Podcasts about Ivy League

 In today's hard-hitting episode, Patrick steps into the anchor chair to rip back the curtain on a system where nothing is as it seems. We break down the staggering logistical discrepancies between states like Florida—which counts over 11 million votes in a matter of hours—and California, where hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots linger for days until the establishment's preferred candidates mysteriously edge ahead. Looking closely at real-time local data and anomalous statistical jumps in the Los Angeles mayoral track, Patrick exposes why the modern election cycle increasingly feels like a coordinated illusion managed by a specialized class rather than a true reflection of the people's will. From the West Coast to a controversial Democratic primary in New Jersey, we ask the critical question: Are our representatives being elected by American citizens, or selected by the state?The capture of American institutions goes far deeper than a rigged ballot box. Patrick dives into the shocking backgrounds of political figures rising through local and national ranks, spotlighting jaw-dropping connections to convicted terror financiers and radical activists who openly call for dismantling the United States government on our own soil. We connect the dots to show how this ideological shift aligns perfectly with a top-down war on the traditional nuclear family. From the floor of the New York City Council to radicalized Ivy League campuses, the assault is multi-pronged: outlawing foundational words like "mother" and "father" on government documentation while replacing them with cold, bureaucratic terms designed to strip away our shared heritage and identity.Joining the show is independent consultant James McAndrew to dissect what Joe Rogan and Theo Von recently exposed: a powerful, unelected "third group" that has quietly infiltrated both major political parties to dictate national policy from the shadows. Together, Patrick and James break down how big tech censorship, calculated media infighting, and the deliberate demoralization of our education system work in tandem to keep the public distracted and divided. If America is the "fascist dictatorship" that radicalized students claim it is, why are millions risking everything to cross our borders for a shot at the American Dream? It's time to stop falling for the distraction, face the blatant truth of how we are being managed, and reclaim the country before the illusion becomes our permanent reality.

In this episode, Amadon DellErba sits down with Kristian Bell (https://kristianbell.com/) author, coach, YouTuber, and founder of ReTribalize Project (https://www.retribalize.ai). Together on location in Sedona, they dive into a profound, raw conversation about the deep human need for tribe, the illusions of modern independence, and the grueling journey of initiation.Kristian shares his remarkable evolution: from a high school valedictorian, to dropping out of Ivy League university, and navigating public humiliation, homelessness, severe addiction, and profound heartbreak while living out of a van. They break down how these crucible moments birthed his latest venture, the Retribalize Project—an initiative aimed at using the internet to connect highly-aligned individuals and bring them together to form new co-living spaces, neighborhoods, and modern villages.Amadon and Kristian challenge the modern glorification of "rootlessness," unpacking what it truly means to step into kingship, cultivate discernment without judgment, and exit the "age of atomization" to build a real sense of family identity and spiritual myth.

Lizzie Shacklett had every reason to choose Notre Dame.Her parents went there. She grew up loving the school. She was admitted early. For most students, that would have been the dream ending.But then Stanford and Yale said yes.In this episode, Steve sits down with Lizzie to unpack how she went from dreaming about Notre Dame to choosing between some of the most selective universities in the world—and ultimately choosing Stanford over Yale and Notre Dame.But this is not just a “college results” story.Lizzie shares how a simple seventh-grade book donation turned into Literacy is Lit, an organization that has collected and distributed more than 75,000 books to children in underserved communities. She explains how she stepped outside the usual high school achievement game—clubs, titles, competitions, and résumé padding—and started building real impact with nonprofits, educators, legislators, and community leaders.This conversation is a masterclass in what elite colleges actually notice: not just perfect grades or impressive activities, but clarity, values, courage, initiative, and evidence that a student is already making the world better.You'll hear how Lizzie built confidence, created momentum, handled the grind of senior year, and learned to trust her gut when making one of the biggest decisions of her life.For any student hoping to stand out—and any parent wondering what “standing out” actually means—this episode is a must-listen.What You'll LearnHow admitted-student weekends helped her make the final decision.How one small book donation became a 75,000-book impact project.Why real-world impact matters more than another club title.How Lizzie got adults, nonprofits, schools, and policymakers to take her seriously while she was still in high school.Why “common sense is not common practice” became one of her most important success principles.How students can escape the “high school bubble” and start doing work that actually matters.-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the current state of the MBA admissions season. We are continuing to see MBA programs release their final decisions. This upcoming week, USC / Marshall, CMU / Tepper, London Business School, Arizona / Carey, Georgia / Terry and Georgia Tech / Scheller are releasing final decisions. Graham highlighted a Fridays from the Frontline feature from a Stern student discussing their super experience with Stern's Endless Frontier Labs program. This was then followed by a deep-dive career reports piece focused on the consulting industry for MBA graduates. Graham also noted a new admissions tip which focuses on classes that might be worth considering before starting an MBA. Graham continued with the Real Humans Alumni series. This week focuses on three alumni: McCombs / Pepsi, IESE / Accenture and Owen / Bain. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected two ApplyWire entries and one DecisionWire entry. This week's first MBA admissions candidate is from India, and works at Bain.  They also have links to family firm focused on pharmaceuticals. They have a 337 GRE score. This week's second MBA applicant is a veteran who has a 715 GMAT score and a 3.76 GPA from an Ivy League university. This week's final MBA candidate is deciding between McDonough and Anderson. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

Hello and welcome to The Rob Burgess Show. I am, of course, your host, Rob Burgess. On this our 299th episode, our guest is Julie Cruse. Hailed as “pioneer of computational choreography” by Dance Magazine, Julie Cruse is a writer, inventor, instructional designer, content strategist and former academic with an MFA and MA. Spanning two decades, her educational innovations have served four Ivy League, four public and two community colleges. Her distinctions include 30-plus grants and honors, a National Science Foundation fellowship and recognition as Outstanding Alumni in Innovation. A first-generation student and creator of VICKi™(patent-pending), the world's first choreographic software, Cruse has turned her own story into a movement for transparency and survivor solidarity through AcademicAbuse.com. Her new book, “The Burn List: A Memoir of Abuse from Home to Higher Education” was published in March. Follow me on Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/robaburg.bsky.social Follow me on Mastodon: newsie.social/@therobburgessshow Check out my Linktree: linktr.ee/therobburgessshow Subscribe to my Substack: therobburgessshow.substack.com/

A message from flight attendants coast to coast, “keep your hands to yourself!” After years of constantly being poked, pinched, tapped, and grabbed they have banded together, even wearing “no touching” patches and pins in the cabin. And CBS Mornings host Gayle King revealing her now ex-husband cheated on her with her friend continues to strike a nerve with women across the country. Gayle is certainly not alone, so today she is sharing words of wisdom for women who have been cheated on. Plus, he's the spelling king! A 14-year-old just won the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, and not only can he spell super hard words, but he can also do it really fast. And he was once a golden boy, a good-looking Ivy League graduate with the world at his feet. Then he shot and killed his father after a dispute over his allowance. Gilbert has reportedly been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but the jury rejected his insanity defense. As Steven Fabian reports, today he looks a lot different from his glory days.

Today, we embark on a profound exploration of autism, guided by the insights of Dr. Theresa Lyons, an esteemed international educator and the visionary founder of Navigating Autism. The crux of our discourse centers on the transformative power of clarity and actionable science in the lives of families navigating autism, illuminating paths previously obscured by uncertainty and misinformation. Dr. Lyons, with a PhD from Yale and experience across more than 21 countries, combines rigorous research with practical wisdom to help parents feel more confident and make informed decisions. We delve into the misconceptions surrounding autism, revealing that it is not an immutable condition, and highlight the growing body of evidence suggesting that many children can achieve optimal outcomes. As we move through this conversation, you'll hear stories and strategies that can foster understanding, compassion, and lasting change for families affected by autism. The episode is a profound exploration of the intersection between personal experience and scientific inquiry, as Dr. Teresa Lyons recounts her journey from a scientist to an advocate for families affected by autism. With a PhD from Yale and extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Lyons leveraged her brilliant mind to develop Navigating Autism, a platform dedicated to disseminating clear, actionable information to parents. Throughout the discussion, she reflects on the misconceptions that often plague the realm of autism, notably the fallacy that it is a static, unchangeable condition. Dr. Lyons articulates the revelation that many children may lose their autism diagnosis over time, a fact supported by burgeoning research. This pivotal moment in her narrative not only underscores the necessity of a paradigm shift in how we view autism but also emphasizes the importance of equipping parents with the tools and knowledge to foster their child's development. The episode is peppered with practical advice, encouraging parents to seek out specialists who can provide accurate diagnoses and to embrace a mindset of hope and proactive engagement. By the conclusion, listeners are left with a sense of agency, understanding that the path to improvement is not only possible but within their reach, thanks to informed choices grounded in scientific evidence.The dialogue unfolds with an introduction to the transformative journey of Dr. Teresa Lyons, a luminary in autism education and an Ivy League scientist. Spearheading Navigating Autism, she has devised a platform that distills intricate scientific research into practical, digestible advice for families grappling with autism. The discussion delves into Dr. Lyons' personal experiences as a parent of an autistic child, which significantly informed her professional endeavors. Here, she shares the poignant realization that the common narrative surrounding autism often lacks a nuanced understanding of its potential for improvement. The conversation touches upon the critical importance of seeking knowledgeable medical professionals for accurate diagnoses and actionable insights, emphasizing that autism does not invariably equate to a life-long sentence—it can evolve positively with the right support and resources. By sharing her expertise gleaned from working with families across 21 countries, Dr. Lyons elucidates the universal challenges parents face, while simultaneously highlighting the unique cultural perceptions of autism. This multifaceted approach not only enlightens listeners about the science behind autism but also instills hope and empowerment in families navigating this complex landscape, as she stresses that a well-informed parent can significantly alter their child's trajectory.Takeaways:Dr. Teresa Lyons emphasizes that autism is not a lifelong condition for every individual, as recent research indicates that a significant percentage of children diagnosed with autism lose their diagnosis over time, reflecting the potential for improvement.Parents should seek out qualified professionals, such as developmental pediatricians or child psychiatrists, to obtain an accurate autism diagnosis, as general pediatricians may lack the necessary expertise.Navigating Autism, founded by Dr. Lyons, helps families access practical, science-based information to make informed decisions about their child's development.Understanding the importance of sleep and general health can significantly impact the behavior and well-being of children with autism, illustrating the interconnectedness of health and educational outcomes.The podcast underscores the necessity of dispelling common misconceptions surrounding autism, particularly the notion that autism invariably worsens as individuals age and that behavioral issues are solely problems to be corrected.Parents navigating autism must cultivate self-compassion and recognize their own emotional journeys, as feelings of guilt and fear are common yet can be transformed into confidence and proactive engagement.Links referenced in this episode:navigatingautism.comyoutube.comhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37782510/Mentioned in this episode:My friend Dr. Noah St. John calls this 'the invisible brake.' He's giving our listeners a free Revenue Ceiling Audit to help you see what's REALLY holding you back. You'll also get a FREE 30-day membership to Noah Bot, giving you access to Dr. Noah's 30 years of experience to help you reach your next level. But hurry, because there are only 50 available this month. So if you're tired of being stuck at the same revenue level and want to finally break through, get your FREE Revenue Ceiling Audit at https://www.noahvault.com?aff=d28bf6c78150c7f09896297dfe1701c1cd191ac6fc9976779212cec5d38e94d6

