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Mary Anastasia O'Grady of the Wall Street Journal discusses the Panamanian Supreme Court's decision to invite China out of the country, rendering concerns about Chinese influence there moot.PANAMA 1910
Send us a textDating does not have to be confusing, exhausting, or expensive. We're pulling back the curtain on five practical rules that protect your heart, save your time, and set you up for a marriage that can actually thrive. From defining non‑negotiables to reading red flags without second‑guessing yourself, we walk through the mindsets and habits that turn your twenties into a launchpad instead of a landfill.We start by reframing the goal: Christlikeness over a wedding date. Contentment beats comparison, and wholeness beats hurried timelines. Then we get specific. Date on purpose using a 90‑day clarity window. Ask better questions about faith, direction, and character. Choose character over chemistry by testing for humility, forgiveness, and submission to godly authority. Pace the relationship with clear boundaries—public early dates, digital guardrails, and honest conversations about sex, soul ties, and healing. We also tackle love bombing, why it feels so real at first, and how accountability reveals the truth before it's too late.Money matters too. Check the credit, not just the chemistry, and bring debt, spending, tithing, and budgeting into the light so you can build trust instead of resentment. Finally, don't date alone. Isolation creates illusion; community brings clarity. Invite a married mentor and a wise peer, worship together, and let your circle call green, yellow, or red flags. Healthy relationships can handle scrutiny because they are built on truth.If this helped you rethink your standards or reset your pace, share it with a friend who needs clarity, subscribe for new episodes every Thursday at 3 p.m., and leave a review to tell us your biggest takeaway. Your future self will thank you.GET THE BETTER MARRIAGE BOOTCAMP HERE:Better Marriage Bootcamp (kenandtabatha.com)Better Marriage 90-Day Devotional:90 Day Better Marriage Devotional - Ken and Tabatha (square.site)DOWNLOAD THE FAMILY MEETING OUTLINE HERE ⬇️https://www.kenandtabatha.com/pl/2148103888
Are you carrying the culture, energy and emotional weight of your studio by yourself? Many owners feel frustrated that hourly employees don't seem truly committed to the business. Alina Cooper has you covered in Episode 706: Beyond the Paycheck: How to Turn Hourly Staff into Engaged Team Members, where she highlights five ways to get your team invested. Promote purpose: show how work directly impacts clients and the business Recognize & reward: specifically acknowledge and celebrate great work Invite accountability: give staff a voice, request feedback and act on input Let them level up: create micro-growth opportunities that build skills and confidence Paint the big picture: share goals, wins and challenges to facilitate ownership It's not just about money. Fair play is the floor—not the ceiling—on motivation. Connecting and valuing staff moves them beyond just clocking in and out. Get intentional with Episode 706. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're talking with Jeremy Baker, Lead Pastor of Elevate Life Church in Connecticut. In just over three years, Elevate Life has grown from 70 people to more than 2,000 weekly attendees, becoming one of the fastest-growing churches in the country—especially remarkable in a region widely known as spiritually resistant and unchurched. Jeremy shares the honest, behind-the-scenes story of how God has moved, and what his team has learned about loving people well, building invite culture, and helping people take meaningful steps in their spiritual journey. Is explosive growth possible in spiritually dry regions? How do churches keep the focus on people instead of preferences as momentum builds? Jeremy offers a refreshing reminder that growth is less about formulas and more about faithfulness. Humble beginnings and a clear calling. // Jeremy and his wife left a comfortable ministry role at a large church in Dallas after sensing God's call to the Northeast—one of the least churched regions in North America. With no church-planting playbook and their personal savings on the line, they launched Elevate Life with high expectations and a large marketing push. When only 70 people showed up on launch day, disappointment could have ended the story. Instead, it became the starting point. Jeremy describes the journey as a “God deal” from the beginning—marked by prayer, obedience, and a willingness to go after people rather than polish programs. Loving people from the street to the seat. // One of Elevate Life's defining values is making people feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Jeremy believes every person walks in carrying an invisible sign that says, “See me.” That belief shapes their entire guest experience. From banner-waving parking lot teams to outdoor tents for first-time guests (even in winter), the church treats arrival as sacred ground. Volunteers walk guests through the building, help with kids check-in, offer tours, and even escort people to their seats. The intentional warmth sends a clear message: you matter here. Taking people where they are. // With nearly 4,000 first-time guests in a single year, Elevate Life assumes nothing about biblical knowledge or spiritual maturity. Rather than pushing people toward instant maturity, the church focuses on meeting people where they are. Grow Track, life groups, and clear next steps help people move forward at a sustainable pace. Jeremy warns that churches often forget how far they've traveled spiritually—and unintentionally expect newcomers to keep up. Invite culture that never lets up. // Elevate Life's growth hasn't come from direct mail or massive ad budgets. Jeremy says he'll never do mailbox ads again. Instead, growth flows from a relentless invite culture. Every service, hallway conversation, life group, and ministry environment reinforces the same message: Who are you bringing? Invite cards, QR codes, social media ads, and consistent language keep invitation top of mind. Jeremy believes repetition—not creativity—is the secret. Reaching people over protecting preferences. // As the church has doubled in size, Jeremy is vigilant about guarding its mission. Growth brings new pressures—parking shortages, crowded services, limited space—but he resists shifting focus inward. If churches aren’t careful, they’ll trade purpose for preferences,. Elevate Life's mission—making heaven more crowded—keeps the team outwardly focused. Jeremy regularly reminds leaders that people are not problems to solve; they are people to pastor. A challenge for church leaders. // Jeremy closes with a simple encouragement to pastors: love people deeply, steward what God has given you, and don't lose sight of why you started. Churches don't grow because they chase growth—they grow when leaders refuse to give up on people. In regions others have written off spiritually, God is still moving—and often through ordinary leaders who simply refuse to stop caring. To learn more about Elevate Life Church, visit elevatelifect.com or follow them on Instagram @elevatelifect. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. Pumped that you have decided to tune in today. We’ve got a very good conversation. I’m really looking forward to leaning in and learning from this leader and the story that God’s been writing at his church in the last two and a half years.Rich Birch — Elevate Church in Connecticut has grown from 70 people to over 2,000 on a weekly basis. It’s been named one of the fastest growing churches in the country. I love their mission and purpose is really simple: making heaven more crowded. Today we’ve got Jeremy Baker with us. He is the lead pastor. Jeremy, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here.Jeremy Baker — Thank you so much for having me. So excited. And what a great privilege and honor to be on on live with you today. So thank you.Rich Birch — Yeah, I’m excited that to unpack this story a little bit. It is not normal for a church to grow from 70 to 2000 in any part of the country, but even more so in Connecticut. I can say as a guy who served in New Jersey, I’m Canadian, you know – don’t hold that against against me. Jeremy Baker — Let’s go.Rich Birch — So I understand the spiritual context that you’re in a little bit. But why don’t you unpack the story? Kind of tell us a little bit what’s gone on over these last couple of years. For folks that don’t know, tell us about the kind of spiritual, you know, climate in Connecticut. Talk us through those issues.Jeremy Baker — Yeah, I first of all, it’s a God deal all the way. And I know a lot of people are asking me, hey, give me some handles, what’s some formulas, what’s some how-tos.Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — I’m just blown away by what God’s done. And I think it’s really just the heartbeat of God is going after his people and serving the community really well. So we’re in an area, I’m 30 minutes away from Yale University.Rich Birch — Okay.Jeremy Baker — I’m not too far away from New Haven, Connecticut. I’m in in a town about 100,000 people. Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — Matter of fact, the building is actually in between two cities. Rich Birch — Okay. Jeremy Baker — The building is divided right down in half. One half being, yeah, it’s crazy. One half being Meriden, one half being a town called Wallingford. And so in those two cities is about 100,000 people. Rich Birch — Okay. Jeremy Baker — So three and a half years ago, I’m working at a big church in Dallas, Texas, mega-world, mega-church, on staff, XP, and the Lord just pressed on our heart, me and my wife that we’re comfortable. We’re we’re living the good life, we’re living the Dallas life, the big Texas life, and there’s more, you know. And nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with the Dallas life, the big life, the Texas life, nothing wrong with big churches – God loves this, the capital “C” church, you know. And so long story short, prayed for about a year, and we said, we’re going to the Northeast. Rich Birch — Wow. Jeremy Baker — This is where my wife is originally from, the Connecticut region, this area, actually called a little town called North Haven. And we’re going to go back up here because there’s a group of people that need the Lord. And, you know, the Northeast, New Jersey, you know, New York, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, these kind of, this region up here in this New England region is ah is an unchurched region. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — There’s great people that are God-fearing people, great good Bible-believing churches, but there’s it’s not known as a Southern, you know, Christianity. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — Like everybody goes to church in the South, but up here, it’s a little different region. So we came up here. We didn’t know how to plant a church, honestly.Rich Birch — Love it.Jeremy Baker — I’m just giving you all the honest, the the real, real.Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — I wish I could tell you that I wrote the book on it and I know how to do everything perfectly. Rich Birch — Love itJeremy Baker — But i could I could tell you every horror story what not to do, you know? So we we pulled out our life savings and we started a church and we had 70 people on our launch date. Rich Birch — Wow. And we put about $100,000 into our launch date thinking we would have… Rich Birch — Wow. Jeremy Baker — …you know, 800 people, a thousand people are going to show up. We put mailers in everybody’s mailbox. So long story short, we had 70 people. Rich Birch — Wow, wow.Jeremy Baker — And then out of that, we have just been going after our city. Out of that, we have just been reaching people, inviting people to God’s house, serving our community, clean days, outreaches, food ministry, backpack giveaways, Christmas, Thanksgiving. I mean, just every major holiday, we have just attacked our community. And this last week, we had over 2,400 people in attendance.Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Praise God. Jeremy Baker — And and so in three and a half years, it’s just been wild. And there’s so much in that story I could tell you.Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — But that’s kind of been from where we were, planning humble beginnings. God, what do you want to do? And it’s not about the size of a church, as you know, because I know there’s great churches out there that are ministering very well to the size that is in their community, and they’re doing a really good job shepherding people, caring for people.Jeremy Baker — But it’s just, you know, I always believe, God, let me not mess this up. Lord, if I can steward this well, you’ll keep bringing them to me. And so we have a brand new team, new staff. I like to call us the the misfits of Toy Island, if I could use the if i could if i could use the Christmas kind of you know… Rich Birch — Yes. Jeremy Baker — …thought process, you know. We don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re loving people well. We’re serving. We’re discipling to the best of our ability. We’re preaching the full gospel now. I don’t want people to think that we’re not preaching the gospel.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — We’re preaching from Genesis to Revelations, and we’re preaching the whole Bible, the whole council. And but that’s kind of that’s a little bit of kind of like how the beginning happened, but it’s been wild.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool.Jeremy Baker — It’s been wild, man.Rich Birch — Yeah. And I know, you know, we know that, well, all of our churches, you know, they they have the impact they do because God chooses to use what we’re doing at the end of the day. It’s got nothing to with us. It’s got everything to do with him. Jeremy Baker — Right. Rich Birch — But he is choosing to use something that you’re you’re doing. He’s clearly blessing something. He’s working through something. When you step back and think about the last couple of years, two or three years, What would be some of the things that you’ve seen him use that are like, hmm, this seems to be a part of the equation of what he’s pulling together.Rich Birch — And that’s not from a like, hey, we want to replicate all this, but it’s like, hey, here’s here’s your story. This is what God seems to be using in your context to reach your people. What would be some of those things that bubble up to your mind?