Podcasts about Kindness

Ep. 152 — Steady Leadership in Turbulent Times A Wisdom Conversation with Charita Williams Charita Williams knows something about leading when the ground shifts beneath you. She and Skip explore people-first leadership, career change, trust, grace—and what it takes to keep moving when the path ahead looks different than you expected.   Wisdom Resources to Explore Connect with Charita on LinkedIn Matthew 6 — On Worry and Trust  - a passage Charita turns to when life feels uncertain. The Greatest Commandment — Mark 12:28–31 - a helpful companion to Skip and Charita's conversation about loving others, extending grace and remembering ourselves in the equation. "My House Is Worth What?" — HGTV The series Charita recalls appearing on during her unexpected chapter in real estate. Goldie the Comedian - check out Charita's significant other on Instagram   Why This Episode Matters If you find yourself immersed in a season of change, you're in good company. Two out of three listeners in our 2026 Podcast Listener Survey told us they're navigating one, too. Charita knows that territory. Her career has included success, reinvention, reorganizations and an unexpected ending. Her perspective is a useful reminder that when the path changes, we can change with it—without losing ourselves along the way.   A Memorable Wisdom Quote "That same grace that I give other people, I've gotta extend to myself as well." — Charita Williams   What You'll Discover Why Charita puts people and trust ahead of KPIs The leadership lesson she's carried since age 16 Why good leaders aren't afraid to get into the trenches What reorganizations taught her about navigating change Why Charita believes "coaching is a gift" at any stage of a career   About Our Wise Guest: Charita Williams Charita Williams built much of her career in telecommunications, working with AT&T, Verizon and Frontier Communications and rising from directory-assistance operator to senior management. Her path hasn't been a straight one. Charita has also worked in real estate and dabbles in interior decorating. Her love of houses and design led to two appearances on HGTV. Charita is not only a gifted business leader and motivator, she's also a licensed Realtor, community servant and a proud mother. She joined us for this wisdom conversation from her home in Tampa, FL.   Episode Chapters 00:59 — Meet Charita Williams 03:34 — The wisdom conversation begins 05:03 — Skip and Charita reconnect at Frontier 07:16 — People-first leadership 08:21 — A leadership lesson that began at age 16 10:04 — Reorganizations, career turns and learning to pivot 13:42 — Kindness, compassion and grace 16:40 — Charita reveals her Main Thing 20:25 — Putting wisdom to work when life gets hard 26:19 — Career wisdom for what's next   Credits Editor + Technical Advisor Bob Hotchkiss Brand + Strategy Advisor Andy Malinoski PR + Partnerships Advisor Rachel Bell Marketing, Social Media and Graphic Design Chloe Lineberg   Stay Connected with Us on Social YouTube @themainthingpod Twitter @themainthingpod Instagram @themainthingpod Facebook  @TheMainThingPod LinkedIn TikTok @TheMainThingPod   Help Support and Sustain This Podcast Become a subscriber. Share the podcast with one or two friends. Follow us on social media @TheMainThingPod Buy some Main Thing Merch from our Merchandise Store. Buy a book from our curated wisdom collection on bookshop.org. Become a patron and support us on Patreon with funding. Purchase a set of Wisdom Cards from our store.

Ahead of BrightonFoodStory, the food festival on October 3rd that Gilly is producing in her home town aimed at changing the conversation about the way we eat, we're meeting some of the speakers on the various panel discussions.This week, we're with Karen Newby, author of the Natural Menopause Method and its cookbook partner, and now The Post Menopause Method.Karen will be on the Nonnamaxxing panel to talk about how to age healthily. The Instagram trend has highlighted the global yearning for a slower more wholesome approach to life, and Gilly asks her why we need a method to get through what she says could be the happiest and healthiest time of our lives.Pop over to Gilly's Substack for Extra Bites and a recipe from The Post Menopause Method. And do come along to BrightonFoodStory on Saturday October 3. It's all free.And if you like what you hear on this ad free podcast, you can contribute to the Economy of Kindness by clicking here to contribute a little something, or here to become a paid subscriber on Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Study of 2nd Samuel

In today's episode, Gina shares steps for adapting to any particular fears we may have and how to become more confident and comfortable by doing so. Through patience and self kindness, following these tips can lead to great changes in your life!The S.A.F.E. Empowerment Systemhttps://gumroad.com/a/256095347Orhttps://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/resourcesStillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that's different from what I share on the podcast.If you'd like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here: http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:Without darkness nothing comes to birth, as without light nothing flowers. -May SartonChapters0:27 Fear as Teacher3:25 Kindness and Curiosity4:12 Start with Small Steps5:17 Practice at the Airport7:55 Expand the Next Step9:47 Put Joy on the Other Side13:06 Closing ReflectionSummaryIn this episode, we talk about letting fear be a teacher by focusing on external fears first, such as public speaking, flying, driving, grocery stores, or other places and situations that trigger anxiety. We look at how these experiences can be approached as opportunities to build confidence rather than as things to avoid.We emphasize doing this with self-kindness, non-judgment, and a curious mindset. The first step is to take small, manageable steps and to check in with our body and breathing so we do not overwhelm ourselves. We use the example of fear of flying, beginning with simply going to the airport in a calm, intentional way and observing what happens from a distance or in a low-pressure setting.The next step is to expand gradually by repeating the practice until it feels routine and less threatening. We point out that the goal is to let our mind and body experience the situation as safe through repetition, while noticing and appreciating small gains along the way.We also talk about putting something meaningful on the other side of the fear, so we have a reason to move through it. In the example of flying, this could mean taking a short flight to visit someone we care about. We close by encouraging patience, imperfection, and one small step at a time, rather than expecting immediate or perfect results.#AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #AnxietyRelief #MentalHealth #FacingFears #OvercomingAnxiety #NervousSystemRegulation #Mindfulness #PersonalGrowth #PanicManagement #EmotionalWellness #HealingJourney #AnxietySupport #SelfKindness #CalmYourMind #StressManagement #HolisticWellness #CourageOverFear #AnxietyFree #AnxietyRecovery #AgoraphobiaSupport #FearAsATeacher #ExposureTherapy #MentalHealthPodcast #MindfulLiving #SelfCompassion #AnxietyHelp #CalmTheNervousSystem #OvercomingFear #AnxietyWarrior #HealingAnxiety #PeaceOfMind #MentalHealthAwareness #ACPSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you have a place where everybody knows your coffee order? Your cat's name? How you like your eggs? Then congrats! You're a regular! This hour, we explore the value of becoming a regular (and how to do so) in our ever disconnected society. Plus, we hear about the regulars of Claire's Corner Copia in New Haven. GUESTS: Gillian Sandstrom: Associate Professor in the Psychology of Kindness at the University of Sussex. Mark Alan Burger: Social Media Editor at Esquire, and the author of “The Lost Art of Being a Regular”. Claire Criscuolo: Owner of Claire’s Corner Copia in New Haven. Music featured (in order): Feelin’ Good Again – Robert Earl Kleen Where Everybody Knows Your Name (Cheers Theme) – Gary Portnoy Here Comes a Regular – The Replacements Violetta’s – Dave’s True Story Bobo’s – Liza Minnelli Eggs And Sausage (In A Cadillac With Susan Michelson) – Tom Waits Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can send and text and we love them.. but apparently we cant respond. Sorry!!A daily dose of good news in two minutes time... give or takeLike the podcast, you can support it let's have a coffee …. I mean.. or give me one . https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thedavidbeachSupport the showJoin us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/awesomenewsdailyor email me at awesomenewsdaily@gmail.com

Study of 2nd Samuel

Step ten part 5. Sam and Al discuss life in recovery. Step 11 Readings from “Opening Doors Within” by Eileen Caddy and Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps and 12 Traditions #12steps #recovery #addiction #AA #CA.

What will help people and businesses stand out in a world increasingly shaped by AI? According to Ron Johnson, the answer may be more human than technological. In this episode of Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer sits down with Ron Johnson, the creator of the Apple Store and author of Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius. Ron shares lessons from working alongside Steve Jobs, including the story behind the creation of the Genius Bar and how Apple reimagined the retail experience around connection rather than transactions. Ron and Kristel also discuss why kindness and authenticity matter in business and in life, how to handle difficult customers and support employees through tough days, and why creating meaningful experiences will become even more important in the age of AI. Ron also opens up about his time as CEO of J.C. Penney, what he wishes he had done differently, and the lessons he has learned about navigating failure. Tune in to learn: Why kindness and human connection can be a competitive advantage How to stand out in the age of AI The story behind the creation of Apple's Genius Bar Why experiences and relationships are shaping the future of retail How to navigate difficult customers and challenging moments with employees The role authenticity plays in leadership and business Ron's perspective on failure and lessons from his time at J.C. Penney Insights from Ron's new book, Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius ABOUT RON JOHNSON: Apple Store creator Ron Johnson is a sought-after speaker, board member, and author of Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius (September 22, 2026 / Harper Collins). He also founded Enjoy, the first mobile retail store, and served as the CEO of J.C. Penney. He is best known for creating the Apple Stores, working directly for Steve Jobs while serving as a member of Apple's executive team. Prior to his time at Apple, Ron was highly regarded for the work he did with Michael Graves to bring good design to all as a merchant leader at Target; their collaboration set the stage for the brand's hundreds of later design partnerships and cemented Target as America's premier upscale discount retailer. Ron lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Connect with Ron Johnson:  Order his book:  Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius Website: https://ronjohnsonshopsdifferent.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shopdifferent/  About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer: Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting organizations and individuals on their journeys for more happiness and success. She is the award-winning author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business November 19, 2024). With Kristel's healthcare background, she provides data driven actionable strategies to leverage happiness and high-power habits to drive growth mindsets, peak performance, profitability, well-being and a culture of excellence. Kristel's keynotes provide insights to "Live Greatly" while promoting leadership development and team building. Kristel is the creator and host of her global top self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant having practiced clinically in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel has a unique perspective into attaining a mindset for more happiness and success. Kristel has presented to groups from the American Gas Association, Bank of America, bp, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Santander Bank and many more. Kristel's work has been featured in Forbes and she has had multiple TV appearances including NBC News Daily, ABC News Live, FOX Weather, ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago and more. Kristel lives in the Chicago, IL area and she can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here. Website: www.livegreatly.co  Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co  LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Click HERE to check out Kristel's corporate wellness and leadership blog Click HERE to check out Kristel's Travel and Wellness Blog Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions.  Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations.  They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests.  Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content.  Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.

