Podcasts about january first

A great night of worship and teaching from Pastor Corey. Thanks for checking out this message today! At Venue, one of our core values is to create community. We'd love for you to get involved with us below: - Website: https://venuechurch.ca - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venue.church - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/venuechurchCA - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VenueChurchCanada

Send us a textEPISODE 51: January 1st + MeditationWow this is Season 5 and the start of 2025! Let´s make this year GREAT! This episode reflects about the year to come and includes a blank book meditation to help you make your plan for 2025! Since we were not able to put out this episode on the 1 of January and had to put out last years episode instead, I will leave that episode also so you will have access to the whole album: Heaven On Earth after that episode! Please go there and listen! Our next episode will be on the  2025-02-02. Be the Light. Share the Light. Spread the Light. Shine!LDS AND MEDIUM PODCAST BACKGROUND:I was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or LDS for short. All my life I felt awkward and out of place, not because of my religion, but because of my spiritual gifts. It was hard to combine the idea of what first seemed like two separate worlds. So my whole life I have tried. I have learnt more about my gifts, and stayed faithful to my faith. But then I heard people left the church because it seems impossible to combine the two. So I am here, to try and mend the rift. To show that it is possible to be both LDS and to have, and use, our spiritual gifts. I am not alone on this journey, but my sister, who just is waking up to her spiritual gifts is by my side and she will also share her story.Jesus Christ, our older brother, was a healer. He asked us to love one another. So let´s follow in his footsteps. Please join me on this journey, let´s make a community of strong spiritual LDS, or whatever religion you belong to, and all work together to make this world a better place.If you like what I do, then you can find me here:https://linktr.ee/ldsandmediumIf you have words of support or stories that you anonymously want me to share please write me at ldsandmedium@gmail.com. I will try and answer all your emails BUT I am very busy with my life and I hope you can have some patience with me.If you would like access to the Podcast before it is released, all the bonuses and extra trainings and the meditation prayers as an mp3 you can support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ldsandmedium or send a Donation through Paypal. It will also be available as an archive that you can subscribe to on https://payhip.com/LDSandMediumDISCLAIMER: This Podcast is not official LDS doctrine, nor is it in any way financially supported by the LDS church. All the content is either our own personal thoughts and reflections or stories from our lives or the lives of others. Any quotes included will come from the Bible, The Book of Mormon or other scriptures, Church publications, hymns, General Conference or spiritual sites.LINKS:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: www.lds.orgGet your free copy of the Book of Mormon: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/uk/forms/order-book-of-mormonLight the World https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochristSupport the show

Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD – 1 January 2025 Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 1 January 2025 (Liturgical colour - White and Gold) First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm: Ps 66:2-3. 5. 6. 8. "May God bless us in his mercy." Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 Gospel Acclamation: Hebrews 1:1-2. Alleluia, alleluia! In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; now he speaks to us through his Son. Alleluia. Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 Image Credit: ID: 1740958460 - Icon of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus. Canvas, oil. Contributor: Gouache7 ++ +++ References: Fr Paul W. Kelly Mark Link SJ. – Vision – Praying Scripture in a contemporary Way. Image Credit: ID: Image Credit: ID: 1740958460 - Icon of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus. Canvas, oil. Contributor: Gouache7 +++++ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! {{God's kindness, peace and grace to everyone!!}} On this special Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God,, trusting in God's timeless faithfulness, mercy, and love, let us first call to mind our sins. Lord Jesus, your beloved and Mother is thereby the Mother of God. Lord have mercy Your beloved mother is Help of Christians. Christ have mercy Your beloved Mother is the Queen of Heaven. Lord have mercy May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +++++++++++++++++++++ Memorial Acclamation 2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PREFACE: Blessed Virgin MARY I Euch .Prayer: 2 ++++++++++++ Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here. You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog: "Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL) Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA) "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia). Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria. Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org. Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14, 1 John 4:9 , & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7. (Written on 8/5/20; 10/9/20). Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics. 2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk Marian Hymn - "Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae." (Traditional 11th Century). Melody: Mainz (1712), Hymn #783 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/ Marian Hymn – "Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera." ("Whom Earth and Sea and Sky Proclaim"). Traditional 6th Century Hymn. Melody: Bartholomaus Gesius (d.1613). #376 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/ [ Production - KER - 2025] May God bless and keep you. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the State Supreme Court refusing to issue a prohibition against Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, resignations at the Pardon and Parole Board cause delays in a clemency hearing for a death row inmate and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority increases tolls across the state effective January First.The trio also discusses the creation of an online portal for Oklahomans to discuss government efficiency and state agencies make budget requests to lawmakers for the next fiscal year asking for $833M more than last year.

“Today is my January First.” ~ Che Brown Join us as we.... Hear The Journey ~ Find The Challenges ~ Create Solutions ⭆ Join the Small Business Weekly Community on Geneva! Https://www.Links.LoriBrooks.net ⭆ Are you looking for M.O.R.E. T.I.M.E.? https://www.Links.LoriBrooks.net ⭆MAGAZINE: Small Business Media Weekly Magazine https://bit.ly/SBMWFlipboard **Follow Lori Brooks** https://www.LoriBrooks.net ________________________________________ ⭆OTHER VIDEOS: Ariana King- The Small Business with Lori Brooks Show https://youtu.be/dRq4XlXTV5g Dr. Teisha Robertson-The Small Business with Lori Brooks Show https://youtu.be/nAIzgt9MzMQ Pink and Pretty Nails- The Small Business with Lori Brooks Show https://youtu.be/1yXGMwEDXLo Introduction to The Small Business with Lori Brooks Show https://youtu.be/tfGGWI3CIKw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loribrooks/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loribrooks/support

Pastor Andy dives deep into the challenges many of us face today: sorting through the noise of online voices to find genuine spiritual wisdom. With heartfelt insights, he talks about the tug-of-war between going with the crowd and staying true to our faith. Drawing from the profound wisdom of "turning the other cheek," Pastor Andy shares personal reflections on forgiveness, understanding, and the journey to spiritual clarity in a digital age. Join him as he encourages us to navigate our faith with authenticity and love.

Welcoming another year. To the rest of humanity. You mad at me.