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, great question. I would think the first thing for us is people want to be seen. People in the world that we live in today want to know that someone cares about them, that someone loves them.Jeremy Baker — We like to say it around here. We have little cultural sayings. We see you. We hear you. We celebrate you. We see you, we hear you, we celebrate you. I love what Mary Kay said, the the makeup organization. She had a quote, and if I can quote her right, she said, everybody has an invisible sign around their neck that says, see me. Jeremy Baker — And and I think it’s important. I think it’s real important that we see people the way God sees them. You know, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever would believe in him. So the whole thing is about seeing people the way God sees them, not seeing them through their lens of brokenness or through the lens of maybe a divorce or the pain or the regret or the shame. No, we got to see them through the grace and the mercy of God, through through what Jesus wants to do in their life. So we’re just loving people really well from the street, if I could say it like this, because I know it’s been said in church conferences, but from the street to the seat, we’re just loving people really well, you know, how to how to make people feel like they’re the big deal. Rich Birch — Right, right.Jeremy Baker — You know, that God does love them. So that would be probably one thing that I would say would kind of be our bread and butter of just loving people well… Rich Birch — Yes. Jeremy Baker — …helping people find hope, especially in a season like this, you know, holiday season. It’s like, a you know, a lot of people are hopeless and we need to give hope to people. And so that would be a big thing. Jeremy Baker — I say think the second thing I would say is taking people on the spiritual journey where they’re at. You know, I’ve been a ministry for 30 years. My dad’s a pastor. So I’ve been in church for a long time. And I think sometimes, you know, we can as as as church kids, or if I could say it that way, or church people, we are called the shepherd. We’re called to minister. We’re called the guide. But sometimes we want people to be on the road that we’re on. And and they don’t realize… Rich Birch — That’s so true. Jeremy Baker — …we have we have we have been on this journey for a long time. There’s been a lot of going to the mat, dealing with us, God doing a work in us. Like David said in Psalms 51, Lord, create me a clean heart. Help me help me grow, Lord, as a leader, as a mature, you know. Put away childish things. I, you know, I want to grow. So so we’re taking people on their journey. Okay, you’re new to faith, so we need to start you on this road or this path, if I could say, you know. Oh, you’ve been walking with God for three years. Okay, we’ve got to make sure that you know some of the foundations, some of the basics. Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — You know I think that’s been some of our greatness of helping people stick, find community, be a part. So those are, I think those are two things. Understanding people need to be seen. And the second one is taking them on a journey of where they’re at, you know?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. I love that. The let’s let’s unpack that a little bit. I’d love to start with the loving people well thing – a little bit more detail. Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — When you say that, so what does that mean from the street to the seat? How are you how do you feel like, oh, this is something that Elevate Life’s doing well to love people as they’re coming, as they’re arriving, as they’re a part of what’s going on at the church?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so great. So for me, it’s going to be guest experience. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — What does it look like when people pull on your parking lot? You know, do we have parking lot – we don’t call them attendants. We call them parking lot banner wavers. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah. Love it.Jeremy Baker — They’re waving a banner, a blessing over your car. Now, it’s going to be a little charismatic a little bit. There’s going to be a little bit of a, you know, my background is, you know, is I’m I’m very very energetic, very enthusiastic…Rich Birch — Sure.Jeremy Baker — …passionate as a leader. So I want people to know it’s a big deal that you’re on property today. Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — It’s a really big deal that you brought your family, that you showed up. You didn’t have to show up. You didn’t have to be here. You could have stayed home. You could have did what you wanted to do, but you gave God some time today. And so what we do is we we we we really pray that as the tires hit the parking lot, that miracles take place in people’s lives.Jeremy Baker — Whatever that miracle might be, miracle of salvation. A miracle of of of a mindset change, a miracle of restoration. So banner wavers in the parking lot, loving on people. Jeremy Baker — We have a team called the Impact Team that’s in the parking lot. They’re what we call our first time guest experience connection moments. So when they when there’s tents outside, of course, even in the winter, we got tents outside with heaters outside. You know, we just got four inches of snow the other day, but they’re still outside.Jeremy Baker — So the commitment from our servant leaders is there. The commitment from our staff is there, just to make people seen and feel loved. So as they’re walking into the property, if they’re a first time guest, our team has been trained how to identify a first time people, even with the amount of people that are coming. And they’ll walk up to them and just say, so glad you’re here.Jeremy Baker — Is this your first time? No, I’ve been here for about a month. OK, do you need anything? How can I serve you? How can we help you? Do you know how to check your kids in? Or, hey, can i can I walk you to your seat? I mean, we literally have a team over 100 plus people that are helping people walk into a building… Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — …get a free get a get a cup of coffee, find them to their seat, make them feel loved. If they’re new, hey, let me take you on an experience tour is what we call it, an experience tour. You’re walking into a brand new building. You’ve never been into the building before. You know, lot of churches, it’s all love, but might not have the right signage of communication of where restrooms are, kids check-in nurseries, nursing mother’s room, you know, special needs, whatever. So we have these people that go and walk these people through this building. And, you know, we don’t have a large building. We’re we’re adding on to our building, but we’re about 28,000 square feet.Rich Birch — Okay.Jeremy Baker — And so even in that size, you know, you can get lost in a building that size… Rich Birch — Right, right. Jeremy Baker — …you you know, especially where there’s hallways and doorways you don’t know. And so we’re having people walk through. And then people walk up all the way to their seat.Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — And then when they’re in their seat, we got people that are on the host team, which we’d call modern day ushers. We call them host team members. They just walking up to them. Hey, good to see you. How you doing? Good morning before service starts.Rich Birch — I love that. Yes.Jeremy Baker — So we’re creating this we’re creating this interaction culture. Now, if you’re introverted, I’ll be honest with you, it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be hard, man.Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — It’s going to be hard. If you’re more introverted in your personality and your style, you’re going to feel overloaded at a level, you know what I’m saying?Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — So so that that’s some of the feedback we get.Jeremy Baker — Like, hey, I love the church… Rich Birch — It’s a little much. Jeremy Baker — …but I got 18 people talking to me, man, before I even find a seat. And it’s like, I get it, I get it, I get it. But, you know, we just want you to feel seen and feel loved. So that’s part of what we do.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s very cool. I love that.Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — Super practical. That’s cool. And then I like this idea of talking to people where they’re at. I think that can be a concern we run into or a it’s like we’re not even aware that in our our churches we’re we’re we’re using language or or we’re assuming everyone’s at a certain place. What does that look like for you at Elevate Life? How are you helping? Because that’s a lot of people in a short period of time to both get to know and then also try to communicate in a way that actually connects with where they’re at. Talk us through what do you mean by that when you say we’re trying to talk to people where they’re at in their spiritual journey?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so if it so if you’re new, let me just give you context. This year alone, in 2025, we’ve had 3,919 first-time guests walk through our doors. Rich Birch — That’s great.Jeremy Baker — This year alone. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — So for us, we know as a new plant, as a new church, we’re going to have to really walk people through this spiritual journey. Some of these people maybe have some form of God, maybe they have been walking with God. Maybe they’ve been out of church since, you know, let’s just talk about pre, know, after or during COVID. Maybe they haven’t been back to God’s house because that’s really real in the Northeast. Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — I mean, some people are just now coming back to church in the Northeast that have not been in church for the last four years. You know, it’s like, oh yeah, I’ve been out of church for about three and a half years and I’m just now getting back into the rhythm of getting back in my faith.Jeremy Baker — So there’s so much I can talk about that. Like how how do we make our services flow? Like I always introduce introduce myself, hey, my name is Jeremy, and I have the privilege to pastor this church, and I just want to say welcome. If if this is your, you know, 52nd welcome this year or if this is your first welcome, I just want to say welcome. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — Because i want I want them to know that we’re real, that we’re authentic, and we want to help them on their spiritual journey. Rich Birch — It’s good.Jeremy Baker — So we offer stuff like, you know, first-time, you know, decision, if you made a first time decision, let’s go, let’s go into, you know, who is Jesus? You know, what does Jesus, you know, want to do in your life? So there’s, there’s, there’s classes, there’s paths that we offer there. Jeremy Baker — Grow track, you know, we have grow track that we offer every month. Hey, hey, won’t we want to teach you a little bit more about faith, who Elevate Life is, what, what our mission is, what our vision is, what, what the values of our church is. And so we walk them through that.Jeremy Baker — And then, and then what we have is we have life groups. And these life groups are from all different walks. Deep dive of Revelation, deep studies of the Old Testament. Or, hey, we’re just going to go through the book of John. We’re just going to start in John 1 and learn what Jesus, you know, who Jesus is. And we’re to start there. Or if you’re more intellectual, we’re going to go a little bit deeper. You know, so we we we we we have these these life groups, we call them, because we’re Elevate Life. So we call them life groups. We want we want these groups to bring life to people.Jeremy Baker — And and so ah so we just we we have people, we encourage them to sign up, to get involved. That’s our conversations always in the hallways. Hey, are you are you serving on a team? Are you in a life group? Here’s here’s why. The goal for me is not just gathering large crowds. The goal for me as as a shepherd, I would just say as ah as as the lead pastor now in this season of my life, is is to help people develop spiritually… Rich Birch — Yeah, so good. Yeah, definitely. Jeremy Baker — …to help people find their personal walk with God, not just come and hear a good word. You know, motivating, it’s inspiring, it’s it’s helpful. Yes, it’s practical. I’ve got handles I can live my life by throughout the week. But my my heart is, don’t just take a Sunday and give it to God, but give God every day of your life. Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know, sometimes we just turn the surrender switch on on Sunday, not realizing the surrender switch needs to be on every day of the week.Rich Birch — Amen. So true.Jeremy Baker — So I’ve got to turn that surrender switch on every day. And just like you a natural thought when you turn the light switch on when you’re in the room, you turn it off when you leave the room. Well, a lot of people look at church that way. I’m going to turn my surrender switch on today. It’s Sunday. I’m going to go to God’s house. And then on when they leave Sunday, they leave away the property. They pull away. The surrender switch turns off. And I think that’s where the consumer mindset, especially in the Western part of the country… Rich Birch — Sure. Jeremy Baker — …you know, we have gotten, you know, we’re, we’re inundated with consumerism. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — And so, and so how, do how do we help people really become disciples of of Christ? So the second part of our mission statement is making disciples that follow Jesus. So the goal is making heaven more crowded, but making disciples that follow Jesus.Rich Birch — So good. That’s great. Let’s talk about a bit like up the funnel a little bit, like at the top end, where, how are people learning about Elevate Life? You talked about when you launched, you did a bunch of marketing stuff. Has that continued to happen? Is this just like, you’re really good at Facebook ads? Help me understand. What does that look like? How, why is the church growing?