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Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
If you want to watch this YouTube failure unfold give me a 'subscribe' RIGHT HERE! https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson/shortsappreciate you!JBest Moments:(00:34) The real reason it's powerful to admit when something isn't working(01:45) Why YouTube Shorts will rule the internet in the next three years(03:00) Most marketers are dumping content on YouTube and calling it a day(04:55) What having only 600 subscribers taught Jay about perspective and growth(06:23) You don't need to be great—just willing to be in it and learn(07:45) If you're not hands-on, your feedback and decisions are worthless====================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com====================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/====================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
Jay finally gets to sit down with the queen of Facebook herself, Mari Smith, and she's got strong words: “followers are dead.” But don't panic—this episode is packed with real talk on what actually works now, how Meta's algorithm thinks, and why your personal profile might be your biggest untapped asset. Mari Smith doesn't just explain the changes—she gives you the “do this, not that” of growing visibility, building community, and yes, still making email matter.Check out Mari Smith's website at marismith.com. Join her Facebook group, The Social Scoop, for expert tips and community support. Follow Mari Smith on Instagram and Facebook.Best Moments:(02:46) “Followers are dead” and why non-followers matter more than ever(03:34) The one metric that tells you if your content is working(04:30) What to fix when your content isn't getting picked up(05:17) Why Facebook is now pushing all video posts into reels(07:03) Should you use your personal profile or a business page?(09:00) The format that makes going viral way easier(10:14) The downside of viral reach with the wrong audience(11:11) How to turn casual scrollers into leads with one smart move(12:08) Why your email list is your most important business asset(13:15) What “trial reels” are and why they're a big deal(15:10) The one factor that predicts whether a Facebook group will succeed====================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com====================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/====================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
From mortgaging his house for a used “bug truck” to commanding Ohio's slickest 10,000-sq-ft “Beehive” HQ, Jason Carpenter has turned Environmental Pest Management into the Midwest's apartment-pest juggernaut—servicing 1 million+ units with a patented data platform (“Pest Genius”) and a 3,000-page digital playbook that lets the business run while he's on the back nine. Sit in with the Blue-Collar Twins as Jason lays out: Door-Knock Origins → $350 K Contract – how a single 50-unit bed-bug job snowballed into a $300 K+ recurring deal and rewired his focus from homes to high-density housing.Pest Genius – the in-house software (and patent) that tracks every unit, photo, KPI and health-department audit across millions of square feet.EOS + Family Power – wife Karen (COO), son Brandon (VP) and daughter Kayla (content chief) running weekly scorecard L10s while Jason stays out of the office—unless he's eaten or played 18.Net over Vanity – why a Franco Giannamore valuation wake-up call pushed margins from “meh” to mission-critical and reset his eight-year, $20 M/20 % BHAG.Golf, Barter & Brand – converting country-club barters into 100+ clients and why density beats door-to-door for long-term wealth.Exit Options – succession plans, EBITDA realities and the number that makes walking off the course worth it. Stick around for Jason's candid take on therapy-backed leadership, mastermind ROI, and why every technician needs to read their P&L. Buzz EP 209 Jason Carpe… From PE Teachers to Pest-Control Owners: The Julio Twins' POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: Jason on the 3,000-page playbook & “letting the business run itself” 00:35 – Intro at the Beehive; Twins recap Jason's mortgage-and-a-truck origin story 02:00 – Westerville roots, single-mom hustle & senior-year couch-surfing with Chip 05:55 – Sales chops: from shoe store to car lot to bartending—and gambling pool halls 08:00 – Meet-cute with pest control: father-in-law's family firm, $50 K salary, first kids 11:00 – Basement startup (2003), door-knocking for residential accounts 12:45 – 2006 pivot: $40 K bed-bug job uncovers $300 K apartment contract 16:00 – Deciding to own the apartment niche; first million-door vision set 18:15 – Building Pest Genius—tracking every unit, photo & treatment across states 22:40 – Patent filed; integrations with PEStack & Outlook; “differentiator” explained 25:30 – Family dynamics: Karen (COO), Brandon (VP), Kayla (social) & twin grand-babies 28:45 – Therapist-mediated exec meetings; Jason allowed in office only after golf or lunch 30:10 – Chasing the PCT Top 100 & Ohio #1 goals; revenue vs. EBITDA reality check 33:00 – Franco's valuation shock → margin overhaul; net focus pays off 36:00 – Weekly exec L10 cadence; bonus plan ignites management team 38:30 – Golf-course barters to close clients; 220 rounds logged last season 40:00 – Roadmap: $20 M at 20 % by age 62, new HQ, platform density > door crews 42:50 – Advice to solo operators: “embrace small, learn, keep going” 45:00 – Potomac 100 mastermind tease & Puerto Rico invitation 46:30 – Outro & Private-Equity Masterclass CTA
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
When Jenny from Lockhart, Texas asked whether email and social tips really apply to nonprofits, Jay Schwedelson gave a hard yes—and then proved it. This episode is all about how to rewire your calls to action with “inner dialogue” buttons that speak directly to what your audience is thinking. Whether you're in nonprofit, B2B, DTC, or SaaS, these simple tweaks can boost your click rates way more than you'd expect. Also: Jay's love-hate relationship with green markets, lavender dog biscuits, and mildly gross soap people.Best Moments:(02:00) Why “does this apply to me?” is the most common (and misguided) marketing question(03:44) The one element everyone overlooks that can drastically lift click-through rates(04:59) How to replace “Donate” with CTAs that actually reflect what donors are thinking(06:30) B2B examples of flipping “Download” into clicks that convert(07:43) Ecomm buttons that tap into guilt, indulgence, and the online shopping spiral(08:15) Jay's favorite SaaS CTA: “Convince me this is worth it”(09:00) Why green markets feel like a fever dream of soap, lavender, and risky mushrooms(10:58) The one vendor Jay always buys from (hint: it's briny)====================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com====================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/====================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
WWII & Vietnam combat pilot Col. Richard “Dick” Bushong takes us from 155-knot B-17 climbs to Mach 2.1 in the F-4, describing 28 hairy missions, dead-reckoning nav, and sheet-metal patch art. He's 102, still volunteers every Thursday at Tucson's 390th Memorial Museum, and wrote My Wars to capture the stories. Grab a coffee, tighten your formation, and hear a masterclass in staying alive—plus the morale-crushing day HQ “prorated” his tour. Four engines, two out, no brakes? No problem. Learn more about the 390th Memorial Museum in Tucson, AZ Check out Col. Bushong's book My Wars Show Notes 0:00 Intro 6:00 Getting Into Aviation 16:50 390th Bomb Group 28:53 Missions and Formations 39:10 Logistics 44:33 Closest Call Be sure to subscribe to 21Five's Youtube Channel to see our luggage review videos! Connect with us on LinkedIn Our sponsors: Move your airplane without breaking your back or the bank! Max said the Amigo AeroTow's affordable T1 tug has 'changed his hangar life'. Learn more about AeroTow's family of aviation tugs and see why its earning rave reviews from top 40 aviation podcast hosts around the globe. Use code "21five" at checkout for $100 off any AeroTow product! -- Harvey Watt, offers the only true Loss of Medical License Insurance available to individuals and small groups. Because Harvey Watt manages most airlines' plans, they can assist you in identifying the right coverage to supplement your airline's plan. Many buy coverage to supplement the loss of retirement benefits while grounded. Visit harveywatt.com to learn more! -- Advanced Aircrew Academy enables flight operations to fulfill their training needs in the most efficient and affordable way—anywhere, at any time. We do this by providing high-quality professional pilot, flight attendant, flight coordinator, maintenance, and line service training modules delivered via the web using a world-class online aviation training system. Visit aircrewacademy.com to learn more! -- Tim Pope is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a pilot. His financial planning practice provides services to aviation professionals and aviation 401k plans. Tim helps clients pursue their financial goals by defining them, organizing & optimizing resources, planning, implementing, and monitoring their financial plan. Visit https://link.21fivepodcast.com/timothy-pope to learn more. Check out Tim's podcast: The Pilot's Portfolio podcast -- VAERUS MEANS RIGHT, TRUE, AND REAL.Buy or sell an aircraft the right way, using a true partner, to make your dream of flight real. Connect with Brooks at Vaerus Jet Sales | Learn more about the DC-3 Referral Program -- The 21.5 Podcast is supported by our friends at ProPilotWorld.com - The Premier Information & Networking Resource for Professional Pilots -- Do you have feedback, suggestions, or a great aviation story to share? Email us info@21fivepodcast.com Check out our Instagram feed @21FivePodcast for more great content and to see our collection of aviation license plates. The statements made in this show are our own opinions and do not reflect, nor were they under any direction of any of our employers.
Are we living through the death of innovation? We're back in HQ asking a tough question: has culture stagnated, and if so, is economics to blame? We explore the twin juggernauts of our age: financialisation and tech. From Florence under the Medicis to Hollywood in 2023, we trace how once-risky bets on the new have been replaced by spreadsheets and streaming algorithms. In 2023, all of the top 10 highest-grossing global films were sequels, spin-offs, or remakes. Back in 2005, 40% of top films had original scripts; now it's less than 10%. Meanwhile, only 27% of all streamed music is new, and catalogue music made up 70% of US consumption by 2021. We ask: who owns culture now? What happens when Spotify, Marvel, and private equity become the A&R men of our era? And could the rise of AI, which looks backwards by design, make this even worse? Join us as we unravel how economics may be drowning out the avant-garde. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After seven long years, DT!HQ finally landed at home in Columbus for a LIVE episode! The kind folks from ANIMATE! Columbus invited us to perform our humble podcast in their Social Club. Well we kicked down the door of that Social Club to ask the daring question: which IRL job would make the best subject matter for a JRPG? Andrew is talking about consultants and it's going to make you sad. Todd is talking about tech support and it's going to make you a different kind of sad. Kyle was there with us in spirit, but spirits don't exist in live podcasts. Recommended reading: You can find the PowerPoint at the following link. If your podcast app doesn't support links, please visit our website to find the slides at debatethiscast.com! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iMRdSeXg89go4GDPeXfYQicmsquEbSnSYsa5FFit-_k/edit?usp=sharing A massive thank you to the folks at ANIMATE! Columbus for inviting us to their event! You can find out more about their other events at https://galaxycon.com/! Have you seen out Patreon? patreon.com/debatethiscast Have you seen our Instagram? instagram.com/debatethiscast Have you seen our Threads? threads.net/debatethiscast Want to send us an email? debatethiscast@gmail.com MERCH! We have that! Right now you can go on the internet and order things that say Debate This! On them! All you need to do is head to MerchThis.net and give us your money! Ever wanted socks with the DT! logo on them? Well now you can get em! One more time that website is MerchThis.net! Properties we talked about this week: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, That Time I got Reincarnated As A Slime, Deloitte consulting, Persona 5, LinkedIn, Megaman Battle Network Music for Debate This! is provided by composer Ozzed under a creative commons license. Check out more of their 8-bit bops at www.ozzed.net!
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
Marketers throw testimonials on their sites like seasoning—but most are bland and forgettable. Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray are back in the bathroom (not literally, we hope) to explain why one great, specific testimonial beats a wall of fluff. They also dig into smarter ways to use logos, how to tailor social proof by tier, and why your customer's phone camera might be your best marketing tool.Best Moments:(00:45) The go-to excuse everyone secretly uses to escape bad meetings(02:10) Why social proof isn't optional anymore—it's table stakes(03:12) Generic testimonials kill conversions, but numbers make people act(04:38) A lo-fi customer video trumps a polished quote every time(05:32) Don't slap the same logos on every page—match them to your audience(06:30) Even attendee logos can drive event registrations if you use them rightFollow Daniel's show The Marketing Millennials and drop him a note on LinkedIn about what topics you want covered next.====================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com====================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/====================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Happy Heat Dome to all who celebrate! For those listening in the northern hemisphere, it's likely you are very, very warm. At podcast HQ in Memphis, it's recommended we drink water and stay indoors between 11 AM and November 2. It's pretty brutal. Where it's always a consistent and pleasant 58 degrees? The Old Spanish Treasure Cave in Gravette, Arkansas. I adore a roadside attraction. But one that comes with a very unexpected, non advertised supernatural twist? It was a spring break road trip adventure of a lifetime. Grab some road snacks and settle in for a Goonies-style tall tale of Spanish invaders, hidden treasure, and quite possibly a ghost in the darkest recesses of an underground cavern. Check out their website for photos of the cave and some of the artifacts mentioned in the story: https://spanish-treasure-cave.com Enjoy! And thank you as always for your support of the show! Send us your story youcanseemeinthedark@gmail.com or on our website. support this show on Patreon! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Artwork by @Vonmuren Music from Universal Production Music
Groove Radio's Official TOP 5 GROOVES Weekly Chart Hosted by Swedish Egil - Week of 06-30-25 01 Pete Tong, MoBlack & Max Zotti - Apocalypse (ft. Monolink) - Embassy One 02 John Summit & Gorgon City - Is Everybody Having Fun? (ft. rhys from the sticks) - Experts Only/REALM 03 Sneaks - Look Like That (Ugo Banchi Remix) - REALM 04 Bontan - Forever (Radio Edit) - North Drum 05 Huxley - My Mind (Radio Edit) - Club Sweat Bonus track: 06 BLR & Nancy Sinatra - Bang Bang - Promo -- About GROOVE RADIO Groove Radio is the Rhythm of the Future - always on in HQ audio with electronic dance music and DJ culture LIVE from Los Angeles. Curated by legendary radio programmer, Swedish Egil, Groove Radio celebrates 30+ years featuring iconic and emerging talent from the early classics of 90's techno and house music to the sounds of today's dance music festivals. -- For more info visit: grooveradio.com c2025 Groove Radio. All rights reserved.
