Podcasts about leaders

his episode explores how adults can empower youth to become leaders, emphasizing the importance of modeling, listening, and intentional influence. Chad Mitchell shares insights from his 30+ years working with young people, highlighting practical ways parents and mentors can make a lasting impact. key topicsThe importance of empowering kids over criticizing themHow adult influence shapes youth leadershipPractical ways to teach leadership through everyday actionsChapters00:00 Empowering the Next Generation01:49 Understanding Youth Challenges04:39 The Role of Parents in Leadership07:21 Building Trust Through Listening09:49 Influence and Leadership in Conversations12:50 The Importance of Early Conversations15:21 Navigating Influence and Information18:13 The Power of Listening in Leadership25:52 The Power of Listening27:25 Cultivating Leadership in Youth30:45 The Role of Great Leaders34:25 Raising Good People38:12 Small Acts, Big Impact40:05 Fun in the Dad Zone resourcesChange Your Game by Chad Mitchell - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7F4X9X2J Chad Mitchell on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jchadmichael/Jchadmichael.com - https://jchadmichael.com guest linksInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jchadmichael/

Organizations are absorbing more change than they were ever built for, and that change always comes with a lot of feelings. Whether it's a layoff, a reorg, a promotion, or handing off a project you built, we're constantly having to shed hopes and dreams and stability and start over. But most companies are built to avoid those feelings, not process them, so they just accumulate. Leaders skip straight to the "let's get excited about the future!" phase, everyone's feelings go underground, and teams get trapped in a game of pretend that grinds work to a halt. In this episode, Rodney sits down with Molly Graham, founder of Glue Club and host of TED's WorkLife, to crack open the chestnut of identity, change, and grief at work. They explore the consequences that come with fusing who we are with what we do, the unintentional harm caused by leaders who pretend everything's fine when it's not, and why every big change needs a "funeral" before everyone can finally move forward. Get all of Molly's links, references mentioned in this episode, and the full transcript here: ⁠https://www.theready.com/podcast/episodes/awwtr57-grief-identity-and-change-at-work-with-molly-graham -------------------------------- Ready to change your organization? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's talk.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------------- 00:00 Intro + Check-In: What's a risk you took everyone thought was a bad idea? 04:08 How to handle the pressure of a big new Lego 08:40 How your identity gets fused with your job 12:24 How identity shifts across career phases 15:18 How capitalism fuses your work and your life 20:00 The fear-driven meta-narrative around AI 23:17 How we should actually be talking about AI at work 33:06 Why we're so bad at handling feelings and grief at work 40:47 Moving leaders from "shit umbrella" to "shit filter" 44:16 Why grief doesn't care about your deadlines 47:47 What responsibility do companies have for worker wellbeing? 52:05 Why the worker-employer contract is breaking Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coupe Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we explore what it takes to lead effectively through crisis and why disruption is becoming faster, more complex, and more intense. We discuss why past experience alone isn't enough when leaders face unfamiliar challenges, and why a practical crisis management system matters. We explore Henry J. Evans's background in C-suite coaching and his business failure after 9/11, which shaped his approach to crisis leadership. Henry shares his framework for managing crisis, beginning with self-management and simple techniques like box breathing to help leaders stay calm and make better decisions under pressure. We also discuss the three phases of crisis, why decision-making should move to the lowest intelligent level within an organization, and why crisis plans should focus on the most critical actions. Finally, we explore simulations, scenario planning, pre-mortems, and the value of including pessimists to identify risks before they become problems. Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 0:09 Crisis Leadership in a Faster World 1:08 What Counts as a Real Crisis 4:40 Henry's Counterterrorism Background 7:09 Why Old Successes Stop Working 10:09 Lead Yourself First 15:04 Three Phases of Crisis 20:27 Decision-Making in Crisis 24:57 Building Trust Before Crisis 27:52 Stress-Test Your Team 29:42 Pre-Mortem Planning Works 31:04 Final Thoughts on Crisis Prep Key Takeaways ✅Past crisis experience is valuable, but it isn't enough by itself. ✅Leaders need a repeatable system for managing disruption. ✅Self-management is the starting point of effective crisis leadership. ✅Learning to respond rather than react can improve decision-making under pressure. ✅Crises can be viewed through three phases: incubating, emerging, and acute. ✅Decision-making should move toward the people with the most relevant expertise. ✅Crisis teams should focus on the few actions that matter most. ✅Leadership teams should practice crisis scenarios before a real crisis occurs. ✅Pre-mortems can help organizations identify vulnerabilities before they become problems. ✅Pessimistic perspectives can be valuable for identifying risks and blind spots. Connect With Today's Guest Henry J. Evans is a C-suite coach, strategic planning facilitator, and author with extensive experience in crisis leadership and national security. He has accumulated more than 16,000 hours of C-suite coaching and approximately 6,000 hours facilitating strategic planning sessions for multinational organizations. He also spent 22 years working with national security threats, primarily in counterterrorism. Henry's perspective on crisis leadership is also shaped by personal experience. After building a successful company, his business experienced a significant decline in revenue following 9/11 and ultimately went through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. That experience led to a new chapter in his career involving national security and counterterrorism work. He is the author of Bombs, Bacon, and Bankruptcy: The Art of Crisis Leadership, a book focused on the principles and systems leaders can use to navigate crisis more effectively. How to Connect with Henry J. Evans LinkedIn: Henry J. Evans  (LinkedIn) https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryevansdynamicresults/ Company Website: dynamicresults.com– to learn more about his work and platform Get In Touch with Henry: henryjevans.com Resources & Next Steps Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

GUEST BIO Stephanie Houser is a former Fortune 500 executive turned consultant, entrepreneur, and speaker. After 12 years in corporate leadership, she now runs a consulting practice focused on process, risk, product, and technology development for growing businesses. She also operates a self-publishing company that helps writers publish their books, and she is building an asynchronous ed tech tutoring platform. Stephanie speaks and serves on boards, bringing a cross-industry, problem-solving lens shaped by careers in writing, education, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Why fear rooted in layoffs is now the biggest barrier keeping people and businesses from moving forward. Why unrealistic timelines, fueled by social media highlight reels, cause people to quit before real traction happens. The difference between chasing virality and building lasting visibility. Why shiny object syndrome derails long-term strategy, using a cruise liner turn as a metaphor for staying the course. Why attention spans have dropped from just over two minutes in 2004 to roughly 47 seconds today, and what that means for leaders. Why personal development starts with empathy, admitting mistakes, and spotlighting others rather than seeking credit. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Stephanie Houser joins Michael to discuss what separates leaders who build lasting organizations from those who stall out. She describes herself first as a problem solver, a thread running through her varied career across writing, education, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship. That range gives her more lenses for seeing and solving problems, a point Michael echoes from his own background in healthcare and consulting. Drawing on her work across an ed tech startup, a self-publishing company, and a consulting practice, Stephanie names three forces holding people and organizations back right now. The first is fear, intensified by waves of layoffs that have eroded job security. The second is a timeline problem: social media rewards overnight success, so people quit when real progress, which usually takes years, does not happen in months. She draws a clear line between virality, a temporary surge, and visibility, a durable state built through consistent, trusted engagement. The third force is a lack of personal development, which she ties to empathy and staying connected to the people doing the work. She shares an example of a CEO who assumed her team did not need more support, only to learn the team had been asking for it directly. Leaders who disconnect from front-line reality create openings that get exploited or ignored. Stephanie and Michael return repeatedly to staying the course. She uses the image of turning a cruise liner, which takes three nautical miles of advance planning, to describe how leaders must commit to a long-term direction and resist shiny object syndrome, the short-term distractions that feel exciting but pull an organization off its planned path. Michael shares a cautionary example of a well-funded organization that lost its way chasing shiny opportunities instead of holding to its plan. They also discuss shrinking attention spans. Stephanie notes that undivided attention today lasts about 47 seconds, down from just over two minutes in 2004, so a message needs to be repeated rather than delivered once. She points to the marketing rule of seven as a reminder that repetition, not length, makes information land. The episode closes on personal development as an ongoing discipline. Stephanie encourages leaders to listen more than they speak, admit when they are wrong, spotlight the people doing good work, and learn to say no with confidence, backed by reasoning rather than a title. GUEST CONTACT INFO Stephanie Houser, corporate speaking and board inquiries: https://stephaniehouser.com Stephanie Houser, individual and creative fractional work: https://AboutStephanie.com LEADERSHIP OS CTA Ready to bring more clarity and long-term focus to your leadership? Visit https://www.breakfastleadership.com/leadershipos to schedule your Leadership Operating System diagnostic for your company. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Montee Monique Russell. Founder and CEO of Clear Communication Solutions, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss the power of communication, cultural awareness, leadership, and personal identity. Drawing from her experiences as a Bahamian-Nigerian-American communications strategist, Russell explains how effective communication creates opportunity, builds trust, and helps individuals navigate both professional and personal relationships. The conversation also explores the impact of cultural background on communication styles, workplace success, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and preparing young professionals for careers after college. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Highlight the importance of communication as a leadership and business skill. Explore how cultural experiences shape the way people communicate. Discuss barriers that prevent talented people from advancing professionally. Share Monique Russell's entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Clear Communication Solutions. Provide insights on leadership, workplace success, and professional development. Discuss communication challenges facing students, professionals, and organizations. Key Takeaways 1. Communication Is the Bridge Between Talent and Opportunity One of Russell's central messages is that talent alone is not enough. People may be intelligent, skilled, and highly capable, but if they cannot clearly communicate their value, ideas, or expertise, opportunities can be missed. Key Insight: Potential creates possibilities, but communication turns potential into results. 2. Communication Must Be Centered on Understanding the Audience Russell emphasized that communication is not simply about speaking or delivering a message. The real question is: "Is your message being received the way you intended?" Effective communicators adjust their approach based on: Audience Environment Culture Context Expectations Key Insight: Communication succeeds when the other person understands and connects with the message. 3. Cultural Awareness Strengthens Leadership As a Bahamian-Nigerian-American professional, Russell explained that her multicultural background taught her to see the world through different lenses. This perspective allows her to: Understand diverse viewpoints Build stronger relationships Navigate different business environments Work effectively across cultures Key Insight: Great leaders develop curiosity about how other people experience the world. 4. Identity Should Not Be Sacrificed for Acceptance A major theme in the interview was balancing authenticity with adaptability. Russell argued that professionals should not change who they are to fit into an environment. Instead, they should learn how to present themselves effectively while remaining true to themselves. Key Insight: Adapt your communication style without abandoning your identity. 5. Perception Influences Success The discussion explored how accents, language, presentation style, and first impressions affect how people are perceived. Russell shared examples of helping professionals improve communication effectiveness by: Slowing down speech Clarifying messaging Increasing audience understanding The goal is not changing who people are but helping others better receive their message. Key Insight: Your effectiveness is often determined by how clearly others understand you. 6. Entrepreneurship Often Begins with Solving a Problem Russell explained that her business started because she repeatedly observed communication breakdowns in workplaces. She noticed that: Leaders struggled to connect with employees. Teams misunderstood one another. Organizations suffered because of poor communication. What began as a passion evolved into a successful consulting and training business. Key Insight: The strongest businesses are often built around solving real-world problems. 7. Speaking Opens the Door, Coaching Creates Growth Russell initially built her reputation through workshops and speaking engagements. Over time she realized that speaking alone was not enough. She expanded into: Executive coaching Corporate training Leadership development Communication strategy Key Insight: Speaking builds awareness, while coaching drives transformation. 8. Cross-Cultural Communication Is a Critical Leadership Skill Russell described how different environments require different communication approaches. While authenticity remains important, successful professionals understand how to navigate various workplace and cultural expectations. Key Insight: Understanding the culture around you helps create stronger connections and better outcomes. 9. Young Professionals Need More Than Technical Skills Russell expressed strong support for HBCUs and college students but noted that graduates often need additional workplace readiness skills. Common gaps include: Time management Project management Professional communication Self-advocacy Capacity management She shared an example of a talented employee who became overwhelmed because he never communicated that his workload exceeded his capacity. Key Insight: Career success depends on communication and workplace navigation skills, not just knowledge and intelligence. 10. Family and Cultural Experiences Shape Communication Russell explained that meeting her Nigerian father at a young age and growing up in the Bahamas provided early lessons in navigating different cultures. These experiences became the foundation for her professional expertise in cross-cultural communication. Key Insight: Personal experiences often become professional strengths. Notable Quotes On communication and opportunity "Communication is the bridge between potential and opportunity." On audience connection "The end goal is always connection." On effective messaging "Is your message being received in the way that you intended it to be received?" On leadership and identity "We're not trying to make you into some chameleon or somebody who you're not." On authenticity "You will be performing for everybody else, but inside yourself you will be feeling unfulfilled." On cultural awareness "I have to look at how their lens is. I have to be curious about why people do the things that they do." On entrepreneurship "I saw the problem." On her career journey "The challenge chose me." On workplace success "What can I do to actually shift and keep up with the trends?" On her multicultural perspective "I tend to see a 360 view, a multicultural 360 view." Executive Summary Monique Russell's interview is a masterclass on communication as a leadership, business, and life skill. Her central message is that success is not determined solely by intelligence, experience, or technical expertise. Instead, the ability to clearly communicate ideas, understand different perspectives, adapt to diverse environments, and build meaningful connections often determines whether opportunities are gained or lost. Through her work with leaders, students, entrepreneurs, and organizations, Russell advocates for a communication approach rooted in authenticity, cultural awareness, and intentional connection. #BEST#SHMS #STRAW Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Montee Monique Russell. Founder and CEO of Clear Communication Solutions, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss the power of communication, cultural awareness, leadership, and personal identity. Drawing from her experiences as a Bahamian-Nigerian-American communications strategist, Russell explains how effective communication creates opportunity, builds trust, and helps individuals navigate both professional and personal relationships. The conversation also explores the impact of cultural background on communication styles, workplace success, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and preparing young professionals for careers after college. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Highlight the importance of communication as a leadership and business skill. Explore how cultural experiences shape the way people communicate. Discuss barriers that prevent talented people from advancing professionally. Share Monique Russell's entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Clear Communication Solutions. Provide insights on leadership, workplace success, and professional development. Discuss communication challenges facing students, professionals, and organizations. Key Takeaways 1. Communication Is the Bridge Between Talent and Opportunity One of Russell's central messages is that talent alone is not enough. People may be intelligent, skilled, and highly capable, but if they cannot clearly communicate their value, ideas, or expertise, opportunities can be missed. Key Insight: Potential creates possibilities, but communication turns potential into results. 2. Communication Must Be Centered on Understanding the Audience Russell emphasized that communication is not simply about speaking or delivering a message. The real question is: "Is your message being received the way you intended?" Effective communicators adjust their approach based on: Audience Environment Culture Context Expectations Key Insight: Communication succeeds when the other person understands and connects with the message. 3. Cultural Awareness Strengthens Leadership As a Bahamian-Nigerian-American professional, Russell explained that her multicultural background taught her to see the world through different lenses. This perspective allows her to: Understand diverse viewpoints Build stronger relationships Navigate different business environments Work effectively across cultures Key Insight: Great leaders develop curiosity about how other people experience the world. 4. Identity Should Not Be Sacrificed for Acceptance A major theme in the interview was balancing authenticity with adaptability. Russell argued that professionals should not change who they are to fit into an environment. Instead, they should learn how to present themselves effectively while remaining true to themselves. Key Insight: Adapt your communication style without abandoning your identity. 5. Perception Influences Success The discussion explored how accents, language, presentation style, and first impressions affect how people are perceived. Russell shared examples of helping professionals improve communication effectiveness by: Slowing down speech Clarifying messaging Increasing audience understanding The goal is not changing who people are but helping others better receive their message. Key Insight: Your effectiveness is often determined by how clearly others understand you. 6. Entrepreneurship Often Begins with Solving a Problem Russell explained that her business started because she repeatedly observed communication breakdowns in workplaces. She noticed that: Leaders struggled to connect with employees. Teams misunderstood one another. Organizations suffered because of poor communication. What began as a passion evolved into a successful consulting and training business. Key Insight: The strongest businesses are often built around solving real-world problems. 7. Speaking Opens the Door, Coaching Creates Growth Russell initially built her reputation through workshops and speaking engagements. Over time she realized that speaking alone was not enough. She expanded into: Executive coaching Corporate training Leadership development Communication strategy Key Insight: Speaking builds awareness, while coaching drives transformation. 8. Cross-Cultural Communication Is a Critical Leadership Skill Russell described how different environments require different communication approaches. While authenticity remains important, successful professionals understand how to navigate various workplace and cultural expectations. Key Insight: Understanding the culture around you helps create stronger connections and better outcomes. 9. Young Professionals Need More Than Technical Skills Russell expressed strong support for HBCUs and college students but noted that graduates often need additional workplace readiness skills. Common gaps include: Time management Project management Professional communication Self-advocacy Capacity management She shared an example of a talented employee who became overwhelmed because he never communicated that his workload exceeded his capacity. Key Insight: Career success depends on communication and workplace navigation skills, not just knowledge and intelligence. 10. Family and Cultural Experiences Shape Communication Russell explained that meeting her Nigerian father at a young age and growing up in the Bahamas provided early lessons in navigating different cultures. These experiences became the foundation for her professional expertise in cross-cultural communication. Key Insight: Personal experiences often become professional strengths. Notable Quotes On communication and opportunity "Communication is the bridge between potential and opportunity." On audience connection "The end goal is always connection." On effective messaging "Is your message being received in the way that you intended it to be received?" On leadership and identity "We're not trying to make you into some chameleon or somebody who you're not." On authenticity "You will be performing for everybody else, but inside yourself you will be feeling unfulfilled." On cultural awareness "I have to look at how their lens is. I have to be curious about why people do the things that they do." On entrepreneurship "I saw the problem." On her career journey "The challenge chose me." On workplace success "What can I do to actually shift and keep up with the trends?" On her multicultural perspective "I tend to see a 360 view, a multicultural 360 view." Executive Summary Monique Russell's interview is a masterclass on communication as a leadership, business, and life skill. Her central message is that success is not determined solely by intelligence, experience, or technical expertise. Instead, the ability to clearly communicate ideas, understand different perspectives, adapt to diverse environments, and build meaningful connections often determines whether opportunities are gained or lost. Through her work with leaders, students, entrepreneurs, and organizations, Russell advocates for a communication approach rooted in authenticity, cultural awareness, and intentional connection. #BEST#SHMS #STRAW Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Montee Monique Russell. Founder and CEO of Clear Communication Solutions, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss the power of communication, cultural awareness, leadership, and personal identity. Drawing from her experiences as a Bahamian-Nigerian-American communications strategist, Russell explains how effective communication creates opportunity, builds trust, and helps individuals navigate both professional and personal relationships. The conversation also explores the impact of cultural background on communication styles, workplace success, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and preparing young professionals for careers after college. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Highlight the importance of communication as a leadership and business skill. Explore how cultural experiences shape the way people communicate. Discuss barriers that prevent talented people from advancing professionally. Share Monique Russell's entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Clear Communication Solutions. Provide insights on leadership, workplace success, and professional development. Discuss communication challenges facing students, professionals, and organizations. Key Takeaways 1. Communication Is the Bridge Between Talent and Opportunity One of Russell's central messages is that talent alone is not enough. People may be intelligent, skilled, and highly capable, but if they cannot clearly communicate their value, ideas, or expertise, opportunities can be missed. Key Insight: Potential creates possibilities, but communication turns potential into results. 2. Communication Must Be Centered on Understanding the Audience Russell emphasized that communication is not simply about speaking or delivering a message. The real question is: "Is your message being received the way you intended?" Effective communicators adjust their approach based on: Audience Environment Culture Context Expectations Key Insight: Communication succeeds when the other person understands and connects with the message. 3. Cultural Awareness Strengthens Leadership As a Bahamian-Nigerian-American professional, Russell explained that her multicultural background taught her to see the world through different lenses. This perspective allows her to: Understand diverse viewpoints Build stronger relationships Navigate different business environments Work effectively across cultures Key Insight: Great leaders develop curiosity about how other people experience the world. 4. Identity Should Not Be Sacrificed for Acceptance A major theme in the interview was balancing authenticity with adaptability. Russell argued that professionals should not change who they are to fit into an environment. Instead, they should learn how to present themselves effectively while remaining true to themselves. Key Insight: Adapt your communication style without abandoning your identity. 5. Perception Influences Success The discussion explored how accents, language, presentation style, and first impressions affect how people are perceived. Russell shared examples of helping professionals improve communication effectiveness by: Slowing down speech Clarifying messaging Increasing audience understanding The goal is not changing who people are but helping others better receive their message. Key Insight: Your effectiveness is often determined by how clearly others understand you. 6. Entrepreneurship Often Begins with Solving a Problem Russell explained that her business started because she repeatedly observed communication breakdowns in workplaces. She noticed that: Leaders struggled to connect with employees. Teams misunderstood one another. Organizations suffered because of poor communication. What began as a passion evolved into a successful consulting and training business. Key Insight: The strongest businesses are often built around solving real-world problems. 7. Speaking Opens the Door, Coaching Creates Growth Russell initially built her reputation through workshops and speaking engagements. Over time she realized that speaking alone was not enough. She expanded into: Executive coaching Corporate training Leadership development Communication strategy Key Insight: Speaking builds awareness, while coaching drives transformation. 8. Cross-Cultural Communication Is a Critical Leadership Skill Russell described how different environments require different communication approaches. While authenticity remains important, successful professionals understand how to navigate various workplace and cultural expectations. Key Insight: Understanding the culture around you helps create stronger connections and better outcomes. 9. Young Professionals Need More Than Technical Skills Russell expressed strong support for HBCUs and college students but noted that graduates often need additional workplace readiness skills. Common gaps include: Time management Project management Professional communication Self-advocacy Capacity management She shared an example of a talented employee who became overwhelmed because he never communicated that his workload exceeded his capacity. Key Insight: Career success depends on communication and workplace navigation skills, not just knowledge and intelligence. 10. Family and Cultural Experiences Shape Communication Russell explained that meeting her Nigerian father at a young age and growing up in the Bahamas provided early lessons in navigating different cultures. These experiences became the foundation for her professional expertise in cross-cultural communication. Key Insight: Personal experiences often become professional strengths. Notable Quotes On communication and opportunity "Communication is the bridge between potential and opportunity." On audience connection "The end goal is always connection." On effective messaging "Is your message being received in the way that you intended it to be received?" On leadership and identity "We're not trying to make you into some chameleon or somebody who you're not." On authenticity "You will be performing for everybody else, but inside yourself you will be feeling unfulfilled." On cultural awareness "I have to look at how their lens is. I have to be curious about why people do the things that they do." On entrepreneurship "I saw the problem." On her career journey "The challenge chose me." On workplace success "What can I do to actually shift and keep up with the trends?" On her multicultural perspective "I tend to see a 360 view, a multicultural 360 view." Executive Summary Monique Russell's interview is a masterclass on communication as a leadership, business, and life skill. Her central message is that success is not determined solely by intelligence, experience, or technical expertise. Instead, the ability to clearly communicate ideas, understand different perspectives, adapt to diverse environments, and build meaningful connections often determines whether opportunities are gained or lost. Through her work with leaders, students, entrepreneurs, and organizations, Russell advocates for a communication approach rooted in authenticity, cultural awareness, and intentional connection. #BEST#SHMS #STRAW Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may think that rolling up your sleeves and doing your team's work is leading from the front. But it's actually a bad habit that's diluting your people's capability.Every time you get involved in the nitty gritty of your people's work, you're trading away the opportunity to build capability for achieving a fast, high-quality result. The job at every level is different. You need to be clear on what your job is, and you need to stay in your lane and do it!If you want to take a deeper dive into how to support your team without robbing them of the opportunity to build their skill and capability, have a listen to Ep.391: Do Hands-on Leaders Get Better Results?.————————You can connect with me at:Website: https://www.yourceomentor.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourceomentorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourceomentorLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-moore-075b001/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourCEOMentor————————Our mission here at Your CEO Mentor is to improve the quality of leaders, globally. You're still doing the work your team should own. And you can't see a way to stop.Leadership Beyond the Theory is 9 weeks of practical reps that get you out of the weeds and hand delivery back to your team.Taught by Martin Moore, who ran a multi-billion dollar company before he taught any of this. 3,000+ leaders from 150+ organisations. 99% would recommend.Join the October cohort: https://go.leadershipbeyondthetheory.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump says he's banning three news organizations – CNN, MS NOW and Politico – from the White House. Leaders in France, Poland and across the continent have warned that Russia may about to broaden its war in Europe. The warning comes after what they say is a spate of brazen Russian attacks. The Protect College Sports Act — a bill that promises to bring stability to college sports — is racing to clear some of its final hurdles.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