Send us Fan MailWhat if kindness at work isn't the opposite of accountability, but one of the conditions that makes accountability possible?In this episode, we explore the science behind kindness, connection, psychological safety, trust, compassion, curiosity, and human performance. We look at why seemingly small behaviors, listening a little longer, asking a better question, acknowledging someone's contribution, or responding to difficulty with dignity, can have effects far beyond the moment itself.We also make an important distinction between being nice and being kind. Kindness doesn't require avoiding discomfort, lowering standards, or agreeing with everyone. Sometimes kindness means listening. Sometimes it means challenging someone, setting a boundary, having the difficult conversation, or telling the truth without weaponizing it.Because high performance isn't created by pretending people stop being human when they arrive at work. It's created, in part, by building environments where people can speak honestly, contribute fully, recover from difficulty, learn, and grow.Visit us at:www.theselfhelpantidote.com

THE DARK TRUTH ABOUT KINDNESS — Does Being Kind Still Matter?#Doomscrolling #MentalHealth #KindnessDoes being a good person still matter in a world where outrage, chaos, negativity and bad behaviour seem to get rewarded?In this raw, unscripted conversation, I explore doomscrolling, kindness, mental health, social media, AI, self-worth and the strange way the internet can make us question our own lives.Greetings I am QueenB.Divine The more we scroll, the easier it becomes to compare our quiet reality with the loudest, darkest pieces of somebody else's world. Suddenly kindness can look weak. Peace can look boring. Being a decent human being can even feel like you're losing.But are you?Maybe the real rebellion is refusing to let a chaotic world turn you into someone you don't recognize.Maybe the real rebellion is refusing to let a chaotic world turn you into someone you don't recognize.This conversation asks a difficult question: What is the benefit of being kind when people who aren't kind appear to be winning?We talk about protecting your mindset, putting the phone down, choosing discernment without losing compassion, staying connected to your community, and remembering that what goes viral isn't necessarily what's valuable — and what gets your attention isn't automatically your reality.Your real life is happening beyond the screen.The people you love matter.Your community matters.Your peace matters.And yes — your kindness still matters.

You can send and text and we love them.. but apparently we cant respond. Sorry!!A daily dose of good news in two minutes time... give or takeLike the podcast, you can support it let's have a coffee …. I mean.. or give me one . https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thedavidbeachSupport the showJoin us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/awesomenewsdailyor email me at awesomenewsdaily@gmail.com

Cape Cod's only daily show, live from Mashpee on September 28, 2026.TODAY: Lauren DeGregorio, O'playsis and the Bourne Youth Council in Buzzards Bay. THIS WEEK ON CAPE COD: SandwichFest, Oct 3, Sandwich / Candyland Kindness Festival, Oct 4, Buzzards Bay / Love Local Fest, Oct 4, HyannisLauren DeGregorio runs O'playsis, a collaborative arts studio and music lounge in Buzzards Bay, and helps lead the Bourne Youth Council. She and Stephanie cover a rainy weekend of volunteering, this Sunday's Candyland Kindness Festival, and a very full October 17 in Buzzards Bay.IN THIS EPISODEAbout 20 volunteers unload a pumpkin truck in the rain for the Bourne Methodist Church pumpkin patch, which benefits the Bourne food pantryCarve a pumpkin, then drop it at Buzzards Bay Park on Oct 17 to light the Witches WalkA rainy Saturday, a closet cleanout and 250 pairs of socks matchedYoung Y Achievers and getting programs into local schoolsCape Kid Meals and its Keeping the Promise GalaWhy asking for money is so hard for nonprofit peopleQuestion of the day: what slang word gives away your age?Google's most searched teen slang of 2026, including "quiet on the creek"Dungeons and Dragons for adults and Magic the Gathering this October at O'playsisKind Hearts for Kids moves in with O'playsis, which turns three in NovemberRescued plants, marigolds at concerts, and a winter of frozen tomato sauceWho has storage space on the Upper Cape?Two giant pandas land in Atlanta on loan from ChinaCrocs sues Five Below over $7 clogs, and why artists should protect their workTHE WITCHES WALK, OCT 17The Gray Gables witches outgrew their neighborhood and asked the Bourne Youth Council to take over. The day starts with Main Street trick-or-treating, the annual Thriller flash mob and family fun at Buzzards Bay Park. At 4, witches and wizards (21 plus, men welcome this year) check in for a witches dance, a scavenger hunt with brew stops at Main Street businesses, and an after party at O'playsis with Soul Purpose. The studio's Hocus Pocus walkthrough opens the same day.PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONEDLauren DeGregorio of O'playsis, Bourne Youth Council, Nicole Mitchell of Kind Hearts for Kids (kindheartsforkids.org), Bourne Methodist Church, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Mass Cultural Council, Young Y Achievers, Cape Kid Meals (capekidmeals.org), Soul Purpose, Kono Pizza, Events on Cape Cod (eventsoncape.com).MARK YOUR CALENDARSat Oct 3: SandwichFest, Sandwich VillageSun Oct 4: Candyland Kindness Festival, sixth annual, Buzzards Bay, with Lemonadio DJingSun Oct 4: Love Local Fest, Aselton Park, HyannisOct 9 to 31, Fri and Sat: Haunted Hallows and night markets, MashpeeSat Oct 17: Main Street trick-or-treating, pumpkin drop-off and the Witches Walk, Buzzards BayHELP WANTEDThe Kindness Festival still needs craft table volunteers, vendors and nonprofit tables. Email bourneyouthcouncil@gmail.com.QUOTABLE"I opened it up because I found healing through art and I wanted to give that to others." (Lauren)"Everything in my life is tiny and everything that I dream up is big." (Stephanie)"Please don't call me. I don't like answering my phone." (Lauren)Catch every episode on YouTube, and now on Spotify too.Stephanie in the Morning. Every morning we ask and you answer, where locals take the mic. Powered by Lemonadio.

Can one small act of kindness really change a life or even the world? In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Kevin Smith, founder and Chief Kindness Chaser of Kindness Worldwide, to explore how one stranger's decision to return his lost wallet sparked a global mission to create a culture of kindness. What began as Kevin's desire to recognize one person for doing the right thing evolved into a movement focused on helping people see the good, be the good, and recognize the influence they have every day. Kevin shares why kindness is a strength, not a weakness, and explains the difference between genuine kindness and simply being nice or avoiding conflict. He also introduces the eight characteristics of kindness (gratitude, patience, forgiveness, empathy and compassion, respect, joy, generosity, and service) and discusses how individuals and leaders can intentionally put them into practice. The conversation also explores how leaders can build a genuine culture of kindness in the workplace, why Kevin believes organizations should think about ROK Return on Kindness alongside Random Opportunities for Kindness, and how helping employees feel seen, valued, and understood can strengthen both people and organizations. Kevin leaves listeners with a simple challenge: ask yourself each day, “What can I do today to make a difference in someone else's world?” From a smile or thank-you note to an unexpected act of generosity, small actions can create ripples far beyond what we may ever see. In this episode, you'll learn: • How one act of kindness inspired the creation of Kindness Worldwide • Why kindness should be viewed as a strength and intentional leadership practice • The eight characteristics that form Kevin's framework for kindness • How leaders can create cultures where people feel seen and valued • Why “Return on Kindness” can have meaningful organizational impact • How daily acts of kindness can create lasting ripple effects • Why every individual has the power to positively influence the world around them Kevin's message is straightforward: no act of kindness is too small to make a difference and meaningful change begins with the choices each of us makes every day. https://www.kindnessworldwide.org/ ksmith@kindnessworldwide.org https://www.rokindness.org/ Subscribe to the S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/

This week, Reverend Jackie Hawkins explores kindness as a spiritual practice rather than just a personality trait. She emphasizes that true kindness requires a "backbone"— it is an act of strength, courage, and spiritual power. This spiritual lesson was recorded live at Unity San Francisco on September 27th, 2026.

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze welcomes aboard retired Navy Captain, aviation lawyer, and author Mark C. Fava to talk about Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape, the first book in his Shipshape Shipmates series.Inspired by the best leaders Mark served with and by his own Navy father, Andy the Admiral takes young readers onto a bustling aircraft carrier where kindness, good manners, honesty, and teamwork keep everything shipshape. Mark shares how three decades in uniform, a career built on words, and a lifetime of fatherhood came together in a picture book full of heart, humor, and hidden surprises.Read the transcript on The Children's Book Review (coming soon).Highlights:It's All in the Inflection: Why "shipmate" can be a scolding or a compliment, and how "Well done, shipmates" became the heart of the bookA Floating City of 5,000: The doctors, dentists, cooks, mechanics, and pilots who keep an aircraft carrier runningFinally Getting Sea Time: How a two-week carrier cruise, after 30 years in land-based P-3 aircraft, shaped the bookEvery Word Matters: What a career in law taught Mark about wordsmithing, and why he writes with outlines, lists, and yellow highlightersWhy the Navy Teaches Friendship: Everyone has a job and everyone depends on each other, at sea and at home"Son, Make Me Proud": The father who pinned on Mark's Navy bars, handed down his sword, and told him to take care of his sailorsYou Don't Have to Be Perfect: Mark's advice for kids who dream of joining the Navy, from building paper rockets to not giving up on hard subjectsPerseverance, Passion, and Persistence: The publishing lessons Mark learned the hard way, including why he waited to launch after the holidaysEaster Eggs Ahead: Captain the Black Cat, Skipper the Sea Dog, and sneak peeks at Patrick the Pilot and Riley the Rescue SwimmerNotable Quotes:"Everybody has a job and everybody is looking to the other person to complete their job." —Mark C. Fava"Do the best you can, but you don't have to be perfect." —Mark C. Fava"I hope they remember that there is a reward for being kind to each other." —Mark C. FavaBooks Mentioned:Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape by Mark C. Fava, illustrated by Agus Prajogo and Yohanes Bastia: Amazon or Bookshop.org Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders by Mark C. Fava: Amazon or Bookshop.orgComing soon: Patrick the Pilot and Riley the Rescue SwimmerAbout Mark C. Fava:Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired U.S. Navy Captain who served 30 years, six on active duty and 24 in the reserves, commanding three units, including a P-3 squadron. As a naval flight officer, he flew missions tracking Soviet submarines in the P-3 Orion. He is a vice president at the world's largest aerospace company and the author of Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders. Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape is his first picture book and the launch of the Shipshape Shipmates series. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters.Visit: https://theshipshapeshipmates.com/Author website: https://markcfava.comCredits:Host: Bianca SchulzeGuest: Mark C. FavaEditor: Kelly RinkProducer: Bianca Schulze

A thoughtful children's story about bullying, friendship, kindness, and asking for help. One boy learns that his actions can change when he finds the courage to speak up.

On Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, violence targeted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Four people died and eight others were injured when a man rammed a truck into a chapel, started a fire and began shooting.  Since the attack, members of the Grand Blanc Ward have received support from Church leaders and members all over the world, as well as love and aid from their own community.  “I have seen so much goodness, so much love and so much kindness,” said Grand Blanc Michigan Stake President Marcelino Sanchez. President Sanchez joins Church News reporter Mary Richards on this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about what has happened in the past year and what is ahead. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by Ellie Lewis.

What fuels true repentance? This week in our ROMANS series, our Senior Pastor, Miles Fidell, reveals that beneath our sin is a broken relationship with God—and true repentance is fueled not by fear of judgment, but by awe of His kindness.