GiftAMeal is an app that allows diners to take a photo of their order from a partner restaurant. For each photo taken, GiftAMeal donates to a local food bank to provide a meal to a family in need. Each month, more than 40,000 meals are provided through more than 100 local food banks in 37 states via GiftAMeal. In the last year, GiftAMeal has grown from 200 to almost 1,000 partner restaurants. Andrew fell in love with the profits-with-a-purpose business model as a student at Washington University. While there, he owned and operated a non-profit storefront dedicated to reuse and sustainability. Later, while interning at a venture capital firm, he developed the idea for GiftAMeal on his lunch break. GiftAMeal works with individual restaurants and franchises or franchise groups of restaurants like Red Robin. Making GiftAMeal an easy plug-and-play concept for restaurants and larger chains is a goal in 2024. QUOTES “Making an impact is something that's always been important to me. I also love the creative autonomy that comes with entrepreneurship and trying to find those win-win scenarios and align incentives for different parties.” (Andrew) “We've seen that guests using GiftAMeal are returning 39% more frequently, they're spending 20% more per visit and they're tipping 32% more than a standard guest.” (Andrew) “We started off as a mobile app, but we've always paid attention to the different technologies that were being developed.” (Andrew) “Fuse Marketing and 5W PR studies found that 84% of Gen Z were more likely to purchase from a brand if (the brand) gives back and 71% of Millennials would pay more for a product if they knew that some of the proceeds were going to a good cause.” (Andrew) “Entrepreneurship is not an easy journey.” (Andrew) TRANSCRIPT 00:00.00 vigorbranding Hello everyone today's episode of flirk tales I am joined by someone who takes cause marketing and entrepreneurial spirit to a new level. His name is Andrew Glanz and he's the founder of gift a meal. Welcome Andrew and tell us a little bit about yourself and some of your backstory. 00:14.43 Andrew Glantz Yeah, of course. Um so I'm originally from Los Angeles and I came out to St Louis to go to wash you for college when I was a student there I owned and operated a nonprofit storefront to promote reuse and sustainability and volunteered for various causes and. Ah, then when I had a summer internship at a venture capital firm and got exposed to the startup world I fell in love with the scalability of it and found out about the idea of a profits with a purpose business model that you could do well while doing good and came up with the idea for gift and meal when I was on a lunch break break and kind of ran with it and put my savings into it. Graduated in May Twenty seventeen and started out in St Louis and now started to really scale it up and grow it into what it is today. 01:01.68 vigorbranding That's very cool now like you know I'm I'm somewhat of an entrepreneur I started my own business when I was 27 and grew several companies and I love it. I mean I Just think it's ah a great way to be and and I love the energy of it. So How did you become this entrepreneur. How did you all? sorry. Family of entrepreneurs I mean just had ideas tell me about you like what would would motivate. You. 01:21.14 Andrew Glantz Yeah I mean I think that making an impact has always been something that's important to me and then I also just like the creative autonomy that comes with entrepreneurship and trying to find those win-win scenarios and align incentives for different parties and so with gifted meal I was trying to look at how we could. Create a win for the restaurants in terms of marketing win for them and and an easy way to add a community engagement program for them and then for food banks in terms of their fundraising and not taking a lot of effort for them to connect and be able to raise more funding and for diners to be able to discover and support socially conscious restaurants and. So I kind of combined all those together along with Tom shoes warby parker buy 1 give 1 model and applied it to the restaurant industry where guests can just take a photo of their food or drink at a restaurant that's a partner and then we make a donation to a local food bank to give a meal to someone in need in their community so tried to make it. Easy and align all those stakeholders. 02:19.11 vigorbranding It's fantastic I Mean it's a great Obviously it's a great cause it's ah it's a great concept and it's ah it's really, ah, a very smart model I mean I'm I'm really intrigued I Want to learn more about this. Um, so the gift of meal. How how does it work like you know you know you talked about it started. You had the idea you went to school. Um, you want to do good all good things. But how does how does it work like I mean I'll say this from the entrepreneurial side I mean we all got to make a living I mean you know you have nice clothes on I'm sure everyone's got to make a living. How does the model work like teach me teach me how it works. 02:40.96 Andrew Glantz Um, yeah. 02:47.85 Andrew Glantz Absolutely so the program is funded by the restaurant and free for the guest who's dining at the restaurant and so the restaurant's paying a flat monthly program fee to be involved so for a single unit mom and pop. It's $59 a month then each time a guest dines at the restaurant whether it's. Dine in take out her delivery. They can scan a Qr code off of signage from the restaurant which launches gift to meal on their phone. They then take a photo of their food or drink and when they do that we make a monetary donation from that program fee that the restaurant pays to a local food bank to cover its cost of providing a meal to someone to need in their community. And then the guest is invited to share that photo on their personal Facebook Instagram or Twitter x and we give an extra meal for each platform they share on since then they're promoting the restaurant to their friends in a positive way. Um in terms of the donation component. The donations are all local so we match. Each restaurant location to a food bank that services the county that they're in and each of these different food banks gets food donated to them by supermarkets food distributors community food drives and in storeing these big distribution facilities and then where gifted meal comes in is donating money to help fund the distribution costs. Getting that food from these big facilities to the hundreds of neighborhood pantries where those in need could actually access the food. So typically the food banks have listed on their website for every dollar donated they could provide 4 meals to those in need or 5 meals or three meals. So approximately it costs about twenty five cents to distribute a meal's worth of food in bulk. 04:19.56 Andrew Glantz Um, and so that's the amount that we're actually donating per photo taken. 04:23.27 vigorbranding That's awesome. So then you're helping facilitate Basically the outsourcing of the food or the the backend or back office. It's not really a food thing but I mean you're you're funding the the distribution the distribution model. So that's wonderful and then I mean so you know the the the. 04:33.92 Andrew Glantz Um, yeah. 04:40.34 vigorbranding Restaurant themselves in they get to tout the fact that they're doing this. They can feel good about themselves obviously but from a marketing perspective. They really get to sort of like ah say hey look. We're really supporting our community here. How are they? how are they taking advantage of that. 04:44.63 Andrew Glantz Um. 04:48.94 Andrew Glantz Yeah, yeah, Absolutely I mean the restaurant could be posting about it on their social media channels about how many meals they're providing and everything but more than that one step further with gift to meal. It's an interactive level of social responsibility. Where the guest feels good about themselves because they're putting in some amount of effort to take the photo but they feel that sense of gratitude towards the restaurant because the restaurant's the one that's ultimately paying for it and so it really creates that sense of emotional connection between the guest and the restaurant. 05:14.14 vigorbranding Um. 05:18.83 Andrew Glantz And makes them feel good about choosing that restaurant in addition to encouraging them to promote the restaurant to friends on social media and so we've seen that the guests using gift a meal on average are returning 39 % more frequently. They're spending 20% more per visit and they're tipping 32% more than a standard guest. Because of that sense of emotional connection. They have raises and satisfaction rates. You know the restaurant's getting Goodwill with these customers and they're also getting more word of mouth recommendations as a result on their social media to their friends and everything so it is something that's really cool to be able to see a true marketing return without having to. Ah, discount or offer Coupons or anything that slashes the margins for the restaurant. 05:58.88 vigorbranding Yeah, it's it's brilliant I mean because I mean let's face it. We are a marketing firm we market and and help market restaurants and you know a lot of times. It's all the different deals and the the value meals and all these kinds of things that you got to try and entice customers and you you brought forth a really smart ah program. 06:13.95 Andrew Glantz Next. 06:15.31 vigorbranding And it's It's pretty remarkable and and I love the fact that you know your numbers I mean you can you're you're able to tell talk about the the growth and sales the tipping which is really important to the servers and we got take care of the servers I think it's really an interesting ah model Really really, really cool so you should be yeah, be very proud of what you built. 06:22.60 Andrew Glantz Enough. 06:32.14 vigorbranding So like Okay, so how do you? How do you sell Now you know again be an entrepreneur come up with ideas. Great idea. Brilliant idea. Got the numbers. How do you sell like how do you go out and market it and what's your best way and what's it like are you knocking on doors are you making phone calls. Are you going to shows I mean how do you get this this program to. 06:49.74 Andrew Glantz Yeah, it's a great question I mean originally I when I didn't have a car when I was in college I was going up and down the street in the snow between 2 and four thirty p m to mom and pop restaurants to try to talk to the owners and to have them join and. 06:50.34 vigorbranding To the right people. 07:05.62 Andrew Glantz Ah, pitched them on the program and then from there we were able to sign up some restaurant groups and then we had some franchisees join and then we had a 30 location regional chain sign up for gift to meal and then we started to expand from there now we're in 37 states across um, almost a thousand restaurants and. Um, at one point seven million meals provided to those in need and so it was kind of continually de-risking ourselves with different types of restaurants and larger restaurant groups. Um, so now we work with multiple brands that you know have over 100 locations system-wide so we work with all 100. 07:38.76 vigorbranding So. 07:42.32 Andrew Glantz 30 locations of Lee's famous recipe chicken all 110 pizza factory locations we work with 162 gong chaw locations and we also work with franchisees of brands like Jimmy John's and chick-fil-a and um and lots of others and fuzzy talker shop and so red Robin Tgi fridays and so it's something that's been really exciting to connect with all these different types of brands in terms of where I meet them. You know sometimes they reach out to us on our website after you know, seeing us in the news. Sometimes it's introductions from our current restaurants other times it's going to conferences and. Ah, Mike you've said other times it's just kind of cold reaching out to them with a Linkedin email or phone call and just trying to start up a genuine conversation from a cold interaction and finding those brands that could be a likeminded fit. 08:31.70 vigorbranding You know I love it and I love the ah the started in the college and no car. You know I have a friend one of my very best friends. Extremely successful guy. He he went to college with his brother. Ah, he ended up going for pizza the first night. Ah. Didn't know what else to do second nigh second they were hungry. Let's go for pizza. Third night they were hungry. They went for pizza so 3 nights and early get a pizza shop. They said the pizza guy hey look if we pass out Coupons for your pizza shop. Do you think? maybe you give us like a discount on pizza guys like sure. Yeah pass them out to all the college or that created a thing called the coupon clipper. Coupon clipper is a hugely successful magazine across the country I think there's something like maybe I get this number wrong. But I'm going to suggest 125 magazines coupon clipper magazines at 1 point in time around the United States it's ah a huge company ended up being sold to kinet. 09:16.76 Andrew Glantz Man. 09:23.13 vigorbranding Ah, anyway, just like you did like just a so a simple like I'm going to go out I'm going to knock on a door I'm going to find something out I'm going to go to the next one knock on the door So congratulations I Just I'm always in awe of entrepreneurship and just the people in the and the fortitude that that bring these things and these ideas forth. It's awesome. 09:37.76 Andrew Glantz Thank you. 09:39.75 vigorbranding Um, if you ah if you can say I mean who's your who's your biggest client and have you are you trying to talk to some of the you know so the franchisees The actual franchise are you having any a look there. 09:48.99 Andrew Glantz Yes, it's a little bit of a mix I mean we can work with all different types of organizations whether it's something system-wide like we could work with a brand across a thousand locations. We could work with a brand if they're an 100 location brand or a thirty location brand. Ah, for us. We're really flexible to however the organization does budgeting. So for example for gong cha with their 162 locations. Lee's chicken 130 and pizza factories one 10 um, those are all paid for by corporate out of their marketing and advertising funds and they pay for all the franchisees to be on gift a meal. 10:18.37 vigorbranding Ah. 10:24.18 Andrew Glantz Um, but then we also work with the franchisees directly um like a red Robin Franch franchisee Lehih Valley Restaurant group in Pennsylvania has 20 red robins and so we just just work with them directly and they pay for gift and meal. But we don't have any interaction with corporate on that side. So you know I'd love to have red Robin as a brand across all locations. 