NATO has welcomed a deal between the US and Denmark over the semi-autonomous territory of Greenland. Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have said that the unpublished deal recognises their sovereignty and territorial integrity, while President Trump has said the agreement gives Washington "permanent control over security and all other needs" in Greenland. We hear from an MP in Greenland.Also in the programme: after advancing in Yemen, the Iran-backed Houthis have carried out attacks on infrastructure in Saudi Arabia; and pop star Ed Sheeran's first concert in Philadelphia kicks off after a row over Gaza and free speech. (Photo: the American Consulate in Nuuk, Greenland. Credit: PA)

Today our guest is Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County's 12th Superintendent of Schools and author of Lifted to Lead. Dr. Bean shares the LIFTED framework, a practical leadership model built around the idea that a leader's job is not to be first up the ladder but to hold it steady so others can climb. He also explains why listening is the foundation everything else in the framework depends on, and how leaders at every level can build real systems for gathering input from the people most affected by the decisions being made. In this conversation, Dr. Bean offers important reminders for educators and leaders: Every person in an organization has a strength worth cultivating. A leader's job is to find it, name it, and put people in a position to use it. Listening is a skill, not a given. Building purposeful structures for it, cadenced meetings, skilled facilitation, shared norms, and dyad conversations, is what makes it real rather than aspirational. Leadership is not about self-fulfillment. When leaders orient themselves toward lifting others, the entire organization rises with them. Learn More About CharacterStrong:  Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website Sign up for the CharacterStrong Weekly   About Dr. Stefan Bean Dr. Stefan Bean serves as Orange County superintendent of schools, guiding regional efforts to ensure every learner has the knowledge, skills and opportunities to thrive. With nearly 30 years in education, he is known for building genuine connections and leading with heart. As county superintendent, Dr. Bean leads the Orange County Department of Education, which provides direct instruction to the county's most vulnerable students and critical support to 28 local school districts and more than 40 charter schools serving hundreds of thousands of learners. Under his leadership, OCDE's work is anchored in the 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, emphasizing student success, service excellence and shared leadership. Dr. Bean was unanimously appointed as Orange County's 12th Superintendent of Schools in June 2024 and was elected by Orange County voters in June 2026 to a full four-year term. Before joining OCDE, Dr. Bean served as superintendent for Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles, where he oversaw 11 TK-12 campuses after advancing from principal to superintendent during nearly 12 years with the organization. He subsequently served as executive director of the Irvine International Academy.

Cornelia Choe is an international leadership expert, global keynote speaker, and Thinkers50 Radar honoree who has advised hundreds of CEOs and senior leaders across five continents. A Georgetown University and Harvard Kennedy School graduate, Cornelia has worked in private equity at Morgan Stanley and other institutions, supporting leadership teams across Asia, Europe, and North America. Fluent in three languages and having lived in 11 different places, she brings a uniquely global perspective to leadership, decision-making, relationships, and navigating complex, high-stakes environments. Her TEDx talk has been viewed more than two million times. On this episode we talk about: How moving from Minnesota to South Korea at age 10 taught Cornelia to question her assumptions and adapt to new environments The importance of being willing to rewrite your mental “map” when entering a new culture, industry, or situation How Cornelia's early efforts to help women start businesses shaped her perspective on using your efforts to create meaningful change Why embracing uncertainty and constant change can help you develop resilience and better decision-making skills How talking to people with different perspectives can help leaders see a bigger picture and make better decisions Cornelia's approach to personal finance, including the importance of timing, flexibility, savings, and having “dry powder” for unpredictable opportunities Why strong relationships and trust are essential infrastructure for building businesses, leading people, and accessing accurate information Top 3 Takeaways Question the map in your head. The assumptions and mental models that work in one environment may not work in another. When circumstances change, be willing to gather new information, challenge your assumptions, and build a new understanding of how to succeed. Seek perspectives you don't already have. Leaders can easily surround themselves with people who think similarly or tell them what they want to hear. Talking with customers, suppliers, employees, and people who see situations differently can reveal angles you wouldn't see on your own. Build relationships based on trust. Strong relationships aren't just valuable socially—they can become the infrastructure for better leadership, better information, and greater opportunities. Leaders need to create enough trust that people feel safe telling them difficult truths rather than simply telling them what they want to hear. Notable Quotes "We can't just expect to coast through life and do nothing, yet at the same time empowering people so that they can realize their dreams." "Any person in a world of constant change is only able to see a certain part of the puzzle or the certain part of the landscape." "Our relationship network and the relationships that we have in our lives are the infrastructure and the backbone of our ability to create money." Connect with Cornelia Choe: Website: Cornelia Choe Instagram: @corneliachoe_author A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Judith Joseph. A psychiatrist, researcher, and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss the often-overlooked condition she calls high-functioning depression. The discussion focuses on successful, productive individuals who appear to be thriving externally but privately struggle with a persistent lack of joy, emotional exhaustion, restlessness, and unresolved trauma. Drawing from her research, clinical practice, and personal experiences, Dr. Joseph explains how many high achievers become trapped in a cycle of constant productivity, using work and accomplishment to avoid addressing deeper emotional wounds. She offers practical strategies for identifying these patterns and reclaiming joy before a mental health crisis occurs. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview was to: Raise awareness of high-functioning depression, especially among entrepreneurs, executives, caregivers, and high achievers. Differentiate high-functioning depression from burnout and other mental health challenges. Help people recognize signs of hidden depression before a breakdown occurs. Provide practical tools for restoring joy and emotional wellness. Encourage vulnerability and support-seeking, particularly among those viewed as "strong." Key Takeaways 1. High-Functioning Depression Often Hides Behind Success People with high-functioning depression can maintain careers, businesses, families, and responsibilities while suffering internally. Characteristics include: Constant productivity Difficulty resting Emotional numbness Fatigue Irritability Lack of joy Feeling empty despite achievements Dr. Joseph refers to many of these individuals as: "Humans doing, not human beings." 2. The Core Symptom Is a Lack of Joy According to Dr. Joseph, the defining feature is not necessarily sadness but anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure or joy. People may notice: Favorite activities no longer feel rewarding Relationships feel emotionally flat Accomplishments provide little satisfaction Life feels like an endless checklist Many dismiss this feeling as simply "adult life," when in fact it may signal depression. 3. Burnout and High-Functioning Depression Are Different Burnout is generally tied to work-related stress. Dr. Joseph explains: Burnout symptoms often improve when work stress is removed. High-functioning depression follows a person everywhere. If symptoms remain even after vacations, weekends, or time away from work, something deeper may be occurring. 4. Productivity Can Become a Mask Some individuals become "pathologically productive." They: Build identities around achievement Seek constant accomplishment Feel uncomfortable when idle Use work as a way to avoid confronting emotional pain Success becomes a coping mechanism rather than a source of fulfillment. 5. Unprocessed Trauma Often Drives Overachievement Dr. Joseph introduces the concept of scarcity trauma. People who grew up with financial instability, insecurity, or hardship may develop a perpetual fear of running out of resources, opportunities, or success. As a result: They struggle to slow down. They remain in a chronic fight-or-flight state. They continuously push themselves despite exhaustion. 6. Reconnecting With Your Past Can Restore Joy A major theme throughout the interview is the value of what Dr. Joseph calls mental time travel. She encourages people to: Look at old photos Reflect on who they were at 18 or 22 Remember activities that once energized them Revisit meaningful relationships and experiences The goal is to rediscover authentic sources of joy and values that may have been lost amid professional success. 7. Music Is a Powerful Healing Tool The conversation highlights how music can: Trigger positive memories Improve emotional regulation Connect different parts of the brain Transport people to happier experiences Dr. Joseph notes that music is even used therapeutically in psychiatric settings because of its healing effects. 8. Joy Must Be Scheduled and Protected Joy should not be treated as something that happens accidentally. Dr. Joseph encourages people to: Put joyful experiences on their calendar Protect personal time like important meetings Create intentional opportunities for happiness She emphasizes that leaders who prioritize joy positively influence everyone around them. 9. Strong People Need Support Too Many high-performing individuals are admired for their resilience but often suffer in silence. The interview stresses that: Strong people need places to be vulnerable. Leaders need trusted advisors. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Rushion McDonald shares his own experience of reaching out for support during a demanding period of his career and how meaningful that guidance became. Dr. Joseph's Five Vs Framework One of the most practical portions of the interview is Dr. Joseph's "Five Vs" approach to reclaiming joy. 1. Validation Acknowledge and name your emotions without judgment. 2. Venting Express emotions through conversation, prayer, journaling, therapy, or trusted relationships. 3. Values Focus on what truly matters rather than only pursuing material success. 4. Vitals Take care of physical health through sleep, nutrition, movement, and protecting brain health. 5. Vision Plan future experiences that create joy and celebrate achievements rather than immediately moving to the next goal. Memorable Quotes On hidden depression "The key symptom is a lack of joy." On the human need for fulfillment "You are built with the DNA for joy. It's your birthright as a human being." On overachievement "I call these people humans doing, not human beings." On success masking pain "You're wearing this mask of productivity." On unhealthy achievement patterns "What are you trying to outrun?" On constant accomplishment "You think you're chasing happiness, but you're really trying to outrun the past." On emotional awareness "If you name it, that uncertainty goes down." On vulnerability "No one knows you're suffering if you don't say anything." On joy and leadership "Joy is very contagious." On support systems "Don't do it alone." Overall Message The interview's central message is that success does not protect people from depression. Many high achievers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and caregivers continue functioning at a high level while quietly struggling with emotional emptiness and loss of joy. Dr. Joseph argues that recognizing these signs early, processing unresolved trauma, reconnecting with personal values, and intentionally cultivating joy can help prevent burnout, breakdowns, and long-term mental health challenges. The ultimate goal is not merely productivity, but a life that feels meaningful, connected, and joyful. #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcastFor all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com#thePOZcast is proud to welcome Dalia as our newest partner. Dalia helps employers convert more career-site traffic into qualified applicants by giving job seekers a universal candidate profile that eliminates repetitive applications and streamlines the application process. Learn more (link below)https://www.dalia.co/audit?utm_source=posKey Topics:- The impact of emotions on leadership and success- The importance of vulnerability and authenticity- The role of emotional healing and inner child work- How to recognize and manage burnout- The relationship between achievement and fulfillmentTakeaways- Emotions are already leading the way in our decisions and actions.- True leadership requires vulnerability and genuine connection.- Burnout begins before the workload increases, rooted in emotional depletion.- Healing emotional wounds can immediately improve organizational performance. - Leaders must look inward and take responsibility for their emotional state.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Randy Lyman's Journey02:15 Early Lessons from Family and Their Impact04:18 The Turning Point at Age 2807:01 The Hidden Variable Leaders Overlook09:23 The Epiphany of Emotional Release12:49 Achievement vs Fulfillment15:35 Healing as a Collective Leadership Practice18:33 The Inner Child and Creativity20:53 The Roots of Burnout23:36 Lessons Learned from Writing the Book25:53 AI and Emotional Awareness in Leadership28:50 Practical Steps to Change Emotional Patterns30:54 Rapid Fire: Leadership Insights31:08 Vulnerability: Earned or Given31:18 Can a Company Outgrow Its Founder?31:29 Leadership Clichés to Stop Saying31:44 Success Requires Heart32:01 What Keeps Randy Up at Night33:01 The Power of Emotional Healing33:38 Redefining Success in Life and Business