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, great question. I personally, I will never do an ad in a mailbox again. That was $25,000 that I think one person showed up, and then we had a bunch of them ripped up and mailed back to us and told us to never mail them and again. It’s the funniest story.Rich Birch — Wow. Yes.Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so it’s it’s all good. It’s it’s it’s this is not the South. I’m a Texas guy, and I’m living in the New England region, and it’s it’s night and day, you know.Rich Birch — Yes. Yes.Jeremy Baker — So what we have done really well at, I believe, causes some of the growth to happen is two things, is every week we’re encouraging people to invite somebody. That is a part of our culture. Invite culture. Who you bringing? Who do you know that’s far from God that needs the Lord right now? Who do you know that’s far from Him that you know that that you could bring?Jeremy Baker — So then the second thing is we’re doing really good social media ads. We’re spending about $1,500 a month on social media ads. And our team has done a phenomenal job. And all my team is 19, 20, 21, and 22-year-old young men and women that are running all of my social media.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great.Jeremy Baker — I’m 50. I want to act like I’m current. But I’m not. You know, there’s things I don’t, I’m not adverse in. There’s things that are constantly changing with technology.Rich Birch — Sure. Yeah, sure.Jeremy Baker — And and and I just got to trust this younger generation.Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — And they have done a phenomenal job.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — That’s been one of our huge success for us to put us on the map in this region, to put us, make us aware.Rich Birch — Let’s pull it, but pull apart both of those. When you say you’re encouraging people every week, so you’re like ringing the bell that I want to hear churches to hear more of. You’re inviting people every week to invite their friends. Give us a sense. What does that look like? How are you doing that every single week? What’s that look like?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so part of that is in our services. It’s in language. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — You know, we always say, you know thank you for being here this morning. We pray that you have brought somebody with you. And then at the end of our service, we’re saying, hey, don’t forget to invite somebody back next week. So we’re always saying that in our language. So it’s become part of our our culture. It’s become part of of who we are as a church. We are a bringer church. We are an inviting church. We are a reach the lost church. We are the great commission. Because the goal for us is not just giving information, but we’re hoping that the people will receive the information that causes some type of revelation in their own spirit that leads them to the Great Commission. Rich Birch — That’s good.Jeremy Baker — Because we want them to be a part of what Jesus said. He you know he said in in Matthew 10, he goes, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. You know. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he would send more laborers. So we are we are Ephesians 4, equipping the church to do the work of the ministry. We are we have to encourage people to build the local community of the church, the local house of God. And so that’s part of our language in our hallways. We have really practical things. We have invite card stands everywhere. Invite card stands everywhere. So simple. We have QR codes. You can scan. You can download all kinds of invite information. Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — You can invite our service times. So really practical steps like that have really helped us. And then in our life groups, it’s in it’s being said. In our midweek services, it’s being said. We do eight services a week. So that’s what we’re doing right now, eight services a week. And and and so in every service, it’s just been indoctrinated. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — It’s been just repetition, you know, over and over and over. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — And then And I think that’s a big part of why God’s allowed us to… Honestly, I don’t know church any other way. Rich Birch — Right. Sure.Jeremy Baker — I personally don’t know church any other way. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer.Rich Birch — I don’t know about that.Jeremy Baker — I’m just I know I’m just appreciate the love. I mean I I’m a guy who barely graduated from seminary. I barely graduated, you know. I was like everybody looked at me, all the professors, like, oh, man. I hope you make it. You know, it’s like, it’s like one of those guys, it’s like, I just, I just love people well. And I want people to know Jesus. I mean, Jesus changed my life. I mean, he changed my life. He, he did something in me that no one ever has ever done or no one could ever do. And my life is I’m indebted to him.Jeremy Baker — I’m I’m living my whole life for him. That’s why 30 years of working through whatever I’ve got to work through in ministry and working through stuff as a as a young man, now as an older man. I’ve just stayed the course, stayed faithful. Not perfect, but stayed faithful, step moving forward every season of my life. And so I just love people well, and I think people hear the heart of that through our pastoral team, through our elders. Rich Birch — Sure. Jeremy Baker — They hear the heart of loving people well, that we want people to find Christ. So that’s the language I think helped us in this last season, you know, really in this last season, really grow. A year ago, a year ago, this time, we only ran, not not only, it’s great, but we were around about 900 people a year ago.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s crazy.Jeremy Baker — And then it’s last year, we’ve exploded.Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — We’ve doubled our church.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — I mean, we’ve doubled. I mean, we we we have no more parking. I mean, we we we have 345 parking spots. And then two out of the five weekend experiences, because we do other services throughout the week, two out of the five weekend experiences, we have to turn people away, which just breaks my heart as a pastor because it’s like…Rich Birch — Right. Yeah. Yes.Jeremy Baker — …we can’t build fast enough. We’re looking for bigger venues. Again, I could go on that, but we want to make more room. We want people to find hope. It was never about being big. I told a pastor locally, I said, and he was he was coming here to, you know, just to encourage us to keep going, which was very kind of him. But I said, pastor, it was never about being big. It’s always been about reaching the lost.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s great.Jeremy Baker — It’s always been about reaching the lost.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — So I don’t know if that makes any sense.Rich Birch — It does. It does. There’s a lot there that you, that I, you know, I, I, I didn’t want to interrupt because there’s so much packed in there that I think was so helpful for people. And, you know, that singular focus on, Hey, we’re trying to reach people. I want to come back to that in um in a minute. I want you to kind of speak to, leaders on that. Rich Birch — But I want to underline one of the, it’s a simple thing that um we miss in too many churches. And I’ve done a bunch of study on invite culture and you’re doing classically, you’re doing the best behavior classically. You’ve got to keep invite in front of people. We can’t, you can’t let up the gas pedal on that one. You’ve got to keep that in front of people, make it super practical, give them tools, all that like invite card stuff, all of that super important.Rich Birch — Years ago, I was talking to a lead pastor of a church that was growing very rapidly. And this wasn’t on a podcast. We were talking sidebar and I was like, Hey, asked a very similar question. What’s God using? And he’s like, Oh, it’s a little embarrassing. I don’t want to say it. And I’m like, no, no, tell me, what do you think he’s using? And he said, well, every weekend for this last year, We put invite cards on every single chair in every auditorium for the entire year. And we told people, take those and invite people. And he’s like, I really think that that is like just the intensity…Jeremy Baker — That’s it.Rich Birch — …of we’re keeping it in front of people. We can’t let up. So I want to I want to encourage you and that and listeners. Jeremy Baker — Thank you. Rich Birch — Hey, friends, that is that is a key part of this. Talk to us about the the focus on reaching the lost or reaching people who are far from God or unchurched people. Talk talk us through that. Rich Birch — Because what what’s happening at your church, I know we’ve kind of we’ve referenced this a few times, is super unique in in, you know, New England. What would be some of the challenges that you’re facing to keeping that singular focus of reaching unchurched people, people far from God? What’s been the challenge there and how are you having to adjust and kind of keep your culture focused on that as you continue to grow?Jeremy Baker — Such a great question. I mean, such a great question. I would, man, you’re such a great question asker, if I could say it that way.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s nice. Thank you.Jeremy Baker — Yeah I mean, a great question.Rich Birch — Sure.Jeremy Baker — I would think for me, for me, I got into ministry so that people’s lives could be changed by the good news. There’s no other way there’s no other reason why I’m in ministry. I’m here because I want people’s lives to be changed the way my life has been changed. So the the thing I’m always projecting from the the the the platform that I get to walk in, the the place that I get to stand, is it’s got to be about people. That’s why Christ came. He came and he and he died on a cross so that people would find eternal life, so that people would find hope.Jeremy Baker — And so we’re always pushing that agenda from the front. And, you know, whatever said from the platform stage, whatever you want to, however you want to articulate it, is is is is being pushed for a reason, I believe. So we’re constantly pushing this from the stage. We’ve got to reach people. People are dying and going to hell every day. And this is where I think the church sometimes trips. We got enough people now. So now let’s get let’s let’s stop making it about people and let’s start making it about preferences. Rich Birch — Come on.Jeremy Baker — And I think that’s the danger that’s the danger where guys like me can, you know, I was just having an elder meeting a few days ago, and I andI was telling our elders, because now we’ve got to implement some other pathways of discipleship, some other handles to help people grow and mature faster. And I said, you can’t push maturity. Maturity takes time.Jeremy Baker — If we’re not careful, we’ll we’ll lose the vision of what got us here. And then what happens is we’ll become inward focus rather than outward focus. said, I’ve seen it, guys. And I was talking to my elders. and I was just opening up my heart to them. I said, I’ve seen us do this. I’ve been a part of big churches where now it’s about the building. It’s about the butts.Rich Birch — So true.Jeremy Baker — It’s about the budgets. It’s about, you know, I’ve seen that. And I’m like, let us never lose the very thing that God’s allowed us to be a part of in in this season. Rich Birch — Yep, so true.Jeremy Baker — I never woke up one day and said, hey, let’s go and have one the fastest growing churches in America in the New England region. I woke up one day said, God, I’m comfortable. And I don’t want to be comfortable anymore. Rich Birch — So good. Jeremy Baker — I want you to use my life for the rest of my life until I see you to bring an impact in this region, whatever region that you send me. He sent us to the Northeast. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — He sent us back home to where my wife was from. And so that’s our prayer. And I want to keep the main thing the main thing. I don’t want to drift because there is a difference between, there is a difference between preferences and then and then purpose, you know. The purpose of Elevate is to make heaven more crowded. The purpose of Elevate is to make disciples that follow Jesus. The purpose is to reach our community, to make an impact. But but if you’re not careful, you’ll you’ll get you’ll get satisfied with the people. You’ll settle. You’ll get complacent. We got enough people now.Jeremy Baker — But what if but what if God really wants to change? What if God, this is my question I’ve been wrestling with, and maybe maybe you have answers for me, but I’ve been wrestling with this question in my own spirit. Like, is it possible that one church could really change a community? Is it possible that one church could, God could use a church, a group of people. Not not I’m not talking I’m not talking about domination. I’m talking about just a group of people that are passionate about making heaven more crowded, that God could use a group of people that would change the facet of a community. Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know? That would that that that’s the that’s the thing I’ve been wrestling with. Can God use Elevate Life in this region? What if God wants to use us to help Yale? What if God wants us to use us to, you know, to to to get on college campuses and see a revival, you know, at Yale University?Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know, and I mean, that’s an Ivy League school. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — I mean, people from all over the world go to that school. And we haven’t even, I feel like, scratched the surface. So that’s part of my my always, I got to keep the main thing the main thing. It’s got to be about people. So one of our values is, people is our pursuit. That’s what we’re, we’re pursuing people.Rich Birch — That’s so good.Jeremy Baker — And not programs, not not preferences. I got preferences. I mean, I’m sure we all got preferences. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — But I’m putting down my preference so that I can carry the purpose of the good news. I hope that makes sense.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Makes total sense. And yeah, super encouraging. And yeah, I think I think God’s placed your church in a, you know, every community across the country is an important place. There’s people all over the world that need Jesus, obviously, but I i don’t think you’re, I think it doesn’t, it’s not surprising to me that the Northeast is a place that is, some call it a spiritually dead or spiritually dry part of the country, while at the same time, it is of global significance in a lot of different ways. Like the the communities that you’re serving are are different than other parts of the kind country from an influence point of view. You place like Yale, it’s not just another university.Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — You know. And so I think God’s placed you there for a real specific reason, which I think is you know, super encouraging. Well, this has been a a great conversation, Jeremy. I just want to encourage you, thankful that you would come on today and help us kind of peek behind the curtain a little bit. As we land today’s episode, any kind of final words you give to church leaders that are listening in to today’s conversation?Jeremy Baker — You know, the only thing I would encourage church leaders is my my my thing I always tell pastors and and people that I am connected with always is just make it about people. Make it about people. And I’ll say it this way. It’s not problems to be solved. It’s people to be pastored. It’s not problems to be solved. It’s people to be pastored. Sometimes pastors, and I get it because I’m talking to myself, sometimes we make people the problem, and the people are not the problem. The people are the purpose of why we do the pastoring. That’s why we do what we do. That’s why we do shepherding. Jeremy Baker — So, you know, when you’re dealing with when you’re dealing with people, it’s messy. It can be hurtful. There’s there’s different things that come with that, and we could list a thousand things in that. But I would just say, just love people well to the best of your ability. Give them grace. Give them mercy. Jeremy Baker — If they leave your church and they go somewhere else, just let them know the key under the mat. We’re on the same team. We’re part of the same family. We’re all going to go to heaven to we know one day. It’s not about who’s got the bigger church or who’s better? Who’s got the better kids program or who’s got ah the more youth? It’s not about any of that. It’s about just trusting God with what he’s given us stewardship over and in stewarding that really well and just loving the people that God brings.Rich Birch — Yeah, so good. Pastor Jeremy, appreciate you being on today.Jeremy Baker — Thank you.Rich Birch — If people want to track with you or with the church, where do we want to send them online to connect with you guys and kind of follow your story a little bit? I would encourage people to follow your Instagram. So where can we find that and your website and all that? Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so our website is elevatelifect.com, elevatelifect.com, and that would be the same for our Instagram. And so thank you so much for having me. ‘m very grateful, and thank you for your time.Rich Birch — Thanks so much. Take care.
We are more self-aware than ever, and yet many people feel more stuck, anxious, and exhausted than before. Therapy culture has helped us name pain, but it often leaves us circling it. Insight increases, language expands, but healing stalls. What if the very frameworks meant to help us are quietly blocking our ability to change? This week on Win Today, Dr. Lee Warren joins me for a conversation that bridges neuroscience, faith, and lived experience. As a practicing neurosurgeon and trauma survivor, Dr. Warren explains why the brain resists healing, how survival mode hijacks our thinking, and why compulsive rumination feels productive while actually reinforcing pain. We explore the science behind neuroplasticity and the spiritual responsibility we carry to participate in our own renewal. This episode doesn't dismiss therapy, but it challenges passivity. Healing requires more than awareness. It requires agency, discipline, and the courage to rewire patterns that no longer serve life. Guest Bio Dr. W. Lee Warren is a practicing neurosurgeon, author, and speaker known for integrating neuroscience, faith, and personal experience to help people heal from trauma and transform their lives. A survivor of profound personal loss, he has spent decades studying how thoughts shape the brain and how intentional mental practices can lead to lasting emotional and spiritual renewal. He is the author of multiple books, including The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery. Show Partners SafeSleeve designs a phone case that blocks up to 99% of harmful EMF radiation—so I'm not carrying that kind of exposure next to my body all day. It's sleek, durable, and most importantly, lab-tested by third parties. The results aren't hidden—they're published right on their site. And that matters because many so-called EMF blockers on the market either don't work or can't prove they do. We protect our hearts and minds—why wouldn't we protect our bodies too? Head to safesleevecases.com and use the code WINTODAY10 for 10% off your order. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Why do some sales teams grow consistently while others stall, struggle, or quietly fade out? In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down the four non-negotiable elements every sales team needs in order to grow. These are not tactics, hacks, or pressure-based strategies. They are leadership fundamentals that create belief, momentum, and long-term retention. Ray explains why most people are not playing to win, how hope fuels action, why structure removes fear, how culture keeps people engaged, and why knowing what to say determines whether reps actually do the work. This episode also includes a candid warning about misusing AI tools in sales conversations and how poor posture costs teams real revenue. This is essential listening for sales leaders, network marketing leaders, entrepreneurs, and managers who want to build a team that grows without burnout, pressure, or constant micromanagement. —
Brian wants to hang out with Case, as long as Case is working. Chicago’s best morning radio show now has a podcast! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and remember that the conversation always lives on the Q101 Facebook page. Brian & Kenzie are live every morning from 6a-10a on Q101. Subscribe to our channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@Q101 Like Q101 on Facebook HERE: https://www.facebook.com/q101chicago Follow Q101 on Twitter HERE: https://twitter.com/Q101Chicago Follow Q101 on Instagram HERE: https://www.instagram.com/q101chicago/?hl=en Follow Q101 on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@q101chicago?lang=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stop Chasing Fake Engagement. Build Real Conversations.In this episode, I unpack one of the most important updates LinkedIn has shared about authentic engagement and trust on the platform.LinkedIn has clearly reiterated that engagement pods, coordinated commenting, and other forms of artificial interaction violate platform policy and ultimately damage the professional ecosystem.Here is what that means for creators, consultants, and business leaders using LinkedIn for real growth.Real connection matters more than inflated metrics:- Tactics designed to manufacture likes or comments might look good at first glance, but they weaken credibility and long-term visibility. - Authentic engagement is what leads to meaningful conversations, referrals, and revenue.LinkedIn is actively rewarding genuine behavior:- The platform continues to invest in systems that detect inauthentic activity and elevate real discussions. - Content that sparks thoughtful replies and follow-on conversations is what earns reach now.Your audience expects substance, not shortcuts: - If your content resonates, people will engage naturally. - That engagement carries more weight and builds trust with both your network and the algorithm.The takeaway from the training is simple.Create value. Invite conversation. Respond intentionally. Build relationships instead of chasing vanity metrics.That is how authority, visibility, and opportunity are built on LinkedIn in 2026 and beyond. Get started the right way on LinkedIn by downloading our FREE Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile Guide here:https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsoptimizeyourprofile
Your top sales reps may look loyal, productive, and locked in—but many of them are quietly considering leaving. In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down the real reasons why high-performing sales reps walk away from organizations they helped build. Contrary to popular belief, retention is not about compensation plans or luck. It is about leadership, culture, and trust. You will learn the five most common leadership mistakes that push top producers away, including lack of recognition, control-driven leadership, taking credit for others' success, and failing to keep the environment fresh and inspiring. This episode is essential listening for sales leaders, network marketing leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs who want to improve sales team retention, protect their top performers, and build a culture people do not want to leave. —
AITA: For responding to my cousin's wedding invite? DIRT ALERT: Savannah Guthrie's mother is missing, and cockroach valentines are backSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Andrew Morgan of What's On Netflix & Recent Activity returns to review Sundance 2026 including big name films like Josephine starring Channing Tatum, Sony Pictures Classics acquisition Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!, Hanging By a Wire from Universal, Iliza Schlesinger's Chasing Summer and a bunch of other notable upcoming 2026 films. US DRAMATIC SECTION: Josephine, starring Channing Tatum & Gemma Chan, 2x Award Winner - 3:13 Carousel, starring Chris Pine & Jenny Slate - 14:23 Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! Acquired by Sony Pictures Classics - 21:38 Union County, starring Will Poulter & Noah Centineo - 27:09 Bedford Park, also acquired by Sony - 33:35 The Musical, starring Will Brill, Gillian Jacobs & Rob Lowe - 36:05 WORLD CINEMA: Shame and Money, Grand Jury Prize Winner - 43:28 Extra Geography, a funny coming of age movie from the UK - 45:57 The Huntress, a Mexican revenge thriller starring Adriana Paz - 52:13 Hold Onto Me, the Audience Award Winner - 54:33 To Hold A Mountain wins the Doc prize - 55:44 Hanging By A Wire is a major crowd pleaser - 57:47 US DOCS, NEXT & MIDNIGHT SECTIONS: Nuisance Bear expands on the Oscar Nominated short + Soul Patrol - 1:04:11 American Doctor is AlsoMike's highest rated film of the fest - 1:06:48 The Incomer, starring Domhnall Gleeson & Gayle Ranking - 1:10:07 Rock Springs, starring Kelly Marie Tran & Benedict Wong - 1:12:33 Leviticus, Saccharine & undertone: reviewing the reviewers - 1:14:32 PREMIERES SECTION: Chasing Summer, starring Iliza Schlesinger was a favorite for us - 1:16:07 & a rapid fire look at the rest of the Premieres Section - 1:18:49 This Segment includes our thoughts on receptions for The Only Living Pickpocket in NY, The Weight, The Invite, I Want Your Sex, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, The Shitheads, The Moment & The Gallerist. OUTRO: The Words of Wisdom today are to follow Andrew Morgan online. Andrew is a film critic for What's On Netflix: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/author/andrew-morgan/ Andrew co-hosts Recent Activity: https://recent-activity.captivate.fm/listen And Recent Activity is now on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RecentActPod Otherwise, you can follow us at MMO here: https://linktr.ee/mikemikeandoscar
Shine with Frannie Show |Christian health |Christian fitness|Christian wellness| Christian coaching
Today I share a new perspective on a familiar Christian anthem — Carrie Underwood's “Jesus Take the Wheel” — this is a fresh, Kingdom-centered perspective that may surprise you.“Jesus taking the wheel” isn't actually how God relates to us. God doesn't want to hijack our lives or override our free will — He invites partnership, not passivity.Imagine your life as a car journey:God is not interested in forcefully kicking you out of the driver's seat.He is a gentle, loving Father who waits to be invited into the car.Once invited, He becomes the wisest, most trustworthy co-pilot — speaking, guiding, and directing your path.As Proverbs 3:6 (EASY) reminds us:“Whatever you are doing, remember that the Lord is with you. Then he will show you the right way to go.”This is the posture of a yielded life — not a surrendered steering wheel, but an open heart that listens, responds, and obeys.Sis, connect with God's guidance to a GPS system:When we make a wrong turn, the GPS doesn't shame us or shut down.It simply reroutes us.In the same way, God doesn't condemn — He gently, calmly, and lovingly redirects.Isaiah 55 reminds us that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours — which is why we need His voice to help us navigate life's roads.God gave you free will on purpose.He wants you to choose Him, not be forced.His goal isn't control — it's companionship and guidance.Learning to hear His voice clearly is the key to staying on the path He has marked out for you.God is not harsh or pushy — He is a gentle Father enjoying the ride with His beloved daughter.God is not as a demanding taskmaster, but a loving Daddy on a peaceful Sunday drive — present, attentive, and delighting in you.If you want to grow in your ability to hear God's voice more clearly, yield to His loving direction, and truly enjoy the ride of your life with Him in the passenger seat — DM me on Instagram for information about coaching opportunities. Click hereThe 40 day journey begins next week and I would love to sojourn with you! I'm here to help you grow in wisdom and flow in the power of the Holy Spirit so you can live an abundant life and prosper in every way.