Quaranteam – Book 1: Part 23 Planning Ceremonies.. Based on a post by CorruptingPower, in 25 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. As Maya, Sarah, & Emily headed into the house, Emily pulling the wheelie bag behind her, all of the luggage taken into the house, as Andy glanced over to look at Phil, as Linda moved over to stand closer to him. "You didn't have to bring her over here yourself Phil," Andy said to him. "You've got plenty of people over at the base for that kind of thing." "Not as many as I used to," he said. "You heard about this Valhalla Shores they've set up over in Pacifica?" Andy nodded. "Yeah, the other Phil called a little earlier today, told me he'd been moved into there. Why, are they taking some of your people?" "Seems like it. Maya was in the last batch of people we were doing serum injections for here in New Eden for the foreseeable future. Me and my team have been retasked, with studying the long term effects of the treatment, and with finding a way to help women survive if their male partner is killed. This thing we've got, it's kept a bunch of us alive, but the last thing I ever intended was for it to be binding men and women together." "Fucking McCallister," Linda grumbled. "Who?" Andy asked. "Don't worry about it," Phil said. "Anyway, they're using the base next to Valhalla Shores to be doing serum induction and pairing now. New Eden's mostly a closed community at this point." "Mostly?" "Nothing's ever truly completely done, so if we get special requests, or emergency needs, we'll add some more people to New Eden, but they want us focused on countering these side effects so badly that even the people who are being moved into Dos Eden are mostly going to be dosed elsewhere. There's a large facility in Oakland that's basically going to be the headquarters for serum induction, even though I told them it would probably be easier for all the Dos Eden people to just be inducted here, but the higher ups are adamant I start working some of this out." "I mean, that's probably for the best, isn't it, Phil? What happens right now if a man dies and he's partnered to multiple women? They just go insane?" "Well, no," Phil said, "but it's not pretty. We have a sort of temporary work around, but I think it's cruel, and it's certainly not anything I want to be advertising." "The hell are you talking about, Phil?" "So fairly early on in the crisis, we had to send some samples out to Washington, so they could see about getting some key people inoculated against the virus. We sent enough that all of Congress and the Joint Chiefs of Staff could've taken it if they wanted, but almost to a man they refused. The military leaders were a lot smarter about it, though, and many of them decided to have their partners take the treatment, so they would have some level of immunity from DuoHalo. The fact that General Brown, who took over for General Goldfein in August, was so proactive in making sure the top brass at the Air Force were inoculated might just be the defining action that saved this country from extinction." "Once again," Linda said with a sigh, "the black guy has to work three times as hard just to get so much as a thank you." "Well, when I have the privilege of meeting General Brown, I'm going to thank him hard enough for three people, because he's basically the only reason any of us are alive," Phil said. "He sprung into action, and made sure that we were working to get our solution, the only workable solution, out to as many people as possible, as quickly as we could. And he's the person who assigned you to me, Linda, so for that I'll be eternally grateful, because you've saved my life more than a couple of times over the past few months, in more ways than one." "I told you, the sniper was a freebie, so he doesn't count," she said, a hint of flirting layered into her voice. "So that means you only owe me, like, three or four, tops. All the emotional, mental stuff, that's all Audrey's doing. She's the one who takes care of your brain while I take care of the body." "Oh she does her share of body care too," Phil teased back. "I suppose," Linda said with a wink. "Anyway, tell Andy what you needed to." "I'm getting there, Linda, just be cool." "Pssht. Like you know anybody cooler than me." Phil looked back to Andy with a grin and a shrug. "When she's right, she's right. Did Lesser Phil say much about Valhalla Shores?" "Only that they were super strict about their quarantine rules. He was calling to tell me he didn't think he'd be able to do poker for the foreseeable future, because he couldn't come and go any more. He said that if he left the area, he had to spend a week in quarantine before he'd be allowed back in to see the rest of his family. Struck me as sort of an over reach, considering we're all basically immune to DuoHalo, as long as we're having regular contact with our partners, right?" "Theoretically, yeah, although we're still doing a lot of testing on that," he said. "Well, I guess the Air Force is doing that testing, because right now, I'm just focused on making sure we get women the ability to survive the death of their partners." "You said you had a workaround." "Not a good one," Linda interjected. "Agreed," Phil said. "So if a man dies, as long as his body isn't too badly damaged, we can harvest slightly necrotized semen from his corpse, introduce that into one of his partners, and it will act as a sort of a reset function, but the woman needs to be reimprinted almost immediately. As soon as the necrotized semen hits her system, she'll basically be in a state like the one you found Piper in, in a crude, violent frenzy." "Jesus," Andy said, "who the hell knows about this?" "The women who are staffing what few emergency rooms we have open near any induction centers, and the staff of the centers themselves, so we're keeping the loop pretty small on it, at least for the time being. It's given me a starting place on where to work on a reset serum, but I'm still quite a ways from having anything even vaguely useful." "Have you considered trying to get the serum to work on men without the need of the pairing?" Phil shot him an annoyed look. "What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?" he said, slapping his forehead. "Yes, I fucking thought of that, but it's almost like our serum is actively fighting against pairing with immunization suspensions. We suspect we had someone sabotaging the project from the get go, so it's entirely possible the bastard had this whole thing baked in there for some other reason. God only knows what the sick motherfucker thought he was going to do with it." "If you think you had a saboteur " "No," Linda interjected, "we know we had one. His ass fled to Russia." "Russia? Seriously?" "It's part of the reason their military and political cabinets are in so much better shape than ours, although they clearly didn't have the infrastructure to mass produce it, considering how horrible the casualties of their population are. While the Russian authorities had plenty for themselves and their generals, their population was hit harder than almost anyone else's, with close to 90% of the Russian male population dead. Putin's not anywhere near as scary when most of his military bases are staffed by corpses, and there's nobody to climb inside of his tanks." "But what about all the women of Russia? With so few men there, there's no way your system would work, would it?" Phil nodded. "I mean, DuoHalo isn't anywhere near as fatal to women as it is to men, so I think the Russian gambit is to just hope enough women survive DuoHalo naturally as to keep the country even vaguely functional, while all the important men have at least a dozen partners each, to ensure they're always completely buffered from the DuoHalo virus. I'm almost wondering if this was what the saboteur had in mind when he started tampering with my serum in its early days, trying to invent something that would enslave women to men. Christ, if he was still here, I'd shoot him myself," the Filipino American man said, scratching the back of his neck. "Get to the point, babe," Linda told him. "Our absence off base raises red flags the longer we're gone, and the last thing we want is them getting suspicious." "Suspicious?" Andy scowled at his good friend for a moment. "Phil, what the hell are you up to?" "You remember when you told me a few years ago that you thought one of your superiors was actively getting in the way of you getting promoted?" "I do remember that," Andy said, "and I also remember you telling me that I was being paranoid and that I should just forget about it." "Yeah, well, maybe I was wrong, okay, and maybe someone's actively trying to keep my project from developing a version of the serum without the sexual side effects." "Phil are you " "Listen, will you?" Phil said, grabbing his friend's shoulder. "The military has thought overpopulation was a giant problem in the U.S. dating back thirty years, and they had all sorts of contingency plans to reduce the population, not only of our country, but of the entire world. They called it the 'die back' contingency. I know it sounds insane " "It sounds insane, Phil, because it is insane. Our own government planning mass casualty events across the globe?" "It was all supposed to be theoretical, Andy, whitepapers and proof of concept stuff, but nobody was every supposed to have built anything, but I'm starting to think that's what DuoHalo is, somebody's die back contingency that got loose and got out of control, because the Russians acted way too quickly quarantining their people for them to have just 'gotten lucky.' They knew this was coming, long before anyone else did, so I think it's their fuckup, and they just got lucky that we had something that could counteract it, and so be it if it's got some mad scientist's project woven into it. That just gave them a foothold into getting their hands on it." "Phil, we've known each other a long time, and if there's one thing I know about you, it's that you love your secrets, so if you're telling me all this, there's got to be a very good reason for it. You wouldn't give me a peek behind the velvet rope like this without an extremely important cause. What's going on?" His friend sighed, glancing over at Linda, who simply shrugged, before he looked back at Andy. "I've doled out a lot of favors over the last several months, so now it's time for me to ask one of you, and it's kind of a big one, so if you say no, hey, I get it, but realize I need someone I can trust on this." "Talk to me, Phil." "So you know how we had someone defect to Russia?" "Yeah?" "The Russians had some defect to us." "Seriously?" "It gets funnier," Linda said, a grin on her face. "So the guy who defected from us, the one who we think caused a lot of the mess with the imprinting in our serum, his name was Adam McCallister." "Okay." "The group that defected from Russia? The person who reached out to me on their behalf was Adam's wife, Evie." "Adam and Eve?" Andy asked. "Are you putting me on?" "Wish I was," Phil sighed, leaning his back against the door of his car. "She reached out to me personally with an offer. I get her paired to some rich fella who's going to take care of her, and she's going to help us crack the unpairing/repairing problem." "Phil,” "I'm not asking you to take her, Andy, relax. I was hoping maybe you could reach out to Watkins and see if he'd be willing to take her in." "Nate said he did feel like he owed me a couple still, even with all the money he gave me." "That's not the whole of it, though." "What else,” "So Evie McCallister has with her a pair of men who are imprinted on each other." "Wait, what?" Andy said. "I thought being homosexual was like a giant taboo in Russia." "They certainly frown on it, which is why two of the scientists who were working with Adam McCallister didn't reveal they were gay until they'd devised a work around, a sort of Rosetta Stone for this whole thing. That's what let them flee." "Just give him the short and quick, hon," Linda said to Phil. "Okay, long story short " "Too late!" both he and Phil said in unison before chuckling. "Right," Phil continued. "So one of the two men has what he describes as 'reassignment sperm,' in that his sperm isn't toxic, even to women who are imprinted already. A small amount of it will essentially reset a woman, but she'll immediately go into the state we've seen with using the necrotized sperm, which is part of the reason I believe Evie when she told me all of this." "You haven't tested it yet?" "I'm getting to that. This guy, Sergei, has a variation of our serum running through his veins, and it might eventually lead to some kind version of the serum where people don't have to be paired to one another, but we are a long way from that right now. He also claims it can pair two men together, which was a large part of the reason he and his boyfriend fled here with Evie McCallister. In Russia, they'd both have been killed, but if he's right, we could, albeit very slowly, at least start getting gay men paired up and resistant to DuoHalo. But I've been keeping this on the down low because I'm worried that if some people on the base found out, they'd try and quash it." "You can't believe that," Andy said." "Wish I didn't, but I do. They're mostly focused on making sure I can get women to survive their partner's death. There hasn't been any push on us trying to get a solution for gay men and women, so now that I may have a partial one here, I'm doing everything I can to validate it quickly and pushed out in front of as many people as possible. It's really not scalable, but at this point, I'll take what I can get, you know?" "So what do you need from me?" "We've got Evie, Sergei and Sergei's boyfriend Andrei stashed in a house over in Dos Eden. Now I can't go over there, because if I do, they're going to know I was there, and I don't want to bring her in until I've validated her claims. Do you have anyone in your family who wouldn't mind fooling around with some other guy for a bit?" "My family's all here by choice, Phil," Andy said. "What about your cook, Jenny?" Linda asked. "Didn't you say she's married to your gardener, and they're both just with you to stay healthy? Think she'd be okay to help you test this all out?" "She doesn't want to leave the family, Linda, even if she's not emotionally invested in me like my partners are." "She wouldn't leave your family, Andy. She'd just be on a very short, temporary loan, and she's not going to have to sleep with anyone she doesn't want to," Phil said. "I can talk to her about it, but lay it out for me how it's all going to work." "You take her over to the house, along with one of your male friends, Eric or Xander, whichever one Jenny wouldn't mind having one evening of fun with. You put a little bit of Sergei's cum on her skin, just to prove it doesn't have any sort of adverse reaction. If it's all good, you have her taste a little bit, and then she should go back to the imprinting state, and you let your friend imprint her. A couple of days later, you do it again, but reimprint her back to you. If Evie's telling the truth, it'll only be a few days and then everything will be back to the way it was. And if she's not, the minute Jenny touches Sergei's semen, she'll have an adverse reaction and she doesn't have to go any further." Phil sighed, shrugging a little. "I need someone I can trust on this, Andy, and I don't know who else to turn to. If you don't think she'll go for it, you don't have to bring it up, and I'll, I'll see if there's anybody else I can ask. I could ask Xander, I guess." "No," Andy sighed, shaking his head. "You ask Xander and he'll feel obligated to try and help you. I'll talk to Jenny and Katie, and I'll let them decide. Fair?" "Fair enough," Phil agreed. "Get blood samples at every stage in between. Take Niko with you, and she'll know how to do it." "What have you got that girl up to behind my back, Phil?" "Oh hell no," his friend laughed. "If you can't get her to tell you, what the hell makes you think I'm gonna tell you? She'd kick my ass if I said anything. You can ask her again." "She'll probably tell me what she told me last time, I shouldn't worry about it." "It took a long while for Phil to trust me as well, Andy, so I wouldn't worry about it," Linda said with a smile. "You guys are so used to thinking you have to be self reliant, how you need to be tough, that it takes you a while to get used to the idea of having a woman take care of your helpless asses. But you'll learn. You all do eventually." "Well, I feel like I just got scolding by the nuns at Saint Agnes Academy again. How about you, Andy?" Phil chuckled. "I didn't go to Catholic school, Phil, but I know the sentiment. I guess we just have to trust they're doing everything they can to keep us safe." "Even when you're both being a pain in the ass about it," Linda said, just the tiniest undercurrent of genuine annoyance to her voice. "Sorry Linda," they both said in unison. "You're both forgiven, but we really gotta get back to the base, Phil, otherwise Fielder's going to get suspicious, and that's the last thing you want." "She's right," Phil said, giving Andy a hug. "Thanks for even considering it. I know it's nuts, but if you follow the instructions I gave you, worst case scenario is that Jenny gets a rash on her skin for a couple of days." "Like I said, it's their