Supporting High Performing Child Athletes Is your child a "natural" on the field but struggling to keep up in the classroom? We all dream of supporting our child's passions, but when "good" turns into "elite," the rules of parenting change overnight. Suddenly, you aren't just a fan in the stands; you're a manager, a logistics coordinator, and a primary support system for a child facing adult-level pressure. In this episode of The Impactful Parent, host Kristina Campos sits down with Gosha Bettincourt, a mom who is currently navigating the world of national-level competitive diving with her seventh-grade son. If you've ever wondered how to manage 20+ hours of training a week without sacrificing your child's education or mental health, this conversation is your roadmap. Inside This Episode, You'll Learn: The "Spark Moment": How to tell when your child is ready to move from recreational sports to national-level competition. The Education Pivot: Why traditional school models often "hit a wall" for elite athletes and how the Crimson Global Academy model provides Ivy-League-level academics with total flexibility. The Hidden Costs: It's not just team fees. We discuss the financial and emotional reality of medical bills, sports psychologists, and family sacrifices. Preventing the Silent Killer: Identifying "Yellow Flags" of burnout before your child loses their passion for the game. The Stanford Strategy: How a 13-year-old took charge of his own future by introducing himself to college scouts (and why you should encourage it!). "The more I step back and listen to my child's needs, the more successful and impactful it is for our entire household." — Gosha Bettincourt Raising an elite athlete is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether your child is into diving, gymnastics, soccer, or any high-stakes activity, this episode will help you protect their "spark" while preparing them for a successful future both on and off the field. About Kristina Campos: Kristina is the founder of The Impactful Parent. As a mom of four and a veteran educator, she helps parents of school-aged children turn chaos into connection. Resources Mentioned: Crimson Global Academy (CGA): crimsonglobalacademy.com Also contact them at:  https://www.crimsonglobalacademy.school/us/campaigns/student-athlete-parents-campaign/?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=US_cga_2026-05-20_gosia-podcast    Contact Gosha Bettincourt for advice: info@beaverlakeescape.com Join The Community: Download the FREE Impactful Parent App for more parenting tips, resources, and expert interviews designed to help you stay "one step ahead" of your kids. Website: theimpactfulparent.com Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and share this episode with your "team" of fellow sports parents! #TheImpactfulParent #StudentAthlete #YouthSports #EliteAthlete #ParentingTips #CrimsonGlobalAcademy #AthleteBurnout #KristinaCampos  

In this episode, Vincent A. Lanci interviews Michael, aka BLCKBUTTERFLY, exploring his journey from modeling and music to now Harvard, AI mastery, and brand ownership. They discuss the importance of owning your name, leveraging AI for creativity, continuous learning, and the pursuit of big goals like working with Jay-Z as he is signed under Roc-Nation."Use setbacks as motivation to keep going"Chapters00:00 The Journey of Transformation: From Sellah to BLCKBUTTERFLY04:38 Harnessing AI in Creative Industries09:37 The Importance of Continuous Learning and Growth14:48 Building a Brand and Owning Your Identity18:38 Future Aspirations and Entrepreneurial Goals"Never stop learning and growing"Other Takeaways*Brand ownership and legal rights *AI as a creative tool and its impact on entertainment *The importance of continuous learning and adaptation *Building a versatile career in entertainment and entrepreneurshipFollow his incredible journey with us by checking out his last show with us on February 24, 2025 here!Send us Fan MailSupport the showRemember to subscribe for the next episode. Show Sponsor: ComingAlive PodcastProduction.com (Download your Podcast Launch Checklist for only $1 here)Music Credits: Copyright Free Music from Adventure by MusicbyAden.

Get Weekly Leadership Blueprints in your inbox: https://mailchi.mp/mcfaglobal/leadership-blueprints-newsletter Every leader has that one person on the team. The one showing up halfway. The one quietly setting the ceiling for everyone else. And most leaders tolerate it longer than they should.Matt Crespino refused to. After taking over the Princeton men's swim team, he inherited what his assistant called an opt-in culture, where the committed thrived and the disengaged got to coast. Matt blew it up. He made the team write their own core values, told the roster it was all in or out, and just won his second straight Ivy League championship doing it.In this conversation, Matt and BJ get into what it actually takes to raise the standard without losing your people. Why he had to coach against his own instincts to let the team have fun. How relationship building, not X's and O's, is the real work. And why the best coaches are the last line of defense for what sports are supposed to teach. If you lead anything, a team, a company, a family, this one is going to hit.Topics discussed:00:00 - Why your least committed person sets the ceiling01:00 - Launching the Friendly Strife Foundation segment07:00 - Coaching at West Point in the shadow of war10:00 - Realizing the job is bigger than coaching swimming13:00 - Why sports is the most powerful leadership classroom17:00 - Recruiting for culture not just talent18:00 - Shifting Princeton from opt-in to all-in20:00 - The five core values the team built together24:00 - Why fun became their unlock for winning26:00 - Coaching against your own instincts27:00 - Trust and inspire over command and control30:00 - How NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping coaching32:00 - Why failure has to be a safe place to land37:00 - Why they will not come to you if you have not built the relationship43:00 - The legacy of a coach who caredConnect with Matt Crispino:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mattcrispino/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-crispino-a26b5239/

UPenn assistant coach Darian Cruz sits down with Mike to talk about what the data says about Ivy League wrestling at the NCAA tournament, why coaching at Penn means competing with Wall Street for your athletes' attention, and how a post-COVID conversation led him to represent Puerto Rico on the international stage.Guest: Darian Cruz — 2017 NCAA Champion (Lehigh), 2024 Paris Olympian (Puerto Rico), UPenn Assistant CoachTopics: Ivy League vs EIWA NCAA performance, conference scoring data, student-athlete culture at UPenn, competing for Puerto Rico, overtime rule changes, Japan training trip

Podcast guest 1851 is Dr. Peter Solomon, who holds a PhD in physics from Columbia University. He is a scientist, educator, successful entrepreneur, and author. His current mission is to warn the next generation about the threats posed by unchecked science and technology. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Dr. Solomon's Book: 12 Years to AI Singularity: A Harmonious Future with Artificial Intelligence or War - https://amzn.to/4tt2UOv #ad CONTACT:Email: jeff@jeffmarapodcast.comAmazon Wish Listhttps://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1ATD4VIQTWYAN?ref_=wl_shareTo donate crypto:Bitcoin - bc1qk30j4n8xuusfcchyut5nef4wj3c263j4nw5wydDigibyte - DMsrBPRJqMaVG8CdKWZtSnqRzCU7t92khEShiba - 0x0ffE1bdA5B6E3e6e5DA6490eaafB7a6E97DF7dEeDoge - D8ZgwmXgCBs9MX9DAxshzNDXPzkUmxEfAVEth. - 0x0ffE1bdA5B6E3e6e5DA6490eaafB7a6E97DF7dEeXRP - rM6dp31r9HuCBDtjR4xB79U5KgnavCuwenWEBSITEwww.jeffmarapodcast.comNewsletterhttps://jeffmara2002.substack.com/?r=19wpqa&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklistSOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffmarapodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffmarapodcast/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jeffmaraP/The opinions of the guests may or may not reflect the opinions of the host.

Gene Zannetti talks with Montana state champion Tegan Jones about winning his first state title as a senior after placing fourth the year before, how four years of mindset training helped him through trial and error to find what worked best for him, why hearing "believe in yourself" from an outside perspective who had accomplished what he wanted to do made all the difference, and how he applied the same wrestling principles of hard methodical work to get accepted into Penn and Brown while aspiring to become a surgeon.Timestamps:1:22 - Four years of mindset training through trial and error3:44 - Placing fourth at states then pivoting for senior year4:03 - Building self-confidence wrestling older guys as a freshman5:06 - Why it's different hearing advice from an outside perspective7:24 - Not worried about wins or losses, just focused on performing9:20 - Fortune favors the bold: Aristotle quote before state finals12:38 - Applying wrestling principles to get into Ivy League schools

Are elite universities hiding something darker beneath the surface?In this episode of Slingshot Nation Live, Tony, Derek, and Jack dig into the strange overlap between Ivy League schools, occult history, secret societies, witchcraft courses, forbidden magic collections, and the possibility of underground mystery schools operating inside America's most prestigious institutions.From Harvard's divination and prophecy course to Yale's occult archives, Skull and Bones, Scroll and Key, Wolf's Head, alchemy manuscripts, secret societies, witch covens, portal lore, and even stories of werewolf spirits connected to Ivy League academia, this conversation asks a wild but important question: are these universities simply preserving history, or are they gateways into something much deeper?The discussion also connects pop culture shows like The Order, Wednesday, and other witchcraft-driven stories to real-world patterns involving elite schools, occult symbolism, spiritual warfare, and the war between the seen and unseen.Is the Ivy League just education, or is it also a front for hidden occult networks, secret rituals, and modern mystery schools?Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZTony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereMy NEW Website: tonymerkel.comBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereThe Meadow Project: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE TODAY: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyQUINCE: quince.com/tonyIVERMECTIN: twc.health/tonyVENICE AI: https://venice.ai/theconfessionalsRUMBLE WALLET: https://rumblewallet.onelink.me/bJsX/ConfessionalsCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jack_theproducer

Today on America in the MorningRaul Castro Indicted It's been wanted for decades, and been in the works for weeks, and now it's happened.  Federal prosecutors have indicted the former president of Cuba for murder but getting him into an American courtroom will be an issue.  Details from correspondent Rich Johnson.   Police Officers Sue Over Trump Fund Two police officers who were injured during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot are suing to block any payouts from a new Justice Department fund established in a settlement of a tax case involving President Trump.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports that one of the officers, Harry Dunn, spoke to CNN saying that the fund in effect would reward people who attacked police officers and nearly stopped the peaceful transfer of power.   President Wants Parliamentarian Fired President Trump is calling for the Senate Parliamentarian to be replaced over White House ballroom security funding.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports it's a move that the GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune called “concerning.”   New Mexico House Of Horrors It was a house of horrors in New Mexico where police found three people dead, and at least 18 first responders were overcome by an unknown toxic substance when they answered a call for a suspected drug overdose.  The details from correspondent Lisa Dwyer.  Arizona Execution An inmate on Arizona's Death Row has been executed for the brutal killing a man in 2002 by dousing him with gasoline and setting him on fire.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports.   No Easy A Just because you're smart and going to Harvard doesn't mean you deserve an “A” grade.  Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports on an Ivy League school changing its grading standards.   Reaction To Castro Indictment Federal prosecutors have charged the brother of Fidel Castro with ordering the shoot down of civilian planes in 1996 that led to the deaths of three Americans.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports the U.S. has indicted former Cuban leader Raul Castro, and wants him in the US to face charges.   Election Trump Factor If this week's primary elections proved anything, it would be that an endorsement by President Trump still has value in politics.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   California Wildfires The peak fire season in California usually begins in June.  Already there are several wildfires burning in Southern California, causing some evacuations and health issues from smoke, and another has ravaged an island off the California coast.  Jim Roope reports from Los Angeles.   Cost Of War Questions are being raised after a Congressional report showed that 42 American aircraft were either lost or damaged so far in the Iran war, which has now raised the estimate of the cost for the wartime operations to over $29 billion dollars. Finally   A reality TV star is running for mayor of Los Angeles as an independent, and he just received a high-level GOP endorsement.  Entertainment reporter Kevin Carr takes a look at the campaign of Spencer Pratt.   On his very first “The Late Show” in 2015, Stephen Colbert ripped into then-candidate Donald Trump while gorging on Oreo cookies over a political boycott of the company.  Eleven years later, it's the end of the line for Stephen Colbert's late night TV show where comedy and politics collided.  Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us Fan MailDAP The Contract is a Rapper, Producer and Lawyer based in NYC. He grew up in Nigeria, attended boarding school in London, went to the US and became an Ivy League graduated at Brown University and got his law degree from Columbia Law School. He drop his mixtape in 2014 and The Source Magazine named it the best mixtape of the year. Since then he's release 9 solo produced albums and recently joined forces with his friends Clyde Lawrence and Cody Fitzgerald to create the band Hi-Lo Jack. To say the least DAP has lived a fascinating life with lots of stories to tell.

AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports on an Ivy League changing its grading standards.