Sean and Amanda open the show by covering A24's win in the 72-hour bidding war for Olivia Wilde's ‘The Invite' at the Sundance Film Festival (1:16), react to the leaked photographs from the upcoming biopics about the Beatles (5:33), and share their brief takeaways from the BAFTA nominations (8:38). Then, they cover ‘Mercy,' starring Chris Pratt, which they found to be an evil and disastrous misfire (17:01). Next, they talk through Sam Raimi's ‘Send Help', starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, and celebrate Raimi's use of his signature trademarks to explore some really morally thorny material (41:34). Finally, they use McAdams's wonderful performance as a segue to have a conversation about the 10 most misused stars in Hollywood (1:00:16). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Is your sales team struggling to perform even though you are doing everything "right" as a leader? In this episode, Ray Higdon explains why most sales teams underperform and why the problem is rarely sales skills or motivation. Instead, top sales leaders understand structure, environment, and leadership psychology, not just tactics. You will learn the five leadership behaviors that consistently increase sales team performance, engagement, and retention. Ray breaks down why recognition matters more than pressure, why slow success stories outperform fast wins, and how inclusive leadership creates long-term growth. This episode is essential for sales leaders, network marketing leaders, entrepreneurs, and managers who want to build productive teams without burnout, turnover, or constant pressure. ——
Nick welcomes Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back fresh from Sundance with stories, opinions, and plenty to argue about. They break down what they saw at the festival, including early reactions to upcoming releases like the Courtney Love documentary Courtney Love, Olivia Wilde's new comedy The Invite featuring Edward Norton, Penélope Cruz, and Seth Rogen, and a film with the refreshingly subtle title of The Shitheads. A few new wide releases also get reviewed, along with a look at how the box office shook out over the weekend. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later as the conversation wanders into everything else rattling around their heads. They talk about the return of Scrubs, the enduring stupidity of Morning Zoo prank calls, and the exhausting feeling of living in a world where it's getting harder to tell what's real and what's fake. Somewhere along the way, rabid chimpanzees ripping people's faces off come up, which feels about right for the times. [Ep 425]
In 2018, Ghislaine Maxwell—despite years of public allegations connecting her to Jeffrey Epstein's trafficking operation—was invited to and attended Jeff Bezos's elite and secretive literary retreat known as Campfire. The event, hosted by Bezos annually, brings together top authors, tech moguls, and media power players at a private location for a weekend of discussions, panels, and informal networking. Maxwell's presence at the retreat raised eyebrows, not only because of her reputation by that point, but also because it demonstrated how seamlessly she continued to move through the highest levels of elite society even after Epstein's 2008 conviction. Her attendance revealed a stunning level of normalization and acceptance within powerful circles, despite her growing notoriety.Maxwell reportedly arrived at the Campfire event alongside entrepreneur Scott Borgerson, a figure later revealed to be in a close relationship with her, though he denied any romantic involvement at the time. Attendees included influential figures from Silicon Valley, publishing, and entertainment—none of whom publicly objected to her presence. The revelation of her invitation has sparked renewed scrutiny into how the world's wealthiest and most influential people continued to welcome Epstein's known enablers into their inner circles long after the broader public became aware of their roles. It serves as yet another example of how elite spaces often insulate their own, regardless of the crimes that surround them.source:https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/01/jeffrey-epstein-friend-ghislaine-maxwell-was-guest-at-jeff-bezos-event.html
Brought to you by TogetherLetters & Edgewise!In this episode: Iran's internet blackout may become permanent, with access for elites onlyMicrosoft Gave FBI Keys To Unlock Encrypted Data, Exposing Major Privacy FlawFBI says it's investigating Signal. Should users worry?TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest ChangesSamsung confirms Galaxy S26's insane 'pixel level' privacy featureAmazon shutters all of its physical Go and Fresh storesThermodynamic Computing Slashes AI-Image Energy Use Heat may be 10 billion times as efficient for randomizationTesla is committing automotive suicideElon Musk's SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI in talks to merge, according to reportsAmazon is reportedly in talks to invest $50B in OpenAIWeird and Wacky: Behold, the Lego x Crocs footwear collab that dreams are made ofTech Rec:Sanjay - AnythingLLM Adam - SubstackFind us here:
ABOUT THE EPISODE Our next episode we talk about some Mid-year entries that will be contenders come March, Battle of the Burgs preview, Pete Willson Invite discussion, and some big time results from around the country.Twitter & Instagram - @D3NationPodcastABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Anthony and Gennaro Bonaventura, former DIII wrestlers at Waynesburg University, current DIII Head Coach at Stevens Institute of Technology & DII Head Coach at Fairmont State University. The D3 Nation podcast mission is to provide DIII wrestling news and updates throughout the year. We also look forward to delivering episodes featuring DIII coaches and wrestlers as special guests to share their stories. We are both passionate about DIII wrestling and want to use this platform to keep the wrestling community educated on what is happening in DIII plus raise awareness of the amazing stories in DIII Wrestling.
What if the real reason your business isn't scaling has nothing to do with systems, strategy, or staffing but everything to do with who you're becoming? In this episode, I explain why most advisors struggle to grow beyond their current level: they focus on scaling the business without first scaling themselves. After more than 30 years of coaching financial advisors, I have seen this pattern repeat: bigger goals demand a bigger version of the person running the business. You'll Learn How To: Scale yourself before scaling your business Create a 10-year vision that integrates life and business goals Identify the personal growth required for the next level of success Stop relying on external fixes and start becoming the leader your business needs Timestamps: (02:42) Why scaling the business first always breaks (04:36) What fear of success is really costing you (09:55) The question every scaling plan is missing (10:47) Why outside forces aren't your real obstacle (11:11) How becoming your future self speeds up growth (12:16) Why your business scales only after you do The Magellan Academy & Network The rules and tools for success in the financial services industry are about to change radically. I have spent over 25 years coaching only financial advisors. In that time, I have personally conducted over 50,000 individual coaching sessions. I have built a profound knowledge base of what it takes to achieve lifelong success in business and life. In my career, I have transformed 1,000's of advisors (below are video and written testimonials by many of them). Many of you probably paid thousands of dollars to various coaching programs with very mixed results. Most coaching programs are just that. A pre-planned process that is “cookie cutter”. Where they have salespeople having to “sell” you on their program and results. In most cases, it's about the coach, their ego, and their money. They base their program on “practice management” or “marketing”. They make you more intelligent. What they all fail to do is help you make that “mindset” shift that must happen for you to realize your dreams and vision. I am going to coach you, teach you, inspire you, and train you all on your mobile device every business day. You are going to get better at business development, practice management, personal development, and your vision. Here is what you are going to get from me each month: - A 5-10 minute morning coach video each business day. - 3 training videos of 20-30 minutes each. This will be a deep dive into four areas I mentioned above. - A live group coaching session where you and I can interact and work together. Here is what you can do each month: - Post a question to me and I will answer it. - Collaborate and associate with like-minded advisors. - Invite other great advisors into the network. Your Bottom Line: Here is the deal. I am not going to ask you for a credit card. Like I said before, coaching is personality driven. You might not like my style or tactics. So with that in mind here is my offer to you. Complete the short form below. You will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to join the network for the next 14-days. I personally approve each submission so this might take a few hours or a day at the most. I will not ask for compensation of any kind during that 14-days. If after experiencing my work for 30-days and if you believe that I can help you, here is the deal. To remain in Magellan Network and have access to Magellan Academy, your daily investment in yourself will only be about the price of a Latte these days. One more thing, it's a month-to-month deal. I'm not going to lock you into anything. Take action now and complete the short form below and I look forward to welcoming you personally inside the Magellan Network. Get Your Free Access to the Powerful Tools, Strategies & Masterclass www.magellannetwork.net
This week, David begins what he claimed was seven consecutive weeks on the podcast by giving an overview of what he saw at the final Park City Sundance. He mentions Closure, I Want Your Sex, The Invite, The Shitheads, Rachel Lambert’s Carousel, Zi, Josephine and The History of Concrete (and didn’t seem to like too […]
Today on the Pro-Life Podcast, we look honestly at where our culture stands on abortion today—and where the Church is called to act. Using Psalm 10 as a guide, Dr. John Seago reflects on God's heart for justice, His concern for the helpless, and how believers should respond to ongoing evil and injustice, especially the continued destruction of innocent life through abortion.This sermon explores:- Why Christians must care about justice- How abortion is a profound injustice against the innocent- What Scripture teaches about responding to evil with prayer, truth, and action- Why the fight for life didn't end with Roe—and why hope is still secure in ChristGod is not distant. He sees. He hears. And He reigns forever.If you're asking how Christians should think, pray, and act in a post-Roe world, this message is for you.
