Podcast appearances and mentions of Kevin Donahue

Kickstarter has become a key part of the author business for those who want to make more money per book, connect directly with readers, and produce beautiful editions they're proud of. In this episode, I share excerpts from interviews with Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, Russell Nohelty, and Sacha Black, alongside my own hard-won lessons from six campaigns that have now made over $140K combined. Whether you're considering your first campaign or looking to refine your process, we cover everything from overcoming your fears to rewards, fulfilment, shipping, marketing, and why I keep coming back for more. In the intro, Writing StoryBundle; Spotify Expands Audiobook Features and Printed Books; Draft2Digital Activation and Maintenance Fees; comment by Kevin McLaughlin; and Barnes & Noble Press change to Minimum Retail Price for Printed Books; AI-Assisted Artisan Author webinars. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Joanna Penn is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, short stories and travel memoir under J.F. Penn and also writes non-fiction for authors and hosts The Creative Penn Podcast. What Kickstarter is and why it works differently from a normal book launch The fears that held me back for almost a decade — and whether they were justified Starting small: Why you don't need sprayed edges and special hardbacks to run a successful campaign. Creative reward ideas beyond merch: digital rewards, experiential rewards, naming rights, and bundling your backlist Common mistakes that sink campaigns: overestimating your reach, getting shipping costs wrong, and not allowing enough time Fulfilment realities, printing timelines, and reinvesting profit into future stock Marketing your campaign: pre-launch signups, content marketing, email lists, social media scheduling, and Facebook/Meta ads My update for campaign #7, Bones of the Deep: what's changed, what I'm doing differently, and how AI tools are part of my process now Why I now love Kickstarter campaigns and how the spike income model fits a sustainable creative career You can find my Kickstarter campaign for Bones of the Deep here (until 5 May, 2026) and all my previous campaigns here. Introduction Jo: In this episode, I've included excerpts from my own previous solo show about Kickstarter, as well as excerpts from interviews with Oriana Leckert, the Head of Publishing at Kickstarter; Russell Nohelty, who has done lots of successful Kickstarter campaigns and teaches direct sales; and Sacha Black, who did a six-figure campaign last year. I've also added my updates to the end of the episode filling in any last thoughts. You can listen to the full episodes here: Kickstarter for Authors with Oriana Leckert The Mindset and Business of Selling Direct with Russell Nohelty Lessons Learned and Tips from Pilgrimage, My First Kickstarter Campaign Two Different Approaches to Selling Direct with Sacha Black and Joanna Penn What is Kickstarter, and why use it instead of a normal book launch? Here's Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter — and the numbers she shares will be higher now, as the episode is from February 2025. Oriana: Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform. We are unique in the crowdfunding landscape for a few reasons. We are only for creative projects, so you can't use Kickstarter for medical bills, investment funding, or charitable donations. Every project has to create something new to share with the world. Jo: Have you got any numbers on how big the Kickstarter industry is now with publishing, or anything you can share around that? Oriana: Yeah, I would love to. First I'll tell you Kickstarter overall by the numbers. Since our inception, there have been 273,000 projects funded, eight and a half billion — with a “b” — billion dollars pledged, from more than 24 million backers. In publishing specifically, we've had 69,000 projects launched, 3.2 million unique backers, and over $380 million pledged to campaigns. I have lots of other stats, but a few things I'll share. The publishing category keeps growing The publishing category has grown year over year, every year since 2017, in terms of number of projects launched, number of projects successful, and the overall success rate. There has never been a dip since 2017. Another stat I really love about the publishing category: if you look at campaigns that have at least 25 backers, the overall success rate is 84%. I think that's really telling, because 25 backers is a little bit more than your mum, your best friend, the folks who are essentially obligated to support anything you do. So if you can get a little bit beyond that inner circle, your chances of succeeding on the platform are tremendously high. Backers are paying more — and waiting longer Another thing I wanted to call out — I just got some new numbers around this. The average backing amount per backer across the whole category has nearly doubled since 2020. We used to see an average backing around $40, and it's currently at $72 per backer. I think this is clearly around the trend of special and deluxe editions, but it's a great indication that backer behaviour on Kickstarter is just very different from your general book-buying public. People don't come here looking for 99-cent ebooks — the lowest bargain-basement prices. Folks are really willing to pay more because they understand this is a different kind of thing. It's not exactly a purchase. It really is supporting, bringing a strange and wonderful new thing into the world that wouldn't exist before. People are also much more forgiving about timelines. If you buy something from most online booksellers, you're expecting to have it in your hands within a couple of days. People wait months and sometimes years to get their Kickstarter rewards, and they don't mind if the creator is clear and transparent. You're also doing the work of demystifying the publishing process. Why does it take so long? Where are books printed? How long does it take them to ship via freight over the ocean? What do all these things really look like? So it's really interesting just figuring out what your backers want and will bear versus the general book-buying public out in the world. Kickstarter is not just for “desperate” authors anymore Oriana: People used to think Kickstarter was just for desperate folks who couldn't get a book deal through the traditional systems. The change has been so dramatic — people now understand that Kickstarter can be transformative for an author's career, and that it can work for traditional publishing, indie publishing, hybrid publishing, all kinds of authors. Kickstarter is really about collapsing the boundaries between a writer and their readers, a publisher and their fan base, any creative person and their audience. And there are so many benefits to doing that. You get to really thrill your backers with new and exciting rewards. You get to turn what can be a standard book release into a moment. You get to build your brand, your profile, get press, test out ambitious projects. You get to understand so much more about your audience and what they want and how you can give it to them. It's been really marvellous seeing the great success that people can have on our platform and outside of it. Why do a Kickstarter campaign? Jo: Why Kickstarter and not a usual book launch? Benefits for backers If you back a Kickstarter, you get special editions, bonus content, interesting merchandise, bundles, digital specials, print specials, early access. All of them pretty much are really cool books from creators you either already love or those you've never heard of, because you just want to see their cool stuff. I've started buying books from people I have never heard of because I think their books are really cool. Once you start supporting campaigns on Kickstarter, the algorithm will recommend campaigns for you. It's essentially a different way of shopping for great books and other products, and it's just another part of my ecosystem for how I shop. It's a form of direct sales, so you also have a closer connection with the creator. You can message them, for example, and they get it — rather than buying through an online retailer or bookstore. Benefits for creators In terms of benefits for creators, you get to know people in a more personal way through the campaign, messaging with people and connecting more than you would when selling through a retailer, when you don't know who is buying your books. As an author, you can make more money more quickly and retain a higher percentage of the royalties, rather than wait months or years to get paid and have a large percentage taken out by everyone down the chain — publishers, platforms, distributors, and retailers. Brandon Sanderson's $41 million Kickstarter was clearly the pinnacle of what can be achieved, but many authors are happy making a few thousand for their book project upfront and use campaigns multiple times during the year. Kickstarter takes 5% for their fee, although of course you have to factor in the cost of production and marketing. But even then, I make more profit on my book sales through selling ebooks and audiobooks direct, and also printing with BookVault, than I do with KDP Print or IngramSpark print on demand. Higher average order and faster payment Another way you make more money is that the average order per customer is higher with Kickstarter than sales on the usual stores. The average order on my campaign was £37.24 — that's around $45 US — which is at least four times higher than I might have made selling Pilgrimage in the usual way on the major retailers. You get paid two weeks after the campaign finishes, so the money is in your bank account much faster than if you sell on retailers. In terms of cash flow, make sure you time your campaign so you get the money before you have to pay for printing, shipping, and other significant bills. Spike income vs monthly income There are many creators who now make Kickstarter the core of their business. It's a spike income model rather than a monthly income, which most indie authors are used to. The monthly income model is fantastic — I love getting money every month — but it also has the effect of making indie authors behave as if this is a normal job: work every month, get paid every month, put out another book so you get paid in another few months' time. With the Kickstarter model, you can get a bigger chunk of money in one go, so you could potentially move to a big launch and then take more time off before ramping up to the next launch months later. And amusingly, this sounds a bit more like traditional publishing. It's just that as an indie author, when you get that amount of money, it's much bigger. So that kind of launch tempo is an attractive prospect if you think about it: if I just get this big spike of money even once a year, that's really cool. And then of course you can sell it later. What are some of the fears that might stop you? Jo: I held back from doing a Kickstarter for years — almost a decade, in fact — where I backed campaigns and resisted doing a campaign for my own books. Here are some of my fears. Prepare to face your fears Jo: This entire experience thrust me out of my comfort zone and into a new way of creating, launching, and connecting with readers. Pilgrimage is my first memoir, my first special hardback with colour photos, and my first Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. So I had a lot to learn. The book is very personal and I bare my soul about some dark times, so that was terrifying in itself, let alone trying a new product edition and publishing platform. On the evening I clicked the launch button — and yes, you have to actually click an actual launch button — my heart was hammering out of my chest. I have not felt that nervous since probably the first time publishing on Amazon. I was afraid of failure. I was afraid of being embarrassed if my campaign didn't fund. I wrote a book on marketing — how to market a book — so I would be mortified if I had not funded. In fact, I even changed my target from £5,000 to £1,000 the night before, as I was so terrified it wouldn't fund. I was afraid of getting something terribly wrong and ending up out of pocket through issues with printing and shipping. I was afraid of letting backers down by promising something I might not be able to deliver. I was afraid I had overcommitted myself to a whole load of work I might even resent doing. I am a one-person business, and although I work with freelancers, I still do pretty much everything myself. I am a control freak — you might have noticed. So yes, there was a lot of apprehension and fear. You don't have to go huge Another fear might be the fear of failure — that you'll put up a campaign and no one will buy from you. But one answer is just to do a modest campaign. You don't have to do special hardbacks or merchandise. As Russell says: Russell: Somehow all of the teaching that we have given over the last two years has been executed in a way that makes it seem like you have to do this enormous campaign with sprayed edges and big, beautiful hardcovers and interior illustrations and vellum and all of that stuff. And I want to say first: that is absolutely not true. You don't have to do any of those things. If you look at two of the last three campaigns I've done, all I was offering was paperback books and ebooks, and then audio commentary for one of the campaigns. You can do a Kickstarter — and I often will tell people, especially if they're not an already successful author — do a campaign that is small and easy to get data on before you do something big. The direct connection is actually the point Jo: One of my resistances to this was a sort of, “Oh, I'm actually going to have to do a more higher-touch thing.” But as you say, the reframe is: oh my goodness, this is amazing, because I actually do get to connect with people. Just yesterday I sent a signed book — Pilgrimage, which I did my last Kickstarter on — and this guy was like, “I bought it for myself. Can you sign it to me, because I'm going to do the Camino in a wheelchair?” And I was just so touched. Emailing him back, I just felt, oh my goodness, I'm having a connection with this person that if they'd just bought a book on Amazon, I would not have had. So now it's almost like — it's this totally different view of my business, which is that direct-first means a much more personal way. It really is like we're in that thousand true fans moment that we first talked about 20 years ago. Were my fears realised? Jo: Just to recap, I was afraid of failure and embarrassment if I failed to fund, of getting something wrong and being out of pocket, of letting backers down, and of overcommitting myself and resenting the workload. Really, the only thing that happened was overcommitment and a lot more work than I expected. But the time I put in was also likely the reason for the campaign's success and the reason that the other things didn't happen. I had to learn a new platform and a new approach to publishing and book marketing, so it was kind of a mini degree at the same time. So yes, I will do another Kickstarter — but only for special projects that are suited to this kind of intensive campaign. Tips for campaigns In this section, Oriana shares her thoughts on rewards, and then I'll go into some more of my tips. Thinking beyond merch Oriana: The rewards are really at the heart of the Kickstarter proposition and what makes this kind of fundraising so interesting and thrilling. Basically, your process is you're inviting people on a creative journey. You're saying, “I'm going to make this cool thing. I want your support, and in exchange, you're going to get stuff, you're going to get to be part of my process.” Obviously your main reward is going to be your book, or your series, or if you're a publishing company, your season — whatever it is. That's your main tier. Then you're going to build everything else out above and below that. A lot of people think rewards means swag and merch. Which is fine, but merch can add a lot to your production costs. It's causing you to learn how to produce all kinds of things that maybe you've never done before. So that's not the only way to do it. If you're going to do some merch, I think it's nice to come up with some custom items that feel really related to the work that you're doing. If you've got a romance novel with a pivotal scene on the beach, maybe you'd make some candles that smell like the ocean. Maybe you do some kind of handkerchief that's printed with the pattern of the dress your heroine is wearing. Digital and experiential rewards Oriana: But you can really think beyond merch into digital rewards and experiential rewards. There are a lot of parts of the writing process that can be pulled out and packaged as rewards — things like notes from the field, outtakes, deleted scenes. I've had people write bloopers, as if it were a comedy movie, added new scenes or novellas, other pieces from different works that you've done. Certainly your backlist and other books you've written can