Story of the Week (DR):Anthropic, OpenAI CEOs call for slowdown in AI developmentAnthropic CEO calls to slow the race toward AI ‘superintelligence,' and grants outside evaluators permanent access . Here's what Amodei is suggesting:Each US AI company grants ongoing access to embedded third-party evaluators to check compliance with safety commitments, report incidents, ensure new AI models are not misaligned.All companies in democratic countries building frontier AI models to establish common safety standards as well as limits on the rate of unchecked AI progress.The world's democratic AI powers would coordinate with autocracies – notably China – to control the race. Amodei suggested a baby step could be a narrow agreement prohibiting obviously dangerous uses of AI, such as for the production of biological weapons.PROAltman Matches Anthropic's AI Auditor Pledge While Musk Offers Three-Word Slowdown Backing: 'Dario is right.' Palantir's Alex Karp is calling for AI lab nationalization and criminal liability: Alex Karp said AI builders should face civil and criminal liability for "not being responsible" as the industry debate over AI safety intensifiesMicrosoft AI CEO Agrees: AI Is Getting Dangerous and Needs to Be ControlledAI 'kill switch' may need to be mandatory, Anthropic co-founder [Jack Clark] tells BBCBernie Sanders' AI Bill Threatens 20 Years in Prison for Artificial Superintelligence DevelopersThe legislation would also allow companies to be shut down and create a federal agency to police frontier AI systems.The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act would outlaw AI systems built to exceed human intelligence.For context, the bill was introduced the same week OpenAI rolled out its GPT-6 Astra model, described by the company as a 'generational leap'. Sanders' office also pointed to an incident from July. It said more than 1,000 OpenAI agents accessed the internet independently, exchanged messages with each other, and got round their own safety restrictions. That lapse, the office said, took engineers nearly two weeks to notice.The bill defines 'superintelligence' to include systems that can match or beat human cognitive performance. It also covers systems that resist shutdown commands, carry out unauthorised cyberattacks, or attempt to overthrow a government.Individual engineers, researchers or executives who breach the ban could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Sanders' office says that term is broadly comparable to penalties for illegally building a nuclear weapon.CONGang of 3: Zuckerberg, Musk, and Huang Call Trump to Oppose AI RegulationMark Zuckerberg says AI doesn't need an industry-wide slowdown because market forces and competition will push companies to make their models safeMark Zuckerberg says AI labs can slow down on their own when safety demands itOpenAI's CFO [Sarah Friar] says the company will pace AI development if safety requires it HYPOCRITE?Greg Brockman says OpenAI has already slowed cutting-edge AI developments over safety concerns HYPOCRITE?Jamie Dimon on AI oversight: 'It should be light touch'Trump downplays warnings of AI risks, citing rivalry with ChinaTrump says a strong, smart president is the only "guardrail" AI needsTrump responds to rising AI safety concerns, insists tech will be 'more good than bad'Trump's 'Whoever Wins AI Wins' Line Draws Scrutiny as He Downplays AI Extinction Warnings From ExpertsTrump called Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang mid-interview to rip AI doomerism: 'The robots will not be taking over'OpenAI boss [Sam Altman] says world 'right to be afraid' but should trust AI firms HYPOCRITE?Sam Altman says some AI accidents are 'unavoidable'Really? Palantir cofounder on AI's threat: 'We're on top of it'In an X post on Saturday, Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale brushed aside the worry that advanced AI systems could cause mass human extinction: "The world is going to be alright, guys. Leaders have big responsibilities and challenges ahead, but it doesn't help to scare everyone. We are on top of it."MEANWHILETech CEOs used to fear their boards. No moreAI drives record 10 under-40 billionaires onto 2026 Forbes 400Six Anthropic cofounders join Forbes 400 at $15.5 billion eachOpenAI's president [Greg Brockman] joined the Forbes 400 as its wealthiest new member — worth $25.5 billionSam Altman says this is an 'ill-advised' time to IPO, given safety concernsAnthropic chose Nasdaq for its IPO, giving the exchange a major AI winOpenAI Considers New Financing at a $1.5 Trillion ValuationFINALLYAI staff 'genuinely frightened' for humanity's future, ex-Anthropic researcher tells BBCHOW ABOUT EVERYBODY QUITS?Trump EPA Repeals Biden-Era Rules Limiting GHG Emissions from Power Plants MM The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday the repeal of a series of Biden-era rules aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel-based power plants, one of the main sources of the U.S.' carbon footprint.In addition to finalizing the repeal of the rules, the EPA also announced a proposal to rescind the 2015 Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants, effectively making it much more difficult for the agency to reinstitute GHG limiting rules for the fossil fuel-fired power generation sector under future administrations.Trump's ‘largest deregulatory action ever' in the power sector will keep old coal plants online longer to fuel the AI boomHAPPY CEOs:Fossil-Fuel Power Generators & UtilitiesJim Burke (Vistra Corp) & Robert Gaudette (NRG Energy): Large merchant power producers with extensive natural gas and coal fleets that avoid capital-intensive carbon capture retrofits or premature unit closures.Harry Sideris (Duke Energy), Christopher Womack (Southern Company) & Bill Fehrman (American Electric Power): Regulated utilities operating major coal and gas generation networks across the Midwest and Southeast, relieving pressure to retire units ahead of schedule.Mark Hewett (Berkshire Hathaway Energy) & Mike Skaggs (Tennessee Valley Authority): Power providers with heavy baseload fossil capacity that avoid major compliance expenditures.Coal Producers & Mining OperationsJames Grech (Peabody Energy): The nation's largest coal miner, benefiting directly from extended power plant lifespans and higher domestic thermal coal demand.Grech has maintained a vocal public relationship with Trump, presenting him with a bronze award honoring him as the "Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal."Joe Craft III (Alliance Resource Partners) & Paul Lang (Arch Resources): Key thermal coal suppliers to Midwestern and Eastern power plants that no longer face strict 2030s retirement timelines.Craft donated over $1 million to Trump's 2017 Inaugural Committee and millions more to pro-Trump Super PACs.Trump subsequently appointed Craft's wife, Kelly Craft, to high-level diplomatic posts as U.S. Ambassador to Canada and later U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.Natural Gas Producers & Midstream InfrastructureToby Rice (EQT Corporation) & Tom Jorden (Coterra Energy): Top domestic natural gas producers positioned to supply fuel for unconstrained new gas-fired turbine generation.Chad Zamarin (The Williams Companies) & Kimberly Dang (Kinder Morgan): Midstream pipeline giants transporting natural gas to power plants, benefiting from sustained pipeline throughput and expanded gas generation hookups.EPA immediately sued over plans to repeal climate rules for power plantsPublic health groups warn EPA rule will cost Americans billions in health bills.The repeal risks leaving the country's single largest source of industrial climate pollution unchecked.SEC proxy rule changes could end 92 years of shareholder protections MMThe Securities and Exchange Commission has put forward one of the most far-reaching corporate governance proposals in decades, moving to scrap the federal rule that has forced public companies to include shareholder proposals in their proxy materials since 1934.The SEC proxy rule changes would rescind Rule 14a-8 entirely and hand authority over shareholder proposals back to state law and individual company charters, according to the agency's announcement.A companion proposal would amend Rule 14a-4(c) to give companies more flexibility and shareholders more control over discretionary proxy voting.The SEC's broader push to update its rules for current market practice and technology also targets several older paperwork requirements that the agency views as outdated.Eliminate the requirement that companies deliver an annual report to security holders.Eliminate the delivery deadline when documents are incorporated by reference into a proxy statement.Eliminate the requirement and the ability to submit Notices of Exempt Solicitation.Shorten the minimum broker search period from 20 business days to five business days.Starbucks Makes Major DEI U-Turn, Agrees to End Race and Sex-Based Hiring Preferences NationwideStarbucks is ending race- and sex-based hiring goals and preferences across its US operations under a nationwide settlement with Florida, agreeing to pay $1 million and submit to four years of annual compliance reviews.Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's office said the agreement applies to Starbucks operations nationwide, rather than only its stores in Florida.Under the settlement, Starbucks agreed to comply with the Florida Civil Rights Act, including its restrictions on race- and sex-based goals, quotas, and preferences in hiring, promotions, pay, executive compensation, mentorship programmes, supplier selection, and board composition.Starbucks also agreed not to participate in organisations that require an increase in the racial diversity of its board of directors. Its chief legal officer must submit annual certifications confirming continued compliance for four years. The company will pay $1 million to the Florida Department of Legal Affairs to reimburse the state for time, expenses, and costs associated with the case.Accenture to Pay $25 Million to Settle Latest U.S. DOJ Anti-DEI CaseWarren Buffett is stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway's chairmanBuffett, 96, becomes chairman emeritus effective immediately while his son Howard assumes the role under a long-standing succession planWho Is Howie Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway's New Chairman? I can answer that WSJ and save its readers some time: It's Warren Buffett's son.Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Barclays workers ask for more money to return to the office MM DRMM: Barclays workers ask for more money to return to the officeIsn't this the first step toward a unionized financial sector??Assholiest of the Week (MM):HypocritesMan using AI to kill people thinks men using AI to kill people should be held responsible: Palantir's Alex Karp is calling for AI lab nationalization and criminal liabilityLying sociopath calls AI a lying sociopath: OpenAI Warns of Six Concerning AI Behaviours as Models Hid Mistakes and Circumvented SafeguardsGuy who said China says Not China: Sam Altman Warns AI Race With China Can't Justify ‘Recklessness'—‘No Reason Any of Us Should Come to Work' Without Safety AccountabilityGuy who just paid 17bn for worst safety on earth says other guy needs to focus on safety: Mark Zuckerberg Takes Aim at Anthropic in Debate Over A.I. Slowdown (“A.I. labs should be focused on safety rather than improving their own technology.”)Politicians think a billionaire not named Trump should be held accountable for Epstein: House votes to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein investigationForgetting climate change was the result of the oil boom: Trump Compares AI Data Centers To Oil Boom — Nvidia CEO AgreesI don't even need a hypocritical talking point: Trump has been making more stock trades than all of Congress combined while backing a ban that excludes himGates Foundation is pledging $1 billion to spread AI to the world's poorest communitiesMedia covering democracy DRSEC proposes ending federal oversight of shareholder resolutions | Ukraine news - #MezhaSEC proxy rule changes could end 92 years of shareholder protections - CryptonomistStatement on Proposals to Rescind Rule 14a-8, Amend Rule 14a-4, and Modernize Proxy Solicitation - the SECIt's Another Biggie! SEC Proposes to Rescind the Shareholder Proposal Rule - a guy named Broc's blogIt got one hit each at Bloomberg Finance and Yahoo Finance, bottom of the columns buriedBut a million stories about this: SEC clears path for tokenized stocks, bringing the market closer to 24/7 tradingPaul Atkins justifications for gutting a democratic method that's existed since 1934: The government shutdownWe're too busyInvestors and companies don't really need usIt's unconstitutionalSeriously? Still?Asset owners say ESG returns still a barrier to adoptionData Center's Spill of 5,000 Gallons of Diesel Forces N.J. River CleanupAI Data Centers Are Driving a Surge in “Forever Chemicals,” Research FindsAn Idaho county banned renewables. It's having second thoughtsThe Red State AG Attack on ESG Continues to Misfire.Oracle Signs Over 1.7GW of Clean Energy Deals in Bid to Match Data Centers with 100% Carbon-Free EnergyBlowhardiest of the WeekDR: Jamie Jamie double double:Jamie Dimon says the American Dream is alive, but it's slipping out of reach for too many people—and for future generationsJamie Dimon, David Solomon, other top execs praise Trump admin's pro-business policiesMM: Jamie Dimon on AI oversight: 'It should be light touch'Guy with no AI experience gives thoughts on AI regulationHeadliniest of the WeekDR: These two back-to-back in my news feed:Microsoft publishes 37-page 'humanist' code of conduct after AI doom debate: 'This is urgent'Jack in the Box is launching a Simpsons Halloween menu with glow-in-the-dark cupsMM: MAGA's Golf Club Activity Branded 'Gruesome' as Fish Were Dumped Into Chlorinated Pool for Kids to CatchWho Won the Week?DR: Howie's son Howard Warren Buffett (43)MM: Nepo babies: Nike Announces LVMH Heir Alexandre Arnault is Joining its Board of DirectorsWarren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Chairman and Names Son to Replace Him“He will remain on the board as chairman emeritus.”“Howard Buffett, 71, has been a director at Berkshire for more than 30 years.” - he's already older than the average director by 6 yearsPredictionsDR: AI ends humanity, then deeply apologizes for threatening to end humanity MM: AI deeply apologizes for threatening to end humanity, then ends humanity

Supply chains are facing pressure from every direction, from inflation and shifting consumer behavior to climate-driven disruption and rapidly evolving AI capabilities. For leaders, the challenge isn't simply keeping up. It's figuring out where to focus, how to make faster and better decisions, and how to turn emerging technology into measurable business value.In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton and special guest co-host Tanzil Uddin with Manifest are joined by Dheera Anand, Partner at Bain & Company, to unpack some of the biggest forces shaping supply chain today. They explore the latest challenges at the Panama Canal, changing consumer behavior, and lessons in regional resilience from APAC before diving deep into AI and supply chain transformation.Dheera shares practical examples of how organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and “pilot fatigue” to create real operational value. The conversation also explores high-frequency decision-making, the importance of choosing the right AI applications, and how AI could reshape integrated business planning through faster scenario planning, continuous monitoring, and an “always-on” approach to IBP. Key TakeawaysPredictability and visibility are critical to resilience. Disruptions such as those affecting the Panama Canal demonstrate why companies need to understand their exposure throughout the supply network, not just at tier one.Consumers are still spending, but they're becoming more value-conscious. Retailers need greater precision around inventory, working capital, automation, and productivity as economic pressures continue.AI's greatest value may be in high-frequency decisions. Thousands of small operational decisions can create significant value leakage when humans simply don't have the capacity to address them all in real time.Moving beyond AI pilot fatigue requires better use-case selection. Leaders should consider data availability, decision frequency, variability, and the consequences of error when determining where AI can deliver scalable value.World-class IBP is a decision process—not a reporting process. Effective IBP should drive decisions, trade-offs, scenario planning, and preparation for what happens when the plan changes.AI could make IBP increasingly “always on.” Faster scenario modeling, automated assumption monitoring, and early-warning signals could move organizations beyond the traditional monthly planning cadence.Not all complexity creates value. Organizations need greater visibility and governance to distinguish complexity that customers value from complexity that adds cost without meaningful return. Supply chain leaders don't need more technology experiments; they need practical ways to turn technology, data, and planning into better decisions. Tune in to hear Scott, Tanzil, and Dheera explore how leaders can move beyond AI pilots, strengthen resilience, rethink IBP, and build supply chains that are better equipped to compete in an increasingly complex environment. Additional Links & Resources:MFG.inc: https://mfg.inc/With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-12-Sep-2026Manifest 2027: https://manifestvegas.partners/partners/SupplyChainNowSupply Chain & Logistics Summit: https://bit.ly/SupplyChainAndLogisticsSummit-2026The Panama Canal's New Boss Inherits a Drought and a Bidding War for Transit Slots: https://on.wsj.com/4xW4xYbInflation persisted in August, potentially locking in a Fed interest rate hike: https://bit.ly/4gSLJD83 lessons from Asia-Pacific on regional cooperation in a fragmented world: https://bit.ly/Learning-from-APACThe Buzz APAC Edition for September 9th: https://bit.ly/The-Buzz-APAC-EditionMFG.inc Leadership Training: https://mfg.inc/trainingSupply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Bain: https://www.bain.com/Dheera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dheeraanand/Tanzil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanziluddin/Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveWEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iemWEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6uThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tanzil Uddin, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-scale-panama-canal-risk-future-IBP-1636 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an unbelievable turn of events, President Trump has reversed his decision and approved UN visas for top Iranian officials—the very same leaders linked to assassination attempts, base attacks, and major human rights abuses! Why is this happening after years of fiery outrage? We dive deep into the shocking foreign policy flip-flop, the potential threat to national security, and the unbelievable financial ties—from Jared Kushner's billions to Don Jr.'s private funds—that are raising serious questions ahead of the midterms!