10:29.64 vigorbranding He. 10:40.51 vigorbranding Sure. 10:44.17 Andrew Glantz Um, that's one of those things where you know we can hopefully prove out the value to the franchisees get introductions from one franchisee to another get introductions to corporate and continue to go that way so we go both a bottom-up approach and a top-down approach and in terms of the size of the brands like you know there's. Brands that we're having conversations with that have thousands of locations and it's something that's really exciting there and we've gotten feedback from them and built new product offerings where we've created and essentially a white labelbeled version of gift ameal that's custom branded to their brand colors and everything. 11:02.90 vigorbranding Awesome. 11:13.30 vigorbranding Hey. 11:18.16 Andrew Glantz Could be integrated into their own mobile applications. Their online ordering solutions to have it really feel like a native solution for them. Um, and so that's something that we're really can be focused on in 2024 Um, is you know how can we work with these larger players and have get to meal be in really easy plug and play. Social Responsibility Community engagement tool for them. 11:36.55 vigorbranding Yeah I Love that idea I think that's brilliant. The the white labeling and letting them sort of for lack about a word get credit for this concept right? I mean because you know it is it really is your your success is is all dependent upon their their success and and and their brand and that's why they're doing it. So. 11:44.42 Andrew Glantz Yeah, yeah. 11:55.92 vigorbranding I Think that's fantastic I Think it's super super smart. How I mean what is the Ah how how likely are people to download the app I mean what are your I mean everybody's got turbulence. Everyone hits like speed bumps like you always have things, especially it's not entrepreneur. There's things you have to overcome. 11:56.30 Andrew Glantz Um. 12:07.11 Andrew Glantz Yes. 12:12.77 vigorbranding I mean the first thing might have been the first restaurant to stop to jump on. Okay, great. So but you have a great story. Ah you you bring forth. Ah, the time when you had your first restaurant you you didn't have any traction so you couldn't say we're going to increase your tips we're going to increase your sales you were going to increase your visits but you had a great idea so someone took a chance on you and your concept which is great. 12:23.40 Andrew Glantz Yeah. 12:31.68 vigorbranding But as we grow as you grow What? what are? what are some of the stumbling the roadblocks and I was wondering I guess is is getting people to download the app or or things like that does that become any kind of a friction point. 12:42.90 Andrew Glantz Yeah, absolutely. Um and so we we started off as a mobile app but we always paid attention to the different technologies that were being developed so Apple released and a concept called an app clip and Android released something similar called an instant app where you could just scan a Qr code and launch. The app on your phone without having to download an app onto your device and so it's a really clean and quick full-screen experience. So it's kind of like a light version of an app. Um, and that's kind of what we've adopted with most of these partner restaurants nowadays that we've developed over the last year is this app clip version of gift a meal. Don't actually have to download the full app onto your phone in order to participate and take your photo. It just gives that quick experience skim the qr code take a photo to give a meal and then you're done and there's no account creation or download required. Um, if you want to download the full mobile app you can and you can see the list of all the partner restaurants on there. You can see the photos that other customers have taken and you can have a profile you can see friends photos and all of that. Um, but we realized that there were kind of those 2 different types of consumers. The consumers that wanted that full experience and consumers that just wanted something really really quick and easy. And so that's why we created both avenues so people can kind of choose how much they want to engage. 13:53.71 vigorbranding Yeah I Love it. That's great. That's great. Do you ah different. Obviously you mentioned some of your your customers. Um, do do any fine dining restaurants as anybody like that got involved and I guess you know you're looking for scale so you're probably looking for larger groups. But I mean like if it was ah you know? ah. Ah Pf Chang or or any it's something more than a a simple qsr and anything anything like that has anybody like that jumped on. 14:18.71 Andrew Glantz Yeah, and I mean we have plenty of casual dining and fine dining restaurants and lots of you know we're about half mom and pops and restaurant groups compared to chains and um, you know we've seen that they've done well on gift to meal too. It's just figuring about. 14:26.83 vigorbranding Um, sure. 14:31.99 Andrew Glantz How to promote the program in a way that fits into the restaurant's customer experience seamlessly. So for instance at a qsr like fast casual brand. They might be able to have a table tent up on the table or a window cling in the drive-through window. 14:36.34 vigorbranding Here. 14:49.67 Andrew Glantz Ah, so that customers know how to participate in gift a meal and they can scan the Qr code at a fine dining restaurant. You're not going to put a table tent on a white tablecloth and so it's figuring out. Okay are you going to have something on the menu so customers know how they can participate. Is it going to be something in like a check presenter. Is it going to be a little menu insert. 14:58.74 vigorbranding A. 15:07.83 Andrew Glantz And so we've had fine dining restaurants be successful, but um, you know there've been in terms of our kind of core restaurant grouping it more falls in the line of qsr fast casual casual dining. Um at the elevated casual dining. Um and not as much like super. $4 sign fine dining restaurants. 15:29.50 vigorbranding That's great. So like um obviously ah businesses have um times where they're They're busy like sales times and gift and meal. It lends right into the holidays gift right? And so I would think this is a great time and probably arguably. 15:39.29 Andrew Glantz Yeah. 15:43.92 vigorbranding Maybe the middle of the summer would have been the time you're out there really pushing this but during the holidays this gift meal seems like it could be a great time for you to really kind of like catch fire and and and again I know that ah the last thing the food banks probably needed on Thanksgiving or the day before is a turkey right? They're probably pretty well covered. Unfortunately and and it's an important thing to to be honest, all year round for sure I mean this is something the the food banks need food probably more so ah other times a year than than during the the heart of the holidays I guess I'm just wondering. Ah, do you find this to be a good time to talk to people because again the gifting a meal and and feel people sort of feel maybe a little more. Ah, apt to be generous this time of year so selling through and maybe even seeing. Do you see more participation with the the customers in the restaurants at this time of year. 16:29.73 Andrew Glantz Yeah, it's good question so I'll kind of walk through those 3 different groups. The food banks the diners at the restaurants and the restaurants themselves for the food banks I mean they do have a big need in the holiday season and just in the winter season in general when it's cooled outside. They have a spike in the need for services. In the summer months that is particularly challenging for kids that are facing food insecurity because they don't have access to the school lunches and um, you know so filling that meal gap for the kids is something really important for the food banks but you know they really just need more support all year round for the food. Banks. 16:54.55 vigorbranding Um. 17:06.25 Andrew Glantz On the ah you know diner side of things that people dining out at restaurants. You know we see that in the season of giving in the holidays people are really apt to use a program like gift a meal and kind of lean into it and something that makes them feel good about themselves and that they're really actively looking for and so it stands out to them in a really positive way. Um. Again throughout the whole course of the year you know we've seen that people are looking to give back I mean there were a couple consumer culture reports. Um, that were done by fuse marketing and 5 wpr and it found that 84% of Gen Z would said that they would be more likely to purchase from a brand if they give back and. 17:42.70 vigorbranding A. 17:44.88 Andrew Glantz 71% of millennials said that they would pay more for a product if they knew that some of the proceeds were going to support a good cause and that's regardless of the timing of the year in terms of the restaurant side of things this time of year is tough to get the ear of restaurant owners and executives just because you know holiday season people are busy. 17:53.97 vigorbranding But. 18:01.11 vigorbranding Yeah. 18:03.24 Andrew Glantz Um, and so you know typically in terms of you know those types of conversations we get a lot of people saying this is great. Let's talk in January for the next year but then we also see people that say hey let's talk now because we're setting our budgets in November and December Four 24 18:18.29 Andrew Glantz Um, or you know we want to launch this on January First we have a number of restaurants that are already set to launch on January first and so that'll be something really exciting. So you know it's a little bit of a mix of everything sometimes restaurants are looking for things for the holiday season. Um, but once we're already kind of in it. Um, you know, just. People in general at any job get busy during the holidays and yeah. 18:38.75 vigorbranding Yeah, they got to make their way through right? So and you know I mean um, again I keep sound I'm impressed by the model I Love it and we you know in in in our company. We have several different agencies and one one is an agency that focuses on restaurants vigor and I will. I Going to be sure to talk to our clients about your your your product I think it's ah think it's a great I Think it's a great product I think it's ah I think makes ah you know you always look for win-win in a way I mean your's like a win-win win right? The food banks and the folks the food banks are helped the people going to the food banks are helped. The patrons are. 18:57.17 Andrew Glantz Thanks. 19:10.56 vigorbranding Feeling good about themselves and it's it's great marketing for the restaurant so you got like 4 wins there and that's ah, that's pretty unheard of so. 19:15.23 Andrew Glantz Yeah, and tad and another one something that's kind of cool from the marketing agency perspective um is that with gift tomeal. We give a restaurant access to a dashboard where they could access all of the user-generated content created from the program and they have the rights to use that content in their marketing and social media efforts. 19:28.88 vigorbranding Nice. 19:32.58 Andrew Glantz And so we've had our partner restaurants give their marketing agency access to the dashboard so they can create some really cool engaging. Authentic user-generated content pieces to push out in their marketing efforts. That's been something really cool to see and what the marketing agencies have kind of. 19:37.80 vigorbranding Love it. 19:48.97 Andrew Glantz Taken and run away with with gift a meal. 19:49.21 vigorbranding So if I if I did the math race. It's around seven hundred bucks a year per location is that is that simply how it breaks down at $59 a month or whatever something like that. Yeah. 19:58.41 Andrew Glantz Yeah, so that's the price for an independent restaurant to join for a single location if a restaurant has 5 plus locations we discount based off the number of locations. So if a place has over 30 locations then it's $39 a month per location if they pay monthly or 34 if they pay annually. 20:05.32 vigorbranding Um, okay. 20:14.22 vigorbranding Gotcha. 20:17.65 Andrew Glantz Um, and so you know discount rate for more locations they can go month to month with no commitment and cancel at the end of any month. Um or they can pay annually for a slightly discounted rate because it's you know it's more predictable cash flow for us and um for budgeting but um, but yeah, so you know it's a. 20:30.12 vigorbranding Sure. Absolutely. 20:36.71 Andrew Glantz Try to make it affordable and have a flat predictable rate for budgeting for the restaurants and we cover all the cost of the donations from there. So we have 6 of us on the team right now. So you know we're small and scrappy stay lean. 20:42.57 vigorbranding I Love it How many employees do you have nice, very cool. That's hey it's a way to be if you're an entrepreneur and you you want to make it. That's what you got to be? you know the last thing you need is is lots and lots of Pete mouths defeat. But. 20:53.00 Andrew Glantz Even. 20:57.82 vigorbranding Are you doing all the sales are you the guy hitting the the payment or you have a team now. 21:01.94 Andrew Glantz Um I have a team. Um, yeah Allison and Danny are also working on the sales as well and they're wonderful. Um, and you know like they've you know they've started to have some really great ones like I mean Lee's famous recipe chicken with 130 locations 21:13.58 vigorbranding Awesome! yeah. 21:16.52 Andrew Glantz That was Danny who brought that in in pizza factory with 110 locations that was Allison and then gong cha with 162 that was me and so you know the 3 biggest sales were all from 3 different people on the team and so to you know, really progress in the business to not just be founder led sales is something that. 21:26.34 vigorbranding That's awesome. 