all be included. We've seen people do tours of the writer's studio, things like that. Also think about what skills you have in addition to your writing. Perhaps you're excellent at marketing or social media or poetry — you can offer webinars on those sorts of things. Other kinds of ways that people can experience your creative practice. High-end and naming rewards Oriana: Then you can get into high-end, one-off, crazy rewards. One whole section of rewards I love is naming rights. We've seen all kinds — “We'll name the dragon after your dog, or after your mother-in-law. We'll name the hero after your son.” There's a LitRPG novelist named Matt Dinniman who does this really well. He writes these big-cast novels — there are dungeons, and you're in an intergalactic reality TV show with hundreds of characters. In his last campaign, for $666 he would kill you off in his next book, and for $777 he'd let you live and write a whole scene around you personally. You can also do book release parties. You can do book clubs. If you're writing children's books, you can do colouring pages or supplemental material for teachers or other educators. The sky is really the limit, and it is based on your creativity and the things that both you can make and that your audience wants. This is another opportunity — talk to them. Ask them: if I'm going to do a piece of swag, would you rather have an enamel pin or a makeup bag? If I'm going to do alternate covers, would you like the blue cover or the red cover? See what your people are interested in, and then figure out whether it's possible for you to deliver it to them. Learn about the platform from experts Jo: I've been publishing and selling books through online retailers, as well as my own store, since 2008. I know what I'm doing, but I still had a lot to learn. With Kickstarter, it's essentially a completely different ecosystem, with different rules and a different audience, so you have to learn the ropes. Even if you're super successful in other places, you might crash and burn on Kickstarter unless you understand how it works and change your approach accordingly. Start backing campaigns Jo: See how it feels to back Kickstarter campaigns and discover what draws you in as a reader and a fan of specific things. You might find projects you love outside of books — there's plenty of other projects outside of books. You can browse the publishing category to find new books, and also use the search to find things you might like. In this way, you can support fellow creators and learn how the Kickstarter site works for discoverability and marketing. Make sure you go through the Kickstarter.com resources — they have a creator pack which will give you direction on the campaign. Also, their terms of use are really important to read, as there are some assumptions you'll have because you've published on another platform that are incorrect. So do not assume you know what you're doing if this is your first campaign. Ask for feedback before launch Jo: Once you have a draft of your campaign, ask specific people to review it before it launches. You can share a preview prior to launch and get feedback on your page. This helps you refine your story and the rewards, answer any questions before the campaign goes live, and it can also help pique the interest of your audience. I asked specific people who had done Kickstarter campaigns for help at different stages of the process, and this was really useful too. Review common mistakes from other campaigns Jo: If you examine how others made mistakes, you can learn from them. The most common seem to be: Not finishing the book before the campaign Getting the financials wrong for production, shipping, and any other rewards. I know some authors who have ended up breaking even, or sometimes even out of pocket from campaigns. Don't do that. Not making the most of the story sales page and not including everything necessary, so backers don't understand and don't want to support the campaign — essentially, not being clear enough Setting unrealistic goals, like expecting to make six figures on a first campaign Not allowing enough time for everything Not seeking feedback from people who have done it before Not marketing the campaign enough Overpromising and under-delivering Poor communication with backers about the status of rewards Set aside more time than you think you need Jo: The campaign ended up being far more significant than I expected in terms of workload and time to complete. Everyone told me that beforehand, but it was still a surprise. It took time to prepare the multiple editions for the rewards. I usually produce an ebook, paperback, and a large print edition, and I narrate my own nonfiction audiobooks. But for this Kickstarter, I also wanted to do this special hardback with colour photos, a flyleaf cover and silver foil. I wanted to create a special print product I could be proud of. I'm proud of all my books in terms of the content, but the usual paperback print-on-demand books are more about the content than the true beauty of the product. For Pilgrimage: A Book of My Heart, I wanted a special edition, so I worked with Jane on the design, going through my photos from the various pilgrimages to find those that resonated with the content — for example, the cadaver tomb at Canterbury, and my Compostela from the Camino de Santiago. Once we finished, I had that proof copy rushed so we could turn around everything. And I love, love, love the hardback. It has a silken-finish cover and it feels lovely and weighty. The pictures came out well, as the paper is of a higher quality and weight to allow for colour printing. Overall, I am incredibly proud of the finished product. I even sent a copy to my mother-in-law, which I have never done before. And yes, she thinks it's good. I definitely should have allowed more time, as I spent most of the Christmas and New Year period working on the book, recording and editing the audiobook, and preparing for the campaign. I also didn't have time to prepare, record, edit, and produce the Writing Setting and Sense of Place course until after the campaign, and it was really hard to find the energy to do this afterwards. Building the campaign page Jo: It took time to build the Kickstarter campaign page, create the video, and incorporate feedback. Most authors don't write sales pages anymore. Sure, we write a sales description for the book page on the retailers, but we don't often do a whole page for multiple editions. On Kickstarter, you are basically writing a sales page for your campaign, which they call a “story.” Some of your existing audience might just click through and back the campaign without reading it, but most backers will check out the details to find answers to any questions they have. It is a very long page, and you also need a video — or you don't need one, but it's highly recommended. It's best to record the video at the last stage when everything else is done. You can still see my Kickstarter video on my campaign page, so I won't go through everything in detail. But the key aspects are: Who the campaign is aimed at Why the campaign is important to me and the book What products are available Pictures of everything — the page should be really visual — and I included the images in the video as well Sample chapters and sample audio Specifications, with weight, pages, listening time, table of contents About me, the author Stretch goals Add-ons Any questions, risks, and challenges So it's pretty long. Then the reward levels have to be set up carefully for each pledge level with shipping costs, and specific details about what's included. Eventually, I felt like my page had way too much information, but since I didn't really get many backer questions, I guess it did what it was supposed to do. I rewrote and edited that page so many times — adding and changing the order of things, responding to feedback, switching things around. But hopefully I can use that as a template for other campaigns. Marketing takes time too Jo: It took time to prepare the marketing for the campaign. I'm pretty low-key for most launches these days — I publish a book, send a few emails to my lists, announce it on the podcast, do a little social media, update my websites, and move on to the next book. So this was probably my biggest effort in terms of a launch since my first novel back in 2011. I only had a two-week campaign, so I needed to make the most of that window. I'm going to detail the marketing in a separate section, but it took a lot of time to prepare the various things and execute them, as well as keep the energy up for promotion during the campaign. Two weeks was definitely the longest I would want to do — I was really over it by the end. Delivering stretch rewards Jo: It took more time to create and deliver the extra stretch rewards I promised. Since I had pretty low expectations of funding, I set my first stretch goal at £10,000 for “Lessons Learned from Writing a Travel Memoir.” When I promised it, I thought it might be a few pages of tips, and I didn't even think we would get there. But I'm incapable of delivering something that is half done. So when we did hit £10,000, I wrote essentially a short book on the topic, which I then formatted as an ebook and recorded as an audiobook. I'm actually going to turn that into a proper book at some point, so the content will get reused. But that definitely took more time than I expected, because I hadn't prepared it in advance. The backer spreadsheet and fulfilment Jo: It took time to figure out the backer spreadsheet and check all the fulfilment details. Once you finish your campaign, you send out surveys for mailing addresses and to fulfil rewards. I also needed to turn the backer report into a printing order for BookVault, and that was nerve-wracking. The spreadsheets were different formats, and then we spot-checked the orders to make sure people got the right books based on their orders. I was petrified that some people might get the wrong book, and I checked and checked and checked — both on the spreadsheet, and then once the orders were loaded, I checked BookVault as well. I was worried I'd have to resend the right book, which would end up with me out of pocket because they'd have to do double printing and shipping. But thankfully, all the checking made everything good, and I haven't heard from anyone who got the wrong book. Following up with backers Jo: It took time to follow up on failed payments and address issues. Most backers were easy to deal with — they received the updates and Kickstarter emails, they filled in the surveys, and I didn't have any problems. But there were problems with about 5% of backers, most of which were not their fault. There were failed payments when banks thought Kickstarter might be fraud. There were missed emails because of issues with deliverability, so backers didn't receive the rewards, or they didn't fill in the survey and return their address, which meant I couldn't do the order with BookVault — I had to do it later or manually. I had to follow up with every single one of these, some of them multiple times, and I slowly reduced my list of outstanding backers. A tip: If you back a Kickstarter campaign, please log on to Kickstarter a few weeks after the campaign has finished and check for updates. It's possible that you're not receiving the emails from Kickstarter, and the creator may need details from you in order to fulfil your pledge. Tax implications Jo: It took time to figure out the tax implications. This is not legal or financial advice, and your taxes will vary by jurisdiction. Please ask your accountant how you need to treat Kickstarter or any other book-related income. Wherever you are in the world, you will need to pay tax on the income, because we all have income tax, but the complicating factor is whether you also need to consider sales tax. And this definitely differs by jurisdiction. I went to my accountant, who said we should handle it as per any other book sales. I followed my accountant's advice, which treats backers the same way as my customers who buy on Shopify. Ask a professional in your jurisdiction about taxes and finances, even if you are in the UK. I cannot answer any questions. I'm not an accountant. Closing the loop Jo: I haven't had much time to do anything else, as I felt like I couldn't start anything new until everything in the campaign was finished. As soon as the campaign window closed, I felt like I had an open loop in my brain. I desperately wanted to close it in order to say the project was done. I have now delivered all the book and course rewards, and these lessons learned are really the last part of it. I've talked before about the different kinds of energy you need as an author — starting energy, pushing-through energy, and finishing energy. Once the campaign was funded, my finishing energy kicked in and I was driven to get everything finished as soon as possible. I sent the digital rewards out within a few days of the campaign closing, and also shipped the unsigned books, ordered the print books, then went and signed them, and then recorded the course. It has been my primary focus for the last few months, and I haven't been able to do much else except the podcast, which is my weekly commitment to you. Once again, I should have blocked out the time. Bonus tip: Don't plan an international speaking and book research trip during the campaign. International shipping and fulfilment Jo: Be careful with international shipping and fulfilment of signed books or products. Shipping costs can sink your campaign if you get them wrong, so be very careful with this area. I have sold books in 175 countries, and this podcast has a listenership in 228 countries, so I really wanted to have a completely international campaign. I wanted to ship Pilgrimage in any format to any country. Originally I thought I would just charge a bit extra for the book and include shipping. But once I set the book editions up at BookVault and I had the weight and dimensions sorted, I started checking the shipping costs to different countries. For example, we lived in New Zealand for seven years — my husband is a New Zealander, so we go back — so I definitely had to sell in New Zealand. And of course the shipping to New Zealand is very, very different to the US, for example. It is crazy how much shipping costs vary. I discovered I couldn't just assume it would all wash out and I'd end up making a profit somehow. I had to be a lot more careful with the calculations. So I focused on my biggest markets, which in terms of my book sales are the US, UK, European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. I added a note on the campaign to say I would add any other country for print shipping if people contacted me. As it turned out, no one asked for any other countries, so that was the best way to go in the end. If you're in a country where the shipping is outrageous — if you're willing to pay for the shipping, then that's absolutely fine. It's just that for the campaign, I had to focus. When the unexpected happens Jo: Of course, you can try to prepare for everything and then something unexpected and out of your control happens. A big spanner in the works for my campaign was the Russian hack, which took down the UK Royal Mail just before my launch. If you're not in the UK, you wouldn't have heard about this, because in some ways it's a very small issue — but it basically took down Royal Mail and a lot of shipping went into flux. It specifically hit the international side, and other shipping firms ramped up to take the slack. But it made planning for the launch difficult, as the prices were shifting and I didn't know how delivery was going to work. Even for posting in the UK it was hard, because the mail offices were getting backed up. Once again, I'm grateful for BookVault's adaptability, because I could check different addresses and shipping prices even as things changed, and they added new providers for shipping. About 95% of my shipping ended up being within an acceptable range of what I charged. So do your research, weigh and measure your items so you can get exact quotes for each. Check what kind of packaging you need. If you're doing your own shipping, you have to actually type in the shipping costs per reward and per country — it's a lot of manual setup to get it right. But this is critical, so check and double-check — and in fact, I triple- and quadruple-checked, then went to sleep, and then the next day checked again. Having spent 13 years as an IT consultant prior to this career as an author, I will always remember and have learned from the fact that something just might not be working, and then literally if you just go away, go to bed, come back the next day, it'll probably just be working. Sometimes it actually works. So yes, I did that, and every time I checked, pretty much I found something I'd typed in that didn't quite match, because you also have to retype — if you include all the books in the add-ons, you have to type it again. I didn't stop checking until the day before the launch, and then it was right. I was happy, and everything seemed