In an unbelievable turn of events, President Trump has reversed his decision and approved UN visas for top Iranian officials—the very same leaders linked to assassination attempts, base attacks, and major human rights abuses! Why is this happening after years of fiery outrage? We dive deep into the shocking foreign policy flip-flop, the potential threat to national security, and the unbelievable financial ties—from Jared Kushner's billions to Don Jr.'s private funds—that are raising serious questions ahead of the midterms!

In a shocking development that has radio hosts and political commentators buzzing, the State Department has approved UN General Assembly visas for top Iranian officials—including President Masoud Pezeshkian! We break down the high-stakes controversy, the outrage over foreign plot threats, and a wild, bold proposal to turn the tables at the airport. Plus, Dr. Steve Nail weighs in on South Carolina's $1.8B surplus and gas tax debates, alongside a breakdown of the Senate showdown over big tech AI data center energy costs!

In a stunning move that has left political commentators speechless, visas have been approved for top Iranian officials—including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. We dive into the massive hypocrisy, the shocking security concerns, and the deep-seated outrage over welcoming leaders linked to plot scandals and human rights abuses. Plus, we connect the dots on foreign money, Jared Kushner's billions, and the serious questions this raises ahead of the midterms!

In this episode, Stephen McGee, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at SandsRx, discusses building AI governance, vendor accountability and staff trust while using AI to improve specialty pharmacy workflows, patient access and operational efficiency. This episode is sponsored by URAC.

The U.S. grants visas to Iran's president and foreign minister for next week's U.N. General Assembly, even as the two countries remain at war. Plus, Trump-endorsed Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar criticizes his immigration crackdown, warning that Hispanic voters who backed him now “feel betrayed.” And Anthropic says Claude is now leading roughly a quarter of its AI development work, putting AI to work building the next models. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

Send us Fan MailHospice is changing—and the leaders who prepare now will be positioned to shape what comes next.In Part Two of The Critical Competencies Hospice Leaders Must Build for Value-Based Care Success, host Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with Dr. Jessica Hubbs about what hospice and palliative care organizations need to succeed as healthcare moves toward more integrated, value-based models.What capabilities should hospice organizations build internally—and when should they partner? Dr. Hubbs explores the growing convergence of home-based primary care, palliative care, and hospice, and why a more seamless continuum could give seriously ill patients access to the right services based on need rather than simply a point in time.  The conversation also examines complex care management, Medicare Advantage, dementia and length-of-stay challenges, and how hospice can expand upstream without losing what makes the hospice model so valuable. For leaders preparing their organizations for the next 12–24 months, Dr. Hubbs identifies three essential investments: clinical infrastructure, data, and strategic partnerships.  Highlights — What You'll LearnPreparing hospice for value-based careBuilding the right strategic partnershipsIntegrating primary, palliative, and hospice careBetter serving complex and high-need patientsExpanding care upstream without losing hospice's missionUsing data to improve care and outcomesInvesting in clinical capabilities, data, and partnershipsKeeping patients at the center of changeAbove all, this episode brings the conversation back to the mission: doing right by the patient. In a healthcare environment filled with reimbursement pressure, regulatory change, and uncertainty, patient-centered leadership can remain the compass for innovation and better serious illness care. In this episode discover the competencies hospice leaders should be building today to prepare for the future of value-based care.Subscribe to TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership for conversations designed to help healthcare and hospice leaders learn, grow, and lead with greater impact.Guest:  Dr. Jessica Hubbs, Internist and the Chief Clinical Officer at Advanced Care Innovations Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of LeadershipThe Anatomy of Leadership podcast explores the art and science of leadership through candid, insightful conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from a variety of industries. Hosted by Chris Comeaux, each episode dives into the mindsets, habits, and strategies that empower leaders to thrive in complex, fast-changing environments. With topics ranging from organizational culture and emotional intelligence to navigating disruption and inspiring teams, the show blends real-world stories with practical takeaways. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to equip leaders at every level with the tools, perspectives, and inspiration they need to lead with vision, empathy, and impact.https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership

What kind of leader do you need to become now? Leadership has not stood still over the last 12 months. AI is accelerating, workplace expectations are shifting and organisations are navigating growing uncertainty. So this episode explores a deeper question for ambitious professionals - not only what do you want to achieve, but who do you need to become? I reflect on why human capabilities matter even more now, especially confidence, clarity, Cultural Intelligence and challenging conversations, the four pillars at the heart of my work. Plus, in this episode, I share the latest thinking behind the audiobook edition of Become a Global Leader, including why I recorded a new bonus chapter. What you will learn in this episode: The leadership shift from 'what you need to achieve' to 'who you need to become' How AI makes human leadership capabilities more important A new definition for confidence in this context How leaders can create clarity when answers are uncertain How Cultural Intelligence helps leaders develop greater range to respond What recording an audiobook taught me about being human Where do you need to experiment more? Which human capability do you most need to focus on? Resources: Listen to the new audiobook of Become a Global Leader: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Become-a-Global-Leader-Audiobook/B0HGYF1LHR Read the book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more global leadership, strategic communication and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Talk to Victoria about you or your team's leadership development: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/ Watch the video of this Episode here: The Human Capabilities Leaders Need Now: https://youtu.be/9yRSNVf_TnE Read this Episode's Blog post here: Who do you need to become as a leader? https://culturecuppa.com/who-do-you-need-to-become-as-a-leader/

The U.S. grants visas to Iran's president and foreign minister for next week's U.N. General Assembly, even as the two countries remain at war. Plus, Trump-endorsed Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar criticizes his immigration crackdown, warning that Hispanic voters who backed him now “feel betrayed.” And Anthropic says Claude is now leading roughly a quarter of its AI development work, putting AI to work building the next models. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

Praying With Boldness and ConfidenceHebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."One of the greatest misconceptions about prayer is that we have to earn the right to come into God's presence.Join Life's Word Academy: https://tinyurl.com/lifeswordacademyAccept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has sparked a major wrongful death claim targeting severe event security failures. Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and FOX News contributor James Gagliano details the egregious lapses that allowed alleged gunman, Tyler Robinson, to carry out the attack, how campus officials left rooftops unmonitored for a 3,000-person crowd, and ignored clear warnings—drawing direct, chilling parallels to the security breakdowns in Butler, Pennsylvania. Fears about AI capabilities are developing as quickly as the technology itself. Leaders in the industry along with lawmakers are issuing warnings about the potential risks AI poses. Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA) was the chairman of the bipartisan House Task Force on AI, which concluded in late 2024. He joins FOX's Aishah Hasnie to discuss the apprehensive sentiment surrounding the conversation about artificial intelligence and whether Congress can realistically pass meaningful regulation. PLUS, commentary by FOX News contributor Joe Concha. PHOTO CREDIT: AP IMAGES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

War Room  India Denies Rumors Xi Jinping, Other World Leaders Fell Ill At BRICS Summit, Analysts Predict Gas Price Jump, House Votes to Pass Iran War Powers Resolution… Plus, Talarico Super PAC Caught Red Handed — Paying For Votes

In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles continues Proverbs 29 with verses 12 through 14, examining how a ruler's appetite for falsehood can corrupt an entire administration and eventually shape the culture beneath it. Solomon warns that when a leader repeatedly listens to lies, those around him learn to reward flattery, suppress unwelcome truth, and tell the ruler what he wants to hear. Rick explains how this produces not only corrupt leadership, but a corrupt information system in which truth tellers are pushed aside and deception becomes normal. The lesson then turns to God's common grace, showing that both the poor and the powerful live by the same light God provides and remain accountable for what they do with it. Finally, Solomon gives the test of righteous leadership: the ruler who faithfully judges the poor establishes his throne. True authority is sustained not by power, wealth, or influence, but by truth received, justice rendered, and the way leaders treat those who have the least ability to repay or retaliate. Lesson 184-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting MannaNation.com, calling 1-888-519-4935, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961 MEGA FIRE reveals the ancient recurring cycles of war and economic collapse that have shaped history for 600 years. These patterns predict America is now entering its most dangerous period since World War II. Get your copy today! www.megafire.world Get high-quality emergency preparedness food today from American Reserves! www.AmericanReserves.com It's the Final Day! The day Jesus Christ bursts into our dimension of time, space, and matter. Now available in eBook and audio formats! Order Final Day from Amazon today! www.Amazon.com/Final-Day Apple users, you can download the audio version on Apple Books! www.books.apple.com/final-day Purchase the 4-part DVD set or start streaming Sacrificing Liberty today. www.Sacrificingliberty.com

Episode Description Trust can be measured. It grows through honest communication and fair treatment, and it can break when leaders mishandle change. Sarah invited Kim Bohr, President and CEO of SparkEffect, whose annual research tracks organizational trust across the US, to discuss what builds trust, what breaks it, and how leaders can protect it through disruption. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why 85 percent of people faced major disruption in two years What Kim's research says builds trust Why hard conversations should get to the point How job loss creates shame and blocks support How Sarah uses AI to reshape only her own words Who This Episode Is For • Executive directors leading teams exhausted by constant change • Leaders bringing in AI while staff fear for their jobs • Anyone avoiding a hard conversation with a wrong-fit staff or board member • CEOs hearing "we have a communication problem" without finding the cause About the Guest Kim Bohr is the President and Chief Executive Officer of SparkEffect, where she helps executive teams navigate change while building trust and strong organizational performance. With more than 25 years of leadership experience, she's a board advisor, speaker, podcast host, and author who specializes in helping leaders build resilient organizations during times of disruption. Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit: https://www.inspirednonprofitleadership.com/signup Connect with Kim: Website: https://sparkeffect.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbohr/ Email: kim.bohr@sparkeffect.com Text: (206) 552-4452 Blog: https://sparkeffect.com/blog Podcast: Courage to Advance with Kim Bohr Instagram: @SparkEffect Threads: @SparkEffect Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SparkEffect YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SparkEffect-US Resources mentioned: The 2026 State of Organizational Trust research and the guide on stigma after job loss: https://sparkeffect.com/inspired Sarah Olivieri: Website: saraholivieri.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri Thank you to our sponsor, Donorbox. More than a suite of helpful fundraising tools, Donorbox is a partner that helps you raise more money and supports you in retaining your donors.