21:34.48 Andrew Glantz Has been really exciting because it shows me that you know we actually have something here. Um, that's beyond myself and um, you know it's something where I always want to be kind of involved in sales because I want to be having that customer interaction and be learning what customers need and how to further adapt our product and. 21:36.36 vigorbranding Is. 21:51.79 Andrew Glantz Ah, you know at the end of the day sales is what's going to be most important both to grow the business grow our revenue and then also to grow our level of social impact and give the most meals possible. Um, but you know where you can grow a lot faster with people like Danny and Allison on our team. 22:07.86 vigorbranding That's great and obviously too I mean scalability is huge right? So you can't be the guy all the time. So the more that others can can I'll say enjoy and feel good about the sales. Ah the better it is for your company. It raises right? You know high tide rises up all the boats. So that's ah, that's fantastic. So. 22:11.89 Andrew Glantz Yeah. 22:21.57 Andrew Glantz And. 22:23.30 vigorbranding Again as an entrepreneur like you know and have a lot of respect for what you're doing here. You're grown fast and you recently beat out 35000 applicants to win an Amazon small business grant. Can you talk about that talk about the program and and it so makes you be very proud of. 22:36.44 Andrew Glantz Yeah, yeah, I mean I thought it was throwing a dart at a very far away dartboard when I applied for it. I mean like you said 35000 applicants and um with a big name competition from Amazon Business it was something I thought we had no shot at. Ah, but you know I fill out the application because why not it took me 10 minutes to fill out the application talking about kind of our traction our growth over the last year we've doubled in size and kind of the vision for where we want to go and um I got the alert that we were 1 of 10 finalists and. Ah, you know that was something that was really exciting and started to think okay, maybe this is something that's possible and then Amazon business opened it up to everybody with an Amazon business account to be able to vote. Um it was blind voting so we had no idea how many votes we had um and as one but vote pre Amazon Business Accounts no one could really rig it. Um, and it. You know we ended up finding out that we won and we got a $25000 non-dillutive grant and that was something that was incredible and Amazon actually flew out here to St Louis and they had a team of like 11 people to film a video and take photos and all this stuff and that'll be coming out soon and. Ah, you know it was just something that was a really cool experience and to feel the support from the Amazon business team was incredible. Um, and you know the funding um to be able to support us goes a really long way and so yeah I mean it was something I was. 24:05.54 Andrew Glantz Pretty flabbergasted with and a positive way and very very grateful for to really push forward with our mission. 24:07.18 vigorbranding It's awesome. 24:13.76 vigorbranding That's great. So ah I mean so there's more people on the on the camera crew for Amazon than in your company. 24:17.39 Andrew Glantz Yes, it was. It was a wild experience like we filmed at the food bank that we work with in St Louis we filmed at one of our partner restaurants and it was it was quite the production. 24:28.70 vigorbranding That's great, very cool and so $25000 you probably just went out and what had 1 hell of a dinner right? So what you know I'm just kidding what it ah caviar jets champagne no. 24:35.40 Andrew Glantz Not not quiet I I think that that that goes kind of right in you Yeah not not quite more on sales marketing and products. Yeah. 24:44.21 vigorbranding Yeah, excellent, Okay, good true. Um entrepreneur I Love it I Love it I Love it. That's fantastic. What other what other advice. What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who have a dream or have an idea is there anything you want to? ah you know, throw out there. 24:57.51 Andrew Glantz Yeah, that's a good question I mean for other entrepreneurs I Think the big thing is if you have an idea talk to people in the space, especially those are that are going to be your potential partners or customers to figure out the problems that they're facing and the pain points I think something with gift to meal. 25:11.61 vigorbranding In. 25:15.31 Andrew Glantz Um, but I figured out is that everybody is busy and figuring out how to make things as easy and plug and play as possible was what we found a lot of success with so making it no effort for staff. No mental energy for the restaurant to have another program to have to think about just be really simple and easy. Um and have every touch point. 25:21.71 vigorbranding Um. 25:34.77 Andrew Glantz Um, with the customer be something that's important is something that I figured out and then I think more than anything. It's just getting out there and doing it and seeing what the response is like and learning and being willing to fail and having a low ego so that you know you could admit when you're wrong and. 25:35.76 vigorbranding Yeah. 25:50.80 Andrew Glantz Continually iterate and learn and and like reimplement and just kind of go from there and I think that if you're also just kind of a kind person and put yourself out there that you know people will want to help you succeed People are generally good and. Um, don't be afraid to ask people for help in a reasonable way and um, then also you know always make sure to give that back to support everybody else along the way just as those have supported you. 26:18.46 vigorbranding That's great and you just like probably put together what you could put a book together on because I mean as far as being an entrepreneur I mean like some of the things you hit I just think are just absolutely ah poignant. Ah, you know don't be afraid to fail I mean you know I personally have started businesses I'll be honest I've started businesses that were better than the business. Better ideas than the businesses that were successful timing might have been wrong just didn't quite hit it right on the ah the scale the luck scale or whatever you want to call it and I mean I think you do make your own luck. But I mean sometimes it's a timing thing and but you can't be afraid right? You can't be afraid to fail. 1 thing I did years ago I talked to my I had 2 daughters and we were in a restaurant somewhere and we were just talking about like like just work and business and life and all stuff and I said to my girls I said look around see this restaurant and they're like looking around and so I said everybody in this restaurant everybody in this restaurant has an idea or had an idea for a business or a product. Everybody everybody said one day I'm going to start this or hey we should do this or I'm gonna do this or I have this idea and I'm gonna make and you know what hardly any of them probably executed on it and that's really it comes down to it's like to do it like you said just do it you you sat there. You you had your you were at that break you you know you looked at other other business models which is smart and you had this idea. 27:20.13 Andrew Glantz Right? so. 27:30.35 vigorbranding And you're like Wow, It's a good idea and you two choices right? You can just say oh that's a good idea and just like go do whatever else you finish your sandwich. Whatever you're doing lunch or you sort of take this further and start to build on it and execute and actually execute spend time that you're not getting paid for ah that you could be doing candidly something else. Ah and then doing it and applying yourself and it says. People don't realize it so there's nights that you were working on this thing or this time or this the dedicated time that you put into this ah that that no one sees they see this. They see you now they see the success and all that and you think that's what that's easy or that's what you do, but people don't realize all the. The nose that you probably heard along the way or that's not really a great idea or whatever you heard I'm not I'm sure you heard stuff but it's ah that's the hard part right? and then people know about that. They'll just see the success and they'll read the article. They'll see the hey liquid he built and it's it's ah it's tough. You know, but it's it's cool like there's nothing more Fulfilling. Um. 28:07.50 Andrew Glantz Yeah. 28:22.83 Andrew Glantz Yeah, absolutely and I mean now looking back people are like oh that's such a simple like great idea. But at the beginning you know it was something was like oh well, anybody actually do this thing and before we had the case studies with the restaurants this show that there was a boost in revenue that resulted in visit frequency and tip size. 28:22.88 vigorbranding Then then building something. 28:28.79 vigorbranding Like. 28:41.34 Andrew Glantz Um, you know it was something where people were skeptical um about if this was something that would be sustainable. Um, and you know there were 5 different times in our company's history where we had one month of runway left in the bank account before you know we'd go under and I either had to like sign up a new restaurant close an investor with a pitch competition. 28:41.96 vigorbranding You. 28:50.70 vigorbranding A. 28:59.45 Andrew Glantz Cut costs and find a way to make things happen and you know now as a company we found a way to have it grow in a sustainable Way. We're almost at breakeven for a comp for the company and you know it's something that's really exciting but you know it's not entrepreneurship is not an easy journey by any means. But. You know like I mentioned earlier the creative autonomy that comes with it is something that I cherish and that's really exciting and to be able to build a company culture in the way that I envision for how true people should be treated and in order to figure out how we're going to have our impact be On. All these different stakeholders whether it's our investors or whether it's the restaurants or the patrons arepoint to the restaurants or the food banks and manching those relationships in what I deem to be the right way is something that is just extraordinarily special to me and to be able to see gifted meal as kind of like my baby start to grow is. Um, something that is just incredibly meaningful and makes all of the hard work and the long hours and the challenging times be worth it. 30:01.51 vigorbranding Yeah, it's fantastic, Very cool, very cool. Is there anything else I mean are you working on anything else any other ideas. Ah percolating I mean anything else you want to talk about with gifted meal. Is there anything else you want to bring forth. 30:13.15 Andrew Glantz Um, That's a good question I'm not working on any other ideas outside of gift to meal get to meal it kind of takes up everything for me and I put my all into it. Um, but yeah I mean I think it's something where with get meal. We're constantly Innovating. We've launched some really cool tech integrations. Ah, like we've launched integrations with the online ordering platform olo with loyalty and marketing marketing platforms like Lunchbox. Thanks and incent Tv where now Gifty meal can be integrated as. 30:32.31 vigorbranding A me. 30:43.20 Andrew Glantz A button into the restaurant's own white labeled mobile white labeled mobile app so there could be a button within there to gift a meal or at the end of their olo online ordering experience. There could be the prompts to gift a meal and so you know those types of innovations of. Working with these other solutions in the food. Tech ecosystem is something that's really exciting as well. And um, you know it's something. That's you know we're excited to see the impact grow as we work with more partners of these different vendors in the space that work with restaurants and how we can help them provide value to their clients. As well as you know as we look to work with larger and larger brands and more food banks and we're now working with over 100 food banks across the country in 37 states and you know our goal is to be in all 50 states by this time next year and 2024 so um, you know I'm just. 31:31.49 vigorbranding It's awesome. 31:33.96 Andrew Glantz Incredibly grateful for doing what I do every day and grateful to people like you for helping give me a megaphone to share this with the world. 31:41.39 vigorbranding Absolutely I'm proud to proud to to to do this with you I mean and I said and I'm I'm a man of my word we have restaurants that we work with I think this would be a a really smart add on so we'll definitely keep this conversation going. So my last question I asked is to everybody every guest. Ah, if you have 1 final meal. 31:50.30 Andrew Glantz Thank you. 31:58.41 vigorbranding What would you eat and why. 32:00.24 Andrew Glantz Um, if I had 1 final meal I think ah it's actually funny their gifted meal partner in St Louis ah it's called posture. yeah yeah I know ah it's ah it was. It's ah it was actually one of it was like our 1 of our first. 32:09.23 vigorbranding Ah, free plug. Ah. 32:16.38 Andrew Glantz Ah, like well-known like James Beard award winningning restaurants in terms of like more finer fine dining place called posteria and it's italian it's just italian food to to the max problem in the Us. Ah, and ah yeah, no their their bolognnaise is just incredible and. 32:20.18 vigorbranding E. 32:27.92 vigorbranding Be here. 32:35.30 vigorbranding Yeah. 32:35.30 Andrew Glantz You know also get a pizza and something else there. So I'd say a comprehensive full meal at Posteria um would be my final meal. 32:42.60 vigorbranding Fantastic. That's very good very good I do actually have 1 other question too because just the the way you know the entrepreneurial side of me and how you start out. Did you have to ah like your first restaurant when you try you have this great concept. You know you came up with this pricing of ah $70 a month or you know whatever 69 whatever it was a month did you have to give one away for free. Did you have to do 1 restaurant say hey look you know what? I'm going to cover this. You do this? Let's see that this works did you have to do that or talk about that just that very quickly. 33:10.43 Andrew Glantz Yeah, at the very beginning it was the first forty restaurants that we did for free. Um and you know we no longer have that free plane anymore. But um, you know it was one of those things where like you said it's the chicken or the egg of like you know, getting people to use it and getting validation and. 33:11.90 vigorbranding Wow. 33:22.40 vigorbranding It's right sure. 33:25.40 Andrew Glantz But even getting restaurants to sign up for free for something was tough because it's another thing for them to think about that wasn't proven and so is kind of me going in there saying hey like this could be a value to you. It's going to make an impact for the community If you're an early adopter that like we depreciate it like help help out this young guy who's trying to do good in the world and um. 33:39.64 vigorbranding E. 33:43.66 Andrew Glantz You know and then we were able to prove out the concept and then sign up others and convert those restaurants to be on sustainable plants for the long term and yeah, but you know it's one of the things where at the beginning you have to you know? Yeah, you have to prove it out. 33:54.86 vigorbranding s what you got to do yep, give it away. Yep good for you andrew I mean you've all the grit in the world of an entrepreneur. Obviously you're successful I congratulate you on your success and appreciate the time this is really ah, really an enlightened conversation all right. 34:08.30 Andrew Glantz Yeah, thank you so much for the opportunity. 34:12.60 vigorbranding We'll talk soon.