Donald Trump says the U.S. will hold off on a potential attack on Iran as “serious negotiations” are now underway, according to The Wall Street Journal. The pause signals a shift toward diplomacy, even as tensions remain high and talks could still determine whether the conflict escalates or cools. Iran has announced a new authority to oversee the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and energy. The move signals Tehran’s effort to formalize control over the waterway, potentially regulating traffic and even charging tolls as tensions with the U.S. continue. Two high school graduates are suing their school districts, claiming they finished school without learning how to read or write. An Ivy League professor says the cases point to a broader problem in the education system, where students may be pushed through without mastering basic skills. A Florida family says a Lyft driver used an AI‑generated image to falsely claim damage, resulting in a $75 fee. The family spotted a Google Gemini watermark in the photo, prompting Lyft to investigate, issue a refund, and remove the driver from the platform. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says the U.S. will hold off on a potential attack on Iran as “serious negotiations” are now underway, according to The Wall Street Journal. The pause signals a shift toward diplomacy, even as tensions remain high and talks could still determine whether the conflict escalates or cools. Iran has announced a new authority to oversee the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and energy. The move signals Tehran’s effort to formalize control over the waterway, potentially regulating traffic and even charging tolls as tensions with the U.S. continue. Two high school graduates are suing their school districts, claiming they finished school without learning how to read or write. An Ivy League professor says the cases point to a broader problem in the education system, where students may be pushed through without mastering basic skills. A Florida family says a Lyft driver used an AI‑generated image to falsely claim damage, resulting in a $75 fee. The family spotted a Google Gemini watermark in the photo, prompting Lyft to investigate, issue a refund, and remove the driver from the platform. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is a live recording with author and cultural critic W. David Marx, best known for his books ‘Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style' (2015), ‘Status & Culture' (2022) and ‘Blank Space: A Cultural History of the 21st Century' (2025).We discuss the origins of his books, his thesis on fashion, the state of culture today, and the outfits that chart his life and career thus far. You can see pictures of the looks he discusses in the accompanying newsletter.Thank you to The Groucho Club for hosting us and to Thom Browne for dressing me. If you enjoy the episode and want to hear about future live events, then subscribe to the newsletter for more Threads of Conversation. Get full access to Threads of Conversation at threadsofconversation.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when a pastor encounters the werewolf legends rooted in real spiritual warfare?In this episode, Tony sits down with Pastor Dave Bryan, from The Church of Glad Tidings in California, for a mind-bending conversation about deliverance, demonic oppression, and the supernatural realities many churches refuse to confront. Dave shares the chilling story of an Ivy League professor who claimed a witchcraft ritual invited a werewolf spirit into his life. What began as a teaching on Nebuchadnezzar's beastly transformation became a private deliverance encounter that Dave says changed the man's life. They also discuss spiritual warfare, the unseen realm, and why Western Christianity often struggles to believe the Bible's strangest stories. This episode pulls back the curtain on a world where darkness is real, but the authority of Jesus Christ is greater.Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890

In 1947, a new civilian intelligence agency was established: the CIA. But a series of intelligence failures undermined its credibility. The White House and Congress were up in arms, and a new mission was formed- to recruit Ivy League professors with uncanny skills. Leaving their so-called Ivory Tower, the academics brought new ways of thinking about national security to the CIA, helping the United States navigate the complexities of the Cold War. In one year, the academics' analysis revolutionized the service, cementing the CIA as one of America's finest agencies. Political scientist Peter Grace, author of The Intelligence Intellectuals, sits down with Sasha to unpack how these bright minds shaped the Agency. Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/ For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:  https://www.spymuseum.org/ And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org. This show is brought to you by N2K Networks, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

Did you know you could read a 200-page book in under 10 minutes and actually retain it? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Dr. Paul Scheele, PhD, a pioneer in accelerated learning and creator of the Photo Reading Whole Mind System.  Gerald shares how Dr. Paul's work personally transformed his life, from managing the mental and physical challenges of vestibular imbalance to completing four Ivy League programs simultaneously, while Dr. Paul unpacks the neuroscience and methodology behind one of the most powerful learning systems in the world. Dr. Paul explains how the non-conscious mind processes information at a scale of 10 billion to one over the conscious mind, and how Photo Reading taps into that vast reservoir to help professionals digest complex material in a fraction of the time. From the five core steps: Prepare, Preview, Photo Read, Post view, and Activate, to the power of syntopic reading and speed listening, this episode reveals how to stop fighting overwhelm and start leveraging your brain's true potential. With Photo Reading now published in 19 languages, taught in 43 countries, and even mandated for Supreme Court justices in Mexico, the results speak for themselves.  Whether you are a professional drowning in information, a student facing an avalanche of reading, or a creative trying to break into a new field, this episode will show you a smarter, faster, and more joyful way to learn. Ready to stop reading word for word and start learning at the speed of your mind? Listen to the full episode now and discover what your brain has been capable of all along. Let's dive in!   What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:01] Meet Dr. Paul Scheele, PhD [03:46] Gerald's personal journey with Photo Reading [06:21] Origins of the Photo Reading Whole Mind System [09:42] How Gerald uses Photo Reading to prepare for podcast interviews [12:21] The non-conscious mind: 10 billion to one over the conscious mind [15:36] Real-world application: reading podcast guests' books the morning of [16:40] Neuroscience behind non-conscious acquisition [18:19] The rods and cones connection: what an optometrist confirmed [19:53] The five steps of the Photo Reading process [22:46] How Photo Reading saves you money at the bookstore [25:44] Spontaneous activation: when knowledge floods in on its own [27:30] Photo Reading in the age of AI information overload [28:47] Speed listening and the auditory channel [31:39] Gerald's Harvard case study experience [33:24] Syntopic reading: mastering a field in an afternoon [35:45] Building new practice areas through syntopic reading [37:24] Addressing skeptics: trusting your brain, not the system [39:26] The biggest mistake professionals make with learning [41:35] How to access Photo Reading resources [43:51] Closing remarks   Notable Quotes [14:10] "The concept of photo reading turns that absolutely upside down and backwards, because we're putting the information in at a page a second." – Dr. Paul Scheele [13:10] "Your conscious mind's database being a circle of about 12 inches, that circle sits in another circle 11 miles across. That's the difference in the database." – Dr. Paul Scheele [15:36] "Most of the time, I will photo read the book the morning of the podcast. I sit there for five to ten minutes flipping through pages, and when I start talking with the author, all of this information starts coming up." – Gerald J. Leonard [19:16] "Your cones are responsible for what your conscious mind sees. The rods are directly connected to your non‑conscious mind." – Gerald J. Leonard (quoting his optometrist) [26:25] "The brain is built to do this. But nobody ever taught us how to use it. I've created a protocol that allows the unconscious mind to do the heavy lifting for you." – Dr. Paul Scheele [33:11] "The joy, I really want to underscore this, the idea of making learning a joy, that's what our brains can give us if we follow the right protocol." – Dr. Paul Scheele [40:28] "The big mistake most people make is they default to their fear rather than saying, 'Wait, there's gotta be a better way to do this.'" – Dr. Paul Scheele [42:57] "If there's one skill I've learned in my later life that has radically transformed every part of it, it's PhotoReading and the accelerated learning techniques from Dr. Paul." – Gerald J. Leonard   Resource and Links Dr. Paul Scheele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulscheelephd/ PhotoReading Program learningstrategies.com/gerald   Book:  The Photoreading Whole Mind System   Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com   Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard   Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

New here? Start with our ⁠Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood If your daughter is heading to college and talking about rushing a sorority, this episode is required listening — for you, not her. Between the mom guilt, the mental load of managing her college transition, and the overwhelm of a process you don't fully understand, rush season can send even the most grounded mom into a tailspin. Trisha Addicks is a 30-year Rush consultant, author of The Rush Bible: Secrets to Crush Sorority Recruitment and Find Your Forever Greek Home, and was featured in the viral Bama Rush documentary. She has helped hundreds of families navigate one of the most emotionally charged processes in a young woman's college experience. And her number one piece of advice for moms? Back off — but in the most loving, supportive way possible. In this episode, JoAnn and Trisha break down everything you actually need to know about sorority rush, from how the matching process works (it's more like a two-way algorithm than you think) to how to support your daughter without accidentally making it worse. What you'll learn: How the rush process actually works, step by step — from the virtual first round all the way to bid day Why your daughter can be cut before she even sets foot in a house (and what that means) The single most important thing moms can do during rush week — and it's not what you think The biggest mistake moms make when their daughter calls crying (and what to say instead) Why sorority rush at NYU or an Ivy League is just as high stakes as Bama Rush — even if it looks different The #1 misconception about sororities that the TikTok OOTDs are getting completely wrong How to build your own support squad so you don't put your anxiety on your daughter What sorority life actually looks like day-to-day (hint: it's a lot more than parties) Why listening — not prepared questions — is the skill your daughter needs to practice before rush Trisha's biggest reminder for moms: "This is not your journey. It's hers. All you want is for her to find her people — and it doesn't matter what letters are on the door." Resources mentioned: The Rush Bible by Trisha Addicks Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Thank you to our sponsors! Rula Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/NGM #rulapod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Summer can either become a missed opportunity, or a powerful season of growth.In this episode, I share a clip from a class for students who have already completed the Ivy League Challenge. After students finish the ILC, they continue meeting weekly to stay connected, keep building, and grow inside a positive community.In this class, Wes shares his simple summer planning system: choose the areas of your life you want to develop, set a few meaningful goals, and create small routines that keep you moving without over-scheduling every hour.You'll hear how students are thinking about research, writing, podcasts, fitness, impact projects, friendships, and even fried chicken.The goal isn't to have the busiest summer.The goal is to design a summer that helps you grow-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

Join Cory Heitz and George White—former Harvard basketball player, D1 coach, and founder of RecruitU—as they dissect the NCAA's proposed "5-and-5 rule", a game-changer for prep school basketball and college recruitment. George breaks down how this rule will limit eligibility to five years (starting at high school graduation or age 19), restrict transfers to one immediate move, and impact NIL deals, post-grad years, and injury waivers. Discover why post-grad years still hold value for late bloomers, how mid-major programs may benefit, and the hidden risks for injured athletes and reclassified players. This is must-listen intel for parents, players, and coaches navigating the evolving prep-to-college pipeline.

Welcome back to The Pre Nup, the podcast where we talk honestly about love, weddings, and everything in between. This week, Adriana sits down with Dr. Love Lea — an Ivy League-trained couples therapist with a PhD in clinical sexology — to talk about the part of getting married no one prepares you for: the actual marriage. We spend so much time obsessing over the dress, the venue, and the seating chart — but how much time are couples actually spending preparing for life after "I do"? Dr. Love Lea breaks down why premarital coaching can lower your odds of divorce by 31%, what to actually talk about before you walk down the aisle, and why the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset is one of the biggest threats to a modern marriage. From intimacy and communication to conflict, money, in-laws, and the conversations most couples are too scared to have — Dr. Love Lea brings real, modern, judgment-free advice that meets couples where they're at. Whether you're religious, spiritual, secular, or somewhere in between, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who's engaged, newly married, or dating with intention. If you're searching for premarital counseling tips, advice for engaged couples, or how to build a marriage that actually lasts — this episode is for you. Episode Highlights • Why couples spend $35K on the wedding and $0 on the marriage — and how Dr. Love Lea wants to flip that • The statistic every engaged couple needs to hear: how premarital coaching cuts divorce risk by 31% • Premarital counseling vs. religious pre-Cana: what's the difference and do you need both? • The "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" myth and why it's quietly hurting your relationship • How often healthy couples are actually having sex (and why quality beats quantity) • The fights that seem stupid but mean something deeper • How to have hard conversations without making your partner feel attacked • Why Dr. Love Lea treats the relationship as one body — not two sides • Wedding vendor tip: why an extra pair of comfortable shoes is non-negotiable on your wedding day Find Dr. Love Lea: Instagram: @DrLoveLea / Website: drlovelea.com

The weight room isn't just a place to build muscle. It's a battlefield where psychology meets physical adaptation — and most coaches are losing because they're coaching numbers instead of people. Dr. Justin Lima joins Dave Tate at the elitefts compound to dismantle the myth of "optimal" training and explain why giving athletes a stimulus they aren't prepared for can rob them of long-term development. From scaling Strength Coach Network to his PhD research on reactive force development, Lima connects elite-level sport science with the reality of coaching in the trenches. INSIDE THE EPISODE: • Why coach-to-athlete communication is disappearing in favor of technology • The "Robbing Twice" principle and how advanced methods can ruin future adaptation • Using HRV and readiness metrics as conversation starters — not command centers • The political realities of collegiate strength coaching vs. private sector performance • How to transition from institutional coaching to business ownership • Implementing max effort methods in team sports without wrecking practice schedules ABOUT DR. JUSTIN LIMA: Dr. Justin Lima, PhD, is the President & CEO of Strength Coach Network and a veteran high-performance consultant with nearly 20 years of experience across the B1G, ACC, and Ivy League. He has helped develop: • 30+ NFL Draft Picks • Multiple Super Bowl Champions • Coaches and practitioners across every level of sport His work focuses on translating complex sport science into practical coaching systems that actually work under pressure. Become an elitefts channel member for early access to Dave Tate's Table Talk podcast and other perks. ➡️ @eliteftsofficial SUPPORT DAVE TATE'S TABLE TALK: FULL Crew Access https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application BEST-SELLING ELITEFTS PRODUCTS: Pro Resistance Training Bands https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps, Sleeves https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html SPONSORS: Get an extra 10% OFF at elitefts (CODE: TABLE TALK) https://www.elitefts.com/ Get 10% OFF Your Next Marek Health Labs (CODE: TABLETALK) https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk Support Massenomics! https://www.massenomics.com/ Save 20% on monthly, yearly, or lifetime MASS Research Review (CODE: ELITEFTS20) https://massresearchreview.com/ Get 10% OFF RP Hypertrophy App (CODE: TABLE TALK) https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app  