to be fine. Shipping is always a moving target Jo: Revisiting this section made me laugh, because as I record this, in the week before I launch Bones of the Deep, international shipping is disrupted again — by the war in Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz being closed, which is affecting fuel prices. This underscores yet again how important it is to check your shipping. Of course, you can add shipping on later — Kickstarter allows this, as does BackerKit and other services. But as a backer, a customer of people on the platform, I hate being asked to pay shipping later. And since I hate that myself, I don't want other people to feel the same way. So just add a little buffer in, as asking people to pay an extra dollar in their pledge is not that big a deal, but you being out of pocket for every book shipped may well be. Sacha Black on pre-launch and fulfilment In an interview I did with Sacha Black, who writes as Ruby Roe, in December 2025, we talked about her issues with fulfilment. Sacha does a lot of complex printing, shipping, and custom book boxes and more. Her last campaign made over six figures, but of course it had its challenges. Here's Sacha with some of her tips, and then Oriana to close out this section with some other mistakes. Sacha: The first thing is — even before you start your Kickstarter — the pre-launch followers are critical. A lot of people think, “Well…” I guess there's a lot of loud noise about all these big numbers about how much people can make on Kickstarter, but actually a lot of it is driven by you, the author, pushing your audience to Kickstarter. You need more pre-launch followers than you think you do. Lots of people don't put enough impetus on the marketing beforehand. Almost all of our Kickstarter marketing is beforehand, because we drive so many people to that follow button. The other thing we do is early-bird pricing. We get the majority of our income on a campaign on day one. I think it was something wild, like 80% this time was on day one, so that's really important. Fulfilment takes longer than you think Sacha: The second thing is, it takes so, so very much longer than you think it does to fulfil a campaign, and you must factor in that cost. Because if it's not you fulfilling, you're paying somebody else to fulfil it. And if it is you fulfilling it, you must account for your own time in the pricing of your campaign. The other thing is that the amount of time it takes to fulfil is directly proportionate to the size of the campaign. So you do have to think about that. The other lesson we have learned is that overseas printing will drag your timelines out far longer than you think. So whatever you think it's going to take you to fulfil — add several months more onto that, and put that information in your campaign. Reinvesting profit and exclusive rewards Sacha: The last thing — if you have some profit in the Kickstarter, because not all Kickstarters are actually massively profitable. They either don't account enough for shipping, or they don't account enough in the pricing. Thankfully, ours have been profitable, but we've actually reinvested that profit back into buying more stock and more merchandise, which not everybody would want to do if they don't have a warehouse. However, we do have one. We are stockpiling merchandise and books so that we can do mystery boxes later on down the line. It's probably a year away, but we are buying extra of everything so that we have that in the warehouse. So it depends on what you want to do with your profit. For us, it was all about buying more books, basically. The other thing to think about is: what is it that you're doing that's exclusive to Kickstarter? Because you will get backers on Kickstarter who want that quirky, unique thing that they're not going to be able to get anywhere else. But what about you? You've done more Kickstarters than me — what do you think is the biggest lesson you've learned? Tiers, bundles, and AI for planning rewards Jo: Well, I think all of mine together add up to the one you just did. Although I will comment — you said something like £75 per pre-launch backer. That is obviously dependent on your tiers for the rewards, so most authors won't have that amount. My average order value, which I know is slightly different, but I don't offer things like book boxes as you have — so a lot of it will depend on the tiers. Some people will do a Kickstarter just with an ebook — just with one ebook and maybe a bundle of ebooks — so you're never going to make it up to that kind of value. So this is important too: have a look at what people offer on their different levels of Kickstarter. In fact, here's my AI tip for the day. What you can do — what I did with my Buried and the Drowned campaign recently — is, you know, I'm happy uploading my book. I uploaded it to ChatGPT and said, “Tell me, what are some ideas for the different reward tiers that I can do on Kickstarter?” And it will give you some ideas for what you can do, what kind of bundles you might want to do. So bundling your backlist is another thing you can do — as upsells, or you can just do it like I did for Blood Vintage, where I did a horror bundle of four standalone horror books in one of the upper tiers. Bundling is a good way to do it, and also upselling your backlist is a really good way to up things. And also, if you do it digitally — for ebooks and audiobooks — there's a lot less time in fulfilment. Oriana on the biggest mistakes Jo: What are some of the top mistakes you see that mean the campaign doesn't fund, or there are other issues? Oriana: Totally. I mean, the biggest mistake I think authors make — or any creator — is overestimating their ability to reach their crowd. Making sure that your ambition matches your reach is the number one most important thing to come close to guaranteeing that you will be successful. If you're an emerging writer and you're still building your audience and you don't have that many followers or subscribers out in the world, you should not try to fund a multi-volume leather-bound omnibus. Do a real honest assessment of who's in your crowd, how to find them, what percentage of them are likely to support what you're doing, and then find a project that feels realistic based on those numbers. That's really the biggest thing, conceptually. Building a strong project page Oriana: As far as tips for a project page — again, back campaigns and look at what other people are doing. A project page can be either as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. You definitely want to talk about the book: what is in it, what you're writing. Do a trope card if you want — we're seeing those all over the site. Say what kind of book it is, and the specs: page count, trim size, cover design. Obviously if you're doing a special edition, exactly what sorts of bells and whistles, with a prototype if you can. But you can be really expansive from there. What are your inspirations? Who are your collaborators? What brought you to this work? What are some of the things that make you excited about your writing practice, your timeline, your budget? What made you choose these rewards and how you're going to produce them? All those sorts of things will make backers feel both more trusting that you will do the things you're promising, and just more excited to be part of your journey. Marketing your Kickstarter campaign Let's talk about marketing. First, a snippet from Oriana, and then I'll share specifics around marketing tips — many of which are useful if you're launching in any other way. Kickstarter's algorithm rewards attention Oriana: Being on Kickstarter will help you grow your audience, but it's definitely not everything. You really do need to bring your people first. Our algorithm works on attention, so any project that's getting clicks, getting backings, getting comments — our algorithm says, “Oh, people want to look at this. We will expose it to more and more people.” That means raising it up in search results, slotting it into various of the macros and carousels around the site. Our recommendation engine powers recommended projects on the top of campaigns and at the bottom of emails. We are doing a lot to make sure that projects are being surfaced to folks who want to see them. Talk about the book while you're writing it Jo: Talk and share about the book while you're writing it, even though you might not know what it will turn into. I always share my book research and projects in progress, so this was nothing new. But Pilgrimage was years in the making, so I had years of sharing aspects of it. I've shared pictures from every pilgrimage walk on Instagram at @jfpennauthor and Facebook at J.F. Penn Author, and sometimes Facebook The Creative Penn. I've talked on this podcast about each walk, and I've done solo episodes and blog posts about each on my Books and Travel podcast and blog. I also did a poll and shared my book cover design process, and then I did an article on why I ignored target-reader feedback in the end. All this meant that many in my community — including you listening — became aware of my solo walking and also my ecclesiastical interest, my architecture interest, and you enjoyed my photos along the way if you follow me on social media. So when I announced the launch, it was the culmination of years of build-up. Use the pre-launch page early Jo: Set up the Kickstarter pre-launch page as early as possible, and keep promoting it. You can launch a pre-launch page once Kickstarter has approved your project, and you don't have to have finished everything to make it available — just complete the personal and business setup, and fill in enough detail so they can verify your identity and judge the campaign to be real and within the guidelines, and not a scam or spam campaign. I started to promote my pre-launch page, and by the time we went live, I had people signed up on launch. Those people get an email from Kickstarter. Those people were responsible for my campaign funding within the first few minutes, and then taking it to 5x the target within the first 24 hours. Then I started to email my lists, and all of this type of thing. But it was those pre-launch signups that really kick-started — see what I did there? — the whole thing. The benefit of using Kickstarter for multiple projects is that previous backers are notified of your new project. This compounds the effect over time, and is why those who use Kickstarter successfully do multiple campaigns. Kickstarter SEO and on-platform marketing Jo: Kickstarter has its own ecosystem. There's a discovery algorithm that can help you find projects you might like as a backer, and there are different ways to search, but only certain aspects appear in the search. So your title, subtitle, and your header image need to be optimised so people can find you. Your story sales page needs to be clear, with a compelling pitch. People also have to want your rewards, so marketing has to be baked into the products you're offering and who you're trying to attract. Your video doesn't need to be a professional-level product, but it does need to connect with potential backers, so take the time to make a good one. If you've never made a video before, you will need time to upskill. Kickstarter also has social media. Use #KickstarterReads and tag @KickstarterReads. If your project funds quickly and has a good trajectory, you might get picked for the “Projects We Love” badge, which also gives you better discoverability. I got that pretty fast. You can also tag Kickstarter on social media and inform them of your campaign. Content marketing Jo: Content marketing is offering something useful or interesting or inspiring or funny or entertaining for free, in order to attract your target market so they buy your book. This might be an article or blog post, video, audio, podcast, social media, whatever. For fiction, it's usually a free book or a short story or other free examples of your writing that draw people in. Content marketing is my favourite form of marketing, as it is about attraction, not interruption. It also involves creating something in the world that lasts over time, as opposed to an ephemeral spike ad or a social media post that quickly disappears. Each has its place, of course, and I use them all. This podcast is content marketing, although it now also provides direct revenue in the form of corporate advertising and Patreon support. Thank you, patrons and advertisers — and I consider this to be part of my creative body of work. My Books and Travel podcast is also content marketing. Guest appearances for the launch Jo: For this launch, I did content marketing on my own sites and shows, as well as other people's, which I arranged and recorded in advance. I've also mentioned the campaign in the introduction to every one of these shows leading up to the launch and during the launch. I was on some podcasts: Sacred Steps with Kevin Donahue, Wish I'd Known Then… For Writers with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright, Travel Writing World with Jeremy Bassetti, and Into the Woods with Holly Worton. I also did several of my own. I did one on this feed. I did another on the Books and Travel feed. I also included two chapters from the audiobook on the Books and Travel podcast. All of these took time to prepare and produce, but each is a chance for another person to hear about the book. Plus, they're evergreen, and Pilgrimage is available for everyone to buy now, so I can point people at Pilgrimage on other stores. Use a redirection URL Jo: For all my marketing, I used JFPenn.com/pilgrimage, which I can redirect using the Pretty Links plugin on WordPress and point to wherever I want it to go. Before the launch, it went to the pre-launch page; then the campaign itself; and now it goes to the book page. Once I build a special landing page, it will go there. Depending on where you're listening will depend on where it goes, but that's JFPenn.com/pilgrimage. The URL needs to be easy to say out loud for use in podcast interviews and audio-first media. Email your list multiple times Jo: Some things change in book marketing — like the emergence of new platforms like TikTok — but one thing has stayed the same for decades: if you have an email list, you can always sell books. Your email list consists of people who have opted in to hear from you, so you can email them about normal launches as well as your Kickstarter campaign. I have two email lists: one for The Creative Penn around writing, and the other around J.F. Penn for my fiction. I emailed both lists multiple times at different times in the campaign. I use ConvertKit for my email, but there are other options for authors. Use referral links for tracking Jo: Use specific referral links for different aspects of the campaign for tracking returns. Kickstarter allows you to create different tracking links so you can link revenue to specific marketing events. For example, I used one link for my Creative Penn email list, another for my J.F. Penn email list, and yet another for my Facebook advertising. You can also add the Meta pixel and Google Analytics code to the campaign, which can also help with figuring out advertising. And if you don't know what those are, don't worry — you don't have to use them. Book images and social media Jo: I initially mocked up the book using cover images on MockupShots.com, and then resized them in Canva in order to create social media images. I later did a book photo shoot with the hardback in different places to give me more marketing assets to play with — all of which I will use over time as part of ongoing marketing. I prepared and scheduled social media posts to go out every day, and I did that in advance, primarily for Twitter at @thecreativepenn, my Instagram and Facebook at J.F. Penn Author, and also Facebook at The Creative Penn. It was a lot of work, but I really enjoyed it — weirdly — and I need to do more of this for my other books, especially as with Shopify, Facebook, and Instagram link directly into my store, so I can tag books. These days social commerce is a lot smoother through mobile, so someone can see an image on social, click through, and buy immediately. I also did some quotes from the book — so I did pictures, I also did quotes — and I blatantly used our cute British Shorthair cats, Cashew and Ramen, for marketing reasons. I use Buffer to schedule my social media, but there are other tools. I also asked some friends who are travel influencers to share the book, and I sent them the hardback in advance so they could review if they liked. Thanks to Sarah Baxter and Alastair Humphreys for sharing the book, and especially a big thank you to Anna McNuff, who gave birth to twins that week and still managed to share about Pilgrimage. Backer engagement and stretch goals Jo: Let's be clear — it was not natural for me to push a book every day for two weeks. I also felt awkward about engaging with backers multiple times, let alone the wider community who I was sure was sick of my book, but I did it anyway, as it was only a short campaign of two weeks. I sent four updates during the campaign to backers, some