We react to the opening round of action with a discussion about the games that stood out for us, including the victories for Iceland, Sweden and the USA. Poland's Tomasz Gębala chats to us about the aspects of playing in a home championship and we catch Drew Donlin right after the USA's historic win. This is a bonus episode for Patreon members, so the first 20 minutes, including the interview with Tomasz, is available for all but the full episode can be found on https://www.patreon.com/handballhour

Ryan Burrow has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. As Southwest Airlines works to sort out thousands of flight cancellations, The Chicago Department of Aviation says it’s dispatching additional personnel from O’Hare to Midway to provide additional service support. Also, the Illinois minimum wage is set to increase another dollar […]

It's always fun when Tara Hitchcock joins Coach Clarence for a conversation about her latest travels, celebrity interviews, menopause weight challenges, and her new love of pumping iron. In her opinion what are the must-see movies and biggest duds on the big screen and streaming services? Are you planning on traveling? Tara shares some hidden gems you'll love to explore close to home and abroad. Speaking of travel she talks about her first luxury experience on a private plane with some well-known athletes and how that came to be. Tara is loving her new weight training! Could Clarence's words of wisdom have taken hold? We'll also find out what's next for Tara as far as recreation, her dreams, and what the future has in store for her. Of course, there's never a dull moment with these two especially when the conversation turns to the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns!#conversationsthatmatterwww.taraontv.comNOTES: *  Tara's latest travels*  London and Paris trips*  Her travel show special on AZ Family*  Latest celebrity/movie junkets*  Clarence and Tara share some of their favorite interviews*  Is “Yellowstone” with Kevin Costner worth binge watching*  Her role in the Critics Choice awards in January*  First experience on a private plane*  Arizona sports*  To mask or not mask when traveling*  Future goals and possibilitiesPlease subscribe give up a review and share the show. Email show ideas or apply to be a guest at info@coachclarence.comYouTube: Coach Clarence TVInstagram: www.instagram.com/fitover40withCoachInstagram: www.instagram.com/clarencemfergusonFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitover40withcoachclarenceLinkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarencef/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/CoachClarence/Twitter: https://twitter.com/fitnusbiznus

Oklahoma's largest anime convention is coming back to ring in the new year. OKiCon is taking place from Friday, December 30th through Sunday, January First to include special guests, cosplay contests, panels, vendors, a medieval dinner theatre and a special event to celebrate 2023. You can find OKiCon on the web as well as Facebook, Instagram and Fandom Events on Twitter.