WarRoom Battleground EP 936: Germans Embrace Their New Masters And Invite Imam To Chant Islamic Prayers During Church Service
We live in a moment where spiritual language is everywhere, but formation is rare. Many people claim to be spiritual while rejecting authority, truth, and discipline. Others consume sermons built on slogans rather than Scripture, leaving their faith thin, sentimental, and easily shaken. The result is a generation that feels awakened but remains unformed. This week on Win Today, Lisa Bevere joins me for the final installment of the [Formed.] discipleship series to confront the cost of being spiritual but not anchored in truth. We talk about the rise of tarot and oracle cards, what an exorcist revealed about their spiritual danger, how progressive theology often drifts toward self-deification, and why the church has grown far too comfortable preaching phrases instead of the Word. This conversation is not reactionary; it is corrective. If you're hungry for real formation, grounded truth, and a faith that can withstand deception, offense, and cultural pressure, this episode brings the series to its necessary conclusion. Guest Bio Lisa Bevere is a bestselling author, speaker, and co-founder of Messenger International. Known for her prophetic clarity and uncompromising commitment to Scripture, Lisa has spent decades calling believers to spiritual maturity, courage, and wholehearted devotion to Jesus. Her books and teaching reach a global audience, challenging cultural Christianity and inviting the church back to truth, holiness, and biblical authority. Show Partners We spend a third of our lives asleep, so stop treating your bed like an afterthought. Cozy Earth's Bamboo Sheets are a game-changer. They're silky smooth, breathable, and cool to the touch. And they're more than bedding; Cozy Earth also makes bath essentials, pajamas, and men's and women's loungewear designed to bring calm and comfort to everyday life. Try their sheets risk-free with a 100-Night Sleep Trial and a 10-Year Warranty. Start the New Year right. Head to cozyearth.com and use code WINTODAY for up to 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, tell them you heard about Cozy Earth on Win Today. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
If you have ever thought about quitting sales, this episode is for you. In this powerful and honest conversation, Ray Higdon tackles burnout head-on and challenges the way most people define it. Not all burnout is the same, and in many cases, what people call "burnout" is actually something else entirely. Ray breaks burnout into three common categories, helping you diagnose what is really happening beneath the surface and, more importantly, what to do about it. This episode is not about motivation hype. It is about clarity, awareness, and sustainable growth. ——
If you've ever felt frustrated when your child resists even enjoyable activities, you're not alone. In this week's episode, we dive deep into demand avoidance—why neurodivergent kiddos sometimes just can't do what we ask (even when it's fun!)—and share a toolkit of practical strategies you can start using today. Whether you're homeschooling a differently wired kiddo or navigating daily learning resistance, this episode is packed with actionable tips, real-life examples, and mindset shifts to help your child build skills in a low-pressure way. Key Takeaways: Lowering the Demand Doesn't Mean Lowering Expectations: There are ways to keep skill-building alive by focusing on autonomy, shared activities, and embedding learning into interest-driven projects—think Minecraft math or Pokemon writing prompts! Frameworks That Work: Use the ABC method—Autonomy, Boundaries, and Co-regulation—along with the REI model (Reduce, Invite, Embed) to create a safer, more engaging learning environment for your demand-avoidant child. Small Wins & Language Swaps: Celebrate tiny, finishable tasks and swap "You need to…" for invitations or curiosity-based questions, making participation more appealing and less threatening to your child's autonomy. From stealth learning strategies and flexible routines to troubleshooting meltdowns and perfectionism, these insights are a breath of fresh air for parents and educators alike. Links and Resources from Today's Episode Thank you to our sponsors: CTC Math – Flexible, affordable math for the whole family! Curiosity Post – A Snail Mail Club for kids – Real mail; Real life! The Learner's Lab – Online community for families homeschooling gifted/2e & neurodivergent kiddos! The Lab: An Online Community for Families Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kiddos The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family The Anxiety Toolkit Sensory Strategy Toolkit | Quick Regulation Activities for Home Affirmation Cards for Anxious Kids Sensory Struggles and Clothes: How to Help Your Child Dress Without Tears Navigating Sensory Overload: Actionable Strategies for Kids in Loud Environments Building a Sensory Diet Toolbox for Neurodivergent Kids at Home Playful Sensory Learning at Home: Five Senses Spinner What Exactly is Deschooling.. and Do I Need to Do It? Falling Unexpectedly in Love With Homeschooling My Gifted Child Self-Care and Co-Regulation | Balancing Parenting and Sensory Needs When School Refusal Turns Into a Healing Journey Picky Eating | Sensory Struggles and Real Solutions for Homeschooling Families Movement on Bad Weather Days: Meeting Sensory Needs at Home
Money has a way of making life feel complicated. Whether we're facing major financial crossroads or simply trying to steward everyday expenses with wisdom, many of us default to figuring things out on our own. But Scripture reminds us that navigating life in isolation isn't a sign of strength—it's often a barrier to wisdom. Proverbs 11:14 teaches that “where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Wise counsel, especially when rooted in biblical truth, protects us from blind spots, emotional decision-making, and unnecessary regret.On this episode of Faith & Finance, Sharon Epps—President of Kingdom Advisors and a familiar voice to FaithFi listeners—joins us to explore why seeking counsel is an essential part of faithful stewardship. Sharon explains that while Scripture is our ultimate authority, God often uses people to speak wisdom into our lives. Advisors, mentors, and trustworthy peers help us see what we might otherwise miss, and their influence can redirect us toward obedience, humility, and clarity.Yet many believers hesitate to ask for help. Sharon acknowledges that reluctance often stems from pride—the subtle belief that we should be able to manage life independently. But asking for help is an act of faith, not weakness. It invites others to use the gifts God has given them and prevents us from making decisions based solely on fear, impulse, or confirmation bias.Drawing from the story of Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12, Sharon highlights the danger of listening only to voices that tell us what we want to hear. Rehoboam rejected the wisdom of seasoned counselors in favor of peers who affirmed his own desires—and the outcome was disastrous. The lesson is clear: godly counsel may not always feel comfortable, but it aligns us with God's purposes and challenges us to pursue stewardship that honors Him.Sharon then offers practical guidance for how believers can seek wise counsel today. At times, this involves working with trained financial professionals—such as Certified Kingdom Advisors (CKA)—who integrate biblical wisdom with planning, investing, and long-term financial strategy. In other seasons, we need mentors who have walked ahead of us and can offer perspective, or peer friendships that speak truth with honesty and grace. Sometimes the right conversation happens over coffee; other times it requires prayer, pastoral guidance, and spiritual discernment.For those currently overwhelmed by a financial decision, Sharon's simple encouragement is: don't go it alone. Isolation amplifies anxiety, while community brings clarity. Invite trusted voices into the process, seek the Lord in prayer, and remember James 1:5—God gives wisdom generously to those who ask.Listeners interested in working with a financial professional trained to offer biblically faithful and practically sound counsel can connect with a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) at FindACKA.com.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My husband and I aren't always on the same page when it comes to money. We moved last year and kept our old house as a rental, which would cover both mortgages. He wants to pay off the rental, but the rental rate is under 4%, and the new house rate is almost 7%. Which mortgage should we pay down first, and how can we better approach our finances together?I'm 57 and retired. I want to invest something for my six-year-old grandson's future—not just for college, but for when he's older—and I want to make sure it can't be accessed until then. What are my options?My 26-year-old son wants to buy his first home and doesn't always take my advice. I want to guide him wisely without pushing too hard. What's the best way to help him think about down payments, inspections, and timing as a young buyer?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful StewardshipWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep. 368: Sundance 2026 – Tim Grierson on The Invite, The Weight, The Friend's House Is Here, plus All About the Money Welcome to The Last Thing I Saw, with your host, Nicolas Rapold. The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is in progress, and I sat down in Park City with festival veteran Tim Grierson who is filing reviews for Screen Daily and is also a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times. We spoke about a few highlights of the lineup so far, including The Invite (directed by Olivia Wilde, starring Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, Ed Norton, and Wilde), The Weight (directed by Padraic McKinley, starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe), The Friend's House Is Here (directed by Maryam Ataei and Hossein Keshavarz), and a curious documentary I caught called All About the Money (Sinead O'Shead) about the communism-curious scion of a billionaire family fortune. Please support the production of this podcast by signing up at: rapold.substack.com Photo by Steve Snodgrass
January 25, 2026 - Pray, Invest, INVITE - John 1:35-51 - Dr. Tom Richter by First Baptist Cullman
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Episode 584: Charlie Eisenhood and Keith Raynor breakdown discuss Santa Barbara Invite and all the action and upsets it brought! They then preview the always exciting Florida Warm Up after some news from the world of semi-pro ultimate.Make sure to join the Ultiworld Discord for weekly Live Deep Look Subscriber-only bonus segments!
