to keep Republicans from removing dead people and even self-proclaimed non-citizens from the voter roles. For a group of people who claim to want election integrity, Democrats fight very hard not to see it achieved. The public is well-aware of what happened in 2020 and the willful election tampering happening with Democrats. This will be their downfall, as Trump is now seen as far less of a boogeyman, particularly when compared to King Kamala. Expect even more revelations, which will help the people who show up to vote pull the Right lever.  7. Biden Family Corruption While Republicans are certainly taking their sweet time, the specter of a Biden family corruption reveal lingers. Let's not forget that Hunter Biden copped a plea, and we await his sentencing. Ironically, Hunter Biden's laptop started this mess for the Biden family, the Biden DOJ, and the Democrats and other minions who helped in the "Russian conspiracy" coverup. If Republicans choose to make the Biden an October surprise, it would certainly reflect on the entirety of the Left. They shoved all in long ago, as the FBI withheld Hunter's laptop, then the media and social media started the "misinformation" spin. Change Trump for Biden and we'd know all about the crimes of the century and how a president sold out his country. Worse, he used his drug-addicted son to manage the enterprise. As Biden would quip, "Not a joke". Will Republicans allow one "FJB!" leading into the final days?  [SEGMENT 2-4] October surprises 4  8. Democrat Fundraising Scandal with ActBlue If ActBlue ends up exposed as the shady ATM everyone suspects it is, Democrats are going to have a fundraising crisis on their hands. James O'Keefe exposed the illegal tactics of this Democrat money-laundering machine posing as a fundraising arm. And the evidence is as clear as the cheating in the 2020 election and the farce of J6. But in what Americans have learned over the past 8 years, the truth doesn't necessarily matter. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kevin-jackson-show--2896352/support.