decision, not mine." "Right. Right right right. Anyway, if you decide to do it, I can give you all the instructions when we're over in a couple of days for the party." "God, that is just two days away, isn't it? Crazy how time flies." Phil let go of Andy and headed back to his car. "Stay safe, man. Niko or Lexi with you at all times if you leave this house. And don't tell anyone about this little Evie thing that you don't have to." "I'm gonna tell my family, Phil." Phil shrugged a little bit, opening the door of his car. "If it was me, I would keep it to only the very few who need to know. Anyway, your house, your call. See you in a couple of days, man." He and Linda hopped into their car and drove down the driveway and headed off into the evening air. "That's the difference between you and me, Phil," Andy said to himself. "I'm no good at keeping secrets." He walked inside to find Aisling waiting for him, a warm smile on her face as she slid her arm around his waist and saddled up next to him as they walked to the dining room. "Why the long face, Andy?" "Phil dropped a bit of a heavy thing on me, and it's a lot to think about. I'm not built for this cloak and dagger shit like he is." On the stroll to dinner, Andy explained to her everything that Phil and Linda had told him, as she peppered him with questions along the way. At the end, she suggested he wait until later in the evening to talk to Jenny and Katie about it. When they got to the dining room, Andy was pleased to find nearly everyone there, Lauren and Taylor having texted earlier that they were just going to grab dinner at the training grounds tonight and would be back late. Emily, Sarah and Maya were a couple cocktails in already, but all of them were in that pleasant space between buzzed and tipsy, talking up a storm, and as soon as Andy and Ash walked into the room, Emily immediately ushered them over to make sure that Andy was sitting next to Maya, Ash on the other side of him. Early on, the girls had tried convincing Andy to always sit at the head of the table, and he'd told them exactly what they could do with that idea, so the table seating constantly shuffled, and nobody sat at either end of the table two nights in a row, so that it was clearly established that nobody was more or less important than anyone else. It was a symbolic thing, but Andy was the first to point out that symbols have power, and their subliminal influence should never be underestimated. Dinner gave everyone a chance to take turns grilling Maya, which let Andy just sort of sit and listen. After he'd made the decision of who he would offer spots in his house, he'd talked to each of the girls over Zoom for about an hour, letting them ask him whatever questions they wanted while he'd asked them a few as well. It wasn't enough time to get to truly know each other, but it gave both him and the woman in question a chance to check for any real deal breakers that they might have overlooked, so many of the questions the girl were asking Maya were things Andy already knew the answers to, although she did have one surprise up her sleeve for him. "So what's your favorite of Andy's books," Sarah asked her. "I know you have to have read some of them right now, since I gave you all of them the last time I saw you, a few years ago." Maya tilted her head to one side, a wry grin spreading wide on her face. "You're not going to believe me." "Is it 'The Trouble With Werebears,' because if you say it is, I'm gonna have to shield you from Andy throwing a dinner roll at you," the tall redhead giggled. Maya reached into her satchel and pulled out a book, setting it down on the table. It had dozens of post it notes sticking out from it, and the cover was starting to bend back a little. Andy glanced over and then his eyes widened in surprise. "No! Really?" The book in question was easily the least popular thing he'd ever written, partially because it was so far out of his normal wheelhouse. "I think it's easily your best work, and frankly, I'm surprised nobody's ever tried to make a movie out of it, which was something I wanted to talk to you about." Emily reached over and picked up the book. "'Fatal Alliances?' This isn't a Druid Gunslinger book. I don't know that I've ever seen Sarah reading this." "Oh I read it," Sarah said. "But it's super fucking sad. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's fucking hot, and I get why maybe it was too fucking steamy for the mainstream, but it's such a fucking downer ending that it isn't something I wanted to come back to that fucking often, even as great as it is." "What's it about, love?" Emily asked him. Maya decided to answer instead. "It's a Cold War story about two spies, one American and one Soviet, and they're each sort of fatal honey traps. Anyone who either of them has sex with dies within a couple of days, from what looks like natural causes, except that their bodies are generating some kind of sexually transmitted poison. They're considered important assets, the assassins you send when you want no traces left behind. They both witness something they shouldn't one night in East Berlin, and so they flee together. After killing their respective bosses, the two decide they're done with this world, so they have sex with each other, and die in each other's arms a few days later. If you expounded upon the action sequences, fleshed them out a bit more, this could be an excellent fucking movie." She paused for a second. "It could be my excellent fucking movie. Who owns the rights to this, Andy?" Maya asked him, taking the book back from Emily. "Nobody?" he chuckled. "Well, I guess that means I still do. Nobody had that much interest in it, so I didn't worry about it. Hell, I know it's out of print, so I'm a little amazed you got that copy." "I got her everything, Andy," Sarah told him. "And you know me. What I want, I fucking get." "So I have learned," he nodded. "Yeah, I can have my agent draw up a contract to let you get the rights to it." "Soon," Maya said, "before the Druid Gunslinger film makes everyone claw at all your old work." "I barely sold fifty thousand copies of 'Fatal Alliances,' Maya, so I think you're overestimating people's interest in the property." "Believe me, Andy, I know what I'm talking about." Dinner carried on with several conversations going on and Andy drifting in between them. One of the things he'd learned early on as his family grew was that as soon as they had moved into the mansion, the family size had grown too large for there to only be one conversation at the dinner table. He'd also stressed a number of times that the girls shouldn't always stick to their usual cliques and should intermingle, making sure to spend a little time with all the other girls over the course of any given week, and it was starting to settle into cycles. When Jenny was bringing out dessert, Andy grabbed her and asked her and Katie to meet him in his office in a few hours, so he could talk to them about something. Jenny seemed a little nervous and Andy said it wasn't anything bad, and they shouldn't worry. After dinner had wrapped up, the whole family began carrying dishes into the kitchen, refusing to let Jenny and Nicolette clear the table entirely by themselves, as Andy, Maya, Emily and Sarah started walking down the hall towards Maya's room. "So whaddaya think, Maya?" Sarah asked eagerly. It was clear that the relationships between Sarah and Maya and the relationships between Emily and Maya were very different, with Sarah acting almost like Maya's eager little sister, and Emily more like Maya's old friend. "You okay with staying?" "Yeah, I think I can make all this work for me," she said. "Good people, good environment, the dogs seem happy enough, and with the shooting studios in Oakland, Marin and Pleasanton, I can definitely carve out a career here. So sure, why not? I'll pitch in with you lot and call this home." "Marvelous," Emily said, leaning in to kiss Maya on the cheek. "Sarah and I will leave you and Andrew to make your final arrangements, and we will see you tomorrow. Good night!" "Night Maya!" Sarah said, taking a turn to kiss Maya on the cheek, before she and Emily headed back up the hallway towards the stairs, Maya's bedroom on the ground floor so the dogs could easily walk right out into the back yard. Katie had even set up the fenced area so that Maya could simply slide open the deck door in her bedroom and let the dogs run straight out into it unsupervised. "This new world's pretty fuckin' crazy," Maya said, looking up at him as they reached the door to her bedroom. "You must feel like the luckiest man in the world." Andy sighed a little. "I mean, on one hand, sure. On the other, my brother and most of my oldest friends died to DuoHalo over the last few months, so a lot of times, I'm dealing with survivor's guilt, y'know? Why'd I make it and not them?" Maya took his hand in hers, shaking her head at him. "Don't get caught up in your head about it. It's too big for anyone to think about, so you just have to learn to roll with it." "Yeah, thanks. That's what everyone keeps telling me, so I'm doing what I can to not dwell on it too much. Anyway, I'm glad you've decided to join the family, and when you feel like the time is right, just let me know and we can make it official." Maya squeezed his hand a little bit, as if she thought he might be planning to pull away. "Look, I talked to Em and Sares about it while you were talking with your friend, and I decided I want our first time to be like normal people, without all the complications of imprinting tied to it, so I was thinking maybe you could come in, and I could give you a hummer to get over that whole hump, so that when we do bump uglies for the first time, we feel a little more like regular people. That cool?" Andy smiled at her. "Hey, whatever you want, Maya. We don't even have to do the imprinting now if you don't want to." She looked down, unable to look him in the eyes for the moment. "That's just it, Andy. I do want to. And we do kinda have to, because sometime in the middle of dinner, I realized it was getting harder to think clearly, and the one thing I don't ever want is to feel out of control of my own body. So is it cool if we just do this now? I'm sure you've banged, like, five or six people already today,” "Actually, it was a pretty light day today," he chuckled. "I provided for Jenny and Katie this morning, and Ash snuck in while I was writing to have a quickie as a break, to make sure I wasn't sitting all day." "Good," Maya growled at him, as she grabbed his shirt, "then you'll have a nice fat fucking load for me to swallow." She pushed him into her bedroom, and closed the door behind her. The sliding door was open just enough so that the dogs could come and go, and that made it cool inside, the evening November air chilling the room a bit. "How should I do this?" "The minute you get it,you're going to black out, so maybe I should lay down on the bed and you should just " Maya peeled her tanktop up and over her head, revealing small tan tits with tiny brown nipples atop of them, tossing it aside. "I think I'm the most flat chested girl in this house, so I hope you're okay with that," she said, unbuckling the belt holding up her cargo pants as he crossed the room to her. She must have had some large tattoo on her back, because Andy could see what looked like a portion of a serpent's tail curving around her waist. He turned her head up suddenly and leaned down to press his lips against hers in an intense kiss, feeling her tense up for just a brief second before settling into it, relaxing. "You are absolutely fucking beautiful, Maya, and I don't ever want you to think I'm just okay with you. Got it?" Maya grinned up at him, a softening in her eyes. "Em's right. You are a magnificent and sappy bastard, but that makes you lovable. Can I finish getting naked now, or you wanna make out a bit more first?" "I wanna make out a bit more first," he said, grinning back at her. "Yeah, okay." They locked lips again, but even while they did, Andy could feel Maya's hands unbuttoning his jeans, unzipping them. He was about to shift to help her take them off, but when he did, she pulled back from the kiss, shaking her head. "Leave'em on. I like the idea of feeling like a couple of teenagers trying to get each other off quick before the parents come home." She turned them both and pushed him back onto the bed with enough sudden force that he didn't even see it coming and just fell backwards before she dropped her cargo pants down and stepped out of them, leaving her in just a large pair of cotton panties. She started climbing onto the bed next to him. "It's also that time of the month, and while Em said you aren't squeamish about playing on the field during red tide, not for our first time." Andy moved just a little bit, shifting to brace his shoulders against the pillows at the head of the bed, so he'd be able to watch her. "Whatever makes you comfortable." Maya frowned a little, her eyes narrowing at him. "Take a more active hand in this, would you? I don't even know if you're ready for this." "I don't know if you're ready for this, Maya, but you are gorgeous and I can't wait to feel you sucking my cock." She winked at him, the frown disappearing. "That's the spirit. Now let's see this mythical first contact orgasm," she said, stroking his cock, sitting on her knees alongside him. Maya moved to bend down, placing one hand against the top of the bed as the other brought his cock to her lips, a jewel of opaque white emerging from the tip of his cock to greet her. She leaned down and let her tongue swipe the dollop of precum into her mouth, and suddenly began to shake, her hand letting go of his cock to thrust down atop of the bed, keeping her up on all fours as an intense carnal moan ripped from her lungs, her face obscured from his view by that curtain of green hair. "You motherfucker," Maya eventually spat in between giggles and gasps. "You said it was gonna be strong, not, like, the strongest fucking thing I'd ever fucking felt." "The imprinting one's even stronger, everyone says." "Em said it was like being consumed by an orgasm until she blacked out," Maya said, tossing her hair out of her face to turn her brown eyes up at him. "She wasn't kidding?" "That's in line with how most of " He was mid sentence when Maya suddenly shoved her face down onto his cock, forcing it into her throat before pulling her head up, her tongue spiraling around the head of his cock before she pushed her head back down onto it again. Over the last several months, he'd gotten more than his fair share of blowjobs, far more than he'd ever thought he would get in his lifetime, and he felt like he'd gotten familiar with most of the rhythms and styles, but there was something hungry about the way Maya was doing it, like she didn't want to pause, didn't want to break, hell, didn't even want to breathe until she got what she wanted. Her hands were gripping onto his hips, as her mouth slurped along the length of his shaft, from tip to base, trying to hold down with it engulfed for as long as she could every so often, no warning given when she was deepthroating or just quickly fucking her face onto his cock. He was along for the ride. Andy could feel himself starting to get close, when Maya popped her head off, one of her hands stroking his cock feverishly while her eyes held his gaze with her own, as he suddenly felt like a deer in the headlights, or a small animal caught under the gaze of a predator, the look on her face having total control of the situation. "You're gonna give me what I want, Andy," she growled at him, licking her lips. "And I'm gonna swallow you down and wake up a new woman, a kept woman, a bonded woman, a woman with a man who makes her cum like a fucking hurricane. You have no idea how hard I'm gonna fuck the shit out of you soon, but for now, you're gonna give me what I want. It's not your fucking cum, it's mine." She looked back down and started thrusting her face onto his cock as quickly and deeply as she could, letting spit drool from her lips all over his balls, filthy 'gluck gluck' sounds coming from the motions, until finally Andy knew his resolve was shot, but he wanted to have one stab at surprising her, so just before his balls drew up, his hands both reached down to grab her head and pushed her face down until her nose was buried in the trimmed pubic hairs of his crotch, and the first load of his cum blasted right against the back of her throat, setting her into a a fit of orgasms, at which point Andy was mostly just holding her head, while she spasmed in time with him, feeling her do her best to swallow it all before he pulled her head off of his shaft and rolled her limp body onto her side, as she whispered that word that haunted him now, "Imprinting." Andy moved to get her beneath the sheets and made sure the dogs were inside the room before he closed the outside door, so that the room would warm up. He would make a point to stop and tell Nicolette to come and open the door in the late morning so the dogs could go back out and do their business even while Maya completed the process. She looked peaceful beneath the sheets. There were a few speckles of his jizz on her cheeks, so he took one of his fingers and wiped them off, sliding the finger into her lips, which she seemed to instinctively suckle on for a moment before