Just this morning, we had a three-hour meeting. When's the last time you had a three-hour Zoom call? We had one this morning from 7:00 AM to 10:00, right on the dot— we started right at seven, we ended at ten. We had maybe about ten people, and it was our beginning-of-the-year brainstorming session. Vision, mission, brainstorming for 2026 and beyond: What are our next goals for distributing knowledge that's what keeps us up at night and wakes us up early in the morning: how to do good for others. This is what Advaita Ācārya did—he couldn't sleep thinking about the plight of those in the material world who didn't have the opportunity to come in contact with true knowledge. The rich people were burning their money up doing all these crazy rituals, and poor people were wasting money on intoxication and frivolous activities. And he thought, 'Please, let me be a force in the world to reform them.' So he prayed for Lord Caitanya to come, and he helped to organize the distribution of knowledge. In fact, did you know that Advaita Ācārya went door to door? How'd you like it if Mahā-Viṣṇu came to your front door? 'Who's at the door, honey?' 'I think it's God. He's come knocking at our door.' That's how eager The Supreme Personality of Godhead is. He likes to do it, and He knows the formula. If you just go out and make yourself available—when it's cold or rainy or too hot or you don't feel like it—you're going to feel bad anyway; the material world's just like that. But if you pray, you chant, and you go out and try to give the knowledge to other people, you'll feel joyful 24 hours a day, and your thoughts will be transcendental. Because what you're going to do—if you toss and turn at night right now, you'll still toss and turn—but you're going to be thinking about: "How can I distribute Bhagavad-gītā, not just in English, but in Arabic and in Farsi, in French and Japanese, all over the world?" And if that's your preoccupation in life, you're a liberated soul. It's not hard; it's a simple process. These are heartfelt principles brought to us by Advaita Ācārya, who offered them to everybody. If you live in some far-flung place, you can restart the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement right from your place. All you have to do is have a Bhagavad-gītā and start reading it. Invite people to come over, chant a little bit, and when they get inspired, have them go out and chant for other people. The miracle happens again and again and again. Everyone's waiting for a miracle in this world, but one has already come: it's Advaita Ācārya. He showed us how to do it. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome back! Today we're stepping into Week Four of your SMART fitness journey... the wrap‑up, the checkpoint, the moment where we pause and look at everything you've built over the last three weeks. If you've been here since Week One, you've shown courage, consistency, and a whole lot of heart and if you're joining us now, you're right on time because today is all about reflection, momentum, and setting yourself up for what comes next. Let's dive in!Let's take a moment to look at how far you've come.Week OneYou set your SMART goal.You showed up.You proved to yourself that you could start even if it wasn't perfect, even if it felt messy.Week TwoYou strengthened your streak.You learned how to stay accountable without shame.You discovered that consistency isn't about intensity, it's about returning.Week ThreeYou upgraded your identity.You moved with intention.You completed four days of movement and proved that you're becoming the kind of person who honors their body on purpose.That's not small.That's not accidental.That's growth. And now, in Week Four, we're taking everything you've learned and turning it into momentum.Week Four isn't about pushing harder. It's about integration. This is the week where you ask:What habits are stickingWhat habits need adjustingWhat habits feel goodWhat habits feel forcedWhat habits are becoming part of who I amWeek Four is your chance to refine, not restart. You're not going back to zero. You're building on a foundation you've already created.Here's your official Week Four Listener Challenge. “The Momentum Checkpoint”Over the next 7 days, complete this simple three‑part reflection:1. What worked? Think about the last three weeks.What habits felt natural?What actions made you feel proud?What routines actually fit your life?2. What needs adjusting?Not judging, adjusting.Maybe your workouts were too long.Maybe your schedule needs flexibility.Maybe you need more rest days.Maybe you need more variety.Adjusting is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.3. What's one habit you want to carry into next month?Just one. Not five. Not ten.One habit that feels meaningful, doable, and aligned with who you're becoming.This challenge helps you transition from “I'm trying” to “This is part of my life now.”Let's talk about long‑term accountability, the kind that lasts beyond January.Here are a few ways to stay grounded:1. Keep your goals flexible. Life changes. Schedules shift.Your goals should move with you, not against you.2. Use identity‑based languageInstead of “I'm trying to work out,”say “I'm someone who moves my body.”Instead of “I'm trying to drink more water,”say “I'm someone who stays hydrated.”Identity fuels consistency.3. Build community. Share your wins. Share your struggles. Invite someone into your journey.Accountability grows stronger when it's shared.4. Celebrate the small stuff. Every walk. Every stretch. Every mindful moment.Every return after a setback.Small wins build big momentumTake a deep breath with me.Think about the version of yourself who started this journey.Now think about the version of yourself today.What's different?What's stronger?What's softer?What's more aware? Now ask yourself:What do I want the next 30 days to feel likeWhat kind of energy do I want to carry forwardWhat's one promise I can make to myself that feels kind and realisticHold onto those answers.They're your roadmap for the next chapter.Week Four isn't the end, it's the checkpoint. It's the moment where you recognize your growth, honor your effort, and choose your next step with intention.You've built consistency.You've built confidence. You've built identity.And now, you're ready for whatever comes next.If this Monday Morning Brew series has helped you, share it with someone who's starting their own journey and as always be kind to one another and be the change you want to see in the world!Stay tuned for next week, because we'll share some of our own tips and tricks that we use to stay consistent and accountable throughout the week and we'll talk about the importance of fueling properly before and after our workouts! This is Luis & Ashlee, and you've been listening to the Fittalk with Coach Luis Podcast. See you in the next episode!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fittalk-with-coach-luis--3261827/support.TEAM LTP:My IG: @livetoprogressVoice-over credits
Graham Allcott: KIND Graham Allcott is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and the founder of Think Productive, a leading provider of training and consultancy. He is the author of multiple books, including the bestseller How to Be a Productivity Ninja and his latest book, KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work (Amazon, Bookshop)*. “Nice” means telling people what they want to hear. “Kind” means telling them what they need to hear. The best leaders are kind. In this conversation, Graham and I explore how we can do a better job of following through. Key Points “Nice” means telling people what they want to hear, whereas “kind” means telling them what they need to hear. Kindness is both concern for others and concern for self. Just like with salted caramel, it's best with the right balance. Leaders often do better articulating vision and values than they do with getting clear on expectations of value each person should provide. Being clear is an act of kindness in itself because it drives psychological safety. Use a personal mantra as a concise and powerful way to consistently remind people about what's most important. Invite others to “give the last 20%” in feedback to uncover areas where clarity would help. Resources Mentioned KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work by Graham Allcott (Amazon, Bookshop)* Rev Up for the Week (Graham's newsletter) Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Five Steps to Hold People Accountable, with Jonathan Raymond (episode 306) How to Build Psychological Safety, with Amy Edmondson (episode 404) How to Give Feedback, with Russ Laraway (episode 583) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
What if the reason you feel stuck in sales has nothing to do with your script, funnel, or marketing strategy? In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down a powerful mindset shift that separates average sellers from top sales leaders: stop chasing prospects and start attracting them. This is not just about marketing. It is about posture. Top sales leaders manage the energy of the conversation. They do not chase people. They position themselves as solution providers who bring value, clarity, and confidence into every interaction. If you sell anything at all—products, services, coaching, or opportunities—this episode will change how you see yourself and how prospects respond to you. ——
It's late January, and the intrepid Film Comment crew is on the ground reporting from an extra special edition of the Sundance Film Festival—the last to take place on the snowy slopes of Park City, Utah, the festival's home since 1981, before moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2027. For the next week, we'll be gathering the best critics on the scene to talk about each day's premieres on the Podcast. For our third Podcast from the fest, Film Comment Editor Devika Girish invited critics and FC Podcast veterans Tim Grierson, Robert Daniels, and Monica Castillo to discuss some of this year's buzziest premieres to date, including Cathy Yan's art world–satire The Gallerist (3:00), Gregg Araki's erotic romp I Want Your Sex (20:15), and Olivia Wilde's couples' night dramedy The Invite (31:45, 42:40). Catch up on all of our Sundance 2026 coverage at filmcomment.com
The Soapbox: Is Beijing deserving of its fashion critique? / You get a wedding invite. You click. They know. In China, digital invites are turning curiosity into a new kind of social pressure. A simple "save the date" is now a data mine. So, is this the end of the casual RSVP (14:04)? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan
This is the audio podcast of our weekly Sunday message, recorded live during our church service in San Francisco.This podcast is designed for those who prefer a simple, audio-only experience of the message as it was shared in the room—no edits, no commentary, just the teaching from Sunday.New episodes are released weekly following our Sunday services._When the burden hits and provision feels out of reach, Nehemiah shows us how to pray—start with praise, “own it” in repentance, claim God's promises, and boldly ask for favor—then walk through the door God opens with courage.Invite and share this message with your family and friends and bless them with this great message. If you're new to Cornerstone and this is your first time watching us, we'd love to say “hello!” Just click on this url http://cornerstonesf.org/welcome to fill out our Welcome Card and one of our community members will follow up with you. Also if you are in need of prayer, don't hesitate to put in a prayer request at http://cornerstonesf.org/prayer
Invite to free fat loss workshop hereApply to work with me hereTakeawaysThe common denominator in successful clients is a tough love approach.Tough love comes from a place of wanting the best for clients.Discomfort is essential for growth and achieving goals.Many people use the concept of balance as an excuse for mediocrity.To achieve different results, one must change their actions.Surrounding yourself with supportive people is crucial for success.Social norms can hinder personal growth and motivation.Questioning societal expectations can lead to better life choices.Being a supportive friend can help others achieve their goals.Emma encourages listeners to take action towards their aspirations.
Service Speaker: Terry Brisbane, Lead PastorBecome a CornerstoneSF Builder today! http://cornerstonesf.org/giveWhen the burden hits and provision feels out of reach, Nehemiah shows us how to pray—start with praise, “own it” in repentance, claim God's promises, and boldly ask for favor—then walk through the door God opens with courage.Invite and share this message with your family and friends and bless them with this great message. If you're new to Cornerstone and this is your first time watching us, we'd love to say “hello!” Just click on this url http://cornerstonesf.org/welcome to fill out our Welcome Card and one of our community members will follow up with you. Also if you are in need of prayer, don't hesitate to put in a prayer request at http://cornerstonesf.org/prayer----Song Credits:The Lord Will Provide - Passion with Landon WolfeBrett Younker, Chris Davenport, Jess Cates© CDavs Music | People Of The Rising | sixsteps Music | Songs For TIM | We Are TIM Music | worshiptogether.com songs | Zoom Out SongsAll music performed by the CornerstoneSF Worship Band under CCLI license No. 48786, CCS No. 8434 #cornerstonesf #liveitoutsf #ACommitmentToBuild #BuildingForTomorrow
Support Viva: GET MERCH! www.vivafrei.com BUY A BOOK! https://amzn.to/4qBXikS SEND ME SOMETHING! David Freiheit 20423 SR 7 Ste F6319 Boca Raton 33498 TIP WITH CRYPTO! bc1qt0umnqna63pyw5j8uesphsfz0dyrtmqcq5ugwm THAT IS ALL!
Suffering exposes what we believe about God faster than success ever could. When affliction lingers, disappointment goes unresolved, and growth feels slower than we want, the question isn't whether God is present—it's whether our theology can carry the weight of real life. Too many believers inherit a framework that collapses under pressure, leaving them confused, bitter, or quietly disillusioned. This week on Win Today, Dr. Craig Keener joins me to rebuild a theology of suffering that can endure. We talk about why God is not in a hurry to mature us, how pressure actually forms spiritual resilience, and what it looks like to develop a mindset about affliction that produces endurance rather than erosion. This conversation doesn't minimize pain—it gives it meaning. If you're suffering, stalled, or carrying disappointment you haven't known how to name, this episode will help you reframe affliction as formation and discover the kind of maturity that only pressure can produce. Guest Bio Dr. Craig Keener is a leading New Testament scholar, historian, and theologian whose work has shaped global conversations on Scripture, the Holy Spirit, miracles, and suffering. He has authored dozens of academic and popular-level books and has taught and lectured internationally, bringing rigorous scholarship together with pastoral sensitivity and lived faith. Show Partners We spend a third of our lives asleep, so stop treating your bed like an afterthought. Cozy Earth's Bamboo Sheets are a game-changer. They're silky smooth, breathable, and cool to the touch. And they're more than bedding; Cozy Earth also makes bath essentials, pajamas, and men's and women's loungewear designed to bring calm and comfort to everyday life. Try their sheets risk-free with a 100-Night Sleep Trial and a 10-Year Warranty. Start the New Year right. Head to cozyearth.com and use code WINTODAY for up to 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, tell them you heard about Cozy Earth on Win Today. SafeSleeve designs a phone case that blocks up to 99% of harmful EMF radiation—so I'm not carrying that kind of exposure next to my body all day. It's sleek, durable, and most importantly, lab-tested by third parties. The results aren't hidden—they're published right on their site. And that matters, because a lot of so-called EMF blockers on the market either don't work or can't prove they do. We protect our hearts and minds—why wouldn't we protect our bodies too? Head to safesleevecases.com and use the code WINTODAY10 for 10% off your order. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
In today's episode of Home Business Profits with Ray Higdon, Ray reveals the surprising reason why most sales reps fail and how to overcome it. Discover inspiring stories of perseverance and learn why patience is the key to long-term success in sales. Tune in now and find out how to stay in the game and achieve your sales goals. ——
What if the reason your goals take so long isn't strategy, but identity? In this episode, I explain why goals are hard to reach when they do not match your identity. After more than 30 years of coaching financial advisors, I have seen that trying to change yourself usually fails. Creating a new version of yourself is easier and leads to faster results. When who you are lines up with what you want, progress feels more natural. I share how I built a clear 10-year personal and business vision during my sabbatical. By writing a story about my future self and defining that person's habits, beliefs, and standards, I gained clarity on who I needed to become and how to start acting that way now.