Written version below.Venus Retrograde: Heroine's Journey — I'm keeping the price as it is. I was going to raise it, and then I listened to my intuition, which said no. Start date is October 1st, and Venus stations retrograde on October 3rd — there was a timezone error on my sales page that said the 2nd; the 3rd is correct.I've already started uploading new content to the portal — video guides, aspect breakdowns for the lead-in to the retrograde. And I want to say something I've been sitting with: I called this possibly my last run, and I don't know that's true. It's my favourite thing I do. Things are changing in my life and work, and I don't know exactly what form future iterations will take. But this one — this one — is ready, and I'm genuinely excited about it.Two tiers: the basic Journey at $397 (seven weeks, eight calls, all recorded, full course portal, pre-work videos, slides in colour and black-and-white), and the Dragon Rider add-on (an extra $500) which includes a private 30-minute one-on-one ($175 value), a year's membership in the Spiral Codex community ($600 value, beginning after the class), and a personalized gift I'll mail to you.louiseedington.com/VenusRetrograde2026Before We Dive InComing up: Cathy and I are recording on Friday, likely looking at the Aries Full Moon chart alongside the US Sibley chart — the DC chart for the full moon has exactly the same angles as the Sibley. We'll see what that means.Subscribe free on Substack for weekly posts and everything else. Spiral Weave on my website louiseedington.com — $10/month or $90/year.The Week at a GlanceThis is a week of building intensity, heading toward the Aries Full Moon on Saturday September 26th at 12:49pm Eastern. I've done a full separate video on that — go watch it for the depth. The week is the lead-in.The cards open at the end of your tether and build to fire. The astrology opens with a grinding cardinal T-square and builds to a kite configuration pointing at justice and transformation. By Saturday, the pieces come together.Key events:* Equinox — Sun enters 0° Libra — September 22nd* Pholus stations direct at 9° Capricorn — Friday September 25th* Aries Full Moon at 3° — Saturday September 26th at 12:49pm EasternOne note to carry all week: only Venus, the Sun, and Mercury have crossed the South Node and Regulus at 0° Virgo. The rest are still coming. Mars, Jupiter, Juno, Hygieia — all heading there eventually. For now, the direction is set, but the journey is ongoing.The Cards — A First GlanceFrom the Red Seeds Tarot (Linda Hill, Etsy UK) and the Witch Oracle by Angie Sullins: Seven of Torches reversed, King of Torches, Ace of Torches reversed, She of the Invisible Ally.Three fire cards and one water card — and all of them, in their different ways, saying the same thing: the answer is within. The fire is within. The magic is within. The allies you've forgotten about are within.More at the end. But hold that thread.Day by DaySunday, September 20 — Moon in Capricorn. Cardinal T-Square. The Goddess Archetypes Are Screaming.We open the week with the Moon out of bounds in Capricorn — and Pluto also out of bounds, as it will be until early December each year through 2035. More erratic, more beyond the pale, more heightened. The usual advice: more self-care than you think you need, more boundaries, more kindness to yourself.The Moon squares Saturn retrograde (the guide for Capricorn, going back over the structures and rules) and opposes Ceres in Cancer — forming a cardinal T-square at 12°–13°. Cardinals push for action. This T-square is asking, again, loudly: how are our needs being met? How are the people's needs being met? How are the needs of the most vulnerable people being met?The outer expression of this energy keeps showing up in the news. Congress being sent home until November 9th — after the midterms, before Venus and Mercury station direct — while essential legislation is pending. A building in Gaza that had been bombed collapsed further, killing twenty people and trapping nearly a hundred. These are the literal expressions of the Moon opposing Ceres: needs not being met, structures not holding, the people saying enough.Mars in Cancer squares Vesta and Eris — both in Aries, both retrograde. Mars and Eris are siblings in the mythology, and this square is in some ways the two of them working together despite the friction. Mars (assertive drive, protective instincts, cooling its jets in Cancer) squares Eris (the truth-teller for the outsiders, sharply aware of exclusion and hierarchy). Together: there's a push to assert and claim space. And there's a deep fear of being controlled or sidelined. But the square is a cardinal square — initiating. Things have to change, and Mars is moving forward toward them.Mars then opposes Juno — now direct and heading back into Aquarius. The sacred contracts of our collective life are being confronted: none of this is working. We're seeing it everywhere.The Moon opposes Asteroid Lilith — and every goddess archetype in the chart this week seems to be screaming: we need to be heard. The Divine Feminine — not just women, but that whole energy of care, reciprocity, interconnection — needs to be heard.Black Moon Lilith at 25° Sagittarius makes a fire trine to the whole Aries retrograde cluster and to Hygieia and the South Node. The answer is to burn off the old, rise up, create the new. Tune into the spirit of fire — which I experience as the fire of inspiration. That whooshing feeling when something unlocks.The Moon closes the day by trining the Sun (last major Ptolemaic aspect before the full moon, Earth-to-Earth saying we are going to build a more meaningful world) while simultaneously squaring Chiron back in Aries. There is still work to finish. Every one of us is playing a part in building what comes next — in tight community, in broader collectives, in the most private inner work. All of it matters.Jupiter in Leo trines Pallas Athena — the expander meeting the wise strategist and pattern-seer. Strategies to rise up like phoenixes. To lead from the heart rather than from the throne.Monday, September 21 — Moon Into Aquarius. Mercury Opposes Pallas Athena. Hygieia and Hekate.The Moon finishes its Capricorn passage still carrying all those T-square themes, then enters Aquarius at 1:14pm Eastern — the sign of the people, the future, the collective. Things shift slightly: from the weight of structures collapsing to the vision of what we want to build instead.Mercury in Libra opposes Pallas Athena in Aries — big new ideas for justice. New strategies being assembled. In what feels like a surreal indicator of the astrology: Steve Bannon and Bernie Sanders were reported on the same stage (not at the same time) making the same argument: the future of AI must be decided by the people, not the oligarchs. I had to read that twice. Mercury opposing Pallas Athena in the sign of justice, pulling pieces together from unexpected places, finding new strategies to challenge concentrated power.AI is part of this week's conversation. The founders are fighting amongst themselves. Companies are finding that replacing workers with AI is not delivering what was promised. The data centre heat problem remains unsolved. And amid all of it, the argument about who gets to decide the future of this technology — whether it's the few or the many — is getting louder. Hekate has her torch. The way forward is being shown.Hygieia opposes Hekate in this same cluster — holistic, preventative health in all its forms (not just physical; the health of our collective mind and leadership) facing the torchbearer at the crossroads. Which way do we go? Hekate knows. The answers are within.Mercury forms a sextile to Jupiter in Leo — big new ideas, big new plans, a real expansiveness in how we speak and think about what's possible.Tuesday, September 22 — Equinox. Sun Enters 0° Libra. The People Are Rising.The Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring in the Southern — the Sun enters 0° Libra, a world point, beginning a new season and seeding new things.I took a quick look at the equinox chart set for Washington DC, and a few things caught my eye. Venus retrograde is in the 7th house of others and open enemies. The Aries retrograde cluster is in the 12th house of hidden enemies. Uranus is in the 2nd house of values, waking people up to what isn't feeding them. Ceres sits at the base of the chart — the IC, the foundation — and she is saying: this system is not working for the people's needs. Jupiter is moving into the 5th house of joy, creativity, self-expression, and the inner child — people beginning to find that.And the Aquarius Moon is on the cusp of the 11th house — the house of causes, politics, humanitarian concerns, and the collective voice. The Moon is the people. And the people are rising.Happy equinox.The Aquarius Moon meanwhile squares Haumea (regeneration at 2° Scorpio, the exact degree where Venus and the Moon met in their occultation gate), then sextiles Neptune (let go of who you thought you were; step into interconnection), then trines Uranus — ahas, pattern-shifts, those head-explodey moments of seeing things differently. We're going to have quite a few of those this week as we build toward the full moon.The Moon squares Venus in Scorpio — digging into the shared values and power relationships that Venus is about to take us through in her retrograde. Who has power over us? Who have we given our power away to? These are not rhetorical questions this week.Hygieia trines Vesta and Eris — the holistic health of the collective in flowing conversation with the inner flame and the truth-teller. The answers are within. Tune in.The Moon closes the day by conjuncting Pluto — the shadow to the light, the buried treasure beginning to emerge. Pluto and Haumea are heading toward another of their 13 squares (which run 2022–2028), and the Moon is activating that approach. Three more squares after this one. The transformation is not done.Wednesday, September 23 — Moon Opposes Jupiter. Moon Meets Hekate and Chariklo. Moon Into Pisces.The Aquarius Moon opposes Jupiter in Leo — the people looking directly at the expanded king energy and saying: your time is limited. Jupiter is heading toward the South Node in Leo. Leaders, in the astrology world and in the wider world, are being taken down or called to account. Not necessarily the ones we want yet — but the motion is real.The Moon trines Mercury (air to air: the collective mind, speaking out, ideas flowing) and then makes what I find genuinely beautiful: the Moon meets Hekate and Chariklo, both retrograde in Aquarius, both quietly holding space and weaving the new story from the pieces that are simultaneously falling apart and falling into place.The Moon opposes Hygieia — everything heading down the South Node drain that is not for our genuine holistic flourishing, individually and collectively. Circling the drain of what's not working. And the Moon conjuncts the North Node at 29° — still that eclipse charge, still that pull toward the future. Still at the threshold.Change is coming. 29°. The anaretic degree of the liminal space.And at the very end of the day, the Moon enters Pisces — things get very emotional as we build toward the full moon. But also: clouds clearing. The feeling quality of the coming days is going to be intense and also somehow clarifying.Thursday, September 24 — Quiet Build. Lightning Hitting Water.Not a huge number of aspects — a day to let things settle and integrate as the energy builds.The Pisces Moon squares Sedna (adapt; change is coming; mutable signs pressing) then trines Haumea (ready to create from our feelings and our right brain; intuition and balance coming together) and then squares Uranus — and Louise described this perfectly: lightning hitting water. Uranus in Gemini, all those electrical awakenings and flashing ideas, square the Pisces Moon's deep emotionality and flow. Shocking. Potentially beautiful. Possibly a few jarring revelations.The Moon then trines Venus — seeing clearly about values, self-worth, how power has been given away. This is Venus retrograde territory, and we're already starting to feel it from the outside in.Asteroid Lilith squares Vesta — the original equality and the inner flame in friction, both asking the same question from different angles: what are you devoted to at the deepest level of who you are? With Chiron back in Aries, this is about healing the core self — finding the medicine of genuine individuality (not rugged power-over, but power from within) and healing the inner masculine while we're at it.Mercury trines Hekate and Chariklo — the messenger in flowing conversation with the torchbearer and the cosmic doula. The mind is starting to catch up with what the soul already knows.Friday, September 25 — Venus Day. Pholus Stations Direct. The Kite Forms. Sun Enters Libra Season Fully.Pholus stations direct at 9° Capricorn. Nine — the number of endings. Pholus is the Pandora's Box centaur — the lid-comes-off energy, the things that get out that can't be put back in. He has been retrograde in Capricorn for a long time, going back over what has been out of integrity in our institutions and structures. And now he stations direct.More things are going to come out of the box. More revelations about the structures we've been living under. More things that, once seen, cannot be unseen. This station coincides directly with the full moon approaching and the Sun making exact aspects to the basket/cradle planets.The Sun trines Pluto and Uranus, and opposes Neptune exactly — forming a kite in fire and air, with the Aries retrograde cluster as the focal point and Neptune (dissolving the old, birthing the spiritual warrior) as the tail. Big ideas for justice. New people rising up. New alliances forming in unexpected places.The Sun at 3°–4° Libra is now past the equinox and building power in the sign of balance, harmony, and — often forgotten — justice. Libra is also traditionally associated with war (as the scales of battle), and the resistance to injustice is very much Libran at its highest.New lawsuits. New strategies. New coalitions. Some of them surprising.Mercury in Libra opposes Vesta and Eris — speaking up for the inner flame, speaking up for the outsiders. Mercury past 22° Libra means it's now in the territory where Venus will station direct on November 13th. The mercury mind is already walking the ground Venus will return to.Saturday, September 26 — The Aries Full Moon. 12:49pm Eastern.Go and watch the full moon video. It's all there.What I'll say here: the Moon in Pisces makes a water trine to Mars in Cancer (finally cooling its jets, the guardian energy settling into water) before entering Aries at 6:23am Eastern — and look at what it steps into. The whole retrograde Aries pileup. Chiron, Eris, Vesta, Pallas Athena, Saturn, Manwë, Neptune. The Moon as the focal point of this kite, as the people meeting all those planets going within, reviewing, reflecting.The Moon meets Neptune (spiritual warrior; releasing who we thought we were), sextiles Sedna (adapt), sextiles Pluto (transformation), sextiles Uranus (radical awakening) — the mini grand trine activated right at the full moon.Full Moon exact at 12:49pm Eastern at 3° Aries. Fulfillment. Illumination. Something completing.Right after the full moon, the Moon conjuncts Manwë — the Law of Grace. Spontaneous resolution through internal alignment and correct action. Without external intervention. This is what the class does: guide you to take that self-directed, inner journey.Then the Moon squares Pholus — facing what we see as the lid comes off, some people extending more grace to each other than before.And one date to hold: Venus and Mercury station direct on November 13th. Congress is due back on November 9th — four days before. Mars crosses the South Node the day after that, on November 14th, alongside Jupiter. Watch this space.The Cards in DetailSeven of Torches (Wands), reversed — Lacking Courage:You may start the week feeling this. A lack of faith in yourself. Like it's all too much. Like quitting would be easier. The upright Seven of Torches is I Am Courage — and the reversal doesn't remove the courage. It asks you to look within for it rather than expecting it to come from outside. The fire is in there. It always was.King of Torches — I Am Dynamic:The more you go within — even if you begin the week feeling defeated — the more this dynamism starts to build as the full moon approaches. Things are being ignited. The King of Torches doesn't wait for permission. He knows he carries his fire within him. The full moon is the ignition point.Ace of Torches, reversed — I Am Inspired (from within):The Ace reversed is still the Ace — pure creative fire, the beginning of something. Reversed, the invitation is to find the inspiration within, not to look for the external spark. This is where the three fire cards are pointing together: defeat, then dynamism, then inspiration — all sourced from the interior. This is the Red Seeds Tarot, the deck of the Eleusinian Mysteries and the descent and return. Perfectly placed for the week Venus is about to take us underground.She of the Invisible Ally (Witch Oracle):“There are unseen forces guiding you right now. They rarely let themselves be seen, but that doesn't mean they're not there. While it's true that you often name and number your resources, you forget about the unseen ones. The invisibles are available to you always, but they tend to dwell in the higher places — energies of wonder, curiosity, and hope.Petition them. A witch will reach into these energies and swim with them through the cosmos. This is a good time for dreaming and journeying. Take a walk in nature. Seek out a credible plant shaman who can help you access the gifts of the green world. Spend time in the liminal realm with active imagination. Put yourself in the way of magic. Helpful spirits are ready to guide you, and now is the time to summon them to show themselves.”We do exactly this in the Venus Retrograde class — the active imagination, the guided journeys, the liminal realm work. Not coincidentally.And: find your inner dragon.The planets don't make anything happen. Everything is happening within you. Stuff happens, challenges happen — but how you respond to them, and how you work with them, is what matters.You are the cosmos. The invisible ally is you.Summing UpA cardinal T-square pressing on the structures that aren't working. Mars and Eris, siblings, asserting and claiming space. The equinox — a new season, a world point, a chart that says the people are rising. Pholus stationing direct with more things coming out of the box. The fire and air kite forming as the Aries Full Moon approaches. Manwë, the Law of Grace, right after the full moon. And four cards — three of them fire — that move from defeat, through dynamism, to inner inspiration, held by the unseen allies that have never left.Start the week however you need to start it. Look within. Find the fire.It was always there.— LouiseVenus Retrograde: Heroine's Journey — starts October 1st, Venus retrogrades October 3rd. $397 basic Journey; Dragon Rider add-on $500 extra. louiseedington.com/VenusRetrograde2026Cathy and I are recording on Friday — check the channel. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cosmicowlastrology.substack.com/subscribe

Business systems are what separate a great idea from a business that can grow beyond its founder. A concept may work brilliantly in one location with the right people, the right customers, and the founder closely involved. The bigger test comes when that same experience has to work in another location, another market, or another country. That challenge becomes even more significant when the customer experience depends heavily on people. Processes can be documented, technology can be standardized, and performance can be measured, but culture, service, and human connection are harder to replicate. Pete Hull has experienced that challenge firsthand. As Founder and CEO of Fitstop, he has helped grow a fitness concept that began in his parents' garage in Australia into a global brand with more than 170 locations across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States. Fitstop's growth provides a useful example of how business systems can support expansion without removing the human elements that made the original concept successful. It also demonstrates why sustainable growth requires more than simply duplicating what worked once. Turn What Works Into a Repeatable System Pete's path to entrepreneurship began long before Fitstop became an international franchise. After two knee reconstructions ended his pursuit of becoming a professional motocross athlete, he moved into coaching and became deeply interested in strength and conditioning, human performance, and helping people make measurable progress. Eventually, Pete began considering how he could take the benefits of one-on-one coaching and create something that could serve more people. The challenge was not simply putting more people into the same workout. He wanted to preserve the progressive nature of athletic training while creating a model that could work in a group environment. That distinction matters in almost every industry. Scaling effectively requires identifying what actually produces the result for the customer and building business systems around those elements. For Fitstop, that meant developing a centralized training methodology rather than allowing every location or coach to independently decide what the customer experience should look like. Studios operate from the same underlying programming, while individual owners and coaches can still bring their personalities and energy to the local community. Pete described the balance simply: "Your vibe attracts your tribe." That balance between standardization and personalization is one of the more difficult parts of building a multi-location business. Too much variation can weaken the brand. Too much standardization can make the experience feel disconnected from the local market. Strong business systems establish the non-negotiables while creating room for people to deliver those standards authentically. Build Systems Around the Customer Experience Operational consistency matters, but consistency alone does not create customer loyalty. A business also needs to understand what keeps customers engaged and what ultimately produces the outcome they came for. Pete's approach starts with the member experience. He explained that the fundamental responsibility of a gym, personal trainer, or fitness business is to serve its members by helping them achieve their goals. Fitstop's systems were built around that objective rather than around simply getting people through a workout. The company's group training model deliberately creates interaction among members. People train together, support one another, push each other, and celebrate progress together. Pete describes the formula as combining the science of strength and conditioning with "the art of human connection." That connection becomes part of the business model rather than something the company hopes will happen organically. Fitstop also tracks progress and gives members milestones to pursue. Members advance through statuses based on participation, testing is incorporated into programming, results can be logged in the company's app, and achievements are celebrated inside the studio. Those systems do more than encourage participation. They create opportunities for customers to recognize their own progress. Progress can be one of the most powerful forms of customer retention. When customers can see evidence that the product or service is helping them move toward something they value, they have a compelling reason to continue. That satisfaction can also become a growth engine. Pete talks about creating "raving fans" who naturally promote the business because they are proud of what they have accomplished. Fitstop supports that behavior with a referral model that allows members to invite friends into the experience. The broader business principle applies well beyond fitness. Referrals become much easier when customers have a result worth talking about. Protect the System as the Business Grows Business systems become increasingly important as an organization adds locations and moves farther away from the founder's direct oversight. Fitstop began franchising in 2017 after Pete and his wife had self-funded the first two studios. Pete had been transparent with his managers about the financials, the direction of the business, and what they were trying to build. When managers wanted to buy the studios, it helped propel Pete into franchising. The model eventually expanded internationally. New Zealand provided an important test because Fitstop had to launch during a period when the team could not simply travel there and manage everything in person. The circumstances forced the company to improve onboarding, presales, coaching education, and other systems that could be delivered remotely. That experience demonstrated something important about scalability: if a business requires the founder or corporate team to physically solve every problem, it has not truly built a scalable system. International growth increased the stakes even further. Fitstop needed enough consistency that members could recognize the brand while still allowing local operators to build relationships within their own communities. This is where franchising creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Franchisees are business owners, and strong owners will inevitably have ideas. But allowing every operator to independently change the model can quickly erode the consistency that gives the brand its value. Pete's philosophy for handling that tension is captured in another memorable phrase: "We're curious, not furious." Instead of immediately rejecting an idea, his team asks questions and looks at the data. Fitstop can compare performance across studios and examine what its strongest operators are doing. If an idea has merit, it can move through the Franchise Advisory Council and potentially become a pilot program. Successful ideas can then be introduced more broadly. Pete summarized the approach another way when describing how he responds to changes that may be premature: "I'm not saying no, I'm just saying not right now." This creates a path for innovation without turning the franchise system into more than 170 independent experiments. Use Data to Strengthen Business Systems As an organization grows, intuition becomes less reliable as the primary management tool. Leaders need visibility into what is happening across the business. Pete describes Fitstop as a highly data-driven organization. The company uses performance information to support franchisees, compare locations, evaluate ideas, and identify where an operator may need additional support. Technology and AI are increasingly part of that infrastructure. Pete specifically points to Claude as a tool Fitstop uses for business modeling, financial modeling, and evaluating studio performance. The company also has systems that allow it to monitor planning, statistics, and other performance indicators across the network. The technology, however, does not eliminate the need for human observation. Pete says he blocks out time to look at studio social media because even a short story can provide clues about the culture inside a location. Fitstop's business performance coaches also conduct annual health checks that include studio visits, financial audits, and planning reviews. That combination is important. Dashboards can tell leaders what is happening numerically, but they may not fully explain why it is happening. The best business systems create visibility at both levels. Leaders need quantitative measures that reveal trends and qualitative signals that show what customers and employees are actually experiencing. As Pete noted, people who are progressing tend to be happier and more motivated. When performance begins moving backward, whether in fitness or business, intervention may be needed. Consistency Creates the Foundation for Growth There is a temptation to associate business growth with constant innovation. New markets, new products, new campaigns, and new strategies are exciting. Yet much of sustainable growth comes from doing the fundamentals exceptionally well and repeating them. That philosophy is evident in Pete's approach to both business and personal performance. When asked about his own routines, he did not point to an elaborate productivity system or unusual high-performance ritual. Instead, he emphasized a stable lifestyle built around basics such as sleep, nutrition, hydration, training, and physical activity. "Do the basics really, really well, but just keep showing up and be consistent with it." The same principle applies to organizations. A company does not become scalable because it documented a few procedures. Business systems have to become part of how the organization operates every day. People need to understand the standards, follow them, measure the results, and improve them when the evidence supports a change. Consistency is especially important when the company is expanding into new markets. Customers should not have to wonder whether the experience they receive depends entirely on which location they happen to visit. At the same time, consistency should not eliminate humanity. Pete's approach to Fitstop illustrates how a company can globalize the underlying brand and methodology while allowing local owners and coaches to build meaningful relationships in their communities. That may ultimately be one of the most important lessons for any leader trying to turn an idea into a larger organization. Growth does not require removing people from the equation. It requires building business systems that help people consistently deliver what made the idea valuable in the first place. Watch the full episode on YouTube. Join Fordify LIVE every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central across your favorite social media platforms and catch the replay on The Business Growth Show Podcast for more conversations with today's leading business experts, entrepreneurs, and growth-minded leaders. About Pete Hull Pete Hull is the Founder and CEO of Fitstop, a global functional strength and conditioning brand with more than 170 locations across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States. Pete's journey into the fitness industry began after two serious injuries ended his pursuit of becoming a professional motocross athlete. His rehabilitation sparked a passion for strength and conditioning, human performance, and helping people make measurable progress. That passion eventually led him to create a training model that brought structured programming, progressive training, and real coaching to everyday athletes. What began in his parents' garage in Australia grew into Fitstop, a franchise brand built around consistent business systems, a strong member experience, and genuine human connection. Today, Pete continues to lead Fitstop's global growth while maintaining the training methodology, culture, and community at the heart of the brand. About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has generated more than a billion dollars in sales worldwide by helping businesses attract loyal customers, increase visibility, and accelerate growth. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford has founded more than ten companies, authored eleven books, earned three U.S. patents, and advised organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. A recognized expert in business growth, customer acquisition, leadership, franchising, marketing, and AI-driven business strategies, Ford helps business owners and leaders identify opportunities, improve performance, and achieve sustainable results. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch Fordify LIVE at Fordify.tv.