Today's article is from the Yale Daily News. Their senior survey for the class of 2026 came back with 91 percent of seniors saying they've used AI for schoolwork. That isn't a usage stat anymore. That's saturation. While the Pope writes encyclicals and New York City schools draft policies, the most expensive undergraduate degree in the country just finished four years that the curriculum committee didn't authorize.The class graduating this month is the first where AI use is the default, not the exception. Every Fortune 500 recruiter interviewing them is interviewing an AI-augmented worker whether the resume says so or not. The talent market just got repriced silently. The kids set the price.Nine percent of Yale seniors didn't touch AI for coursework. Some are students of conviction. Some are in tightly-monitored programs. Some used it and lied on the survey. Whichever it is, academic integrity policy stopped scaling years ago. The honor code is being asked to do a job it wasn't built for.Yale spent three years debating whether AI belongs in the syllabus. The students answered the question before the faculty meeting ended.The grade distribution at Yale just spiked toward the A. It's happening at every selective school in the country. When the 4.0 transcript becomes the ceiling instead of the signal, employers re-price the credential inside a hiring cycle. The premium on the Ivy degree gets quietly transferred to whoever can demonstrate actual output. The degree was a proxy. The proxy stopped working.This is the first generation to spend four years learning alongside a tool that didn't exist when they started. Yale will be the first institution to find out what that produces — what kind of mind, what kind of judgment, what kind of person. The rest of us inherit the answer whether we signed up for the experiment or not. The 91 percent isn't a problem. It's the first finished data point. The hard part is naming what we want the second one to look like.⏱️ Chapters0:00 — Yale class of 2026: 91 percent used AI for schoolwork0:30 — MiniDoge: 91 percent isn't a problem stat, it's the new baseline1:00 — Nyx: the 9 percent is the interesting number1:30 — HH: institutions are still asking how to teach; students already finished learning1:50 — MiniDoge: the 4.0 transcript became the ceiling, not the signal2:20 — Saarvis: Yale will find out what four years alongside AI produces⚡ Learn agentic ai free - https://staas.fund/ai-workshop ⚡-----

On this episode, Karol Markowicz sits down with Roy Altman, author of the New York Times bestselling book Israel on Trial, for a powerful conversation about October 7, the global reaction to Israel, and the growing wave of antisemitism on college campuses. Altman explains what inspired him to write the book, why he believes the debate surrounding Israel has become morally and historically inverted, and how he uses legal reasoning to challenge accusations of colonialism, apartheid, and genocide. He also discusses the role of elite institutions, media narratives, Ivy League protests, and the future of the Middle East following the Israel-Iran conflict. Plus, Roy shares why he remains optimistic about the next generation of Jewish students standing up for Israel and America despite mounting pressure on campuses nationwide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about Lucas Gill, an 18-year-old from Winton who was accepted by five Ivy League universities.

A secret society, Joshua Jackson in peak Y2K mode, and Paul Walker serving rich-boy drama? The Skulls has entered the group chat.For this episode of the No More Late Fees podcast, Jackie and Danielle head back to the year 2000 to revisit The Skulls, the Ivy League thriller packed with secret societies, elite privilege, suspicious “accidents,” and one very dramatic initiation process.The duo breaks down:Joshua Jackson's working-class heartthrob eraPaul Walker's legacy rich kid energyThe wild rules and rituals of the Skulls societyWhy Leslie Bibb deserved more screen timeThe movie's surprisingly stacked castY2K conspiracy thriller vibesSecret society lore connected to Yale's Skull and BonesThe direct-to-video sequels nobody asked for but absolutely existJackie and Danielle also dive into the movie's box office performance, memorable scenes, hilarious plot holes, and the over-the-top twists that make The Skulls such a fun early-2000s watch. From creepy war rooms to suspicious cover-ups, this episode is full of nostalgic commentary, behind-the-scenes trivia, and plenty of laughs.If you grew up loving movies like Cruel Intentions, The Fast and the Furious, Dawson's Creek, or Y2K campus thrillers, this episode is definitely for you.Be sure to:Subscribe for more nostalgic movie deep divesLeave a review and help fellow millennials find the podcastComment with your favorite secret society movieShare your favorite Joshua Jackson performanceListen now and rewind with us as we revisit one of the most delightfully dramatic thrillers of the early 2000s.#TheSkulls #JoshuaJackson #PaulWalker #Y2KMovies #MoviePodcast #NoMoreLateFees #MillennialNostalgia #2000sMovies·Season 6 Episode 4·—No More Late Fees ⁠https://nomorelatefeespodcast.com⁠909-601-NMLF (6653)—Follow Us on Social:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nomorelatefees TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@nomorelatefees Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/nomorelatefeesYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@nomorelatefees Twitterhttps://x.com/NoMoreLateFees —CONQUERing⁠⁠myconquering.com⁠⁠10% Off Code: JACKIE10—NostaBeautyhttps://nostabeauty.com 20% Off Code: NMLF—DescriptCreator Plan 50% off 2 monthshttps://descript.cello.so/zp4OQqeIMdq