he pulled his finger free, having spent long enough in the room that she'd fallen silent. He moved outside of her room, and closed the door behind him, leaning his back against it with a slight smile of relief. That, he figured, would be the last person ever added to his family, if he had anything to say about it. Of course, as Emily had pointed out not so long ago, he really did have very little say about it. Chapter 40 He desperately wanted to get to bed, but there was work to be done before he could sleep, and his brain was still moving a mile a minute. It generally did, but his conversation earlier in the day had been rolling around in circles over and over again. Phil was one of the smartest people he'd ever met, but Andy knew everyone was capable of making mistakes. There was something they were missing about all the information Phil had presented to them. Phil's plan had all the things it should, but there was so much that Phil hadn't had time to tell them. He wasn't sure what he thought he might glean from it, but he decided to let it keep running on cycles in the back of his brain for the rest of the night. He hoped maybe it would just come to him. Different people in his household went to bed at different times, and typically, Piper and Sheridan went to bed not too long after dinner. He glanced at his watch, seeing it was just past 10:30, and he figured they were probably crawling into bed about now, since both were early risers. Niko was probably also heading to bed about now, so she could be up early in the morning, in case Lexi woke up before most of the house was up. Niko tended to be an early riser as well, as did Lauren and Taylor, so they were also probably also turning in for the night. Hannah and Asha were typical college students without classes, so they'd be up past midnight gossiping, and Taylor was probably more than a little sad she couldn't join them, but as she'd told Andy at dinner, she was taking her responsibilities over at 49ers HQ very seriously. Fi and Moira were trying to get adjusted to West Coast time, but the jet lag hadn't fully let go of them yet, so Andy guessed they were probably starting to get ready for bed as well. Em and Sarah kept their own schedules, but since Em planned to talk to her family in the morning, she had likely turned in also, and where Em went, Sarah usually followed, so he was fairly certain they were both snuggling up in bed, bemoaning the lack of him there, but knowing that he would join them when he was ready. Tala and Jade had formed a surprising friendship and had spent most of the day getting the pool house further converted into a workspace for the curvier woman. Jade was used to teaching, so he suspected she probably had also turned in relatively early. Aisling, however, kept her schedule in tune with his, and so he knew she'd be up, and willing to watch a bit of television before turning in for the night. He'd found that she'd never seen Farscape so as of late, they'd been making a point to watch an episode or two before bed every night, and in between they'd chat a little bit about their respective days. He was going to head down to the living room that was furthest from the bedrooms, which had sort of become the default theater room of the house, but found Ash in the kitchen, sneaking herself a pickle from the fridge, so they sat around the kitchen island to have their chat before their nightly television binge. This particular night Andy walked Ash through what Phil had asked of him, and as he talked through it, she asked pointed questions, most of which he didn't have an answer to, but eventually, she asked one that he hadn't even thought of, and it all snapped into sense for him. "So why not just use this Evie as the test case, instead of asking Jenny to do it?" she said to him. "What?" Andy asked, as if it hadn't even occurred to him. "Look, she made it here safely, right?" "Right." "That means she was imprinted, and if Evie's being asked to be imprinted to Nate, that means she was already imprinted to this McCallister prick, and you can use that to analyze her blood and the effect it's having on it. Shit, you could smear a little of McCallister's precum onto her skin at first, check that it causes a rash, then give her a little from the guy who's supposedly a de imprinter, then have Nate imprint her and take her blood again. I mean, if this Evie wants to get out from under her husband, ex husband or whatever, then she's gotta to be willing to show she believes in all of this." "I don't tell you that you're brilliant often enough, Ash," he said, leaning into to kiss her, which started tender but definitely amped up in intensity a bit before she pulled back, a wry smile on her face. "You don't, but it's okay," she said. "You say it lots, and lots is brilliant. Before we head to bed tonight, though, mister, I was given a request this morning, so we're going to go and fulfill it, you and I. The request was made to me, because they were worried you might take offense to it, but I want you to know, in advance, this is what everyone wants, they're hoping you'll lean into it, at least a little, and the safeword, should it be needed, is limoncello. Okay?" She was pulling him to his feet, that playful expression widening on her face, as he waggled his eyebrows. "You girls certainly do love testing me," he told her. "This one's not me at all, love," she said, sliding her arm around his waist. "It's more of just a thing to show you what you can be capable of when it's asked of you, and this particular play partner wants even more than you gave her last time." "Uh oh," he said. "That sounds like I'm not living up to my end of the bargain." "Stop. No," she said, squeezing his hip. "You did great, but the girls in question just want you to know you can and should go further." She led him down towards the room they'd been planning to go to anyway, the basement living room, but instead of heading for the television, Andy saw that over near where he'd usually sit, one woman was standing and another was kneeling, the room barely lit, as if the atmosphere of it was important to the ambiance of the moment. Andy's nighttime eyesight wasn't great, but as they got closer, he could make out who the two people were. The woman standing was Nicolette, but she had ditched her typical French maid's outfit for something that looked a lot more dominatrix. She wore a leather corset that was tied tight to force her tits into nearly a shelf of flesh, propped up and pushed out but still marginally covered. She also had black leather shorts, fishnet stockings and long leather high heeled boots that came up to her mid thigh. The heels were at least a few inches, because it made Nicolette look huge, her blonde hair done up in a tight bun atop her head. In her hand was the end of a long leash. At the end of the leash, on her knees, was Whitney, completely nude except for the collar around her neck, her hair done up in jetblack pigtails, her pale white flesh almost the shade of moonlight in the summer. Her arms were folded together in front of her to make her smaller tits press together, the rosy pinkness of her nipples like strawberries, her wrists resting on top of one another, as if she expected them to be bound at some point, or maybe they already were in her mind. He could see the black curls of her pubic V peeking from between her thighs. Ash took his hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "You did well with Whitney the first time, babes," she whispered to him. "But you need to know you can go further, you should go further, at least every so often, and that she doesn't just want you to do that, she's going to get off on it. I know that part of you is in there," she said, kissing his cheek. "We just need to wake the bastard up." Andy wasn't entirely surprised by all of this, if he was being honest with himself. Early on, he thought he'd given Nicolette exactly what she wanted, and then around when all the girls had presented their friends for consideration for the house, Nicolette had told him to go even harder at her. So he had. He'd been nervous out of his mind when he'd done it, almost certain that she was going to scream for him to stop, that he was being too rough, that she didn't want it. Instead, she had thanked him at the end of it, and told him that she was very glad he was learning that not all of his partners enjoyed the same kind of sex, and that that wasn't a bad thing. His first time with Whitney had been something of an eyeopener as well, as she wanted him to go at her hard. He thought he'd done enough to satiate her desires, but apparently she wanted to take him even further. He wasn't even entirely sure what that entailed. "Heya Master," Nicolette purred at him. "I think it's time you give your little porcelain slut a real go, don't you? She's been itching for round two, and it's about time you step up your game. Haven't you, slut?" She gave Whitney a nudge with her foot, and the brunette nodded. "Yes Master. Our first time was very nice, but you're capable of being stronger, harsher, more forceful," she said, not lifting her eyes. "And this slut wants to see what you're truly capable of." "I'm worried your friend's been hyping me up too much, Whitney," Andy said, stepping closer, Aisling walking along with him, as Nicolette toyed with the end of the leash idly. "I'm not entirely sure I'm capable of what you think I am." "She told your slut that you bent her over a table in the hallway and pounded her slippery cunt until your cock was slick enough to jam up her ass, and then pounded her until she came so hard her knees were shaking and she couldn't sit properly for a few days." "Well, I " "She told your slut that you grabbed a fistful of her hair and shoved her face up against the wall and pinned her there while you had your way with her, drilling her like she was just an object for you to take your pleasure from." Ash giggled. "It certainly sounded like that from down the hallway," she said to him. "Don't you start," he replied. "She even told me you shoved her panties in her mouth to keep her from making too much noise, even though you like it when a slut uses filthy words, because you wanted to demonstrate how much control you had over her." "That wasn't " "That was fucking hot was what it was, Master," Nicolette said, licking her lips. "I almost expected you to put your hands around my throat for a bit, and that would've just made me cum even harder. At first, he didn't even take them off, slut, he just tugged them aside, like they were an impediment that bothered him." "Your slut finds all of that very attractive, Master, and if she might be so bold," she said, turning her icy blue eyes upwards to look at him, "she very much wants to meet that man." "You can do this, Andy," Aisling whispered into his ear. "And both Nicolette and I will be right here, making sure you don't chicken out and/or go too far, whichever you're more afraid of." He inhaled a deep breath, and Whitney suddenly turned her eyes back downwards, as if she were a child caught looking at something she wasn't supposed to. "Before I start this, I want to confirm something. Aisling told me your safeword is limoncello. Is that correct, Whitney?" "It is, Master." "And you will use it if I cross a line?" "This slut does not think you're capable of that, Master." He stepped closely and reached forward, his fingertips pinching one of her nipples hard between his thumb and forefinger, seeing her wince even as she moaned a little bit. "No one knows what a man is capable of, Whitney, especially when he's pressed too much or too hard." "Yes Master," Whitney said. "Your slut apologizes Master." "Now answer my fucking question," he growled. He wasn't setting out to hurt her, but at this point, it had been made abundantly clear to him that he had a part to play, and if that was what Whitney wanted from him, it was what he intended to deliver. "If Master his slut beyond what she is capable of withstanding, Master, she will say the word and ask for relief," she said quietly, licking her tongue out over her bright red lips. "But until then, she implores you to have at her without mercy or reservation." "What limits do you have, Whitney?" he said, unbuckling his belt, grabbing the metal buckle, a simple square with a single stem in it, pulling on it to force the leather to come slowly slithering through his belt loops. "For you, Master? None at all. Your slut will do whatever it is you ask of her." He snapped the end of his belt out and then bent it in half, holding it on the ends as he pushed the belt together, forming a giant circle between two lines of leather, then yanking them apart to make a loud crack as he snapped one against the other. "You seem awfully confident of that." He wasn't sure who moaned the loudest at that motion, Whitney, Nicolette or Aisling. "She is at her best when she is fulfilling her purpose, Master," Nicolette said to him, a hint of amusement in her voice "Pleasure and pain are kissing cousins in our world." "Did I ask your fucking opinion?" he said sharply to Nicolette, and he felt like he must have done so very convincingly, because he could see her breath catch a moment, although he knew it was excitement he saw behind her eyes, not fear. "No Master. Sorry Master." He looked down at Whitney, towering over her, as she remained perfectly still. "When Nicolette came to me and asked me to bring you into my home, Whitney, she told me of your previous partner, and how the relationship you and he had was one of total dominance and submission. That you did nothing without his permission. That you enjoyed being commanded, being told exactly what you did and did have his consent to do, and that you found freedom in surrendering your own initiative." "Yes Master," Whitney said. "I can fulfill that role for you, but it will take some adaptation on your part, because as much as you may want to surrender complete and total control to someone else, I don't want complete and total control over someone else. Not all the time, anyway." He traced a fingertip along her cheek, and he could feel her leaning in towards his touch, as if she took comfort from the very contact of his skin against hers. "I'm probably capable of giving you what you want. I can push and pull you into place, slap your ass while I'm thrusting my cock into one of your holes with the kind of roughness from the more disgruntled pornography I've seen. I think I'm likely perceptive enough to know when strikes have crossed from pleasurable pain into pure pain, at least most of time. I think I can live up to my end of the bargain on this, but there are a handful of rules that are non negotiable, you understand?" "Tell your slut of your rules, Master, and she will follow them," Whitney said, pressing a kiss to his fingertip. "They aren't much, but they're important to me. The first is that you will need to be in charge of your own voice, and that if you aren't using it, I will start to doubt myself, and think I am doing something unwelcome. Nicolette told me you're unaccustomed to speaking without being ordered to speak, but this is a rule I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist upon. You will speak whenever you think is appropriate or even might be welcomed. If you think I am at all doubting my actions, and you want more instead of less, you will need to provide the carrot, understood." Whitney nodded. "She does, Master. Might you provide guidance as to how she should speak?" "The filthier the better," Nicolette said with a giggle, looking at Andy as if she was afraid he might scold her, but when she saw the smile on his face, she decided to elaborate. "I told you, Master loves dirty talk, so if you talk, whore, you should be talking dirty. Nothing clinical, only perverse. You do not have breasts, you have tits. You do not have a vagina, you have a pussy or a twat or a cunt. And although I know it goes against everything you've been taught for the last few years, you're going to have to be a little proactive here, slut." Whitney frowned a little, sighing slightly. "That, makes this slut nervous, ma'am," she said, turning to look up to Nicolette. "How will she know when it is right to remain in her place and when it is right to act unbidden?" Andy reached down and turned Whitney's head to look at him. "You'll act on instinct, much like you're entrusting me to do. And I do not expect perfection. You will make mistakes, and, frankly, I think you'll probably enjoy being punished for them, so maybe I expect some of the mistakes will be intentional and some will be accidental, but very little in this life is truly unforgivable, Whitney, and I think we'll both do well to remember that." "Yes Master," she said, looking up at him with adoring eyes. "What other rules do you have for your slut?" "When you want to see this particular stripe of me, Whitney, you will need to initiate it, you will need to ask for it, and not just subtly, but actually vocalize and express your desire for the closed fist instead of the open hand," he said. "By you regularly reminding me that you enjoy this, it will reinforce in my mind what you expect out of our arrangement." "Did, did this slut not express it well enough before, Master?" "With communication, Whitney, more is always better," he said confidently. To be continued in part 25, by CorruptingPower for Literotica.