Nonfiction writer Alissa Quart joins co-hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell to discuss how the American obsession with “bootstrap narratives” led to the publishing industry championing Hillbilly Elegy, the bestselling and problematic memoir by J.D. Vance, who was subsequently elected to the Senate and is now the Republican vice presidential nominee. Quart talks about Vance's failure to credit those who have contributed to his success and reflects on both the fetishization of poverty and the importance of authentic representation. She also explains the long tradition of self-made man narratives and their underlying queer romantic elements, and compares Vance's work to that of writers like Laura Ingalls Wilder and Horatio Alger. She critiques Vance's recent remarks about childless and professional women and suggests the need for a more nuanced and expansive understanding of community. Quart talks about the nonprofit she leads, the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, and reads from her book, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream. To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/ This episode of the podcast was produced by Anne Kniggendorf. Alissa Quart Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream Thoughts and Prayers  Squeezed: Why Our Families Can't Afford America  Monetized  Republic of Outsiders: The Power of Amateurs, Dreamers, and Rebels  Economic Hardship Reporting Project   "JD Vance is the Toxic Byproduct of America's Obsession with Bootstrap Narratives" | Literary Hub Others: Laura Ingalls Wilder Horatio Alger Barbara Ehrenreich Dorothy Allison Elizabeth Catte Alex Miller Bobbi Dempsey Ann Larson Fiction/Non/Fiction Season 6, Episode 32: “The East Palestine Train Derailment and Your Health: Kerri Arsenault on the Pervasive and Ongoing Risks of Dioxin”  “‘Dangerous and un-American': new recording of JD Vance's dark vision of women and immigration” by Jason Wilson | The Guardian Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis Going for Broke with Ray Suarez | The Nation Going for Broke | NPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Weylman was orphaned at age 6 and he lived in 19 foster homes and attended 11 different schools. Rather than becoming the victim of those circumstances, he overcame them and he has had remarkable business success, including as an award-winning General Sales Manager of Rolls Royce to Head Sales and Marketing for the Robb Report, a Magazine for the Luxury Lifestyle from its inception until its record liquidity event.  A Hall of Fame inducted Keynote Speaker, Richard has also been inducted into the Customer Experience Hall of Fame for his legendary work helping brands engage with their customers and retain them.   He is the author of two international bestsellers, the latest of which, The Power of Why: Breaking Out in a Competitive Marketplace is in seven languages and is also a CEO Reads best seller.  His next book 100 Proven Ways to Acquire and Keep Clients for Life was released on March 12th, and is available for pre-order on Amazon, or your favorite bookstore. Finally, he is a Horatio-Alger nominee for his philanthropic work on behalf of orphans and widows.    Questions  ·      Could you share with us in your own words a little bit about how you got from where you were to where you are today? ·      This new book that was released almost 3 months now it's been out the book, 100 Proven Ways to Acquire and Keep Clients for Life. Could you share with our listeners maybe 3 overarching themes that the book covers? And who is the book really geared towards? ·     In your research, when you were talking to your different clients about the different ways that you can acquire and keep clients, did you find that there were some industries that were thriving with these four things that you've mentioned, based on the research and others? ·      Now Richard, could you share with our audience maybe one or two books that you've read, it could be a book that you read a very long time ago, or even one that you've read recently, but it had a great impact on you. ·      Now, Richard, could you share with our audience what's one thing that's going on in your life right now that you're really excited about? Either something you're working on to develop yourself or your people. ·       Where can listeners find you online? Highlights  Richard's Journey Me: Now, we always like to give our guests a little opportunity to share a little bit about their journey. Could you share with us in your own words a little bit about how you got from where you were to where you are today?    Richard shared that the key thing is when all of this stuff, he was an orphan, as mentioned in his introduction, and that was very kind. But he was orphaned, and he lived in 18 foster homes, went to 11 different schools. So, you learn just from life experiences, how to understand, how to adapt, how to connect, in his case with the people with whom he was living. But he thinks we all go through this similar journey in life, you learn how to connect or not with individuals. So, that really became the premise for all of his speaking and consulting.  And they are a research-based consulting firm, they do a great deal of research about what the consumers' looking for, why they're looking for it. And most importantly, how salespeople, marketing people, business people can connect with the expectations, let's use that word, expectations of the consumer. So, that's what prompted his first book, Opening Closed Doors, Keys to Reaching Hard to Reach People then The Power of Why: Breaking Out in a Competitive Marketplace, which was mentioned. And those are in seven languages.  And now his recent book, which really manifested itself after about October he would say in 2019, in the fall of 2019, it occurred to him that people were no longer talking about service anymore. They talked to people in their consulting projects, how would you rate the service of this company, and people didn't want to talk, they would say, “Well, the service is good. But let me tell you about the experience I had.” And it dawned on him that what people are really focused on good service is a minimum expectation today, what people really want, really want is an elevated experience, somebody who's thoughtful and kind and caring, and empathetic. So, that became the premise for the current book that's just come out, which is number one on Amazon hot new release. So, is that helpful?   About the Book – Who the Book is Geared Towards and it's Overarching Themes – 100 Proven Ways to Acquire and Keep Clients for Life Me: So, you have this new book that was released almost 3 months now it's been out. And you said it's number one on the hot new list for Amazon. Could you share with our listeners maybe 3 overarching themes that the book covers? And who is the book really geared towards?   Richard stated that that's it's a great question. The book itself is really geared, we'll start there, who reads this book? Anybody in sales, marketing, service, leadership, he's had over 2000 individuals that he knows of that are in either leadership roles or top advisors, top salespeople who have sent him emails because of the epiphany moments they've had in it and the reason he thinks that so many different types of people, it doesn't matter what industry, he's got people in real estate, he got a bunch of emails this morning, people in real estate, attorney, doctors, he had a dentist sent him an email, hairdresser.  So, it really doesn't matter what industry you're in. What really matters is do you want to acquire and keep your clients for life? And he guesses the obvious question is, “Why wouldn't you want to keep your clients for life, given the cost of acquisition?”  So, when he wrote the book, he didn't write it for any industry, he wrote it for individuals that really did want to, shall we say, connect with their customers or their clients in such a way that those individuals would never buy from anyone else in their space. And it really is the premise is to understand the lifetime value of a customer or a client.   And a lot of business owners, and certainly salespeople, we don't often think about the lifetime value, we sell somebody something and we see it as a transaction. When you sell someone, it's not the end of something, it's the beginning of what could very well become a lifetime relationship with that individual every single time they need something that you may offer, they can reach out to you, and they become a customer for life. So, the question is, how do you do it? So, that's where the premise of the book came from and who he wrote it for.   So, one of the overarching themes in interviewing literally hundreds, hundreds and hundreds of consumers. And the number really reaches over 1000 in all of their consulting work over the years from 2019 until now when he wrote the book, he would ask people, “What is something someone can do, or a company can do to get your attention and keep you as a client for life?”   And they would tell him that, and they began to write those down. And that's how he came up with the 100 Proven Ways. He didn't set out to do 100 proven ways, but what they found out is today, there are four things people look for, these are the overarching themes. They want an individual and company that is thoughtful. In other words, they'll go the extra mile, do the extra thing, take the extra moment.   Secondly, someone that's kind, will think about things from their perspective and do things that demonstrate kindness to them as an individual.  Thirdly, someone that cares, cares enough to find out what they really want, what they really need, and what is the right, shall we say, item for them? The right haircut, the right prescription, the right legal advice, the right advisory advice, whatever, they want somebody that cares about them.  And last but not least, they want someone in a company that's empathetic, someone that shall we say, demonstrates that even though I'm saying it's unique to me, my problem, and you've heard it 100 times as a salesperson, you know it's not unique. For me, it is unique. So, I appreciate your willingness to be empathetic. So, four things, thoughtful, caring, kind, empathetic, those are the overarching things.   Industry Insights and Best Practices Based on Research from Book Me: So, they need to be thoughtful, they need to be kind, they need to be caring, and they need to be empathetic. In your research, when you were talking to your different clients about the different ways that you can acquire and keep clients, did you find that there were some industries that were thriving with these four things that you've mentioned, based on the research and others?   