Send us Fan MailWant your ideas to be remembered, not just heard? Effective leadership storytelling does not require a dramatic personal story or polished performance. It requires a simple structure: bring people into one specific moment, then explain why that moment matters.In the milestone 200th episode of Communicate to Lead, leadership coach Kele Belton shares a practical storytelling framework for leaders who want to make an idea land in a meeting, interview, presentation, or difficult conversation. You will learn how to replace abstract summaries with memorable scenes—and how to turn a personal experience into a message that moves people to understand, care, or act.Kele teaches the framework through the story that began this podcast: a conversation with her own coach that challenged her to step outside her comfort zone. She also shares examples from the past 200 episodes, including stories of women who changed how they saw their value, prepared for career-defining interviews, and pursued the opportunities they had once hesitated to claim.This episode celebrates 200 episodes of Communicate to Lead while giving you a practical communication skill you can use in your very next leadership conversation: a moment, then its meaning.In This Episode, You'll LearnWhy facts and bullet points alone rarely make a message memorable or persuasive.A simple two-part storytelling framework: a specific moment followed by the meaning behind it.How to use storytelling in meetings, job interviews, presentations, and leadership conversations.The difference between summarizing an experience and helping your listener picture the moment.Why everyday, truthful moments can be more powerful than dramatic stories.What 200 episodes taught Kele about consistency, voice, discomfort, and meaningful growth.Your Action StepThink of one idea you need to make land this week: a recommendation in a meeting, a lesson for your team, an interview answer, a client conversation, or a case you are making.Use this two-part storytelling framework:Start with one specific moment: a time, place, conversation, decision, or detail that lets your listener picture what happened.Explain the meaning: connect that moment to the lesson, insight, decision, or action you want the listener to take.Summary: “We faced some challenges last quarter.”Story: “It was a Tuesday morning, and I walked into the project meeting to find that no one would make eye contact. Our launch was two weeks away, and the team had just learned that a key vendor could not deliver.”Meaning: “That moment showed us that we needed a faster escalation path before a small risk became a customer issue.”A moment on its own is an anecdote. A moment plus its meaning becomes a message people can remember and use.Who This Episode Is ForThis episode is for high-performing women in middle management and senior management who want to:Make ideas more memorable and persuasive in meetings and presentations.Tell stronger stories in job interviews, promotion conversations, and leadership settings.Build executive presence through clear, compelling communication.Lead teams through change, uncertainty, or difficult decisions.Share personal experiences at work without oversharing or feeling like they need a dramatic story. Stop waiting to feel fully ready before pursuing a bigger opportunity.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you tell a story people remember?Use two parts. First, put your listener inside a specific moment rather than giving them a summary: name the setting, what happened, or something that was said. Second, explain why the moment matters. A specific scene creates attention; the meaning gives the listener a takeaway they can remember and apply.Why is storytelling important for leaders?Stories help people understand and remember information in context. Leaders can use storytelling to make a recommendation persuasive, explain a difficult decision, help a team connect with a goal, demonstrate experience in an interview, or make an abstract idea feel relevant. Facts matter, but a well-chosen story gives facts meaning.How do you start a story in a meeting or presentation?Start inside a scene rather than with a summary. Instead of saying, “We had a challenging quarter,” begin with the specific moment that captures the challenge: “On the morning of the launch, we learned our largest customer had changed its requirements.” Then explain what the moment taught you or what it requires next.What if I do not have a dramatic story to tell?You do not need one. Strong leadership stories are often small, ordinary, and true: a question a mentor asked, a decision that clarified a priority, a customer comment, or a moment when a team changed direction. Specificity and relevance matter more than drama.How do I tell a personal story at work without oversharing?Choose a story that serves the audience and the purpose of the conversation. Share only the details needed to create the moment and support the lesson. Then connect it quickly to a professional insight, decision, or action. A useful filter is: Does this detail help the listener understand the point or know what to do next?How can I tell if I am summarizing instead of showing?If your listener cannot picture where they are, who is involved, or what happened, you are probably summarizing. Replace broad descriptions of a feeling or period with one concrete scene that produced it. Specific details give the listener something to see; the meaning tells them why they should care.Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Strategic Off-Ramp: Your Guide to Planning Your Exit StrategyStart Here: More Episodes You May LoveNew to Communicate to Lead, or looking for your next episode? These episodes are a good place to start.158. The Sponsorship Gap: Why Women Get Mentored, Not Sponsored 135. Stop Being Overlooked: 4 Steps to Increase Leadership Visibility in 2026122. Why Your Crucial Conversations Fall Flat (And 3 Strategic Fixes)Ready to Go Deeper?If you want support with the story, message, or case you need to make—whether you are preparing for a meeting, interview, presentation, promotion conversation, or bigger leadership opportunity—a Leadership Strategy Call can help.In this complimentary 30-minute conversation, Kele will help you clarify your message, identify the moments that demonstrate your value, and communicate with greater confidence and influence.Book your free Leadership Strategy CallCelebrate 200 EpisodesIf Communicate to Lead has helped you, one of the best ways to celebrate 200 episodes is to follow the show and leave a short review. Reviews help more women leaders discover the podcast and find the communication or career guidance they need when it matters most. Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of this community.About Kele BeltonKele Belton is a communication and leadership coach, facilitator, and consultant, as well as the host of Communicate to Lead. She helps high-performing women in middle and senior management move from being essential but invisible to being seen, sponsored, and promoted.Through The Tailored Approach, Kele helps women leaders build executive presence, communicate their value, navigate workplace dynamics, and develop the visibility and influence needed for sustainable career advancement.Connect With KeleLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-beltonInstagram: @thetailoredapproachWebsite: thetailoredapproach.comBook a Leadership Strategy Call: Schedule here

US President Donald Trump will reportedly meet leaders or foreign ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries in New York next Tuesday to discuss the next steps in the Iran war on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

September 16, 2026: 7am — Concerns over AI unite leaders on both sides of aisle To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Darkness Radio presents Supernatural News/Parashare: Space Suits, Skydiving Survivors, & Simian Smackdowns Edition w/Travis Thorpe(Combat Rev)!This week, Space Force steps up! Not only do they get an imperial makeover, but they are being a little sneaky about getting weapons into space!  Leaders and former workers from Anthropic have called for the slowdown of the development of AI after one former worker let it leak that the technology could wipe out mankind by 2030! In what can only be described as a modern-day miracle, a skydiver falls 10,000 feet without pulling her parachute after being knocked out, and surprisingly LIVED! And an MMA fighter from Minnesota who has talked too much trash on TikTok is now being coerced to put his body on the line for 500,000 dollars to fight a... CHIMPANZEE! Want a new spot to hang out, have that perfect dinner, and see some great entertainment? Look no further than Jellybean and Julia's in Coon Rapids, MN! https://jellybeanandjulias.com/Darkness Radio Hoodies! Fleece Pants! Bucket Hats! Mugs! Glasses! and MORE!There are new and different (and really cool) items all the time in the Darkness Radio Online store on our website!  Check out the Darkness Radio Store!   https://www.darknessradioshow.com/store/Make sure you update your Darkness Radio Apple Apps!And subscribe to the Darkness Radio YouTube page:  https://www.youtube.com/@DRTimDennis#paranormal  #supernatural  #metaphysical  #paranormalpodcasts  #darknessradio  #timdennis #travisthorpe #combatrev #supernaturalnews  #parashare  #ghosts  #spirits  #spectres #hauntings #hauntedhouses #haunteddolls #demons #deliverances #exorcisms #angels #guardianangels #spiritguides #Psychics #mediums #tarot  #ouija  #Aliens  #UFO #UAP #Extraterrestrials #alienhumanhybrid #alienabduction #alienimplant #Alienspaceships  #disclosure #shadowpeople #AATIP #DIA #Cryptids #Cryptozoology #bigfoot #sasquatch #yeti  #abominablesnowman #ogopogo #lochnessmonster #chupacabra  #mothman #Artificiallife #artificialintelligence #AI  #NASA #timetravel  #CIA #FBI #conspiracytheory #neardeatheexperience