of which are visible to the public on my Kickstarter, and then I sent updates afterwards with delivery of the rewards. Although I did resist the stretch goals, as I mentioned earlier, I went with “Notes on Writing a Travel Memoir” and the backer live Q&A. I did scramble to decide on and deliver those, as I really didn't think I would need them — which is crazy. I had such low expectations of what I might achieve. But next time I would definitely plan stretch goals in advance and in more detail. Facebook advertising Jo: I did some Facebook ads for the campaign — although I should call them Meta ads, because they're also on Instagram. I primarily aimed them at my email lists and people who follow my pages, but also some wider reach using lookalike lists and walking interests. I used a tracking link, so I know that the revenue that came in through people backing it more than paid for the ads. So I would do more of this next time. Marketing things I didn't do Jo: I didn't try to get any press or traditional media attention, mainly because I would have had to approach outlets much earlier in the process. I didn't have the hardback finished until a few weeks before the campaign, rather than a few months before, which is when pitching for press is a better idea. I also didn't collaborate with other creators on Kickstarter, even though I knew other authors doing campaigns at the same time. A couple of people asked me about cross-promotion, but their campaigns were not at all related to Pilgrimage. As with all book marketing, there is only a point to cross-promotion if you target the same readers. I had intended to do some Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Live videos, but I struggle with live videos in general — and especially when I'm tired — so I didn't go ahead with those. I might consider more of those next time. Do a survey for everyone Jo: My tip is — do a survey for everyone. As part of a campaign I previously backed, I noticed that I didn't actually need to do a survey for the digital backers, because they could just get the rewards if I emailed through Kickstarter. And sure enough, you can just email the BookFunnel links, the course discount code, etc., through the campaign. But this was a mistake. I should have done a survey for everyone. If you do a survey, you can get the real email, as some people use a cloaked email. You can also include a checkbox asking people if they want to sign up for your email list. Respecting backer data Jo: So while you do get the email addresses of everyone who backs your campaign in your backer report, you cannot just upload them to your email provider and start emailing them about your other books. Kickstarter's terms of use include the following: When you use Kickstarter, and especially if you create a successful project, you may receive information about other users, including things like their names, email addresses, and postal addresses. This information is provided for the purpose of participating in a Kickstarter project. Don't use it for other purposes and don't abuse it. This is about data protection and privacy laws. Basically, Kickstarter is the platform in this instance, and people have signed up to receive emails from Kickstarter, but not from you. All emails about the campaign go through Kickstarter, and you don't have permission to just upload that list to your own email system and start sending more emails. They have not specifically said they want that, unless they have in a survey with opt-in — which I didn't do. Of course, there are indirect ways to attract people to sign up for your list. My book Pilgrimage includes ways to hear from me further, so some backers will go on and sign up for my free thriller ebook at JFPenn.com/free, or my Author Blueprint at TheCreativePenn.com/blueprint. You can also do updates later, for example when you have a new campaign, and in this way Kickstarter acts as a different ecosystem for email. Should you consider a Kickstarter campaign for your book? Jo: To be honest — only if you consider this to be a career you want to invest in, and a platform you want to do more than one campaign with. If you just have one book or a couple of books, or you're just starting out, or you don't want to do marketing and connect with readers, then definitely don't do a Kickstarter. It is not some magic button that will make you money — like uploading to Amazon is not a magic button that will make you money. It takes time and effort to have a successful campaign. But if you do want to build a long-term author business, then selling direct should have some part to play, and Kickstarter is a great way to make more money per book and connect with readers. It's really only the beginning of the trend of authors selling direct, so don't worry — you can learn how to do this over time. Update for Bones of the Deep, my 7th campaign in April 2026 Jo: It was interesting to revisit my lessons learned and other people's tips, and really, there are only a few things that have changed. I love doing Kickstarter campaigns now Firstly, I absolutely love doing Kickstarter campaigns. I am not nervous at all anymore, and I am just so thrilled to produce gorgeous hardback editions of my books this way. I love delivering beautiful books and new stories or nonfiction to my readers. I love doing the discovery writing webinars and the coaching, and just in general, I appreciate the opportunity to publish this way. I feel like a “real author” — with beautiful hardbacks, doing a signing, getting photos and emails from readers who receive the books. Custom printing keeps expanding In terms of other changes, over the last few years since Pilgrimage, BookVault has expanded their custom printing, so now I have custom endpapers, sprayed edges, different kinds of foil, as well as the silken paper and the ribbon and photos inside. These gorgeous editions are my personal creative reason to keep doing campaigns. I love saying “I made this!” And over time, I would love to get all my backlist into special editions. A repeatable process I'm still doing similar kinds of rewards — the book in all editions — and it's all finished so it's lower stress. Even the audiobook narration is done, so I can fulfil immediately. There's just the live discovery writing webinar to do, and stretch goal Q&A and consulting sessions. I'm also doing bundles, and all my backlist gets bundled in the add-ons, so I have a repeatable process, which makes things easier. Using AI in production I'm using more AI, specifically in the images and video. I love making book images with ChatGPT and Gemini's Nano Banana, and story images with Midjourney, and I use ElevenLabs with my voice clone for audiobooks. I fill in all the details in the AI section of the Kickstarter page, so you can go have a look at that and model it as you like. Spike income, realistic expectations I still like the spike income — but to be clear, my campaigns have varied in terms of financial success, as would be expected given they are all so different. My highest was Writing the Shadow at over £36,000 ($48,000), and my lowest was The Buried and the Drowned, a short story collection, at just under £8,000 ($10,700) — not a surprise at how different they are, given the audiences. Together my campaigns have now made £105,868 (just over $140,000), which I am very happy with. And of course, that's just the beginning, as then I put the books on my stores — JFPennBooks.com and CreativePennBooks.com — and on the usual platforms. A sustainable launch rhythm I still like the project approach — the short-term campaign focus — as I am good at sustaining marketing energy for a short period, and then I can drop off again. As I discussed with Sara Rosett last week as well, it feels sustainable for my career, unlike constant social media or ads. Lower-key marketing this time around I'm putting a lot less energy into marketing in general, relying on pre-launch signups over months of build-up as I talk about my writing process on the podcast, then emailing my lists, announcing it here, and scheduling some social media. It's pretty low-key these days, and that is a happy thing. However, for this campaign, I am planning to run some Meta ads direct to the campaign page, since I have Claude Code/Cowork to help me set them up and run them and crunch the data — and that takes the strain off considerably. More campaigns to come I will definitely be doing more Kickstarter campaigns, most likely a nonfiction one next. I am so glad I was able to get over my fears and do that first one, and I hope that encourages you to consider what might be possible for you and your book. So, if you'd like to check out my campaign for Bones of the Deep — even if you don't want the book, you can always model the sales page, or check out the book trailer — it's at JFPenn.com/bones. That link will go to the Kickstarter campaign from 20 April until early May 2026, and will then redirect. The post Kickstarter Tips for Authors: Rewards, Shipping, Marketing, and Lessons Learned first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Prevention beats recovery every time, especially when the threat is already inside your walls. Today on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, I want to share a great conversation with Kevin Donahue. Kevin is the founder and CEO of Stealth Family in Nashville, along with his partners, a former FBI supervisory agent from the Cyber Task Force and a legendary music attorney who's been in Nashville since '87. Together they're bringing enterprise-grade cybersecurity protection to high net worth families and individuals. Kevin shared that hackers often lurk in your systems for six to 18 months before taking action, waiting for the right moment. The challenge he faces is the same one I see with home warranty companies and insurance providers. Most people only call after something bad happens. So, we talked about positioning these threats as "avoidable surprises" rather than mistakes, and how focusing on protecting kids and elderly parents creates a natural doorway into the bigger conversation about all the ways families are vulnerable. We also explored the idea of covering even the sloppiest cybersecurity habits, making protection easy for people who don't want to change their behavior. If you're in any business where prevention is the product, there's a lot to think about here.   Key Takeaways: The average hacker is already in your system right now, quietly watching for 6-18 months before they strike at the perfect moment—a home purchase, a wire transfer, a death in the family. Calling threats "avoidable surprises" instead of "biggest mistakes" completely changes how people respond. Nobody admits to making mistakes, but everyone wants to avoid a surprise. There's no 911 for cybercrime. The sheriff can't help, the feds won't touch it unless you've lost a quarter million, and by the time you call for help, it's usually too late. The biggest leap in "know, like, trust" isn't getting people to trust you. It's getting them to know you exist in the first place. When your product is complex, find a doorway: focusing on protecting kids or elderly parents opens the conversation to everything else a family needs. The best prevention businesses don't ask people to change their behavior. They promise to cover even the sloppiest habits, like a pill that lets you lose weight without dieting.        Show Links: ProfitActivatorScore.com BreakthroughDNA.com 90minutebooks.com

Kevin Donahue and Shemkea Michelle join Jason to discuss the recent social media feud between conservative influencers Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Donahue, T.J. Moe, and Shemeka Michelle join Jason to discuss a Trump administration employee, “Big Balls,” who was assaulted in D.C. Many applaud his efforts and want justice for him. In other news, Nancy Mace does her best American Eagle Sydney Sweeney impression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to All One Song, a Neil Young podcast presented by Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions. This week is going to be slightly different. This week, we're talking about a song that was not written by Neil Young. Nevertheless, it's a song that is very much a part of the Shakey multiverse: Danny Whitten's “I Don't Want To Talk About It,” which appeared on Crazy Horse's debut LP in 1970. Danny Whitten, of course, was one of Neil's key collaborators and musical soul mates before his untimely death in late 1972. A little while later that decade, Rod Stewart took “I Don't Want To Talk About It” to the top of the charts. But it's Whitten's version that remains definitive. Here to guide us through the impossibly lonesome landscapes of “I Don't Want To Talk About It” is singer-songwriter Rosali Middleman—or just Rosali if you prefer. She's been a longtime fixture over at Aquarium Drunkard. But even though we've loved pretty much everything she's done, she somehow seems to get better with each new album. Her latest release, Bite Down on Merge Records, may well be her best effort yet. And that's saying something! It's packed with exceptionally well-crafted songs that feel as if you've known them your whole life. An instant classic, as they say.   Bite Down is Rosali's second album with the Omaha-based Mowed Sound, which features David Nance, James Schroeder and Kevin Donahue. As we speak here in August 2025, Rosali and Mowed Sound are touring the USA, and I strongly encourage you to go see them. They're a terrific live act … and there are definitely plenty of Crazy Horse vibes, as we discuss. Looking for a digital music platform that feels more like a record shop? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Qobuz⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the high quality music streaming & download platform for music enthusiasts and audiophiles, offering unique editorial, exclusive artist interviews, expertly curated playlists, liner notes, and more. With Qobuz Club, subscribers can connect and share music discoveries with a community of fellow music lovers. And for those who like to own their music, the Qobuz Download Store lets you browse and download albums in Hi-Res and CD quality. Give ⁠⁠⁠⁠Qobuz⁠⁠⁠⁠ a try now with an extended 30-day free trial.

Ben Crump promoted a man who filmed and shared a video that made him seem like a victim of police brutality. However, this clip was taken out of context. The bodycam footage clearly shows that the individual was not cooperative. Jon Stewart went viral with his song "Go F Yourself," which he performed while hosting "The Daily Show." Jason Whitlock was joined by Delano Squires, Kevin Donahue, and Shemeka Michelle to discuss whether Stewart was mocking the black church. Additionally, the FBI has confirmed that Donald Trump is named in the Epstein files. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason chats with Virgil Walker and Kevin Donahue about the Israel-Iran conflict. They'll also pick up where they left off yesterday on the discussion about how Jews and Israel are treated. The conversation will dive into the biblical roots of the "chosen people," particularly looking at Genesis 12:3 and Abraham's promise. They also tackle a big question: Have Israel and the Middle East become idols? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A female high school track athlete had her championship medal stripped from her after she was accused of "over-celebrating." Was this a case of racism, or does it point to a deeper issue with parenting? Virgil Walker, Anthony Walker, Kevin Donahue, and T.J. Moe join Jason Whitlock to discuss the broader implications within black culture. Additionally, Aaron Glenn has introduced Bible study as part of the New York Jets' team program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Peterson appears on "Jubilee" to debate an atheist regarding his Christian beliefs. Jason Whitlock is joined by T.J. Moe, Virgil Walker, Kevin Donahue, and Anthony Walker to discuss this debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Donahue is the founder of Stealth Family a company that protects the entrepreneurs, executives and their families from becoming victims of the tsunami of cyber crime. Top 3 Value Bombs 1) Book the ticket and the rest will work itself out. 2) The first step is to get educated because the most vulnerable victim is the one who is uneducated. 3) Good cyber hygiene starts at home. You have a responsibility to protect your family, organization, employees and customers personal data. Protect Your Vulnerable Loved Ones from Cyber Criminals Today. Discover the Secrets to Keeping Your Family Safe from the Digital Dark Side with Scott Augenbaum and Kevin Donahue - Stealth Family Sponsors The Speaker Lab - Want to learn how to get booked and paid to speak. Go to EOFire.com/speaker to grab your spot for our LIVE training on May 28th, and learn how to get booked and paid to speak. NetSuite - Over 41,000 businesses have future-proofed their business with NetSuite, by Oracle - THE number one cloud E.R.P. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning for free at NetSuite.com/fire.

Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue join Jason to discuss Pastor Anthony Mitchell's viral video telling churchgoers to obey authority. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did anyone think it was a good idea to have Snoop Dogg host the NFL Honors Show? Nevertheless, the awards have been given out, and your 2025 NFL MVP is Josh Allen. Jason and Steve Kim pose the real question: How did Saquon Barkley get left off three ballots completely? The NFL also named the next Hall of Fame class, and let's just say it was a bit underwhelming. What do we think of this class, and should Eli Manning have gotten in? This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday, and we have full coverage right here on "Fearless." Will the Kansas City Chiefs do the unthinkable and become the first NFL team ever to three-peat, or will the Philadelphia Eagles spoil the party? Jason addresses the elephant in the room: Will the Super Bowl be overshadowed by officiating controversy? Will ratings dip due to the boycott movement? In other news, the NBA trade deadline was insane! So many players were shipped across the league. Kevin Durant was supposed to return to Golden State; however, not wanting to play with Draymond, KD vetoed his own trade. Did anyone notice what Kanye was ranting about? This dude is losing his mind. Shemeka Michelle has a take on that. Wrapping up our show, Kevin Donahue, Anthony Walker, and Virgil Walker join us for a little Tennessee Harmony. Can families function without a man in the house? With advancements in modern medicine, can women have children and raise them without the presence of a man? What are the long-term implications of this? Learn more right here on "Fearless"! We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 13:01 Josh Allen Beats Out Lamar Jackson for 2024 NFL MVP Award 16:05 Media Undervalued Running Backs for MVP? 26:27 Eli Manning Comes Up Short in First Hall of Fame Vote 27:35 Smallest NFL Hall of Fame class in 20 years 41:56 Snoop Dogg Falls Short as the Host of NFL Honors 52:30 Is Bill Belichick GF Dress Appropriate For a Formal NFL Event? 1:04:50 Roll Call 3.0 1:08:56 Kansas City Chiefs Pursue Historic 3-Peat Against the Philadelphia Eagles 1:09:11 Will Officiating Overshadow Game? 1:11:04 Will We See a Ratings Dip? 1:16:06 Chad Ochocinco and James Harrison Go Back and Forth on Nightcap 1:21:15 Kevin Durant nixes the deal to go back to Golden State 1:22:26 Kendrick Perkins Claims He Was OKC Leader Back In 2010s 1:34:50 Kanye West Goes Off on Unfiltered Rant on X 1:48:40 Tennesse Harmony ​​Today's Sponsors: Relief Factor Wherever you're hurting, back, neck, joints or muscles… make 2025 the year of feeling good again. Try Relief Factor's 3-Week QuickStart today. Visit https://ReliefFactor.com or call 1-800-4-Relief. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A famous last name doesn't mean you will be a star. This is irrefutable when it comes to Bronny James and Shilo Sanders. Last night, Bronny James played 15 minutes and finished 0-3 from the field, with five turnovers. Joined by Steve Kim, Jason poses the question of whether LeBron will self-reflect and ever feel remorse for forcing his son into the NBA when he clearly isn't ready. On the other side of the same coin, Shilo Sanders has been getting exposed at practices leading up to the East-West Shrine Bowl. Are LeBron and Deion really putting their children in the best positions to be successful, or are they selfishly putting the cart before the horse? In other news, Jason is shocked to see that headlining ESPN.com are mostly WNBA off-season trades, specifically Brittney Griner signing with Atlanta on a one-year deal. How is the WNBA off-season a bigger headline than the Super Bowl or the NBA season? Steve and Jason also cover the Jimmy Butler trade rumors, Lamar Jackson vs. Jalen Hurts, the Chiefs dynasty, Deion never being a real candidate for the Cowboys, and who will the Steelers go with at QB next season? Shemeka Michelle also joins the show to discuss the Lyft lawsuit involving one oversized woman and a small car, followed by a certain Illinois mayor ending a board meeting in an all-out brawl. Wrapping up “Fearless” is a little Tennessee Harmony, as Anthony Walker and Kevin Donahue discuss Virgil Walker's new book that debunks climate alarmism. We apologize for the technical difficulties yesterday. We are back up and running today, with a show you don't want to miss! We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 14:43 Will LeBron James Regret Pushing Bronny into the NBA 31:24 The Lead Story on ESPN is the WNBA Trade with Brittney Griner 34:39 Is Jalen Hurts on Lamar Jackson's Level?  44:14 Jimmy Butler Walks Out of Practice, Suspended 3rd Time 55:01 Damien Woody Believes if the Chiefs Win Three Straight, They Are Best NFL Dynasty 1:01:49 Jerry Jones Says Deion Sanders Was Never a Serious Candidate for the Cowboys Job 1:11:11 Shilo Sanders Struggling in Shrine Bowl Practice 1:13:47 Steelers Owner Wants to Bring Back QB Russell Wilson or Justin Fields 1:19:29 Plus Size Rapper Sues Lyft after Driver Told Her She Won't Fit Inside 1:33:33 Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard Throws Herself Into Brawl Involving BF 1:48:00 Tennessee Harmony: A Biblical Theology of Climate Change ​​Today's Sponsors: Brave the Dark Brave the Dark reminds us that one meaningful connection can change everything. I encourage you to see Brave the Dark in theaters today! Get your tickets today at https://Angel.com/JASON. PreBorn PreBorn's Network of Clinics are on standby for women in their darkest hour and they meet them with God's love and free services to help them choose life. To donate, dial pound 250 & say the keyword “BABY” or donate securely at https://preborn.com/FEARLESS.   Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Jemele Hill. Wait, no, that's Joy Taylor! Peanut Butter is at it again. In recent tweets and IG posts, Joy Taylor seems to think after pimping out women to sleezy broadcasters on Fox Sports, she's now a political savant. Critiquing Trump on his solution to the TikTok ban. Taylor's metamorphosis into Jemele Hill has begun. Whitlock gives advice to Joy Taylor, trying to show her the path of redemption through repentance. In other news, the Marcellus Wiley-Ryan Clark beef escalates to a new level, as Steve Kim and T.J. Moe comments on the back-and-forth exchange, as well as covering the trending sports topics of the day. Later we have a little Tennessee Harmony, as Kevin Donahue, Virgil Walker, and Anthony Walker join “Fearless” to discuss a woke Episcopal bishop attempting to lecture our 47th president, Donald Trump, on his deportation of illegal aliens. Spoiler alert: I'm pretty sure there is a secure border in heaven. Finally, to wrap up the show, Delano Squires makes his first appearance in 2025, presenting the unwarranted satire of MLK in the culture. An amazing show, jam-packed with everything you need to stay up to date. Tune in! We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 00:00 Intro ​​Today's Sponsors: My Patriot Supply Right now, they're offering $50 off their 4-Week Food Kit. Go to https://PreparewithFearless.com now to grab yours. Preborn To donate, dial pound 250 & say the keyword “BABY” that's pound 250 “BABY” or donate securely at https://preborn.com/FEARLESS. Preborn has a one-hundred percent charity rating, so you can give with confidence.  Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent article just surfaced discussing Deion Sanders' motivation to work in the NFL. Coach Prime may be manipulating the Cowboys to use as leverage when negotiating his contract with Colorado. Deion is kind of like Simon Cowell: always hopping around from place to place, never fully committing to one to reap the benefits of the unknown. Whitlock, joined by Steve Kim, makes the analogy while also throwing LeBron into that comparison. The NFL head coaching frenzy has begun, and the Patriots have already found their man for the future. Who will be the next team to fill their vacancy? It's Wednesday, so you know what that means. Tennessee Harmony! Kevin Donahue, Virgil Walker, and Athony Walker talk about the recent rise in the openly spoken faith of college athletes, especially college football. Both teams in the national title game have outspoken leaders championing Jesus in their locker rooms. Finally, Shemeka weighs in on trans athletes possibly being banned from all federally funded sport entities. A jam-packed show you don't want to miss. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 13:28        Deion Sanders started the ring chasing movement 22:00        Lebron James learned to be a mercenary from Deion 42:06        Deion sanders is Simon Cowell 54:42       Mike Tomlin set on staying in Pittsburgh 1:04:24    Jemele Hill attempts to erase past Caitlin Clark comment 1:22:56    Is LaVar Ball father of the year? 1:54:42     Tennessee Harmony: Fellowship of Christian athletes 2:17:43     Congress discusses future of civil and trans rights in sports ​​Today's Sponsors: Express VPN Secure your online data TODAY by visiting ExpressVPN.com/fearless. You can get an extra four months FREE. ExpressVPN.com/fearless  Purity Debt Solutions Make this the year you take control of your debt.  Get a free debt analysis right now at pdsdebt.com/fearless.  It only takes thirty seconds! Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cam Newton turns into “Captain Save a Joy” in his response video to Whitlock on his YouTube channel. But Cam isn't the only one. Every media pundit on all these mainstream legacy media outlets is attempting to defend the Peanut Butter Pimp. Pretty ironic how all the same people who supported Kamala Harris are now facing major lawsuits. Barstool Presidente Dave Portnoy and "First Take" clown Stephen A. Smith are among those coming to Taylor's rescue. At the end of the show, Virgil Walker, Anthony Walker, and Kevin Donahue join the show for a little Tennessee Harmony. Today's topic: Ryan Clark opens up and actually wants to begin his spiritual journey. A rare moment for the race peddler himself. Ryan, if you ever need anything, feel free to reach out. Any man seeking his faith is welcome any time on “Fearless.” We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 00:00 Intro ​​Today's Sponsors: LUMEN Lumen is the world's first handheld metabolic coach. It's a device that measures your metabolism through your breath. And on the app, it lets you know if you're burning fat or carbs, and gives you tailored guidance to improve your nutrition, workouts, sleep, and even stress management. Go to https://Lumen.me/FEARLESS to get 15% off.  Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Fearless Football Monday, and the NFL has its clear MVP. After overthrowing the juggernaut Detroit Lions, Josh Allen leads the Buffalo Bills with another stellar performance on the road. Jason claims that after this game, Josh Allen has already won the award. Steve Kim, T.J Moe, and Butter join the show to discuss all the NFL had to offer over the weekend. Dan Campbell jeopardizes his team late again, Chiefs potentially not making it to the Super Bowl, and Jonathan Taylor's tragic goal-line fumble. In other news, LeBron James comes back from his unknown hiatus, leaving more questions than answers. In the Catlin Clark meltdown that ensued after the infamous Time magazine article came out, the Washington Mystics' owner claims that the WNBA should have won league of the year and it's not all about one player. Also joining “Fearless” later in the show will be Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue to talk Travis Hunter and his anchor of a fiancee along with a scandal that is 18 years into fabrication. It's a jam-packed Monday you don't want to miss. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 00:00 Intro ​​Today's Sponsors: PREBORN Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless Fox & Oden Fox and Oden whiskies are created to honor the wild beauty around us: a snow-capped mountain, a field of wildflowers, a roaring waterfall – or maybe even just your own backyard. Buy online and ship it to your door at https://FoxAndOden.com. Use promo code “FEARLESS” and get 30% off plus free shipping on all orders!  Please drink responsibly. CROWD HEALTH Let's be honest, the insurance model is broken. CrowdHealth puts your healthcare back in your hands. Use promo code “Fearless” at https://JoinCrowdHealth.com HOMESTEAD Pre order your tickets for a chance to win a $300k giveaway: which includes one bitcoin, a fully furnished tiny home from BoxHouse, a custom Polaris OHV by Sparks Motors, and everything else you'd need to start your own homestead. Pre order tickets for your chance to win at angel.com/JASON Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix and chill? More like Netflix and “this makes us ill.” After the streaming platform failed to manage a smooth broadcast for the Paul v. Tyson fight, Netflix looks to capitalize on the Christmas Day football games. Jason is left bewildered as Netflix announced it is looking to bring on Mina Kimes and Kay Adams for a special NFL Christmas doubleheader. Netflix also released its trailer of a new upcoming documentary on Aaron Rodgers. Steve Kim and Butter join the show to point out that the trailer revealed that the film crew followed Rodgers all the way to Egypt when he skipped OTAs at the start of the season. How's that working out for him thus far? Joining “Fearless” is Sid Rosenberg, reporter on 77 WABC New York radio, author, actor, and host of New York's #1 radio show, “Sid and Friends in the Morning,” to discuss the evolving Daniel Penny trial. Whitlock also looks to the future to the real rivalry that will catapult the WNBA to new heights. Shemeka later brings to light the unhinged anger from black women like Jemele Hill and Leslie Jones, who can't seem to overcome their disdain for everything Trump and MAGA stands for. Finally, we are joined by Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue on Tennessee Harmony to expand on the trend of traditional Christianity in young men. A jam-packed show right here on “Fearless.” We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 09:00 Did Aaron Rodgers skip OTA's for Netflix documentary? 22:57 Sid Rosenberg: Updates on the Daniel Penny trial 44:11 Steve Kim: Did Aaron Rodgers skip OTA's for Netflix documentary? 52:06 Netflix Eying Mina Kimes and Kay Adams for NFL Christmas double header  58:33 Who will be last teams in the college football playoff? 1:13:34 JuJu Watkins Missing Caitlin Clark Appeal? 1:31:15 Steve Kim: JuJu Watkins Missing Caitlin Clark Appeal? 1:45:55 Jemele Hill and Leslie Jones double down on race narrative 2:04:13 Tennessee Harmony: Young Men seeking more traditional churches ​​Today's Sponsors: FEARLESS MERCH Go to https://fearlessmissionmerch.com today.  Check out my merchandise, as well as everything else available from Blaze Media, and be sure you use my code, “JASON10” to get 10% off your ENTIRE order!  That's https://fearlessmissionmerch.com, promo code “JASON10” for 10% off.  Do it today! Fox & Oden Fox and Oden whiskies are created to honor the wild beauty around us: a snow-capped mountain, a field of wildflowers, a roaring waterfall – or maybe even just your own backyard. Buy online and ship it to your door at https://FoxAndOden.com. Use promo code “FEARLESS” and get 30% off plus free shipping on all orders!  Please drink responsibly. PREBORN Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All the heads of the political crime families once sat at the table. Now all of them are sleeping with the fishes. The Donfather made them offers they couldn't refuse. On today's show, Whitlock takes a deep dive into the last 12 years of Donald Trump's political career. The Bush, Clinton, Obama, and Biden families have met unfortunate ends at the hands of the Donfather. Political enemies changed sides, Christianity has been safeguarded, and the opposition's ranks are divided. Steve Kim and Butter also join the show to discuss this political shift happening in our country and the red wave onslaught that took place on November 5. The Left woke up to a rude awakening the morning after the election. One might say progressives woke up with a horse head in their beds. In Tennessee Harmony, Virgil Walker, Anthony Walker, and Kevin Donahue help Whitlock recognize that Christianity is back in the culture and back in style. Pay your respects to the Donfather and tune in to “Fearless.” We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 00:00 Intro ​​Today's Sponsors: FLYING ACE Go to https://FlyingAceSpirits.com and when you purchase a bottle of Flying Ace you will also be donating to Folds of Honor. Make sure you use promo code “AMERICA” and get free shipping. Bonhoeffer As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler in Angel Studios' upcoming film Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. Hitting theaters November 22nd. Get showtimes right now at https://angel.com/JASON FEARLESS MERCH Go to https://fearlessmissionmerch.com today.  Check out my merchandise, as well as everything else available from Blaze Media, and be sure you use my code, “JASON10” to get 10% off your ENTIRE order!  Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Donahue and Fletcher Neil join me to discuss Thich Nhat Hanh's Living Buddha, Living Christ and the Gospel of Thomas. Other references: Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, "On the Three Metamorphoses", "On the Gift-Giving Virtue" Suzuki's Mysticism: Christian and Buddhist My Novel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Death and God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Outro provided by Brock Tanya.