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
You know those people who refuse to let B2B get boring? That's Jay Schwedelson sitting down with Shawn Perritt, who's out to prove that “business to boring” is a mindset—one that needs to go. From why your brand budget shouldn't be an afterthought, to how AI can actually make things less creative if you're not careful, this one's full of real talk for anyone tired of beige B2B. You'll walk away rethinking brand, attribution, and why your best creative ideas probably don't come from staring at Zoom.Follow Shawn on LinkedIn for more B2B brand inspiration and original thinking.Sean is VP, Brand Strategy and Creative at Acquia.Best Moments:(02:31) The human brain literally ignores the average—emotion is what gets remembered.(04:12) Creativity needs a workout plan, just like the gym; go get different experiences to spark ideas.(05:47) Think first, prompt second—don't let AI shortcut the work your brain should do.(07:15) The risk of AI is turning brand into a “high-def sea of sameness” that costs more to stand out from.(09:01) The brands that win will build a strong “human stack” first, then power it with AI.(11:47) Most companies miss the mark by only investing in the 5% of buyers ready to buy right now—what about the other 95%?(14:45) If you want real brand awareness, get “revenue in the room” with events and human connection.=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
Mid-July and it's 98 degrees out—but marketers are already thinking about December. Jay Schwedelson drops a reality check: your Q4 and holiday campaigns don't start in the fall, they start now. From subject line data to social engagement spikes, he breaks down why jumping into end-of-year messaging this early isn't just smart—it's a major edge. Even if you're sweating through summer, your prospects are mentally putting up the tree.Best Moments:(00:30) Why July flips the mental switch from BBQs to Q4(01:15) Google's data shows “holiday marketing” searches spike between July 10–15(01:45) 68% of Q4 B2B deals start in summer—don't get left behind(02:30) Subject lines mentioning Q4 get 14% higher open rates after July 4(03:04) Consumer emails with holiday mentions see a 22% boost in opens(03:45) Social posts about Q4 drive 25% more B2B engagement starting in July(04:30) Easy tests to see if early Q4 messaging works for you(06:02) Steve from Blue's Clues has a podcast—yes, really(08:15) Jay's favorite random podcast: a Melrose Place rewatch=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
In this episode, we dive into the nitty-gritty of contest prep, metabolic strategy, and managing life when the intensity ramps up. Robert breaks down the results from his 4:1 ketogenic macro experiment—4,000+ calories a day with only 9% protein—and how it might be used as a short-term metabolic reset during long preps. Greg's about to try it too, right after his first show.We also talk through how contest prep affects relationships, sleep, and stress. Greg opens up about some big personal transitions, and both of us reflect on how important it is to have a solid support system when you're pushing your limits.Other highlights:Metabolic adaptation and body composition strategyLab tests, SHBG, and bloodwork logisticsKeto Brick updates, shipping containers, and thick new packagingSleep scores, training intensity, and the value of routineA new shower at HQ (finally!), and sidecar motorcycle fantasiesCommunity shout-outs and Ralph's inspiring 62-year-old debut prepBaby watch: Crystal's due any day now!Whether you're a competitive bodybuilder or just trying to dial in your nutrition and lifestyle, this one's packed with real talk, data, and behind-the-scenes updates.Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQGreg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/
Wimbledon! The Championships are upon once again with a lot to live up to after THAT dramatic finale at Roland Garros. Join the gang at Tennis Weekly HQ as they react to the men's and women's draws, dish out some dodgy predictions and unveil Collect a Set player picks. On the men's side, the question on everyone's lips might be will we get another edition of the Carlos Alcaraz - Jannik Sinner rivalry? Joel's not so sure and whilst Carlitos has been handed a pretty routine draw on paper, Jannik Sinner got some trick battles including a potential all Italian quarterfinal with Lorenzo Musetti, last year's semifinalist. Great British hope Jack Draper also got dealt a nightmarish draw with both his French Open conqueror Alexander Bublik and Queen's conqueror Jakub Mensik in his section along with Novak Djokovic who has been in the last SIX Wimbledon finals.On the women's side, can Aryna Sabalenka finally get over the finish line and win a Grand Slam title this season? In her way is a potential R3 showdown with Britain's Emma Raducanu or former champion Market Vondrousova who got the better of her recently in Berlin. French Open champion Coco Gauff also may have hoped for a kinder draw with a tricky opening against Nottingham finalist Yastremska with Rybakina and Swiatek lurking close by. The team also discuss prize money as Britain's Oliver Tarvet will NOT be allowed to claim his prize money of at least £66,000 due to still being in college in America. Join us as we get underway with daily episodes to come throughout The Championships starting on Monday!BABOLATBabolat are an official partner of Wimbledon and their Wimbledon collaboration collection is available to purchase now from babolat.com SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Inside INdiana Business Radio for the morning of June 27, 2025. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. approved incentives for four large data center projects, three in Indianapolis and one in Northern Indiana. Trine University and the city of Angola are partnering on a new 3.5-mile trail. Also: Phoenix Corp. breaks ground on a new HQ, NIPSCO wins approval for an electric rate hike, a new rural micro school opens east of Indy, and Huntington University launches a film training initiative. Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com.
Thom Crosby is the CEO of Pal's Sudden Service, HQ'd in Kingstwon, TN. Pal's Sudden Service was first opened in 1956 in Kingstown, TN. Thom came on board in 1981 to help them grow. Thom's experience prior to Pal's was in corporate McDonald's and corporate Long John Silvers, as well as a franchisee with Wendy's. Today Thom is the CEO of Pal's and the company has 31 locations. All but 2 Pal's locations are drive-thru only. Thom is a true believer and member of McClaskey Excellence Institute. David McClaskey was featured on the podcast, episode 1182, and you can learn more about him and his company here: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/mcclaskey-institute Join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network TODAY! Restaurant Unstoppable - EVOLVE! - Eric of Restaurant Unstoppable is now taking consultation and coaching calls! Book a consultation today! Schedule your call to become UNSTOPPABLE! Check out the website for more details: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve Today's sponsors: Franchise Law Solutions - Thinking about franchising your restaurant? Success doesn't have to mean 100 units overnight. With the right plan, you can build a profitable, local or regional franchise brand. The team at Internicola Law Firm — franchise lawyers and franchise development experts — will show you how. Visit www.franchiselawsolutions.com. US Foods: US Foods is hosting the event of the year, Food Fanatics 2025. August 19-20, 2025, at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV. Network with over 5,000 Industry peers. Attend Zouk nightclub reception, expert breakout sessions, Keynote speeches, musical performances, and dramatic demonstrations, and sample the latest on-trend dishes. The Clock Is Ticking! Be Ready to Register on April 16 for Food Fanatics® 2025. To learn more, visit www.usfoods.com/foodfanatics2025 Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more. Let's make 2025 the year your restaurant thrives. Today's guest recommends: McClaskey Excellence Institute Guest contact info: Website: https://www.palsweb.com/ Email: thom@palsweb.com Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable
Coleman Spaulding cut his teeth knocking doors for Safeguard in 2005, parlayed that experience into Proactive Pest Management in suburban Chicago, and—after a decade of steady growth—launched Spidexx Pest Control in 2016 with a bigger vision: blend door-to-door horsepower, bolt-on buys, and EOS culture to build a multistate platform. Fresh off selling Proactive this spring, Coleman joins the Blue-Collar Twins to unpack the playbook behind nine tuck-ins, 65-person teams, and why he's doubling down on Spidexx with a new HQ and more acquisitions on deck. You'll hear: Door-Knock Roots – Virginia Beach summers that turned 20 straight “no's” into $10 k days.Proactive Era – bootstrapping 2 000 recurring customers without sales reps.Partnership & Family – why co-founder Ryan upped Coleman's stake to 40 %, and how brother Taylor makes the trio click.Launch of Spidexx – starting in Des Moines with 380 accounts and grinding through the chaotic first year (yes, those two X's are intentional).Nine Small Acquisitions – buying 700–1 100-account firms, wiring funds fast, and knowing when to walk away.Door vs. Deal – retention math, capital intensity, and reading the “gut flags” before you sign.Selling Proactive – 60-day process with Potomac M&A, no earn-out, and lessons from the other side of the table.Future Vision – new headquarters, keeping culture tight across nine markets, and invitations to join the ride. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: the power of someone believing in you 00:35 – Jason & Jeremy introduce Coleman and his recent Proactive exit 02:00 – First company: Proactive Pest Management launched 2013 in Chicago suburbs 05:55 – Door-knock backstory: Safeguard summers, Brent & Alan Draper connections 11:00 – Partner Ryan bumps Coleman from 10 % to 40 %—“gratitude moment” 13:30 – Proactive's first year: 700 accounts, one summer team, slow-and-steady growth 16:00 – Why Spidexx was born in 2016 (Des Moines start, two X's in the name) 19:10 – Chaos tolerance & economics of today's door-to-door sales teams 24:00 – First tuck-in: buying 1 100 accounts, paying cash, rebranding vs. retaining 30:00 – Potomac relationship, quality-of-earnings, and Proactive sale closing in 60 days 33:30 – Door-to-door customers vs. acquired books—18-month retention rule of thumb 40:00 – Advice to the one-truck operator: “embrace small, learn, keep going” 47:00 – Working with brother Taylor and why family equity is a superpower 53:00 – New Spidexx headquarters coming 2026; podcast invitation for live show there 57:00 – Potomac 100 mastermind rumor & golf talk; wrapping with culture chat 1:00:00 – Outro and Private-Equity Masterclass CTA
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
Somehow we've gone from Prime Day hacks to mouth tape mishaps—but that's exactly why you'll want to hear this one. Jay Schwedelson breaks down a wildly underrated way to get instant high-intent leads (and yeah, he's annoyed he didn't think of it sooner). Plus, why even B2B brands should pay attention to Amazon's biggest shopping week—and no, it's not about selling on Amazon. Then it all goes off the rails with frog-touching and pool pee myths, naturally.Best Moments:(01:45) The sneaky genius behind a webinar titled “Should I Switch Email Platforms?”(02:30) Why turning your offer into an intent signal can instantly improve lead quality(03:00) Three fast content ideas that only attract people deep in the funnel(04:00) What a “style finder” or “trade-in calculator” really tells you about your audience(04:45) How Prime Day lifts email open rates—even if you're not selling on Amazon(05:50) Jay's favorite B2B subject lines that sneak in the “Prime” effect(08:45) Jay admits to believing in the spider sleep myth (and is deeply disturbed)(09:12) A PSA about peeing in pools—just… don't=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
We started with nothing but a bold idea, relentless faith, and a calling we can't ignore. We thought we were just building a brand. But God was building us. In this powerful conversation, we reveal the raw, unfiltered story of how Fordify HQ was built—the real challenges, divine guidance, and pivotal decisions that shaped our path as entrepreneurs and partners in marriage. You'll discover: The emotional cost of building a business with your spouse How to know when your vision is really from God What to do when you're in the “messy middle” and nothing makes sense How Fordify HQ went from idea to a 5,200 sq ft headquarters Why spiritual obedience leads to real-world provision Timestamps: (02:50) - Why we needed a real HQ (and the spiritual reason behind it) (06:09) - From test clients to scaling fast: the Fordify origin story (10:12) - Branding, biblical values, and business (14:41) - Jake's journey to becoming CEO (and the identity crisis it sparked) (18:14) - The friction that tested our marriage (23:51) - Discernment, resistance, and spiritual clarity (32:34) - The God-story behind Fordify HQ (40:25) - What finally gave us peace (46.31) - Inside The Fordify Retreat (49:34) - Advice for married entrepreneurs (53:16) - What men and women really need in marriage (1:09:09) - What God revealed after the obedience (1:15:18) - Final word for entrepreneurs of faith Follow Jake: Website | http://www.jakehavron.com Podcast | https://www.jakehavron.com/podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/jakehavron YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxG3bKqLK_M_HZpOgiVrtng More from Emily & Fordify: Website | https://meetemilyford.com On Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itsemily On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/itsemilymethod On YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/ITSEMILYFORD Fordify Show Podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thefordifyshow Join the Fordify Method | https://www.fordifymybrand.com Join Fordify Retreat | https://fordifyretreat.com/
In this episode, global brand experts Katherine Melchior Ray and Nataly Kelly discuss how international brands must evolve to stay relevant in an era marked by cultural shifts, technological acceleration, and rising consumer expectations. Drawing on their leadership experience at companies like Nike, Louis Vuitton, HubSpot, and Zappi, they highlight the urgency of embedding trust, cultural fluency, and adaptability into brand strategy. Key insights include: Localization Requires Strategic Adaptability Nataly Kelly reflects, “I used to believe that branding required absolute consistency... but when I began to work in global marketing, I realized there is adaptability that's required to really succeed.” True global branding, both argue, means creating a consistent brand core with local expressions, not rigid replication. Cultural Blind Spots Undermine Strategy Ray recalls early leadership at Nike, where “the common refrain was, for women's shoes… ‘shrink it and pink it.'” She urges leaders to “listen with your eyes,” emphasizing the importance of nonverbal cues and lived experience, especially when HQ-based assumptions fail abroad. Responsiveness Is Not the Same as Reactivity As AI reshapes marketing operations, Kelly warns, “You can't outsource your strategy… Judgment and strategy are the two things that I think humans will start to realize [must stay human].” Rapid action without clear values can erode trust. Brand Trust Is Repetition, Not Rhetoric Ray notes, “At the end of the day, a brand is all about a promise… people support brands that they trust.” In an age of AI-generated messaging, staying aligned with core values, through actions, not just language, is critical to maintaining consumer confidence. Structure Signals Strategy Kelly shares a story from Dashlane, a startup that eliminated the term “headquarters” to create structural parity across regions. “It was a strong statement about how to build a globally equitable organization… Employees are brand ambassadors, and status differences send signals.” The episode closes with a powerful reminder: As technology advances, human competencies like cultural literacy, curiosity, and creativity will only become more essential. “The more we rely on technology, the more we must double down on our humanity,” Ray says. Get Brand Global, Adapt Local here: https://shorturl.at/f4EnF Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
The crew puts the gallery behind them and takes a moment to reflect ahead of what is to come==========Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/greenboxgaming_==========Our reddit HQ: https://www.reddit.com/r/GreenBoxGaming/==========Streaming and vodsTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/greenboxgaming_/videosYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenboxgaming8464/videos==========SocialsTwitter: https://twitter.com/GreenBoxGaming2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenboxgamingofficial/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greenboxgamingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Green-Box-Gaming/100086783479102/==========PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/delta-green-impossible-landscapes-with-green-box-gaming/id1658184243Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sVHaTLUqvYP2MYRKFkSanYouTube Music:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0DpYquvQc3ZgkvFOFmvmvofV7qeaVFZPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/delta-green-impossible-landscapes-with-green-box-gaming/4145662#Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/podcast/663b5900-4b80-013b-f1a1-0acc26574db2==========Published by arrangement with the Delta Green Partnership. The intellectual property known as Delta Green is a trademark and copyright owned by the Delta Green Partnership who has licensed its use here. The contents of this media are © Green Box Gaming 2024, excepting those elements that are components of the Delta Green intellectual property.==========Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes Arc Dream Publishingdelta-green.com/arcdream.com/home/Godspeed, you crazy bluesman.