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Aaron Graham, lead pastor of The District Church, a diverse and growing congregation in the heart of Washington, D.C. Founded in 2010 just a few miles from the White House, the church has become known for its global diversity—with people from more than 80 nations represented—and its commitment to living out the gospel for the good of the city. Are you noticing both spiritual curiosity and spiritual drift among people in your community? Wondering how to disciple people faithfully in a culture that increasingly pushes back against historic Christian orthodoxy? In this conversation, Aaron shares insights from his ministry context in D.C. and his new book Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies, offering practical ways churches can respond to cultural pressure while forming resilient disciples from the next generation. A generation leaning in—and drifting away. // Aaron observes a striking tension among young adults today: some are pursuing faith with new seriousness, while others are quietly drifting away. Cities like Washington, D.C., attract highly educated young professionals who want to make a difference in the world through public service. Many are motivated by compassion and a desire to serve others, but they also face cultural pressures that can slowly reshape their beliefs. In Aaron's experience, this environment creates both incredible opportunities for ministry and real challenges in maintaining historic Christian faith. Some people are exploring spiritual questions deeply, while others disengage from church entirely through gradual spiritual drift. Understanding doubt, deconstruction, and denial. // Aaron encourages church leaders to distinguish between three different spiritual responses: doubt, deconstruction, and denial. Doubt is a natural part of faith—it involves uncertainty and questions that can ultimately strengthen belief when handled within a supportive community. Deconstruction, however, goes further by dismantling previously held beliefs. While some deconstruction may be necessary—especially when people have experienced unhealthy theology or spiritual abuse—it becomes dangerous when it happens in isolation without reconstructing a healthier biblical foundation. Denial is the final stage, where a person actively rejects core Christian beliefs. Recognizing these distinctions helps pastors respond with wisdom and compassion rather than assuming everyone wrestling with faith is in the same place. Creating space for honest questions. // One practical way The District Church engages doubt is through a summer series called “This Is My Story.” During this series, church members share short testimonies about their biggest spiritual questions and how God met them through those struggles and doubts. These stories normalize honest questions while showing that faith can deepen through wrestling with difficult issues. Instead of centering doubt itself, the church highlights the journey from questioning to deeper trust in God. This approach has been especially meaningful for newcomers, helping them see that the church is a place where people can wrestle honestly with faith while still moving toward spiritual maturity. Resisting the pull of cultural lies. // Aaron's book identifies several cultural narratives that quietly reshape Christian belief. One example is what he calls the “selective Christian”—someone who edits Scripture to match personal preferences or cultural expectations. When believers accept only the parts of the Bible that feel comfortable, the authority of Scripture slowly erodes. Over time, this selective approach strips the gospel of its transformative power. Aaron emphasizes that discipleship must include serious engagement with the whole Bible, even the passages that challenge modern assumptions. Returning to deep Bible engagement. // One of the most effective ways Aaron addresses cultural pressure is by encouraging consistent Bible engagement within the church. Through reading plans, group discussions, and teaching that emphasizes submission to Scripture rather than simply learning about it, believers begin to develop a more holistic faith. Interestingly, Aaron notes that people who deeply engage Scripture often become both more morally conservative and more socially liberal with deeper compassion toward others. Instead of fitting into political categories, they develop a kingdom perspective shaped by the teachings of Jesus. Holding together justice and biblical conviction. // Throughout his ministry, Aaron has worked extensively in justice initiatives, advocating for the poor and vulnerable. However, he has also seen many leaders abandon historic Christian beliefs while pursuing social justice causes. This experience convinced him that justice and biblical orthodoxy must remain connected. True justice flows naturally from a high view of Scripture and the lordship of Christ. When churches separate the two, they risk losing both their theological foundation and their long-term spiritual influence. To learn more about Aaron Graham's book Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies, visit aarongrahamdc.com, where you can find resources, curriculum, and links to purchase the book. Plus, check out District Church at districtchurch.org. 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: Risepointe Do you feel like your church’s or school's facility could be preventing growth? Are you frustrated or possibly overwhelmed at the thought of a complicated or costly building project? Are the limitations of your building becoming obstacles in the path of expanding your ministry? Have you ever felt that you could reach more people if only the facility was better suited to the community’s needs? Well, the team over at Risepointe can help! As former ministry staff and church leaders, they understand how to prioritize and help lead you to a place where the building is a ministry multiplier. Your mission should not be held back by your building. Their team of architects, interior designers and project managers have the professional experience to incorporate creative design solutions to help move YOUR mission forward. Check them out at risepointe.com and while you’re there, schedule a FREE call to explore possibilities for your needs, vision and future…Risepointe believes that God still uses spaces…and they're here to help. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. Super excited that you have decided to tune in today. I know you got a lot going on this week and the fact that you would turn us on is just incredible. So we want to honor you for that. Thanks for doing that. Rich Birch — Today, we’re going to talk about some stuff that I know is applicable to all of us. It It’s the kind of conversation that we’re we’re wrestling with in all of our churches. And we also have a repeat guest, which you know does not happen that often at unSeminary. And you know when we have repeat guests, it means I really want you to hear them and hear what they have to say out. Rich Birch — Today we’re honored to have Aaron Graham with us. He is the lead pastor of of District Church. It was founded in 2010 in Washington, D.C. It’s a Christ-centered, culture-defining church. for transplants and natives. The church was born from a dream about what it would look like for a church to be, or to seek the peace of the city and to exist for the sake of Christ and for the good of the city.Rich Birch — So we’re really excited to have Aaron with us today. Aaron, welcome back to the podcast after a couple of years, but glad to you glad you decided to come back on. Appreciate that.Aaron Graham — Thanks, Rich, for having me and love what you guys are doing and how you’re practically helping church leaders like myself address problems we’re facing in our organizations and culture cultural contexts. Rich Birch — Kind of you to say that. Give us a bit of the District story for folks that, you know, my mom listens to every episode, but not everyone listens to every episode. But kind of to give us a bit of the District story and and talk a little bit about how you intersect with all of that.Aaron Graham — Yeah, we launched 15 years ago right in the heart of DC. We meet two miles north of the White House, and made up of mostly young adults becoming more intergenerational. But one of the things we’ve become known for is just our diversity. So there’s over 80 nations represented in the church. Last night at the newcomers dinner, there were 14 nations represented… Rich Birch — Wow.Aaron Graham — …and so just in that small little dinner. So that’s a real privilege we have of of doing that. We’re a church of life groups and just love what we’re doing right here in the heart of DC.Rich Birch — So good. I once heard a leader say that, you know, DC is full of young leaders, young people like, and, you know, the the whole thing that, you know, the main business will call it in DC is all run on the back of, you know, 20s and 30s who are making a huge difference. What have you noticed with reaching that? And I know, i know you’re, you’re, you’re, like you said there, you’re becoming a more diverse church and, you know, age-wise in all different ways. But let’s let’s kind of focus in on that kind of 20-somethings, 30-somethings. What have you been noticing with folks in that generation as it comes to faith and their relationship with Jesus and, you know, all of their kind of spiritual side? What’s what are some of the observations you’re seeing?Aaron Graham — Yeah, well, I think a lot of young adults are leaning into their faith more than ever. There’s a revival in so many ways happening among young people, but there’s also a lot of retreating and people drifting in their faith. And so we kind of find ourselves with people either leaning in like never before or leaning out like never before. And in a context like D.C., people move to D.C. to change the world. I mean, this is where you come.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — This is a city of public service. And so these are the Ivy League, educated top of their class. They move here. They land that that job at the U.S. Capitol working for a member of Congress or the White House or an agency whatever, an advocacy advocacy firm. Aaron Graham — And so what happens is it’s very highly educated people here. And highly educated people I’ve noticed have a deep care for those who are suffering. And they want to make a difference. That’s like what public service is all about. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — Like I want to help serve people. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And like the government is supposed to exist to serve people. And so just that kind of love for neighbor. I want to help people out. And so D.C. is like a very politically progressive, highly educated city. And there’s a lot to draw upon with that because people are making a lot of sacrifices. But it does come with some problems, mainly people drifting from biblical orthodoxy, the historic Christian faith that has been handed down to us.Rich Birch — Yeah, I, so I’m Canadian for folks that are listening in and don’t know that I lived in the States for a bunch of years. We lived in New Jersey. And I remember the first time I visited D.C. as a Canadian, I felt patriotic for America. I was like, man, this place is unbelievable. Aaron Graham — Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — I’m like, you know, and obviously I was just there as a tourist and actually we’re visiting some friends and we got the tour of the Capitol, one of these like behind the scenes, let me put you behind the velvet rope. And I was like, this place is unreal. Like what a, what a place to serve and… Aaron Graham — Yeah. Rich Birch — …it has that kind of feeling of, you know, while people are are coming to change the world really in a positive way. I’d love to kind of focus in on this as you talk about people that are leaning, you know, leaning back, leaning away, drifting from their faith, drifting from orthodoxy. You know, we’ve we’ve heard a lot about even the kind of deconstructing movement and that, you know, there’s, it is an interesting time we live in, spiritually, because these are like two realities that are kind of happening at the same time, people leaning in and leaning back.Rich Birch — What are some of those common assumptions that you’ve noticed for people who are leaning back from, from, like you say, an Orthodox Christian faith?Aaron Graham — Yeah, absolutely. I think one is just, we’ve we’ve heard this, but just church hurt. I think scandals and hypocrisy in the church among leaders is kind of at least at an all time high of what we’re hearing about right now. And so because we’re so tapped into the news and online, I think most people are very aware, if they haven’t had a bad experience, they know somebody who has been been hurt by a religious leader or by you know a church leader. And it’s sort of like, you know we always hear the bad examples, right? Aaron Graham — Like all the planes that arrive safely every day, you never hear about. But when when the one plane has some mechanical issues or has has a rough landing, you hear about it. And I think there’s so many just faithful pastors and church leaders out there that are doing awesome work. But unfortunately, we’re hearing about the, the, the bad apples. And there’s been a lot of them that have been reported on. So I think that influences people saying, do I really want to be a part of this? If it’s an option, do I? You know, so church hurt’s one of them. Aaron Graham — I think theological differences. I mean, this is the age of the church split and human sexuality is like front and center of that. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — But politics increasing these, these last few years or what side are you on and how do you interpret? So, so I think, political, theological differences. And then I think just like complacency, like just straight up spiritual drift. It’s not doctrine doctrinal. It’s not scandal. It’s just like, you know what? Like, it’s just easier not to go to church. Aaron Graham — It’s sort of the folks that left during COVID. It’s like, oh I’m going to watch online and then I’m not going to return to church. It’s just like that spiritual drift. So those are some themes I’m seeing, you know, right here in DC. And I’ve seen as a pattern and talking to other church leaders.Rich Birch — Yeah, that I’d love to kind of narrow in a little bit there on this tension between spiritual drift, like it’s the, you know, I’d rather watch football or whatever, you know, complacency. And then actually folks that are wrestling, honestly, that are asking questions and are are struggling. What have you seen? How how do you discern that how how does that? How does that work itself out? What have you learned about the difference between people who are in these kind of two categories?Aaron Graham — Yeah, I talk a lot about the difference between doubt, deconstruction, and denial. And I think it’s helpful to have these kind of three categories because it’s easy to just put everybody in the same category when they’re not dealing with the same thing.Aaron Graham — And so to doubt is to lack confidence, to be unsure about something. And that’s like part of what it means to be human, to have questions.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — Like we want to have churches where like youth and young adults can ask honest questions about human suffering and about questions they have theologically like that. You want people to be curious and it says in the book of Jude that we need to be merciful to those who doubt.Aaron Graham — And so we see that modeled in Jesus. But he ultimately calls us beyond our doubt. Like he doesn He doesn’t call us to like center our doubt. He calls us to walk by faith, not by doubt. And so we have to create space for that. But you know if a church is like, you know its mission statement is to just welcome doubters and then you center that, that’s actually not a very forward…Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — …facing thing. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so, so, so we need to create space for doubt. And sometimes people, that’s just what they’re having. They’re are just having questions. Aaron Graham — I think deconstruction is a step beyond doubt and deconstruction is like when you are in the process of dismantling your beliefs. And sometimes there’s some beliefs that need to be dismantled because there’s like, you grew up in a church that had like really messed up theology. Rich Birch — Right. Yeah. Aaron Graham — Like you grew up in a cult or something. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Graham — And you’re like, I’ve got to deconstruct this. Or like I experienced spiritual manipulation and I thought this is what it meant to honor a leader. Or I experienced abuse in some way. And so you have to kind of deconstruct that. The problem is a lot of people are deconstructing outside of the context of community or biblical community. And so they’re doing so in isolation and the enemy loves that. Like the enemy loves to isolate us. Aaron Graham — And so if you’re going to deconstruct something unhealthy, you have to reconstruct. And the problem is there’s been a lot of deconstruction without reconstructing. So so there’s doubt, there’s deconstruction, and then unhealthy deconstruction can lead to denial, right? This is Judas, right? This is like, I will not go with you. Rich Birch — rightAaron Graham — Like and so denial is like, is more active, where doubt is more passive, denial can be ah more more active. And I think it’s very dangerous. This is Jude saying, snatch them from the fire. You know, this is life or death type of thing. So.Rich Birch — Can we focus in a bit on the doubt piece for a second? What does that look like for you as a leader? Like, what are some practical ways that we can offer space for people who are, who do have legit doubts? And, you know, I get that there’s this tension of like, we don’t want to create just like, let’s all get around and talk about what we don’t know. But like, how how can we do that? Or how are you doing that at District? What’s that look like for you guys?Aaron Graham — We do a series every summer called This Is My Story, where I don’t preach for two weeks and we hear 10-minute testimonies from people in our church. So three 10-minute testimonies each week, and we select people in our church and then we coach them around how to prepare for it. And they share a question, their biggest question, their biggest doubt, their biggest struggle and how they’ve moved through that and how it’s actually enabled them to deepen their faith and not to deconstruct their faith.Aaron Graham — So it’s testimony time, but it’s structured around how they’ve moved through doubt. Because I think our biggest questions, for me as a child, it was why do kids die of preventable causes? Like it shapes so much of your calling if you process it in a healthy way. And so, yeah, so this is my story. And that’s just been really helpful. It gives the pastor a break. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Graham — Sometimes I’m doing it when I’m on vacation. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Graham — So allows me to step out, but it also allows leaders. And so what it does in terms of formation in the congregation is we’re actually moving the date this year to be when most newcomers come at the end of August. Rich Birch — That’s cool.Aaron Graham — Because it’s been so popular with newcomers. Cause they’re like, Oh, I see myself in this church. Like, Oh, you have questions too. I have questions. But once again, it’s not like I’m centering that doubt or that question at the end of the day. So, so that’s, that’s one thing practically, you know, we’ve done.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. I love that. And, you know, there there was a time in the generation before me where, yeah, it was like, you don’t acknowledge any of that, right? It’s like, you don’t, you can’t ask any of those questions. Cause that, that is it’s like, just asking the question is going to, it’s like something bad is going to happen. I worked for a long time for a lead pastor that did open forum Q and A after every single message. So every single message you would say, Hey, like, is there anything, have any questions about anything I said or left unsaid? And similarly, it, it created a culture where, people kept you honest as a preacher. I hated it when I spoke. I was like, gosh, because you know, like any question? Aaron Graham — Totally.Rich Birch — But it did create a culture where like, hey, it’s okay to ask, right? It’s okay to to explore for sure.Aaron Graham — Yeah, that’s great.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s interesting.Aaron Graham — I love it.Rich Birch — So getting back to this whole idea, you know, doubt, discernment, denial, at some point, you know, you’ve started to see some patterns in the culture around us, some recurring themes that you’ve seen. And actually you package these into a book that I want to make sure people, I actually think it’d be a really helpful tool for folks. But and so no, I’m not just trying to sell books, but I do think it’s a helpful thing. Help us talk through, so tell us about the book and how is it set up? What is the framework for it?Aaron Graham — Yeah, so the new book’s called Unshakable Faith: How to Stand Firm in a Culture of Lies. And for me, it really came about from trying to see this pattern of so many people slowly drifting from their faith and saying, how do we prevent this as pastors?Aaron Graham — Like, the if we don’t disciple our people, the world gladly will. And in some ways, they’re doing the world’s doing a better job…Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — …of discipling our people. And so what are these like subtle lies that people are believing that is causing people to, you know, not lean into their faith. And I’ve just seen it like in the urban center here, I’ve just seen so many well-intentioned, highly educated, sometimes often sincere people just drift.Aaron Graham — And so they’re no longer going to church. They’re not raising their kids in the faith. And so, yeah, I’ve just seen it over and over. And so I wrote this book in response to that. And honestly, in so many ways, it’s a critique of what I what I call progressive Christianity. And I mean that theologically, not politically. But it’s it’s when someone reinterprets Scripture, the historic teachings of Scripture, to make it more comfortable or palatable to the current culture.Aaron Graham — It’s it’s like emphasizing relevance over faithfulness. And so what I’ve seen so often over and over is that oh, this isn’t just a conversation around human sexuality or progressive Christianity. Progressive Christianity is becoming a layover to post-Christianity for so many people. And so I just began to say, okay, is this new thing? Oh, it’s actually not new. It’s not in the last like 20 years.Aaron Graham — This has been happening for like 500 years since the enlightenment where you know progressive Christians, or however they’re labeled, end up denying the miraculous. And then denying at the core the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is like the very core of our faith. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — I was like, this isn’t just a conversation around human sexuality, which is where it started with the newcomer. This is, you know, or with the leader, even in the church, this is about something much more deep.Aaron Graham — And so that’s when I just began to pray in this and and just say, what are the patterns that I’m seeing? What are these lies that people are often like well-meaning, but believing? And how is that compromising our ability to call people to faith, but also help make disciples. So.Rich Birch — Is there, I think, friends, I had a chance to sneak peek at this book and I think it could be a great resource for many of our churches. It could be a great kind of small group discussion, a great leadership book. I think it could be a fantastic thing for us to do with our leadership team together wrestling through these these issues. so We’re not going to be able to cover all of it, but what would you say maybe one of these pernicious subtle lies that you see is prevailing? It it’s it it pops up all the time. Help us unpack one of those.Aaron Graham — Yeah, sure. So one of them I talk about is the selective Christian, the person who edits scripture to fit preferences rather than engaging in the whole word of God. And you know, Jim Wallace, who is a well-known social justice advocate in the 70s, when he was at Trinity Evangelical Seminary, got together with some friends, and they went through the Bible and they cut up every reference in the Bible to the poor, or to the widow, the orphan. And there’s like 2000 verses in the Bible about about that. And he would go around and he’d hold up a Bible and he’d say, this is the Bible we have in in America. It’s a Bible full of holes because we’ve neglected the call to justice and the call to care for the poor.Aaron Graham — Well, I’m seeing that same thing happen in this next generation around some other core doctrine, around human depravity, around human sexuality, around gender and marriage and these other things that we don’t want to talk about. But what’s really at stake in so many ways is the authority of Scripture. And so we pick and choose what parts we want to believe. And then we strip the gospel of its saving power because we’ve only chosen to believe the parts that are the most acceptable to us and our friends in this cultural moment. That’s just a really dangerous way to not be formed in our faith.Rich Birch — Yeah. And, you know, I think we’ve, you can see that in how, you know, we handle scripture. I think one of the dangers that we face as preachers, we did a study where we looked at common passages that people were using over a couple years in churches. And we found that, you know, it’s not surprising, right? People come back to like the same passages time and time again, because I think we are trying to, even if it’s not if it’s not a like a willful decision, we just kind of drift in that direction of like, hey, well, I’m just not going to talk about that because I just am not sure what to say. Rich Birch — How how do you fight this in yourself, in the church around you? Because you know you are a winsome leader. You’re a church full of grace. You’re trying to actually interact with the culture. You’re not running for the hills. You’re not like, you know, putting your head in the sand kind of thing. How, how do you, how does not being a selective Christian work itself out in, in your world?Aaron Graham — Yeah, so one of the things I’m trying to really emphasize in our church is like Bible engagement. It seems like so 101, but it’s like, guys, we got to read our Bibles. Rich Birch — Yeah, no, absolutely. Aaron Graham — And so it’s like you know Bible in a year kind of plans, getting as many groups together. I lead a group on on Bible in a year, and it’s like, let’s read the whole Bible and let’s like struggle with these passages and talking about it and like, let’s see the power of the word of God.Aaron Graham — And so, you know, there’s a lot of research that shows that people who engage with the Bible have like measurable differences in their life. And one of the things is that when you actually engage in not in reading the Bible, but actually submitting yourself to it, you become both more liberal and conservative. Because you you you become more morally conservative and you become more socially liberal, like in caring for the needs of others. And so you just break out of these categories.Aaron Graham — And for somebody like you in Canada, that’s not in the US, like, it’s kind of crazy how we get polarized in the U.S. over certain things that that global Christians don’t get as as polarized on in some ways.Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so I think that’s one of the things that I’ve seen a lot of fruit in is like, hey, we’re going to be at a church that’s about the word of God. We’re going to teach the word of God. We’re going to sit under its authority even when it’s uncomfortable.Aaron Graham — And I find even in very progressive cities like D.C., people hunger for biblical teaching.Even if they they don’t agree with it all, they’ll come listen to it because they’re looking for something that’s different than what they’re hearing everywhere else where it’s like affirm, affirm, affirm everything. It’s like, I wanna be called to something higher, something that’s bigger than me, that’s more historic than me. So as it relates to being a selective Christian, I think just simple Bible engagement and really putting effort in that has is has borne a lot of fruit.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. I know my lead pastor has been saying the same thing for the last few years. And I would I would echo this. I think this has been, this is a very unique season where I think in general, the culture is leaning in and asking the question, what is it about this? And, you know, Jeff, my lead pastor makes the joke. He’s like this, you see this rippling it all in all parts of culture. There’s you know one of the outcomes of the fact that things are so kind of changing all the time, we’re we’re obsessed with the you know the latest trend or whatever, is people want things that have been true for a long time. They’re and it’s why are people putting chickens in their backyards? And what is it with all the sourdough? Like, why does that stuff, why is that resonating? Rich Birch — There’s a connection to this so, you know, similar kind of cultural issue that we’re saying here with scripture, where it’s like, I’m intrigued by the Bible. I want to learn about that because that’s it something we’ve been telling each other these stories for thousands of years. And how does that apply to our lives? Let’s not miss that moment, church leaders, and not actually give them what they’re what they’re looking for. So yeah, that’s that’s interesting.Aaron Graham — Absolutely. I think the devil really overplayed his hand as it relates to secular culture. Meaning, secular culture meaning it’s defined itself in opposition to the church with a message of the more personal freedom you have, the more autonomy you have, the more the happier you’ll be. And Gen Z is waking up and being like…Rich Birch — That’s not true. Yeah.Aaron Graham — …no, this is not fulfilling. I want something more historic and rooted. And that’s, I think, one of the things that’s leading a lot of people to come into the church right now in this generation. They’re just saying, I’m hungry for God. And I don’t think that just having more freedom and flexibility is the answer.Aaron Graham — It’s like so somebody just gave their life to Jesus on Sunday, came to the newcomer’s dinner last night, and he’s like, what do I need to do next? And and you know and I gave it to him hard. I was like, it’s not just about praying a prayer. You prayed that, praise the Lord, and you’re going to baptized and you’re doing a Rooted group and all this. But it’s like, what in your life, in your relationships in your work, like you need to cut some things off, like repentance, like change directions. And he’s like, yeah, like, tell me more. You know, he’s like leaning in.Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah.Aaron Graham — Like, I think people want to be led, like in love, but they want to be led. Rich Birch — Yeah.Aaron Graham — It’s not just like choose your own adventure.Rich Birch — Yeah.Aaron Graham — That’s not helping this generation.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so true. I would echo that. You know, it does feel like we’ve come to the end of secular humanism. And and I remember a time when I first started ministry, I was like, well, it sure seems that that’s working. Aaron Graham — Yeah. Rich Birch — Like, it’s just so dominant, but it feels like there’s this collective like, well, that didn’t work. So. Rich Birch — What was that what’s another lie that we, again, we’re not gonna able to get to all of them. So don’t worry, friends. And we, you know, you’re gonna have to read the book. But what’s another one that that has bubbled up that’s been, you know particularly intriguing as you’ve interacted with people around it?Aaron Graham — Yeah, um there’s there’s so many different ones, but I think um one of them is the divisive influencer. This is the seventh lie, so I’ll kind of take it to the the end of the book here. But the divisive influencer is really growing right now. It’s somebody who kind of mirrors cancel culture instead of practicing radical forgiveness and grace. Aaron Graham — And so we see a lot of political polarization right now. We feel it in our families. We feel it in our churches where it’s like you’re coming for a holiday meal and it’s like, it’s this tension underneath. We feel it in life groups and it’s like, how do we navigate this? And so that’s that’s one of the ones that, you know, being in DC the political…Rich Birch — Yeah, it was gonna that was going to be my follow-up. I’m like, wait a second. Isn’t that the bread and butter of the people you work with?Aaron Graham — Yes. And honestly, people, when they come to church, even in DC, they don’t want to like enter into an echo chamber. They want to be formed. They want to go upstream. They want to hear the word of the Lord.Aaron Graham — And so I think that one of the things as it relates to this, like cancel culture and like the solution to that obviously is like Jesus, it’s like, love your enemies, forgive those who persecute you. Like actually when you lean into relationships with people who are different, like that’s that’s how you you grow.Aaron Graham — And so whenever we’re dealing with an issue, like whatever, some issues in the news, and it’s like, oh, what should should we what should we include in our prayer? Do we need to talk about that in the sermon? And you know you’re getting pressure from certain people to do that. One of the things I’ve realized is that if we haven’t gone upstream as church leaders, and taught our congregation the biblical call around poverty or abortion or immigration or whatever, then when it pops up in the news, we get very reactive and people interpret that through their political lens. They’ve already made their mind up.Aaron Graham — And so some pastors are playing on this and you can kind of grow your church, like you’ll lose 10%, but grow 40% because you kind of lean into that predictable division.Rich Birch — Yep.Aaron Graham — But I think that one of the the calls of of Jesus is like, how do we we go upstream so you can form people to say, hey, we have to engage in poverty. We have to… But like two Christians can agree on addressing something like abortion, poverty, you know justice, and disagree which policy solution will be the best. And so we should have that kind of diversity our church.Aaron Graham — That’s what’s made our nation great is having that level of diversity. And I think we need to model that out in the church, not just our racial and ethnic diversity but I think our political diversity is increasingly important and it’s not to say that each side is like morally equivalent on each issue. I think some parties are way better on certain issues than others. But I think we have to really lean into this forgiveness and not lean into this radical divisive influencer even though that kind of posture may be rewarded online. And this next generation is, I think a high percentage of them want to be influencers online. So there’s ah a great temptation to kind of lean into that. But it’s like, what does Jesus teach us around that?Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, I think you’re calling out of something that we you know definitely see. And there’s ah even ah ah this kind of return of particularly young men back to church. There’s some of that that I’m not sure is is actually positive where it’s it’s leaning towards. It’s a it is a very politically charged kind of faith that to me doesn’t read Jesus. It or it’s a it’s just one aspect maybe of of of Jesus. So that’s interesting you’re calling that out for sure.Rich Birch — Off-roading a little bit on a similar topic, one of the things I find fascinating about you, about the church, about District, is that there was like this false dichotomy that’s set up in a lot of churches. It’s like, hey, you can either be a church that is has a high value on scripture, which you clearly do. Or you can be a church that is engaged in issues of development and justice in the world around you. You can’t do both of those. You can’t actually make a difference in the community around you, be cared, be care about the poor care about those things and also have a high view of scripture. I’m not saying that’s true. I’m saying there seems to be this popular notion out there. Your church seems to be doing both, trying to do both. Am I reading that correctly? Help me understand how, how you see those interacting with each other.Aaron Graham — Yeah, I’ve always been known the last 20 years in ministry as the justice guy, the one calling the church to engage in justice. And then I looked up around and saw so many of my justice friends had deconstructed their faith, were no longer pastoring churches, and their kids weren’t following Jesus. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And I was like, something’s wrong. Because it’s like, oh, we’re trying to like care for the poor, but now we’ve lost our faith in the process. And the kids that we’re raising, we have no message for them other than just be tolerant and inclusive Christians. Like tolerant being tolerant and inclusive and loving is a great value. Jesus is the most loving person, but he called people to repentance and he called people to the to to the Father.Aaron Graham — And so I think that that’s always just been a a big value of ours is like the authority of scripture and the Lordship of Christ. And I think that leads to justice. Like, um and so I think it’s just being willing to stand alone. I’ve lost a lot of friendships over this. Not not just friendships. Not like I don’t talk to somebody, but just like colleagues in ministry, because there’s like theologically, like you just believe something that’s different. Like you’ve stepped outside of biblical orthodoxy.Aaron Graham — So I think we have to be, be willing to to stand alone. And i think we’re on the winning side. I think Jesus and justice, I think both those things go together. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — So I don’t think we’re crazy, but it is hard to hold them together when the political narratives are so forming and deceptive. And so it’s hard. It’s hard for me. I got a lot of flack for my theological positions in this city. but I think, you know, we got to be willing to stand alone.Rich Birch — Yeah. Very cool. Well, I want to, I think this could be a great book, as you were writing it. What were kind of what were you picturing your kind of ideal situation where it would land? Obviously you want lots of people to read it, but to me, I saw it. I was like the, when I, the sneak peek I looked into, I was like, man, this could be a great, I think a really good discussion starter in a leadership team. Are there other environments you think, Hey man, this could be really a great place to, you know, to use this resource.Aaron Graham — Yeah, the the the main person I’m writing to, and I hope a lot of people read it, but the main person is like a 23-year-old that graduates from college that has at least a nominal Christian faith. They have the intention to join a church when they move to the city and land their first job, but they are totally at risk of abandoning their faith unless they make some very clear decisions and are a part of a church that has made some really clear decisions around, we’re not going to believe these lies. We’re going to call them out, and we’re going intentionally disciple you away from being discipled by secular culture and disciple you around the Word of God. Aaron Graham — That’s my hope. You know If anybody that’s deconstructed comes back to faith, praise the Lord. Hallelujah.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s amazing.Aaron Graham — But I’m actually trying to do a prevention so that all the people who are coming to faith right now in this revival, that it falls on good ground. Because we have such a discipleship culture in our churches that is able to name and discern, first, and then name these lies and to help this next generation stand firm in the gospel. And so that’s that’s the subtitle of the the book is how to stand firm in a culture of lies.Aaron Graham — And for so long, we were trained in the church as church leaders to evangelize people who were like spiritually kind of curious and open, like kind of the seeker sensitive movement. That’s how like international, but I grew up as a missionary kid. So it’s like, we were trained to like share the gospel with people who like just needed to hear that there’s one God and that he loves you and that you can have a relationship with him.Aaron Graham — But now we’re trying to evangelize a post-Christian culture, which you know a lot about in Canada. And we’re learning more about here in in North America. And that culture actually is not just like ambivalent towards Christianity. It’s actually anti-Christian faith. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — They’re trying to evangelize us. And so if we just try to take the same approach where we’re just loving and let me give them a hug, see if they hug back, they’re actually winning. Rich Birch — Right.Aaron Graham — And so so so it’s like, how do we… how do we have a plan to say, you know what, we’re going to love the world. We’re going in the world, but not of the world. But it’s it’s like it’s a whole different, I can use that word on on this, ah the word here on this church leaders podcast. It’s a whole different missiology around how to engage in mission.Aaron Graham — And so, yeah, so I’m hoping that we reach the 20-something and I’m hoping that people talk about this. We wrote this and we have a small group video curriculum coming out as well, because we really want pastors who say, I want this culture in my church to be able to have people do it in groups, discuss it… Rich Birch — That’s great. Aaron Graham — …and be able to make these commitments before it becomes an even greater problem in our churches.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. That’s a really vivid picture of, like you say, the 23 year old who’s moving to the city, um you know, who has some faith, but is is maybe at risk, I think is ah is ah is a vivid picture for all of us. And I would share, you didn’t actually say it this way, but I would share some concern with the swell towards faith. I don’t, who am I? Like the, obviously it’s an amazing thing that’s going on. Lots of people are taking steps toward Jesus. I’m not going to be the guy that’s like, that’s bad.Rich Birch — But I would say I’m concerned that we are a good steward of this moment, that it’s like, man, I have been waiting my entire ministry career for this to happen.Aaron Graham — Yeah.Rich Birch — And now, gosh, let’s not drop the ball. And I think your book could be a part of helping us think through and helping leaders and individuals think through this. So the name of the book is Unshakable Faith. And again, you said that: How to stand firm in a culture of lies. Where can people, look at that? There’s a shot of it. There’s got a beautiful front on. It’s very hip. I’m assuming we can get it at Amazon. Are there other places we should go to get copies of this?Aaron Graham — Everywhere books are sold so um if you go to aarongrahamDC.com—just my name aarongrahamDC (double meaning for District Church and DC of the the city of DC) aarongrahamDC.com —and then you’ll see the links to all the retailers on there, including Amazon, but all the different retailers Christianbook, Books-a-million, Barnes and Noble, all that. And so, yeah, you can you can grab a copy there, and we’d love to hear from you as well. You you can have a place where you can contact me on there.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s great. Perfect. We’ll put links to all of that in the show notes. And friends, like I say, if you’re a long-term listener, you know, we don’t actually typically have a lot of authors on, but I wanted to have Aaron on because I do think this is particularly poignant for us, I think, in in today’s culture. And I think it could be a thing that could really help your team, help, you know, people at your church, I think could be ah a really great resource for that. Rich Birch — As we wrap up today’s episode, any kind of final words you’d have for a church leader that’s wrestling in, that’s wrestling with these issues today is, is maybe feeling some of this tension around, you know, feeling compromised at the door kind of thing. Help us, help us as we wrap up today.Aaron Graham — Yeah, well, first off, just thanks for having me on and having me back, you know, as a repeat guest. That’s awesome. I love what you’re doing. Like I said, I learned so much from you. Some practical stuff is so great to hear all the different speakers that come on and and leaders. Aaron Graham — But yeah, no, I think the the the message that I want leaders church leaders to hear is that if you don’t run to this problem around what’s happening in our culture and how it’s affecting discipleship, this problem will get worse. And, and I think that one of the the challenges for me being in the belly of the beast in the heart of DC, I’m not just like DC, like, so I’m like in the heart with all these national leaders, very educated people, is that it’s sort of like a signal, kind of like downtown New York city is as well. It’s like a signal of where culture is going.Aaron Graham — And so if, if you don’t lean towards this conversation and learn, this problem will only grow in your church. And so while it might be uncomfortable for some of you based on, like if you’re like me and you’re wired as like a harmony person, like I don’t want to have disagreements on my staff or with my board or in my family conversation, like it will only get bigger and worse. So lean in and and take advantage of of resources from people who are writing about this, who have thought about it. And don’t be alone in this. Don’t try to be isolated in this conversation because there’s a lot of people who, even though you might feel alone where you’re pastoring or where you’re leading, there’s a lot of people who feel the same way you are. And so, so get connected in, in with them. So, so that’s, that’s what I’d say.Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Aaron. Give us that website again where we want to send people to if they want to connect more directly with you or with the church.Aaron Graham — Yeah, just aarongrahamDC.com. And that’ll also link to our church website, districtchurch.org. And we’d love to have people visit us when you’re in DC, because like you said, DC is a fun city.Rich Birch — Love it. It is a fun city.Aaron Graham — It’s one of the best cities to 250th anniversary of DC. Lots of celebrations happening this year. Rich Birch — Yes, that’s true. Aaron Graham — So come in and see us. Rich Birch — It’ll be a big year. That’s great. Thanks so much. Appreciate being here today, sir. And we’ll have you back on sometime soon. Thanks for coming.Aaron Graham — Awesome. Thanks, Rich.