Richard stated that it's really interesting Yanique mentioned that, and it's not so much industries, it's companies within that are doing well. Most industries are still in the transaction mode. Go to a restaurant, it's a transaction. If you order something online, it becomes a transaction. And as a result of that, people are looking for other options.   So, what's happened is a few companies have really jumped to the front. And he'll just give you a couple of example, in the United States; they have a company called Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A is a chicken sandwich is basically what it is. He knew the founder, his name is Truett Cathy and they did a lot of traveling together, meetings together. And he would often say him, “Richard, now remember, we got to remind the crew here that we're not in a chicken business, we're in a people business.”  So, they're closed every Sunday. So, that means if you want to put a characterize that differently, they're closed 52 days a year, that would mean they closed November 10 and re-open January 1, that's 52 days.  They have the highest revenue per store than any other food franchise in the world. And they're closed from November 10 to January 1, and they're not open 24/7.  So, the question is, why is that happening?  Yes, it's a great chicken sandwich granted, but you get a chicken sandwich pretty much anywhere. What they really are known for is please, thank you, and my pleasure. And people sit in long lines at their drive thru, which are two and three lanes wide because people there say please, thank you, my pleasure. That's one brilliant example of how they do it.  Give me another example, in the food industry, this company, for pets, and that company is called Chewy.  Now, how has Chewy done, this young kid had started he said, when manufacturers and sellers of food products and other products for pets, they need to realize pets are part of the family.  So, they need to take a family orientation and be kind, thoughtful, caring and empathetic with their customers about their pets.  Well, they've done that, and just a quick, he (Richard) was speaking, he speaks all over the world. He's spoken at the Pegasus Hotel there in Jamaica many times for various conferences, and he will tell you that he was speaking at a conference in Nashville, Tennessee, he told the story of a woman who had posted on LinkedIn.  She posted that she had a standing order with Chewy, this was in November when he was speaking, and her order for the cat food had just arrived.  She posted on LinkedIn, “The cat food came, I called Chewy and said my cat has died. And I want to return the cat food. They said absolutely not; donate it to the local shelter. And we'll give you 100% credit on the bill.” The audience goes wow. And he said but that's only half the story. The other half that she wrote about was 3 days later, she got a bouquet of flowers, and a condolence card from the Customer Service Rep at Chewy. At that instant, this woman stood up in the middle of this ballroom of about 1000 people and scream, “That was my cat.” and held up her phone. She said, “I posted that this morning. I've already got 147 likes.” And at that moment, he just stopped and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, what does this tell us about Chewy?”  And the whole room starts chanting, “We're switching to Chewy.”  So, there's a message here. And it's the undercurrent of what's going on in business around the world. And it's not just in the US. He'll be in France again in October speaking in a large conference there; he goes to Asia a lot. And everywhere you go, people are really interested in doing business with individuals that are kind, thoughtful, caring, and empathetic and once he realized that, and then people began to share these ideas, if you would do this, I would be a loyal customer, he just thought it'd be helpful to put that out in the marketplace for anybody, regardless the kind of business you're in. Because it makes a big difference in your life. He heard from a guy that sells hot water heaters to hotels, and he said this book changed his business completely. So, that's the difference.   Books that Have Had the Biggest Impact on Richard When asked about books that have had a great impact, Richard shared that one particularly, there's a series, his name is Bob Burg. And he's written a book, the original book, he was a co-author of a book called The Go-Giver: A Little Story about a Powerful Business Idea that is international bestseller, sold a couple million copies, what a fabulous book for anybody to read. And that would be one he'd recommend.  And another one that he has co-authored with a guy named Jeff West is called Streetwise to Saleswise: Become ObjectionProofÔ and Beat the Sales Blues, it's really a great book, it just came out he would say a few months ago. And it's really a story, they write it in a story format and what he means by that is that it's like you're reading a novel, well, it is a novel. But as you're reading the novel, it's written in a way that allows you to understand various things you can do in shall we say in business to expand your influence, to make a significant impact and to really make a difference.  Now, The Go-Giver book that he wrote, he's done a series Go-Giver Leader, The Go-Giver Sell More, and those are really dynamite books. But The Go-Giver, the original book is just oh my God, what a great book and they've sold millions of copies all over the world.  And then the other one is Streetwise to Saleswise, another great book by he and a guy named Jeff West. That book has been out maybe a couple of months, but it's called Streetwise to Saleswise, and it's really written around the city of New Orleans and sales individual that went out there to shall we say, be in the sales business, it's a fabulous read, particularly people like novels that have read really great nuggets on how to be a better salesperson.   What Richard is Really Excited About Now! When asked about something that he's really excited about, Richard shared that the book is doing extraordinarily well, he's been very grateful for that. It's been selected as the lead book for the London Book Fair and the Frankfurt Book Fair this year, which is a blessing. But what he's most excited about is he's getting in front of more and more audiences, he's in the Keynote Speaker Hall of Fame, and the Customer Experience Hall of Fame, and all of that is wonderful recognition. But what is really wonderful is when he has the privilege of being on the platform, and being able to share with audiences' ways in which they can elevate their client or customer experience, and stand apart from the competition, and that's what he's most excited about. He's got a lot of speaking engagements coming up this fall, and in places all over the world. And just to be a blessing to those people and to bring them some thoughts that perhaps they've never had, or to have reinforced that which is that they're doing so they really feel as though, “You know what, I'm on the right track, and we're going to continue to win more business.” So, those are the things that excites him.    Where can listeners find Richard online? LinkedIn - Richard Weylman Website - http://www.richardweylman.com/ Richard shared that on the website, there you can download a chapter of his book free, you can read it, you can also order the book there of course. There's also, he does a great deal of media, he guesses there's probably 25 or 30, ABC, CBS, NBC and, Fox, both TV and radio segments there, you just click on media and you can listen and watch those on various topics.   And then also under videos, you'll see a link there, you can go to learn services. And he puts up about he's going to guess 25 little video vignettes are a couple of minutes long that you can enjoy, they're all free, just wanted to plant those in your life. You can sign up for his performance tip that's the down at the bottom of every page but every 10 days he sends out researcher tips to about 20,000 people or subscribers, so it'd be wonderful if you subscribed.  So, you want to go to www.richardweylman.com if you want him to speak at your conference, or at your upcoming meeting, whatever the case might be, there's a form there, fill it out, he responds to those. He actually gets those himself, he'd be happy to partner with you, and find a way that they can bring some additional learning to your organization, to your people so that they can elevate their business performance as well.   Me: All right. Thank you so much for sharing, Richard. We just want to extend our deepest gratitude to for taking time out of your very busy schedule and hopping on this podcast. You shared some great insights and nuggets as it relates to some of the keys that you need to focus on in order to acquire and keep your clients for life especially based on the research that you did. And we love the examples that you gave, they were definitely relevant and something that I believe will motivate the audience to definitely go out and get a copy of your book, whether it be in soft or hard copy so they can try and elevate their own client experiences. So, thank you again.    Please connect with us on Twitter @navigatingcx and also join our Private Facebook Community – Navigating the Customer Experience and listen to our FB Lives weekly with a new guest    Links •     The G0-Giver: A Little Story about a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg •     Streetwise to Saleswise: Become ObjectionProofÔ and Beat the Sales Blues by Jeff West   The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience Grab the Freebie on Our Website – TOP 10 Online Business Resources for Small Business Owners  Do you want to pivot your online customer experience and build loyalty - get a copy of “The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience.” The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience provides 26 easy to follow steps and techniques that helps your business to achieve success and build brand loyalty. This Guide to Limitless, Happy and Loyal Customers will help you to strengthen your service delivery, enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the customer experience and provide tips and practical strategies that you can start implementing immediately! This book will develop your customer service skills and sharpen your attention to detail when serving others. Master your customer experience and develop those knock your socks off techniques that will lead to lifetime customers. Your customers will only want to work with your business and it will be your brand differentiator. It will lead to recruiters to seek you out by providing practical examples on how to deliver a winning customer service experience!