Watch on Philo! - Philo.tv/DTHSo Benji is out in the literal field. He's watching this plane that is about to take off. And here's what you need to know - the package is on that plane. He's doing this mission with Brandt who is back at HQ. Luther pipes in cuz I guess he can help now and he makes it to where Benji can access the plane remotely. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ethan comes running through the field and tells Benji to open the door. Once Benji figures out which door he means, he finds these canisters holding nerve gas and pushes them out the back. THEME SONG TIME! Some time later, Ethan walks into a record store where he uses some coded language to get a vinyl which will show him his next mission. While the message is playing, it is revealed that the message is from The Syndicate which is a group Ethan has been tracking for a year. They tell him that if he continues to go after them, he will die. He looks out and sees a dude in glasses who kills the women who gave him the record as gas causes Ethan to go unconcious. Cut to a senate meeting with Brandt and CIA director Alan Hunley. They demand that the IMF be disbanded due to the events that happened in Russia. We see that Ethan is being held hostage. A women comes in, takes off her shoes, and just kinda stares at him for a while. Then some baddies come in, one of which is known as the Bone Doctor. Just as he's about to do his thing, he is freed by the women. She's Ilsa Faust, an undercover British MI6 agent. But she doesn't leave with him. She convinces them that she was trying to help them as he escaped. He calls Brandt for help but he says the IMF have been shut down. Ethan now knows he's on his own and that the CIA is going to be looking for him. 6 months later, we see Ethan in a room, He's got a very real beard. And he's just doing some pull ups. The CIA thinks they found him but Ethan is always one step ahead. Ethan is watching them with the finest Nokia cell phone. And CIA Director Hunley is not pleased. He brings Benji in for a polygraph test but Benji insists that he doens't owe Ethan anything and that they aren't friends. When Benji returns to his desk, he has two tickets to the Vienna opera. So he heads to Austria and he is immediately handed a envelope. Inside are some glasses that allow him and Ethan to communicate. Ethan catches him up to speed. He believe that Lane is going to be at the Opera. Who is Lane? He is the glasses dude that Ethan suspects is the Syndicate's leader. Benji and Ethan discover that the opera is being attended by the Austrian Chancellor which does throw a wrench in the plan. Benji is watching the cameras and sees the potential assassin. Ethan also notices a woman moving around the backstage. Ethan catches up with the assassin and they fight, but then Ethan notices a 3rd assassin moving into position. There's a lot of assassin's at the opera tonight. He takes the gun of the first assassin and shoots the Chancellor in the shoulder to save his life. Benji attacks the 3rd shooter in the lighting booth, and the women, who turns out to be Ilsa from the beginning shoots that baddie to save Benji. Ethan finds Ilsa and they escape in time to see the Chancellor's car explode. Hunt helps Ilsa escape the opera. Ilsa jumps out of Ethan's car to make it look like an escape and then is taken to Lane. It appears she's working with him when he questions her loyalty for letting Ethan escape twice. Ethan figures out that Ilsa is going to Moracco, so he goes to meet up with her and she tells him what she knows - that the baddie is Soloman Lane who used to be British Intellegence and went rogue and started the Syndicate. She claims that Lane kept a ledger of all his operatives which was stolen by one of his operatives and placed in a secure server here in Moracco. The secure server can only be accessed if your profile is already preloaded into the security system that is housed under water. So Ethan dives in and it doesn't exactly go according to plan. He does swap out the security profile but isn't able to escape before running out of oxygen. So Ilsa jumps in and saves him. But then proceeds to take the flash drive with the ledger on it to take to her British intelligence boss who says this isn't good enough. She needs to go back to Lane so that he can confirm that thats the real ledger. So she shows back up to Lane but the flash drive has been wiped clean. We catch up with Benji and Ethan who are found by Luther and Brandt. Turns out, Benji made a copy of the flash drive and it turns out it contains an encrypted British government virtual red box that requires the biometrics of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to unlock it. They all travel to London, but Lane's men abduct Benji during the team's meeting and use him to blackmail Ethan into decrypting and delivering the data to him. Despite Brandt's protests, Ethan accepts the mission. Hunley is informed by Brandt to come to London. He shows up to a meeting with Brandt and the Prime Minister. Atlee is also there and has the Prime Minister confirm that the Syndicate is real which is a suprise to Hunley. Atlee then shoots the prime minister with a dart and reveals that Atlee is actually Ethan in a mask. The real Atlee shows up and confirms that he started the Syndicate to recruit former intelligence agents and perform missions without oversight and zero accountability but Lane went rogue. Hunley is like oh my bad. I done goofed. Ethan and Brandt secure the Prime Minister's biometrics, allowing Luther to decrypt the file. When decrypting the file, it is revealed that the red box actually contains access to £2.4 billion to do with what The Syndicate saw fit. Ethan destroys the data after deducing that Lane plans to fund The Syndicate with the money. Arriving at the meeting place arranged by Lane, Ethan finds Benji strapped to a bomb and wearing a headset and contact lens camera to serve as Lane's proxy alongside Faust. Ethan tells Lane that he has memorized the data and offers himself in exchange for Benji's safety. Benji escapes after Lane remotely disarms the bomb and Ilsa and Ethan run through the city when the Bone Doctor and his boys show back up. Ilsa makes the Bone Doctor follow her and she kills him. And Ethan draws Lane out, who has now joined the chase, and lures him into a tunnel system where he ends up in a transparent bulletproof cell where he is gassed, like he did to Ethan at the beginning of the film and taken into custody. Hunley goes to speak to the Senate again and claims that their previous meeting served as a cover to help Ethan expose and shut down The Syndicate and he's now requesting the IMF be reinstated.
It's time for SHORT-FORM SUMMER RE-BRAND!!! This summer, we're going to re-brand your Instagram & TikTok for July & August 2025 and we're doing it TOGETHER!! ➡️ Check out Storyblocks at https://www.storyblocks.com/tessbarclay to level-up your content!!I've built out a full 9-week plan to rebrand your social media by September 1st with a content challenge with a content calendar & today's episode is the kickoff!!
A year ago, Oberweis Dairy was in bankruptcy. Now it's expanding. Reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the ice cream brand's next chapter. Plus: Northern Trust reportedly approached by Bank of New York Mellon about merger, American Bar Association sues Trump over alleged "intimidation" of law firms, a big West Loop apartment tower up for sale and Berlin Packaging to move HQ to Merchandise Mart.
Western militaries won't be able to do C2 in urban warfare scenarios well enough to prevail. So says Professor John Spencer, author, researcher, commentator and veteran of numerous campaigns. Recent lessons from urban fights demand that HQ staffs refocus on things they can control and need to influence (the Info Ops battle, allocation of scarce resources like engineers, as well as critical CIMIC, legal, PAO issues), whilst combat leaders on the ground will need to understand – and exploit – legacy equipment and tools that find utility in complex urban battles; think sound powered telephones, or procedural and paper Fire Support Co-ordination Measures (FSCMs). John's advice is to train hard, understand the terrain, and what you – and your enemy – is capable of in this unique environment.
The video of Charles Martinet puppeteering Mario around the screen: * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyezQsI-v-s Lords: * John * Esper Topics: * Chess, the Musical: a show that is universally acclaimed but no longer performed because it consistently loses money * I believe live television to be the most exciting thing humans have invented * Blaseball had $3 million in VC funding * Pad, Pad by Stevie Smith * https://allpoetry.com/Pad,-Pad * Why not RSS for text? * Officiating weddings for your friends Microtopics: * The video of Charles Martinet puppeteering the Mario head. * Who gets to say "roll theme song!" * A community where the chances of someone acting in bad faith is negligible. * DC Action News. * All human communication is technicallt advertising. * The generous Haste demo. * A skipping stones on water kind of game. * Sonic/Klonoa/late 90s/early 00s aesthetics. * A karaoke favorite that is not very reasonably sensitive. * All the Tims who did not work on Chess the Musical. * The guy from Rent whose name you can't remember. * Breakdancing while arbitrating a chess match. * Internet radio stations. * A Windows 95 theme of Chess the Musical. * Installing Windows 95 themes on your Picotron desktop. * Sex, Death and Live Television! * Live TV mishaps that ruin entirely the wrong career. * HQ. * At five o'clock, there's gonna be a guy. * The sense of spectacle you get from a live broadcast with a big audience. * The time one of the leads forgot his entire monologue. * The thrill of being part of a live performance as it's going wrong. * Listening to Shoutcast channels on Winamp. * Winamp's Shoutcast station registry. * The childhood dream of owning a TV station and getting to make all the little station IDs. * Netflix's abandoned "just fuck me up" button. * Six episodes of Deep Space 9 on a single VHS tape. * Drop 7 vs. Dropout TV. * Getting entirely the wrong information from your survey about what people like about your product. * Trying to sign up for Blaseball and failing. * Funny names such as Dominic Marijuana. * Jumping in and forcing some actions to happen. * Needing your game to break so that you can write the way it breaks into the narrative of the story. * Blaseball-likes. * Terrorball. (Short for Territory Ball.) * A list of all locations. * The Scarborough Fairies. * Resurrecting Jaylen Hotdogfingers. * An online text mode football manager with a live chat. * Fish Center. * Determining which fish is best. * Bringing a little bit of the live frisson to a fake live broadcast. * Whether it's okay to read a poem more than once. * Softly I go now, pad pad. * Cats you had together. * The cat that Hatricia Hop-Meow is based on. * Blogs: do they exist? * Making a point of finding an open source way to do your shit. * A 24 hour cycle of live podcasts. * TiVo for podcasts. * Edging the feeling of whether you're watching live TV or not in a slip slidey timestream. * Asking chat a question and then waiting 15 to 20 seconds for the response to come back. * Bringing back RSS readers. * The New Old Reader. * Opening with the mawwige joke. * Wanting people to want things. * Going back to your old life except now your friends are married. * Protecting The Lord from unauthorized clergymen. * Paying $20 to the Universal Life Church so you can perform weddings in most states. * Keeping the card in your wallet in case anyone tries to claim that you're not really an ordained minister.