The MAGA Red Wave: We thought it was too big to rig, too big to fail. Little did we know it would be so big the mainstream media could collapse entirely. Whitlock volunteers his take on the recent reports of CNN, MSNBC, and NPR laying off some of their star talents. Once you go woke, you go broke. Steve Kim, T.J. Moe, and Butter join the show to talk Brian Flores wanting another head coaching job, Caleb Williamss regressions, and the Caitlin Clark effect. Later, founder of the Life Preparatory School for Boys King Randall joins “Fearless” to discuss his most recent run-in with racial idolaters following the presidential election. Finally, Jason addresses Virgil Walker's most recent run-in with Trump derangement syndrome on Tennessee Harmony with Anthony Walker and Kevin Donahue. We have a jam-packed show today, one you won't want to miss. Tune in to “Fearless.” We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. SHOW OUTLINE 08:56 Legacy Media ratings plummet as rumors spread of imminent layoffs 27:30 America Prospers just a week after Donald Trump is re-elected. 39:19 Steve Kim: America Prospers just a week after Donald Trump is re-elected. 49:23 Michael Strahan: "The only statement I want to make is that I love the military 55:24 Can Vikings DC Brian Flores be trusted to lead a team again? 1:01:34 Should Caleb Williams's struggles concern Shedeur Sanders. 1:09:05 Jayson Tatum and Patrick Mahomes latest to try to cash in on Caitlin Clark 1:28:31 King Randall exposes the hypocrisy of the Democrats 1:45:31 Virgil encounters Trump derangement syndrome at restaurant. 2:23:14 Comments of the Day ​​Today's Sponsors: BANK ON YOURSELF You can get a FREE report with all the details of how adding Bank On Yourself to your financial plan can help you take back control of your money. Just go to https://BankOnYourself.com/FEARLESS PREBORN Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless ALPINE GOLD EXCHANGE Inflation is eating away at your savings and is showing no signs of slowing down.  At Alpine Gold, you can start earning a competitive return on precious metal leases that allow investors to protect against inflation while earning a competitive return at the same time. You won't find many similar offers. Learn more by visiting https://AlpineGold.com and use the promo code FEARLESS to receive free shipping on orders over $200. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The highlight of the NBA's opening night was LeBron and Bronny's underwhelming “historical moment.” Jason argues that proves one thing: Caitlin Clark and the WNBA are more compelling basketball than LeBron and the NBA. Steve Kim and Butter enter the debate. Plus, the NFL trade market is heating up, with the Chiefs in play for a potential Hall of Fame receiver, and Whitlock says the Vikings should be willing to move on from Sam Darnold. Michelle Beadle showed no mercy to Cleveland fans allegedly booing Deshaun Watson, and Antonio Brown issues an apology to Tom Brady. In Tennessee Harmony, Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue join the show to discuss Christians and identity politics. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: PATRIOT MOBILE Switch today with Patriot Mobile! Get the same great nationwide coverage while supporting the conservative values you believe in. Go to https://patriotmobile.com/jason or call 972-PATRIOT. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The women's sports world is toxic, full of drama and bigotry, but the source of all that toxicity isn't what the leagues like the WNBA say it is. San Jose State women's volleyball players are receiving death threats for outing a teammate as a biological man, and WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson's best friend is the one unleashing racist comments against the league's players, not Caitlin Clark and her fans. That's why Jason is arguing for women to unite and start a new “league of their own.” Steve Kim and Butter join the conversation and discuss the latest fallout with Aaron Rodgers, ESPN says Bronny James is set up for failure, and the NHL's first female coach. Plus, in Tennessee Harmony, Virgil Walker and Kevin Donahue join the discussion to debate whether women playing sports is biblical. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: FLYING ACE Go to https://FlyingAceSpirits.com and when you purchase a bottle of Flying Ace you will also be donating to Folds of Honor. Make sure you use promo code “AMERICA” and get free shipping. ALPINE GOLD EXCHANGE Inflation is eating away at your savings and is showing no signs of slowing down.  At Alpine Gold, you can start earning a competitive return on precious metal leases that allow investors to protect against inflation while earning a competitive return at the same time. You won't find many similar offers. Learn more by visiting https://AlpineGold.com and use the promo code FEARLESS to receive free shipping on orders over $200. FIRST LIBERTY Saying “NO” to the Left's Supreme Court Coup and secure the blessings of liberty and protect the future of our constitutional rights for our children and grandchildren. Go to https://SUPREMECOUP.COM/JASON to learn how you can help stop the radical left's takeover of the Supreme Court. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Round Mound of Rebound sounds off on his thoughts on Caitlin Clark's rookie season in the WNBA, and Jason says he couldn't be more wrong. Whitlock and Steve Kim reveal who is truly to blame for the pettiness that Charles Barkley tries to place at the feet of envious players. The NFL season kicks off this week, and ESPN and Andscape believe the biggest headline heading into the season is the number of black starting quarterbacks in the league. Deion Sanders seems to be changing his tune on Matt Rhule ahead of Colorado's showdown with Nebraska this week. What's the motivation behind Prime's newfound respect for the Cornhuskers? Plus, Jason and Steve debate who the top sports stars in America are right now and who is to blame for the lack of star power on the field. The athletes, the leagues, social media? A Voddie Baucham clip on the illusion of race is making the rounds on social media. Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue join Jason to discuss Voddie's thoughts on race in Tennessee Harmony. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your family's wealth and personal information could be more vulnerable to cyber criminals than you think. Are your family and finances truly safe from these evolving threats? This episode provides essential insights into how you can safeguard against these invisible threats that could jeopardize your financial security.  This episode features Scott Augenbaum, a former FBI … Read More Read More

Former NBAer and “Fearless” contributor Royce White won the Republican senatorial primary in Minnesota. Many in the press are calling White's win a surprise, but Jason makes the case that the victory will threaten Donald Trump's campaign and make Royce a poster child for what's wrong with the MAGA movement. Jason, Shemeka Michelle, and T.J. Moe discuss White's primary triumph, his chances of unseating Amy Klobuchar, and whether his primary win will make him a player in the conservative political sphere moving forward. ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit says he's done holding his tongue on tough social and political issues. Whitlock and T.J. discuss Herbie's newfound bravery and who may have paved the way for him to speak his mind. In Tennessee Harmony, Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue debate gospel singer Kirk Franklin's controversial words on marriage. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: PREBORN Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless Go to FlyingAceSpirits.com and when you purchase a bottle of Flying Ace you will also be donating to Folds of Honor. Make sure you use promo code “WHITLOCK” and get free shipping on every order. That's FlyingAceSpirits.com, promo code “WHITLOCK”. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where is Kamala Harris? The Democratic nominee for president has yet to sit down to address the media or the American people. Does her “blackness” protect her from media scrutiny? Jason asks these questions to T.J. Moe and Shemeka Michelle and discusses the vice presidential pick of Tim Walz, the dangerous and radical Minnesota governor who allowed his state to burn during the summer of George Floyd. In Tennessee Harmony, Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue join “Fearless” to discuss the Harris campaign through the biblical lens of female leadership. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: LAASY HEALTH LaaSy Health isn't health insurance – it's access to the health care you want without all the red tape, restrictions, and inflated costs. Coverage starts at just $30 a month. You get transparent pricing, comprehensive coverage tailored to your needs, and access to health care services without breaking the bank. Check out affordable plans that put you in control of your health care at https://LaasyHealth.com/FEARLESS. For a limited time, get your first month free, that's up to $100 off eligible plans. PATRIOT MOBILE Switch today with Patriot Mobile! Get the same great nationwide coverage while supporting the conservative values you believe in. Go to https://patriotmobile.com/jason or call 972-PATRIOT. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 Olympic Games may go down as one of the most controversial in the event's history. The latest debate out of the Paris games involves a biological male boxer's 46-second victory over a female opponent. Algeria's Imane Khelif was banned from the boxing world championship for not meeting the requirements to compete against other women, which seemed justified after her Olympic opponent quit after one punch. Jason, T.J. Moe, and “Fearless” boxing expert Steve Kim discuss the complicated case. T.J. steps into the ring to fight against a man allowed in the women's locker room at his home gym in St. Louis. When the video resurfaced of vice presidential candidate JD Vance speaking out against “childless cat ladies,” it triggered more than just Swifties. Jason connects the dots between Vance's comments and America's banking system. T.J., Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue discuss usury and society. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: FIRST CUP COFFEE Today's episode is brought to you by First Cup Coffee. A Christian-owned patriot coffee company that stands for Core Values, Family, and Building Community across the Nation. First Cup's freshly Roasted Beans delivered in Ground or Whole Bean Texture, Pods, and Bulk. Go to https://FirstCup.com and use code FEARLESS and save an additional 10% on your order and if you subscribe save an additional 10% for the life of your subscription. LUMEN Lumen is the world's first handheld metabolic coach. It's a device that measures your metabolism through your breath. And on the app, it lets you know if you're burning fat or carbs, and gives you tailored guidance to improve your nutrition, workouts, sleep, and even stress management. Go to https://Lumen.me and use FEARLESS to get 15% off.  Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you aware of the hidden threats that could jeopardize your financial freedom? In this episode, Russ, Joey, and cybersecurity expert Kevin Donahue explore the impact of cyber attacks on your financial freedom. Listen up as they discuss why entrepreneurs and business owners must prioritize cybersecurity, with real-life examples of cyber attacks and their devastating effects. Learn practical steps to protect yourself from cybercrimes and the essential resources to safeguard your assets. Discover the importance of using a VPN, the worst-case scenarios of cyber breaches, and why cybercriminals might target you. Finally, understand the benefits of partnering with a reliable cybersecurity team.Tune in now and fortify your financial future against cyber threats!Top three things you will learn: -Why should entrepreneurs and business owners arm themselves against cyber attacks?-What's the worst thing that can happen if you fall prey to cyber-attacks?-Practical steps to protect yourself from cyber attacksAbout Our Guest:Kevin Donahue is the founder and CEO of Stealth Executive/Stealth Family, a company that helps busy entrepreneurs and executives protect their most valuable asset–their family.Connect with Kevin Donahue:-Website - https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/cybersecurityJoin Our Next Inner Circle Live Event:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/inner-circle-livePromo Code: PODCASTFree IBCA or Financial Freedom Discovery Calls:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/freecallIBC Webinar:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/ibcWealth Without Wall Street New Book:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/newbookApply to Join the Passive Income Mastermind:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/wwws-passive-income-mastermindJoin the Community:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/communityTurn Active Income Into Passive Income:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/pios Take the Financial Freedom Analyzer:https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/quizDiscover Your Path to Financial Freedom: https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/passportKnow Your Investor DNA:

The fix is in! By all metrics, Caitlin Clark is the clear-cut choice for the WNBA Rookie of the Year. Between points scored and assists, Clark leads all players in production, but that doesn't matter. All the league and the media want to talk about is Angel Reese's fraudulent double-double record, and Jason and Jay Skapinac have the proof. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy is taking heat over comments he made following the DUI arrest of Ollie Gordon, his top running back. Is Gundy defending and promoting his behavior, or is the coach guilty of felonious honesty? Whitlock and T.J. Moe debate the Cowboys' coach's conundrum. Joe Biden used the pulpit of a black church to preach his leftist sermon over the weekend. In Tennessee Harmony, Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue take up the debate of politics and the church. Did you know that being on time is a symbol of white supremacy? It is according to Duke University School of Medicine. Jason destroys this myth in a timely manner in today's Justice for TT. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: GOOD RANCHERS Use my code FEARLESS at https://GoodRanchers.com and with your subscription you can claim $100 off plus FREE wagyu burgers for a year while supporting veterans this Independence Day month. It's time to revolt and claim your independence from the grocery store meat aisle. PREBORN Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless BALANCE OF NATURE Go to https://balanceofnature.com you'll get 35% off PLUS $10 off any additional sets with your first order as a preferred customer by using my discount code: “FEARLESS”. That's limited to five sets, but you'll save a ton of money while getting the fruits and vegetables you need in your diet! Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The creators of “Jones Plantation” set out to craft a film that used satire and drama to expose the oppression of America's political system, and in doing so, they may have set the standard for the American dissident cinema movement. Jason calls the film one of the best he's seen and welcomes director Andrew Treglia and screenwriter Larken Rose to discuss their film. Plus, T.J. Moe, Kevin Donahue, Shemeka Michelle, and Virgil Walker check in for another edition of Fearless at the Movies. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: GOOD RANCHERS Use my code FEARLESS at https://GoodRanchers.com and with your subscription you can claim $100 off plus FREE smoked brats for a year while supporting veterans this Independence Day. It's time to revolt and claim your independence from the grocery store meat aisle. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America has become a meritless society. For example, take Christina Peterson, the Georgia judge arrested after an altercation at a nightclub. An elected judicial official who took an oath to uphold justice, dressed like a stripper fighting with cops. Are you looking for examples in the sports world? Jason presents you the golden calf, Deion Sanders, the unqualified J.J. Redick, the philandering Bill Belichick, or bankrupt Antonio Pierce. “Fearless” examines how we've regressed and devolved into a leadership crisis in every aspect of American life. T.J. Moe, Kevin Donahue, and Virgil Walker join the show to share their thoughts on our lowered standards and what true leadership should look like We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: GOOD RANCHERS Use my code FEARLESS at  https://GoodRanchers.com and with your subscription you can claim $100 off plus FREE smoked brats for a year while supporting veterans this Independence Day. It's time to revolt and claim your independence from the grocery store meat aisle. COZY EARTH Cozy Earth bed sheets are soft, made of the finest luxury material and temperature-regulating so you can sleep cool and comfy year-round! Save 35% when you go to https://CozyEarth.com and enter my special promo code FEARLESS at checkout. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent episode of “Fearless,” Marc Lamont Hill refused to make a statement concerning his faith when pressed. Hill told Jason he didn't discuss such matters in public. Imagine our surprise when Hill sends us his previous Juneteenth sermon from a Chicago church. Doing his best Malcolm X impersonation, Hill quotes Scripture and praises the name of MLK, further confirming Whitlock's assertion that Hill worships at the altar of race. Delano Squires joins the show to discuss MLH's “sermon.” In Tennessee Harmony, Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue share their thoughts on Hill's message plus discuss the latest megachurch pastor to step down after revealing a shocking sin. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: GOOD RANCHERS Use my code FEARLESS at  https://GoodRanchers.com and with your subscription you can claim $100 off plus FREE smoked brats for a year while supporting veterans this Independence Day. It's time to revolt and claim your independence from the grocery store meat aisle. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why the two reports? Shams Charania of the Athletic crowned J.J. Redick as the front-runner for the Lakers' head coaching job, but his former mentor and ESPN colleague Adrian Wojnarowski proclaimed UConn's Dan Hurley the betting favorite. In a new report, Ethan Strauss speculates that Woj may have just used his reporting to get his close personal friend Hurley a pay bump in Storrs. Steve Kim joins Jason to discuss the possible shady business going down with one of the NBA's most respected insiders. Plus, the pair discuss comedian Jon Stewart giving ESPN's Monica McNutt her flowers, Steve Kerr endorsing Joe Biden, and the passing of NBA legend Jerry West. In Tennessee Harmony, Anthony Walker and Kevin Donahue stop by to share their thoughts on Pastor Tony Evans stepping away from his ministry over an undisclosed past sin.   We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: GOOD RANCHERS Use my code FEARLESS at https://GoodRanchers.com and with your subscription you can claim free bacon for life AND support veterans this Father's Day. PREBORN Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jason and the Fearless Army team of Delano Squires, Shemeka Michelle, and Kevin Donahue as they recap and dissect Roll Call 2.0 We hit the highlights from Voddie Baucham, Mark Robinson, E.W. Jackson, Vince Everett Ellison, and more. If you missed this event, BlazeTV subscribers can log on now and catch the entire conference. Not a BlazeTV insider? Click https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. GOOD RANCHERS Use my code FEARLESS at https://GoodRanchers.com and with your subscription you can claim free bacon for life AND support veterans this Father's Day. NUGENIX Men! Feel like it's harder to get in shape and stay in shape? Nugenix Total T is offering a complimentary bottle when you text 231-231 and enter keyword, “FEARLESS”. Text now and also get a bottle of Nugenix Thermo, their most powerful fat incinerator ever, FREE! PRIZE PICKS PrizePicks is America's #1 fantasy sports app with over 3M active members. You can turn $10 into $1,000 with Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball entries today! Right now, PrizePicks will match your first deposit of up to one hundred dollars! Go to https://PrizePicks.com/fearless and use code FEARLESS. Daily Fantasy Sports Made Easy! Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G  CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT  CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen A. Smith fancies himself as rap legend Chuck D of Public Enemy: a disruptor and innovator. In reality, he's Flavor Flav, an outlandish hype man with nothing meaningful to say. “Up for Debate,” the ESPN documentary that Smith produced, is a self-serving resume tape whose only objective is to paint Smith as the MLK of sports media and position him to cash in on his next contract. Jason walks us through the docuseries and its stated tagline, “The Evolution of Sports Media,” which reveals just the opposite, paralleling the degradation of discourse across all media and American society. Steve Kim joins “Fearless” to add his take on the doc. In Tennessee Harmony, Jason is joined by Anthony Walker and Kevin Donahue to debate the pope's latest controversial statement that humankind is inherently good. Is that biblical? We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless Living a porn-free life will bring you a new freedom to live honestly and remember Accountability is NOT others calling you out on your sin but others calling you UP to the person you are in Christ. So what are you waiting for, Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting https://Covenant Eyes.com and using my promo code FEARLESS for 30 days free. Use my code FEARLESS at https://Good Ranchers.com and with your subscription you can claim free American Wagyu burgers for a year (a $400 value) AND support veterans this Memorial Day season. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He is who we thought he was: the NBA MVP and the best player in the league. Shaquille O'Neal and Kendrick Perkins were delighted when the Denver Nuggets dropped the first two games of the Western Conference semi-finals. It affirmed their race-based animus against the three-time league MVP. However, Tuesday night, Jokic proved that his resume over the last four seasons matters a lot more than his performance in the first two games of the series. After a dominant performance in game five, even Minnesota's Anthony Edwards had to acknowledge that Jokic is the best in the NBA. Why can't others do the same? Racial idolatry. Jason dives into the real motivation surrounding all the Joke hate. Steve Kim joins “Fearless” to add his thoughts on Jokic and the Nuggets performance, and the pair discuss J.J. Redick's chances at landing the Lakers head job. Is it deserved, or is it a move to appease LeBron? Speaking of LeBron, his son Bronny got exposed at the NBA Combine, but that didn't stop one ESPN personality from declaring little LeBron as the league's next cash cow ... the G League that is. Dexter Taylor was convicted of violating New York's authoritarian gun laws and sentenced to a decade in federal prison. We speak with his attorney to determine the next steps to defend the Second Amendment. After Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made his pro-God speech at Benedictine College, the backlash began. Jason along with Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, Kevin Donahue, and Spencer Smith address the controversy in Tennessee Harmony. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: Use my code FEARLESS at https://Good Ranchers.com and with your subscription you can claim free American wagyu burgers for a year (a $400 value) AND support veterans this Memorial Day season. The Wall Street casino loves to roll the dice with YOUR hard-earned life savings!” But the ONLY thing Wall Street GUARANTEES is that THEY ALWAYS get paid... whether YOU win or lose! Thankfully, there's a better way to grow your nest egg. Bank On Yourself is a guaranteed and predictable way to grow your hard-earned money. Get a FREE report with all the details on how the Bank On Yourself strategy adds guarantees, predictability, tax savings and control to your financial plan. Just go to https://BankOnYourself.com/FEARLESS.  Support healthy blood flow and deliver more vitamins, nutrients and minerals to your entire body. Get started now for a healthier, happier you by visiting https://CardioMiracle.com/FEARLESS. Receive 10% off your first order; 15% if you choose to subscribe and save. They also offer a 60-day no risk 100% money back guarantee. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weeks of protest and chaos on college campuses finally reached a boiling point, erupting in violence at UCLA and police action at Columbia, and Jason says that's a good thing. The pro-Palestinian, anti-American sentiment being cultivated at universities is the poisonous fruit of the elite's globalist agenda. Will the violence finally be the inflection point that ushers back in an America-first agenda? We can only hope so unless you're Marc Lamont Hill. The CUNY professor joins “Fearless” to defend and encourage the anti-Israel dissent sweeping academia. In Tennessee Harmony, Virgil Walker, Kevin Donahue, and Jason discuss the topic from a biblical perspective. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers is locking in your price until 2026 when you subscribe to any of their boxes of 100% American meat & seafood. Use my code FEARLESS at https://Good Ranchers.com and save 10%. Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless Support healthy blood flow and deliver more vitamins, nutrients and minerals to your entire body. Get started now for a healthier, happier you by visiting https://CardioMiracle.com/FEARLESS. Receive 10% off your first order; 15% if you choose to subscribe and save. They also offer a 60-day no risk 100% money back guarantee. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did we get to the point where students are taking siege of college campuses to chant “Death to America”? That's the question Jason looks to answer in this edition of “Fearless.” Ivy league institutions like Columbia and Yale have been invaded by Pro-Palestinian protestors demanding that the universities divest of all support for Israel. Whitlock explores how our country has produced a lost generation of frustrated, enraged, and out-of-control young people. Dr. Boyce Watkins has a child who attends Columbia and spoke out in support of the protest on campus. Watkins joins the show to discuss his thoughts on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Tennessee Harmony, Anthony Walker, Virgil Walker, and Kevin Donahue discuss Tucker Carlson's spiritual awakening on Joe Rogan's podcast. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers is locking in your price until 2026 when you subscribe to any of their boxes of 100% American meat & seafood. Use my code FEARLESS at https://Good Ranchers.com and save 10%. Support healthy blood flow and deliver more vitamins, nutrients and minerals to your entire body. Get started now for a healthier, happier you by visiting https://CardioMiracle.com/FEARLESS. Receive 10% off your first order; 15% if you choose to subscribe and save. They also offer a 60-day no risk 100% money back guarantee. PrizePicks is America's #1 fantasy sports app with over 3M active members. You can turn $10 into $1,000 with Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball entries today! Right now, PrizePicks will match your first deposit of up to one hundred dollars! Go to https://PrizePicks.com/fearless and use code FEARLESS. Daily Fantasy Sports Made Easy! Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The No. 1 movie at the box office, “Civil War,” is a thinly veiled fantasy about assassinating Donald Trump. The film, written and directed by Alex Garland, isn't nearly as complicated, subtle, or apolitical as critics at the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Variety Magazine, and the New Yorker suggest. The point of Garland's movie is simple: Killing Trump is the most efficient and sensible way to end America's political chaos. The movie is embarrassing. If it continues to do well at the box office, it will speak to how effective academia and corporate media have been at demonizing ordinary American citizens and Donald Trump. The fact that the movie was made, released, and not pulled from theaters speaks to how desperately the establishment wants to assassinate Trump. Shemeka Michelle, Anthony Walker, and Kevin Donahue join the show for an episode of “Fearless at the Movies” as the panel offers its unvarnished review of what Jason calls the worst movie he's ever seen. In Tennessee Harmony, Virgil Walker joins Jason, Anthony, and Kevin to discuss the controversy of a gay stripper's sword-swallowing exhibition at a men's conference that left two controversial pastors at odds with one another. We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers is locking in your price until 2026 when you subscribe to any of their boxes of 100% American meat & seafood.  Use my code FEARLESS at https://Good Ranchers.com and save 10%. Switch today with Patriot Mobile! Get the same great nationwide coverage while supporting the conservative values you believe in. Go to https://patriotmobile.com/jason or call 972-PATRIOT. Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike finally traveled to New York to participate in and cover Obstacle Wonderland's Boogie Wonderland Event! Wanting to both support a small northeast race and get some good mileage in, Mike registered for the 6 hour race.  He ran 3 laps, interviewed the 3 hour finisher athletes with some midrace brain fog, ran another lap, interviewed the 6 hour finisher athletes while freezing in the windy cold on and off rain, the DJ, Gabe Capobianchi, Asa Coddington, and then recorded a personal recap while driving back to New Jersey! We highly recommend you check out an Obstacle Wonderland event, the Northeast Ultra OCR Cup put together by Viking OCR, and come to the New England OCR Expo adding the virtual run for an awesome medal! 0:00 – 2:45 – Intro 2:45 – 7:40 – Quick News 7:40 – 8:38 – Content Preface 8:38 - 15:33 - Start Line Audio 15:33 - 36:18 - 3 Hour Atheletes (Ken Murphy, Kevin Donahue, Analisa Everingham, Stephen Leonard, Jameson Kowalczyk, Nick Eichhorn, Bryan Everingham) 36:18 - 1:20:23 - 6 Hour Athletes and DJ (John Ricker, Kelly Schiavone, Mike Kantor, Mario Valentine, Joseph Stritmater, Erin Cummins, Kevin LaPlatney, Joey Cristello, CJ Emmons, Dean Leggiero, James Del Verde and Melissa Linden, Esther Frustino, Ryan Brizzolara and Jarrett Newby) 1:20:23 - 1:43:50 - Gabe Capobianchi and Asa Coddington 1:43:50 - 1:52:19 - Mike Recap 1:52:19 - End – Outro Next weekend we will be at the New England OCR Expo and we hope to see you there!  The next 2 episodes will likely be covering this event as we will be talking to fellow vendors, athletes competing in the events, and are planning to set up a basic recording station for all to use at our booth! ____ News Stories: Get Your Ass To 2024 New England OCR Expo on April 20th (use code "obstacles" for $5 off) Obstacles Athletics Closed Dolly Dash Race Sarah Harrison Married UltraHouse Team Tryout Week OCRWC Finally Releases Venue for 2024 Tough Mudder Obstacle Comes to Spartan Race Miranda Kielpinski and Michael Suazo join Team Riverbend CBD Hyrox 365 Mythic Race Obstacle Ryan Kempson Achilles Injury Whale Slam Secret Link Shredding Machine Secret Link Grease Fire Secret Link Big Gift Secret Link Ghost Jokes Secret Link ____ Related Episodes: 109. Mark Jones on Tough Mudder Changes, and the Last Polar Bear Challenge with Elites and Rob Butler! 122. Viking Obstacle Race's Cinco de Mjolnir Ultra with Elites! ____ The OCR Report Patreon Supporters: Jason Dupree, Kim DeVoss, Samantha Thompson, Matt Puntin, Dave Claxton, Brad Kiehl, Charlotte Engelman, Erin Grindstaff, Hank Stefano, Arlene Stefano, Laura Ritter, Steven Ritter, Sofia Harnedy, Kenny West, Cheryl Miller, Jessica Johnson, Scott "The Fayne" Knowles, Anna Landry, Nick Ryker, Christopher Hoover, Kevin Gregory Jr., Evan Eirich, Ashley Reis, Brent George, Justin Manning, Wendell Lagosh, Logan Nagle, Angela Bowers, Asa Coddington, Thomas Petersen, Seth Rinderknecht and Bonnie Wilson. Sponsored Athletes: Javier Escobar, Kelly Sullivan, Ryan Brizzolara, and Joshua Reid! Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and access to our Facebook group Check out our Threadless Shop Use coupon code "adventure" for 15% off MudGear products Use coupon code "ocrreport20" for 20% off Caterpy products Like us on Facebook: Obstacle Running Adventures Follow our podcast on Instagram: @ObstacleRunningAdventures Write us an email: obstaclerunningadventures@gmail.com Subscribe on Youtube: Obstacle Running Adventures Intro music - "Streaker" by: Straight Up Outro music - "Iron Paw" by: Dubbest

Kenneth Knotts, a Texas man, died in police custody in 2022. Chicago police shot and killed Dexter Reed in Chicago after the criminal suspect opened fire on law enforcement. Democrats hope to use the death of Knottts and Reed, two black men, to scare black people into voting for Joe Biden in November. It's a familiar tactic that Jason calls “The Method”, a form of method acting. Jason argued that Democrats have incentivized black Americans to play the role of victims on camera and off camera. He pointed to Whoopi Goldberg as a prime example of someone paid to pretend that conservatives want to reinstitute slavery and Jim Crow laws. Jason explains the true history of “method acting” and its ties to Marxism. Shemeka Michelle and new Fearless contributor Kevin Donahue join Jason for the discussion.  We want to hear from the Fearless Army!! Join the conversation in the show chat, leave a comment or email Jason at FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. ​​Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers is locking in your price until 2026 when you subscribe to any of their boxes of 100% American meat & seafood.  Use my code FEARLESS at https://Good Ranchers.com and save 10%.save 10%. Everyday, young, scared women, who don't think they have options, are choosing abortion. Preborn seeks these women out before they make the ultimate choice and introduces them to the life growing inside of them through FREE ultrasounds because of YOU who donate. Help rescue babies' lives and donate by dialing #250 and say the keyword, "BABY." or go to https://Preborn.com/Fearless Whether it's tournament season or the race for playoff home court, cash-in on basketball's big moments with PrizePicks, America's Number One Fantasy Sports App.  It's the most exciting way to play daily fantasy sports! Right now, PrizePicks will match your first deposit of up to one hundred dollars! Go to https://PrizePicks.com/fearless and use code FEARLESS. Daily Fantasy Sports Made Easy! Get 10% off Blaze swag by using code Fearless10 at https://shop.blazemedia.com/fearless Make yourself an official member of the “Fearless Army!” Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://get.blazetv.com/FEARLESS and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long awaited guest on the podcast, Jose, joins the ITA podcast with Kevin Donahue to describe his experiences as a natural lucid dreamer. Kevin details some experiments he has done with Jose related to hypnosis-induced astral projection. While the objective reality of these experiences may be contested, please keep and open mind as we dive deeper into the absurd reality of dreams. Intro Song - Daydream In Blue by I Monster Novel ⁠On Death and God⁠ Into the Absurd podcast playlists: Spirituality and Religion Identity and the Self F the System Nietzschean Thought and Post-Modernism Absurdism Dreams, Mysticism, and Eastern Thought The Myth of Sisyphus: Full Analysis and Overview Self-Reliance: Full Analysis and Overview Merch Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Coffee Cup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA T-Shirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Tank Top ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Bottle Opener⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Outro provided by Brock Tanya

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODETeach Your Kids: Website | LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Substack | Facebook | TikTokManisha: LinkedIn | X | Instagram | FacebookKevin Donahue: LinkedIn | WebsiteSuren Markosian: LinkedIn | WebsiteJoin our premium community for expert support and advice on homeschoolingPremium members also get access to our Epic! classroom for homeschoolers.  Teach Your Kids Podcast EpisodeHomeschooling with Naval Ravikant, Nir Eyal, Rachel Thomas, Kerry McDonald, Alycia Wright, Shiren Rattigan, and Lisa Betts-Lacroix: Part 1Homeschooling with Naval Ravikant, Nir Eyal, Rachel Thomas, Kerry McDonald, Alycia Wright, Shiren Rattigan, and Lisa Betts-Lacroix: Part 2Navigating Math with Curiosity: Jason Batterson & Jasmine Eyal on Beast AcademyLearning PlatformsEpic!BrainPOP | Jr BrainPoPBooks, Articles, Publications, and VideosRichard Was a Picker - Carolyn Beck Cat Ninja Children's Book Collection - Matthew CodyScaredy Monster - Meika HashimotoMathProdigy GameRelated ResourcesRemind Time-Codes00:00:00 — Manisha introduces the episode and her guests00:02:07 — Suren discusses the inspiration behind Epic!.00:04:06 — The unique challenge of engaging children in digital reading.00:07:00 — Kevin explains the shift of Epic! into the education sector.00:09:20 — Discussion on the challenges of raising funds for EdTech startups.00:13:41 — Insights into developing a child-friendly user interface.00:17:46 — Addressing content diversity and inclusivity on Epic!.00:21:30 — The balance between gamification and educational content.00:24:52 — Kevin shares his vision for children's holistic development.00:27:28 — The growing trend of consumerization in education technology.00:30:18 — Overcoming barriers to universal access to digital education.00:33:50 — The rewarding experience of making a positive impact through Epic!.00:37:24 — Advice for entrepreneurs in the educational space.00:39:57 — Personal learning journeys of the founders.00:43:21 — The importance of giving children control over their learning.00:47:46 — The vast reach of digital books compared to physical publishing.00:52:33 — The episode concludes with a summary of Epic!'s impact on children's digital reading habits and a final reflection on the importance of accessible and engaging educational technology. This podcast was recorded on Riverside and is made possible through a generous grant from the Vela Education FundVELA Education Fund is catalyzing a vibrant alternative education ecosystem. VELA provides trust-based funding to entrepreneurs, fosters community-building and knowledge-sharing, and increases visibility through storytelling that promotes cultural awareness and acceptance of the out-of-system space. Today, VELA serves the largest community of out-of-system education entrepreneurs in the country, with over 2,000 community members. About half of VELA's community members operate small learning environments, and the other half are ecosystem and community builders offering direct services and support across the out-of-system space. Learn more at velaedfund.org.This site contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.

Kevin and I sit down to react to some movie trailers, discuss feminism in the modern day, strong female characters, the Book of Jobe, Mystique from X-Men and the importance of being yourself, and how to transcend past the idea that Buddhism is about "becoming nobody". Sources: Avatar the Last Airbender Trailer Arcane trailer Mistique and Nightcrawler Turtles All the Way Down The Book of Jobe Novel ⁠⁠⁠On Death and God⁠⁠⁠ Merch Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Coffee Cup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA T-Shirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Tank Top ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Bottle Opener⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Outro provided by Brock Tanya

Get to know these successful thought leaders and find out how they present themselves and their crafts as experts in their fields. Deidra Cox is the Founder and Chief Brand Strategist of Career Imagery, LLC. She utilizes a 3-tiered strategy, (optimization-branding-marketing) which propels audience engagement and props the job seekers ahead of the game through high visibility. She is committed to career development coaching, brand marketing, executive coaching, resume writing, brand consulting, interview preparation, and public speaking. She has expertise in branding through digital resumes and LinkedIn transformations. She puts back the “humanity factor” into the automated recruitment process through a targeted networking-based marketing approach. If you're in a job search and just not getting the results you need, you should reach out to Deidra Cox by logging on to https://careerimagery.com/ and by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecareermaker/.  Kevin Donahue is a successful communications and PR executive, long-term business associate, and senior director for Protiviti's Global Marketing and Communications team. He manages the leading global consulting firm's thought leadership program overseeing the development of a wealth of content. Kevin is a highly experienced manager with proven leadership and staff development skills with extensive experience in both corporate and agency settings. He is passionate about helping organizations develop effective strategies and messaging and execute plans in alignment with communications, marketing, and branding objectives. To learn more about adding value and empowerment to your people each day through thought leadership, consider reaching out to Kevin Donahue by visiting his websites https://www.protiviti.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdonahuepro/. Vaishali Nikhade is a business strategist, speaker, psychic, and host of the podcast, “The Uncanny Link.” She is a left-brain engineer with a solid background from Standard Microsystems, Level One, and Intel who transitioned to being a right-brain psychic where she combines physics and metaphysics in her readings. Vaishali is a go-to expert for entrepreneurs and business owners who would like to see and take control of their future in order to avoid confusion, panic, and uncertainty. If you are a business owner who wants more, consider reaching out to Vaishali Nikhade by visiting her websites https://theuncannylink.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/valishalinikhade/.  Global Credibility Expert, Mitchell Levy is a TEDx speaker and international bestselling author of over 60 books. As The AHA Guy at AHAthat (https://ahathat.com), he helps to extract the genius from your head in a two-three hour interview so that his team can ghostwrite your book, publish it, distribute it, and make you an Amazon bestselling author in four months or less. He is an accomplished Entrepreneur who has created twenty businesses in Silicon Valley including four publishing companies that have published over 800 books. He's provided strategic consulting to over one hundred companies, and has been chairman of the board of a NASDAQ-listed company. Mitchell has been happily married for thirty years and regularly spends four weeks in Europe with family and friends. Visit https://mitchelllevy.com/mitchelllevypresents/ for an archive of all the podcast episodes.   Connect to Mitchell Levy on: Credibility Nation YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/CredibilityNation Credibility Nation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/credibilitynation/ Mitchell Levy Present AHA Moments: https://mitchelllevy.com/mitchelllevypresents/ Thought Leader Life: https://thoughtleaderlife.com Twitter: @Credtabulous Instagram: @credibilitynation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin and I sit down to discuss how language is used (both intentionally and unintentionally) poorly in such a way that it is misleading, undescriptive, or down-right wrong. We first react to George Carlin's bit, "On Soft Language" from the CappyNJ YouTube channel. Then we move onto an analysis of George Orwell's essay, "Politics and the English Language" Other references: Build back better Verbatim local news script My novel: The Man Who Killed God⁠ MERCH LINKS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Coffee Cup⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA T-Shirt⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Tank Top ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ITA Bottle Opener⁠

Since November 2021, public servants have collaborated across state, local and federal government to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—a once-in-a-generation investment of $1.2 trillion to repair, renew and reinvigorate the country's aging infrastructure. Asma Mirza joins "Profiles in Public Service” as a deputy for implementation management at the White House, where she supports senior advisor to the president, Mitch Landrieu, on carrying out the new infrastructure law. To date, 32,000 projects and counting have been implemented across 4,500 communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories. Kevin Donahue, the city administrator for Washington, D.C., has worked with Mirza and her team at the White House to implement a more equitable infrastructure within the city, including through the creation of the D.C. Build Back Better Infrastructure Task Force. Mirza and Donahue discuss how federal leaders are convening state and local actors to transform our nation's physical infrastructure, improve access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis and more. Additional Resources:  Learn more about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  Explore the interactive map of projects by neighborhood across the U.S.A.  Learn more about the DC Build Back Better Infrastructure Task Force.  A complete transcript of this episode can be found here.

What will we tell our grandkids? That we drown in debt?Usury is an interesting word that most people have never heard ofWhat are the consequences of all of us living in a certain way?The blind trust of the financial system and what looks like entrapmentIt is not about faith or religion, it's about historyDo you own your home or does the bank own your home?The Central Bank and its "interest" in youThere is nothing wrong with lending or borrowing, its the usuryPut your life in God's hands and watch how you will be blessedSteps to get out of the maze and into financial freedom

In the Season Three preview, author Kevin Donahue (http://www.sacredstepsbook.com | http://www.thepilgrimstable.com) reflects on time away from the podcast, his Via Francigena camino pilgrimage through Italy to Rome, and a preview of the new season of the Sacred Steps Podcast. DISCUSSIONS FROM THIS EPISODE: Sacred Steps Podcast Leave a Voice Message for the Podcast BOOK: Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal (2023) BOOK:  The Pilgrims' Table (2023) CONNECT WITH THE SHOW ONLINE: Podcast Homepage - sacredstepspodcast.com Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal Stream the Video Podcast on YouTube  Connect on Facebook View on Instagram  MEET THE HOST:  Kevin DonahueHusband. Father. Backpacker. Pilgrim. Author.Kevin Donahue began walking pilgrimage routes in 2019, joining the historical footprints of pilgrims seeking places and people to inspire questions and enlighten answers about faith, hope, and love. His passion for these historic footpaths and reflections from the journeys form the basis for his books: Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal and The Pilgrims' Table. BOOKS BY KEVIN DONAHUE: Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal | Free PreviewAt the crossroads of history and faith, a reluctant pilgrim embarks on a modern pilgrimage along some of the world's most revered footpaths. Along the way, he discovers the places and encounters people that inspire questions and enlighten answers about faith, hope, and love.Available from print and digital booksellers, Sacred Steps: A Pilgrimage Journal conveys both the historical context and the modern experience of pilgrimage through Portugal and Spain on the Camino de Santiago, along America's Pacific Coast connecting the California Missions Trail, across receding tides to Holy Island, from London to Canterbury along Britain's historic Pilgims' Way, and onward towards Rome via Europe's Via Francigena on a journey of discovery.The Pilgrims' Table | Free PreviewBrought together by fate for a memorable dinner, five pilgrims recall their emotional journeys along Spain's Camino de Santiago. Powerful and moving, The Pilgrims' Table is an emotional look at the transformational power of pilgrimage.Born from the intersection of my experiences with those of other pilgrims,  The Pilgims' Table is the story of five pilgrims from divergent paths who come together at a Spanish albergue. The deeply personal stories shared over dinner transform their outlook on pilgrimage and connect them as one pilgrim family. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★