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Judith Joseph. A psychiatrist, researcher, and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss the often-overlooked condition she calls high-functioning depression. The discussion focuses on successful, productive individuals who appear to be thriving externally but privately struggle with a persistent lack of joy, emotional exhaustion, restlessness, and unresolved trauma. Drawing from her research, clinical practice, and personal experiences, Dr. Joseph explains how many high achievers become trapped in a cycle of constant productivity, using work and accomplishment to avoid addressing deeper emotional wounds. She offers practical strategies for identifying these patterns and reclaiming joy before a mental health crisis occurs. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview was to: Raise awareness of high-functioning depression, especially among entrepreneurs, executives, caregivers, and high achievers. Differentiate high-functioning depression from burnout and other mental health challenges. Help people recognize signs of hidden depression before a breakdown occurs. Provide practical tools for restoring joy and emotional wellness. Encourage vulnerability and support-seeking, particularly among those viewed as "strong." Key Takeaways 1. High-Functioning Depression Often Hides Behind Success People with high-functioning depression can maintain careers, businesses, families, and responsibilities while suffering internally. Characteristics include: Constant productivity Difficulty resting Emotional numbness Fatigue Irritability Lack of joy Feeling empty despite achievements Dr. Joseph refers to many of these individuals as: "Humans doing, not human beings." 2. The Core Symptom Is a Lack of Joy According to Dr. Joseph, the defining feature is not necessarily sadness but anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure or joy. People may notice: Favorite activities no longer feel rewarding Relationships feel emotionally flat Accomplishments provide little satisfaction Life feels like an endless checklist Many dismiss this feeling as simply "adult life," when in fact it may signal depression. 3. Burnout and High-Functioning Depression Are Different Burnout is generally tied to work-related stress. Dr. Joseph explains: Burnout symptoms often improve when work stress is removed. High-functioning depression follows a person everywhere. If symptoms remain even after vacations, weekends, or time away from work, something deeper may be occurring. 4. Productivity Can Become a Mask Some individuals become "pathologically productive." They: Build identities around achievement Seek constant accomplishment Feel uncomfortable when idle Use work as a way to avoid confronting emotional pain Success becomes a coping mechanism rather than a source of fulfillment. 5. Unprocessed Trauma Often Drives Overachievement Dr. Joseph introduces the concept of scarcity trauma. People who grew up with financial instability, insecurity, or hardship may develop a perpetual fear of running out of resources, opportunities, or success. As a result: They struggle to slow down. They remain in a chronic fight-or-flight state. They continuously push themselves despite exhaustion. 6. Reconnecting With Your Past Can Restore Joy A major theme throughout the interview is the value of what Dr. Joseph calls mental time travel. She encourages people to: Look at old photos Reflect on who they were at 18 or 22 Remember activities that once energized them Revisit meaningful relationships and experiences The goal is to rediscover authentic sources of joy and values that may have been lost amid professional success. 7. Music Is a Powerful Healing Tool The conversation highlights how music can: Trigger positive memories Improve emotional regulation Connect different parts of the brain Transport people to happier experiences Dr. Joseph notes that music is even used therapeutically in psychiatric settings because of its healing effects. 8. Joy Must Be Scheduled and Protected Joy should not be treated as something that happens accidentally. Dr. Joseph encourages people to: Put joyful experiences on their calendar Protect personal time like important meetings Create intentional opportunities for happiness She emphasizes that leaders who prioritize joy positively influence everyone around them. 9. Strong People Need Support Too Many high-performing individuals are admired for their resilience but often suffer in silence. The interview stresses that: Strong people need places to be vulnerable. Leaders need trusted advisors. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Rushion McDonald shares his own experience of reaching out for support during a demanding period of his career and how meaningful that guidance became. Dr. Joseph's Five Vs Framework One of the most practical portions of the interview is Dr. Joseph's "Five Vs" approach to reclaiming joy. 1. Validation Acknowledge and name your emotions without judgment. 2. Venting Express emotions through conversation, prayer, journaling, therapy, or trusted relationships. 3. Values Focus on what truly matters rather than only pursuing material success. 4. Vitals Take care of physical health through sleep, nutrition, movement, and protecting brain health. 5. Vision Plan future experiences that create joy and celebrate achievements rather than immediately moving to the next goal. Memorable Quotes On hidden depression "The key symptom is a lack of joy." On the human need for fulfillment "You are built with the DNA for joy. It's your birthright as a human being." On overachievement "I call these people humans doing, not human beings." On success masking pain "You're wearing this mask of productivity." On unhealthy achievement patterns "What are you trying to outrun?" On constant accomplishment "You think you're chasing happiness, but you're really trying to outrun the past." On emotional awareness "If you name it, that uncertainty goes down." On vulnerability "No one knows you're suffering if you don't say anything." On joy and leadership "Joy is very contagious." On support systems "Don't do it alone." Overall Message The interview's central message is that success does not protect people from depression. Many high achievers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and caregivers continue functioning at a high level while quietly struggling with emotional emptiness and loss of joy. Dr. Joseph argues that recognizing these signs early, processing unresolved trauma, reconnecting with personal values, and intentionally cultivating joy can help prevent burnout, breakdowns, and long-term mental health challenges. The ultimate goal is not merely productivity, but a life that feels meaningful, connected, and joyful. #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Judith Joseph. A psychiatrist, researcher, and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss the often-overlooked condition she calls high-functioning depression. The discussion focuses on successful, productive individuals who appear to be thriving externally but privately struggle with a persistent lack of joy, emotional exhaustion, restlessness, and unresolved trauma. Drawing from her research, clinical practice, and personal experiences, Dr. Joseph explains how many high achievers become trapped in a cycle of constant productivity, using work and accomplishment to avoid addressing deeper emotional wounds. She offers practical strategies for identifying these patterns and reclaiming joy before a mental health crisis occurs. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview was to: Raise awareness of high-functioning depression, especially among entrepreneurs, executives, caregivers, and high achievers. Differentiate high-functioning depression from burnout and other mental health challenges. Help people recognize signs of hidden depression before a breakdown occurs. Provide practical tools for restoring joy and emotional wellness. Encourage vulnerability and support-seeking, particularly among those viewed as "strong." Key Takeaways 1. High-Functioning Depression Often Hides Behind Success People with high-functioning depression can maintain careers, businesses, families, and responsibilities while suffering internally. Characteristics include: Constant productivity Difficulty resting Emotional numbness Fatigue Irritability Lack of joy Feeling empty despite achievements Dr. Joseph refers to many of these individuals as: "Humans doing, not human beings." 2. The Core Symptom Is a Lack of Joy According to Dr. Joseph, the defining feature is not necessarily sadness but anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure or joy. People may notice: Favorite activities no longer feel rewarding Relationships feel emotionally flat Accomplishments provide little satisfaction Life feels like an endless checklist Many dismiss this feeling as simply "adult life," when in fact it may signal depression. 3. Burnout and High-Functioning Depression Are Different Burnout is generally tied to work-related stress. Dr. Joseph explains: Burnout symptoms often improve when work stress is removed. High-functioning depression follows a person everywhere. If symptoms remain even after vacations, weekends, or time away from work, something deeper may be occurring. 4. Productivity Can Become a Mask Some individuals become "pathologically productive." They: Build identities around achievement Seek constant accomplishment Feel uncomfortable when idle Use work as a way to avoid confronting emotional pain Success becomes a coping mechanism rather than a source of fulfillment. 5. Unprocessed Trauma Often Drives Overachievement Dr. Joseph introduces the concept of scarcity trauma. People who grew up with financial instability, insecurity, or hardship may develop a perpetual fear of running out of resources, opportunities, or success. As a result: They struggle to slow down. They remain in a chronic fight-or-flight state. They continuously push themselves despite exhaustion. 6. Reconnecting With Your Past Can Restore Joy A major theme throughout the interview is the value of what Dr. Joseph calls mental time travel. She encourages people to: Look at old photos Reflect on who they were at 18 or 22 Remember activities that once energized them Revisit meaningful relationships and experiences The goal is to rediscover authentic sources of joy and values that may have been lost amid professional success. 7. Music Is a Powerful Healing Tool The conversation highlights how music can: Trigger positive memories Improve emotional regulation Connect different parts of the brain Transport people to happier experiences Dr. Joseph notes that music is even used therapeutically in psychiatric settings because of its healing effects. 8. Joy Must Be Scheduled and Protected Joy should not be treated as something that happens accidentally. Dr. Joseph encourages people to: Put joyful experiences on their calendar Protect personal time like important meetings Create intentional opportunities for happiness She emphasizes that leaders who prioritize joy positively influence everyone around them. 9. Strong People Need Support Too Many high-performing individuals are admired for their resilience but often suffer in silence. The interview stresses that: Strong people need places to be vulnerable. Leaders need trusted advisors. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Rushion McDonald shares his own experience of reaching out for support during a demanding period of his career and how meaningful that guidance became. Dr. Joseph's Five Vs Framework One of the most practical portions of the interview is Dr. Joseph's "Five Vs" approach to reclaiming joy. 1. Validation Acknowledge and name your emotions without judgment. 2. Venting Express emotions through conversation, prayer, journaling, therapy, or trusted relationships. 3. Values Focus on what truly matters rather than only pursuing material success. 4. Vitals Take care of physical health through sleep, nutrition, movement, and protecting brain health. 5. Vision Plan future experiences that create joy and celebrate achievements rather than immediately moving to the next goal. Memorable Quotes On hidden depression "The key symptom is a lack of joy." On the human need for fulfillment "You are built with the DNA for joy. It's your birthright as a human being." On overachievement "I call these people humans doing, not human beings." On success masking pain "You're wearing this mask of productivity." On unhealthy achievement patterns "What are you trying to outrun?" On constant accomplishment "You think you're chasing happiness, but you're really trying to outrun the past." On emotional awareness "If you name it, that uncertainty goes down." On vulnerability "No one knows you're suffering if you don't say anything." On joy and leadership "Joy is very contagious." On support systems "Don't do it alone." Overall Message The interview's central message is that success does not protect people from depression. Many high achievers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and caregivers continue functioning at a high level while quietly struggling with emotional emptiness and loss of joy. Dr. Joseph argues that recognizing these signs early, processing unresolved trauma, reconnecting with personal values, and intentionally cultivating joy can help prevent burnout, breakdowns, and long-term mental health challenges. The ultimate goal is not merely productivity, but a life that feels meaningful, connected, and joyful. #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Establishing the right systems in your practice creates consistency, profitability, and freedom in ways that individual effort is never going to. Kiera talks about the difference between systems and the people using them, how to know if you need a new system, why the right system equals scalability, and more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team Listeners. This is Kiera. And today I want to just go back to basics with you because I think that this is such an important thing because we talk so much about systems, but I think people want systems and we talk about systems and like what are systems? And like what is the difference between a system and needing to train people? And I think that there's just this like back and forth in our worlds where we think like, hey, if I get a system, everything's gonna work. Or   Hey, if I get the right people and train them, then it's all going to work. And I think that they go hand in hand. And so today I wanted to kind of break down, dispel, disseminate, and like what exactly is a system? What exactly should we train? How do we put these two things together? And how do you really get the freedom that you're looking for? Like, we're about to roll into a mastermind and I was building the content. So spoiler alert, if you're not a part of our in-person masterminds, get your booties over into Dental A Team because we do meet twice a year and have a leadership mastermind where doctors and OMs get together with myself.   our entire consulting team, and we really talk about things off record. So there's no cameras, there's no recording in there, and it's just a rift area. And I was working on like what do dentists really want? And it's the control paradox. They want control, but the way you get control is by knowing that your systems are working for you and people are reporting. You don't want to actually do all the pieces, but you want it to report back to you and you want to know things are being done your way. Yes or yes yes. Like, am I speaking to you? And do I know you? I hope so. Because I absolutely love dentists. I want to just give you a giant hug and I want to remind you.   That you are doing better than you think you are. I want to remind you that there is an easier path than what you're doing. And I wish I could find somebody that was the Kiera Dent for dental consulting companies. I wish, I wish I could find her. I had a client tell me today, he said, Kiera, you have blessed the world of dentistry in so many ways. And I take that as such a huge compliment because not only did we make their practice better, but that doctor is literally working seven to three, four days a week, taking home several millions a year, living their best life, being with their kids, and to be able to give someone their life back.   Be able to help grow them personally and professionally, that is the greatest gift in honor. And so I am so honored that this is the job I get to do. This is the company that we have. And so while systems are annoying, I want to remind you like this is the way that you're actually going to get the freedom, aka the control that you want to be able to see if your practice is working. So I want you guys to recognize we've got to do systems, we've got to do training, we've got to hold accountable. We can't just put it in play. Like there's cure, this feels hard. I know one of our core values is ease. So I'm gonna try and break it down with you.   Of ease. These are things that we've done hundreds of thousands of times. We work across the nation with small boutique practices. We're talking Medicaid, FIFA service, boutique, natural path to multi-locations. I've got a practice that is building, I'm not joking, a 50 op location. So you name it. We've seen so much in our world. We've seen the DSO world. We've seen the private practice world. We've seen DSO's gone wrong. We've seen DSO's gone right. I feel like having that experience and credibility is something whew.   You can't get other than just living through it. And then my job is to give you as much of that and to hopefully work with you, empower you, change your world, whatever it is. All I ask in return is that you leave us a comment, you leave those five stars, and you share this with someone. That's all I ask. Because if we can serve and help more people just like you, that is the greatest gift. You guys know my mission is to possibly impact the world of dentistry in the greatest way possible. That's why I do this. This is why I do it for free. I don't charge you anything. I don't ever, we don't even have ads. We do our own thing because   Wanna make sure that we're giving you guys back high value quality. So, with that, what I want you guys to realize is systems are going to create consistency, profitability, and freedom in ways that individual effort is never going to fix for you. So, number one, systems are what's gonna create that consistency for you. So when a person leaves, we don't want that knowledge to go out the door with them. When someone has a day off, we don't want that knowledge to go with them. We want to have that system of stability through all of it. And that's what it's gonna create. I remember the day that I had my company go through, it was a three month project, and I had us work.   Actually, break down our entire operations manual. There was like a sense of relief in breath that I could relief that I never realized I had. Now, that is a hard project, and usually it's not gonna move the needle for you. I'll tell you that was one of my worst quarters. Profitability-wise, we didn't grow, but stability-wise, we exponentially grew. Now it's been about five years since I did that project, and guess what? We've outgrown those systems. So guess what? It's probably time for us to do it, and we are actually working on our next version of it. And I'm so excited about it because it's gonna be so much better.   We do not like the way you can tell a system is missing is every team member does it differently. So if you walk in and you're having different assistants work with you and every assistant sets it up differently, guess what? You probably don't have a system. You just have people just doing it their own way. If different schedulers or if a scheduler is out and our schedule doesn't go the same way, now that doesn't mean case acceptance is perfect because there are some skills behind it, but that does mean that we have a set follow-up, we do the same billing. If this person's out for a week, everybody would be able to do it. That's going to help.   If new hires struggle to learn, we don't have a system. We have it being where people are telling each other. If results depend on who's working that day, you don't have a system. You have a people thing. So what we want to have is, excuse me, you want to have documented processes, you want to have standardized expectations, and we want everybody to be trained the same way. But we also want to make sure that that system really is getting us the results that we want. So what we do is   I'm big on when we take on an office instead of doing a whole operations manual like I did. You can do that. Don't worry, we can help you with that if that's your like main shebang. but typically what we're gonna do is we're going to look at what is the vision of the practice, what does that doctor and owner want? And then what are the numbers telling us? And usually your number that's the lowest number or what the PL tells us, that's where we're first gonna build systems because everybody wants the system to win, right? Like if I come in and I put in a protocol for I don't know, like scheduling.   But your schedule's great. We're all out on time. We're hitting our productive goals. Sure, that's nice to have. And I'd like it documented of what we're currently doing to make sure, like if that person's out, we can repeat it. But odds are that's probably not my biggest pain point. Now, there is a flip side to that. And I will say that if team members leave, then yes, it is a very detrimental. So at a minimum, I like every team member to have a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly list of what they do and at least those protocols written down. So if someone's out, I can grab their checklist and I can be like, all right.   Sarah daily does this, and here is where it is in the drive, or here's a video of it, or here's a checklist of it. So that way if Sarah's gone on vacation, nothing that Sarah is doing is dropped. So non-negotiable for me is everybody has to have a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly. If you want those, guess what? We have them for all of our clients. So makes life real easy. And that's just something we've built, but every person should have that. Then what we're gonna look at is we're gonna actually build systems based on the metrics and the numbers. Because basically we've got the core processes done.   Those are core processes daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, what do we do? And we've got quick systems built behind the scenes. So that way I've got everybody's job. So if anybody walks out and leaves me, I'm not sitting here like, huh, how do we like it's crazy. Whenever someone goes on vacation, I'm like, awesome. Let's see if we've got a protocol written for this. Let's see if we've written it down. Can we figure out how to do podcast scripts? Can we figure out how to do podcast reels? Can we figure out how we do podcast recordings? Can we figure out how we do payments? Can we figure out how we schedule?   And if we don't have all that written down to where anybody without being told can do it, let's start with that. So, and then after that, let's look at what our numbers are telling us and let's build systems there. So if like a front office doesn't have a great scheduling system, which happens, you get wildly different outcomes based on who's answering the phone, who's there. Once you put into play a scheduling protocol, here's our block schedule, here's how we do all of our scheduling, instantly consistency improves, production goes up, everybody goes home on time. That's a system.   So I believe that great practices aren't dependent on individual memory. They've got to be dependent on you and your practice and like where no matter who comes in, yes, I want eight players, but I want eight players to be able to follow a system and a process. Systems make excellence repeatable. And I think that that is a great line for you to take down. Systems make excellence repeatable. So what do you have going on? How is this for you? And so I just want you to like quickly look through if you don't have your daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual plans, start there.   If you do look at an area based on your numbers and your metrics of where are maybe we are missing in this section that I could have variable results and we could document a process so I get set results per people. That's gonna help you have just a process for it. And like I said, this is going to reduce your stress, give you the control that you're looking for, and the consistent results that I know you're dying for. So next step is systems actually reduce stress and decision fatigue. Once we have a system and a process, like this is how we always set up for a crowd.   This is how we always schedule. This is what we do for hiring. Here's how we place the ads. You don't have to constantly be thinking of what to do. Teams get overwhelmed not because they're busy. It's because they're constantly deciding and making up new processes and protocols. Like, yes, they're busy, but think about what they're busy on. It's like, shoot, we don't know how to hire. We don't have a set process. Like we don't have a recare reactivation process. So it just automatically goes. So our schedule is always full.   Like we always call 20 people every single day, non-negotiable. I don't care if it's a busy day, a bad day, a great day, a wonderful day, a horrible day. We make 20 phone calls every single day and we send out 20 texts every single day, non-negotiable to make sure our schedule is full. Then we have a recare reactivation. So at the beginning of every month, we run these items, we send out the postcards, we send out the letters, we send out the text, whatever your process is, we do that every single first day. For me as a CEO, every single like I literally woke up.   At midnight this month because my standard is by the 30th or 31st last day of the month, all of the money transfers for profit first are made non-negotiable. That's what I do. I don't want to think about it, I don't want to make that decision like, am I gonna save money this month? Am I no, it's just a process, it's a cadence. So when we're missing a system, it looks like team members are asking the same questions repeatedly. Like, pay attention, what questions are coming up? We need a system and a process that's easy and repeatable. Leaders.   Solving problems day in, day out. Doctors, you are the solving machine. It comes to you constantly, constantly, constantly. You don't have a system for that. Or constant interruptions throughout the day. Hey, what do you think we should do about this? Hey, what do you think we should do about that? Hey, there's a process for this. Hey, we already have that written. So, what successful practices do is they create clear workflows. We have established expectations, and then we just repeat build repeatable processes and systems that are very easy to find. So again, that daily, weekly, quarterly has been my easiest one for people to just find like.   What am I supposed to do? I don't know. Well, great. Here's what we do on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly per position in our practice. And then here's how to do it. So if daily we join morning huddle, well, here's our process, here's a form, here's the agenda that you fill in and it has it written out. Office manager does this part, dental assistant does this part, hygienist does this part. No one has to think about it. Everybody knows we all come prepared for morning huddle. We win our day.   At the end of the day, we have an end-of-day checklist that just makes sure we have all the pieces checked off. This is what we do. We're set up to win in billing. We know every single first length Monday we run this new report. We're working through these accounts. By the end of the month, I'm expected to get all the way through all those items of every single patient in the AR. every single day I resend batched claims, like those are just systems. New patients, we have a new patient form. We are able to schedule them within 15 minutes.   and we make sure that they are always confirmed 48 hours in advance. We leave no open holes. Like if someone's unconfirmed, they don't get to stay on the schedule. Case acceptance, here's our follow-up process for every single appointment that we we present. Hygiene, here's our period protocol. So every hygienist is presenting period the exact same way. We have NDTR handoffs on our route slips, like simple, easy things that are going to fix your practice because not only will you get higher production, but there's less chaos.   Like team members just know what to do. They're like, well, how do get that well operated? Like, there is the lean management that you can look at. It's really how do I break this down in the most simple, repeatable processes? And for me, I don't like yes have a form so people can follow it, but I'm big on like what can I have the software do for me? What can I do to set this up? So like block scheduling, it's very clear that we don't schedule within that. Now, do people have to follow the blocks? Yes.   So that we just have an accountability piece that we follow this through. And if you choose to schedule in the block, great. We have an audit system. Our OM has an audit system at the end of the week. Anyone who's scheduled inside those blocks gets to call that patient on Friday. Ding, ding, ding. Nobody wants to do that. Nobody, nobody breaks the blocks. We have an end-of-day checklist. It's reviewed every single day and it's turned back into our team members at the morning huddle. We have a morning huddle agenda that we follow, non-negotiable. We have a weekly meeting form. We have L10 meetings that we run with our teams.   These are systems that just make your practice run. And so for that, I want you just to see like systems are going to help create that mental space that you and your practice are craving. And so when you think about your team, think about fewer decisions that they have to make. That's going to give them more energy to serve patients, more energy to be able to like have that customer service, that care, rather than like, shoot, I don't know where I need to schedule this person. Or like, hey, what do I do when a patient calls for this? The goal is that people should be able to do this without you.   So I would ask your team like, what's one or two tasks that if we handled it differently every time, what's one of those tasks that we just every one of us does it a different way? And then let's build a system for that and all of us follow through on that. And then systems just, you know, they do create the scalability and the freedom. So I love to build like you and your vision, make sure your earnings and profit are there. And then we put systems into place, but it should be like systems that lead to scalability and scalability that leads to legacy for you. So you want growth, you want freedom, you want that. Systems are gonna help you do this.   Think if you went and opened up another practice today. Trust me, I did this. I had my first practice for nine months, opened up our second location. Yeah, that was super thrilling. And I thought I had systems. We did not have a system for how we scheduled. We did not have a system for how the doctors were scheduled. We did not have a system for how we check in, check out patients. We did not have a system for how we do sterilization. We did not have a system for how we do hygiene perio. Guess what? That became double. Remember that? Like double the flavor, double the fun, double, I think, I don't know, the flavor with double mint gum.   That's what happened. And it was double the stress, double the chaos, double the nonsense with double the practice ownership. So there's your little jingle for the day. So we have to look to see like, all right, whether you want to scale to multi-locations, whether you want to have less clinical days that you're working, systems are gonna create that scalability. But again, you can have a system written. So we build the system first, we train leaders on the systems. Then this is the third clutch piece is we have to have accountability around the system. I don't know how many teams roll out a billing procedure.   But they don't follow up with it. So then it just goes by the wayside. We create a scheduling protocol, but we don't audit the schedule to ensure it's working. You can't just have a system that has no follow through. It has to have accountability. Otherwise, you're always gonna just have a lot of words, a lot of pretty paper, and not get the results you want. So for me, I'm big on cadences like end of week checklist, end of month checklist. What needs to get done? What are the things that need to be reviewed and audited? Let's create that for you. And we have that for office managers, we have that for   l leaders. this is a big space to be able to have it. And so I think once a a good example of this is there's a doctor who wanted to have a vacation. This is a doctor I've worked with who I think has been in practice for about 20 years. And last year they went on a vacation for a month, a whole month. This doctor went off they went and did golf they went and raced cars. They had just the best time and the practices actually did better than they've ever done. And all the systems were intact. All the team was there.   Team knew what to do. There were a couple of things that the office manager was like, I don't know what to do, Kiera, like help me out. We worked through it. We created a system and a process. So in the future, those things are done. You'll never be able to have everything done. But if they know who to go to, they know where to go. But all the doctors were able to hit production, they were able to run their morning huddles, they were able to have of day checklists. That doctor was able to truly have a real vacation and the leaders were to keep the systems going. They didn't come back to fires and chaos and like the schedule broken.   They have these as systems, they have them as protocols, they have them with accountability, and the practice can continue running successfully without you there. That to me is the pinnacle of systems creating that scalability, that structure. Because, like again, going back to the beginning, where we're like, is it systems? Is it training? It's systems, then it's training, and then it's accountability. Systems train accountability. I wish I could say it sat, like the SAT.   systems accountability training but it's got to go the reverse so STA sorry maybe that's like the beginning of start STA figure R T if anybody wants to come up with an alliteration for me go for it but it's systems training accountability maybe then it's results the freedom there you go there's your start you're welcome so systems training accountability results the freedom okay there's your start acronym I hope that Alex has a good time with these show notes for you   But that's systems, that's scalability, that's repeatability, that's getting the results you want, but it's systems training accountability. That's how we start getting the freedom we want. That's how we start getting the results we want, that's how we start making the progress that we want, that's how we get started. So, what I would recommend is remembering that systems do create this consistency, systems do reduce stress, systems can create scalability and freedom if done correctly with the system written down, documented.   Then trained to the entire team and then held accountable that we actually follow through. And for me in that training piece, I like it to be anything that's automated. Put it on a route slip, put it in a note template, put it as an automated thing at the end of the week, create it to where it automatically emails out to everybody. And here's the checklist that we do. Whatever you gotta do, automate it as much as possible. that should be sk system training, automate and accountability. There you go. Results, the freedom. but really   People are so powerful and systems make that power repeatable. So if you want help on this, if you need help on this, if you want to go from where you are to where you know you could be, if you're sick of being in the rut that you've been in for so long, reach out. Because guess what? You don't need to keep solving the same problems over and over and over again. And when I look at Dental A   Team and the struggles I have, I have hired people that literally know where I need to go and they've been able to get me there. And then I've also had people that didn't know how to get there and it was a struggle for me.   So hire somebody who's been there, done that, and can actually like cut through the noise for you, get your team aligned, get things moving forward. That's what we do. So reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. This is your time to shine. This is your time not to stress anymore. And I can't wait to help you get the freedom, get the control that you're looking for. And systems are a great way to do it. So reach out Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. And as always, thanks for listening. And I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