In this episode of the 'Ready Yet' podcast, join me as I chat with Richard Wildman about vital strategies for small business owners to enhance their customer experience. Richard, an esteemed author and consultant, draws from his diverse background to explain the importance of customer engagement and personalized service. We dive into why businesses often fail to adjust to market changes and how they can develop more humanized and emotionally engaging approaches to retain clients. Richard also shares his inspiring journey and offers practical advice on how to implement effective customer-centric strategies in today's evolving marketplace.GUEST RESOURCESRichard Weylman was orphaned at age 6, and lived in nineteen foster homes and attended eleven different schools. Rather than becoming victim of those circumstances, he overcame them and has had remarkable business success including as an award-winning general sales manager of Rolls Royce to heading sales and marketing for the Robb Report- A Magazine for the Luxury Lifestyle from its inception until its record liquidity event.  A Hall of Fame inducted Keynote Speaker, Richard has also been inducted into the Customer Experience Hall Of Fame for his legendary work helping brands engage with and retain their customers. Finally, he is a Horatio- Alger nominee for his philanthropic work on behalf of orphans and widows. Richard is also the author of two international bestsellers, the latest of which, The Power of Why: Breaking Out in a Competitive Marketplace is in seven languages and is also a CEO Reads best seller.  His most recent book, 100 Proven Ways to Acquire and Keep Clients for Life,  is available on Amazon or your favorite bookstore. https://richardweylman.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-weylman-8a087026https://www.youtube.com/@RichardWeylmanhttps://x.com/richard_weylman Connect as a Human First: A simplified path to creating compelling content BE IN CHARGE >> TAKE ACTION >> GET RESULTSConquer Your BusinessJoin us on FacebookLinkedInInstagram

There is no arguing that Stan Musial is one of the finest players, and people, in baseball history, and this week marks the 66th anniversary of Baseball's Perect Knight collecting his 3,000th hit. Mike and Bill look back at one off the least controversial inner-circle hall of famers of all time, and document his Horatio Alger-esque journey to achieving the American Dream. Plus, happy birthday to Lave Cross and Hank Borowy! And farewell to U.L. Washington and Ed Ott