The Average FUT Guys are joined by  Backpage Gaming  this week to give you the latest and greatest, completely non-serious take on:~ PLAYER REVIEWS (Figo,Milinkovic-Savic)~LATEST SBC's (Puyol,Best,Zola,Brandt,Payet,Benrahma,Aubameyang,Edouard,Juanmi)~ LATEST OBJ CARDS (Zakaria)~ HEADLINERS TEAM 1 & 2 ~THE FAMOUS AFG QUESTION CORNERBackpage Gaming Links:https://linktr.ee/BackpageGamingSocials:Twitter: @averagefutguysInstagram: averagefutguysEmail your questions in: averagefutguys@gmail.comCOP THE AFG MERCH NOW: https://www.teepublic.com/user/averagefutguysWerq by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werqLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Key Insights!:Hexapodia!Drop the embargo now!There is nothing that enables an authoritarian régime—or, indeed, pretty much any type of régime—hang together other than an implacable external enemy.For the Cuban military-bureaucratic junta-oligarchy, that implacable external enemy consists of the Cuban exiles in Miami and their descendantsReferences:Alexa van Sickle (2014): Viva la Revolución: Cuban Farmers Re-Gain Control Over Land: ‘As the state loosens its grip on food product… Damian Cave: Raúl Castro Thanks U.S., but Reaffirms Communist Rule in Cuba Marianne Ward and John Devereux (2010): The Road Not Taken: Pre-Revolutionary Cuban Living Standards in Comparative Perspective Brian Latell (2005): After Fidel: The Inside Story of Castro’s Régime and Cuba’s Next Leader New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2005 Carmelo Mesa-Lago (2019): There’s Only One Way Out for Cuba’s Dismal Economy Carlos Eire: Raúl Castro Leaving Power Won’t Bring Change to Cuba Anytime Soon Noah Smith: Why Cuba Is Having an Economic Crisis &, of course:Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep Notes:Post-Fidel Timeline:2008 February - Raul Castro takes over as president, days after Fidel announces his retirement.2008 May - Bans on private ownership of mobile phones and computers lifted.2008 June - Plans are announced to abandon salary equality. The move is seen as a radical departure from the orthodox Marxist economic principles observed since the 1959 revolution. EU lifts diplomatic sanctions imposed on Cuba in 2003 over crackdown on dissidents.2008 July - In an effort to boost Cuba's lagging food production and reduce dependence on food imports, the government relaxes restrictions on the amount of land available to private farmers.2008 September - Hurricanes Gustav and Ike inflict worst storm damage in Cuba's recorded history, with 200,000 left homeless and their crops destroyed.2008 October - State oil company says estimated 20bn barrels in offshore fields, being double previous estimates.2008 November - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits. Two countries conclude new trade and economic accords in sign of strengthening relations. Raul Castro pays reciprocal visit to Russia in January 2009. Chinese President Hu Jintao visits to sign trade and investment accords, including agreements to continue buying Cuban nickel and sugar.2008 December - Russian warships visit Havana for first time since end of Cold War. Government says 2008 most difficult year for economy since collapse of Soviet Union. Growth nearly halved to 4.3%.2009 March - Two leading figures from Fidel era, Cabinet Secretary Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, resign after admitting "errors". First government reshuffle since resignation of Fidel Castro. US Congress votes to lift Bush Administration restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting Havana and sending back money.2009 April - US President Barack Obama says he wants a new beginning with Cuba.2009 May - Government unveils austerity programme to try to cut energy use and offset impact of global financial crisis.2009 June - Organisation of American States (OAS) votes to lift ban on Cuban membership imposed in 1962. Cuba welcomes decision, but says it has no plans to rejoin.2009 July - Cuba signs agreement with Russia allowing oil exploration in Cuban waters of Gulf of Mexico.2010 February - Political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo dies after 85 days on hunger strike.2010 May - Wives and mothers of political prisoners are allowed to hold demonstration after archbishop of Havana, Jaime Ortega, intervenes on their behalf.2010 July - President Castro agrees to free 52 dissidents under a deal brokered by the Church and Spain. Several go into exile.2010 September - Radical plans for massive government job cuts to revive the economy. Analysts see proposals as biggest private sector shift since the 1959 revolution.2011 January - US President Barack Obama relaxes restrictions on travel to Cuba. Havana says the measures don't go far enough.2011 March - Last two political prisoners detained during 2003 crackdown are released.2011 April - Communist Party Congress says it will look into possibility of allowing Cuban citizens to travel abroad as tourists.2011 August - National Assembly approves economic reforms aimed at encouraging private enterprise and reducing state bureaucracy.2011 November - Cuba passes law allowing individuals to buy and sell private property for first time in 50 years.2011 December - The authorities release 2,500 prisoners, including some convicted of political crimes, as part of an amnesty ahead of a papal visit.2012 March - Pope Benedict visits, criticising the US trade embargo on Cuba and calling for greater rights on the island.2012 April - Cuba marks Good Friday with a public holiday for the first time since recognition of religious holidays stopped in 1959.2012 June - Cuba re-imposes customs duty on all food imports in effort to curb selling of food aid sent by Cubans abroad on the commercial market. Import duties had been liberalised in 2008 after series of hurricanes caused severe shortages.2012 October - Spanish politician Angel Carromero is jailed for manslaughter over the death of high-profile Catholic dissident Oswaldo Paya. Mr Carromero was driving the car when, according to the authorities, it crashed into a tree. Mr Paya's family say the car was rammed off the road after he had received death threats. The government abolishes the requirement for citizens to buy expensive exit permits when seeking to travel abroad. Highly-qualified professionals such as doctors, engineers and scientists will still require permission to travel, in order to prevent a brain drain.2012 November - President Raul Castro says the eastern province of Santiago was hard hit by Hurricane Sandy, with 11 people dead and more than 188,000 homes damaged. A United Nations report says Sandy destroyed almost 100,000 hectares of crops.2013 February - The National Assembly re-elects Raul Castro as president. He says he will stand down at the end of his second term in 2018, by which time he will be 86.2013 July - Five prominent veteran politicians, including Fidel Castro ally and former parliament leader Ricardo Alarcon, are removed from the Communist Party's Central Committee in what President Raul Castro calls a routine change of personnel.2014 January - First phase of a deepwater sea port is inaugurated by Brazil and Cuba at Mariel, a rare large foreign investment project on the island.2014 March - Cuba agrees to a European Union invitation to begin talks to restore relations and boost economic ties, on condition of progress on human rights. The EU suspended ties in 1996.2014 July - Russian President Vladimir Putin visits during a tour of Latin America, says Moscow will cancel billions of dollars of Cuban debt from Soviet times. Chinese President Xi Jinping visits, signs bilateral accords.2014 September/October - Cuba sends hundreds of frontline medical staff to West African countries hit by the Ebola epidemic.2014 December - In a surprise development, US President Barack Obama and Cuba's President Raul Castro announce moves to normalise diplomatic relations between the two countries, severed for more than 50 years.2015 January - Washington eases some travel and trade restrictions on Cuba.Two days of historic talks between the US and Cuba take place in Havana, with both sides agreeing to meet again. The discussions focus on restoring diplomatic relations but no date is set for the reopening of embassies in both countries. President Raul Castro calls on President Obama to use his executive powers to bypass Congress and lift the US economic embargo on Cuba.2015 February - Cuban and US diplomats say they have made progress in talks in Washington to restore full relations.2015 May - Cuba establishes banking ties with US, which drops country from list of states that sponsor terrorism.2015 July - Cuba and US reopen embassies and exchange charges d’affaires.2015 December - Cuban and US officials hold preliminary talks on mutual compensation.2016 January - US eases a number of trade restrictions with Cuba.2016 March - Cuba and the European Union agree to normalise relations. US President Barack Obama visits Cuba in the first US presidential visit there in 88 years.2016 May - Cuba takes steps to legalise small and medium-sized businesses as part of economic reforms.2016 November - Fidel Castro, former president and leader of the Cuban revolution, dies at the age of 90. Cuba declares nine days of national mourning.2017 January - Washington ends a long-standing policy which grants Cuban immigrants the right to remain in the US without a visa.2017 June - US President Donald Trump overturns some aspects of predecessor Barack Obama's policy on Cuba which brought about a thaw in relations between the two countries.2017 October - Diplomatic row over mysterious sonic attacks which are said to have affected the health of US and Canadian embassy staff in Havana.2018 April - Senior Communist Party stalwart Miguel Diaz-Canel becomes president, ending six decades of rule by the Castro family.2019 May - Cuba introduces food rationing.2020 March - Cuba closes its borders in an attempt to keep out the COVID-19 plague.2021 April - Raul Castro steps down as General Secretary of the Cuban Communist PartyAlexa van Sickle (2014): Viva la Revolución: Cuban Farmers Re-Gain Control Over Land: ‘As the state loosens its grip on food production, Cuban farmers and independent co-operatives will need support to help solve the country’s agriculture crisis: Last year, Cuba spent over $1.6bn (£1bn) on food imports… 60% of its domestic food requirement…. Since 2007, President Raul Castro, noting its connection with national security, has made food security a priority. State farms hold over 70% of Cuba’s agricultural land; about 6.7m hectares. In 2007, 45% of this land was sitting idle. In 2008 Castro allowed private farmers and co-operatives to lease unused land with decentralised decision-making, and loosened regulations on farmers selling directly to consumers. Since 2010, Cubans with small garden plots, and small farmers, have been allowed to sell produce directly to consumers. However, agriculture in Cuba remains in crisis. A government report issued in July 2013 showed that productivity had not increased…LINK: Marianne Ward and John Devereux (2010): The Road Not Taken: Pre-Revolutionary Cuban Living Standards in Comparative Perspective: ‘All indications are that Cuba was once a prosperous middle-income economy. On the eve of the revolution, we find that incomes were fifty to sixty percent of European levels. They were among the highest in Latin America at about thirty percent of the US. In relative terms, however, Cuba was richer earlier on. The crude income comparisons that are possible suggest that income per capita during the 1920’s was in striking distance of Western Europe and the Southern States of the US. After the revolution, Cuba has slipped down the world income distribution. As best we can tell, current levels of income per capita are below their pre-revolutionary peaks…LINK: Carlos Eire: Raúl Castro Leaving Power Won’t Bring Change to Cuba Anytime Soon: ‘Raúl Castro is relinquishing all power on the eve of his 90th birthday. It would be a mistake to think that this piece of kabuki theater will bring change to Cuba any time soon…. The Communist Party in Cuba, which has had total control of the island for over 60 years, is not about to relax its grip. And since this party is controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Cuba is really governed by an old-fashioned Latin American military junta. It is an unusual junta, full of former rebels, but it is a junta…. Raúl Castro is stepping down from the throne, so to speak, but he will keep casting a long shadow as long as he can. Moreover, plenty of generals and colonels remain, ranging in age from their 50s to 80s. A top member of that exclusive circle is Raúl’s son, Col. Alejandro Castro Espín, who is only 55 and runs the country’s dreaded secret police. Official posts outside of the armed forces have a cosmetic sheen to them. The prime example is President Miguel Díaz-Canel…. Raw power resides in men such as Alejandro Castro Espín and 60-year-old Gen. Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Callejas, ex-husband of Raul’s daughter Deborah. A member of the Castro dynasty by marriage, he is one of the most powerful men in Cuba, totally in charge of the branch of the Revolutionary Armed Forces that runs most of Cuba’s tourist industry. Since tourism is the country’s main source of income, his clout is considerable. The two brothers-in-law are purported to be engaged in a fierce struggle behind the scenes for the throne vacated by Raúl…..A new constitution in 2019…. Many articles outlaw dissent, such as No. 4: “The socialist system that this Constitution supports is irrevocable. Citizens have the right to combat through any means, including armed combat… against any that intends to topple the political, social, and economic order established by this Constitution.”… Article 229 seeks to drive a nail in the coffin of hope: “In no case will the pronouncements be reformed regarding the irrevocability of the socialism system established in Article 4.”…What will happen next? Is it possible that among the younger Cuban communists a Gorbachev lurks?… Is it possible that the junta could be overthrown, somehow, in traditional Latin fashion? Theoretically, one must suppose, anything is possible…. Theoretical possibilities fall into the realm of faith rather than reason…LINK: Carmelo Mesa-Lago (2019): There’s Only One Way Out for Cuba’s Dismal Economy: ‘The island’s economy is neither efficient nor competitive. To move forward it must deepen and accelerate reforms. The market socialism model could provide a way….. For the past 60 years, Cuba has been unable to finance its imports with its own exports and generate appropriate, sustainable growth without substantial aid and subsidies from a foreign nation. This is the longstanding legacy of Cuba’s socialist economy…. Between 1960 and 1990, the Soviet Union gave Cuba $65 billion (triple the total amount of aid that President John Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress gave Latin America). At its peak in 2012, Venezuelan aid, subsidies and investment amounted to $14 billion, or close to 12 percent of the gross domestic product. And yet, despite the staggering foreign aid subsidies it has received, the economy’s performance has been dismal…. Industrial, mining and sugar production are well below 1989 levels, and the production of 11 out of 13 key agricultural and fishing products has declined. Cuba is now facing its worst economic crisis since the 1990s.Tourism has been a bright spot for Cuba. From 2007 to 2017, visitors to the island doubled, largely thanks to the arrival of more Americans, whose numbers grew considerably after President Barack Obama eased diplomatic relations in 2015. But Hurricane Irma and the tightening of travel restrictions by President Trump (like barring American tourists from using hotels and restaurants run by Cuba’s military) and the alert declared by the administration after the sonic attacks on United States diplomats in Havana led to a drop in tourism during the end of 2017 and the first half of 2018. Tourism rebounded in September, driven by a cruise industry that offers customers lodging, meals and tours. Those visitors spend about 14 percent of what those arriving by air spend….Cuba’s woes are a result of the inefficient economic model of centralized planning, state enterprises and agricultural collectivization its leaders have pursued despite the failure of these models worldwide. In his decade in power, President Raúl Castro tried to face his brother Fidel’s legacy of economic disaster head on by enacting a series of market-oriented economic structural reforms. He also opened the door to foreign investment, but so far, the amount materialized has been one-fifth of the goal set by the leadership for sustainable development…. The pace of reforms has been slow and subject to many restrictions, disincentives and taxes that have impeded the advance of the private economy and desperately needed growth. It is time to abandon this failed model and shift to a more successful one as in China and Vietnam….Poor agricultural production, the result of collectivized agriculture, causes the island to spend $1.5 billion a year on food imports. As part of his agrarian reform, Mr. Castro began leasing fallow state-owned land to farmers through 10-year contracts—now increased to 20 years—that may be canceled or renewed depending on the farms performance. Farmers must sell most of their crops to the government at prices set by the state, which are below market prices…. If reform is carried out and foreign investors are allowed to hire and pay a full salary directly to their employees, there will be a significant improvement in the economy and the government can undertake the desperately needed monetary unification that will attract more investment and eliminate the economic distortions that plague the economy.LINK: Cuba Employment Shares: Agriculture 25%, Industry 10%, Services 65%(Remember: You can subscribe to this… weblog-like newsletter… here: There’s a free email list. There’s a paid-subscription list with (at the moment, only a few) extras too.) Get full access to Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality at braddelong.substack.com/subscribe