“As recently as the mid-seventies, under 5% of Ivy Leaguers are headed to Wall Street. It's actually not that attractive. But as Wall Street's deregulated, it changes the incentive structure — it makes it much more profitable and demands this huge labor force.” — Dylan Gottlieb They stalked the sidewalks of Manhattan in button-down shirts embroidered with the names of investment banks. They jogged. They drank Beaujolais Nouveau. They gentrified neighborhoods. They were the Yuppies — and with the Boston-based Dylan Gottlieb, they've found their young urban professional biographer. In Yuppies: The Bankers, Lawyers, Joggers, and Gourmands Who Conquered New York, Gottlieb offers both a social history of financialization and a collective biography of the professional class that came of age in the Reagan years. Rather than a passing 1980s stereotype, Gottlieb argues that the Yuppie is a phenomenon that remade the American economy, city, and political class. As recently as the mid-1970s, under 5 percent of Ivy League graduates went to Wall Street. A decade of deregulation later, banks were recruiting a third of graduating classes from top universities. The sweatshop of the meritocracy was born. Most of us are still sweating. Five Takeaways •       From Yippie to Yuppie: The Word's Origins: Yuppie resonates with Yippie — the iconographic late-sixties radicals of the New Left, for whom Jerry Rubin was the signifier. The word first appeared in a Chicago alt-weekly in the late 1970s to describe highly educated young people trickling into gentrifying North Side neighbourhoods. It didn't achieve full cultural dominance until 1984, when it became the frame for supporters of Gary Hart's presidential campaign — a prototypical Yuppie candidate who stormed the Democratic primary and represented a new professional vanguard within the party. The word named something that was already happening. It didn't create it. •       The Incentive Structure Changed: Under 5% to One Third: As recently as the mid-1970s, under 5 percent of Ivy League graduates went to Wall Street. It was seen as the preserve of WASPy children who used family connections to get a bank job. By the mid-1980s, banks were recruiting roughly a third of graduating classes at top universities. What happened: deregulation made finance enormously more profitable; finance demanded a large educated labour force to do the work of putting finance at the centre of the American economy; and the most talented students — those who might have become poets or public servants — followed the money. At mid-century, the most prestigious option for a Princeton graduate was middle management at a Fortune 500 company. By 1985, it was Wall Street. •       Democratization and Distinction: The Double Movement: Gottlieb's central thesis is a double movement. The Yuppie era brought genuine diversification to America's elite: Jewish lawyers could now make partner at firms previously closed to them; women entered investment banks in numbers that would have been inconceivable in 1965; Black and Asian Americans got at least a foot in the door. This was new, and it mattered. Simultaneously, that newly diversified elite pulled further away from the rest of America, extracting profits from companies being financialized and rents from communities being gentrified. Democratization and distinction in constant tension. The elite became more diverse and more remote at the same time. •       The Pyramid to Cylinder Shift: AI is about to do to the Yuppie what the Yuppie did to everybody else. Gottlieb spoke recently to an HR representative at an investment bank — name and bank withheld — who said the firm was moving from a pyramid structure to a cylinder structure for employment. The wide base of entry-level workers that finance has depended on since the 1980s will shrink dramatically. Only the best and brightest will be selected; the rest will be automated. Gottlieb wrote about the era of the large pyramid — the exploited many at the bottom who hoped to reach the top. What happens to the professional class when that pyramid disappears? •       Are the Yuppies Becoming Socialists? A long-running trend: the pressures of the sweatshop of the meritocracy have embittered many members of the professional class. Academics work in conditions demonstrably worse than they were forty years ago. Doctors are evaluated on metrics that resemble those of factory workers. Journalists are precarious. The housing market in the cities where professionals cluster has made the cost of replicating their social status for their children prohibitive. And into this comes AI, threatening the entry-level pipeline. Gottlieb's question: will the investment bankers see their plight as similar to the Amazon warehouse worker's? Or will the edifice of meritocratic myth-making — the deep conviction that you're special — hold them back from that solidarity? About the Guest Dylan Gottlieb is Assistant Professor of History at Bentley University and co-host of the Who Makes Cents: A History of Capitalism podcast. He is the author of Yuppies: The Bankers, Lawyers, Joggers, and Gourmands Who Conquered New York (Harvard University Press, May 12, 2026), winner of the Herman E. Krooss Prize for Best Dissertation in Business History. He has written for the Washington Post, Gotham, the Journal of American History, and Public Seminar. References: •       Yuppies: The Bankers, Lawyers, Joggers, and Gourmands Who Conquered New York by Dylan Gottlieb (Harvard University Press, May 12, 2026). •       Noam Scheiber, Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of a College-Educated Working Class — the companion book, referenced in the interview as directly relevant to Gottlieb's thesis. •       Barbara Ehrenreich — referenced by Gottlieb as the first to identify the downwardly mobile tranche of the professional class. •       Episode 2895: Glyn Morgan on the rise and fall of American Europe — the companion episode on how the professional class shaped American foreign policy. About Keen On America Nobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,900 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting. WebsiteSubstackYouTubeAp...