What if the Kingdom of God isn't just somewhere we're going - but a reality we're invited to live in right now? In this powerful continuation of Nicole's conversation with Demetrius Archontakis, they go deeper into what it means to follow Jesus - not simply as someone who has been "saved," but as a disciple who is learning to live from the victory Christ has already given us. Demetri challenges the common mindset of waiting for heaven while simply trying to survive life on earth. Instead, he invites us to recognize that salvation is the beginning, not the end. The Kingdom of God is something we can experience today as we walk with Jesus, grow in our identity, bear His fruit, and bring His presence into every area of our lives. The conversation explores the transforming power of grace, the connection between what we believe and how we behave, and the difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Him. They also discuss spiritual maturity, the role of the Body of Christ, why no single church has the complete picture, and how our private lives ultimately shape our public witness. Perhaps most importantly, Demetri shares why private victories must come before public victories. When our identity and confidence are rooted in Christ rather than our own performance, we can stop striving toward victory and begin living from it. This episode is an invitation to move beyond simply believing in Jesus - to walk with Him, know Him, and allow His life to transform the way we live, lead, and influence the world around us. What We Discuss in This Episode What it means to live in the Kingdom of God now Why salvation is a beginning - not the end - of our journey with Christ Moving from knowing about Jesus to actually knowing and experiencing Him Understanding grace as more than a "get out of jail free" card How our identity in Christ shapes our behavior Why spiritual maturity requires more than simply attending church The importance of the whole body of Christ and the different roles churches and believers play Why the Church should not try to become homogeneous, but unified around Christ How our private lives ultimately affect our public witness The difference between public victories and private victories Living from righteousness rather than constantly trying to prove ourselves How cultural beliefs and practices can influence our faith Why biblical principles remain relevant even when culture and technology change What it means to be free in Christ - even when our external circumstances haven't changed Episode Highlights 00:00 — The Kingdom of God Is Here and Now 02:16 — Salvation Is a Beginning, Not the End 07:08 — Your Identity Shapes Your Behavior 09:32 — Seeing the Father Through the Lens of Jesus 16:49 — Walking With Jesus Every Day 21:33 — Every Part of the Body of Christ Has a Purpose 23:54 — Why the Church Needs Spiritual Maturity 26:11 — The Danger of Imbalance in the Church 33:18 — Christ Above Culture 38:09 — Christ at the Center, Not Theological Arguments 43:02 — The Power of Private Victories 45:27 — Living From Victory, Not Toward Victory 49:56 — True Freedom Is Found in Christ Memorable Quotes "Your life starts when you meet Him." "The full picture of Christ is experienced throughout the body of Christ." "We need to start having private victories so that we can have more public victories." "It's not yours that you should boast. It's His." "You can be a slave on someone's ship, be in a dungeon like Paul was, or be under house arrest and still be free." Episode Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/spirituality/559-the-fathers-heart-part-2-living-from-victory-demetrius-archontakis  Part 1: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/spirituality/558-the-fathers-heart-part-1-simply-jesus-with-demetrius-archontakis    Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________

You know exactly what compounding does to money. Why don't we apply it to our habits? Ryan Hawk is the author of

The shit I see behind the scenes with multi-6 + 7-figure leaders…It's not becasue they need another strategy. It's becasue of this ONE thing. Tune in!   RICHCODED Practitioner Certification now open on presale! Free Activation: CODE YOUR WORLD Grab Your Copy of the RICHCODED Best Selling Book! Apply to the RICHCODED Mastermind Connect on Instagram

Anika sat down with Joshua Evarts to explore how the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence and digital communication impacts the fundamental engine of every business: human relationships. Drawing from a diverse career leading national security software companies, managing historic building restorations, running a community cigar lounge, and parenting a son working at OpenAI, Joshua offered practical insights into balancing technological automation with authentic connection, intentional culture building, and genuine curiosity. In This EpisodeTransitioning from early software programming on a Commodore 64 to leading national security tech companiesThe accidental pivot from accounting to building Easy Street Draw for automobile accident and homicide investigationsDeploying to Iraq and working with New Scotland Yard on post-blast investigationsSurviving stage 3 pancreatic lymphoma in 2020 and how facing mortality reshaped his perspective on presenceOpening a historic cigar lounge and discovering that authentic generosity is contagiousThe reality of parenting an OpenAI employee and navigating generative AI at the dinner tableWhy genuine relationships and curiosity remain the ultimate competitive advantages in an automated worldThe philosophy behind his book series, starting with If Jesus Smoked Cigars: Eight Lessons in Relational Leadership Timestamps00:03 Introduction: Balancing AI integration with thoughtful, ethical, and strategic human guidance 02:54 Early programming roots on a Commodore 64 and leaving accounting for tech entrepreneurship 07:15 The three sentinel shifts: accelerating communication speed, COVID-19 distancing, and the advent of AI 09:12 Battling stage 3 pancreatic lymphoma during 2020 and choosing gratitude as a daily mindset 10:14 Choosing presence over devices: leaving phones behind and prioritizing real human interaction 14:38 Writing If Jesus Smoked Cigars: using cheeky titles and obscure historical stories to teach relational leadership 26:45 Navigating generative AI slop, social media echo chambers, and the obsession with capturing digital data 29:21 Advice for the next generation: pursuing math, logic, and curiosity rather than fearing replacement 41:47 Recognizing that relationships are hard work and require intentional daily effort Key Insights & Takeaways Insight 1: Relationships Cannot Be Outsourced to AI While generative AI automates routine tasks and text generation, it cannot replace genuine human connection. In an increasingly automated business world, the ability to build trust, listen deeply, and maintain authentic relationships serves as an irreplaceable discriminator. Insight 2: Reckless Generosity Builds Thriving Communities Treating business relationships purely as transactions limits growth. True generosity is contagious; when business owners genuinely support their peers and foster inclusive environments, the entire community benefits and rises together. Insight 3: Focus on Culture and Process Over Outcomes Founders and leaders cannot control external market conditions or outcomes—they can only control their attitude and actions. Prioritizing a healthy, people-first culture and mastering daily processes naturally attracts top talent and loyal customers. Insight 4: Curiosity Outweighs Perfection Entering unfamiliar rooms and asking genuine questions creates unexpected opportunities. Being infinitely curious and willing to admit what you do not understand allows professionals to successfully navigate major career pivots across entirely different industries. Insight 5: Avoid Confusing Market Velocity with Productivity The rapid speed of technological advancement often tricks organizations into measuring activity rather than true business impact. Leaders must evaluate whether new tools genuinely serve their mission or create unnecessary friction for human users. Resources & Links MentionedIfJesus.com (Joshua's official website for workshops, book info, and direct contact)If Jesus Smoked Cigars: Eight Lessons in Relational Leadership by Joshua Evarts About Joshua Evarts Joshua Evarts is an author, entrepreneur and former technology executive with more than 30 years of experience building businesses in technology. He is the author of If Jesus Smokes Cigars: Eight Lessons in Relational Leadership, a book exploring how leaders and professionals can build stronger relationships in a tech-saturated world. After decades in tech, Joshua opened a cigar lounge built around conversation, storytelling and authentic connection, which became a real-world expression of his belief that innovation matters, but people still come first. As the father of a son who works at OpenAI, Joshua brings both personal and professional perspective to conversations about AI, the future of work and the human skills that technology cannot replace. Connect with JoshuaWebsite: https://ifjesus.com/ YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place. Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857 Send us a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857 Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.com Speak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 "Augment, don't abdicate." This is one of the key principles that today's guest brings to AI: use it to strengthen human expertise and decision-making, not surrender judgment to it. In this episode, I'm joined by Bennett Borden, Founder and CEO of Clarion AI Partners, to explore why AI adoption is a leadership and human-judgment challenge, not simply a technology rollout.  Bennett is a lawyer and data scientist who advises global enterprises and leading AI developers on deploying AI systems that create real business value while managing risk. Known for translating complex AI developments into practical insights, he helps executives and policymakers understand how to move forward responsibly. In our conversation, Bennett shares how his path from intelligence work to law and data science shaped his belief that data reflects human conduct and should be handled with care. We discuss the promise and risks of generative and agentic AI, the importance of guardrails, and why he urges us to treat factual answers from AI like testimony from a hostile witness: question the source, seek other viewpoints, and ask for proof. We also explore Bennett's "Iron Man, not Terminator" approach to using AI to extend human capability rather than replace it. He shares questions leaders can ask to identify pain points, imagine new possibilities, and think more carefully about where AI can add the most value. Tune in for a timely discussion on how to make the most of AI while keeping humanity, responsibility, and care at the center. Key Points From This Episode:  Introducing Bennett Borden and the question of how leaders can harness AI without losing their humanity. [00:56] Bennett's core AI principles: AI adoption is a leadership problem before it is a technology problem, augment rather than abdicate, and manage risk responsibly. [03:40] How Bennett's study of history led him into intelligence work and data science. [04:58] Why Bennett sees data as a reflection of human conduct and something that must be handled responsibly. [09:10] How automated decision-making systems shape hiring, credit, recommendations, and other parts of daily life. [12:23] Why AI models need legal, ethical, and technical guardrails to reduce harm. [15:12] Bennett's top concern around AI: the rise of agentic AI, emergent behavior, and the need for stronger controls. [23:09] How to question AI outputs, set rules, and avoid accepting answers without proof. [25:47] Bennett's "Iron Man, not Terminator" approach to using AI to extend human capability. [27:42] Practical questions leaders can ask to identify pain points, imagine new possibilities, and use AI with greater care. [33:16] For More Information: Bennett Borden on LinkedIn Clarion AI ——————— READY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH TO ACHIEVE MORE SUCCESS, IMPACT AND FULFILLMENT IN YOUR CAREER & LEADERSHIP TODAY? Work with Kathy and get hands-on, transformative CAREER & LEADERSHIP GROWTH COACHING SUPPORT today! Join me today in one of my top-requested career and leadership growth 1:1 coaching programs and take 10% off the price this week with coupon code 'BRAVEPOD10' as my thank-you for tuning in! Click the links below for more information and register today to save 10%: – 60-minute Career Consultation – Jumpstart Your Career Success (3 sessions) – Career & Leadership Breakthrough program (6 sessions) – Build Your Confidence, Success and Impact (10 sessions) ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible.   Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "The cool thing that [data science] really inculcated in me was that data is a reflection of human conduct, and I've always taken that perspective throughout my career." — Bennett Borden [0:09:27] "It's not just data; it's literally these little, almost precious gems of human experience that exist out in the world. I have a great deal of respect and honor for the data." — Bennett Borden [0:09:43] "[LLMs aren't] just a model of our language. It's really a model of all human knowledge, because we use language to express every idea that we understand in the universe." — Bennett Borden [0:17:03] "[AI] really is the most transformative and disruptive technology, at least since electricity. It will change every aspect of our lives, and we are just at the very, very beginning of seeing what that is. And already, we are seeing massive change." — Bennett Borden [0:19:18] "I also tell people to treat [AI models] like a hostile witness that you're cross-examining on the stand." — Bennett Borden [0:27:06] "The real question is, what can you do today that you could never have done before? How can you take your secret sauce as a commercial entity, as a human, and augment it and extend it and make it come to life with this incredible technology." — Bennett Borden [0:35:50] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

CSPTION 1930 BRAZILIAN REVOLUTIONLatin American Leaders Engage European ForumErnesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa discuss their participation in Slovenia's Bled Strategic Forum, highlighting growing Eastern European engagement with Latin America. Araújo draws parallels between Eastern Europe's 1989 liberation and Latin America's current struggle against narco-socialism. Regarding Venezuela, Peña Esclusa emphasizes that citizens reject interim president Delcy Rodríguez despite opposition leader María Corina Machado's primary victory. Turning to Brazil's upcoming election, Araújo outlines a major judicial scandal tying Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to a fraudulent banker, severely impacting President Lula da Silva's reelection campaign against Flavio Bolsonaro. (4)

TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: Today’s episode is sponsored by Scott, who is sponsoring today and the next 2 episodes, with gratitude for his 5 year anniversary of being introduced to the MM by his friend Regina.

Leaders of some of the biggest AI companies say it is time to slow the pace of development after a string of incidents in which their systems went off script, even as President Trump says the United States should not ease up in the race with China.Talks between Iran and Gulf Arab states aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz were postponed as Iran-backed Houthis expand their control near another major shipping route and attacks put more pressure on Saudi oil exports.President Trump's promise to give Americans $5,000 if Republicans keep control of Congress is getting a mixed response inside his own party, as Republicans head into the midterms with high prices, the Iran war and Trump's low approval ratings weighing on them.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Rafeal Nam, Anna Yukhananov, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.(0:00) Introduction(01:54) AI Development Slowdown(06:00) Gulf States Postpone Iran Talks(09:27) Republican Midterm StrategySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Leaders in AI come forward to call for regulation on its development over the urgent threat they say it poses to the world. President Trump urges Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, aiming to mitigate spiking diesel costs. And, the CIA releases a trove of Presidential Briefings leading up to 9/11. Reporting from Cabot Phillips and Tim Rice. Plus, we speak with Former CIA Targeting Officer, Sarah Adams. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.- - -Ep. 3089- - -Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3- - -Today's Sponsors:Factor - Head to https://FactorMeals.com/morningwire50off and use code morningwire50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per boxLean - Get 20% off when you enter code WIRE at https://TakeLean.comMy Patriot Supply - If you're serious about preparedness like we are, you're gonna want to head over to https://PREPAREWITHWIRE.COM right now. - - -Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacymorning wire,morning wire podcast,the morning wire podcast,Georgia Howe,John Bickley,daily wire podcast,podcast,news podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In recent days, warnings and risks surrounding AI have taken an existential turn. A former Anthropic employee stated that "the people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade." And Anthropic's CEO urged AI companies to "pace the frontier" in developing new technologies.But is there political will to make that happen?This episode was produced by Sophia Paliza-Carre and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Tiffany Vera Castro. Our director is Jonas Adams.It was edited by Kara Platoni, Brett Neely, Rebekah Metzler, Sarah Handel and Tinbete Ermyas.Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

September 14, 2026; AI rivals are coming together with a new message: “Slow it down.” Leaders from OpenAI, SpaceX and Anthropic are responding to growing concerns over the rapid pace of artificial intelligence. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Will Knight, senior writer for WIRED. Plus, the latest on the upcoming midterm elections. Political strategist Chai Komanduri and MS NOW contributor Juanita Tolliver also join. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.