Spiritual drift rarely announces itself. It doesn't show up as rebellion or collapse. It shows up as subtle disorder, numbed discernment, and a slow loss of fire in the ordinary rhythms of life. Most people don't abandon discipleship; they simply stop training for it. This week on Win Today, Ian Simkins, lead pastor of The Bridge Church in Tennessee, joins me as part of our Formed discipleship series to expose the quiet ways formation breaks down and to recover the daily practices that restore spiritual clarity, hunger, and endurance. We talk about why the wilderness of everyday life—not the mountaintop—is where God does His deepest work, and how discernment must be trained intentionally if we're going to mature in godliness. If your faith feels cluttered, distracted, or quietly cooling, this conversation will help you recognize the fingerprints of disorder and reclaim the fire of discipleship to Jesus, right where you are. Guest Bio Ian Simkins is the lead pastor of The Bridge Church in Tennessee and a longtime pastor and teacher focused on spiritual formation, discernment, and everyday discipleship. Known for practical, Scripture-rooted teaching, he equips believers to develop resilient faith through disciplined rhythms, community, and faithful obedience to Jesus. Show Partner We spend a third of our lives asleep, so stop treating your bed like an afterthought. Cozy Earth's Bamboo Sheets are a game-changer. They're silky smooth, breathable, and cool to the touch. And they're more than bedding; Cozy Earth also makes bath essentials, pajamas, and men's and women's loungewear designed to bring calm and comfort to everyday life. Try their sheets risk-free with a 100-Night Sleep Trial and a 10-Year Warranty. Start the New Year right. Head to cozyearth.com and use code WINTODAY for up to 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, tell them you heard about Cozy Earth on Win Today. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
In this episode of Home Business Profits with Ray Higdon, discover the cold prospecting scripts that have helped entrepreneurs achieve remarkable success. Hear firsthand success stories and practical advice on how these scripts can transform your business and maximize your profits. Learn how a simple, targeted approach can make all the difference in your prospecting efforts. Tune in now! ——
→ Visit https://jasminestar.com/consistent to experience my invitation for you! ←↓Want to turn your social media engagement into real sales? In this episode, I'm sharing my 3-part Engagement to Customers Framework—the exact strategy I teach entrepreneurs to go from likes and comments to paying clients.You'll learn how to:✔️ Find your dream customers online✔️ Build trust by being genuinely helpful✔️ Invite engagement without sounding salesyWhether you're just starting out or scaling to your next level, this framework works across all industries—and I'm sharing real student examples to prove it.It's time to stop posting and hoping... and start connecting with intention.Click play to hear all of this and:[00:59] Why most people fail at selling online (and how to fix it)[02:00] The cocktail party analogy: Why your “buy now” post isn't working[04:00] Step 1: Go to them—how to find your dream customers online[05:00] “The Comment Party” strategy: Build visibility through engagement[06:00] “The Group Party” strategy: Why Facebook Groups still work[07:00] “The Hashtag Party” strategy: How to use hashtags with intention[09:15] Step 2: Be helpful—how to position yourself as the go-to expert[11:35] Step 3: Invite to engage—how to make your next step clear and non-salesy[14:00] Real-life example: How to lead a DM convo that convertsListen to Related Episodes:Sell the Impact: A 3-Step Framework To Increase Your SalesHow to Attract & Convert More Leads Without Feeling SalesyInside our 8-Step Sales Framework for Consistent $10K MonthsFor full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode615You know that feeling when you find a platform that just works—and you never have to worry about switching? That's been me and Showit for the past 10+ years.I built my website with Showit because it gives me total design freedom.If you're ready to build a website that works FOR you—and not against you—head to JasmineStar.com/showit for a 14-day free trial + first month free when you subscribe!
In this episode, Brock Johnson walks through his exact system for creating 150 Instagram Trial Reels in just 15 minutes using ChatGPT and Canva. Brock breaks down how I batch content efficiently, generate Reel ideas with AI, and turn those ideas into repeatable formats that are easy to produce at scale. Brock explains how to use ChatGPT for shot lists, quotes, and text prompts, how to use Canva's bulk create features, and how to organize everything using simple workflows like Google Sheets and scheduling tools such as Metricool. This episode focuses on building a fast, repeatable Trial Reels system that helps you test content, post more consistently, and grow on Instagram without spending hours creating Reels. Watch On YouTube
Join Ryan Wormeli, Andrew Erickson, and Jake Ciely as they go through their biggest takeaways from each team in the NFC West! Timestamps: (May be off due to ads): Intro - NFC West - 0:00:00Seattle Seahawks Takeaways - Erickson: “This offense will be run-heavy” as an excuse to fade WRs. - 0:00:23Seattle Seahawks Takeaways - Jake: Pray Kenneth Walker doesn’t return. - 0:05:38Los Angeles Rams Takeaways - Erickson: Buy second-year RBs. - 0:07:13Los Angeles Rams - Jake: Kyren, and any RB in a similar timeshare, is completely fine. - 0:09:53BettingPros Premium - 0:12:56San Francisco 49ers Takeaways - Erickson: Upside wins championships. - 0:13:15San Francisco 49ers Takeaways - Jake: Stop underrating Brock Purdy. - 0:15:54Arizona Cardinals Takeaways - Erickson: Don’t wait to bail on QB/WR combos. - 0:17:54Arizona Cardinals Takeaways - Jake: QB styles determine more than you think - 0:19:54Outro - 0:24:25 Helpful Links: Hard Rock Bet - All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet. Sign up for Hard Rock Bet and make a $5 bet and you'll get $150 in bonus bets if you win. Head over to Hard Rock Bet, sign up and make your first deposit today. Payable in bonus bet(s). Not a cash offer. Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling? In FL, call 1-888-ADMIT-IT. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IL, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA). Perfect Draft Challenge - The 2025 season may be over, but with the Perfect Draft Challenge at fantasypros.com/perfectdraft, you can go back in time and try to nail the perfect fantasy football draft. Invite your friends and compete on our Perfect Draft leaderboards to see how you stack up! Follow us on Twitch - The team here at FantasyPros is taking questions all week, every week on Twitch. Follow us on Twitch at twitch.tv/fantasypros and never miss a stream! Discord – Join our FantasyPros Discord Community! Chat with other fans and get access to exclusive AMAs that wind up on our podcast feed. Come get your questions answered and BE ON THE SHOW at fantasypros.com/chat Leave a Review – If you enjoy our show and find our insight to be valuable, we’d love to hear from you! Your reviews fuel our passion and help us tailor content specifically for YOU. Head to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts and leave an honest review. Let’s make this show the ultimate destination for fantasy football enthusiasts like us. Thank you for watching and for showing your support – https://fantasypros.com/review/ BettingPros Podcast – For advice on the best picks and props across both the NFL and college football each and every week, check out the BettingPros Podcast at bettingpros.com/podcast, our BettingPros YouTube channel at youtube.com/bettingpros, or wherever you listen to podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join Ryan Wormeli, Andrew Erickson, and Jake Ciely as they go through their biggest takeaways from each team in the NFC South! Timestamps: (May be off due to ads): Intro - NFC South - 0:00:00Carolina Panthers Takeaways - Erickson: You can lose your job because of an injury, especially if the backup is capable. - 0:00:23Carolina Panthers Takeaways - Jake: Elite rookie WR, even with major TGT%, doesn’t guarantee WR1 value. - 0:04:17Tampa Bay Buccaneers Takeaway - Jake: Injuries have domino effects, and now Emeka Egbuka is a Buy Low. - 0:09:32Check out our LIVE In- Game NFL Playoffs Betting Livestream on the Betting YouTube Channel - 0:14:45Atlanta Falcons Takeaways - Erickson: Drake London, a year too early - 0:15:32Atlanta Falcons Takeaways - Jake: Kyle Pitts finally happened, but no thanks next year - 0:18:13New Orleans Saints Takeaways - Erickson: If you elect to take injury risk on a talented player, take it at the discount. - 0:21:36New Orleans Saints Takeaways - Jake: I want a piece of the lead RB and maybe even the WR2 next year. - 0:24:33Outro - 0:27:24 Helpful Links: Hard Rock Bet - All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet. Sign up for Hard Rock Bet and make a $5 bet and you'll get $150 in bonus bets if you win. Head over to Hard Rock Bet, sign up and make your first deposit today. Payable in bonus bet(s). Not a cash offer. Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling? In FL, call 1-888-ADMIT-IT. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IL, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA). Perfect Draft Challenge - The 2025 season may be over, but with the Perfect Draft Challenge at fantasypros.com/perfectdraft, you can go back in time and try to nail the perfect fantasy football draft. Invite your friends and compete on our Perfect Draft leaderboards to see how you stack up! Follow us on Twitch - The team here at FantasyPros is taking questions all week, every week on Twitch. Follow us on Twitch at twitch.tv/fantasypros and never miss a stream! Discord – Join our FantasyPros Discord Community! Chat with other fans and get access to exclusive AMAs that wind up on our podcast feed. Come get your questions answered and BE ON THE SHOW at fantasypros.com/chat Leave a Review – If you enjoy our show and find our insight to be valuable, we’d love to hear from you! Your reviews fuel our passion and help us tailor content specifically for YOU. Head to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts and leave an honest review. Let’s make this show the ultimate destination for fantasy football enthusiasts like us. Thank you for watching and for showing your support – https://fantasypros.com/review/ BettingPros Podcast – For advice on the best picks and props across both the NFL and college football each and every week, check out the BettingPros Podcast at bettingpros.com/podcast, our BettingPros YouTube channel at youtube.com/bettingpros, or wherever you listen to podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.