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

The promise that you can "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is central to the story of the American Dream. It's the belief that if you work hard and rely on your own resources, you will eventually succeed. However, time and again we have seen how this foundational myth, with its emphasis on individual determination, brittle self-sufficiency, and personal accomplishment, does not help us. Instead, as income inequality rises around us, we are left with shame and self-blame for our condition. Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our own independence and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone. Looking at a range of delusions and half solutions--from "grit" to the false Horatio Alger story to the rise of GoFundMe--Quart reveals how we have been steered away from robust social programs that would address the root causes of our problems. Meanwhile, the responsibility for survival has been shifted onto the backs of ordinary people, burdening generations with debt instead of providing the social safety net we so desperately need. Insightful, sharply argued, and characterized by Quart's lively writing and deep reporting, and for fans of Evicted and Nickel and Dimed, Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream (Ecco Press, 2023) is a powerful examination of what ails us at a societal level and a plan for how we can free ourselves from these self-defeating narratives Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart is a contributor to The Washington Post and New York Times and the author of several nonfiction works including Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers and Squeezed: Why our Families Can't Afford America, as well as works of poetry like Thoughts and Prayers. Alissa Quart is the executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and the editor with David Wallis of Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the world's richest country which we discussed on this podcast in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert talks with Richard Weylman about the importance of customer service and how the companies that truly care about people recognize the experience that they create. Richard helps business owners and leaders think about the experience they are creating for customers and how to improve their customer experience. We share some good and bad stories of customer service and the impact it has on people. Richard Weylman ( Pronounced while-men )Orphaned at age 6, Richard lived in nineteen foster homes and attended eleven different schools.Rather than becoming victim of those circumstances he overcame them and has had remarkable business success including as an award-winning general sales manager of Rolls Royce to heading sales and marketing for the Robb Report- A Magazine for the Luxury Lifestyle from its inception until its record liquidity event. A Hall of Fame inducted Keynote speaker Richard has also been inducted into the Customer Experience Hall Of Fame for his legendary work helping brands engage with their customers and retain them. He is the author of two international bestsellers, the latest of which, The Power of Why: Breaking Out in a Competitive Marketplace is in seven languages and is also a CEO Reads best seller. His next book 100 Proven Ways to Acquire and Keep Clients for Life just released this March is available on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.Finally, he is a Horatio- Alger nominee for his philanthropic work on behalf of orphans and widows. www.richardweylman.comX= richard_weylmanLinkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-weylman-keynotespeaker/

Richard Weylman, at age 6, Richard was orphaned and lived in nineteen foster homes and attended eleven different schools. Rather than becoming victim of those circumstances he overcame them and has had remarkable business success including as an award-winning general sales managerof Rolls Royce to heading sales and marketing for the Robb Report- A Magazine for the Luxury Lifestyle from its inception until its record liquidity event. A Hall of Fame inducted Keynote speaker Richard has also been inducted into the Customer Experience Hall Of Fame for his legendary work helping brands engage with their customers and retain them. He is the author of two international bestsellers, the latest of which, The Power of Why: Breaking Out in a Competitive Marketplace is in seven languages and is also a CEO Reads bestseller. His next book 100 Proven Ways to Acquire and Keep Clients for Life is available on Amazon or your favorite bookstore. Finally, he is a Horatio- Alger nominee for his philanthropic work on behalf of orphans and widows. In this podcast for managers, Audrey, Lee and Richard discuss:   ·  What differentiates you with today's customers with their experience ·  Concrete examples of right from wrong in service levels ·  Free or inexpensive ways to change your business deliverables to garner client loyalty · Why creating brand evangelists is critical to growing your business “Thoughtfulness, empathy, caring, and kindness are valuable relationship-building traits that no amount of competitor marketing dollars can defeat.”– Richard Weylman Build Credibility and Effective Leadership with the Manage Smarter Podcast Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith every week as they dive into the aspects and concepts of good business management. From debunking sales myths to learning how to manage with and without measurements, you'll learn something new with every episode and will be able to implement positive change far beyond sales.   Connect with Richard Weylman https://richardweylman.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-weylman-keynotespeaker/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts ·         Website: ManageSmarter.com  ·         LinkedIn: AudreyStrong                                                                    ·         LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith   Connect with SalesFuel ·         Website: http://salesfuel.com/  ·         Twitter: @SalesFuel  ·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Winners Find A Way Show, where we delve into the strategies and stories of those who have achieved greatness. Today, we have the honor of hosting none other than Mark Battiato, the CEO, and Director of Practice Growth at The Growth Into Greatness Institute. With over two decades of experience, Mark has been instrumental in guiding individuals towards realizing their utmost potential.   Mark Battiato's dedication to nurturing growth in every facet of life is evident through his personalized coaching sessions and immersive retreats. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable legacy of Bill Bailey, a Horatio Alger award recipient who revolutionized a $70 million company in the 1970s, Mark's mission is crystal clear: to empower individuals to soar to new heights. A chance encounter with Bailey at a Jim Rohn lecture sparked a profound connection, underscoring the transformative power of mentorship.   Key Takeaways: Learn about the importance of continuous growth and the impact of mentorship in Mark's journey. Gain insights into strategies for personal and professional development. Understand the power of resilience and determination in achieving greatness.   Tune in to this enlightening conversation as we explore the core principles of growth and the invaluable role of mentorship in shaping success. Don't miss out on this opportunity to glean insights from Mark's journey and harness the power of resilience on your own path to greatness!   Connect With Mark Battiato:  LinkedIn   Connect with Trent M Clark  Book your 15-minute FREE consultation   Subscribe to our Newsletter       A gift for you! Download Here         Be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring interviews and valuable insights. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with your network. Together, we can unlock success!           Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization. 

On this episode of Our American Stories, straight out of a Horatio Alger novel, the Silver Kings (John Mackay, James Fair, William O'Brien, and James Flood) epitomized the rags-to-riches American dream story. Roger McGrath tells the story of the richest mineral discovery in American history - the Comstock Lode. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

fWotD Episode 2514: Argosy (magazine) Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day where we read the summary of the featured Wikipedia article every day.The featured article for Saturday, 23 March 2024 is Argosy (magazine).Argosy was an American magazine, founded in 1882 as The Golden Argosy, a children's weekly, edited by Frank Munsey and published by E. G. Rideout. Munsey took over as publisher when Rideout went bankrupt in 1883, and after many struggles made the magazine profitable. He shortened the title to The Argosy in 1888 and targeted an audience of men and boys with adventure stories. In 1894 he switched it to a monthly schedule and in 1896 he eliminated all non-fiction and started using cheap pulp paper, making it the first pulp magazine. Circulation had reached half a million by 1907, and remained strong until the 1930s. The name was changed to Argosy All-Story Weekly in 1920 after the magazine merged with All-Story Weekly, another Munsey pulp, and from 1929 it became just Argosy.In 1925 Munsey died, and the publisher, the Frank A. Munsey Company, was purchased by William Dewart, who had worked for Munsey. By 1942 circulation had fallen to no more than 50,000, and after a failed effort to revive the magazine by including sensational non-fiction, it was sold that year to Popular Publications, another pulp magazine publisher. Popular converted it from pulp to slick format, and initially attempted to make it a fiction-only magazine, but gave up on this within a year. Instead it became a men's magazine, carrying fiction and feature articles aimed at men. Circulation soared and by the early 1950s was well over one million.Early contributors included Horatio Alger, Oliver Optic, and G. A. Henty. During the pulp era, many famous writers appeared in Argosy, including O. Henry, James Branch Cabell, Albert Payson Terhune, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Erle Stanley Gardner, Robert E. Howard, and Max Brand. Argosy was regarded as one of the most prestigious publications in the pulp market, along with Blue Book, Adventure and Short Stories. After the transition to slick format it continued to publish fiction, including science fiction by Robert Heinlein, Arthur Clarke, and Ray Bradbury. From 1948 to 1958 it published a series by Gardner called "The Court of Last Resort" which examined the cases of dozens of convicts who maintained their innocence, and succeeding in overturning many of the convictions. NBC adapted the series for television in 1957.Popular sold the magazine to David Geller in 1972, and in 1978 Geller sold it to the Filipacchi Group, which closed down the magazine at the end of the year. The title has been revived several times, most recently in 2016.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:09 UTC on Saturday, 23 March 2024.For the full current version of the article, see Argosy (magazine) on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm Arthur Neural.