Power of Praying Scriptures over your Marriage: Special Patreon Release with Jodie Berndt   1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV) "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."   *Transcription Below*   Jodie Berndt is bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, which includes volumes for Children, Teens, Adult Children, and Life, plus the new Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage (2023). Jodie has been a trusted speaker, Bible teacher, and prayer warrior for over thirty years. She and her husband, Robbie, have four married children, and they live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.   Connect with Jodie through her website or Instagram.   Questions and Topics We Discuss: What are some ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you, specifically as it relates to marriage? Will you share a few of the helpful questions for couples that you write in the book? How have you seen kindness open the door to changes in a marriage?   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chick-fil-A East Peoria and The Savvy Sauce Charities (and donate online here)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:10 - 2:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   I want to say a huge thank you to today's sponsors for this episode, Chick-fil-A East Peoria and Savvy Sauce Charities.   If this is your first time here, welcome! You may be wondering what it means to have a special Patreon release. So, here's the scoop. Patreon was a platform we used to generate financial support for The Savvy Sauce, and we expressed our thanks to those paying patrons by giving them a bonus episode every month. But, in 2024, we transitioned away from Patreon when we became a non-profit called Savvy Sauce Charities. The podcast is part of this non-profit, which exists to resource loved ones to inspire growth and intimacy with God and others.   So, people used to pay to support us through Patreon, but now they can just donate directly to our non-profit. We spend thousands of dollars each year to record and produce these episodes, and we do pray that they're beneficial and that God sees fit to use them to be transformational in your life. If that is the case, if you have ever benefited from an episode of The Savvy Sauce, would you consider showing your gratitude through your financial generosity? Any amount is greatly appreciated. In fact, if every listener gave only $1 per month, it would completely offset our costs. We have all the details on our website, thesavvysauce.com, but feel free to also reach out to our team anytime if you want to partner together. Our email address is info@thesavvysauce.com.   And now I'm pleased to share this episode with you that used to only be available to paying patrons. Jodie Berndt is my guest today. She is the bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, and today we're going to focus on the powerful way to pray the scriptures for our marriage. And I just want to give you a heads up that you may hear a lot of airplanes in the background during our conversation, but I hope it doesn't take away from all the goodness Jodie is about to share. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Jodie.   Jodie Berndt: (2:49 - 2:53) Laura, thank you. It is just a huge treat to be able to chat with you today.   Laura Dugger: (2:54 - 2:59) Well, will you begin by just first telling us a bit about yourself and the work that you get to do?   Jodie Berndt: (3:01 - 4:19) Sure. Yes. Well, like you, I have four children. Mine are grown now, though. I have three daughters and then a son at the end, and they're all adults and married and having kids of their own. I met my husband back when we were in college. We both went to the University of Virginia and got married right after college, kind of jumped into the whole marriage and family thing. By today's standards, it seems ridiculously young. I look back and I think I don't know what we were thinking. But as Robbie, my husband says, when you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start right now. And I think we both kind of felt that way. And so, we've been married now, I guess, nearly 38 years.   Your listeners may know that I write books. I write the Praying the Scriptures books. I've done others as well. But those are the ones that I am primarily focused on now. Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, your teens, your adult children, your life, because we needed ourselves too. And then most recently, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. So, I never set out to become a prayer writer or even a book writer. But golly, I have realized the power of prayer and my desperate need for God's help in all things. So, I think it sort of fell backwards into it. And it's been a fun journey.   Laura Dugger: (4:20 - 4:37) Well, and I first encountered that book that you mentioned, Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, when I was a new mom, and it was so powerful. So, when you look back to that one, what are some of the stories or takeaways that really stand out from that resource?   Jodie Berndt: (4:38 - 9:31) Oh, gosh. Well, thank you for asking about that one. That was a book that was sort of born, as I said, out of my own need for the Lord, because nothing reveals your flaws and inadequacies and need for help beyond yourself as much as having children does. At least for me, that was the case. I'd grown up in a Christian home. Prayer was a natural part of life for me but not sort of the specific intentional prayers and not praying the scriptures.   And for anybody who doesn't know what that means, it just means taking the words that we read in the Bible, the things that God actually says to us there and using them to shape how we think about things, how we long for things, kind of creating our desires as based on what we read and then animating our prayers so that, as Jesus says in John 15, he looks at his disciples, he's getting ready to go to the cross, and you think of all the things he could have talked about. He chose to drill down on staying connected to him primarily through our prayers. He says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you." And then he explains why. He says, "This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."   And I think I read that chapter in those specific verses, probably a hundred times over my life without fully comprehending what he was talking about there. And I think what he's talking about is that as we abide in him, as we remain in him, as we stay connected day in and day out, whether we're doing the laundry or running a carpool or anything else, we can allow the things we read in the Bible to shape our thoughts, shape our longings, and then give voice to our prayers. And when we do that, that really is the secret to living a difference-making, transformational, impactful life, to bearing fruit.   I loved being able to kind of look back over a 20-year history. And the stories in that book, in all my books, are real-life people who have real-life struggles and real-life prayers. And some of them have very happy endings. Some of them are still being played out. All of them represent times when we're having to trust God. And as I looked back over 20 years of praying parents and watched these families, where when I first was interviewing the mom or the dad, their kids might be five or seven or ten years old. And now, you know, these kids are in their 30s, some of them. And I'm like, wow, God, you know, it's like watching hair grow sometimes when we're praying and we don't see the needle moving. But with the perspective of history and time, you can see how God works. And so that was a huge blessing to me that I didn't expect when I went back and re-read the book and updated the book to be able to see what God has done.   And one particular chapter that I loved in that book was the chapter on praying for your child to promote God's kingdom. And there's a story in there about two little second grade boys, Brandon and Eddie. And I was part of a moms in prayer group at the time. And we were praying a verse, Ephesians 5:16, that our kids would make the most of every opportunity, that they would be wise in the way they live. We really didn't know how God would answer that prayer. But what parent doesn't want their child to be wise in the way they live and to make the most of the opportunities? Well, sure enough, we prayed that prayer. And two weeks later, one of the moms in our group came in and told the most jaw-droppingly beautiful story of how her son, a second grader, as part of an in-class assignment, had chosen to write a persuasive essay. And you can imagine what a second-grade essay looks like. But most of the kids in the class thought, I'm going to persuade my grandmother to give me a bicycle or I'm going to persuade my mom to let me stay up late and watch a TV show, whatever it is. This child chose to write to one of his classmates, who had been known as a real troublemaker in that class and in the school, about why he should accept Jesus as the Lord of his life. And he put these 10 points, things like, you know, God loves you. Jesus loves you. You can have anything you want in heaven. Just is a second grader's viewpoint. And I'm telling you what, I did that interview and wrote that story 20 some years ago. And still today, as I look back on that child and again, getting to watch him grow up, he's now a father with children of his own. And seeing how God has worked in that child's life in answer to that Ephesians 5 prayer that our child will be wise, making the most of every opportunity. I'm just dumbfounded. First, by how God answered that in a second grader's life and how he's continued to have the answer to that prayer unfold over this young man's life as he's grown. It's just we never can know when we pray what God will do.   Laura Dugger: (9:33 - 9:53) Absolutely. Because the fruit looks so different than the seed. And that's incredible to have that gift of perspective. But now with your newest title, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage, first of all, how do you even respond to someone if they ask you, why does prayer matter in marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (9:54 - 12:29) Yeah, well, that's actually a question that I get more than you would think. And especially from people who aren't super comfortable praying. Because a lot of us, even if we've grown up in church-going Christian homes, the idea of praying with our spouse just might not come naturally. And even for Robbie and me. But I'll tell you one of the reasons we want to do it is because prayer really does matter. As I jumped into writing this book, I started doing some research and secular research points to all of these benefits that it reinforces the idea of prayer does that you're on the same team. Psychologists have found that prayer increases a sense of satisfaction in your relationship. It heightens your own sense of emotional well-being. If you're mad, it gives you a chance to calm down. It can lower your blood pressure. And there have even been studies done that shows that when couples pray together, it even leads to better sex. And so, you get all of these things that are completely separate from maybe the spiritual side of why God would want us to pray. This is just the secular research.   But when you take it a step further and look at why God wants us to pray, oh, my goodness. You know, it opens the door to intimacy, both with ourselves and with the Lord, because honestly, it's being vulnerable, isn't it? When we pray, you know, that is asking God for help. That's acknowledging our dependence on him, admitting we can't always be kind or selfless or forgiving on our own. And, you know, I don't know any husbands or wives who can do those things because we're all inherently flawed. We're broken. We're selfish people. And we can kind of start to shrivel up under what pressure to just get it all right, you know, to be a good wife, to be a good husband. And we can feel like we're failing. And yet, when we realize that through prayer, we've got this vehicle of inviting God into the mix, into our relationship, of letting the Holy Spirit step in and do the things that only he can do to work in us, giving us, as Philippians 2:13 says, the desire and the power to do what pleases God. I mean, that just changes the equation. It removes the burden from our shoulders of trying to build a strong marriage or be a good husband or wife. And just says, God, you know what? I can't do this on my own. I need you. Our marriage needs you. And that just opens up the runway, I think, for us in marriages and really gives us a new intimacy and a new confidence in our relationships.   Laura Dugger: (12:30 - 12:45) Well, and Jodie, you did so much research on marriages in preparation for this book. So, what are some of the ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you specifically as it relates to marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (12:45 - 16:24) I'll tell you, an ancient truth that runs throughout Scripture is God's desire for us to talk to him about all of the details of our lives. There's nothing too big or nothing too small for him to care about. And I know you shared with me that you loved the Isaiah 7:11 verse in The Message translation, which is when Ahaz and the Lord are talking together. And God says, ask anything, you know, be extravagant, ask for the moon. And that's God's invitation to us to ask big. But there are also verses in Scripture where it says, you know, he delights in the details of our lives. He bends down to listen. So, we really can talk to him about the smallest things.   And I'll tell you, in terms of what you term ancient truths, I would say, and your listeners, I'm sure, know this, that the Bible is kind of one big story of God's love for us. And the covenant of marriage really is designed to reflect that. You know, we say this in our marriage vows, but I've yet to meet a bride or groom who really knows what they're talking about when they say those vows. I know for Robbie and me, we were just starry eyed and in love and speaking these vows without even really thinking what it would mean for better, for worse, you know, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish all of those things. But I'll tell you what, marriage gives us a chance to live out the gospel every day in a million little ways.   I love what Tim Keller says about the gospel. He says the gospel is this. It's that we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe. And yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus than we ever dared hope. And, you know, isn't that a picture of marriage? Because nothing reveals our flaws and our sins as much as taking two inherently selfish people and bringing them into close proximity with each other day in and day out. We are going to love against each other. We're going to be aware of our brokenness. Nobody knows my weak points as much as my husband. Nobody knows his as much as I do. So, we're so aware that we're flawed. And yet within the covenant of our marriage, we can honestly say, OK, we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope as we do what Christ did and give ourselves up for one another.   Ephesians 5, it's that classic New Testament passage about how human relationships are supposed to work. And Paul starts out, he says, Ephesians 5:2, "Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." And you may blow by a verse like that because it sounds very theological and holy. And you think, OK, what does that really mean in my human relationships? And more specifically, what does that mean for our marriage? OK, walking in love, giving yourself up. It could be something as simple as getting out of bed to let the dog out so that your husband or your wife can sleep in. It may be going to the in-laws for dinner when everything in us wants to stay home because we know that's what our spouse longs to do. Anytime we choose to put our partner's needs and desires ahead of our own, that's partaking of the gospel. That is giving ourselves up for them as Jesus gave himself up for us. Even as we do that in the little decisions of our lives every day, we get to live out that gospel. And what a beautiful opportunity. So, if I had to take one ancient truth from all of scripture, it would be that the Bible is one big love story of God's love for us. And in our marriages every day, we can live that out in a million little decisions.   Laura Dugger: (16:26 - 16:50) Well, in your book, you open up about your journey of learning to listen to your husband instead of interrupting him. Oh, yeah. And just a crazy side note. I'm just going to quote you here where you write, the average person pays attention for about eight seconds and can only go 17 seconds before interrupting someone. 17 seconds.   Jodie Berndt: (16:50 - 19:53) Yes. I mean, I read that in my research. I think that was out of Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I think was the source there. But when I read that, I thought, oh, my goodness. A, that makes me just mortified. But B, it makes me feel better about myself because I am an interrupter. I always think that I have the answer, the solution or something that's going to be really either interesting to say or solving to say whatever it is. And I had to learn to give my husband space to speak because like a lot of men, I think he's not super verbose. He's not going to be letting his words tumble out. And so, I have to give space and time in our conversations for him to be able to get his words together instead of just leaping to a conclusion and saying, I know exactly what you mean or stepping in and trying to finish his sentence because he may have something that he's concerned about or worried about.   You know, I tell a story in the book, too, where when we taught a marriage class, we had to rate each other on all kinds of things, 20 different topics on a scale of like zero to four. I think it was. And he gave me a zero in meeting his emotional needs. And I thought zero, but that's not fair. I didn't even know you had emotional needs because you are such a steady, reliable, non-mercurial person. And I realized just because he's steady and not all over the map, doesn't mean he doesn't have fears and worries and concerns and emotional needs just like I do. I had to learn to kind of let him express those. And for his part, he had to learn to let me speak without immediately jumping in and wanting to fix something. I think men, a lot of our husbands are natural fixers. They love us. They want to solve our problems. They want to help us analyze what's wrong. And there have been times where I have had to just look at Robbie, sometimes even take a space in my hands and say, OK, I just want to tell you something. And I don't need you right off the bat to fix it. I just need to be heard. I need to know that you understand. So, will you just listen without trying to solve or analyze or fix and let me express myself, communicate? And that's been a really good listening tool. So so, between me trying to interrupt and him trying to solve and fix, we have really had to learn some some tools and some strategies that we talk about in the book for becoming better listeners.   And I think it only makes sense, right? We are not ever taught to listen or taught to speak. I've got grandchildren here and it's really fun to watch them at age one and two and three learn to mimic what we say when we say, can you say yes, please? Can you say, you know, I love you. And it's delightful to watch our children learn to form words. But nobody ever says to us, OK, let me teach you to listen. Let me teach you to wait. Let me teach you to reflect. Let me teach you to ask questions to help you understand more. All of those things may not come naturally to us. And so, there are things we have to be intentional in marriage and in every relationship about learning.   Laura Dugger: (19:54 - 20:07) Well, are there any of those game changing tools that you would like to elaborate on if someone really hasn't been trained to learn how to listen? Well, what has helped you and Robbie really listen and love?   Jodie Berndt: (20:07 - 22:13) Yeah, well, me not. Number one, expecting him to be a mind reader. I think sometimes we girls, because we intuit things, we think, oh, surely he'll pick this up. And I've had to learn that I need to really be clear in my communication. And just like I said earlier, you know, if I just want him to listen without fixing, I need to say that. And we've also had to learn things like I think sometimes listeners can try to reassure other people. We can minimize the problem saying, oh, it's going to be all right. You know, don't worry. That happened to me once, too. And while we might think we're doing someone a favor by that, what we're really doing is undermining their need to express themselves, to be heard, to say they really are afraid or concerned.   And so, I think a good listener doesn't just jump in immediately with the reassurance or another bad habit is deflecting, you know, saying, oh, yeah, that reminds me of the time I. And we think, oh, good, we're going to take their mind off the problem by telling them another story. And no, they don't maybe need to have their mind taken off it right then. What they might need right then is to know that they're being heard. Or even another bad habit that we had to learn to avoid is intellectualizing something or explaining something. You know, well, the reason it didn't go well for you at work today, honey, is that you probably started by just saying exactly what you felt without giving everybody else in the room a chance to speak or whatever it is. You know, we're going in trying to armchair quarterback our spouse's life by explaining and intellectualizing when, again, they just need to know we're listening, we're hearing, we're willing to be sympathetic and empathize, and we're willing to pray. And we don't have to have the answers.   We can say, gosh, that must be hard. You know, why don't we just stop right now and just say, God, we don't know what to do here. Just like Jehoshaphat had said, you know, he was facing vast armies. He said, God, I don't know what to do. We don't know what to do. But our eyes are on you. And we can say that in our marriage saying, I don't know how to help my spouse. We don't know what to do about this. But God, we're inviting you into this mix. And that's what a good listener can sound like. Sometimes you don't have to have all the answers.   Laura Dugger: (22:14 - 22:36) And I would even add, I guess it's part of the hope of this podcast, even, to ask really great questions. And our tagline is Practical Chats for Intentional Living. And the hope is that anyone listening would be inspired to also ask great questions and have their own practical chats for intentional living.   Jodie Berndt: (22:36 - 25:28) Yes, I love that you bring that up. Because in the book, there are questions at the end of every chapter. I didn't start out to write Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. But after these other four books came out, I kept hearing from people on Instagram or via my website saying, when are you going to write something about marriage? You know, I'm in this most important human relationship. And we are grating against each other. You know, we need God's help when it comes to knowing how to handle conflict, how to handle our finances, time with our in-laws, intimacy issues, or learning, as you and I have been talking here, how to talk well, how to listen well, how to communicate, how to make friends. You'd think that would come naturally, but sometimes it doesn't. And couples struggle to find people that they want to do life with.   So, all of these things, leaving our legacy, parenting, are things marriages want God to be involved in. And so, these are what the different chapters, the topics. And at the end of each one, there are questions that we can ask our spouse. You know, hit the pause button and say, you know, say it's the chapter on having fun together. We might get to the end of that chapter and say, what's something you'd like to do that might surprise me? Because we don't always know what our spouse's idea of relaxation or fun or laughter would look like. And so, the questions in there are designed to elicit conversation. And you know what? If your spouse isn't interested in talking to you about any of those things, you can talk to the Lord about them. You can open your journal, and you can just write things out. You can listen to God. So, the discussion starters are in there for husbands and wives to use together or for you to use in your own quiet times with the Lord.   And I'll tell you, this is the only book in the series that Robbie has really written with me. He read every word of every chapter before I would send it off to the editor. And time and again, he would come back to me, and he would say, Jodie, I don't think a husband's going to really know what you mean by that. Or I don't think you have dug deep enough on this one or been as helpful as you might be on that one. And that made it hard. I mean, talk about a chance to have conflict with your spouse, invite them to edit your book. But it was so valuable because it has created a resource where I think a wife might buy the book. But I really do think a husband now might be willing to pick up the book. And even if the husband's not digging deep into the stories of every chapter, any husband or any wife can pick it up. Pray the 10 or 12 verses at the end of each chapter or just pray one verse that seems to resonate. And then avail themselves of those discussion questions and conversation starters so that it can help communication both between husband and wife and between you and God. So, thank you for bringing up that part about questions, because that really is something we need to do more about in life. We can't ever know someone without asking those things.   Laura Dugger: (25:29 - 26:18) I agree. And so, we've covered now how listening is that one important ingredient in communication. But in addition, you write, it is still important to stay current with our spouse by also talking and sharing what's going on within and around us. And you write on page 49, The things we don't say can become wedges in our relationships. Communication involves two parts, talking and listening, and we need to be good at both. And Jodie, I think that you model a helpful way to think about this through something that you taught your children. So, will you share that illustration of serving the ball and hitting it back and how that applies to conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (26:18 - 29:16) That's so funny that you pulled that out. And its funny right now because I just read that in a very important intellectual article that showed up in my inbox from one of these institutes. I follow on family studies and different things. I thought that Robbie and I had invented this idea of serving the ball. Our son was an athlete and not much of a talker. And because he was an athlete all year round, he would go to different tournaments, different places. And I remember him being a young teen and not being super eager to engage in conversation. But because we had four kids and you can relate to this, we were not always taking our kids to all the different tournaments and activities. A lot of times they'd be riding in a car with another adult, another team dad or mom. And on one occasion, I remember popping him in the car with a friend of ours who was going to go meet a lacrosse team, you know, another state away. And we knew he'd be in the car for three or four hours. And we said, OK, you know, when Mr. So-and-so asks you a question, you can't just answer with one word, you know, like I'm good or yes, sir. We want you to hit the ball back. We want you to think of something that you can ask him. Think of a conversation. That's our son's name. We said, like you're in a game where the ball has to go back and forth, like say something to keep it in play. And for him, that was a real eye opener for how to learn to talk when he mostly knew how to hit balls back and forth.   And researchers noticed that couples who paid that attention, you know, if a spouse, if a husband said, hey, look at that bird. Isn't that a pretty bird? If the wife didn't even notice the bird, that planted a seed of contempt or indifference, coldness, the cold shoulder that could grow, whereas if the partner said, wow, gosh, that is a pretty bird, and, you know, that reminds me of the one we saw last week on our walk, and, I mean, that's a silly illustration, maybe noticing the bird, maybe it's a sunset, maybe it's saying, wow, this, you know, hamburger is really good, whatever it is, whatever the little tidbits of conversation, when we pick up, when we hit the ball back, when we pay attention and say, you know, yeah, that creates an interest in our spouse and a kindness.   Laura Dugger: (29:17 - 35:00) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Did you know you can go to college tuition-free just by being a team member at Chick-fil-A East Peoria? Free college education. All Chick-fil-A East Peoria team members in good standing can take advantage of this incredible benefit. If you're looking for a workplace that invests in your future, Chick-fil-A East Peoria is the place for you. You don't have to go into debt for college. Visit Chick-fil-A.com/EastPeoria and click on the career tab. And if you aren't located near Chick-fil-A East Peoria, make sure you check with your local Chick-fil-A restaurant to see if they also participate.   Jodie Berndt: And I'll tell you, when I started doing the kindness research, I said to Robbie, do you think some people are just more naturally kind than others? And he said, yeah, I do. I think some people are just naturally more kind. And I think he's right, but I don't think you put a period there, because kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, right? Galatians 5:22 and 23, it does talk about how love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness is what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. And researchers have found that kindness actually works with them like a muscle. It gets stronger in our lives the more we commit to using it. And I love what folks at the National Marriage Project discovered. They discovered that when we are kind to our spouse with these simple things, you know, bringing them a cup of coffee in the morning, it doesn't even have to be super important, that creates an atmosphere in which generosity toward one another can flourish. And what it does is create an upward spiral. You know, we all talk about downward spirals and how we can just descend into contempt or coldness. We can also ascend. We can create that upward spiral through simple, small words and gestures that communicate kindness in marriage. And it can change the whole climate and allow intimacy and love to flourish.   And I will tell you what, Robbie and I are in the empty nest years, and we have friends who are in our same season, and a couple of couples in particular. For the last maybe four or five years have confided to us that they're not as kind to one another as they would like to be. Their marriage is strong. They're not getting a divorce, but their kids are raised, and they each have kind of their own lanes they're in, and they're in the empty nest, and they're recognizing that they just don't treat each other with the generosity and love in their words and in their actions that maybe they did when they were younger. And you would say, oh, what a shame. Except that it's not a shame because these couples have committed to praying about it and to inviting other couples who will keep that confidential into their lives to say, hey, will you pray this for us? And I will tell you what, we are seeing the needle move in our friends' lives. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone in their 60s who thinks, you know what, I'm just not that kind, actually begin to soften and change and be kind as the Holy Spirit goes to work. So, if you're listening and you're thinking, you know what, I'm just not that nice of a person. I'm just not that kind. Or my spouse, they've been kind of cool or cold all these years. Don't give up. Keep praying. Keep trying. Keep relying on the Holy Spirit. Invite other couples into the mix who can come alongside you and pray for you and even maybe hold you a little accountable saying, okay, you know, that word was maybe harsher than it needed to be. And watch what God can do. Kindness really matters.   Laura Dugger: (45:06 - 45:45) Yes, it does. And my husband, Mark, and I love to ask questions of couples who are in the next season of life. So, we have some friends at church who are empty nesters, and we've asked them similar questions around kindness. And it was really helpful that they said what really enhanced their marital satisfaction and enjoyment of one another in those years was their tone. And I thought that was a really practical application, just to be mindful of our tone. At any season, I think of us raising little ones as well to watch our tone with our kids and our spouse.   Jodie Berndt: (45:46 - 46:16) Yeah, absolutely. And even when we speak in a tone that might, you know, I believe me, can blurt something out and it comes out sounding snippier than I meant. And I have to recognize that and say, I know that came out like I was challenging you or that I was correcting you or whatever. I didn't mean it that way. That was a genuine question of, you know, do you think we should do this or that? And I'm sorry it sounded snippy. So, we have to be aware. And when those things slip out to quickly correct that and say, gosh, sorry, let me try that again.   Laura Dugger: (46:17 - 46:38) Yeah. And I guess it's reminded me of one other quote that was really helpful. On page 63, you shared that one husband was giving a really practical definition for respect. And he said, respect looks like paying attention when I am talking, even if you have better things to do.   Jodie Berndt: (46:39 - 48:11) Yeah, I remember that couple. And I'll tell you, this was a great illustration. I'm glad you brought that one up because this is a wife who loved her husband deeply, respected what he did, said good things about him publicly and in front of people. And she would think, well, so of course he knows I respect him. Like I just praised him in front of our small group, or I just told him what a great job I thought he did on that presentation or whatever he told me about from work. And she thought, so of course he knows I respect him, but he's watching their day in, day out encounters and realizing that like so many women, you know, we do five things, 10 things at once. And he's thinking, I don't even think you're paying attention to me because I'm over here talking and you know, you're cooking the dinner or checking something on your phone or whatever. And you're listening with kind of half an ear. And she had to learn that to him, respect meant stop what you're doing and pay attention to me. And of course we can't do that all the time. Like especially if we've got little kids and they're grabbing our legs and stuff, we might have to say, hold on. I really want to pay attention to what you're saying. Can you give me five minutes to, you know, get the child settled with a coloring book or put the baby to bed or get some food in this toddler, whatever it is, because this is important to me. And I want to pay attention. So sometimes when an important need for respect is, is happening, we have to just set the stage to reassure our partner that yeah, I love you. I want to listen. I want to pay attention. I want to respect you. Let me set it up so I can do that really well. So yeah, good one.   Laura Dugger: (48:12 - 48:17) Well, do you have any other favorite stories or lessons that stand out from your book?   Jodie Berndt: (48:18 - 51:06) Well, I think a big takeaway for me is the importance of community kind of at every stage. You know, the Bible says walk with the wise and become wise for a companion of fools suffers harm. You know, that's a proverb. And I think it's really true that we need to be intentional about who we surround ourselves with. Certainly, as we're starting out young in our marriages, there's going to be adjustment phases. Even the most well-suited couples come from two different families. And as we're trying to blend our expectations, our needs, our desires, our histories, they're going to be bumps along the way. And you want to be surrounded with couples who will be able to almost laugh with you and say, yeah, you know, we had that too. And let me just tell you, here's how we navigated that. Instead of somebody who will say, oh my gosh, my husband drives me just as crazy. Like literally, I had a running group one time where I realized that there was a lot of husband bashing going on in the early morning hours as we would get out on the street, you know, before the kids went to school. And I thought this isn't really healthy. We need to change the channel on this conversation. And so, you know, and sometimes that was doable by simply changing the topic of conversation or saying something positive or just saying, “Hey, let's all list three things we're grateful about, about our spouse.”   But I think how we surround ourselves with couples really makes a difference also in the empty nest years. And I think our friendships change. Robbie and I have had friends change significantly many times over the years. Sure. There are those people that we can look back on college roommates that we're still in touch with, and that's wonderful. But we have had cross country moves four times. We have had different seasons with our kids where all of our friends might be the ones we're on the bleachers with because we are seeing them two and three times a week and traveling on the weekends to games and things like that. And now we're in the empty nest years and our friends are starting to go visit grandkids. They are in retirement, some of them and traveling for fun. Others have taken up new hobbies, new volunteer commitments. So that landscape has shifted and we've had to say, all right, let's look for life giving people, be intentional about who we want to invite over to our house for dinner, who we'd like to co-chair a project with, something where we are constantly thinking about how we can surround ourselves with people who share our faith, who will sharpen us. Again, that proverb about iron sharpening iron, our friends really matter. We want to be around people who keep us sharp and who will be intentional about pouring into our marriages. So, you know, they say divorce is catching, and it really is. If you're in a community where people are just quick to give up or quick to bash their spouse, change that, change that in your life. Look for folks who are leaning in and helping one another love well.   Laura Dugger: (51:07 - 51:27) And I think you're very encouraging to those couples that are entering or in the midst of the empty nest phase of life. And you drew out a proverb that I'd never heard in The Message version in Proverbs 4:18, where it says the longer they live, the brighter they shine.   Jodie Berndt: (51:28 - 51:58) Yeah. Isn't that a great one? I mean, you could read Proverbs 4:18 and in the NIV and the ESV and the King James, all that. And it's always good. But boy, when I hit it in The Message, and I don't know, I might've seen it around my 50th birthday or something, but I thought the longer they live, the brighter they shine. Amen. God, I want to put that on my refrigerator. Just remind me that, you know, you don't necessarily have to have all the Botox to keep shining bright. You can just have the Holy Spirit living in you and through you animating your life and making you radiant. So yeah, I love that one. I'm glad you called that out.   Laura Dugger: (51:59 - 52:06) Yeah. Are there any other ways that you see that play out as people do start to navigate these empty nest years?   Jodie Berndt: (52:07 - 53:52) I think you can become kind of insular as you get older. If we weren't being intentional about trying to have new experiences, make some new friends, your world can start shrinking because maybe your responsibilities at work aren't as demanding. So, you have more time away from work or your kids are gone. So, you're not seeing all the friends that you've done life with all that time. So, emptiness can be a time of loneliness for couples. And it can be a time when you are thinking, gosh, I'm not as active or having as much fun. But we have a friend named Jim Burns. He's written a lot of books on marriage and family issues. And he writes, he says, who would have thought that the most intimate times in a marriage aren't necessarily in the first few years, but in the empty nest. And he and his wife have navigated this transition so successfully. And I think it's in large part because they have been intentional about having fun together, about trying new things. And another couple, I know Susan and Johnny Yates, they're in their seventies. And they were like, Hey, we've never gone snowmobiling. You want to try it? Yeah, let's try it. And I just think, you know, the more we're willing to get out there and try new experiences, a new place to visit, it might even be as simple as a restaurant we've never been to, but just kind of ensuring that your world stays bigger, your friend groups stay bigger, and that you can be leaning into the fact that, you know, I think about Job where it says, God blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former. And there is a real, a real beauty to knowing that you have a lot of runway left when you hit the empty nest years and asking God, how do you want to use me in my family, in my church, in my community, and being open to the things he puts in front of you?   Laura Dugger: (53:53 - 54:02) I love that. And Jodie, you are just such an encourager. So where can we go online to learn more from you after this conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (54:03 - 55:19) Thank you for asking that. My website is jodieberndt.com. And I would really encourage people to check that out and kind of scroll around. There's an area called resources and printables where there's a lot of free stuff like 31-day prayer calendars. You can download and print to help you pray for your marriage, a verse every day, or pray for your children or your adult children, your teens, your life, all of those calendars are on there, as well as little prayer cards, things you can tuck into your kid's lunchbox or leave on their bedside table. If you have a teenager who maybe would roll their eyes, you know, if you want to walk in there and say goodnight prayers, you might say, well, you know what? I'm just going to leave this little thing on their pillow, so they know that mom or dad is praying. And again, even if they're acting like they don't want it, I've never yet met a teen, my own included, who used to sometimes roll their eyes who will now tell me, you know what mom? I really was listening. I really did appreciate that. So, a little hang in there strategy, but yes, at jodieberndt.com all those resources. And then I'm pretty active on Instagram and that's just @jodie_berndt. So, if people want to follow there, I love to share different prayer prompts or encouragements. People can DM me with questions and it's just a fun way to, to make friends in a digital way that you might not ever be able to see someone in real life, but we can all learn from each other.   Laura Dugger: (55:19 - 55:40) Well, we will add links to all of those places in the show notes for today's episode. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because yes, I love it. I love it. And savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Jodie, what is your savvy sauce?   Jodie Berndt: (55:41 - 57:21) That is such a great question. I love that you asked all your guests that I think for me, this might sound boring or even holier than thou, but I don't mean it that way. For me, a scripture is my savvy sauce. Like I turn to the Bible for my answers. I turn to it to shape my prayers. Like I can be so given to worry about something. I can just naturally go to a place of panic or uncertainty. And yet in the pages of scripture, I find promises that I can hold on to in a way that I can exchange my panic for peace and just trust God's provision. And the circumstances might not have changed, but what has changed as I lean into the Lord and read of his faithfulness in the past, they can help me trust for the future and it doesn't have to be this long. Like the other thing is there was a time when I thought, oh gosh, if I don't spend a half an hour, an hour, you know, reading my Bible with a candle smelling up the room and a nice cup of coffee and my journal open, it's not going to count. And I really, especially when I had younger children, it was so beautiful. An older woman, older mother set me straight. She said, Jodie, you know, you can talk to God in the carpool line. You can read three verses of scripture and meditate on those during the day. That may be more transformational than reading an entire book of the Bible and just having permission to take that in small bites, especially if you've got little ones. I think that is a great savvy sauce. Just find yourself a verse or two, hold onto it, write it out on an index card and meditate on it during the day and see what it does.   Laura Dugger: (57:22 - 57:43) That is so good. And going back to what we had talked about earlier, I experienced so much kindness in you and have really enjoyed this conversation and appreciate all that you've brought to encourage marriages. And I'm wondering if you would just close us out now with a prayer over all the marriages that are represented right now.   Jodie Berndt: (57:44 - 59:43) Oh, I would be so honored to do that. And right back at you. I mean, you're just, your voice is so very kind and welcoming. I just know your listeners love tuning in because it's like,  just having a conversation with a dear friend. So, thank you for that. But I would love, love, love to pray.   Heavenly Father, I just thank you so much for this conversation. I thank you so much for every marriage, every household represented as folks who are listening. And I just want to pray that prayer that I think I start the book with because it just jumps out at me day in and day out from 1 Thessalonians 3:12, "May our love overflow and increase for each other and for everyone else." That's something that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians. And I just want to pray it over all of our marriages, over all of our lives, over our parenting, that our love would increase, that it would overflow for one another, for our families, for our communities. And that that would be the sign that people can look at and say, you know, that as that old song says, they'll know we are Christians by our love. And it is so true in the way that we love one another, in the way that we are kind to one another. That just speaks volumes, Lord, about your love for us. I pray that we really would, as Paul writes in Ephesians, make the most of every opportunity. I pray we would live lives marked with wisdom, that we would, as he goes on in that same chapter, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Let our marriages, let our families, let our friendships be marked by that mutual submission, by that desire to not look just to our own interests, but to the interests of others, just being humble, God. Let us live humble lives, glorifying you, looking out for one another, and growing in the knowledge and grace of your son, Jesus Christ. It's in his name we pray. Amen.   Laura Dugger: (59:44 - 59:47) Amen, Jodie. Thank you so much for being my guest.   Jodie Berndt: (59:47 - 59:55) Laura, thank you so much, and Lord bless you in the work that you are doing to just equip and encourage so many. It's just wonderful.   Laura Dugger: (59:55 - 1:03:39) Thank you. One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

In this episode, Dr. B shares insight on the various ways that showing kindness reflects the purest love of God. Listeners will be encouraged to use their everyday life to become the reason that someone believes God see them.The HOPE Zone...where there's HOPE for every situation!

Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness admin Mon, 09/28/2026 - 12:00am Here's a principle for life: Relationships are built on trust and trust is built on truth. Tell the truth.

LOCAL CITY CHURCH Kindness is what happens when love follows through. Kindness is a personal characteristic. Kindness is based upon how we approach and value people. www.localcity.church 

Have you ever thought, I’ll feel more joy when life finally calms down? What if joy isn’t something you have to wait for?In today’s episode of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie explores the science of joy—and how choosing joy can actually lift your own well-being too. Bonnie shares a personal story about following a gentle prompting she really resisted initially — and the surprising joy she experienced in her own life after taking action.You’ll also discover how knowing you are deeply seen and known by God can become a source of joy—and how the joy and love you’ve received from Him can overflow into someone else’s life.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why joy doesn’t have to wait until your stressful circumstances change- How knowing you are seen, known, and heard by God can lift your heart- What Hannah’s story teaches us about joy in times of suffering- What research says about helping positive emotions multiply - Two simple ways to choose joy to reap the wellness benefits and grow closer to GodScripture“In your presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11“You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13Breath PrayerInhale: In Your presence…Exhale: There is fullness of joy.Resources & Studies Mentioned"Acts of Kindness & Well-Being" https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103117303451"Sharing Positive Experiences & Well-Being"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15301629Henri Nouwen on Choosing Joy:
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” by Henri Nouwen in his book "Here and Now: Living in the Spirit"https://link.amazon/B07FPEBYr → Read Whispers of Rest: 40 Days to Revitalize Your Soul with God's Love, by Bonnie:https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd → Join Bonnie on Instagram @thebonniegray → Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store Watch YouTube Devotionals:https://youtube.com/thebonniegray Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Superwoman Diaries #4: Car Loop Chaos & the Case for Just Being a Good Human It's 99 degrees, school is back in session, and the drop-off line has become a test of character. In this Superwoman Diaries episode, Jessica and Kelly vent about morning traffic, dog walkers who don't know the school schedule, and the car loop parents who turn a two-second drop-off into a full farewell ceremony. What starts as a rant turns into a real conversation about what we owe each other: American individualism versus community, what Lois Lowry's The Giver shows about rule-following societies, and whether kindness needs a religious label at all. Jessica and Kelly land on something simple: be a good human, for whatever reason works for you. Then they get honest about how hard that is when you're running late and someone cuts you off. In This Episode (00:05) Fall is coming, but first, a 99-degree morning and a school run blocked by walkers, bikers, and dog owners (01:50) The $750 school bus fine and how having kids changes how you see school zones (03:07) Car loop etiquette: unclip, backpack in lap, tuck and roll (04:31) Kelly on being considerate as a member of your community (05:19) Americans and individualism, plus reading The Giver with Giovanni (07:37) Kindness, faith, and whether "treat your neighbor as yourself" belongs to any one religion (11:37) Greek mythology, parables, and the stories that shape our moral code (13:17) Staying kind in traffic, road rage, and choosing compassion over "have the day you deserve" (15:18) Kelly's new habit of shopping close to home because her time matters (more on this next Superwoman Diaries) (16:11) Nobody's perfect, and this month's freebie Key Takeaways Being considerate is a shared responsibility. If you know you'll need extra time, whether in the drop-off line or on a busy road, plan for it so you don't slow everyone else down. You don't need a specific faith to live by a moral code. Many traditions teach the same basic idea: be kind and look out for other people. When someone's behavior sets you off, try telling yourself a more compassionate story about what might be happening in their life. Nobody gets this right all the time. Jessica and Kelly are still working on it too. Resources Mentioned The Giver by Lois Lowry The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz Brené Brown's books Tara Brach's podcast This Month's Freebie: The One Thing September's free download is The One Thing. Sign up for the Chasing Brighter newsletter to get it: https://chasingbrighter.com/newsletter/ Keywords & Search Terms Superwoman Diaries, Chasing Brighter podcast, school drop-off, car loop, carpool line, back to school, school zone traffic, moms podcast, sister podcast, being considerate, community, kindness, be a good human, individualism, The Giver, Lois Lowry, reading with kids, faith and morality, morals without religion, Greek mythology, Prometheus, The Four Agreements, Brené Brown, Tara Brach, road rage, compassion, traffic, Las Vegas traffic, shopping local, valuing your time, nobody's perfect, Becoming Not Arriving, real over perfect, women's podcast, personal development Connect With Us Website: chasingbrighter.com Instagram: @chasingbrighter TikTok: @chasingbrighter Facebook: @chasingbrighter YouTube: @chasingbrighter Newsletter: Sign up here A few things to check before you publish: I numbered this episode #4 based on the file name. Change it if your episode numbering is different. The transcript says "Tara Brock." I'm assuming you meant Tara Brach. I named Giovanni in the timestamps because you said his name on air. If you'd rather keep the kids' names out of the notes, change it to "reading The Giver with her son."

You can send and text and we love them.. but apparently we cant respond. Sorry!!A daily dose of good news in two minutes time... give or takeLike the podcast, you can support it let's have a coffee …. I mean.. or give me one . https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thedavidbeachSupport the showJoin us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/awesomenewsdailyor email me at awesomenewsdaily@gmail.com

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The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk www.LearningLeader.com My new book, The Price of Becoming, is a USA Today, LA Times, Success Magazine, and Publishers Weekly bestseller! I think you'll find it useful. Connect with me on Twitter/X: @RyanHawk12 Instagram: @RyanHawk12 Sign up for Mindful Monday (it's free):  This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. My guest: Danny Meyer is the founder of Union Square Hospitality Group and one of the most influential restaurateurs of his generation. He built New York landmarks like Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern, and Shake Shack... He's the author of the classic Setting the Table and the new What Could Possibly Go Right? Key Learnings "Business, like life, is all about how you make people feel. It's that simple and it's that hard." "Optimists and pessimists die the same way. They just live differently." Shimon Peres. Danny prefers to live as an optimist. Most people respond to hope. A few will come out of a dark closet hopping on a pogo stick and a few will walk on the shady side no matter what. Most people start the day intending to make it better than yesterday, and they'll follow someone who shows them how that could happen. A growing business needs funding and leadership. It also needs soil. Like a plant needs sun and water and still needs something to grow in. The soil is the culture, and it determines whether anything you plant actually grows. Be explicit about which behaviors you celebrate and which you won't tolerate. Then be relentlessly consistent about both. That's how culture survives you not being in the room. Everyone is watching who gets hired, promoted, and paid. Every time you compromise on either the skills or the character, you send a message that you didn't mean any of the words. Probably unwittingly, but you send it. Curiosity is the behavior Danny celebrates most. If you want a team that treats every day as a chance to be better than yesterday, someone has to actually wonder what could be done differently. Entrepreneurs are upsighted. Danny's word. They only see what's up, only see what could possibly go right, and they look at existing problems that would make the world better if solved. A bad salesperson answers questions you never asked. Danny remembers a shoe store that hauled out everything from the back room regardless of what he wanted. The only two questions that mattered were does it fit and do I like it. A great one gets into your shoes and asks what you'd want. Sometimes they help you get to the question you actually have. There's no job that doesn't benefit from good sales skills, and good writing skills. Entrepreneurial athleticism is the trait Danny looks for in every leader. Talent gets you in the door. Athleticism is dedicating yourself to train plus the mental and emotional mettle to find a way to win. Day one mentality. The day a restaurant opens, nothing is scratched, every door works, nothing is smudged, and you assume everyone might be a critic. Day one of year 10 should be better than the original, because you have ten years of learning. Without that, it only goes backwards. The hiring formula is 49 and 51. Forty-nine percent is how well he thinks you can do the job, which is mostly technical and different for every role. Fifty-one percent is who you are. That 51 percent is Hospitality Quotient. The composite of optimistic warmth, curious intelligence, determined work ethic, empathy, self-awareness, and integrity. Someone with a high HQ is happier themselves when they make someone else feel better. "Cooking a great piece of fish only gets you to the 49-yard line." You need all 100, and it isn't just the servers who need it. It's everybody. A high HQ is a liability in an interview. Danny sometimes has to park his own at the door, because his job isn't to make the candidate feel good. It's to assess how they'll make the staff and the guests feel. Never ask if someone is self-aware. They'll say yes. Ask instead: "What's the greatest misperception other people have about you?" You can't answer it without self-awareness, because you have to know both what you are and what you're projecting. When hiring a chef, Danny already knows they can cook. What he's testing is the feedback loop. Will they get defensive? Grateful? He may well be wrong in the feedback, and he still wants to know early what it's going to be like to lead this person. Caitlin took a reservation and saved a woman's life. She was getting a phone number when the caller's voice started halting. Caitlin sensed something was wrong, asked permission to call 911, and got the address. It was a hemorrhagic stroke. The woman survived and had to relearn how to speak. Caitlin was so moved that she went back to school to become a speech therapist for people with aphasia. When the woman died recently, she left Caitlin the money to pay for it. A good employee books the table accurately. A great one changes someone's night, or their life. Danny's point about Caitlin: nobody trained her for that. The culture did. Mind share is what marketing earns. Heart share is what hospitality earns. Mind share means people know you exist and think of you first. Heart share means they love you and tell everyone they know. The golden rule of hospitality is not the golden rule. Do unto others as you believe they would want done unto them. Service is one size fits all. Hospitality is one size fits one. The salmon that changed everything. Soon after Gramercy Tavern opened, a Union Square Cafe regular told Danny what happened was inexcusable. Her salmon came well done when she'd ordered it rare. Danny's first reaction was that an honest kitchen mistake didn't seem so bad. The mistake wasn't the problem. The response was. At Union Square Cafe, she said, the server would have noticed, quietly removed it, brought soup so her guests could keep eating, recooked it properly, and probably taken it off the bill. At Gramercy, nobody came over while she picked at it. A manager eventually took the plate, handed her a coat check, told her the rest would be waiting at the door, and left it on the bill. "If you don't have language, you cannot teach." For ten years Danny led one restaurant by embodying the behavior he wanted. With two, wherever he was, he wasn't at the other one. It was the first time he had to lead by using his words instead of just embodying what he wanted to see. Enlightened hospitality, in this order: Each other first. How the team treats each other, with generosity and charitable assumption. Then the guests. Then the community and the suppliers. Then the investors, who end up with more because of everything above. Break it anywhere, starting with how people care for each other, and it doesn't work. Lead with generosity. You're in business for tomorrow dollars, not today dollars. His staff charged that woman for the salmon because they were afraid she was working an angle. Danny's response: where is the charitable assumption that maybe we just overcooked it? Nice and kind are different. Nice isn't a bad thing, but sometimes nice is how you avoid addressing a problem. Kind means I'm on your side, which sometimes means holding up the mirror. If someone isn't measuring up and you let it go, that isn't kind and it isn't even nice. Kindness takes the courage to give honest feedback without demoralizing the person. Laying people off during the pandemic wasn't nice. Doing it one at a time was kind. Several hundred people, and nobody got laid off by tweet or mass email. Everyone was spoken to by their own boss. Shake Shack started because Danny asked what could possibly go right. An artist needed someone to run a hot dog cart under an installation in Madison Square Park. His team said they were too busy running four restaurants. Danny's argument was that the park was the front yard of two of them, and you take care of your front yard. They staffed it with their coat checkers and served Chicago-style on purpose. The coat checkers had no work until the weather turned cold, so this gave them a summer job. Chicago-style has eight toppings, which let them find out whether four coat checkers could remember how every regular liked it. The point was proving hospitality isn't only for fancy restaurants. They lost money two years running, and the community started calling it "our hot dog cart." Danny heard the word "our" and knew people felt shared ownership. Then he gave away the building. He built a $750,000 kiosk and donated it to the park, so the park owns the building and his company owns the business. A percentage of every sale goes back into keeping the park beautiful and safe. That first Shake Shack still pays just under a million dollars a year in rent to the park. Danny's champagne moment a year from now: that the book actually meant something to people. He wrote it to teach himself, because that's how he learns. If the lessons he picked up scraping his knees turn out to be useful to someone else, it was worth it. Reflection Questions Which behaviors does your team know for certain you celebrate, and which do they know you won't tolerate? If you asked five of them, would you get the same five answers? Look at your last promotion. Did that person clear the bar on both the 49 and the 51? What did everyone else learn from watching it? Where are you being nice right now when the situation calls for you to hold up the mirror? Podcast Chapters00:00 Apply for the Learning Leader Circle 01:36 Meet Danny Meyer 03:23 "It's That Simple, and It's That Hard" 05:15 Optimists and Pessimists Die the Same Way 08:47 Culture Is the Soil 12:53 Why He Celebrates Curiosity 15:44 What Sales Taught Him 19:48 Entrepreneurial Athleticism 23:15 The 49 and 51 Hiring Formula 26:10 "What's the Greatest Misperception About You?" 28:32 Testing the Feedback Loop in an Interview 29:44 Caitlin Saves a Life 32:51 Mind Share vs. Heart Share 34:33 The Golden Rule of Hospitality 35:33 If You Don't Have Language, You Cannot Teach 39:10 Enlightened Hospitality 41:35 Nice vs. Kind 43:10 Laying People Off the Kind Way 45:03 How a Hot Dog Cart Became Shake Shack 50:08 The Champagne Question 52:08 EOPC  

What happens when you take the price off a restaurant menu and simply trust people?When South Minneapolis restaurant owner and chef Dylan Alverson removed the prices from Modern Times Cafe, he thought he was responding to a crisis in his neighborhood. Instead, he launched an unexpected experiment in human nature.Over the next seven months, more than 30,000 meals were served with no prices attached. People donated. Strangers showed up to help. Farmers brought food. Tradespeople fixed things for free. People from very different walks of life sat together at the same tables.And then things got complicated.Dylan discovered that removing the price tag didn't remove the challenges. It forced him and his staff to confront questions about dignity, fear, addiction, generosity, community, and what it really means to welcome people.What started as a gamble became something much bigger: a real-world experiment in what happens when we choose trust over transactions.In this episode of the Kindness Chronicles Podcast, Dylan shares what he learned—and why, after everything he witnessed, he still says:“I have hope for humanity, strangely.”

Treat others with respect and dignity just as Christ would do for you. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Listen as Gabriel Lopez speaks on Deuteronomy 8 and how important its is to remember the ways God has encountered you. Discover why God values who you're becoming more than what you're accomplishing, and how a life surrendered to Him transforms everything around you. Check out the video here Thank you for tuning in to the Empowered Living Podcast. Here are some different ways to connect with us- https://empoweredlifechurch.org https://www.facebook.com/ELCtalent https://www.instagram.com/elct

You can send and text and we love them.. but apparently we cant respond. Sorry!!A daily dose of good news in two minutes time... give or takeLike the podcast, you can support it let's have a coffee …. I mean.. or give me one . https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thedavidbeachSupport the showJoin us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/awesomenewsdailyor email me at awesomenewsdaily@gmail.com

At Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, Rev. Sam Joyner continued his sermon series The Story of Ruth.

I. What Is the Fruit of Kindness? A. Manifested in Countenance B. Manifested in Word II. How Is it Produced? A. The Holy Spirit Convicts in Us the Absence of Kindness B. The Holy Spirit Established Kindness in Us

  Kindness does good to your soul.Listen to what the Bible says, from Proverbs.(click for podcast)The merciful loD ta'taH QaQ Daq Daj ghaj qa', 'ach ghaH 'Iv ghaH cruel troubles Daj ghaj ghab.The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.Online BibleListen to the Word, it helps us navigate the stars and beyond.

You can send and text and we love them.. but apparently we cant respond. Sorry!!A daily dose of good news in two minutes time... give or takeLike the podcast, you can support it let's have a coffee …. I mean.. or give me one . https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thedavidbeachSupport the showJoin us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/awesomenewsdailyor email me at awesomenewsdaily@gmail.com

What happens when one small act of kindness inspires another? ❤️ At an ordinary restaurant, Steve witnesses TWO simple moments that prove kindness still has the power to stand out.Listen to this ONE short story or ... "BINGE" 15 minutes for MORE encouragement! You can support my ministry plus receive my stories AUTOMATICALLY each day, by following me on Spotify! Love to hear from you! Email: encouragement971@gmail.com"Can Kindness Go Viral?" (103)“CAN KINDNESS GO VIRAL?”Episode 103 - BEST FAN - By Steve Table

Covenant Kindness | Kingdom Come vol 2Message by Joe Gordon Scripture References & Sermon Points • Covenant kindness seeks us out• Covenant kindness restores us back• Covenant kindness sits us down

You can send and text and we love them.. but apparently we cant respond. Sorry!!A daily dose of good news in two minutes time... give or takeLike the podcast, you can support it let's have a coffee …. I mean.. or give me one . https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thedavidbeachSupport the showJoin us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/awesomenewsdailyor email me at awesomenewsdaily@gmail.com

In this week's episode of the Push Pull Legs Podcast, hosts Dan and Tom dig into the harsh reality of workout programming: why lab-based exercise science often fails in real-world gyms, and how to write effective 12-week training blocks without wasting hours. Plus, the guys break down Badass Findlay's viral Greg's breakfast burrito, debate why French Contrast training doesn't require 6-minute rest periods, and rank the ultimate Top 5 British Desserts (Apple Crumble vs. Sticky Toffee Pudding). 0:00 Introduction & The Brisket Craze 2:13 Discussing the Ultimate Greg's Order 9:37 The Reality of Workout Programming 18:24 Application vs. Research in Training 25:22 Top Five British Desserts 36:35 Random Acts of Kindness & Life Updates

What if the qualities we already possess are enough to help us navigate whatever life throws at us? A quote from Marcus Aurelius got me thinking about gratitude, kindness, resilience, and the things within us that we might overlook until we need them. I found myself especially taken with his advice to “take full account of the excellences which you do possess,” although, naturally, I got a little distracted by his use of the word “hanker.” As a Southerner, I have questions.The older I get, the more I understand that living well has less to do with controlling what happens around me and more to do with remembering who I want to be when it does. Life will always deliver its unexpected attacks, and I won't always handle them gracefully. But when I can return to the values that matter to me, I find my footing again. Kindness, helping others, staying open to beauty, and learning from the hard moments have become their own kind of compass. Maybe being a good person isn't something we need to spend so much time defining. Maybe we just need to practice being one.Akasha's BookA spirited memoir of bold adventures, unexpected detours, and one woman's journey to create a life on her own terms, “Unbecoming Behavior, A Southern Memoir of Adventurous Choices by Akasha Halsey.” is now available! Learn more and purchase here:  https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com/unbecoming-behavior/About the ShowNow That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life's most persistent questions.Thank you for listening!Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com

Follow Travis' lead in this sweet story about making friends at the lunch table. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

You can send and text and we love them.. but apparently we cant respond. Sorry!!A daily dose of good news in two minutes time... give or takeLike the podcast, you can support it let's have a coffee …. I mean.. or give me one . https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thedavidbeachSupport the showJoin us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/awesomenewsdailyor email me at awesomenewsdaily@gmail.com

Ron Johnson is the creator of the Apple Store, a sought-after speaker, board member, and the author of Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius. He spent much of his career in retail, including leadership roles at Target, Apple, and J.C. Penney. Ron discusses the thinking behind the Apple Store and what he learned working alongside Steve Jobs. One of the most revealing moments came when the team was six months into designing the first store and realized the concept was all wrong. Jobs agreed to start over, even though it meant delaying the launch. The conversation explores what that experience taught Ron about vision, intuition, and the willingness to rethink an idea when circumstances change. He also reflects on his experience at J.C. Penney, where he moved too quickly, relied too heavily on his own conviction, and did not bring the team along. Throughout the conversation, Ron returns to a theme that runs through his career: bold leadership requires conviction, but it also requires the humility to listen, adapt, and recognize when a better path has appeared. Key Moments The three-hour conversation with Steve Jobs that defined the Apple Store vision How Ron learned to lead through big ideas instead of constant direction Why the first Apple Store had to be completely rethought The courage to hit rewind after six months of work Why Apple designed its stores like a five-star hotel What J.C. Penney taught Ron about compromising on a vision Why intuition matters, and why sometimes you need to count to ten What happens when nobody pushes back on the leader Why kindness is different from being nice How kindness creates an environment where people can do their best Bringing your best and most authentic self to work The Leadership Podcast is sponsored by W.S. Darley & Company. Founded in 1908, Darley remains a family owned and operated business, providing the highest quality equipment solutions to our country's warfighters and firefighters. Learn more at darley.com and darleydefense.com Memorable Quotes "You gotta bring people along, listen really attentively to other people's ideas." "The highest form of kindness is telling the truth." "Kindness is a choice you make at work." "Kindness enables people to be their best because they're working in an environment of love and not fear." "If you get one chance in life, bring your best self to work every day." "Don't just do things because you think that's what people would expect you to do." "I've always done well by pursuing what I intuitively believe is the right way to solve a problem and not relying on what others do." Explore the full archive at www.theleadershippodcast.com or wherever you get your podcasts! These are the books mentioned in this episode Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius by Ron Johnson Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com Sponsored by | www.darley.com Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com Website | www.ronjohnsonshopsdifferent.com LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/shopdifferent

“Send Coach John a message”I found so many posts today and here is the winner that I wanted to share with you. It comes from The Mindfulness Meditation Institute (@TrainingMindful) and this is once again something that the world needs more of.  The post was this:  “Be the kind of person who makes cashiers smile, makes waiters laugh, and who makes lonely people feel seen.  In a world so obsessed with being important, being kind, present, and wonderfully human is its own kind of extraordinary.”  As I shared in this episode, I ran into a former student of mine working at a store I go to frequently.  She reminded me of the value and belief she had in me as a teacher.  I was reminded that I was “seen” by her and plenty of my students throughout the 34 years as a teacher and coach.  My response to this post was this:  “Coach John Daly (@coachtosuccess) Just imagine for a moment if more people did this... and like so many other things... the world needs more of this for sure!!”  Let's take this challenge on and look to be this kind of person wherever we go!  Thanks for listening.  Please take a few moments to subscribe & share this with someone, also leave a 5 Star rating on Apple Podcasts and ITunes or other services where you find this show.  Find me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/coachtoexpectsuccess/   on Twitter / “X”:  @coachtosuccess   and on Instagram at:  @coachjohndaly  - My YouTube Channel is at: Coach John Daly.   Email me at: CoachJohnDalyPodcast@gmail.com     You can also head on over to https://www.coachtoexpectsuccess.com/ and get in touch with me there on my homepage along with checking out my Top Book list too.  Other things there on my site are being worked on too.  Please let me know that you are reaching out to me from my podcast.  ** I would appreciate anyone to try clicking on the top of the show notes where it says "Send us a text" to leave a few thoughts / comments / questions.  It's a new feature that I'd like to see how it works. **

Wherever you are, wherever you live, wherever you work, imagine how the atmosphere would shift if Jesus walked into the room. The energy, the conversations, the focus would be completely altered by his presence. There would be no complaining, no moping, no worry or fear, no gossip, no drama – everyone would be absolutely mesmerized by the presence of Jesus in the room. Now, understand this … YOU CARRY HIS PRESENCE! That’s what the Holy Spirit is. God, the Father – and Jesus, the son, IN YOU. As a follower of Jesus, you become a vessel for the Spirit of God, and you literally carry him into every room you enter. So, Sis, let’s be real clear – THE ATMOSPHERE SHOULD SHIFT WHEN YOU WALK IN!!!! The conversations shouldn’t be the same when you enter. Worry and fear should be banished. Hope and joy should fill the room. When the Spirit of God is present, there should be an energy, a peace, a hope that changes what happens next. Not because you walked in with all the answers, but because Jesus walked in with you. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. You don’t have to preach a sermon. You don’t have to fix everybody’s problems. You simply need to carry Jesus well. Your presence should bring peace where there is panic. Hope where there is heaviness. Kindness where there is criticism. Joy where there is complaining. Grace where there is judgment. Love where there is division. Sis, you are an atmosphere shifter. Not because you change people, but because God does. Not because you’re the fixer, but because you carry the fixer!!!!! If the atmosphere is not shifting when you walk in the room, it could be because you’re not declaring that power. It could be because you’re forgetting what you carry within you. It could be because you’re settling for what everyone else is doing and playing little. When your home is filled with chaos, when the office is nothing but division and tension, when the conversations are negative and hurtful, remember this – YOU ARE CARRYING THE PRESENCE OF GOD WITHIN YOU, AND THAT PRESENCE HAS THE POWER TO SHIFT THE ATMOSPHERE! Scripture tells us there are two realms – there is the physical realm we see and the invisible spiritual realm. You may not see the spiritual realm, but it is real. What is happening in the unseen is just as real as what is happening physically. The spiritual real is continually affecting your life. The atmosphere of every room you’re in is being shaped by the spiritual realm. You know this – you’ve experienced it. Sometimes there’s just a dark feeling. A weighted heaviness in the room. A tension. I’ve even been in some areas where the entire city has a dark oppression and you can feel it. I’ve walked into rooms and felt that total ‘ick’ feeling. That’s a spiritual atmosphere being created in the unseen. There’s something happening. The spiritual atmosphere has the power to shape our lives – to confuse or inspire, to lift up or suppress, to bring happiness or sadness, to overwhelm or empower. The difference is in who is ruling the atmosphere in that given place. Let’s look at the contrast. Romans 14:17 tells us the Kingdom of God is “goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” So this means when the Holy Spirit is in charge of your home or your office or the circle you sit in, there will be goodness and peace and joy. How? BECAUSE WE CARRY IT WITH US! We speak it. We share it. We shift the atmosphere with his Spirit! But, it’s up to us to remember what we have in us. If we’re not prayerfully aware of the Spirit we carry, then we may be allowing a radically different power to rule the room. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that our enemy the devil has come to “kill, steal and destroy.” When his dark forces are at work, you can feel it. The conversations are destructive. The energy is negative. Yeah – you want to know why? Because the presence in the room is there to kill our joy, steal our peace, and destroy our hope. And sadly, sometimes we just allow that! We allow it in our homes. We allow it in our work place. We allow it in our car. We allow it in our circles. HOW ABOUT WE STOP ALLOWING IT AND SHIFT THE ATMOSPHERE. Girl, the conversations shouldn’t be the same when you walk in the room. Why? Because you’re walking in with the power of God in you. The power to heal, the power to shift, the power to change, the power to restore, the power to create, the power to revive … That power now lives within you. So yes, the conversations should be different. Yes, the energy should be different. Yes, the atmosphere should shift. If it’s not, it’s because you’re forgetting what you have inside of you. Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy.” Today, there’s a battle happening all around you. You may not see it, but you can probably feel it. It’s spiritual. Two spiritual forces at war. The battle of good and evil. The battle of light and darkness. Ultimately, this is a war over the presence of God – who will rule the atmosphere here. Will it be the Holy Spirit – or will it be something else? Well girl, you don’t have to depend on anyone else to determine that – you have the authority in prayer!!!!! You can prayerfully evict every presence of evil and darkness. Every demon sent from hell to discourage, depress, disrupt, overwhelm, scare, or paralyze – cast them out in the name of Jesus. Speak up – bring Jesus into the room! Why in the world would a girl like you, carrying the power of God in the Holy Spirit, ever play little? Why would you watch the chaos and not call on God to stop it. Why would you sit in that conversation and not shift it? You don’t have to yell. You don’t have to argue. You don’t have to prove a point. You don’t have to become the spiritual police of every room you enter. You just need to bring Jesus into the room. Pray. Speak life. Speak truth. Change the subject. Refuse to participate in gossip. Encourage the person who is struggling. Bring peace into the conflict. Remind someone of what is true. Love the person nobody else is loving. And sometimes, you won’t even have to say a word. The way you carry yourself will preach. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:6–7: “God has made his light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” THIS IS YOU, SIS. A jar of clay carrying a treasure. You are ordinary. You are imperfect. You don’t have all the answers. You don’t have to be the strongest person in the room. But you are carrying something extraordinary. You are carrying the presence of God. So don’t underestimate what happens when you walk into a room surrendered to Jesus. Don’t underestimate what happens when you pray before you speak. Don’t underestimate what happens when you choose peace instead of panic. Don’t underestimate what happens when you answer anger with grace. Don’t underestimate what happens when you refuse to join the gossip. Don’t underestimate what happens when you bring hope into a hopeless conversation. Don’t underestimate what happens when you walk into darkness carrying LIGHT. Because you don’t have to become the atmosphere. You get to change it. The next time you walk into a room, don’t just walk in. Bring Jesus with you. Walk in carrying peace. Walk in carrying hope. Walk in carrying joy. Walk in carrying truth. Walk in carrying love. Walk in carrying the very presence of God. And then watch what happens. SHIFT THE ATMOSPHERE. Jesus put it this way: “Behold I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19 NKJV). This means that we don't have to submit to our negative circumstances and environment, we can change the atmosphere wherever we go by walking in our God-given dominion. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

In this episode, Rivers and Carter are hangin' at Disgraceland Studios with the Goods from the Woods World Heavyweight Champion, Justin Morales! The boys chat about Justin's recent trip to Japan, some great new movies, and a guy in Texas who can't stop staring at the sun. Then they test out TWO Godzilla-branded energy drinks and pay tribute to Haruo Nakajima, the man inside Godzilla suit for the first 24 years of the character on film. Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" is our JAM OF THE WEEK! Do us a kindness and tune in now, friends!  Follow Justin on Instagram @TheJustinMorales  Follow the show on social media @TheGoodsPod  Rivers is @RiversLangley  Sam is @SamHarter666 Carter is @Carter_Glascock 

Men's Mental Health Awareness Starts With Emotional Support for Men Men need emotional support too, and September is a good month to say so out loud. It's Suicide Prevention Month, and I wanted this episode of The Robyn Graham Show to raise real men's mental health awareness. Why Emotional Support for Men Matters Right Now The stakes are not abstract. Men die by suicide at close to four times the rate of women in the United States, according to the CDC. That gap has held steady for years, and it's a major reason men's mental health awareness needs to grow past a single month on the calendar. Suicide Prevention Month gave us a natural reason to talk, but we should be having this conversation year-round. Meet Jordan Dexter-Holmes: The Man Behind How Men Cry Jordan built his platform from an unlikely starting point: hip hop and poetry. His work has since grown into spoken word performance, men's retreats, group coaching, and an album called Drowning In The Open. He described his background as a trauma-informed coach, and he told me that background, in addition to his own struggles with mental health, shapes everything he does with the men he works with. What struck me most was his honesty about his own history. Jordan didn't come to this work as an outside expert observing men's mental health from a distance. He came to it from the inside, carrying his own scars first. Drowning in the Open: Jordan's Own Story In Jordan's words, his motivation is deeply personal. "The biggest motivation that I have for me is that I know and understand all too well deep struggles with mental health, suicidal thoughts, and experiences of really being underwater firsthand personally," he told me. He described battling depression and substance struggles throughout his childhood and into adulthood. How Men Cry: The Initiative Explained Why Men Bottle Up Their Pain The Poem That Stopped Me: "Watch It Before It Boils Over" What Real Emotional Support for Men Looks Like I asked Jordan a direct question. Based on everything he has seen, what actually helps men move out of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? His answer was simple, and it wasn't about fixing anything. It came down to real emotional support for men, not advice or solutions. Forgiveness, Kindness, and the Path Forward Read the full show notes and access all links. Where to Find Jordan Dexter-Holmes Jordan's most recent album, Drowning In The Open, is available on all streaming platforms. It features his late mentor, the celebrated poet Dr. Nikki Giovanni, and the project has been submitted for Grammy consideration. You can find Jordan online at dextrspits.com. If there's a man in your life who needs to hear this conversation, I encourage you to share it with him. Men need emotional support too, and men's mental health awareness improves one honest conversation at a time. Sharing this episode is a strong place to start. Book a discovery call with Robyn. Book Robyn to speak.

What if one of the most important skills we can teach isn't academics—but curiosity, kindness, and how to get back to center? I sat down with Hamsa Yaqo and Paul Spiegelman, co-founders of Kintsugi Village, a unique early childhood learning community in Detroit focused on curiosity, creativity, life skills, and community. 3 Takeaways: 1. Curiosity is a superpower. The best learning starts with questions. 2. Life skills matter as much as academics. Kindness, communication, and emotional intelligence are foundational skills. 3. Everyone needs a calm corner. The ability to pause, reset, and recalibrate is a lifelong advantage. In a world moving faster than ever, getting back to center may be one of the most important skills we can develop. We dive into that and much more in my conversation with Hamsa and Paul.   --- Hamsa Yaqo is a purpose-driven business leader and co-founder of Kintsugi Village, a community-centered hub in Detroit focused on early childhood education, the arts, food, and connection. With a background spanning higher education, tech, and mission-driven organizations, she is passionate about building strong teams, thoughtful processes, and meaningful impact. Hamsa holds a degree in Mathematics from Wayne State University and an MBA from Walsh College. Outside of work, Hamsa loves cooking, playing Scrabble, exploring cities like a local, and spending time with her family. Paul Spiegelman is the co-founder of Kintsugi Village. He is also the founder of BerylHealth, The Beryl Institute, and the Small Giants Community. He is a New York Times best-selling author and has been honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. His thoughts have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Inc. Magazine. Paul practiced law for two years prior to founding BerylHealth. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from UCLA and a law degree from Southwestern University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, playing tennis and traveling." Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big! Connect with Hamsa and Paul: Website: www.kintsugivillage.org  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugivillagedetroit/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-village-detroit    *E - explicit language may be used in this podcast.