The sale waits for no man.  Either you make that sale or your competitor does.  If it is a non-starter then start moving on to the next prospect.  Life is Latin for TIME.  That is all we have, so in sales we have to get moving and keep moving and moving.   Here is what caught my attention lately: Average land prices have fallen for first time in six years. Land in all categories, including residential and industrial, has fallen zero point five percent from a year earlier as of January First, compared with a one point four percent rise a year earlier. Land prices across all categories in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya slipped zero point seven percent from the previous year. Commercial land prices nationwide fell zero point eight percent for the first decline in seven years. Commercial land prices in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya fell one point three percent.   Also, the Job-securing rate for graduates has fallen in Japan. The number of students securing a job informal offers as of Feb 1st  fell for the first time in ten years. The figure of eighty-nine point five percent was down two point eight percent from a year before.   We get lazy.  We start cutting corners.  We get off our game.  We chill, cruise and take the foot off the pedal.  Sales is demanding and a life of constant pressure.  The temptation is when we get to a certain level of success we think well, we have done enough.  We can justify that coffee break, that longer lunch, coming in late after the first mid-morning appointment and heading home early after the last early afternoon appointment.  This is not how the pro thinks.  We want have it scheduled in our diary to get big and get back to basics.   That means getting our hustle on, getting our motivation going, setting out sights higher.  We have to have a showdown with “average is good enough” self talk.  We need to make sure we are doing the basics like a demon on fire.  Accept there is a rhythm danger to our sales work.  We have to become regularly irregular.  That means we have to be looking for every chance to break out of a rhythm.  We need to be sparky, itchy, irritated with constancy.   The pipeline tells no lies.  It is either looking good or it is looking bad.  That pipeline will determine the amount of business we can do in any given quarter and in any year.  We need good basics in play to stuff that pipeline full of qualified clients.  I love the sales expression “whose got my money”.  It means, who is my ideal buyer, who is ready to buy right now?  I should be sifting, hunting and corralling those buyers who have my money.  I should be shelving those who don't, because time is the main currency of a sales life.  How you spend it makes all the difference between major success and mediocre.   There are basics in sales we quickly try to short circuit.  We are fooling ourselves.  We need to have time allocation every day for prospecting.  In the process of doing that, we should be polishing our pitch until it is tight and has a massive hook attached to it.  Ums and ahs don't have any place in our explanation of who we are, what we do and why we are calling you.  Getting to the decision-maker in Japan is nasty.  Everyone you speak with is over qualified to say “no” and few can say “I will transfer you through”.  We have to be well schooled in cold calling techniques to be successful in sales in Japan and most salespeople here in this regard are sad, sad, sad.   We need to be parsimonious with the words to explain all of that.  We need to be eloquent with the explanation of the hook, as to why the person answering the phone should bother to connect us with the line manager we wish to speak with.   Every industry needs a specific hook, based on the pain points of that business.  The pitch is canned and not canned at the same time.  It has some common elements which are the best composed explanation of who we are, etc.  The why you should care part, needs to be specific to that industry, the sector, the market, the firm in question at this point in time.  In training, it needs to be said out loud over and over again, before it is unleashed on the client. It has to come out like honey dripping from the corners of your mouth, it is so smooth.   This same crisp summation of wonder is what we trot out at networking events.  When people are making their first kinesthetic contact with your meishi or business card and trying to fathom what it is you do, you helpfully jump in and concisely explain how you are saving mankind.  If they have got your money, you will set up an appointment to meet right there and then.  If they don't, and don't seem to know anyone who has your money, then you politely disengage and go back to the hunt for an actual buyer.   We need to treat every lead coming in from our website, be it from an SEO enquiry or a paid click though from our ads like it was on fire.  If we don't get in touch with that potential buyer right now, the lead will combust further and become a burnt, unrecognisable cinder.  Soon it will be too cold and too feeble to sustain the follow up call required.  Maybe the system at the office has to be rearranged, to improve the response time down to 5 minutes or less, but it needs to be done.  Those leads go cold so quickly, it is scary.  Someone has to speak to that client at that moment.  A salesperson would be best but at least get someone talking with them to make contact and get some basic information.   We have to fight complacency.  The enemy of great is good.  So no being satisfied with good is allowed!  Don't forget our sale's pro basics need constant work, permanent polishing, endless eagerness.  Like that Rick Ross rap song, our sale's mantra has to be, “Everyday I'm hustlin, everyday I'm hustlin”.  That is what we have to do to be successful!  

We're joined by Zac Skalko and discuss our favorite tools we've used in 2020.

Vinny's Playlist: A Music Podcast drops on January First on all major podcatchers! If you love Vinny's Voice, finding new music, or just want a new podcast to help you kill time, this is a pod for you!Start 1/1/21 you'll get 5 new episodes of Vinny's Playlist every week.Follow the podcast now on your favorite streaming service so you don't miss an episode!

Episode 553 - Bad Idea a Good Idea?, Jason Goes to the Con, Wonder Woman Leads January, First Robin Facsimile Highlights FOC, Sneak Peek at Next Week w/ Kyle & Drew; Spec Picks: Drew- Bang #1 (@DarkHorseComics), Kyle- Godkillers #1 (@AfterShockComix). Spec Contest for Hero Initiative https://www.heroinitiative.org/ Need an LCS or FOC Access: http://eepurl.com/du7Wwf or Eric@KowabungaComics.com Check Out 'Wolf Warner Presents' YouTube Series: www.youtube.com/user/abisaeee Email us at: Comicsforfunandprofit@gmail.com - questions, comments, gripes, we can't wait to hear what you have to say. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ComicsFunProfit & Instagram instagram.com/comicsforfunandprofit Like us on Facebook.com/ComicsForFunAndProfit Subscribe, rate, review on itunes, Spotify, Stitcher. Thank you so much for listening and spreading the word about our little comic book podcast. https://comcsforfunandprofit.podomatic.com/

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the announcement from Mental Health and Substance Abuse Commissioner Terri White stepping down from her position and the House Speaker opposing Governor Stitt by saying the tribal gaming compacts automatically renewed for another 15 years on January First. The trio also discusses the legislature getting new rules fro the State Board of Education making it harder for schools to stay with four-days of education per week and the governor is getting ready to hold his second State of the State Address to kick off the 2020 legislative session. Support this podcast

80% of you will not follow through on your 2020 goals! FACTS!!! This hard stat comes from US News and World Report. The good news is 20% of you WILL achieve your 2020 goals, and I would like to help as many of you as possible be on this side of the equation. From the well of over 1500 people I have coached and mentored, every single one of them has failed at achieving goals multiple times in their lives, ME INCLUDED. The fail-point actually occurs right from start. We unknowingly, subconsciously set ourselves up, by getting caught up in the yumminess of fantasy thinking. It all usually starts around the end of November...mass media; social media, people surrounding us start talking about their plans for the New Year or “next year.” Then we start slowly placing our New Year plans, goals, and visions into our mental magical fantasy filing cabinet. It goes something like this: You are searching for your seventeenth pair of black yoga pants, (but they are your favorites when you feel bloated), and your closet is “sooooo unorganized” it takes you ten minutes to find them. You proclaim to yourself, I’m going to make a point of being more organized in the New Year and Marie Kondo my closet. Instant dopamine (the feel good brain chemical) is released and you feel a wave of relief, empowerment, and satisfaction that just solved the problem. Then while waiting for yoga class to start you start scrolling Instagram, and you see Polly the Princess social media influencer telling you she makes six-figures blogging…now your brain says, ”I’m going to start a YouTube channel in the New Year, if she can do it I can too.” Once again instant dopamine is released and you walk into your class feeling excited, empowered, and full of hope. These fantasy index cards keep stacking up over the days leading to the New Year, and all of a sudden it’s January First. The emotional pattern is typically excitement, motivated, determined to overwhelmed, discouraged, frustrated, disappointment, and then shame. If this at all resonates with you, listen to this episode and learn how to regroup and regain traction on your real goals. Welcome to ProjectME the Podcast with your host Tiffany Carter, who takes the mystery out of making BIG money. A former NBC and CBS TV journalist, turned multi-millionaire entrepreneur, teaching you all things wealth, health, worth, and business. You can follow Tiffany on Instagram @projectme_with_tiffany  on Facebook @projectmewithtiffany and watch her TV episodes on ProjectME TV with Tiffany Carter on YouTube.