Samuel Akem & Colter Nuanez debate where the Ivy league fits into the FCS landscape and if a team from outside Montana and the Dakotas will win a national championship in the near future. 

Historian and New York Times bestselling author Jemar Tisby joins Mark Labberton to confront the Supreme Court's 6–3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which has eviscerated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and reopened the door to racial gerrymandering across the South. Recorded in the immediate aftermath, the conversation traces the long arc from the Three-Fifths Clause and Dred Scott through Selma to this hour. "This has landed in the black community harder and heavier than a lot of what we've seen during the Trump administration." In this episode with Mark Labberton, Tisby reflects on the history of black disenfranchisement, the cynicism of colorblind jurisprudence, and what remains of multiracial democracy in America. Together they discuss how the legal architecture of Jim Crow reemerges under neutral language, John Roberts's decades-long campaign against the Voting Rights Act, Justice Kagan's umbrella analogy, the suspension of Louisiana's primary, the black church's response, and why this midterm may be the country's last political chance. Episode Highlights "This has landed in the black community harder and heavier than a lot of what we've seen during the Trump administration, and that's saying a lot." "It boggles the mind that folks sitting on the highest court in the land who have been to all these Ivy League schools, have literally decades of experience, can get it so wrong and stand so arrogantly on such faulty reasoning." "Colorblindness only works if you're starting from a level playing field." "These are not good-faith actors, not people wanting a representative democracy, but people wanting to consolidate power, which we call minority rule." "If you can't win on the merits of what you believe, then you have to rig the system so that no one can get you out of office." About Jemar Tisby Jemar Tisby is a New York Times bestselling author, historian, speaker, and professor of history at Simmons College of Kentucky, a historically black college in Louisville. He holds a BA from the University of Notre Dame, an MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary, and a PhD in history from the University of Mississippi, where he studied race, religion, and social movements in the twentieth century. He is the founder of The Witness, Inc., a black Christian collective, and the author of The Color of Compromise, How to Fight Racism, and The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance. His commentary appears on CNN and in The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the New York Times, and he writes Footnotes, a top-ranked history publication on Substack. Helpful Links and Resources Jemar Tisby's website: https://jemartisby.com Footnotes by Jemar Tisby (Substack): https://jemartisby.substack.com The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance (most recent book): https://jemartisby.com/the-spirit-of-justice/ The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism (bestseller): https://www.zondervan.com/9780310113607/the-color-of-compromise/ How to Fight Racism: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/how-to-fight-racism-jemar-tisby The Justice Briefing podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/footnotes-with-dr-jemar-tisby/id1460240056 Louisiana v. Callais, opinion of the Court (April 29, 2026): https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-109_21o3.pdf Elie Mystal, "The Supreme Court Has Completed Its Quest to Kill the Voting Rights Act," The Nation: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/supreme-court-demolishes-voting-rights-act/ "Sing Out, March On"—Joshuah Campbell's tribute to John Lewis, Harvard 2018 Commencement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=mKNRXQemxWQ NAACP Legal Defense Fund—Louisiana v. Callais case page: https://www.naacpldf.org/case-issue/louisiana-v-callais/ Brennan Center for Justice—Louisiana v. Callais: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/louisiana-v-callais Show Notes Why this conversation now: the SCOTUS ruling on the Voting Rights Act last week News breaking through a group text of lawyers, organizers, clergy, nonprofit leaders "This has landed in the black community harder and heavier than a lot of what we've seen during the Trump administration." John Lewis, SNCC, and the march from Selma to Montgomery A baton hard enough to crack the skull, the hardest bone in the body "It boggles the mind that folks sitting on the highest court in the land…can get it so wrong and stand so arrogantly on such faulty reasoning." Allen Temple Baptist in Oakland—watermelons, bubbles, and jelly beans on a Sunday morning The Three-Fifths Clause and the architecture of representation Dred Scott v. Sandford—"property can't sue" Reconstruction Amendments: 13th, 14th, 15th—birthright citizenship newly under threat Jim Crow's neutral codes: poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses Voting Rights Act of 1965 as the culmination of the civil rights movement Edmund Pettus Bridge—Bloody Sunday going viral in its day LBJ signs the bill with Rosa Parks and MLK in the room Elie Mystal in The Nation: gerrymandering with plausible deniability—https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/supreme-court-demolishes-voting-rights-act/ Shelby County v. Holder, 2013—preclearance gutted Roberts's tautology—stop discriminating to stop discrimination "Colorblindness only works if you're starting from a level playing field." Cast and umbrella analogies for premature dismantling of civil rights remedies Plaintiff Bert Callais's January 6 ties; Louisiana's roughly one-third black population Governor Jeff Landry's emergency order suspends Louisiana's May primary mid-election "These are not good faith actors…people wanting to consolidate power, which we call minority rule." "If you can't win on the merits of what you believe, then you have to rig the system so that no one can get you out of office." The activism horizon—courts, churches, voter registration, midterm turnout, NAACP, LDF, Brennan Center The last political chance before competitive authoritarianism #VotingRightsAct #JemarTisby #LouisianaVCallais #SCOTUS #CivilRights #BlackChurch #FaithAndJustice #SelmaToMontgomery #Democracy #MarkLabberton Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

Seth dives into the dangers of conspiracy theories and the impact on our society. He discusses how the proliferation of lies and misinformation has led to a culture where truth is hard to distinguish from fiction. Seth shares his concerns about the effects on our youth, who are being misled by charlatans in education and media, and the consequences of a generation growing up without a solid understanding of Western civilization. He also touches on the importance of critical thinking and skepticism, and the need for a return to truth and fact-based information. Gregory Conti’s piece in The Washington Post, “Ivy League students are suffering from religious illiteracy.” We're joined by John Dombroski, founder and president of Grand Canyon Planning Associates. The many, many false stories that mainstream media has pandered to the public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reporting live, it's Anjelah and Nashville's Chief Meteorologist, Danielle Breezy! Don't get mad at her for interrupting your show, she's literally trying to save your life. Danielle Breezy is more than just a cool name; she's an Ivy League scientist who takes us behind the scenes of tracking storms and low key predicting the future. She also opens up about her endometriosis journey and the importance of advocating for yourself when you know something is wrong. She's also in a long distance marriage?

Most students start their personal statement by asking, “What should I write about?”That's the wrong starting point.In this episode, Steve explains why the topic is not the essay-- and why strong essays usually reveal three layers: the external problem  the internal journey  the deeper reason the story matters Before students begin drafting, they need to understand what their essay is actually trying to reveal: who they are, what they value, and why it matters.For students who have been through the Ivy League Challenge, this is the moment to connect the dots between core values, meaningful impact, personal growth, and application strategy.Register for the workshop at TILC.to/essay

Join Cory Heitz as he welcomes Jason Smith and John Carroll, the heads of the basketball program at MAI (Masters Athletic International), a groundbreaking prep school basketball program in Stow, Massachusetts. In this episode, Jason and John dive deep into the future of prep basketball, sharing their mission to create a program that prioritizes year-round player development, elite competition, and academic excellence without compromise.Jason and John also reveal their strategy for college placement, the ideal player profile for MAI, and how they're reshaping New England basketball by keeping top talent home. Whether you're a parent, player, or coach, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for navigating the prep-to-college pipeline.

“An Arcane Inheritance," the latest novel of author Kamilah Cole, weaves dark academia with occult secrets at a fictional Ivy League school based in Hartford. The story follows the ambitious, determined Ellory Morgan, a Jamaican immigrant and first-generation college student pursuing a degree in political science. A lavish scholarship allows her to begin her college education at Warren University, but soon after arriving on campus, things start to unravel into the paranormal. We'll explore Cole's latest book, ask what drew her to Hartford and explain "dark academia" — a popular genre where brooding and blazers meet ivory towers and sinister secrets. GUEST: Kamilah Cole: author of several books including “An Arcane Inheritance" Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most students believe the way to stand out in college admissions is simple:Do more.Achieve more.Be more impressive.But at the highest levels, that strategy is exactly what makes applications blend in.In this episode, we break down how admissions officers actually evaluate students, and why trying to be “impressive” often works against you.You'll learn:Why the “Impressiveness Trap” causes strong students to get overlookedThe two questions admissions officers are really askingHow context and expectations shape how your achievements are viewedWhy doing more doesn't make you stand outHow clarity of values leads to a more compelling applicationWhat separates students who get into top schools from those who don't-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

A unaccredited private school in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana became a national sensation when its students began landing acceptances at Harvard, Stanford, and other Ivy League universities. The viral videos were inspiring. The story seemed almost too good to be true. It was.New York Times reporters Katie Benner and Erica Green investigated T.M. Landry and uncovered a years-long college admissions fraud: fabricated transcripts, invented extracurriculars, and personal essays built on trauma the students never experienced. Behind it all was the school's charasmatic and manipulative founder, Mike Landry.This episode explores the rise and fall of T.M. Landry, the college admissions scandal it exposed, and who really pays the price when a system built to exclude finally gets gamed. Subscribe to our newsletter:⁠https://jedlipinski.substack.com/⁠ Connect with Jed Lipinski: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gonesouthpodcast/⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/gonesouthpodcast/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jed-lipinski/ Katie Benner and Erica L. Green's book is "Miracle Children: Race, Education and a True Story of False Promises": https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Children-Education-Story-Promises/dp/1250759102 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Craig Newmark's career, in retrospect, looks like a series of deliberate subtractions: he kept Craigslist plain, stepped aside as CEO early on, gave his equity to his foundation, and now funds people and gets out of their way. His theory, arrived at gradually, is that recognizing your limitations and relying on your network is how you get more done. Tyler and Craig discuss why webpage design has gotten worse for 30 years, what Craig's "obsessive customer service disorder" taught him about human nature, why trusting people and maintaining a nine-second rule for scams aren't as contradictory as they sound, why roommate ads are a better way to find love, why Craigslist never added seller evaluations, why Leonard Cohen speaks to him more than Bob Dylan, what William Gibson's Neuromancer got right about the internet, why Jackson Lamb is now one of his role models, why large foundations lose accountability, what two painful Ivy League grants taught him philanthropy, what he gets from rescuing pigeons, the hard lesson he learned about confronting people who lie for a living, his favorite TV shows and movies, the one genuine luxury he can't go without, what he still needs to learn, and much more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video on the new dedicated Conversations with Tyler channel. Recorded April 14th, 2026. Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Follow Craig on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:41 - Stepping Aside as CEO 00:04:20 - Customer Service and Social Skills 00:16:27 - Restaurants 00:18:06 - Music 00:19:27 - Science Fiction 00:20:14 - TV Shows 00:26:03 - Philanthropy 00:30:20 - Journalism 00:31:55 - Pigeons 00:32:50 - Entrepreneurship 00:35:09 - Craig's Personal Philosophy 00:37:37 - Major Regrets 00:39:17 - Audience Q&A 00:46:23 - Outro

Harvard might get most of the heat for cozying up to Jeffrey Epstein, but the truth is they weren't the only ones. Yale and other elite universities had no problem taking his money either, despite his reputation being no secret. These schools, the so-called moral authorities of the nation, were happy to look the other way because Epstein gave them access to wealth, prestige, and connections they craved. They didn't care about ethics or victims—they cared about the checks clearing and the glow of being tied to “high society.” They polished up his image, let him act like a respected patron of science and learning, and in doing so, helped him regain legitimacy after his first arrest.Now they play dumb, acting shocked and appalled, pretending they didn't know who he was. But it's a performance. These universities weren't fooled—they were complicit. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, all of them chased Epstein's money, banking on silence and prestige to protect them. And the worst part is, they only “review” donor policies after they've been caught, not when it mattered. The mask is off now, and the hypocrisy of the Ivy League is plain as day: they weren't just negligent, they were partners in giving Epstein cover.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein's 2003 birthday album signed by three former Yale professors - Yale Daily News

On this episode of The Bluebloods, Zach McKinnell is joined by Timothy Rosario of FCS Football Central to discuss which conferences rank as the best in FCS football entering the 2026 college football season. What really separates the MVFC from other FCS conferences? Is there a real debate between the Big Sky and UAC for the No. 2 spot in the rankings? What does the Ivy League and SoCon need to do to move up in the rankings? Can the Patriot League continue to rise in the rankings after adding Villanova and William & Mary? Is last year's success in the Southland Conference sustainable or just a one-year wonder? How much have the recent losses impacted the CAA's perception in the FCS landscape? All this & more right here on The Bluebloods! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

IMS Radio – Be The Best Podcast – Season 1, Episode 12 – Daniel Kelly and Bubba Fairman Two legends joined the Be The Best Podcast this week. Daniel Kelly, former Terps' attackman, and Bubba Fairman, for All-American midfielder, traded stories about their recruiting journeys and time in College Park. The guys recapped the win over Rutgers, previewed Thursday night's Big Ten Semifinal game against Penn State, and then briefly touched on the other Big Ten Semifinal game between Michigan and Johns Hopkins. Finally, the guys covered the upcoming Ivy League tournament in Ithaca, NY and the ACC Tournament down in Charlotte, NC. Those tournaments will impact the NCAA Tournament bubble. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larken is back! And he rejoins IL's Terry Foy to reflect on how things have changed since their season-opening show at Gillette Stadium and what's happened since.From there, they move to the Big Ten Quarterfinals; Michigan is doing its thing and  is Ohio State's season over? Conversely, Duke is keeping its hopes alive and Notre Dame is tightening its grip on the No. 1 seed. In the Ivy League, Yale claimed the 4-seed and Cornell is hosting again while Princeton continues to chug along. All that plus a Friday night whip-around of the Patriot League, Big East and Atlantic 10.

Hello! Today, it's just the two of us talking about Ivy Day, the online meme where kids share whether they got into Ivy League schools, the downfall of Eric Swalwell, and Joyce Carol Oates's interesting tweets this past week about the Butler, Pa. assassination attempt on Donald Trump, which came after polling was released that showed an increasing number of Republicans believe it was all staged. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

Stop looking for the magic pill and start fixing the foundation that's actually killing your progress. Yale-trained neurovascular physiologist Dr. Dwayne Jackson returns to expose why your high-tech peptide stack and "science-based" training mean nothing if you haven't mastered the internal metrics of auto-regulation. From surviving stage four kidney failure to walking away from the Ivy League "iron curtain," Jackson breaks down what it actually takes to perform at an elite level—without destroying your health in the process. INSIDE THE EPISODE: The Auto-Regulation Blueprint Learn how to bridge the gap between perceived effort and physiological reality—and avoid the ego-lifting plateau. Peptide Truth Bombs A deep dive into BPC-157, CJC-1295, and why most "mitochondria activation" content is hype. The Kidney Crisis Dr. Jackson shares his transplant story and the hidden health markers strength athletes ignore. The Anabolic Rebound Why healthier bodies build more muscle—and how lowering your dose can improve your physique. Psychological Compartmentalization Using the gym to build resilience without turning it into an escape mechanism. MEET THE GUEST: Dr. Dwayne N. Jackson, PhD, is a Yale-trained medical scientist with over 30 years of experience in competitive bodybuilding and professional motocross. After retiring as a tenured professor, he now serves as the Nutrition Director at Pre-Script and consults with elite athletes facing complex health challenges. As a kidney transplant recipient, his work focuses on balancing high performance with long-term metabolic health and survival. SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become an elitefts channel member for early access and exclusive perks: ➡️ @eliteftsofficial FULL Crew Access: https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application: https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application BEST-SELLING ELITEFTS PRODUCTS: Pro Resistance Bands: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps, Sleeves: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html SPONSORS: elitefts (Code: TABLE TALK – 10% OFF): https://www.elitefts.com/ Marek Health Labs (Code: TABLETALK – 10% OFF): https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk LMNT (Free Sample Pack): http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk Massenomics: https://www.massenomics.com/ MASS Research Review (Code: ELITEFTS20 – 20% OFF): https://massresearchreview.com/ RP Hypertrophy App (Code: TABLE TALK – 10% OFF): https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app