With Wimbledon one week away, the grass court season is in full flow so join Joel, Kim and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ as they look back on yet another enthralling week of tennis on the tour. Carlos Alcaraz continued his red hot streak to reclaim the Queen's title whilst former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova announced she was back with victory in Berlin, including a dominant performance over the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Not to be outdone, Alexander Bublik continued his mid season purple patch with a Roland Garros reversal win over Jannik Sinner (who had the time to release some opera music with Andrea Bocelli) en route to the Halle title over Daniil Medvedev whose long wait for an ATP Tour title goes on. Elsewhere, Petra Kvitova announced her retirement from the sport, Nick Kyrgios was dropped from the BBC's Wimbledon coverage and the US Open announced their star studded Mixed doubles event. Headlined by the tantalising partnership of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, the gang debate just what impact a singles based doubles event will have on the format or whether it's just one big gimmick. They also look ahead to the final lead up events in Eastbourne, Mallorca and Bad Homburg as Wimbledon qualifying gets underway.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
O que um menino travesso e filosófico das tirinhas — Calvin, ao lado do seu tigre Haroldo — pode nos ensinar sobre ética e vida cristã?
Groove Radio's Official TOP 5 GROOVES Weekly Chart Hosted by Swedish Egil - Week of 06-23-25 01 Anyma & Luke Steele - Human Now - The End Of Genesys 02 Alok, me n u & Ten Fe - Superrich - Ultra Records 03 Cizzzla - Point Em Out (Original Mix) - dt weapons 04 AMEME & Barney Bones - Sweat (Radio Edit) - Insomniac Records 05 Matroda - Forget It (Matroda Drum N Bass Vip) - Insomniac Records -- About GROOVE RADIO Groove Radio is the Rhythm of the Future - always on in HQ audio with electronic dance music and DJ culture LIVE from Los Angeles. Curated by legendary radio programmer, Swedish Egil, Groove Radio celebrates 30+ years featuring iconic and emerging talent from the early classics of 90's techno and house music to the sounds of today's dance music festivals. -- For more info visit: grooveradio.com c2025 Groove Radio. All rights reserved.
In this season finale of Michigan Hidden History, we plunge into Coldwater, Michigan's surprisingly sizzling past. Learn how a Potawatomi paradise became a Union Army equestrian HQ (3,000 horses, anyone?), then morphed into a cigar-smoke capital turning out 13 million stogies a year. We'll sneak into the historic Tibbits Opera House for a dose of Victorian high culture, then grab a fishing pole and explore 112 lakes that make Coldwater the angler's dream. It's a rollicking ride through cannons, railroads, electric lights—and a town that refuses to stay “cold.” Tune in for the frosty facts and the fiery fun!
A person can only survive only so long without food or water. But did you know that some experts say we can't survive at all without hope? Join Chip as he explains every person has an HQ - a Hope Quotient - and why it matters!Understanding Hope:Finding Hope & Keeping it AliveThe context: Philippians 1-2In difficult circumstances = I choose joy!In challenging relationships = I choose love!In confusion and chaos = I choose hope!The command: Rejoice in the Lord -- Philippians 3:1The warning: Beware of false teachers -- Philippians 3:23 Vital TakeawaysWhatever we put our HOPE in will determine what we WORSHIP.False HOPE always ends in either PRIDE or DESPAIR. 1 Timothy 6:17True HOPE is rooted in RELATIONSHIP and results in JOY and ENDURANCE. Romans 5:1-5Speaker Mentioned ResourceRay Johnston - The Hope QuotientBroadcast ResourceDownload Free MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource Mentions"I Choose Joy" Book"I Choose Joy" Home Church StudyMid Year MatchMid Year MatchConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
If you think launching an online course is just about slapping together a few videos, think again. Jay Schwedelson sits down with the amazing Teresa Heath-Wareing to get real about what it actually takes to turn your expertise (or even just your favorite hobby) into a thriving digital business. Teresa opens up about why most people are focused on the wrong things, the actual numbers behind launching, and how she went from corporate marketing to running one of the world's top business podcasts—plus, why she's obsessed with Instagram and why email is still the ultimate secret weapon. If you've ever wondered, “Could I actually do this?” Teresa's story and advice will give you a reality check in the best possible way.Follow Teresa on Instagram @teresa_heathwareing, listen to her “Your Dream Business” podcast on Apple Podcasts, and find resources on teresaheathwareing.com.Best Moments:(01:28) The “early midlife crisis” that kickstarted Teresa's business journey(03:16) Losing her job and hustling to survive with no savings and a young daughter(06:00) Creating her first course—then being too terrified to sell it for a year(08:45) The cold truth about launching with no audience(10:45) Why building an email list matters more than anything else(14:00) How Teresa landed Pat Flynn and Amy Porterfield as her first podcast guests(17:30) The real math on launches: why you need more people than you think(19:24) Where to follow Teresa and why Instagram is her favorite=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
People keep telling you not to do these three things—and they're wrong. Jay Schwedelson is breaking down some of the most persistent marketing myths floating around LinkedIn and your inbox. From link placement to email resends to reposting content, the "rules" might be more superstition than strategy. Jay puts them to the test and shares what actually works based on real data (and a little experimentation of his own).Best Moments:(01:10) A massive LinkedIn study finds posts with links actually get more engagement(02:45) Why the myth about LinkedIn penalizing outbound links never made much sense(04:05) Resending emails to non-openers can boost total clicks by 15%(05:35) The key to resends: switch up your subject line and send at a different time(06:26) Repeating content on social isn't lazy—it's necessary, and nobody notices(07:15) How Jay's team recycles high-performing posts every six months(08:15) The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders' wild pay jump and what reality stars really earn=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
I am joined by Heather Cooper, the COO at Baker Law Group and the former CEO at Cloud Coach. Heather and I didn't know each other when we competed against each other (TaskRay and Cloud Coach) but have gotten to know each other since, which has been really fun. She is starting a podcast with one of my favorite work people, Blakely Graham, that will launch later this year.While Heather was at Cloud Coach, they found a great talent pipeline by running an internship program recruiting heavily from the local university near their HQ, Colorado State in Fort Collins, CO. She shares lessons learned regarding sizing of that program.We talk about her experience working with Tequity advisors, who are a sell-side advisory firm, helped her navigate leading the process where Cloud Coach exited to private equity and how engaging early, way before they were ready to sell, was important along the way. Even though Heather is A lawyer, she isn't YOUR lawyer. With that in mind, her and I talk through some important concepts for every ISV to consider and hold the line around key contract terms like termination for convenience, multi-year deals, and the importance of educating the buyer on how security works with the Salesforce platform. This episode is brought to you by Invisory. Invisory is designed to meet you where you are: in your cloud marketplace journey through a strong go-to-market strategy that helps drive prospect and co-sell opportunities with Salesforce, AWS, Microsoft, and Google.
Memories lay stagnant in an HQ that is both familiar and alien. For Transcripts, our Tip Jar, and the official Discord Server: https://bloomandblight.com/ Theme Song: "Seconds Rising Star" by Harper S.K. Songs featured courtesy Epidemic Sound: "Buried Time" by Rand Aldo, "Resolution" by Marten Moses, "Breathe In" by Anthony Earls, and "Allegiance" by dvine. Check out Girl by Moonlight: https://evilhat.com/product/girl-by-moonlight/Vote Bloom&Blight for Best Audio and Sound Design in a Podcast and "Seconds Rising Star" for Best Instrumental in the CRITAwards HERE!Be sure to stick around after our credits for a word from friends of the show, 5 GMs in a Trenchcoat
A person can only survive only so long without food or water. But did you know that some experts say we can't survive at all without hope? Join Chip as he explains every person has an HQ - a Hope Quotient - and why it matters!Understanding Hope:Finding Hope & Keeping it AliveThe context: Philippians 1-2In difficult circumstances = I choose joy!In challenging relationships = I choose love!In confusion and chaos = I choose hope!The command: Rejoice in the Lord -- Philippians 3:1The warning: Beware of false teachers -- Philippians 3:23 Vital TakeawaysWhatever we put our HOPE in will determine what we WORSHIP.False HOPE always ends in either PRIDE or DESPAIR. 1 Timothy 6:17True HOPE is rooted in RELATIONSHIP and results in JOY and ENDURANCE. Romans 5:1-5Speaker Mentioned ResourceRay Johnston - The Hope QuotientBroadcast ResourceDownload Free MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource Mentions"I Choose Joy" Book"I Choose Joy" Home Church StudyMid Year MatchMid Year MatchConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003
Amazon Prime Day 2025 dates are here! TikTok Shop's deal day. Temu is back shipping directly from China? And free AI workshop tickets at Helium 10 HQ. All on today's Weekly Buzz. ► Instagram: instagram.com/serioussellerspodcast ► Free Amazon Seller Chrome Extension: https://h10.me/extension ► Sign Up For Helium 10: https://h10.me/signup (Use SSP10 To Save 10% For Life) ► Learn How To Sell on Amazon: https://h10.me/ft ► Watch The Podcasts On YouTube: youtube.com/@Helium10/videos We're back with another episode of the Weekly Buzz with Helium 10's VP of Education and Strategy, Bradley Sutton. Every week, we cover the latest breaking news in the Amazon, Walmart, and E-commerce space, talk about Helium 10's newest features, and provide a training tip for the week for serious sellers of any level. Prime Day is back July 8-11, with double the days and millions of deals https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-prime-day-2025-date Chinese-backed Temu resumes direct sales to US after Washington-Beijing trade truce https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3314334/chinese-backed-temu-resumes-direct-sales-us-after-washington-beijing-trade-truce TikTok Shop is where shoppers come to discover https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/tiktok-shop-is-where-shoppers-come-to-discover Helium 10 just upgraded its Influencer Finder tool, making it easier than ever to discover Amazon and TikTok creators who've already made videos for products like yours. With new Chrome extension features and detailed influencer insights like email, video stats, and social links, you can now connect with relevant creators in minutes instead of hours. TikTok Rolls Out New Badges To Highlight Seller Performance https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-more-seller-badges-highlight-customer-service-performance/750637/ Helium 10's Cerebro gives you unmatched visibility by showing keyword rankings across all seven Amazon search result pages—not just the top two or three like other tools. It also reveals where products appear in Amazon's ad placements, helping you uncover competitor gaps, monitor fluctuations, and make smarter PPC decisions. Resellers can now generate reviews with Amazon Vine https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-news/articles/QVRWUERLSUtYMERFUiNHNjZKNlRDRzUyVVFDOVo4 Roku And Amazon's New Deal Will Target 80% Of US CTV-Watching Households https://www.adexchanger.com/tv/roku-and-amazons-new-deal-will-target-80-of-us-ctv-watching-households/ TikTok Shop to launch e-commerce service in Japan as soon as this month https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/06/17/companies/tiktok-shop-japan/ Amazon may be extending its Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals to a surprising 12-day window, from November 20th to December 1st, based on what's showing in Seller Central. Sellers should check their dashboards now to see if they qualify and can start scheduling deals for this extended event. Helium 10 is hosting a live, in-person Elite AI Workshop on June 26th at its Irvine, CA headquarters, featuring top experts like Ritu Java and Andrew Bell— Go to h10.me/q2workshop free tickets are available with code ELITE100. For virtual attendees, join the free TikTok Shop success webinar with Paul Harvey on June 25th at h10.me/ttwebinar, and don't miss the AI Arsenal beginner workshop with Andrew Bell and Bradley Sutton on June 23rd at h10.me/aiwebinar. This episode is packed with actionable insights to keep you ahead in the fast-evolving world of e-commerce. In this episode of the Weekly Buzz by Helium 10, Bradley covers: 00:50 - Prime Day 2025 Dates 03:11 - Temu Shipping From China Again? 06:19 - TikTok Shop Up 120% 09:58 - Influencer Finder 16:26 - New TikTok Badges 17:59 - Training Tip of the Week 21:59 - Vine For Resellers 22:57 - Roku X Amazon 25:17 - TikTok Japan 25:37 - Amazon Black Friday Week? 27:14 - Webinars/Workshops
You think you know email deliverability? Think again. Jay Schwedelson teams up with Guy Hanson and Danielle Gallant for a rapid-fire, no-nonsense "kitchen sink" episode of Spamageddon, where they serve up 10 essential (and sometimes controversial) deliverability tips. From wild British vs. American word wars to why the Gmail Promotions tab is scarier than you think, this one's packed with sharp takes and real talk on surviving the modern inbox.Best Moments:(01:10) British vs. American word chaos—table this or talk about it now?(05:08) DMARC's “none” policy is a fraudster's dream, and it's about to become a problem for everyone.(06:23) Spam complaint rates—don't settle for the “generous” 0.3%, aim for 0.1% or lower.(07:30) Double opt-in: future mandate or marketer's nightmare?(09:41) Data hygiene starts at signup—think address validation, Captcha, and keeping bots out.(11:10) Delete those dormant subscribers or risk deliverability doom.(12:00) Use feedback loops to permanently ditch serial complainers.(13:19) Gmail is using AI to auto-insert promo annotations—take control before weird images show up.(15:12) AI summaries are coming for your emails—start thinking SEO and alt text, now.(16:40) Don't blast at the top of the hour if you want your emails to actually land.(17:39) Accessibility issues are everywhere—don't let your emails be part of the 90% problem.(18:24) New AI laws mean you need to update privacy and rethink your risk, pronto.(19:16) BIMI and logo verification—don't be the email sender with no face in the inbox.Guy and Danielle invite you to check out the Email After Hours podcast and explore deliverability tools and guidance from Validity.=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