On this episode of Our American Stories, straight out of a Horatio Alger novel, the Silver Kings (John Mackay, James Fair, William O'Brien, and James Flood) epitomized the rags-to-riches American dream story. Roger McGrath tells the story of the richest mineral discovery in American history - the Comstock Lode. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the foundations that's stuck with me through the years is, “Businesses do not do business with other businesses. People do business with people.” There has never been a corporation that has ever paid cash or written a check. People do that. Yes, companies try to put you on autopilot by making you subscribe to things, but it still takes a human to enter the data and make the initial purchase. What had been the Horatio Alger dream of the Nineteenth Century, starting in the mail room and ultimately owning the bank or factory, now had even more scope. How many loyal workers dreamed of climbing the corporate ladder to become CEO of a multinational corporation? Part of the evolution of business is about teaching ourselves how to really network. There are many options, from associations to chambers of commerce to people who do informal and semi-formal free and paid events. Those events lead to people suggesting other networking opportunities. That could expand your Golden Rolodex even further, but how do you find value in networking?

Episode 248 – Archeology and the Bible – Part 4 – Amazing Accuracy Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The goal of Anchored by Truth is to encourage everyone to grow in the Christian faith by anchoring themselves to the secure truth found in the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God. Script: Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! 2 Kings, Chapter 18, verse 28, English Standard Version ******** VK: Hello! Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. I’m Victoria K. Today we’re moving on in the series we began a few episodes ago called “Archeology and the Bible.” Archeology as a science can be very helpful to show an unbelieving world that that the Bible is true. The Bible is a book that is firmly set in place and time. It contains a large body of history and, despite the doubts of some, the history contained in the Bible has been shown repeatedly to be reliable. And one way the reliability of the Bible’s history has been demonstrated is through archeological finds and artifacts. So, to help us continue our discussion today in the studio we have RD Fierro, who is an author and the founder of Crystal Sea Books. RD, one of the big points that we are trying to make in this that archeological finds can be a valuable source of support for the accuracy of the history that the Bible reports. Can you give us an example of that? RD: Absolutely. But before I do that I would also like to say “hi” to everyone and welcome them to Anchored by Truth. So, here is a quick example that will lead us into today's discussion. Most people who have read the Bible know that the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles are historical books. They describe the history of the nation of Israel after the period of the judges ended. VK: As a quick refresher just about everybody knows that at one time the Hebrews lived in Egypt for a period of hundreds of years. Then around 1445 BC, plus or minus a few years, Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt. After a period of 40 years of wandering in the desert the Hebrews finally entered Palestine and displaced many of the Canaanites who had been living there. Well, for the first 400 or so years after they entered Palestine the Hebrews lived a loose confederation of tribal states under a succession of judges. And the book of Judges in the Bible describes this time period. But around 1100 BC Saul was anointed king and the Hebrews lived in a monarchial system for the next 500 years or so. Under Saul, David, and David’s son, Solomon, Israel had a united kingdom. But after Solomon died the kingdom split into the northern and southern kingdoms. The northern kingdom was called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah. RD: Yes. Well, chapter 17 of the book of 1 Samuel describes the epic encounter between David and Goliath. The encounter took place in the Valley of Elah which is very near the boundary between the Philistines and Israel. Today there is a site called Khirbet Qeiyafa which is the site of an ancient fortress city overlooking the Elah Valley of Israel. It’s about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem and 7 miles from Goliath’s hometown of Gath. Since 2007, excavations by Yosef Garfinkel of The Hebrew University and Saar Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority, have uncovered a large number of artifacts at Qeiyafa. One of the artifacts they found was a jar with the name “Eshbaal” on it. Eshbaal was one of the sons of Saul. 1 Chronicles 8:33 says “Ner became the father of Kish; and Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul became the father of Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.” VK: And what is interesting is that Garfinkel has dated the find to about the time that Saul would have been the king. But you’re not asserting that this jar actually belonged to Saul’s son, are you? RD: No. But what the find does point out is that the name “Eshbaal” was in use around that time. Furthermore, Garfinkel thinks it likely that the evidence at this site is indicative of a stronger government and nation at that point in Israel’s history than has been commonly thought. Part of the reason they think this is because the excavators at the site found out that the city at the site had two gates. According to an article on PatternsofEvidence.com “This has caused them to propose that the site was biblical Shaaraim, which means “two gates” in Hebrew and this settlement/fortress is also mentioned as being near the site of the David vs. Goliath confrontation in the Bible’s account.” The English Standard Version of 1 Samuel 17:52 says this “And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.” We’ll put a link to the article in the notes that accompany the podcast version of this episode. VK: So, these archeological finds are entirely consistent with the Biblical record of the encounter between David and Goliath and they are consistent with the timing and location of the encounter. As we’ve said before, this does not rise to the level of conclusive proof but it does mean that there is evidence that what the Bible says about the confrontation between the Philistines and the Hebrews, and the fight between David and Goliath, has significant historical support. RD: Right. And that’s a good lead into what I wanted to talk about today. Names and titles tend to change through times and they vary from nation to nation and culture to culture. So, if we find out that a writer uses names and titles correctly, that their use is consistent with the time, place, and surroundings, we can have confidence that the writer has been accurate in their reporting. VK: For instance at one time Elsie was a very common woman’s name in America and Horatio was a common men’s name. Horatio Alger was one of the best known authors of the late 19th century. But you never hear of parents naming their children “Elsie” or “Horatio” today. So, if you see those names you can be pretty sure they weren’t born in the late 20th century or early 21st century. Same thing is true with titles. In England the highest governmental executive officer is called the “Prime Minister.” In American the title “President” is used. So, if a writer were to write an account and call an American office holder the “Prime Minister” we could be reasonably sure that some, if not most, of their account was inaccurate. In ancient Egypt the ruler was called “Pharaoh.” In Rome before Julius Caesar came to power the leaders of the Roman government were called “counsels.” After Julius Caesar made himself dictator most of the men who succeeded him also went by the title Caesar. We could date the reign of Roman rulers at least somewhat by what title applied. Names and titles tend to be location, time, and culturally dependent. RD: Right. So, let’s take a look at a specific example of a Biblical account that gets even obscure titles right. In 701 BC the southern kingdom of Judah was threatened by the Assyrian Empire under their king named Sennacherib. Sennacherib is a name found in 3 books of the Bible: 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. Sennacherib began to reign 710 BC and even though he only reigned a few years he was prominent in the Bible because of his threats to Judah. VK: Hezekiah who was the king of Judah at the time had freed Judah from the Assyrians. As a consequence Sennacherib marched an army against him, and took all the strong cities of Judah except Jerusalem. Hezekiah, realized the predicament he was in and sent ambassadors with tribute to Sennacherib [SIN-AT-CHUR-RIB], who at the time was besieging and destroying another city in Judah. Sennacherib accepted his tribute, but refused to depart, and he sent some of his senior officials with an insulting message to Jerusalem. Hezekiah then prayed to the Lord, who sent a destroying angel against the Assyrian army, and killed a 185,000 of the Assyrians in one night. Sennacherib then retreated to his capital city of Nineveh. But two or three years after his return from Jerusalem he was murdered by two of his sons. RD: Right. All of that history is contained in the Bible. But the Bible’s account has been confirmed by records that were found in the ruins of Nineveh. The ruins of Nineveh are in a mound called Kouyunijik, which is outside the current city of Mosul, Iraq. The mound has been explored and excavated and the excavation has uncovered the remains of a huge palace of the type that would have been built by a powerful king. Inside the palace are huge stone tablets which formed the walls of its various apartments. These tablets are covered with bas-reliefs and inscriptions and while they have suffered over time some large portions remain intact. The fragments that remain are very important. One series of tablets recounts the Sennacherib exploits, who calls himself "the subduer of kings from the upper sea of the setting sun to the lower sea of the rising sun." In our language that would be from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. VK: For those of us who are interested in the Bible the most important of these mural pages recount the history of Sennacherib’s war against Syria and the Jews, in the third year of his reign. In his campaign region he fought with an Egyptian army, sent to help King Hezekiah. Sennacherib defeated the Egyptians and conquered a number of cities in Judah. One inscription on a tablet says "Hezekiah king of Judah, who had not submitted to my authority, forty-six of his principal cities, and fortresses and villages dependent upon them, of which I took no account, I captured, and carried away their spoil. The fortified towns, and the rest of his towns which I spoiled, I severed from his country, and gave to the kings of Askelon, Ekron, and Gaza, so as to make his country small. In addition to the former tribute imposed upon their countries, I added a tribute the nature of which I fixed." RD: Now it’s importance to note that in this boast Sennacherib does not claim to have conquered Jerusalem itself. He claims to have carried away Hezekiah's family, servants, and treasures, with a tribute of thirty talents of gold and eight hundred talents of silver. The amount of gold Sennacherib mentions is the same reported in the Bible narrative. The amount of silver claimed by Sennacherib differs from the amount in scripture. Scripture just mentions three hundred talents of silver. So, it is possible that Hezekiah gave Sennacherib 300 talents of silver because that was all the silver money he had. The five hundred additional talents claimed in the Ninevite record may include the temple and palace treasures that Hezekiah gave when he tried to buy Sennacherib off. VK: The Bible describes these events this way, “In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. So Hezekiah king of Judah sent this message to the king of Assyria at Lachish: ‘I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me.’ The king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace. At this time Hezekiah king of Judah stripped off the gold with which he had covered the doors and doorposts of the temple of the Lord, and gave it to the king of Assyria.” That’s 2 Kings, chapter 18, verses 13 through 16 from the New International Version. You know it’s interesting that the Bible doesn’t record Hezekiah seeking help from the Lord until Jerusalem itself was threatened. RD: That is interesting and I think it points out something important. From archeological records and artifacts we can learn much of what happened in history. But it’s only from the Bible that we can see the interactions between God and his people. Of course it’s important to have confidence that the history in the Bible is accurate but it’s more important to know what God wants us to learn from that history. Hezekiah and Judah endured a lot of loss before Hezekiah finally sent some of his court officials to the prophet Isaiah to ask the Lord for help. VK: 2 Kings, chapter 19 verses 5 through 7 say, “When King Hezekiah’s officials came to Isaiah, Isaiah said to them, ‘Tell your master, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.” Then in verses 32 and 33 the Lord tells Hezekiah through Isaiah “He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city …” Those quotes are from the New International Version. RD: This is a great lesson for us all. At one point the southern nation of Judah was subject to the dominion of the Assyrian Empire. Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, had put them in that position because Ahaz had asked the Assyrians to help him against a confederation that was composed of the kings of the northern nation, Israel and one of the neighboring states, Aram. The Bible tells us that Ahaz was a wicked, ungodly king. Ahaz was so wicked he even practiced child sacrifice. So, rather than seeking help from the Lord, Ahaz looked to the wicked pagan power of Assyria for help for Judah. He got the help but it made Judah subject to Assyria. VK: But unlike his wicked father the Bible tells us that Hezekiah was a righteous king. Hezekiah led a reformation within Judah and eventually Hezekiah was able to achieve a measure of independence for Judah. The Bible tells us that for 14 years of Hezekiah’s reign the Assyrians did not attack. But then this new Assyrian king, Sennacherib, ascended the throne and he appears to have resented the fact that Judah had broken away. So, he attacked Judah. And despite that fact that Hezekiah was a very good king he apparently did not seek the Lord’s help until the Assyrian campaign had progressed quite a bit. RD: And that may be because in the years after he assumed the throne and before the Assyrians attacked Hezekiah appears to have formed a relationship or an alliance with Egypt and Ethiopia. Hezekiah may have been counting on his earthly alliances more than his heavenly father. Again, this is a lesson for us. As it’s sometimes put, we need to make “prayer our first response and not our last resort.” In Hezekiah’s case he appears to have made an appeal to the Lord his last resort because he didn’t send his officials to Isaiah until Sennacherib had conquered much of Judah and was threatening Jerusalem. VK: I think a lot of us are like that – even many Christians. We think God is there or at least we hope He is. But when troubles come our way we almost behave as if He isn’t. We try to handle our problems using our own resources, strength, and plans. All too often we don’t immediately go to prayer and start petitioning the Lord for Him to intercede. And, all too often we certainly have been consulting with the Lord before we got into trouble to ask him what we should be doing that might have kept us out of trouble to begin with. RD: And part of the reason we permit this to happen is because we haven’t studied the Bible to see how God has dealt with His people throughout history. This is a serious weakness in the faith of the modern church. We attempt to build our faith on what we think the Bible says and not on what it actually does say. But I am persuaded that a large part of the reason we treat our faith this way is because too many Christians really aren’t persuaded that the Bible is the inspired word of God. At least that what the surveys tell us. VK: Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Books collaborate every two years and do surveys to determine what they call the “state of theology.” One of the statements they test is: “The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.” In 2014 only 41% of adult Americans agreed with this statement. In 2022 53% of adults agreed with the statement. That’s an alarming trend. RD: Less than half of adult Americans think that the Bible is literally true. I don’t know for sure but I suspect when I was a kid in the 1960’s the percentage would have been in the 70’s or even 80%. And part of the reason the percentage of adult Americans who believe the Bible is literally true is because the Bible has been under an unrelenting assault. That’s why seemingly arcane details about archeology are important. These details help us to assure ourselves, first and foremost, that the Bible is true and then they help us to convey that to others. We won’t rely on our faith if we’re not confident in our faith. And we’re not going to be confident in our faith if we don’t have assurance that the written source of our faith, the Bible, is true. An assured faith is a faith that will turn to God in trouble and frankly will please that God more than a faith that is built on 2nd hand knowledge. So let’s go to one final example today of how the Bible has been validated by archeology. VK: We heard in our opening scripture that it was not the king of Assyria that spoke directly to the residents of Jerusalem in making his threats, but one of his designated officials. And as we mentioned at the start of our episode getting the names and titles right when reporting history gives us confidence the writer was reporting things accurately. Well, archaeology has validated the biblical terms used for the Assyrian officials who confronted Hezekiah. RD: Right. From the Judean city of Lachish, Sennacherib sent some of his high-ranking men, together with a delegation of his army, to Jerusalem. They presented a message to Hezekiah as a means of intimidation. Three Assyrian officers who brought Sennacherib’s message are listed: “the Tartan, the Rab-saris, and the Rabshakeh” That’s 2 Kings 18:17. Up until the ruins of Nineveh were explored these titles were obscure and puzzling to Bible commentators. But all three terms have since been found in ancient Assyrian records. The Assyrian records mentions the Tartan—the senior military commander who ranked next to the king. They also mention the slightly lower-ranked Rabshakeh, which means ‘chief of princes’. The Rab-saris, another of the king’s close officials (possibly chief eunuch), is mentioned in a small contract document. VK: And while we don’t know everything about the exact duties performed by these officers, the preservation of their titles is one of many examples where the details in Scripture, though otherwise lost from secular history, have been verified by archaeological discoveries. RD: Right. And let’s remember from the opening scripture we heard that the chief spokesman for the Assyrians when they threatened Jerusalem was the Rabshakeh, a slightly lower officer – not the military commander. This is very similar to what we see in today’s governments where announcements are usually made by designated spokesman, not the actual leader. Think about the press briefings that are conducted in the White House or Pentagon. VK: And it is interesting to hear that the spokesman for the Assyrians was like a lot of political spokesmen today. He didn’t just confine himself to asking the Hebrews to surrender. Instead he can’t help but do some boasting. He actually said: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. … And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?’” That’s 2 Kings, chapter 18, selected verses from 28 through 33. But the Lord did deliver Jerusalem from the hands of the Assyrians. They made a big mistake when they exhibited disdain for the almighty God. They treated the almighty, everlasting God as if he were just one of the other gods – who were not gods at all but just idols made by human hands. That was not smart. And just as Isaiah had prophesied Sennacherib never conquered Jerusalem and was murdered a short while later. RD: Right. Sennacherib and the Assyrians were like all people who oppose the Lord. They enjoy some earthly success for a while but they are long term losers. Less than a hundred years later the Assyrians were conquered by the Babylonians - and as we have discussed – disappeared so completely that for 2,000 years nobody even new where Nineveh (their capital) once stood. But Hezekiah and the people who trusted in the Lord survived. So, the details of this encounter show the precision and reliability of the Biblical record. You know it’s one thing for records to be able to get the “big” names and titles right. People remember the names of famous kings or queens or the titles of rulers. But it’s another thing when the writers get the titles of lesser officials right. That demonstrates an attention to detail and a concern for accuracy. But that’s what we see in the Bible. And it’s why the assertions that the Bible is not true, filled with myth and fairy tales, or was written hundreds of years after the events that it records are so easily shown to be wrong. VK: And that is what we wanted to point out in this episode and in this series. Archeological discoveries have repeatedly supported the history contained in the Bible. And when they supposedly don’t – when purportedly a discovery shows how the Bible is wrong - we need to stop and think. As we discussed in a previous episode in this series we need to examine the worldview and axioms of the group making the discovery and they need to research and consider the Biblical alternative. All archeologists look at evidence in present and try to determine what it says about the past. Often later discoveries will result an initial opinion being revised. Quite often when that happens we find out the Bible had it right the whole time. Well, This sounds like a great time to pray. Today let’s listen to a prayer that our communities and nations would repent of our departure from the worship of the One True God. The God that saved Hezekiah and the Hebrews from the Assyrians still rules today and He will still help all those who turn in trust to Him. ---- PRAYER FOR RESTORATION OF THE WORSHIP OF THE ONE TRUE GOD VK: We’d like to remind our audience that a lot of our radio episodes are linked together in series of topics so if they missed any episodes or if they just want to hear one again, all of these episodes are available on your favorite podcast app. To find them just search on “Anchored by Truth by Crystal Sea Books.” If you’d like to hear more, try out crystalseabooks.com where “We’re not perfect but our Boss is!” (Bible Quotes from the English Standard Version and New International Version) 2 Kings, Chapter 18, verse 28, English Standard Version David Battles Goliath: Is There Evidence That David Won (patternsofevidence.com) When God rescued King Hezekiah, part 2 (creation.com) Topical Bible: Sennacherib (biblehub.com)

On this episode of Our American Stories, straight out of a Horatio Alger novel, the Silver Kings (John Mackay, James Fair, William O'Brien, and James Flood) epitomized the rags-to-riches American dream story. Roger McGrath tells the story of the richest mineral discovery in American history - the Comstock Lode. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horatio Alger is an organization closest to Glenn's heart. We talk to Nido Qubein who is also a member. He is the President of High Point University, an author, businessman, and motivational speaker. They share their passion for giving back, and helping the next generation overcome their own adversity and become a victor instead of a victim.

Cast Upon the Breakers

Only an Irish Boy Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes

The more enterprising you are the freer you are.” How do you sell more books than anyone else?  You have to be a self leader before you can lead anyone else, shut off negative media, and read a book a week! Mark Victor Hansen has written 318 books and loves what the publishing industry was!  He's a student of the Depression.  His vision is to sell 1 billion books and help others do it as well.  “Whoever controls the story controls the future!” - Plato Today we are talking about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, doing 4 meetings a day,  and how he should have sold more books faster!  Better Call Daddy: The Safe Place For Controversy. In the area of human potential, no one is better known and more respected than Mark Victor Hansen. For more than 30 years, Mark Victor Hansen has focused solely on helping people and organizations reshape their personal vision of what's possible. His powerful messages of possibility, opportunity, and action have helped create startling and powerful change in thousands of organizations, and millions of individuals worldwide. With his endearing charismatic style, Mark captures his audience's attention as well as their hearts. With his one-of-a-kind technique and masterful story-telling ability, he is one of the most dynamic and compelling speakers of our time. You may know Mark Victor Hansen as "that Chicken Soup for the Soul guy." A cultural juggernaut now celebrating its 11th year, Mark and his business partner Jack Canfield created what TIME magazine called, "the publishing phenomenon of the decade." With more than 100 million Chicken Soup for the Soul books sold around the world and over 100 licensed products in the marketplace, it is one of the most successful publishing franchises in the world today. The Chicken Soup idea was just one of many that has propelled Mark into the worldwide spotlight as a sought-after keynote speaker, best-selling author and marketing maven. The author of many books such as The Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor, Dare to Win, The Miracle of Tithing and others, Mark Victor Hansen has an extensive library of audio programs, video programs and enriching articles in the areas of big thinking, sales performance, marketing, publishing and personal and professional development. Mark's latest book, The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth is destined to inspire the creation of one million new millionaires this decade. He co-authored this book with Robert G. Allen (best-selling author of Nothing Down and Multiple Streams of Income) published by Harmony Books, a division of Random House Publishing. His energy and exuberance travels still further through mediums such as television (Oprah, CNN and The Today Show), print (TIME, US News & World Report, USA Today, The New York Times and Entrepreneur) and countless radio and newspaper interviews as he assures everyone of the inherent genius in all of us if we choose to access our centers of influence, leverage our strengths and take action. Mark Victor Hansen is the founder of MEGA Book Marketing University, MEGA Speaking Empire and MEGA Marketing Magic. Each of these annual conferences speak to the specific needs of those who want to discover, create and launch business empires. A passionate philanthropist and humanitarian, Mark teaches the principles of the four types of tithing: thinking, time, talent and treasures. Favored charities are Horatio Alger Scholarships, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Operation Smile, OCEANA , March of Dimes, Covenant House and Childhelp USA.. In the year 2000, The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans honored Mark with the prestigious Horatio Alger Award. Each year, this association honors American leaders who personify the virtues and principles inherent in the success stories written by nineteenth century American author Horatio Alger, Jr. As an award winner, Mark Victor Hansen's extraordinary life achievements stand as a powerful example that the free enterprise system still offers opportunity to all. In 2004, Mark was inducted into the Sales & Marketing Executive International's Hall of Fame, receiving the Ambassador of Free Enterprise award. He is also the recipient of the 2004 Visionary Philanthropist for Youth Award by Covenant House of CA. In 2000, Northwood University honored him as the Outstanding Business Leader of the Year. In 2002, The University of Toledo presented Mark with an Honorary PhD in Business Administration and established the Mark Victor Hansen Entrepreneurial Excellence Fund, which will help shape the minds of future business leaders and assist in the development of the faculty who will teach them. Mark Victor Hansen presents 50-75 seminars each year, serves as chairman of Mark Victor Hansen & Associates, Inc. He is co-founder and chief visionary officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. and is the president of One Minute Millionaire, LLC. Mark Victor Hansen is an enthusiastic crusader of what's possible and is driven to make the world a better place.   Mark Victor Hansen's Youtube Channel https://youtube.com/@MarkVictorHansen101 Bookclub askthebookclub.com Mark Victor Hansen markvictorhansen.com Connect with Reena https://youtube.com/c/BetterCallDaddy linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast twitter.com/reenareena   My Daddy and I would love to know what you want to hear more of, less of, tell us your thoughts podchaser.com/bettercalldaddy Drop us a five star review and subscribe  ratethispodcast.com/bettercalldaddy    

In this video Ken & Danille talk with Ashis Dhakal about his background, struggles and success as he went from refugee to entrepreneur. Ashis is the Horatio Alger scholar and currently is building his real estate career through wholesaling. He shares some of his remarkable life story and the mindset that has lead to his success.   You can learn more about Ashis at his social media profiles: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashis_dhakal01TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashisdhakal1  Want to ask Ken a question or have him look over a deal? Sign up for his inner circle: https://kensinnercircle.com  Ken's new Master Course is LIVE! Looking to buy your first rental property or grow your investments? Click here to purchase Buying Your First Rental Property: https://kenmcelroy.com/rental-property-master-course  Gain access to weekly real estate updates, mini courses, sample forms, and more by signing up for a FREE Membership: https://www.kenmcelroy.com/free-member   Visit Ken's Bookstore: https://kenmcelroy.com/books/  •  ABOUT KEN: Ken is the author of the bestselling books The ABC's of Real Estate Investing, The Advanced Guide to Real Estate Investing, The ABC's of Property Management, and has an upcoming book: "ABCs of Buying Rental Property: How You Can Achieve Financial Freedom in Five Years." Ken is a Rich Dad Advisor.    With over two decades of experience in real estate investing, Ken McElroy is passionate about sharing the good life by helping real estate investors grow and prosper. This channel is a place for Ken to discuss numerous topics connected to real estate investing, including finance, budgeting, the entrepreneur mindset, and creating passive income.       Ken offers a wealth of personal experiences, practical advice, success stories, and even some informative setbacks, all presented here to educate and inspire. Whether you're a new or seasoned investor, the information and resources on this channel will set you on a path where you and your investments can thrive.   Ken's company: https://mccompanies.com/  •    DISCLAIMERS: Any information or advice available on this channel is intended for educational and general guidance only. Ken McElroy and KenMcElroy.com, LLC shall not be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages arising out of access to or use of any of the content available on this channel. Consult a financial advisor or other wealth management professional before you make investments of any kind. Although Ken McElroy and his affiliates take all reasonable care to ensure that the contents of this channel are accurate and up-to-date, all information contained on it is provided ‘as is.' Ken McElroy makes no warranties or representations of any kind concerning the accuracy or suitability of the information contained on this channel.    Any links to other websites are provided only as a convenience and KenMcElroy.com, LLC encourages you to read the privacy statements of any third-party websites. All comments will be reviewed by the KenMcElroy.com staff and may be deleted if deemed inappropriate. Comments which are off-topic, offensive or promotional will not be posted. The comments/posts are from members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ken McElroy and his affiliates.    © 2022 KenMcElroy.com, LLC. All Rights Reserved.   #kenmcelroy #realestate #realestateinvesting