Tackling a super healthy January would be easier if you had a pal to participate with you.  Someone to call when you get stuck.  Someone to take a new exercise class with.  Someone to share a healthy recipe with. So SHARE this podcast/Alexa skill with a friend who wants to feel amazing in January. All this week we will be talking about prepping for January. Come join us at www.instagram.com/theguudcompany and www.facebook.com/theguudcompany I'll be doing instagram stories every day in January to support you and to share my month long journey. PS. Even if you don't drink alcohol (perhaps sugar is your vice) you can join in and kick a bad habit.  Everyone could use a little healthier!

It’s that time of year when food is on our minds. We’re anticipating sitting down at that holiday dinner jammed packed with yummy traditional eats. At the same time, there’s that thought at the back of our heads on how much we’re going to have to diet, too, come January First.Well, believe it or not, you can have your cake and eat it too. If you like turkey with stuffing at your Thanksgiving table, go ahead and dig in. And you can have that piece of pumpkin pie without guilt, too…that is, if you know how to balance your food choices with the mindful techniques that will let you eat those foods without gaining weight.We’re going to discuss the “how” of all this, with holistic health coach, Jo-e Sutton. Jo-e will tell us:• what ingredients to avoid• the one thing that will make you feel full and keep your foot intake down• why you should make “leveling up” part of your eating routine• as a bonus, she’ll give us 4 healthy and easy-to-make recipes to add to our holiday feastsJo-e Sutton holds degrees in Oriental Medicine and Integrative Nutrition and teaches people how to maintain sustainable healthy eating habits. She offers workshops and personal coaching through her website www.loveyourwaytohealth.com.

Special Guest: Che Brown, The Happy Entrepreneur. Co-founder of Black CEO. Topic: Today is January 1st! #OurPastvsOurHistory **Sponsor: @Brenda Bookert-Book, The Real Estate Agent who is ALL Heart and NO BULL. 704-649-7686 Do you have a unique skill or service that you provide? We want YOU to be our guest! Go to: http://bit.ly/EPMMGuests To be a sponsor: Producer@ePublishyou.com To invite The Empowerment Duo as your hosts, keynotes or energy producers contact: 919-345-4893 Schedule a complimentary session with the coaches: Sales Coach - Brian K. McNeill: calendly.com/BKMcNeill The Coaches Coach - Lisa Santiago McNeill: calendly.com/LisaSantiago https://youtu.be/QRRCN4LYZAc --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/esptv7/support

Special Guest: Che Brown, The Happy Entrepreneur. Co-founder of Black CEO. Topic: Today is January 1st! #OurPastvsOurHistory **Sponsor: @Brenda Bookert-Book, The Real Estate Agent who is ALL Heart and NO BULL. 704-649-7686 Do you have a unique skill or service that you provide? We want YOU to be our guest! Go to: http://bit.ly/EPMMGuests To be a sponsor: Producer@ePublishyou.com To invite The Empowerment Duo as your hosts, keynotes or energy producers contact: 919-345-4893 Schedule a complimentary session with the coaches: Sales Coach - Brian K. McNeill: calendly.com/BKMcNeill The Coaches Coach - Lisa Santiago McNeill: calendly.com/LisaSantiago https://youtu.be/QRRCN4LYZAc --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/esptv7/support

Welcome back! Today we've got a quick dive into getting started on your fitness journey. The vast majority of people are waiting for Monday, the first of the month, summer or January First....my question is why? You need to get moving today! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sweat-sanctum-podcast/support

January 1st was an important day to Thomas Jefferson for many reasons. This week, we speak with President Jefferson about notable New Year's Day occurrences during his life, including his wedding, his famous "wall of separation between church and state" letter to the Danbury Baptists, and the beginning of his famous correspondence with John Adams during the last years of their lives. We also tell the story of "the world's largest cheese" that Jefferson received while President. Find this episode, along with recommended reading, on the blog. Support the show by joining the 1776 Club or by donating to the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Inc. You can learn more about our Cultural Tours & Retreats with Clay S. Jenkinson at jeffersonhour.com/tours. Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by Clay S. Jenkinson.

Speaker: Arlin Hill Date: January 2, 2019 Series: First Wednesday 2019

Word of Life Church - Joel Sims

We have launched our listener group on Facebook - go find it now. The gym in January is a treacherous place... So we... well dan got annoyed with some of the attitudes of trainers online about the amount of people in their gyms this month. we ranted a bit.. but gave the possibility of making them new clients? getting new business and trying to make them feel welcome. We were all in their shoes once Tom and Dan share their first gym experiences. Catching up on Tom and Dans Training. Stupid things - Shakeology ... yep you read that right.

What's Good? Trip is back home! In celebration of Little Witch Academia getting its own TV series we have dedicated this episode to Studio Trigger! News Code Geass Season 3 Promotional Video has been released. Natsume Yujin-Cho gets its 6th season in 2017. Crunchyroll hosted their first ever anime awards. Fans responded with a lot of backlash. Drifters is getting a second season after this season's great success. The Yuri on Ice OST has been released on spotify. Crunchyroll adds Samurai Champloo, Deadman Wonderland, Black Butler and Ninja Slayer to its online streaming roster. Special Sword Art Online announcement to be made on January First. Boruto anime announced for April 2017. Studio Trigger Trigger was established on August 22, 2011 by Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Otsuka shortly after leaving Gainax. The studio name and official website was revealed in October 2011. Along with assisting production on various series, Trigger has released a short film, Little Witch Academia, and has developed its first original television anime series, Kill la Kill, which aired from October 2013 to March 2014. On July 8, 2013 Trigger launched a Kickstarter project in order to fund a second episode of Little Witch Academia. The project was well received and achieved its goal of $150,000 in under five hours, and went on to raise a total of $625,518. On March 11, 2014 it was announced that they would be producing an adaptation of When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace. Imaishi has directed Gurren Lagann and Panty and Stocking, with Otsuka assistand directing Panty and Stocking. Studio Trigger has been involved with other shows and games aside from their owns works, starting with an intro sequence to the game Project X Zone in 2012 and most recently a musical sequence in the Cartoon Network show Steven Universe from 2016.   Little Witch Academia Kill la Kill Inferno Cop Ninja Slayer From Animation Space Patrol Luluco Sex&VIOLENCE with MACHSPEED (one of 3 animations in the Japan Animator Expo) When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace Kiznaiver Our logo artist! http://turvytops.com/              Our intro artist!  Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tomnasr Instagram: @tom_nasr Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SuperArmhair                  Contact Us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/instantramenpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/InstantRamenPod Instagram: http://instagram.com/instantramenpodcast E-mail: instantramenpodcast@gmail.com

Today’s expression and dialog: turn over a new leaf   Is that tea?            Yeah. No more coffee for me.   You stopped drinking beer, too! Did you turn over a new leaf? Yeah! I’m trying to be more healthy.   So, if you want to start OR stop something...when is the best time? January first? On the first day of the month? The first day of the week? Well, yesterday was my ONE YEAR anniversary of QUITTING SMOKING! Yes! I had tried quitting MANY times. And several times I made a "New Year's Resolution" to quit...but I failed. However, I did not let my failure BLOCK me from my future success. I knew I would try to quit again, and eventually I did. Not on January First. Not on a Monday. Not on the beginning of the month. But on Saturday, August 30th, 2014. That's a date that I will remember for...as long as I live! Today's expression will get YOU to "start or stop" something today! Do it!   Have a super week, Coach Shane!     PS. Don't forget--today is a GREAT day to join DDM--we start a new show today!   Please subscribe on iTunes and get this podcast EVERY DAY! Support Coach Shane by giving $1 a month! On PayPal: Send to Or you can go here: Our sponsors: Click on JOIN CLASSES and get ALL the information! (Get a free AUDIO BOOK!) Our YouTube channel:     Today's Daily Easy English Expression PODCAST is UP and READY for YOU!! #LME #LearnEnglish #ESL #Twinglish

Feeling the need to paint her furniture, Bridgetta creates a mess. We are joined in the studio by Susan Schofield and her husband Michael, who tell us about raising their schizophrenic young daughter and the tumultous life she has spawned for her family. Susan hosts the show Bipolar Nation Radio, and Michael wrote a book on their experience, "January First."