We just got back from a mind-blowing weekend with Dan Martell and Renée Warren that completely reset how Lori and I view leadership, accountability, and culture. In this episode, we dive into the standards we witnessed, from mandatory meal prep and radical KPI ownership to a team culture built on community and impact. Get ready to rethink what's possible in your life, relationships, and business! HIGHLIGHTS The leadership standard Dan's HQ inspired in us. Why Dan's team is required to meal prep. The accountability strategy we're now adopting. How this trip gave us the mirror we didn't know we needed. The fastest way to upgrade your life. RESOURCES Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day. FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
You know that feeling when you want to stay on top of your industry but just can't stomach another networking event or boring RSS feed? Jay Schwedelson has a wildly easy fix: hijack your inbox. This one is all about using ChatGPT and a few clever email hacks to build your own mini search engine of up-to-date insights—especially handy if you're in a niche space like B2B SaaS Healthcare. Plus, Jay weighs in on nepo babies (yes, really) and why being one might actually be harder than you think.Try Jay's Prompt:Just drop this into ChatGPT and watch your inbox transform:“I work in [your industry] and want to subscribe to the best email newsletters from leading companies, smart founders, and modern publishers. I'm looking for tactical insights across go-to-market, product, growth, and marketing. Please give me a curated list of high-quality newsletters with registration links included.”Best Moments:(01:20) The exact ChatGPT prompt to uncover the best newsletters in your field, complete with signup links(02:45) Why organizing your inbox into a newsletter folder creates a goldmine of searchable insights(03:50) How to turn that folder into a real-time idea bank for content, webinars, and campaigns(04:55) The unexpected upside of getting promo emails from those newsletters(06:18) Why Jay has no beef with nepo babies—even if their album might flop(07:12) The new “Beatles kids” collab that might make you cringe… or not=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
We just got back from one of the most inspiring weekends of our lives. After spending a few days with Dan Martell and Renée Warren, we came back COMPLETELY reset. In this episode, Chris and I talk about the mindset shift we witnessed firsthand, with how Dan holds his team to the highest standards through non-negotiables like daily meal prep, full KPI ownership, and radical accountability. We share what it actually looks like to raise the bar in your daily life—at home, in your relationships, and in your business. Check out our Sponsors: Airbnb - Start making money by listing your home on Airbnb with an experiences Co-host, find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Northwest Registered Agent - Don't wait—protect your privacy, build your brand, and set up your business in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes! Visit https://northwestregisteredagent.com/earn today. Open Phone - Stop running your business from your personal phone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at openphone.com/earn Shopify - Try the ecommerce platform I trust for Glōci, Sign up for your $1/month trial period at Shopify.com/happy This Is Small Business podcast - listen on apple podcast (or your favorite podcast app.) BambooHR - Experience the software that makes HR easier for all of your employees. Try BambooHR for free at bamboohr.com/freedemo HIGHLIGHTS The leadership standard Dan's HQ inspired in us. Why Dan's team is required to meal prep. The accountability strategy we're now adopting. How this trip gave us the mirror we didn't know we needed. The fastest way to upgrade your life. RESOURCES Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet HERE! Check out our FREE 90-Day Business Blueprint HERE! Listen to my free SECRET PODCASTS SERIES - Operation: Rekindle This B*tch Get glōci HERE Use code: HAPPY at checkout for 25% off! FOLLOW Follow me: @loriharder Follow Chris: @chriswharder Follow glōci: @getgloci
Great names, great prospects and a great peek into the future. It's all happening at Ohio State's football HQ. Team camps with a prospect camp interspersed is the weekly plan at the WHAC. It continues today and we have Bill Kurelic and Mark Porter to review what's been seen and preview what we will see next. The weekend brought a litany of new offers and commitments experiencing their future home. Yesterday's team camp featured Florida star QB Wonderful 'Champ' Monds IV and he did not disappoint. Today and tomorrow bring more talent to the fold. All of that plus updates on Savion Hiter, Luke Wafle, the Feister brothers, Darius Gray, Judah Blair, Trey Towns and more. Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
Meta's finally doing it—ads are coming to WhatsApp. Jay Schwedelson explains what that means for marketers (especially if you're already running ads on Facebook or Instagram). Plus, you'll learn a sneaky trick to boost your content downloads, get a disturbing stat about AI relationships, and hear what restaurant chain is opening more locations than seems humanly possible.Best Moments:(00:50) WhatsApp is opening up to ads for the first time ever(01:49) “Growth,” “micro,” and “quick fix” as secret weapons for content titles(04:04) 16% of singles are open to AI relationships—and most people don't think it's cheating(05:29) Starbucks opened 589 new stores last year, and that's somehow not the weirdest stat(06:28) “Echo Valley” is the new Apple TV thriller, but Jay's hyped about something way more wholesome=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Every year, around the holiday season, we gather at DT!HQ for a gift exchange of the wildest video game peripherals we can find. Well we're still six months out from that, but we just got a new Nintendo console and the nerds are already rabid for a new Nintendo peripheral. So we gathered at DT!HQ for what some may call a halfway-to-the-holidays party to showcase our favorite Nintendo peripherals of the past. Snuggle in, grab a glizzy, and crank up the A/C as we determine "which Nintendo accessory should we bring back for the Switch 2?" Andrew is improving a capitalistic nightmare. Kyle is making a capitalistic nightmare. Matt is making a capitalistic nightmare more capitalistic and nightmarish. Come see us LIVE! We'll be at... Southern Fried Gaming Expo - 6/21/25 - Atlanta, GA Tekko Pittsburgh - 7/18/25 - Pittsburgh, PA The title of this week's episode was selected by our Patrons in our Discord Community! If you want to help us choose the next one, join our discord, and/or get some bonus content, become part of #ButtThwompNation at patreon.com/debatethiscast! Have you seen out Patreon? patreon.com/debatethiscast Have you seen our Instagram? instagram.com/debatethiscast Have you seen our Threads? threads.net/debatethiscast Want to send us an email? debatethiscast@gmail.com MERCH! We have that! Right now you can go on the internet and order things that say Debate This! On them! All you need to do is head to MerchThis.net and give us your money! Ever wanted socks with the DT! logo on them? Well now you can get em! One more time that website is MerchThis.net! Properties we talked about this week: Fantastic Four: First Steps, Mario Kart World, the Nintendo Power Glove, The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword, the Wizard, the Nintendo E-Reader, R.O.B., Gyromite, Stack-Up Music for Debate This! is provided by composer Ozzed under a creative commons license. Check out more of their 8-bit bops at www.ozzed.net!
Veeeeery busy day for us at the Majority Report today, with a new front of Israel's military rampage opening up with Iran, Donald Trump holding what turned out to be a rinky dinky military parade, political assassinations in Minnesota, No Kings protests across the country, and AOC and Zohran holding a joint rally in NYC. We get to all of that today, plus a great interview with Stephen Wertheim from the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Israel's provocations against Iran and how to parse out Trump's strategy (if we can even call it that). Follow Stephen on X here: https://x.com/stephenwertheim In the Fun Half, AOC takes the stage to a huge crowd at her joint rally with Zohran Mamdani and points out that many of the establishment Dems who called for Cuomo's resignation as governor are now lining up behind his run for mayor. She says this is just one more reason why the country needs to turn the page on the gerontocracy currently at the helm of both major parties. Republican Senator Mike Lee irresponsibly tweets out that the Minnesota gunman who shot four people killing two of them, including a Democratic state lawmaker of being a Marxist, while his roommate says he was a regular listener of Alex Jones' Infowars who was a Trump supporter. Tim Pool weighs in to the new war Israel has launched against Iran and what Donald Trump's role might have been. But boy does it seem like he has stacked his panel with a bunch of people who will make points on his behalf so he can avoid going on the record during such a sensitive matter. Netanyahu on the other hand is trying to justify why he's provoked a war with Iran by telling Americans that he's doing it for our safety. CNN for it's part points out that Iran has targeted Mossad's HQ, which is right in the middle of a highly populated part of Tel Aviv. Does that sound familiar? Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: MAGIC SPOON: Get 5 dollars off your next order at MagicSpoon.com/MAJORITYREPORT Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. DELETE ME: Text MAJORITY to 64000 for 20% off your DeleteMe subscription Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @RussFinkelstein Check out Russ' podcast the New Yorker Political Scene Scene: https://rss.com/podcasts/newyorkerpoliticalscenescene/ Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder – https://majorityreportradio.com/
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
Most marketers think attribution is the answer to everything, but Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray take it apart with stories about chasing TikTok-famous restaurants, tracking referrals that don't show up in dashboards, and why "where did you hear about us?" is still the secret weapon. Turns out, the biggest marketing fights aren't about numbers—they're about team alignment. Plus, you'll get their real-life hacks for finding hidden gem restaurants (spoiler: Reddit and TikTok win).Best Moments:(00:56) Daniel finally scores a cool invite from a Miami restaurant thanks to his newsletter(02:31) Attribution is a compass, not a map—most marketers get lost by taking it too literally(03:21) Jay explains why last-touch attribution is nonsense, especially for anything more expensive than a phone case(05:39) Why obsessing over Facebook dashboard numbers makes marketers miss the real sales cycle(06:54) Jay's agency rips out their website for a single “book a call” page—here's what happened(08:42) Alignment, not attribution, is where the real fights (and fixes) happen between sales, marketing, and finance(09:25) The top companies put marketing leadership on actual sales calls—spreadsheets aren't enough(10:18) How “where did you hear about us?” and AI-powered call analysis catch what dashboards miss(10:37) The surprisingly non-glamorous way Daniel finds new restaurants (hint: TikTok, Reddit, and a lot of menu stalking)Go follow The Marketing Millennials podcast, but also tune in to this series—Bathroom Break—for quick marketing tips and more. Tell Daniel and Jay what you want to hear next by reaching out on LinkedIn.=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
You never know where someone's career will take them, and Jay Schwedelson is totally fascinated by Adam Ryan's unconventional path—from ninth-grade American government teacher to building the B2B creator community platform Workweek. Adam breaks down why the future of content and community isn't about brands, but about real, trusted personalities—and why “community” might be the most overused word in marketing right now.Check out everything Adam and his team are building at Workweek, and explore their creator-led communities and content: https://workweek.com/Best Moments:(01:45) Lesson plans at 6:30 AM and why Adam left teaching for good(02:33) Your career isn't linear—scroll Adam's LinkedIn if you need proof(04:45) People crave learning from individuals, not faceless brands(07:45) When you need trust, a real human should lead your newsletter—even if it's ghostwritten(11:13) Why most brand “communities” flop and how Workweek thinks differently(14:06) Engagement loops are the secret sauce to keeping communities alive(17:01) The TikTok lesson: relevance is everything for ongoing community value=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
Think your emails are tanking just because they land in Gmail's promotions tab? Jay Schwedelson teams up with Danielle Gallant and Guy Hanson for Spamageddon—a crossover mini-series that's equal parts email myth-busting and inbox apocalypse survival kit. This time, they're going deep on the tab that everyone blames for their marketing woes, debunking the panic with data, real user behavior, and a few shots at turkey pardoning. If you think the promotions tab is your biggest problem, you might want to listen twice.Best Moments:(01:30) Why does the US president pardon a turkey—and do Brits secretly judge us for it?(03:40) Danielle nails four reality dating shows in under ten seconds (and teases her reality TV debut)(06:50) The myth about promotions tab “killing” your email performance(08:20) How many people actually use tabs in Gmail and Apple—and why open rates don't tell the whole story(10:05) Should you “game the system” to escape promotions? Here's what mailbox providers will do if you try(13:30) Gmail's annotations and why being in the promotions tab can actually boost your marketing(15:10) Apple's new tabs: why it's a tiny slice of users and why you probably shouldn't care (yet)Subscribe to Email After Hours podcast for more real talk from Danielle and Guy.=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma
In this episode, our last episode in our old HQ, we celebrate the monumental success of the Go One More Ultra marathon. This last-man-standing race, held at Bare Ranch, saw 120 runners from 35 states and 6 countries compete in grueling 4.2-mile loops for 56 hours, covering 235 miles. We explore the event's impact on our brand, the meticulous planning that went into it, and how it embodied the Go One More philosophy.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Setup00:57 Welcome to the Final Episode in the Old Studio02:24 Recap of the Go One More Ultra Event04:34 The Last Man Standing Race Explained06:40 The Race Begins: 120 Runners from 35 States and 6 Countries08:55 The Intensity of the Race: 56 Hours and 235 Miles09:44 A Shared Victory Amidst a Storm14:51 The Storm Hits: Chaos and Decision Making17:53 Reflecting on the Team's Dedication and the Event's Impact24:45 The Aftermath and Cleanup25:37 Inspiration Behind the Race Concept29:30 Failed Event and Lessons Learned31:45 The Lottery and Initial Challenges32:49 Understanding the Audience34:32 Learning from Failure35:36 Preparing for the Next Race36:41 Building the Perfect Course42:05 Race Day Logistics45:55 The Race Begins50:47 The Final Battle56:54 Reflecting on the Experience58:42 Looking AheadPRE-ORDER MY UPCOMING BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness