Podcasts about Meaning

Once again this year there is a lot of controversy surrounding Sunday's Super Bowl Halftime show. A $2 million verdict is awarded to a victim of transgender care. And how will demographics impact the church over the next few decades?    Segment 1 – Super Bowl LX Halftime Show  One Million Moms urges Christians to boycott Bad Bunny's 'Queer Icons' Super Bowl halftime show  Turning Point halftime show    Segment 2 – Transgender Lawsuit  Breakpoint article  AMA statement  Segment 3 – Future of the Church  Ryan Burge  Art Needs No Justification by Hans R Rookmaake  Art and the Bible by Francie Schaeffer  Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, and Meaning by Nancy Pearcey    Art and Faith: A Theology of Making by Makoto Fujimura    ______________________   Make a gift by December 31 to help us form families, churches, and schools in the Christian worldview in 2026! Thanks to a generous grant, your gift will be doubled, up to $500,000. Give today at colsoncenter.org/november.   Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson.   

If you're succeeding on paper but feeling flat, wired, or quietly exhausted, this episode will land. Executive coach and spiritual teacher Keren Eldad joins me for a conversation that cuts through the noise and gets to the real root of burnout. We talk about the relentless pursuit of “more,” the hidden cost of being a high performer, and why peace and purpose start with better questions, not bigger goals.Keren blends psychology, Kabbalah, and grounded compassion to help you dismantle sloppy thinking and come home to yourself. You'll learn how to begin self-inquiry without overwhelm, why self-compassion has to come before growth, what Tikkun really means, and what to do when you're in a dark place. We also explore soulmates, redefining success from the inside out, and the simple daily practices that keep you anchored. Press play, and let this one shift something deep.Head to www.melissaambrosini.com/690 for the show notes.Join my newsletter: www.melissaambrosini.com/newsletterGet my FREE ZenTone Meditation: www.melissaambrosini.com/zentoneFollow me on Instagram: @melissaambrosiniGet Time Magic: www.timemagic.me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Sunday really mean for your life?PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION for WORLD EVANGELISM:•NO ADS, Early releases, Full-Length Testimony Tuesdays• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast⁠: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify⁠: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts⁠: https://apple.co/4owjo5ZIn this powerful message from Romans chapter 6, Pastor Josh Stephens contrasts the darkness of Friday with the victory of Sunday. Using the true story of a man whose blood saved over two million babies, he points us to the blood of Jesus Christ and the new life it makes possible.This sermon addresses sin honestly, grace correctly, and salvation clearly. You will hear why the world is still living like it's Friday, why self-help and religion fall short, and why the resurrection demands real change.If you are tired of living under the control of sin and ready for a different life, this message is for you.00:00 The Man With the Golden Arm03:10 One Man's Blood, Millions Saved05:15 Romans 6 and the Meaning of Sunday07:10 The Hopeless Condition: Death10:30 Sin's Power Over the Human Life14:00 Friday Was Dark16:10 Still Living Like It's Friday18:40 The Impossible Solution: New Life21:00 Why People Reject Salvation24:00 Grace, Repentance, and Real Change26:30 The Pardon You Must Accept27:45 Altar CallShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at:• Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/3vy1s5b• Podchaser: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369v

Ordinary to Extraordinary: Rainbow Trout // Valentine’s Menu Inspirations: Three Different Lenses // Chef Danilo Amato guides us through Tuscany’s Maremma region and the craft of making olive oil with PicNic Table Italy // The Hot Stove Society Tasting Panel dives into fresh, vibrant salsas // Internationally acclaimed pastry chef and psychologist Helen Goh joins us with her new book Baking and the Meaning of Life: How to Find Joy in 100 Recipes // And of course, we’ll wrap up the show with Food for Thought: Tasty Trivia!

The Man Who Proved Meaning Is Stronger Than SufferingIn the darkest chapter of human history, when hope seemed like a luxury few could afford, one man discovered a truth so powerful that it would outlive the horrors around him.His name was Viktor Frankl.Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist. In 1942, he was arrested by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. Over the next several years, he endured four different camps, including Auschwitz. He lost his parents, his brother, and his pregnant wife. Everything he owned—his career, his manuscript, his freedom—was taken from him.By any external measure, his life had been stripped of meaning.But here's where the story turns.While imprisoned, Frankl noticed something remarkable.People were experiencing the same starvation, brutality, and despair—yet some survived psychologically, while others gave up long before their bodies failed.The difference wasn't strength.It wasn't intelligence.It wasn't luck.It was meaning.Frankl observed that prisoners who could anchor themselves to a future purpose—a loved one waiting for them, work they still hoped to complete, or a reason to endure one more day—were far more likely to survive. Meaning, he realized, was not a luxury. It was a survival tool.One night, freezing and exhausted, Frankl imagined himself standing in a lecture hall after the war, teaching students about the psychology of the concentration camps—explaining how humans can endure unimaginable suffering if they understand why they are suffering.That imagined future kept him alive.After the war, Frankl returned to Vienna. He rewrote the manuscript that had been taken from him in the camps and published a book that would go on to change millions of lives: Man's Search for Meaning. It has since sold over 16 million copies and is considered one of the most influential books of the 20th century.Frankl didn't claim suffering was good.He didn't romanticize pain.Instead, he offered this quiet, powerful truth:“Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the freedom to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.”He went on to develop logotherapy, a form of psychotherapy centered on helping people discover meaning in their lives—not by eliminating hardship, but by transforming it.Frankl lived to be 92 years old.The man who lost nearly everything proved something extraordinary:

Katie O'Malley reveals her three-step listening method that fosters greater trust, connection, and understanding.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) Why attention is so quick to drift—and three ways to pull it back 2) What most miss with active listening3) Why shared experiences don't build connection—and what doesSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1126 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT KATIE — Katie O'Malley is an Executive Coach and Leadership Educator with twenty (20) years of professional experience serving the nonprofit, education, and corporate sectors. Across these workplaces, Katie noticed her strengths and values consistently steered her toward the support and development of others. Since 2018, Katie has worked alongside hundreds of individual, team, and organizational clients as the Founder and Principal Coach of (en)Courage Coaching. Established with the noble mission of providing exceptional, financially accessible coaching services to Chicago area professionals, (en)Courage Coaching has grown to support individuals and businesses from around the world.• TEDx Talk: Attention We Give: Lessons From Listening for a Living | Katie O'Malley | M.Ed., BCC | TEDxAndover• Website: EncourageCoaching.org• Instagram: encouragecoachchicago— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The crisis of meaning among young people gets a lot of press; but a quieter crisis of calling afflicts every generation today. Dr. Arthur Brooks says the causes are the same: not knowing what our life is really and ultimately for. In his talk at The Heights Forum Convivium 2025, Dr. Brooks shares the facts about calling—where neuroscience, psychology, and theology all agree, and how he (finally) found his. He goes on to say that helping young people to discover the true Christian purpose of life and then one's personal calling is the missionary work of teachers. Chapters: 00:04:12 Teaching: a missionary field 00:06:15 Crisis of meaning among the young 00:07:35 Crisis of calling among more than the young 00:14:23 Sanctifying ordinary work 00:18:42 The marshmallow experiment: not all it seems 00:24:40 High achievers with no calling 00:27:55 Three tests for goal setting 00:36:12 Four profiles for career trajectory 00:44:31 Success addiction: when love feels conditional 00:48:33 Arrival fallacy: when the goal doesn't satisfy 00:51:34 Posture of submission to find your calling Links: Arthur Brooks: The Science of Happiness, Work & Life, personal website The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness by Arthur Brooks, pre-order for March 2026 "How to Follow the Right Star" by Arthur Brooks, The Atlantic Also on the Forum: Choosing a College—Or Not featuring Alvaro de Vicente Rethinking College: Why go? How? When? featuring Arthur Brooks Featured Opportunities: The Art of Teaching Boys Conference at The Heights School (May 6-8, 2026)

It’s actually a good thing that some books push you to the edge of your ability to understand. But there’s no doubting the fact that dense, abstract and jargon-filled works can push you so far into the fog of frustration that you cannot blame yourself for giving up. But here’s the truth: You don’t have to walk away frustrated and confused. I’m going to share with you a number of practical strategies that will help you fill in the gaps of your reading process. Because that’s usually the real problem: It’s not your intelligence. Nor is it that the world is filled with books “above your level.” I ultimately don’t believe in “levels” as such. But as someone who taught reading courses at Rutgers and Saarland University, I know from experience that many learners need to pick up a few simple steps that will strengthen how they approach reading difficult books. And in this guide, you’ll learn how to read challenging books and remember what they say. I’m going to go beyond generic advice too. That way, you can readily diagnose: Why certain books feel so hard Use pre-reading tactics that prime your brain to deal with difficulties effectively Apply active reading techniques to lock in understanding faster Leverage accelerated learning tools that are quick to learn Use Artificial Intelligence to help convert tough convent into lasting knowledge without worrying about getting duped by AI hallucinations Whether you’re tacking philosophy, science, dense fiction or anything based primarily in words, the reading system you’ll learn today will help you turn confusion into clarity. By the end, even the most intimidating texts will surrender their treasures to your mind. Ready? Let’s break it all down together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9HLbY4jsFg Why Some Books Feel “Too Hard” (And What That Really Means) You know exactly how it feels and so do I. You sit down with a book that people claim is a classic or super-important. But within a few pages, your brain fogs over and you’re completely lost. More often than not, through glazed eyes, you start to wonder… did this author go out of his or her way to make this difficult? Are they trying to show off with all these literary pyrotechnics? Or is there a deliberate conspiracy to confuse readers like me? Rest assured. These questions are normal and well worth asking. The difficulty you might feel is never arbitrary in my experience. But there’s also no “single origin” explanation for why some books feel easier than others. It’s almost always a combination of factors, from cognitive readiness, lived experience, emotions and your physical condition throughout the day. This means that understanding why individual texts resist your understanding needs to be conducted on a case-by-case basis so you can move towards mastering anything you want to read. Cognitive Load: The Brain’s Processing “Stop Sign” “Cognitive load” probably needs no definition. The words are quite intuitive. You start reading something and it feels like someone is piling heavy bricks directly on top of your brain, squishing everything inside. More specifically, these researchers explain that what’s getting squished is specifically your working memory, which is sometimes called short-term memory. In practical terms, this means that when a book suddenly throws a bunch of unfamiliar terms at you, your working memory has to suddenly deal with abstract concepts, completely new words or non-linear forms of logic. All of this increases your cognitive load, but it’s important to note that there’s no conspiracy. In Just Being Difficult: Academic Writing in the Public Arena, a variety of contributors admit that they often write for other specialists. Although it would be nice to always compose books and articles for general readers, it’s not laziness. They’re following the codes of their discipline, which involves shorthand to save everyone time. Yes, it can also signal group membership and feel like an intellectual wall if you’re new to this style, but it’s simply a “stop sign” for your brain. And wherever there are stop signs, there are also alternative routes. Planning Your Detour “Roadmap” Into Difficult Books Let me share a personal example by way of sharing a powerful technique for making hard books easier to read. A few years ago I decided I was finally going to read Kant. I had the gist of certain aspects of his philosophy, but a few pages in, I encountered so many unfamiliar terms, I knew I had to obey the Cognitive Load Stop Sign and take a step back. To build a roadmap into Kant, I searched Google in a particular way. Rather than a search term like, “Intro to Kant,” I entered this tightened command instead: Filetype:PDF syllabus Kant These days, you can ask an LLM in more open language to simply give you links to the syllabi of the most authoritative professors who teach Kant. I’d still suggest that you cross-reference what you get on Google, however. If you’re hesitant about using either Google or AI, it’s also a great idea to visit a librarian in person to help you. Or, you can read my post about using AI for learning with harming your memory to see if it’s time to update your approach. Narrowing Down Your Options One way or another, the reason to consult the world’s leading professors is that their syllabi will provide you with: Foundational texts Core secondary literature Commentaries from qualified sources Essential historical references Once you’ve looked over a few syllabi, look through the table of contents of a few books on Amazon or Google Books. Then choose: 1-2 foundational texts to read before the challenging target book you want to master 1-2 articles or companion texts to read alongside In this way, you’ve turned difficulty into a path, not an obstacle. Pre-Reading Strategies That Warm Up Your Reading Muscles A lot of the time, the difficulty people feel when reading has nothing to do with the book. It’s just that you’re diving into unfamiliar territory without testing the waters first. Here are some simple ways to make unfamiliar books much easier to get into. Prime Like a Pro To make books easier to read, you can perform what is often called “priming” in the accelerated learning community. It is also sometimes called “pre-reading” and as this research article discusses, its success has been well-demonstrated. The way I typically perform priming is simple. Although some books require a slight change to the pattern, I typically approach each new book by reading: The back cover The index The colophon page The conclusion or afterword The most interesting or relevant chapter The introduction The rest of the book Activate Prior Knowledge Sometimes I will use a skimming and scanning strategy after reading the index to quickly familiarize myself with how an author approaches a topic with which I’m already familiar. This can help raise interest, excitement and tap into the power of context-dependent memory. For example, I recently started reading Doubt: A History by Jennifer Michael Hecht. Since the Renaissance memory master Giordano Bruno comes up multiple times, I was able to draw up a kind of context map of the books themes by quickly going through those passages. Take a Picture Walk Barbara Oakley and Terence Sejnjowski share a fantastic strategy in Learning How to Learn. Before reading, simply go through a book and look at all the illustrations, tables, charts and diagrams. It seems like a small thing. But it gives your brain a “heads up” about upcoming visual information that you may need to process than prose. I used to find visual information like this difficult, but after I started taking picture walks, I’m now excited to read “towards” these elements. If still find them challenging to understand, I apply a tip I learned from Tony Buzan that you might like to try: Rather than struggle to interpret a chart or illustration, reproduce it in your own hand. Here’s an example of how I did this when studying spaced repetition: As a result, I learned the graph and its concepts quickly and have never forgotten it. Build a Pre-Reading Ritual That Fits You There’s no one-sized-fits-all strategy, so you need to experiment with various options. The key is to reduce cognitive load by giving your mind all kinds of ways of understanding what a book contains. If it helps, you can create yourself a checklist that you slip into the challenging books on your list. That way, you’ll have both a bookmark and a protocol as you develop your own pre-reading style. Active Reading Techniques That Boost Comprehension Active reading involves deliberately applying mental activities while reading. These can include writing in the margins of your books, questioning, preparing summaries and even taking well-time breaks between books. Here’s a list of my favorite active reading strategies with ideas on how you can implement them. Using Mnemonics While Reading On the whole, I take notes while reading and then apply a variety of memory techniques after. But to stretch my skills, especially when reading harder books, I start the encoding process earlier. Instead of just taking notes, I’ll start applying mnemonic images. I start early because difficult terms often require a bit more spaced repetition. To do this yourself, the key is to equip yourself with a variety of mnemonic methods, especially: The Memory Palace technique The Pegword Method The Major System The PAO System And in some cases, you may want to develop a symbol system, such as if you’re studying physics or programming. Once you have these mnemonic systems developed, you can apply them in real time. For example, if you come across names and dates, committing them to memory as you read can help you keep track of a book’s historical arc. This approach can be especially helpful when reading difficult books because authors often dump a lot of names and dates. By memorizing them as you go, you reduce the mental load of having to track it all. For even more strategies you can apply while reading, check out my complete Mnemonics Dictionary. Strategic Questioning Whether you take notes or memorize in real-time, asking questions as you go makes a huge difference. Even if you don’t come up with answers, continually interrogating the book will open up your brain. The main kinds of questions are: Evaluative questions (checking that the author uses valid reasoning and address counterarguments) Analytical questions (assessing exactly how the arguments unfold and questioning basic assumptions) Synthetic questions (accessing your previous knowledge and looking for connections with other books and concepts) Intention questions (interrogating the author’s agenda and revealing any manipulative rhetoric) One medieval tool for questioning you can adopt is the memory wheel. Although it’s definitely old-fashioned, you’ll find that it helps you rotate between multiple questions. Even if they are as simple as who, what, where, when, how and why questions, you’ll have a mental mnemonic device that helps ensure you don’t miss any of them. Re-reading Strategies Although these researchers seem to think that re-reading is not an effective strategy, I could not live without it. There are three key kinds of re-reading I recommend. Verbalize Complexity to Tame It The first is to simply go back and read something difficult to understand out loud. You’d be surprised how often it’s not your fault. The author has just worded something in a clunky manner and speaking the phrasing clarifies everything. Verbatim Memorization for Comprehension The second strategy is to memorize the sentence or even an entire passage verbatim. That might seem like a lot of work, but this tutorial on memorizing entire passages will make it easy for you. Even if verbatim memorization takes more work, it allows you to analyze the meaning within your mind. You’re no longer puzzling over it on paper, continuing to stretch your working memory. No, you’ve effectively expanded at least a part of your working memory by bypassing it altogether. You’ve ushered the information into long-term memory. I’m not too shy to admit that I have to do this sometimes to understand everything from the philosophy in Sanskrit phrases to relatively simple passages from Shakespeare. As I shared in my recent discussion of actor Anthony Hopkins’ memory, I couldn’t work out what “them” referred to in a particular Shakespeare play. But after analyzing the passage in memory, it was suddenly quite obvious. Rhythmical Re-reading The third re-reading strategy is something I shared years ago in my post detailing 11 reasons you should re-read at least one book per month. I find this approach incredibly helpful because no matter how good you get at reading and memory methods, even simple books can be vast ecosystems. By revisiting difficult books at regular intervals, you not only get more out of them. You experience them from different perspectives and with the benefit of new contexts you’ve built in your life over time. In other words, treat your reading as an infinite game and never assume that you’ve comprehended everything. There’s always more to be gleaned. Other Benefits of Re-reading You’ll also improve your pattern recognition by re-treading old territory, leading to more rapid recognition of those patterns in new books. Seeing the structures, tropes and other tactics in difficult books opens them up. But without regularly re-reading books, it can be difficult to perceive what these forms are and how authors use them. To give you a simple example of a structure that appears in both fiction and non-fiction, consider in media res, or starting in the middle. When you spot an author using this strategy, it can immediately help you read more patiently. And it places the text in the larger tradition of other authors who use that particular technique. For even more ideas that will keep your mind engaged while tackling tough books, feel free to go through my fuller article on 7 Active Reading Strategies. Category Coloring & Developing Your Own Naming System For Complex Material I don’t know about you, but I do not like opening a book only to find it covered in highlighter marks. I also don’t like highlighting books myself. However, after practicing mind mapping for a few years, I realized that there is a way to combine some of its coloring principles with the general study principles of using Zettelkasten and flashcards. Rather than passively highlighting passages that seem interesting at random, here’s an alternative approach you can take to your next tour through a complicated book. Category Coloring It’s often helpful to read with a goal. For myself, I decided to tackle a hard book called Gödel Escher Bach through the lens of seven categories. I gave each a color: Red = Concept Green = Process Orange = Fact Blue = Historical Context Yellow = Person Purple = School of Thought or Ideology Brown = Specialized Terminology Example Master Card to the Categorial Color Coding Method To emulate this method, create a “key card” or “master card” with your categories on it alongside the chosen color. Use this as a bookmark as you read. Then, before writing down any information from the book, think about the category to which it belongs. Make your card and then apply the relevant color. Obviously, you should come up with your own categories and preferred colors. The point is that you bring the definitions and then apply them consistently as you read and extract notes. This will help bring structure to your mind because you’re creating your own nomenclature or taxonomy of information. You are also using chunking, a specific mnemonic strategy I’ve written about at length in this post on chunking as a memory tool. Once you’re finished a book, you can extract all the concepts and memorize them independently if you like. And if you emulate the strategy seen on the pictured example above, I’ve included the page number on each card. That way, I can place the cards back in the order of the book. Using this approach across multiple books, you will soon spot cross-textual patterns with greater ease. The catch is that you cannot allow this technique to become activity for activity’s sake. You also don’t want to wind up creating a bunch of informational “noise.” Before capturing any individual idea on a card and assigning it to a category, ask yourself: Why is this information helpful, useful or critical to my goal? Will I really use it again? Where does it belong within the categories? If you cannot answers these questions, either move on to the next point. Or reframe the point with some reflective thinking so that you can contextualize it. This warning aside, it’s important not to let perfectionism creep into your life. Knowing what information matters does take some practice. To speed up your skills with identifying critical information, please read my full guide on how to find the main points in books and articles. Although AI can certainly help these days, you’ll still need to do some work on your own. Do Not Let New Vocabulary & Terminology Go Without Memorization One of the biggest mistakes I used to make, even as a fan of memory techniques, slowed me down much more than necessary. I would come across a new term, look it up, and assume I’d remember it. Of course, the next time I came across it, the meaning was still a mystery. But when I got more deliberate, I not only remembered more words, but the knowledge surrounding the unfamiliar terms also stuck with greater specificity. For example, in reading The Wandering Mind by Jamie Kreiner, memorizing the ancient Greek word for will or volition (Prohairesis) pulled many more details about why she was mentioning it. Lo and behold, I started seeing the word in more places and connecting it to other ancient Greek terms. Memorizing those as well started to create a “moat of meaning,” further protecting a wide range of information I’d been battling. Understanding Why Vocabulary Blocks Comprehension The reason why memorizing words as you read is so helpful is that it helps clear out the cognitive load created by pausing frequently to look up words. Even if you don’t stop to learn a new definition, part of your working memory gets consumed by the lack of familiarity. I don’t always stop to learn new definitions while reading, but using the color category index card method you just discovered, it’s easy to organize unfamiliar words while reading. That way they can be tidily memorized later. I have a full tutorial for you on how to memorize vocabulary, but here’s a quick primer. Step One: Use a System for Capturing New Words & Terms Whether you use category coloring, read words into a recording app or email yourself a reminder, the key is to capture as you go. Once your reading session is done, you can now go back to the vocabulary list and start learning it. Step Two: Memorize the Terms I personally prefer the Memory Palace technique. It’s great for memorizing words and definitions. You can use the Pillar Technique with the word at the top and the definition beneath it. Or you can use the corners for the words and the walls for the definitions. Another idea is to photograph the cards you create and important them into a spaced repetition software like Anki. As you’ll discover in my complete guide to Anki, there are several ways you can combine Anki with a variety of memory techniques. Step Three: Use the Terms If you happened to catch an episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast back when I first learned Prohairesis I mentioned it often. This simple habit helps establish long-term recall, reflection and establishes the ground for future recognition and use. Expand Understanding Using Video & Audio Media When I was in university, I often had to ride my bike across Toronto to borrow recorded lectures on cassette. Given the overwhelming tsunamis of complex ideas, jargon and theoretical frameworks I was facing, it was worth it. Especially since I was also dealing with the personal problems I shared with you in The Victorious Mind. Make no mistake: I do not believe there is any replacement for reading the core books, no matter how difficult they might be. But there’s no reason not to leverage the same ideas in multiple formats to help boost your comprehension and long-term retention. Multimedia approaches are not just about knowledge acquisition either. There have been many debates in the magical arts community that card magicians should read and not rely on video. But evidence-based studies like this one show that video instruction combined with reading written instructions is very helpful. The Science Behind Multi-Modal Learning I didn’t know when I was in university, or when I was first starting out with memdeck card magic that dual coding theory existed. This model was proposed by Allan Paivio, who noticed that information is processed both verbally and non-verbally. Since then, many teachers have focused heavily on how to encourage students to find the right combination of reading, visual and auditory instructional material. Here are some ideas that will help you untangle the complexity in your reading. How to Integrate Multimedia Without Overload Forgive me if this is a bit repetitive, but to develop flow with multiple media, you need to prime the brain. As someone who has created multiple YouTube videos, I have been stubborn about almost always including introductions. Why? Go Through the Intros Like a Hawk Because without including a broad overview of the topic, many learners will miss too many details. And I see this in the comments because people ask questions that are answered throughout the content and flagged in the introductions. So the first step is to be patient and go through the introductory material. And cultivate an understanding that it’s not really the material that is boring. It’s the contemporary issues with dopamine spiking that make you feel impatient. The good news is that you can possibly reset your dopamine levels so you’re better able to sit through these “priming” materials. One hack I use is to sit far away from my mouse and keep my notebook in hand. If I catch myself getting antsy, I perform a breathing exercise to restore focus. Turn on Subtitles When you’re watching videos, you can help increase your engagement by turning on the subtitles. This is especially useful in jargon-heavy video lessons. You can pause and still see the information on the screen for easier capture when taking notes. When taking notes, I recommend jotting down the timestamp. This is useful for review, but also for attributing citations later if you have to hand in an assignment. Mentally Reconstruct After watching a video or listening to a podcast on the topic you’re mastering, take a moment to review the key points. Try to go through them in the order they were presented. This helps your brain practice mental organization by building a temporal scaffold. If you’ve taken notes and written down the timestamps, you can easily check your accuracy. Track Your Progress For Growth & Performance One reason some people never feel like they’re getting anywhere is that they have failed to establish any points of reference. Personally, this is easy for me to do. I can look back to my history of writing books and articles or producing videos and be reminded of how far I’ve come at a glance. Not only as a writer, but also as a reader. For those who do not regularly produce content, you don’t have to start a blog or YouTube channel. Just keep a journal and create a few categories of what skills you want to track. These might include: Comprehension Retention Amount of books read Vocabulary growth Critical thinking outcomes Confidence in taking on harder books Increased tolerance with frustration when reading challenges arise You can use the same journal to track how much time you’ve spent reading and capturing quick summaries. Personally, I wish I’d started writing summaries sooner. I really only got started during grad school when during a directed reading course, a professor required that I had in a summary for every book and article I read. I never stopped doing this and just a few simple paragraph summaries has done wonders over the years for my understanding and retention. Tips for Overcoming Frustration While Reading Difficult Books Ever since the idea of “desirable difficulty” emerged, people have sought ways to help learners overcome emotional responses like frustration, anxiety and even shame while tackling tough topics. As this study shows, researchers and teachers have found the challenge difficult despite the abundance of evidence showing that being challenged is a good thing. Here are some strategies you can try if you continue to struggle. Embrace Cognitive Discomfort As we’ve discussed, that crushing feeling in your brain exists for a reason. Personally, I don’t think it ever goes away. I still regularly pick up books that spike it. The difference is that I don’t start up a useless mantra like, “I’m not smart enough for this.” Instead, I recommend you reframe the experience and use the growth mindset studied by Carol Dweck, amongst others. You can state something more positive like, “This book is a bit above my level, but I can use tactics and techniques to master it.” I did that very recently with my reading of The Xenotext, parts of which I still don’t fully understand. It was very rewarding. Use Interleaving to Build Confidence I rotate through draining books all the time using a proven technique called interleaving. Lots of people are surprised when I tell them that I rarely read complex and challenging books for longer than fifteen minutes at a time. But I do it because interleaving works. Which kinds of books can you interleave? You have choices. You can either switch in something completely different, or switch to a commentary. For example, while recently reading some heavy mathematical theories about whether or not “nothing” can exist, I switched to a novel. But back in university, I would often stick within the category while at the library. I’d read a core text by a difficult philosopher, then pick up a Cambridge Companion and read an essay related to the topic. You can also interleave using multimedia sources like videos and podcasts. Interleaving also provides time for doing some journaling, either about the topic at hand or some other aspect of your progress goals. Keep the Big Picture in Mind Because frustration is cognitively training, it’s easy to let it drown out your goals. That’s why I often keep a mind map or some other reminder on my desk, like a couple of memento mori. It’s also possible to just remember previous mind maps you’ve made. This is something I’m doing often at the moment as I read all kinds of boring information about managing a bookshop for my Memory Palace bookshop project first introduced in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utcJfeQZC2c It’s so easy to get discouraged by so many rules and processes involved in ordering and selling books, that I regularly think back to creating this mind map with Tony Buzan years ago. In case my simple drawings on this mind map for business development doesn’t immediately leap out at you with its meanings, the images at the one o’clock-three o’clock areas refer to developing a physical Memory Palace packed with books on memory and learning. Developing and keeping a north star in mind will help you transform the process of reading difficult books into a purposeful adventure of personal development. Even if you have to go through countless books that aren’t thrilling, you’ll still be moving forward. Just think of how much Elon Musk has read that probably wasn’t all that entertaining. Yet, it was still essential to becoming a polymath. Practice Seeing Through The Intellectual Games As you read harder and harder books, you’ll eventually come to realize that the “fluency” some people have is often illusory. For example, some writers and speakers display a truly impressive ability to string together complex terminology, abstract references and fashionable ideas of the day in ways that sound profound. Daniel Dennett frequently used a great term for a lot of this verbal jujitsu that sounds profound but is actually trivial. He called such flourishes “deepities.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey-UeaSi1rI This kind of empty linguistic dexterity will be easier for you to spot when you read carefully, paraphrase complex ideas in your own words and practice memorizing vocabulary frequently. When you retain multiple concepts and practice active questioning in a large context of grounded examples and case studies, vague claims will not survive for long in your world. This is why memory training is about so much more than learning. Memorization can equip you to think independently and bring clarity to fields that are often filled with gems, despite the fog created by intellectual pretenders more interested in word-jazz than actual truth. Using AI to Help You Take On Difficult Books As a matter of course, I recommend you use AI tools like ChatGPT after doing as much reading on your own as possible. But there’s no mistaking that intentional use of such tools can help you develop greater understanding. The key is to avoid using AI as an answer machine or what Nick Bostrom calls an “oracle” in his seminal book, Superintelligence. Rather, take a cue from Andrew Mayne, a science communicator and central figure at OpenAI and host of their podcast. His approach centers on testing in ways that lead to clarity of understanding and retention as he uses various mnemonic strategies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlzD_6Olaqw Beyond his suggestions, here are some of my favorite strategies. Ask AI to Help Identify All Possible Categories Connected to a Topic A key reason many people struggle to connect ideas is simply that they haven’t developed a mental ecosystem of categories. I used to work in libraries, so started thinking categorically when I was still a teenager. But these days, I would combine how traditional libraries are structured with a simple prompt like: List all the possible categories my topic fits into or bridges across disciplines, historical frameworks and methodologies. Provide the list without interpretation or explanation so I can reflect. A prompt like this engineers a response that focuses on relationships and lets your brain perform the synthetic thinking. Essentially, you’ll be performing what some scientists call schema activation, leading to better personal development outcomes. Generate Lists of Questions To Model Exceptional Thinkers Because understanding relies on inquiry, it’s important to practice asking the best possible questions. AI chat bots can be uniquely useful in this process provided that you explicitly insist that it helps supply you excellent questions without any answers. You can try a prompt like: Generate a list of questions that the world’s most careful thinkers in this field would ask about this topic. Do not provide any answers. Just the list of questions. Do this after you’ve read the text and go through your notes with fresh eyes. Evaluate the material with questions in hand, ideally by writing out your answers by hand. If you need your answers imported into your computer, apps can now scan your handwriting and give you text file. Another tip: Don’t be satisfied with the first list of questions you get. Ask the AI to dig deeper. You can also ask the AI to map the questions into the categories you previously got help identifying. For a list of questions you can put into your preferred chat bot, feel free to go through my pre-AI era list of philosophical questions. They are already separated by category. Use AI to Provide a Progress Journal Template If you’re new to journaling, it can be difficult to use the technique to help you articulate what you’re reading and why the ideas are valuable. And that’s not to mention working out various metrics to measure your growth over time. Try a prompt like this: Help me design a progress journal for my quest to better understand and remember difficult books. Include sections for me to list my specific goals, vocabulary targets, summaries and various milestones I identify. Make it visual so I can either copy it into my own print notebook or print out multiple copies for use over time. Once you have a template you’re happy to experiment with, keep it visible in your environment so you don’t forget to use it. Find Blind Spots In Your Summaries Many AIs have solid reasoning skills. As a result, you can enter your written summaries and have the AI identify gaps in your knowledge, blind spots and opportunities for further reading. Try a prompt like: Analyze this summary and identify any blind spots, ambiguities in my thinking or incompleteness in my understanding. Suggest supplementary reading to help me fill in any gaps. At the risk of repetition, the point is that you’re not asking for the summaries. You’re asking for assessments that help you diagnose the limits of your understanding. As scientists have shown, metacognition, or thinking about your thinking can help you see errors much faster. By adding an AI into the mix, you’re getting feedback quickly without having to wait for a teacher to read your essay. Of course, AI outputs can be throttled, so I find it useful to also include a phrase like, “do not throttle your answer,” before asking it to dig deeper and find more issues. Used wisely, you will soon see various schools of thought with much greater clarity, anticipate how authors make their moves and monitor your own blind spots as you read and reflect. Another way to think about the power of AI tools is this: They effectively mirror human reasoning at a species wide level. You can use them to help you mirror more reasoning power by regularly accessing and practicing error detection and filling in the gaps in your thinking style. Why You Must Stop Abandoning Difficult Books (At Least Most of the Time) Like many people, I’m a fan of Scott Young’s books like Ultralearning and Get Better at Anything. He’s a disciplined thinker and his writing helps people push past shallow learning in favor of true and lasting depth. However, he often repeats the advice that you should stop reading boring books. In full transparency, I sometimes do this myself. And Young adds a lot of context to make his suggestion. But I limit abandoning books as much as possible because I don’t personally find Young’s argument that enjoyment and productivity go together. On the contrary, most goals that I’ve pursued have required fairly intense periods of delaying gratification. And because things worth accomplishing generally do require sacrifice and a commitment to difficulty, I recommend you avoid the habit of giving up on books just because they’re “boring” or not immediately enjoyable. I’ll bet you’ll enjoy the accomplishment of understanding hard books and conquering their complexity far more in the end. And you’ll benefit more too. Here’s why I think so. The Hidden Cost of Abandoning Books You’ve Started Yes, I agree that life is short and time is fleeting. But if you get into the habit of abandoning books at the first sign of boredom, it can quickly become your default habit due to how procedural memory works. In other words, you’re given your neurons the message that it’s okay to escape from discomfort. That is a very dangerous loop to throw yourself into, especially if you’re working towards becoming autodidactic. What you really need is to develop the ability to stick with complexity, hold ambiguous and contradictory issues in your mind and fight through topic exhaustion. Giving up on books on a routine basis? That’s the opposite of developing expertise and resilience. The AI Risk & Where Meaning is Actually Found We just went through the benefits of AI, so you shouldn’t have issues. But I regularly hear from people and have even been on interviews where people use AI to summarize books I’ve recomended. This is dangerous because the current models flatten nuance due to how they summarize books based on a kind of “averaging” of what its words predictability mean. Although they might give you a reasonable scaffold of a book’s structure, you won’t get the friction created by how authors take you through their thought processes. In other words, you’ll be using AI models that are not themselves modeling the thinking that reading provides when you grind your way through complex books. The Treasure of Meaning is Outside Your Comfort Zone Another reason to train for endurance is that understanding doesn’t necessarily arrive while reading a book or even a few weeks after finishing it. Sometimes the unifying insights land years later. But if you don’t read through books that seem to be filled with scattered ideas, you cannot gain any benefit from them. Their diverse points won’t consolidate in your memory and certainly won’t connect with other ideas later. So I suggest you train your brain to persist as much as possible. By drawing up the support of the techniques we discussed today and a variety of mnemonic support systems, you will develop persistence and mine more gold from everything you read. And being someone who successfully mines for gold and can produce it at will is the mark of the successful reading. Not just someone who consumes information efficiently, but who can repeatedly connect and transform knowledge year after year due to regularly accumulating gems buried in the densest and most difficult books others cannot or will not read. Use Struggle to Stimulate Growth & You Cannot Fail As you’ve seen, challenging books never mean that you’re not smart enough. It’s just a matter of working on your process so that you can tackle new forms of knowledge. And any discomfort you feel is a signal that a great opportunity and personal growth adventure awaits. By learning how to manage cognitive load, fill in the gaps in your background knowledge and persist through frustration, you can quickly become the kind of reader who seeks out complexity instead of flinching every time you see it. Confusion has now become a stage along the path to comprehension. And if you’re serious about mastering increasingly difficult material, understanding and retaining it, then it’s time to upgrade your mental toolbox. Start now by grabbing my Free Memory Improvement Course: Inside, you’ll discover: The Magnetic Memory Method for creating powerful Memory Palaces How to develop your own mnemonic systems for encoding while reading Proven techniques that deepen comprehension, no matter how abstract or complex your reading list is And please, always remember: The harder the book, the greater rewards. And the good news is, you’re now more than ready to claim them all.

“By doing this work, we know there’s something powerful about how the human heart opens in the presence of other open-hearted humans.” – Matt Brannagan, CEO, Hoffman Institute Foundation Photo by Sam Comen We open season 12 of The Hoffman Podcast with Matt Brannagan, Hoffman Process teacher and Hoffman Institute’s new CEO. In conversation with Drew, Matt reflects on this moment of transition and the thoughtful leadership handoff shaped by Raz and Liza Ingrasci. Their generosity, wisdom, and long-term vision laid the foundation for what Matt terms “Hoffman 3.0.” It’s an evolution rooted in continuity, care, and purpose. Hoffman 1.0 was the creation and first few phases of this powerful work by Bob Hoffman. The Hoffman Process started in Bob's office in Oakland, California, in 1967. He shepherded it through its first iterations, beginning with one-on-one clients, then a series of weekly group classes, and finally the week-long Process we know today. Hoffman 2.0 began with Raz and Liza establishing the Hoffman Institute and creating the non-profit it is today, increasing capacity so more people could attend the Hoffman Process. They laid the foundation for incredible growth and transformation. Now, on that strong foundation, Hoffman 3.0 takes flight. Matt steps into this role after 18 years at the Hoffman Institute, serving as both teacher and leader. Before Hoffman, Matt served in the military. He deployed to Iraq shortly after completing the Process in 2004. For more than two decades with Hoffman, Matt has lived and honed a life of service and leadership. Currently, he’s a doctoral candidate pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Matt brings a steady, embodied presence to this new Hoffman era. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Matt and Drew, our first of this new season. We have many great guests ahead that we know you’ll love. Setting an important context: We offer this context to help frame the conversation you're about to hear. In this episode, Drew and Matt discuss the legacy of Raz Ingrasci, founder of the Hoffman Institute Foundation. We recorded this conversation on December 19. With great sadness, we share that Raz passed away unexpectedly on December 31. This was the same day he formally stepped back from his day-to-day role at Hoffman, alongside his wife, Liza. More about Matt Brannagan: Matt Brannagan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Hoffman Institute Foundation. He joined the Institute in 2007 and has previously held the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Director of Faculty, in addition to serving as a Teacher and Coach. Matt is a retired veteran and former Master Resilience Trainer for the U.S. Army. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology and holds both a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. Matt learned of the Hoffman Process at the age of 20 after recently completing three years of active military duty. While examining his direction in life, he was inspired by those he met who had attended Hoffman. It became the logical next step on his growth journey, and he completed the Hoffman Process in 2004, unexpectedly being deployed to Iraq shortly after graduation. While holding a senior role in his unit, it was his Hoffman community that challenged him to continue his personal work during that crucial time, and he enrolled in Hoffman teacher training shortly after returning home. Extensive leadership training allows Matt's work as a Hoffman faculty member to be grounded in clarity, compassion, and accountability, led by the belief that organizational culture is strengthened when people feel empowered, supported, and connected to purpose. In his work with students, “I love that moment when it all clicks, and the students begin to take on the tools and practices for themselves. They offer such great insights, and I get to deepen my learning as I teach.” Committed to guiding Hoffman's evolution, Matt is focused on ensuring sustainable long-term growth. He is honored to usher the Institute into its next chapter and holds deep gratitude for the opportunity to carry forward the work stewarded for decades by Liza and Raz Ingrasci. Watch and listen to Matt & Drew:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03FNQBZKBeM Listen on Apple Podcasts As mentioned in this episode: Listen to Matt on The Hoffman Podcast: S2e22: Communities of Meaning. Our new California retreat site is Santa Sabina. Our first Process at Santa Sabina will be in April 2026. The Q2: Beyond Mom and Dad – Our 3-day Hoffman graduate program. Listen to Tim Callan on The Hoffman Podcast: S2e14:  A Journey Through Grief to New Love    

Claircognizance meaning can feel unsettling when answers arrive without logic — when you just know something, then immediately question yourself for knowing it. If you've ever second-guessed your intuition, dismissed a quiet inner certainty, or wondered whether you're imagining things, this episode meets you right in that moment.In this conversation, I am joined by Julie Flippin, a retired psychotherapist and author of Divinely Seasoned, whose life has been shaped by profound transitions and inner change. Julie shares from lived experience what it's like to carry inner knowing without clear language or validation, and how intuition often seems to surface most clearly during moments that feel unsettling or hard to make sense of.Julie shares the moments that opened her gifts, what changed when grief cracked her world open, and how discernment becomes the real spiritual practice: learning the difference between fear, ego, and true guidance.

Loneliness isn't just a personal issue—it's a leadership and culture issue. In this episode, Dr. Sabrina Starling sits down with repeat guest and leadership expert Dov Baron to explore the growing epidemic of loneliness within organizations, and why it's quietly eroding trust, engagement, and A-player retention. You'll learn why high performers often feel the most disconnected, how loneliness shows up at work, leadership behaviors that create real belonging, and what business owners must do now to protect culture and retain their best people. If you're leading a team and wondering why motivation, loyalty, or connection feels harder than it should, this conversation is a must-listen for you!Dov Baron has been twice named as one of the world's Top 30 Global Leadership Gurus in Inc. Magazine's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He has presented to companies and organizations worldwide, including the United Nations, the Department of State, the World Management Forum in Iran, the US Air Force, and the Famed Servant Leadership Institute. His focus on human behavior and neuroscience has made him the world's leading authority on Emotional Source Code and the Anatomy of Meaning. Dov is the bestselling author of One Red Thread: How to Find the Purpose Already Woven Into Your Life and Fiercely Loyal: How High-Performing Companies Develop and Retain Top Talent. He is the creator and host of The Dov Baron Show Podcast, previously known as Leadership and Loyalty. It was named the #1 podcast for Fortune 500 executives by Apple Podcasts. The Dov Baron Show has featured hundreds of hours of interviews with top leaders, scientists, theologians, military intelligence officers, and artists. Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:The loneliness epidemic, “The Great Pause” of 2020, our unhealthy “normal,” and the $7 trillion impact on the global GDPBeing isolated vs. being lonelyThe hidden costs of the loneliness epidemic to businesses and organizations in innovation, creativity, and communityIn 2015, Dov said, “Starting a business requires building a community.” Now, he says, “Start by building a community, and then put a business in it.”A culture of belonging is different from feeling like you “fit in.”Protecting your business from an AI takeover happens with relationships and emotional connections.Your humanity is your best tool.Understanding the Emotional Source Code (what drives an individual or organization) and how it relates to immutable laws, core...

In this special birthday reflection episode, I'm slowing things down and turning inward.  I'm sharing where I am in this season of life, what feels solid, what feels unclear, and what I'm intentionally leaving open. Birthdays always make me pause. They give me space to reflect, to check in with myself, and to notice how much has changed internally and externally. In this episode, I'm asking myself honest questions and inviting you to sit with them too. This journey is about so much more than money. It's about who we're becoming along the way.

Helen Goh is a licensed psychologist and a baker at London's famed Ottolenghi delis and restaurants. She combined her two passions into her first solo cookbook, Baking and the Meaning of Life. It has over 100 recipes and photographs grouped into different aspects of our lives. It is gorgeous and delicious. I really enjoyed my chat with Helen as we talked about life and baking! Listen to our chat on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts. Get a copy of Baking and the Meaning of Life wherever you get books! Follow Helen @helen_goh_bakes As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast  Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by the Invictus Quartet. Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World). Photo Credit: John Davis #asiancookbook #asianauthor #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Everyone thinks discipline is about doing hard things.Waking up early. Grinding. Suffering. Pushing through. That's the art of discipline.But most people never master discipline because they skip the part that actually matters first…The science.In this episode of the Bedros Keuilian Show, I break down what's really happening in your brain when you feel resistance…That voice telling you to stay in bed.Skip the workout.Scroll instead of execute.Quit before you even start.That's called limbic friction and once you understand how it works, you can override it.Discipline isn't built through motivation.It's built through small wins. Delayed gratification. Momentum.Because discipline isn't punishment…It's freedom.DOMINATION DOWNLOADSTRAIGHT FROM THE DESK OF BEDROS KEUILIANYour weekly no B.S. newsletter to help you dominate in business and in lifehttps://bedroskeuilian.com/MAN UP SCALE BUNDLE: $29 (100% Goes to Charity)Get your Digital Man Up book + Audiobook + 2 Exclusive MASTERCLASSES & Support Shriners Children's Hospital. https://www.manuptribe.com/limited-offerREGISTER FOR THE LEGACY TRIBEGet the Life, Money, Meaning & Impact You Deservehttps://bedroskeuilian.com/legacytribeJOIN MY FREE 6-WEEK CHALLENGE:Transform into a Purpose-Driven Manhttps://bedroskeuilian.com/challengeTHE SQUIRE PROGRAM: A rite of Passage for Your Son as He Becomes a ManA Father and Son Experience That Will Be Remembered FOREVERhttps://squireprogram.com/registerTruLean Supplements | https://www.trulean.com/pages/bedrosGet 50% Off Trulean Subscribe & Save BundleUse Code: BEDROS Few Will Hunt Apparel | https://fewwillhunt.com/Get 20% Off Your Entire OrderUse Code: BEDROSOPEN A FIT BODY LOCATIONA High-Profit, Scalable Gym Franchise Opportunity Driven By Impacthttps://sales.fbbcfranchise.com/get-started?utm_source=bedrosPODCAST EPISODES:https://bedroskeuilian.com/podcast/STAY CONNECTED:Website | https://bedroskeuilian.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/bedroskeuilian/LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bedroskeuilianTwitter | https://twitter.com/bedroskeuilian

882. Rachel shares how to design operating rhythms that create space for meaningful work instead of just adding more meetings to your calendar. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it mean to be ill? In episode 159 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss illness. They explore how illness has been mythologized, how it may alienate us from our bodies, and how it impacts social relationships. Is science the solution to the mythologization of illness, or is the scientific model of illness its own form of mythology? How should we conceptualize illness? Is it as a “deviation” from a norm? And if so, what norm? Finally, what can we learn about illness from a phenomenological approach that centers the patient's first-person experience? In the Substack bonus segment, your hosts think about the distinction between the mental and the physical in connection to illness and the intersection between mind and body in illness. Works Discussed:Georges Canguilhem, The Normal and the PathologicalHavi Carel, Illness:  The Cry of the Flesh,Susan Sontag, Illness as MetaphorSK Toombs, The Meaning of Illness: A Phenomenological Account of the Different Perspectives of Physician and PatientEnjoy our work? Support Overthink via tax-deductible donation: https://www.givecampus.com/fj0w3vJoin our Substack for ad-free versions of both audio and video episodes, extended episodes, exclusive live chats, and more: https://overthinkpod.substack.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Teaser ... How Bob's and Paul's names wound up in the Epstein Files ... Epstein's double option play ... Understanding Moltbook ... Bob on the “big question” Moltbook raises ... Paul: What planet are Emily Bender and Alex Hanna on? ... Heading into Overtime: Friends in the Epstein Files, the strangest thing Bob's ever done for money and more. ...

Joscha Bach explores the nature of consciousness, free will, and reality through the lens of computation, cognitive science, and philosophy. Rather than treating the mind as a mystical entity, Joscha frames consciousness as a constructed dream—a model generated by the brain to make sense of the world and coordinate behavior.We examine why beliefs should remain provisional, how the self functions as a useful fiction, and why suffering emerges when internal learning signals misfire. Joscha explains why free will feels real even if decisions arise before awareness, how meaning exists beyond the individual ego, and why wisdom is not simply knowledge but the ability to orient oneself within larger systems of value.BON CHARGE - 15% off red light therapy products I personally usehttps://www.boncharge.com/knowthyself[Code: KNOWTHYSELF]André's Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list___________00:00 — Intro: Josha Bach04:24 — Agnosticism, Evidence, and Logical Alternatives11:20 — Reality as a Mental Simulation13:00 — What Physicalism Actually Claims16:55 — Telepathy, Rituals, and Distributed Minds19:45 — Consciousness Does Not Make Decisions22:55 — Free Will as a Post-Hoc Story24:00 — Consciousness as a Trance State26:00 — Meditation and the Illusion of Self29:10 — Out-of-Body Experiences Explained31:07 — Ad: BON CHARGE36:30 — Why the Brain Fills in Missing Reality39:50 — Dreams, Selves, and Narrative Identity43:20 — Intelligence, Models, and World-Building47:10 — Why Reality Feels Stable51:00 — Meaning, Agency, and Mental Compression55:10 — Why Consciousness Feels Central (But Isn't)59:30 — The Psychological World vs Physical Reality1:04:10 — Intelligence Without Awareness1:08:45 — The Cost of Believing the Self Is Real1:13:30 — Waking Up From the Narrative1:18:40 — What a Cognitive Science View Really Implies1:23:30 — Final Thoughts: Living Inside the Dream___________Episode Resources: https://www.cimc.ai/https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcasthttps://www.knowthyselfpodcast.comListen to the show:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4bZMq9lApple: https://apple.co/4iATICX

Why did the greatest religious decline and meaning crisis happen during my lifetime? Order my brand new book "Based on a True Story: Vibe Shifts, the End of Deconstruction, and the Reboot of Meaning": https://a.co/d/0iBxIqhk For more visit: paulanleitner.org

Today, on Karl and Crew, we kicked off our weekly theme of “What is God’s Will for My Life?” with a discussion with Wayne Kuna about shifting your perspective on everyday work as a calling from God. Wayne is an inventor, businessman, author, and pastor. He has spent 26 years in the global toy industry, both as a partner and company owner. He has also written several books, including “Work in the Light: An Interactive Guide to Transforming Your Career with New Purpose and Meaning”. We also had Dr. Heather Holleman join us to discuss the four core principles for living a life sent by God. Dr. Holleman is an Associate Teaching Professor of advanced writing at Penn State, a speaker, and author. She designs advanced writing curricula for the English Department and loves helping students thrive professionally. She also has a daily blog. Dr. Holleman has also written several books, including the award-winning book on evangelism, “Sent: Living a Life that Invites Others to Jesus.” We then had Karl pop in LIVE to give us an update from Marafa, Kenya, as he is assisting in ministry with The Timothy Initiative. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Wayne Kuna Interview [05:10] Dr. Heather Holleman Interview [25:11] Karl in Kenya LIVE Update [38:23] Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listen/Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to think of story as cosmology? In this episode, I explore story not as entertainment or belief, but as a deeper framework for meaning—one that helps humans understand change, transformation, and lived experience. When I talk about story as cosmology, I'm pointing to the idea that story functions beneath ideology and belief systems, shaping how we make sense of crisis, consequence, and change. Long before we articulate doctrines about the world, we experience life through story, and long after specific ideologies strain or collapse, the shape of story remains. This episode looks at: – Story as a pattern reflecting something larger – Why archetypal story structure mirrors lived patterns of transformation – How story holds under stress in ways rigid systems often don't – What this understanding asks of writers and storytellers today This is a reflection on story as shape, pattern, and process, and why that matters so deeply to human experience. Related Resources: Helping Writers Become Authors https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/ Next Level Plot Structure by K.M. Weiland

Ravi Rajani shows you how to build meaningful relationships, one conversation at a time. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The Three C's of building trust2) What makes people say, “Tell me more” 3) Why compliments come across as insincereSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1125 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT RAVI — Ravi Rajani is an international keynote speaker, transformational coach and LinkedIn Learning instructor, with over 65,000 people having taken his courses on Conscious and Charismatic Communication. Widely seen as one of the world's top communication experts, mission-driven leaders, entrepreneurs and organizations such as Oracle NetSuite, T-Mobile, and Sherwin-Williams have engaged Ravi to help them and their people become masterful communicators so they can build meaningful relationships that amplify revenue growth and cultivate a culture of trust.Off stage or camera, Ravi lives just outside of London, UK, with his wife, son, daughter and furry little West Highland Terrier. He loves the movie Limitless, a good stand-up comedian and a quintessentially British suit.• Book: Relationship Currency: Five Communication Habits For Limitless Influence and Business Success• LinkedIn: Ravi Rajani— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Processing of Social and Monetary Rewards in the Human Striatum” by Keise Izuma, Daisuke N. Saito, and Norihiro Sadato• Book: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why your best life isn't about having the right answers, but about asking the right questions.Finding meaning and purpose in life isn't about having all the answers. For Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, it's about having the courage and curiosity to constantly engage with the questions.As designers, Burnett and Evans have careers spanning everything from academia to companies like Apple, Electronic Arts, and Hasbro. But beyond fashioning better products and user experiences, they've also put their expertise toward the transcendent, writing several books about designing and living lives filled with meaning and purpose.“Compasses say North, not Seattle,” says Evans, highlighting how many mistakenly think of purpose as a single destination. “We're all a dynamic, flowing, constantly changing thing. So how could a changing thing have one static right answer?” Instead, he and Burnett maintain that meaning is more about “going the right direction, not [finding] the right destination.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Burnett and Evans join host Matt Abrahams to explore their strategies for leading a purposeful life. Rather than “rehearsing [an] answer,” their method involves “living [a] question” — embracing curiosity and designing a life through dialogue with ourselves and with others.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Bill BurnettDave EvansBill and Dave's Book: How to Live a Meaningful LifeEp.181 Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & WellbeingEp.138 Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:02) - Meaning & Purpose as a Direction (01:42) - Coherence & Living in Alignment (02:23) - Design Thinking for Life Decisions (03:56) - Prototyping Conversations (05:29) - Odyssey Plans: Three Possible Futures (07:33) - The Four Elements of Meaning (09:22) - Wonder Glasses: Shifting Perspective (10:48) - Transactional vs. Flow World (12:36) - How to Build a Formative Community (13:59) - The Practice-to-Production Trap (15:07) - The Final Three Questions (18:35) - Conclusion

What if creativity works like medicine? New research shows that regular engagement with the arts can slow biological aging, protect the brain, reduce stress, and promote a new sense of purpose, identity and meaning—especially in retirement. This episode reframes art as one of the most powerful, underused tools for healthy aging. Our guest today, Dr. Daisy Fancourt, is a leading researcher on the health impacts of arts engagement and the author of the new book Art Cure:The Science of How the Arts Save Lives. Her work bridges neuroscience, public health, and lived experience—bringing rigorous data to some things many people may dismiss as “just a hobby.” Listen in for insights on why engaging with art is a wise addition to your retirement plan. In this conversation, you'll learn: How arts engagement compares to exercise and sleep in its health impact Why talent and skill have nothing to do with the benefits you can reap How creativity builds cognitive reserve and protects against dementia Why music is a powerful tool for wellness How the arts can foster renewed identity, purpose, and community in retirement Daisy Fancourt joins us from London. ________________________ Bio Daisy Fancourt is the author of the new book Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives. She is Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London where she heads the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health. She has published 300 scientific papers and won over two dozen academic prizes. She is a multi-award-winning science communicator and has been named a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and BBC New Generation Thinker. Daisy is listed as one of the most highly cited scientists in the world. _________________________ For More on Daisy Fancourt Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives Website _________________________ Podcast Conversatons You May Like Tiny Experiments – Anne-Laure Le Cunff Why You'll Want a Hobby – Ashley Merryman The Art of the Interesting – Lorraine Besser, PhD ____________________________ About The Retirement Wisdom Podcast There are many podcasts on retirement, often hosted by financial advisors with their own financial motives, that cover the money side of the street. This podcast is different. You'll get smarter about the investment decisions you'll make about the most important asset you'll have in retirement: your time. About Retirement Wisdom I help people who are retiring, but aren't quite done yet, discover what's next and build their custom version of their next life. A meaningful retirement doesn't just happen by accident. Schedule a call today to discuss how the Designing Your Life process created by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans can help you make your life in retirement a great one — on your own terms. About Your Podcast Host Joe Casey is an executive coach who helps people design their next life after their primary career and create their version of The Multipurpose Retirement.™ He created his own next chapter after a 26-year career at Merrill Lynch, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of HR for Global Markets & Investment Banking. Joe has earned Master's degrees from the University of Southern California in Gerontology (at age 60), the University of Pennsylvania, and Middlesex University (UK), a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his coaching certification from Columbia University. In addition to his work with clients, Joe hosts The Retirement Wisdom Podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally in popularity by Listen Notes, with over 1.6 million downloads. Business Insider recognized Joe as one of 23 innovative coaches who are making a difference. He's the author of Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy. __________________________ Wise Quotes On the Science Behind Arts and Health “I started doing lots of research on the long-term impact of arts engagement across people’s lives using the same kind of data sets and methods that people had previously looked at exercise and diet and sleep. And I was honestly quite amazed at what came out about these associations between arts and future well-being, reduced risk of depression, enhanced cognitive function, reduced risk of chronic pain, frailty, dementia. And most excitingly, the effect sizes were very similar or sometimes even stronger than these other behaviours that we’re much more used to talking about in relation to our health.” On Biological Aging People who engage in the arts actually have increased connectivity between regions of the brain that are vulnerable to aging. So they actually have brains that are younger than people who don’t regularly engage in the arts. And actually, they have higher levels of cognitive reserve, so resilience of the brain against cognitive decline and dementia. But they also have different clinical biomarker patterns that indicate that they are physiologically younger. So better respiratory rates, lower cardiovascular stress, better levels of inflammation in their immune systems. And I think most excitingly, they even have patterns of gene expression in their DNA that are younger. So the way that their genes express themselves have a younger, what we call epigenetic age.” On the I’m Not Creative Myth “I think this is a slight failing in our societies because we tend to set ourselves up that you’re either artistic or creative or you’re not. And it’s a complete myth. Actually, most of the health benefits of the art come through doing it, regardless of whether you’re any good at doing it. And I think sometimes people have got hangovers, often from like childhood when they didn’t feel they sang in tune or when they weren’t good at doing art in class. But it’s surprising how often people can actually try new activities as an adult and actually discover a passion they had absolutely no idea about.” On Music as Medicine “Music is actually a natural pain relief. It releases endogenous opioids in our brain. But also it provides us with a beat that means we can synchronize with that beat and that can really help us with our movements. So when people exercise to music, they’re actually able to run faster for longer, they’re able to lift weights in the gym for longer. And if people have got conditions like Parkinson’s or they’ve had a stroke or another neurological disorder, then actually listening to music can be a way of improving balance, their walking speed and reduce the risk of falls as well.” On Art in Retirement – and Purpose & Meaning “Lots of people speak about losing their sense of purpose when they move out of that work environment and trying to figure out what their new purpose is. And arts engagement is a very effective way in so many trials now of increasing that sense of purpose. It’s a similar thing for cultivating a new sense of meaning. And there are lots of other aspects of our well-being, like a heightened life satisfaction, which is really important to people, particularly as they get older. And actually arts engagement is such a powerful way of helping to build all of those different aspects of our well-being.” On the Daily Arts Practice “If we’re looking at basically accumulating the health benefits of the arts over time, we need to have a really regular, sustainable arts practice. I recommend in the book that people try and figure out their equivalent of the kind of five-a-day vegetable rule that they could apply day to day. Could they set aside 15 or 20 minutes every day that they will reliably be able to commit to? But also, can they think about sort of simple ways that they could swap out activities in their lives to make that manageable?”    

Music has a way of stopping time, unlocking memories, and reminding us who we were—and who we still are. In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with friends for a powerful roundtable conversation about the songs and albums that shaped their lives.From classic rock and heavy metal to punk and emotional deep cuts, this episode dives into how music connects to family, grief, identity, and personal milestones. You'll hear stories about first albums, misunderstood lyrics, unforgettable concerts, and the artists who left a permanent mark.If you've ever heard a song and felt instantly transported back to a moment in your life, this episode will resonate with you. Be sure to check the show notes for the Spotify playlist and add the song that means the most to you.Send us a textVote for us hereFreedom Federal Credit UnionHELPING YOU REACH YOUR FINANCIAL DREAMSDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showRate & Review on Apple Podcasts Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennettTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Hosted on BuzzsproutSquadCast Subscribe by Email

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3898: Jay and Heather Harrington explore how embracing life's inevitable limitations is key to unlocking its deeper promise. Drawing on Viktor Frankl's Holocaust survival and philosophical insights, they show how meaning, growth, and happiness are not found in avoiding struggle, but in confronting it with intention and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.lifeandwhim.com/first-moments-blog/embrace-lifes-limitations Quotes to ponder: “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” "If we define ourselves by what we have, and not by who we are and what we do, then we become trapped by our limitations, not set free by them." “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Episode references: Man's Search for Meaning: https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the numbers that dominate headlines tell you less about the economy than the price of your groceries, your rent, and your ability to start a family? We sit with writer and analyst Amanda Claypool to unpack Main Street economics, A.I.'s shock to white-collar work, and why trust in legacy media has frayed. Amanda's path—from near-CIA ambitions and defense contracting in DC, to cross-country pandemic travels, to building “Tomorrow Today” on Substack—offers a rare, ground-level view of how policy choices ripple through real lives.We get candid about the post-2008 era, cheap money's illusions, and the gap between Beltway incentives and the daily reality in deindustrialized towns. Amanda explains why she sees generative A.I. as a Gutenberg-level inflection point: it can upend tasks, compress status ladders, and force a deeper question about what remains uniquely human. That's where judgment, relationships, and ownership of outcomes come in—and why careers built on brittle prestige need a rethink. We also explore culture and gender debates, how career-first narratives can overshoot, and what resilience looks like when jobs evolve faster than institutions.Throughout, you'll hear practical advice for navigating uncertainty: learn the language of economics and accounting, treat A.I. as leverage rather than a threat, and stop hunting only for “a job.” Instead, find work—concrete problems you can solve and get paid for—while investing in community, family, and skills that compound over time. If you're looking for a grounded, nonpartisan take on media, money, technology, and meaning, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets to what actually matters.You can further engage with Amanda:Tomorrow Today on Substack: https://tomorrowtodaynow.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amanda_claypool My book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZ52SVL3/ref=sr_1_2 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to The Common Bridge, share it with a friend who cares about the future of work, and leave a rating to help others find the show.Support the showEngage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Topics: Law vs Laws in the New Covenant, Understanding New Covenant Grace and Freedom, Jeremiah 31:33 and the Law on Our Hearts, Hebrews 8:10 Meaning, Hebrews 10:16 Explained, the Burden of the 613 Commandments, Law of Moses vs Grace in the Gospel, Are We Still Under the Law of Moses, the Foundation of True Christian Morality, 10 Commandments on the Heart or the Spirit, Your New Identity in Christ Jesus, Colossians 1:22 Holiness through His Blood, the Ministry of Death in 2 Corinthians 3, Galatians 5:18 and Being Led by the Spirit, Righteousness Through Faith and Not Works, Romans 6:14 and Freedom From Sin, Total Freedom From the Law of Condemnation, Lessons on Licentiousness from the Book of Jude, Being Holy and Secure in His Grace, Repentance Toward Grace and Away From Works, Matthew 5:48 Perfection and the Impossible Standard, Living as a New Creation in Christ, Ephesians 2:12 and the Covenants of Promise, Deuteronomy 4:2 Warning Against Adding to the Law, Galatians 3:10 and the Curse of the Law, James 2:10 and the Problem of Double Talk, Romans 7 and the Power of Coveting through 10 Commandments, the Fruit of the Spirit vs Lawful Living, Christ in You the Hope of Glory, God Writing His Character on Your Heart, Why the Law Causes Sin to Increase, the Difference Between Trying and Trusting, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, the Law as a Ministry of Condemnation, Why Christians Are Not Under the 10 Commandments, Living by the Spirit of Life, the Transition From Old Covenant to New, the Finished Work of Jesus at the Cross, Finding True Rest in Christ's Accomplishment, Why God Writes Himself on Our Hearts and MindsSupport the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

The Catechism wraps up our “I Believe in God” paragraphs with an In Brief and “The Implications of Faith in One God”—or, what God's being means for us and our lives. Faith in our God means knowing his greatness, living in thanksgiving, knowing the dignity of all men, making good use of creation, and trusting God in every circumstance. Fr. Mike reminds us that “in every circumstance,” meaning even in adversity, God uses all things for the good. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 222-231. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Episode Description:This was one of the most intense conversations James ever recorded.This archive conversation captures David Goggins at the moment Can't Hurt Me was launching — before the mythology around him fully formed. What makes this episode powerful is how grounded it is. He's not selling inspiration. He's explaining the mechanics of suffering, discipline, and self-reinvention in plain terms.Goggins describes growing up with abuse, learning disabilities, fear, and self-hatred — and how those became the raw material for rebuilding himself. He explains his concept of the “40% rule,” the mental governor that convinces people they're done long before they actually are. He also breaks down why failure isn't the end of anything — it's the beginning of knowledge.The conversation moves from ultramarathons and Navy SEAL training into everyday applications: work ethic, education, relationships, accountability, and the quiet habits that build resilience. It's not about extreme athletics. It's about developing a mindset that doesn't collapse when life gets hard.What You'll Learn:Why your brain tells you to quit at 40% — and how to push past that limitHow discomfort, not comfort, is the real training ground for mental strengthWhy failure is data, not defeatHow to build discipline through small daily “mini boot camps”Why accountability starts with brutal honesty about yourselfTimestamped Chapters:[00:00] Haters, criticism, and emotional control[04:00] Introducing David Goggins + the pull-up record shock[08:00] Life as a race: getting to the start line[11:30] Callousing the mind through discomfort[14:00] Living outside the comfort box[16:00] Learning disability and obsessive study discipline[20:00] Public speaking, stuttering, and fear exposure[23:30] Failure as the beginning of growth[27:00] Society's fear of discomfort[30:00] Radical accountability[32:00] Meaning, suffering, and visualization[35:00] The first 100-mile race: confronting death[39:00] Rejection as fuel[41:30] What happens after achievement[44:00] Writing the book and vulnerability[46:00] Discipline audit: where your hours go[48:00] Abuse, forgiveness, and breaking cycles[52:00] Cutting toxic relationships[55:00] The 40% rule explained[58:00] Reflection as survival[01:00:00] Building a personal mental boot camp[01:05:00] Comfort vs. growth: why people stay stuck[01:10:00] Identity, self-image, and reinvention[01:15:00] Discipline as daily practice[01:20:00] Aging, purpose, and long-term mindset[01:25:00] Applying Goggins' philosophy to normal life[01:30:00] Training for life, not races[01:35:00] Legacy and impact[01:40:00] Closing reflections + audiobook discussionAdditional Resources:Can't Hurt Me – David GogginsDavid Goggins Official WebsiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen The Oxford language dictionary defines evangelism as the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.[1] It is also defined as zealous advocacy of a cause. Merriam-webster.com defines evangelism as a winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ, and it's also defined as militant or crusading zeal.[2] An evangelist is, therefore, someone who spreads the gospel by preaching or personal witness, winning personal commitments to Christ—and, I would add, with zeal! There are three ways to consider evangelism: proclamation, incarnational/relational, and apologetic/intellectual. Proclamation evangelism is the preaching mentioned above. It is a direct telling of the gospel to others. You probably will not be deploying this tactic at work, unless you are a preacher! Incarnational/relational evangelism is the living it out—building relationships and sharing your faith at work, with a bit of apologetic/intellectual evangelism as well. Meaning, you will need to be able to explain why you are living it out. One of the most relevant definitions of evangelism I have read is this working definition presented by the Theology of Work project that says, “Evangelism is the organic process of intentionally engaging individuals in their spiritual journey, joining the Holy Spirit, watching for where he is already at work to help these individuals take one step closer to God and a new life in Christ, becoming the unique reflection of the image of Christ as the resurrected, glorified persons God intended.”[3] This punctuates that evangelism is focused on the individual, and not some large group of people. We certainly come across many individuals during our workday! But why evangelize? Isn't this for the well-trained and professionals? And, surely, we shouldn't do this at work—or should we? Studies show 90% of church going people who come to Christ as adults do so because of a relationship with one or more Christians outside of the four walls of the church. With many of these adults going to work, this makes our workplace evangelism key to God's plan for salvation! Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20). Earlier in Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus tells his disciples, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. I want to remind you the disciples were not some well-studied priests of the time. And remember, Jesus was a humble carpenter before he began his ministry. God did not call the qualified, he qualified the called! Thinking about the disciples as fishermen and a tax collector and Jesus as a carpenter, helps me to feel more qualified in my calling to be an evangelist at work! Our purpose here at The Christian Working Woman is to encourage, equip, and empower Christians in the workplace to love Christ more, to live their daily lives by biblical principles, and to go to their jobs as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Rooted in the verse from 2 Corinthians 5:20, which tells us we are Christ's ambassadors, we are here in ministry to help you grow as workplace evangelists. Clearly the word evangelism is rooted in our faith as followers of Jesus Christ. Are you zealous about it yet? Many women I encounter don't feel like they can share their faith at work. Whether it is feeling unqualified to share the gospel or simply fearing it will not be welcomed, there are more perceived obstacles than there are perceived open doors for Jesus at work. This is one of the reasons I like the working definition from the Theology of Work project mentioned earlier. The definition helps us frame the process of evangelism at work rather than simply telling us, “Hey, go proclaim Christ at work!” Evangelism is an organic process, specifically meaning it happens naturally. We don't need to get all worked up and plan it all out. Consider the examples we have in the Bible. First Jesus. Notice how he shared his good news with others. His evangelism was incarnational and relational in every way with a touch of apologetic wisdom! Even though I am sure Jesus divinely knew who he would encounter, he wasn't on a direct quest to find them, except for the disciples. They came to him. He encountered the woman at the well when he was thirsty, and he encountered the bleeding woman as he was going to heal another's child. Think about the healing of the demon possessed man when the evil spirits were cast into the pigs. This man was in Jesus's path as he arrived from crossing the sea. Think about the leper needing healing. He was also in Jesus's path. Finally, the criminal on the cross at the crucifixion. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Now, I am not saying Jesus wasn't a preacher evangelist. We absolutely see Jesus speaking to great crowds and in the synagogue, but it happened organically. Evangelism at work can happen organically throughout the course of your day. It can be in a breakroom, or after a meeting. It could be grabbing a cup of coffee with a colleague you want to know better. If we pay attention to the example of Jesus, we also see he is intentional in how he engages each one of the people in his path. He engages individuals! Each one had a need, even before they knew they needed Jesus. Whether it was healing, food, or even a friend, Jesus met people where they were at. Being intentionally engaging with others was the next part of the definition I mentioned earlier. The Word is clear in Matthew 18:12. What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off (Matthew 18:12)? How can you intentionally engage with others? How can you help with the search for the one? Before you share the gospel with someone, have you ever considered what you know about them? Jesus had a clear advantage in being all knowing, so we will need to be good listeners and good at asking questions! In James 1:19, the word tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listen to colleagues when they talk about what they did over the weekend or even after work. Listen when they talk about family, favorite hobbies, or holiday plans! Next, discern if you can come alongside them in any way. Again, thinking of Jesus. How are you serving those around you? …not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:4). How can you extend intentional kindness to someone? Is it an encouraging word or an expression of gratitude? Is it bringing someone a cup of coffee, or lunch? Perhaps it is simply the act of listening itself. These organic and intentional engagements can build trust and a connection to start naturally sharing about your faith when it fits into the conversation, of course making sure it isn't making the other person feel uncomfortable. Has someone expressed a feeling like sadness, anger, concern, or fear? Maybe you can relate and mention how your faith has helped you in a similar situation. Ultimately, you will need to be prepared to make a defense if anyone asks you for a reason for the hope you have. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to do this with gentleness and respect. I would encourage you to make a list of ways God has helped you. This way, examples will be top of mind if this ever comes up! As you are deploying this organic and intentional evangelism, be encouraged! You are not expected to evangelize alone. Jesus has given to us the power of the Holy Spirit to help guide every situation. The early church was filled with evangelists just like you and me! Acts 1:8 promised they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. And they would be Jesus's witnesses in Jerusalem and in all of Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say (Luke 12: 11-12). It is less about the perfect words and more about the ability to be a witness of Jesus through your life. How are people seeing the incarnational and relational Jesus through you? Paul reminds us of this. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). Allow Christ to work through you! You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). And remember you are not solely responsible for saving anyone! No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day (John 6:44). Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). You are merely the ambassador representative, a laborer in the harvest. While you may be a very important part of God's plan for someone's salvation, you simply are just that—one part. Paul beautifully states this. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). Jesus is the foundation of everything. Every interaction, every way you “build” into an individual's faith journey. Remember the statistic I spoke about as we stated our time today? 90% of adults making a decision for Christ are doing so because of interactions outside of the Church! Back to evangelizing at work. As you intentionally engage with others through the help of the Holy Spirt, take time to discern where God is working. Does someone show extra interest in your conversations about reading the Bible or joining a Bible study you are part of? Are they asking questions about why you are different when things seem to all be chaos around at work? These can be the promptings of the Holy Spirit drawing someone closer to Jesus! At your job, help people keep taking steps closer to God. Thinking of a builder placing one piece of a house at a time, place something simple each day and return. Perhaps you will be able to celebrate with someone that turns to a new life in Christ! Consider yourself and evangelist today! Pray about who will come organically into your path, intentionally engage them and lean in to how the Holy Spirit can move through you! [1] evangelism, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary. (2023). Oed.com. https://doi.org/10.1093//OED//6381426726 [2] Definition of EVANGELISM. (n.d.). Www.merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evangelism [3] Work, T. of. (2018). Evangelism – Sharing the Gospel at Work (Overview). Theology of Work. https://www.theologyofwork.org/key-topics/evangelism-sharing-the-gospel-at-work-overview

In today's WEEKEND WISDOM episode, Jamy Bechler shares some thoughts from the book "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl and how we all still have the freedom to choose our mindset. The "Success is a Choice" podcast network publishes these WEEKEND WISDOM episodes to provide food for thought as we look to finish the week strong and make a difference in the world around us. Please follow Jamy on Twitter @CoachBechler for positive insights and tips on leadership, success, culture, and teamwork. - - - -  If you like daily readers then you'll want to check out "Step by Step: 365 Daily Insights for Growth, Influence, and Success". This book is a great way to jump start each one of your days this year. Get your copy today at JamyBechler.com/shop This episode is made possible by MyPillow.com. Use promo code SUCCESS and save lots of money on almost all the My Pillow products including sheets, towels, coffee, energy drinks, slippers, bathrobes and of course, pilllows. Go to MyPillow.com/Success to start saving. Check out our weekly webinars for parents, coaches, students, and administrators at FreeLeadershipWorkshop.com. These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics. The Success is a Choice podcast network is made possible by TheLeadershipPlaybook.com. Great teams have great teammates and everyone can be a person of influence. Whether you're a coach, athletic director, or athlete, you can benefit from this program and now you can get 25% off the price when you use the coupon code CHOICE at checkout. Build a stronger culture today with better teammates and more positive leaders.  - - - -  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a quick review on iTunes.  Ratings and reviews are the lifeblood of a podcast. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. Thanks again for listening and remember that "Success is a choice. What choice will you make today?" - - - -  Jamy Bechler is the author of nine books including "The Captain" and "The Bus Trip", host of the "Success is a Choice Podcast", professional speaker, and trains organizations on creating championship cultures. He previously spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and administrator.  TheLeadershipPlaybook.com is Bechler's online program that helps athletes become better teammates and more positive leaders while strengthening a team's culture. As a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, Bechler has worked with businesses and teams, including the NBA. Follow him on Twitter at @CoachBechler. To connect with him via email or find out about his services, please contact speaking@CoachBechler.com. You can also subscribe to his insights on success and leadership by visiting JamyBechler.com/newsletter.

Kendrick Diaz discusses 1 Peter 4:12-13—“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

Synchronicities have a way of showing up right when we need them—through a book, a conversation, or a repeating sign that feels impossible to ignore. In this episode, we explore the meaning of synchronicities and how to interpret them with clarity rather than obsession. You'll learn how to tell the difference between genuine inner guidance and simple pattern-recognition, why synchronicities often appear during transitions, and how to respond in a way that strengthens self-trust instead of outsourcing your power.

In Episode 37 of Quite Frankly, host Frankie Val is joined by guest Matt for a wide-ranging discussion on culture, perception, and the mechanisms used to shape belief. The conversation explores how modern narratives strip meaning from language, history, and identity, replacing substance with spectacle and confusion. Frankie and Matt examine the role of cultural institutions, media influence, and psychological conditioning in steering public thought, emphasizing how repetition and emotional manipulation erode discernment over time. The episode also reflects on the importance of historical awareness, symbolism, and moral grounding as tools for resisting manufactured consensus. Throughout the discussion, the focus remains on clarity, pattern recognition, and the responsibility to think independently in an environment saturated with distortion. Episode 37 continues Quite Frankly's direct, no-frills approach to confronting uncomfortable truths and questioning narratives that demand passive acceptance rather than understanding.

Dr. Vanessa Chang explores how human bodies and technologies have always shaped one another, and why intelligence must be understood as embodied, relational, and deeply human.

Jen Fisher discusses the strategic value of hope—and how leaders can harness it to improve wellbeing and transform the workplace. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) Why hope is a valid strategy in the workplace2) How a few words can kill or build hope3) How to counter your brain's tendency to be overly criticalSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1124 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT JEN — Jen Fisher is a global authority on workplace wellbeing, the bestselling author of Work Better Together, and the founder and CEO of The Wellbeing Team.As Deloitte US's first chief wellbeing officer, she pioneered a groundbreaking, human-centered approach to work that gained international recognition and reshaped how organizations view wellbeing. Jen is also the creator and host of The WorkWell Podcast, a TEDx speaker, and a sought-after voice at events like Workhuman, SXSW, Milken Global Conference, and Happiness Camp. At the heart of Jen's work is the knowledge that hope is not just a feeling—it's a strategic imperative. She helps leaders harness hope as a catalyst for cultural transformation, guiding them to reimagine work as a force for human flourishing. She lives in Miami with her husband, Albert, and their dog, Fiona.• Book: Hope Is the Strategy: The Underrated Skill That Transforms Work, Leadership, and Wellbeing• LinkedIn: Jen Fisher• Substack: Thoughts on Being Well• Website: Jen-Fisher.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind.” by C.R. Synder• Book: The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daily Word     Are you broke? Meaning you don't have enough money for the things you need and desire. If so, DO NOT believe it because being broke is a futuristic mindset that projects today's resources onto tomorrow's needs. This mindset can destroy your faith for prosperity. In today's Daily Word learn how to overcome the broke mindset. __________ Proverbs 23:7 KJV, Ecclesiastes 10:19 KJV,  2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV, Matthew 6:24-34 NLT, Hebrews 11:1 KJV, Exodus 16:4-5 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________    

Retirement isn't just a financial equation—it's an identity shift. In this recap, Lesley Logan and Brad Crowell reflect on the conversation with wealth advisor and researcher Gregg Lunceford, who challenges the traditional retirement model by focusing on identity, purpose, and emotional readiness. They explore why longer lifespans have reshaped retirement entirely and why high performers often struggle most when their job no longer defines them. Whether listeners are 25 or 65, this conversation reframes what freedom after work can truly look like. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How increased longevity has made traditional pension models obsolete.The reality of the 20-year life bonus after your career ends.Why high achievers struggle to uncover a non-work identity.How intentional communities support mental and emotional well-being.The importance of creating a shared retirement vision as a couple.Episode References/Links:Agency Mini - https://prfit.biz/miniContrology Pilates Conference in Poland - https://xxll.co/polandContrology Pilates Conference in Brussels - https://xxll.co/brusselsPOT in London - https://xxll.co/potSpring Training: How To Get Overhead - https://opc.me/eventsSubmit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questionsThe Seeing Eye - https://seeingeye.orgMesirow Wealth Management - https://www.mesirow.comGregg Lunceford on LinkedIn - https://beitpod.com/greggluncefordExit From Work - https://a.co/d/fR25gH2 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Brad Crowell 0:01  He was talking about football players, and he was talking about people who have, you know, high performance people who make a shitload of money, and then they retire and they, he said, they burn through a lot of money trying to figure out who they are.Lesley Logan 0:17  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Brad Crowell 1:01  Take it away. Lesley Logan 1:03  Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, Brad, and I are going to dig into the trailblazing, trail, trailblazing. Brad Crowell 1:12  Wanna try that again?Lesley Logan 1:16  Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, don't laugh at me. I don't want to start again. Brad Crowell 1:22  No. The Welcome back was perfect. It was amazing. Lesley Logan 1:25  Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, Brad, and I are going to dig into the trailblazing convo I have with Gregg Lunceford in our last episode. If you haven't yet listened to that interview, you fucked up. It's so good. Brad Crowell 1:41  It's a great interview. Lesley Logan 1:42  He's a great educator. He blew my mind.Brad Crowell 1:46  So inspirational. Lesley Logan 1:47  Yeah.Brad Crowell 1:48  You actually, literally said my internal dialog out loud to him towards the end of the interview, because you were like, yeah, after listening to you, I'm so excited for this next chapter of my life. And I was like me too. It was amazing.Lesley Logan 2:06  I know, I know, I, your parents need to listen to this stat. Brad Crowell 2:10  Yeah, he's a badass. Lesley Logan 2:11  So anyways, they won't even be out, and they're making decisions right now, maybe we have to get them an episode early. Okay, so you can come back and listen to it later. You can finish this and you can listen to that one, or I gotta finish the script. You can listen to this one, or you can listen to that one first, whichever you want to do. But just you gotta listen.Brad Crowell 2:28  You did not have to finish the script. You can just let it go. Lesley Logan 2:32  I could also just close the loop on that. Brad Crowell 2:35  That was the only loop that you know. Lesley Logan 2:37  Well, you know what, Sir. Brad Crowell 2:40  Today is January 29th.Lesley Logan 2:42  It's just after my birthday. You can still wish me a happy birthday. It's the anniversary to celebrate Seeing Eye Guide Dogs. So the Seeing Eye Guide Dog Anniversary is an appreciation for all the dogs who act as their owners' eyes and ears. The devotion and taught abilities of these particular canines keep them safe and enable them to operate as a fully functional persons. The day is meant to recognize a school that educates them. Seeing eye dogs go through extensive training to be able to, say, safely traverse the environment and all of its hazards for their person. That's why they're so worthy of this recognition. Okay, so I don't have a seeing eye dog. Obviously, we don't know anyone who in our life who has a seeing eye dog, but I have watched the dog who could tell a girl was about to have a seizure before she had it, and then opened the fridge and pulled out her medicine and gave it to her while she was having this like seizure. Brad Crowell 3:37  That's crazy. Lesley Logan 3:38  Crazy. And I have met people with dogs who can sense if they're about to have, like, an insulin situation, because they have some, like, a type of insulin diabetes where, like, it can change really drastically. I have definitely seen people with seeing eye dogs, and I'm so impressed. And so really, the rest of the days sucked. And this is the best one of all the choices. Brad Crowell 4:00  I like this one, though. Lesley Logan 4:01  I really like this one, because here's the deal. Brad Crowell 4:03  So the organization is actually called The Seeing Eye. Lesley Logan 4:06  Oh. Brad Crowell 4:07  Yeah. And I, I'm just realizing that as well. Lesley Logan 4:10  Okay, well, they got up, they didn't pay for the sponsorship, because they're doing great work out there for people who need it. Brad Crowell 4:14  It's a guide dog school. Lesley Logan 4:16  And I am just kind of obsessed with this. And so if this inspired you in any way you should go donate money to your local no kill animal shelter, because while those dogs won't be a seeing eye dog or a service dog, they certainly need your help. This is really or you could donate to your seeing eye dog school if they need the money like you never know. You might your life could change. You might need a dog that's a service animal. So I just was, you know, anything to help raise money and thoughts about, please don't buy a puppy. Go get go adopt an animal. They have puppies too. Brad Crowell 4:48  You know what is amazing. I'm reading about the school, and I think that my elementary school teacher went to the school, because when we were in school, she somehow lost her vision, and I remember she.Lesley Logan 5:07  You were taught by someone who couldn't see?Brad Crowell 5:10  No, when I was taught by her, she could. But then, like in a year or two later, when I was like, in fourth or fifth grade, we we found out that she lost her vision, and I remember her going to Braille school. And I'm pretty sure she went to seeing eye dog school. Lesley Logan 5:25  That's so cool. Brad Crowell 5:26  Because think about it, if you're like, you know, 5060, years old, and you've never worked with a dog before like that, how would you even know how?Lesley Logan 5:34  Yeah, no, you have to get trained. Okay? But now this opens up a whole thing. So then she couldn't do the thing that she loved to do. She couldn't teach anymore. Brad Crowell 5:41  I'm pretty sure she retired. Lesley Logan 5:43  Oh, that's such a. So wait, this sucks. If you're blind, what are your jobs? You could be a phone sex operator.Brad Crowell 5:52  Yes, you could be a phone sex operator. That's not what I was gonna go, but yeah, you could do that, but.Lesley Logan 5:56  But you can make a lot of money doing this. You could do you could be a 900 psychic.Brad Crowell 6:01  You could be a 900 psychic, or you could just talk on the phone, too.Lesley Logan 6:05  Yeah, yeah. With technology today, I think they probably have more options, but I just realized, like, that would suck, like, all of a sudden she can't teach anymore. What if she couldn't even retire?Brad Crowell 6:15  No, it's, it's very traumatic, you know? I mean, we have a close friend of ours whose husband was, he has a, like a degenerative disease that didn't strike until he was in his, you know, midlife.Lesley Logan 6:31  We do? Brad Crowell 6:32  We do. Lesley Logan 6:33  Oh, is it blind, is he going blind? Brad Crowell 6:35  No, but, but the idea of being able, of being an abled body and then all of a sudden, everything that was quote, unquote normal for you is no longer an option. And that scares, that scares me.Lesley Logan 6:49  Scares the hell out of me. But, okay, Dark tangent, dark comedy tangent. Okay, I think it was the French, it was a European commercial. Do you remember this thing? It came through at my Instagram, and this, like, got this woman and this guy, like, wake up on a couch. They like, had, you know, obviously had sex last night, and like, they woke on the couch, and he's like, no, I gotta go. She's like, you could stay. And then, like, he is, like, getting up, and he like, puts himself in his wheelchair. And then this guy opens up the door to the apartment, and he's like, what's going on here? And so clearly, the woman was cheating on her partner, and the whole thing was like, what, like, you know, just maybe think before you park in someone else's spot, or like using the bathroom, or like using the handicap parking and using the handicapped bathroom, and it I died laughing. I cried laughing because, like, what a great way to get people to go. Oh, I'm fucking using that restroom, or I've never parked in those spots because in LA, one of my girlfriends was just parked there to take a phone call and she got a ticket. Don't do it, guys, they don't care if you don't leave the car. Don't do it. It's for someone else. It is someone else's spot. But just made me laugh. I know this is all about seeing eye dogs, and I thought it was a great advertisement for not being a dickhead.Brad Crowell 8:08  Well, what a fun turn this took. Lesley Logan 8:10  Okay. Well, everyone, look, you, your life could change in an instant. So if there is a charity in your area that is helping people get service animals into the hands of people that need it, this is their I'm sponsoring an ad for them. Go give them some money. Give them some time. Brad Crowell 8:27  Participate. Lesley Logan 8:27  Yeah, you never know. Maybe you could become a really good trainer for one of these dogs. You don't know. You know, they people in prison are training some of these dogs so there's great work going out there. So everyone needs a hobby. This could be yours. Brad Crowell 8:39  I love it. Lesley Logan 8:40  All right, you guys, we are home. Brad Crowell 8:43  Yeah, we are, we are. Lesley Logan 8:44  I know where we are in the world. We are home. Brad Crowell 8:47  We are officially home. And last week was Lesley's birthday. Lesley Logan 8:52  Was fabulous. Brad Crowell 8:52  It was fabuloso.Lesley Logan 8:53  It was so fun. I think it's my new theme every year. I don't know. I'll probably change it next time. I'm an Aquarius, who knows, whatever. But it was great. 43 it's looking good, and we're getting ready for Agency Mini, which is next month. Lesley Logan 9:06  Yes, February. Agency Mini, in fact, it's a good chance it's on early bird right now, to be honest. Brad Crowell 9:11  Could be, could be, yeah. Lesley Logan 9:13  Yeah, possible. prfit.biz/mini is where you're gonna go. It's for Pilates instructors or studio owners who work for themselves or want to work for themselves.Brad Crowell 9:21  Yeah, that's profit without the O dot biz slash mini, prfit.biz/mini.Lesley Logan 9:26  And we are getting ready. Brad has never been to Poland. Brad Crowell 9:30  First time. Lesley Logan 9:31  And we have never been to Brussels. And we'll be with Karen Frischmann. And then we're gonna do a second honeymoon, because why not? And then we're going to be in London. So if you want to see us in Europe, it's the only time in 2026 we're going to be in Europe. xxll.co/poland gets you the Poland information xxll.co/brussels gets you Brussels information, and xxll.co/pot will take you to the London information and. Brad Crowell 10:00  Yeah, come hang out. It'd be so fun to meet in person. Lesley Logan 10:02  Oh my gosh. It'd be so fun. And as of right now, our 2027 calendar does not have anything in it, and it may stay that way. We don't know yet. I don't know. So if you want to see us in Europe, this is it.Brad Crowell 10:16  Sounds good to me. I was gonna say maybe Greece, but we're not sure.Lesley Logan 10:19  We're waiting. We're still at the moment of this recording, which is November of 2025 we think we have an invitation to Greece, and we're just waiting for the dates.Brad Crowell 10:30  We shall see. Anyway, in May, for all of those who aren't in Europe, join us virtually, we're going to do another spring training event with onlinepilatesclasses.com. If you were with us last year, two years ago, we did a summer, summer camp. Last year, we did a spring training we loved the spring training vibes, so we're doing that one again. We're going to do that event again, but the topic is going to be totally different. We're going to do how to get overhead. So it's going to include all of those kinds of exercises where you're upside down and, you know, breaking it down for you, making it feel a little more accessible and safe and all those kinds of things. To get on the wait list for that and get the more information as it as we start releasing it, go to opc.me/events, opc.me/events, and you'll be able to stay in the loop. Oh yeah. Brad Crowell 11:18  So today, we had a question, except we're going to change up our question. Normally, we, we get, we get tons and tons of questions. If they're a business question, we usually answer them in our coaching group, Agency. It's from Profitable Pilates, our coaching group, and but this time, what we thought we would do is just ask a few of the questions so you can kind of see if any of these are resonating with you, and see you know, like, how do we tackle, like, how is it that we support the studio owners and teachers that are inside of Agency? So for, for example, we have, we have a recent one that just got submitted. It said, hey, how much notice should I give that client give my clients about my rate increase?Lesley Logan 12:02  No more than 30 days. You can go as low as three days, but no more than 30 days. I've had Mini people do two weeks. It really kind of depends on, you know, if you're doing a $2 rate increase, you can do that next week. You know, it's not a big deal. Doing a $25 rate increase per session. You might want to give them 30 days notice. But we actually also have a course that tells you exactly how to raise those rates and how to actually how to give the people the notice you're going to give so you don't get you're going to have people who have no filter, and they don't realize what they're saying out loud to you can feel personal. It's not, but yeah, but yeah, that's what I would say.Brad Crowell 12:38  I mean. We've got a lot of different tools to support specifically, like, how much should you be raising rates and why? Why are we doing it this way, instead of it just being a random number out there. So if you're ever wondering, like, am I charging enough? That's why people join Agency, we get to dig into these questions with you. Kind of break down some numbers, think about it, logically, all that kind of stuff. Another question for you is, I'm thinking of changing my currently, I sell packages. I'm thinking to change to an auto renew subscription. So instead of selling a 10 pack, you get 10 classes a month or something. I'm assuming that's what it is. Lesley Logan 13:15  Yeah. I don't mind if it's a limited Okay. Brad Crowell 13:17  Yeah but how do I do this without being too wordy? How do I communicate the change to my clients?Lesley Logan 13:21  You're gonna have to have a contract. First and foremost, you, this is a auto renew, and the FCC, I believe, put some stuff in place recently. Look, it could have changed. Brad Crowell 13:32  They took it away. Lesley Logan 13:33  They might have taken it away. Brad Crowell 13:34  Click to click to cancel, or it's already it's already trashed. Yeah, they did. Lesley Logan 13:38  Fuck those people. Anyways, okay, so guess what? No one's fucking regulating. You can do what you want, but reviews still stand. And so if you would like to what I always believe is go back to your values. We have a course on your values. But I have, I have, if this was an office hours call, I could ask a couple of follow up questions about the person, because I have some reasons for not doing an auto renew. Meaning, if you are a solo teacher, I'm going to say no auto renew for you. What happens if you get sick? What about your vacations? There are ways to set packages up so they almost feel like an auto renew, but you actually don't owe people anything if you get sick or if you go on vacation, if you do an auto renew, you actually owe them whatever the contract states.Brad Crowell 14:16  Right, because, what if you're out of town for two weeks and they're like, well, I didn't get my 10 classes, what do we do then?Lesley Logan 14:21  And then they were out they were out of town the other two weeks. And then you also have to figure out with your scheduling tool, can it handle this? Can it handle this feature you want to change it to? If it does handle it, how easily is it to stop it and start it? Some people want to have 90-day contracts on these auto renews and then a 30-day notice. These are all things you have to talk about with a lawyer, but we can actually talk about that together in Agency, our office hours or coaching call to really make sure what's going to work best for you. And then, and then, if you are a studio with multiple teachers, what are the breaks you want to have? And then, why are you doing this? So the other question like, how do you communicate it? It kind of depends on what your values are and what the benefit are that you're trying to say, for example, if you're trying to say that our auto renew is great ease and consistency, plus our number one priority, which is community, then you would actually make it really easy for people to be on auto renew and really hard to be on a package, right? Because packages are more convenient for the person who owns a package, because they can decide when and if they want to use it and auto renew, they have to use it. And then what you need to understand about auto renews is it's another way of saying membership and once you have memberships, you have churn, and you will actually, you might be surprised how much churn you have with auto renews versus people with packages. Because I don't love to be on auto renews with places, because I travel so much, so I might not choose a place that forced me on auto renew or charges me more to be on a package. Now I might not be your client, so it doesn't matter. I don't want to scare you, but these are the things you have to think about. And where, in Agency, we actually coach you on it, because we don't do templates. What works for Brad's studio for auto renews is not going to work for Katie's or Georgia's, right? Like, we have to actually look at like, how many people are on the team? What is the goal of the studio? What are you what are the services under that? Because don't, don't get me started when I see I have to have a membership for mat and I have to have membership for a reformer, and I get mad about that.Brad Crowell 16:18  Now, that's too many options. People don't know what to do. Lesley Logan 16:20  And then they have to think about it. Brad Crowell 16:21  Well then, they just do nothing.Lesley Logan 16:22  Yeah, and so you just have to know, like, yes, it looks like that's how businesses are making money right now with all these auto renews. I'm telling you right now that bubble is popping. We are watching class-based studios lose clients who are middle class a lot faster than you think. And so there's reasons to explore what the options are. What's your purpose for running this change? Like, what? How is this easier for you? Do you think it's to have predictable income? What's in it for them? And then that's how we sell it to them? We have to sell it to them on how it's in it for them, they don't give a fuck about what's in it for you. I mean, they don't not give a fuck but they don't.Brad Crowell 16:57  You're right, like, really, that's not their concern, and it shouldn't be, right? No, so well anyway. So this is the kind of conversations that we get to have over at, in Agency, our fitness business coaching. So whether you're doing yoga or pilates or, I mean, we've had people in there who are we've had a chiropractor in there. We've had a doula in there. We've had bar boxing, whatever. So obviously the majority of our audience is Pilates. So that's primarily what we're discussing over there. But in the service-based industry, we we love doing this. We've been doing it for eight years now. So yeah, if you're interested in more information about that, just reach out to us or go to profitablepilates.com, and you can find out about the coaching over there, but. Lesley Logan 17:37  Join Mini. Do the Mini thing. Brad Crowell 17:38  Oh, join Agency Mini, yeah, go to prfit.biz/mini prfit.biz/mini.Lesley Logan 17:45  If you can sign up right now, it's $25 if it's on early bird, it's $65 if it's not, oh my God, for three days of coaching, change your life. Brad Crowell 17:52  Yeah. 100%. I love it. Well, thanks for joining us down that. If you have a question for the pod or question for Lesley or me, just text us, 310-905-5534, or submit a question at beitpod.com/questions and you can leave us both a win where we'll we'll probably weave that into our Fuck Yeah Friday episodes or you can submit a question, which we can do on our Thursdays. So stick around. We'll be right back. We're gonna dig into this amazing convo that Lesley had with Gregg Lunceford. Brad Crowell 18:21  Okay, let's talk about Gregg Lunceford. Gregg Lunceford spent more than three decades in financial services as a wealth advisor at Mesirow in Chicago. I'm sure I'm saying that wrong. He said it twice, and I was I wasn't sure. But anyway, alongside his advisory work, he's an academic researcher whose PhD studies at Case Western Reserve University, focused on the social, emotional and financial realities of today's retirement transition. And this was so interesting to me, y'all.Lesley Logan 18:50  Fascinating, fascinating. So.Brad Crowell 18:53  His curiosity about why even high, highly successful professionals hesitate to retire led him to explore how identity, purpose and well being shape this stage of our lives. And he's like part historian too, right? So he's also the author of Exit From Work, and he writes about his journey and insights into retirement. So, but I, I really enjoyed him breaking down just the different stages of our lives. And also, like, he's comparing generations. Lesley Logan 19:24  Oh, yeah. Brad Crowell 19:25  And like, how they got to where they are, and like, retirement package stuff that is not even an option for us. Lesley Logan 19:32  Let's just talk about, like, let's get more specific what the episode is about, just in case I haven't heard it. So we were talking about retirement attitude, in a sense, like in that, you know, the way my grandparents retired. I to this day, I'm shocked they retired. I didn't know they had money to retire. They didn't look like they saved anything, but like they're, you know, one, one side saved everything. It came out of the Depression. The other side could have been their children. So very different life. They're very young, and so they, like I, I have one set of grandparents who were retired when I was born, and I had another set of grandparents that worked the whole for a while when I was alive, right? And then they all had a pension, and then they just and then they just retired and got paid to be not working, right?Brad Crowell 20:18  What I think, what I think is amazing is Gregg's analysis, and I'm sure this is well documented now, but, but his analysis of life expectancy shot everything in the foot. Lesley Logan 20:30  Right. Brad Crowell 20:30  He said our grandparents' generation, and to some extent, maybe our parents' generation, the pension game, the reality is that people weren't living to be 70, 80, 90 years old. They were only living 60, 70, years and so if you're working until you're 55 and then they have to pay you out for a decade more before you're done, then. Lesley Logan 20:55  It's not that much money. Brad Crowell 20:55  Wasn't that big of a deal but when you're living till you're 80, all of a sudden the companies were like, this is a massive burden for us. We can't, we can't do this. And so then what? The retirement age got older, the pension packages started getting slimmer, all that kind of stuff. So like, when we look at our grandparents and they had just like, you said, how was it possible that they could even retire? It didn't make any sense.Lesley Logan 21:17  They always they had actually had money to give when they died. I was like, what? They had, they had money? So, so the thing that was really fun with Gregg is that, like he, you know, we got into this more deeply in the episode. It's worth listening to. But like during the 2008 recession, companies were trying to just fire everybody. And so they were trying to go, here's the money. All I do is take this amazing package, and people weren't doing it, and it's because it was emotional, like it wasn't just knowing the number, which is like, what the ads would say. It was like, who am I if I'm not doing this? And like, you know some, I worry about, like, like, your parents have worked, your dad's worked for a company for 40 something years. Brad Crowell 22:02  41 or 42 years, yeah. Lesley Logan 22:04  Well, you're 43. So, so and so he's gonna retire, right? And it's like, does he know what to do? Does he know what he's gonna do? Brad Crowell 22:13  It's so funny because, and also, he probably could have retired. No, no, he they could have, I think financially, they could have retired a while back. But again, I think you're right on the money. It's not, it's actually an identity, right. It's a it's the way that you see. It's how you define who you are.Lesley Logan 22:32  Well, and he's so, so, so Gregg, our genius that we interviewed, he said, you we now have a 20 year life bonus, where you get to define who and what you want to be, because you have your first 20 years getting 20-ish years getting educated. Then you have 20 something, well, Andrew advocates 40 something years that you're working, but then you probably have another 20 plus years to be anything you want. Brad Crowell 22:58  Yeah, because he was talking about the bucket list where people are, like, I'm old and decrepit, but I want to go see Niagara Falls, right? And basically, now today, because the quality of life is so much better, you're still active and able to do life normally, you know, well into your 70s and maybe even 80s, until you're willing to slow down so at that point. But like, so, so then your bucket list is a bit different, because, like, okay, you can probably travel, travel, travel, travel for five or 10 years. I mean, my grandparents did this. They bought a they bought an RV, yeah, and for a decade, they drove around the United States, for a decade, but they eventually got bored of it, and then they came home and they still lived for another 20 years, you know? So it's like, okay, so the bucket list thing, if that, if, if people aren't looking at the end of life as like, I gotta finally have a good time. Now, what Gregg is saying is, like, you could flip this on its head entirely.Lesley Logan 23:55  Yeah. Well, he, he emphasized that today's retirees have more personal freedom than previous generations. And you're probably like, Lesley, why are we talking about retiring? We're still going to be it until we see it. Because be it till you see it changes. It changes all the time. And also, if you are not considering what you want to do on the other side of whatever it is you're doing, I don't care how much you love it. I fucking love what I do, and I dream of exiting stage left all the time. And it's not because.Brad Crowell 24:19  She, this is what I hear around our house. I can't wait to be the person that people go who is she again and and she's like, something to do with Pilates, I don't know.Lesley Logan 24:31  Yeah, like, so there's a line in Notting Hill where Julia Roberts' character says, like, she, she says it in like, not a, not the nicest way about herself, but like, people are gonna look at her, like, as this person who was once famous for a while. And I see it as, like, a complete amazing thing where it's just like, someday it'll be like that, oh, that's that person who she was kind of known in her industry for a little bit, and it's like, yeah, she's not like, I like, I was once famous for a little bit in a small part of the world, and now I can move like, because why not? It doesn't mean I don't love what I do. And by the way, like, please don't freak out. No one freak out. Your memberships are fine. I'm not going anywhere. You got to tell people this, Brad, you got to make sure they know. We are currently creating two other things right now so no one I'm not going anywhere, but I do constantly think about I want to be able to retire when I have my faculties, to travel the world, to go to Antarctica, to do different things, I don't want to be in my 70s going, okay, now I'm hanging my hat up. No, I want to know who you and I are on the other side of working together like I there's these other things. And so I wanted to have Gregg on because when he told me what he did, I was like, fuck yeah. It doesn't matter how old you are listening to this, you can take some time to think about what is the freedom I want to have in this extra bonus of life I get. Your grandparents didn't get it. None of mine did. They all died young so. Brad Crowell 25:58  Yeah, the the I think it's, I think it's, I think it's just really interesting to look at the the shift of things, right? There's so many factors that that made the Baby Boomer, Boomer generation, like, pretty epic.Lesley Logan 26:12  Man, they don't know how good a ride they had. Brad Crowell 26:14  Yeah, and the wealth that they were able to build without, like, realizing it, and all that stuff has, that whole flow has shifted completely, you know, and so it's interesting, though, because life expectancy is longer, and I just, I just love that. So I think that really shifts into what I what I loved about he was talking about, he said something that I found intriguing. He was talking about football players, and he was talking about people who have high performance people, or make a shitload of money, and then they retire, and they, he said, they burn through a lot of money trying to figure out who they are.Lesley Logan 26:54  Yeah, this blew my mind too, because it's like, oh, hold on you. You have the money, but you don't know what you're gonna do with it yet.Brad Crowell 27:01  Well, or it's not. Lesley Logan 27:03  Or who you are with it. Brad Crowell 27:04  That's what I was gonna say. It's not even, it's not even what they're gonna do with it yet. It's they're trying to find themselves because they've been defining themselves.Lesley Logan 27:12  They weren't listening to this podcast. Every single person tells people to get to know who they are. Brad Crowell 27:16  Yeah, but they've been defining themselves by their job for 40 years. So then what happens when you're no longer able to define yourself? I know what this is like, because when I moved to Los Angeles, I was there to do music, and after two years, only two years of being there, so I'm like, 25 right? I am die hard into this band. We are doing everything and anything we can to make this band go and then the singer of the band is like, I'm going to grad school. And he quit. And he was like, my partner in this band. And I was like, what the hell man? Like, why did I come all the way out to Los Angeles to do this. What, to do what? What am I gonna do?Lesley Logan 27:55  Because you're gonna meet me. But that's okay. You didn't know that yet. Brad Crowell 27:58  No, I did not know that yet. It was down the road. So, so I was really I was depressed, I was angry, I was confused. I didn't really know how to I didn't know what I was going to go do. I still knew I wanted to do music, but I but what ended up happening was I really got into motorcycles, like really got into motorcycles, and that became kind of how I defined myself. It was how I I changed the way I dressed. I literally rode a motorcycle every day. I joined a motorcycle club. I would ride all over Southern California, you know. And so suddenly that became my identity. And it wasn't until I was networking and met some more people in music that I began to shift back into the music kind of things. But like, yeah, for sure, I can understand how people would be like, well, I used to be blah, blah, blah, whatever, and now I'm no longer so what am I?Lesley Logan 28:46  It's so easy to blow through money to figure out who you are. There's people who join Pilates training programs at 60 because they're like, oh, I think I want to do this, but it's like, eight grand, right? Well, what if you don't? Then people feel like, oh, I just wasted all that money. And then they do something they don't want to do with it, or, or they just keep trying out different things. And like, now they've got this now. They bought a kayak, then they bought the ski doo, and then they bought the boat, and they're trying to be retired first. And so, yeah, I think so, I think it's really easy because they don't know who they are. And that's Gregg's whole thing. They you have to know who you want to be.Brad Crowell 29:19  Yeah, he said many people who spent life meeting obligations are now suddenly confronted with, who do I actually want to be? Right? Who do I actually want to be? And he said, if you go into that blindly, you start chasing quick hits to replace the accolades of a job. You know, the team mentality, the psychological part of success, when you achieve a goal, you know, and basically it can feel very scattered. And he said, so what we should be doing is preparing what he calls a retirement identity. A retirement identity. And he said, instead of trying to figure it out when you get there, what if you started processing that now? And I thought, man, that's really interesting, because that's always been a question for me. You know, like, I asked your dad one time, what's it like to be retired? And he goes, I don't know. man, I've been retired since my 50s.Lesley Logan 30:16  Yeah. He's been retired for a long time. So, like, we're gonna live in Mexico and become tequila smallies. I've already figured this out. Brad Crowell 30:22  I love it. I love everything about that. I think that's brilliant, but, but also, he said there was other he said there was other options too. What did he call it the barista? Oh, no, no, that was the last week barista retired, where she was talking about, you know, getting a part time job. She called it barista retired. I think? Lesley Logan 30:41  Oh, I think so, but I. Brad Crowell 30:43  You know, like, and that's what your dad's doing now. And why is he doing that now? Because he doesn't want to sit around and watch a television all day. He wants to get up and be active. Lesley Logan 30:50  Yeah, there's, there's great. There's, he's a, he's a, he's a crossing guard now, he fucking loves that.Brad Crowell 30:57  Gregg was talking about, like he works with these clients who are looking towards retirement, and he helps them sculpt these packages, which are really clever, right? Because it shifts your focus of purpose in the job. If your job has been to manage a team of 50 people, now you might be training your replacement person for a year or two before you shift into part time. And you just do it, because you can do it from wherever you need to be and whatever. You know, lots of options.Lesley Logan 31:24  I am obsessed I'm obsessed with this whole thing because, like, everyone wants to know, like, how much money do you need to live off of? Like, that we even our lovely wealth people were like, how much money do you want to live off of when you retire? And we were like, we don't want to worry about money. That was our answer. Because I want to live in an Airstream sipping tequila. And, you know, coming back home here when the weather is good, and then, I don't know, we have a house in Cambodia, there's a I want to see the world. So we had that, but we no one was like, what is your retirement persona? Brad Crowell 31:54  Yeah, how do you, how do you imagine spending your time participating in the world, you know, as a retired person? Lesley Logan 32:02  I mean exactly. Brad Crowell 32:03  Is your goal to watch every movie in the last blockbuster? Maybe you shouldn't do that.Lesley Logan 32:09  We might have to talk about having different lives. Visit you. Brad Crowell 32:17  Actually, it's funny that you say that. He said, a lot of couples don't talk about this, and they see, I, you know, they see themselves retiring in different ways. It's not something that they've actually discussed. Interesting.Lesley Logan 32:28  Well, and you know what? Maybe I have to if there's an expert listening who does graduated marriages, I would love to have you on because that's what they're called. They're called graduated marriages, where you love the person you're married to. You don't want to cheat on them. You don't want to be married to someone else, but you would like to have some people just do a separate room. Some people have a separate house, like they live in a different place because they want to live over there. Clearly, that doesn't work for us, because I would get lost, but. Brad Crowell 32:57  Fascinating. Lesley Logan 32:58  It's fascinating, you know, like, I mean, you know, there's this one podcast I listened to, and she is been working. She still has her company. She's working. She works like a dog. She's got a really successful podcast, and she wants to travel with that podcast, and her current successful company is something that she can travel with, and her husband can't, and she's like, I love you, and you can visit me. I want to live for this many months in this state. I've never lived there. I want to live there. I want to feel what it's like. And so she got an apartment, and he is visiting her every other weekend. That's cool. And, you know what, maybe it spices things up. I'm not saying that, but that's the thing. But like, I do think that if you're in a relationship and you haven't thought about retirement together, may this be your assignment, you should contact Gregg and or.Brad Crowell 33:42  Or have a conversation with your partner. Lesley Logan 33:43  And if you're solo, yeah, yeah. And if you're solo, then if you haven't thought about this, you should, because otherwise you're just focusing on dollars. And that's where I think people get obsessed about what the stock market is doing, because you're not actually thinking of how it affects the person you want to be. And you get a little weird about it. And we have an episode with Wealth with Tess coming back on when it comes to, like, the stock and our numbers and all that stuff, and this uncertain time. But I just think that this is a way cooler.Brad Crowell 34:08  You're totally, you're totally right, because it does just become about like this, like, mad, mad. Like, focus on stashing cash, kind of the markets or whatever.Lesley Logan 34:18  Well, and there's much fear around that. And then it's like, but then who are you right? Like, I'm just obsessed. Brad Crowell 34:22  Exactly that doesn't actually address anything that Gregg is talking about here with your retirement identity. Lesley Logan 34:28  I can tell you right now.Brad Crowell 34:29  Your retirement identity is not a bank account number.Lesley Logan 34:31  He is the only person talking about this. I haven't heard anyone else talk about this. I haven't had anyone else to talk about this. And I am like, this is the stand still, like, number one retirement episode we'll ever have like I'm saying here today.Brad Crowell 34:43  Yeah, it's great. It's awesome. Well, love it. Stick around. We'll be right back. We're gonna dig into some Be It Action Items that we got from Gregg Lunceford. Brad Crowell 34:55  All right, so finally, welcome back. Let's talk about those Be It Action Items. What bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action items can we take away from your conversation with Mr. Gregg Lunceford. Lesley Logan 35:07  You go first. Brad Crowell 35:10  All right. He said in the planning process of your ideal self, this retirement identity that we've been talking about, he said, what you also have to learn how to do is to replace kinship with friendships, kinship with friendships, which I think is kind of cool. He said today we don't have kinship the way we once did, because families are smaller and they are spread out, right? And also we're not necessarily going into the office to have. Lesley Logan 35:39  Oh, we talked about the Golden Girls. Brad Crowell 35:40  Yeah, you did. Lesley Logan 35:41  Okay,so. Brad Crowell 35:42  Talked about the Golden Girls.Lesley Logan 35:42  Yeah, Sue, just so, you know, Brad, we're on a compound already with Steven Sue and I and a few other people. We're taking applications.Brad Crowell 35:49  We're taking applications. Yeah. So what's really funny, though, is he brought up the Golden Girls and we've talked about this for like, years.Lesley Logan 35:58  Yeah, and I was, like, a wealth manager co signed the idea, I'm in.Brad Crowell 36:04  So he said retirees, retirees must create for themselves on their own, a living setup that supports financial stability and mental well being, and that's where the Golden Girls concept comes in. So it has to include intentional socialization and finding things that create psychological success. So here's an example. He said. It's called an ABRC. It's an academically based retirement community. Or there's another one called a URC, which is a university based retirement community. And basically what he's saying is, if you worked in a field for a really long time, and you connect with other people who worked in the same or similar field, you will have a lot of things to talk about that are the same. Then you'll be able to have those conversations. So that's where the academically based retirement community comes in. Versus a university based retirement community would probably be like, Hey, we're all from the same alma mater, Alma Mater. I may be a year or two before you or after you, whatever.Lesley Logan 36:59  So here's my criteria for ours. Ours is going to be people. Everyone has to who, after Sue Steven, you and I. Everyone has to tell us what young person in their life who is strong on Strapping, who can help move heavy things, because you and Steven aren't going to like, stop doing projects. So we're gonna need help there. And then we just need, we need people who have children to, you know, to help take care of it, because we don't have any. We're not bringing that to this. We're bringing the project management to the community. But we don't have, we're facilitating. We don't have the young person, right? So, so, so sue and Steven have a three nieces on their side. So that's good.Brad Crowell 37:40  Okay, okay, okay. So we, I think we have a couple on our side too.Lesley Logan 37:44  We have, we are, I am the favorite aunt to our only niece, so there's that. But you know what? She might we need extra, just in case. We need to have extras. You gotta have, like, it's like having retirement. You gotta have backup. Brad Crowell 37:57  I remember my grandfather, who recently passed away. He was 94 I think, when he passed away, he moved out of his house at like, 88 or 87 years old into a retirement community. And he did it in, like a snap whim moment, because one of his longest friends for 50 years was like, hey, I just got an apartment at this place down the road. You should come, you should join us there. And he was like, absolutely, hell yeah, literally, called our whole family was like, I'm moving. And everyone's like, what? You're 87 what are you talking about? Lesley Logan 38:34  No, we're gonna find a mid century motel.Brad Crowell 38:36  But the, well, the goal for him here was community. Right? Where he went had, it was a it was like one of those communities that had live on your own, but they're still around, get partial help, and then eventually get full help. So it had three different facilities in one place. And so he moved into that I can do everything by myself, part of the community, and would walk down the hall and go play pool every night with the guys you know. And he did this for many, many years. And the belonging, that communal element that changed the game for him, because he was sitting alone in a house before, and he was like, this sucks. I gotta, I gotta get out of here.Lesley Logan 39:12  Well, I like our compound idea. It's a little culty, but not too much. And I only want the people that we want to be around on this. Like, I like what your grandfather did for himself, it's eally great. But there's also, like, a bunch of people involved that I didn't like, you don't get to choose them. So this is. Brad Crowell 39:30  But he found, like, love late in life too. You know, so there's that.Lesley Logan 39:33  He lived his best life. It's fine. I'm saying it's not ours. And that leads into my Be It Action Item that I'm talking about, which is, like, it's critical that this is a shared vision, yeah, so you gotta create a vision, the shared vision. I understand that I'm telling Brad about this vision a lot. Don't worry. I know what he likes.Brad Crowell 39:49  No, I'm very on board. I love me some tequila. So sign me up. Lesley Logan 39:53  I just think we have our great friends. We have a bunch of DINCs in our life off, but we get all the DINCs together, dual income, no children, all the DINCs together, we can have a cool kick ass compound with, first of all, just the just the red light therapy alone, we're like, already golden, so I'm just so in on this. But okay, so back to what Gregg said to do. Gregg said, create a vision. It's critical that it becomes a shared vision. And he actually said that research shows approximately 40% of couples do not even discuss retirement savings, which is bad, like whole no wonder so many divorces happen. People just don't talk about shit. Like, what is happening? Gonna start talking about your goals. Engage a professional like Gregg, to help you see how you can align your financial wherewithal with those visions. Probably Gregg, because he's the only person who studied this. He's the only, everyone else just wants to know what your fucking number is. He cares about what you want to do. And then, he said you have he wants you to think differently. He wants you to think about being your best self at this stage, not being someone whose society just says it's just time for you to leave. He wants you to, like, really think about who your best self is and take ownership of that, because you're kind of a badass, like people don't realize, like you have so much knowledge that is acquired from the time that you've spent so own that. And he said, in his words, you have more value to offer a lot of people than you think. And I think that that's true. There's like, so many different ways you can prepare, like you can be a big brother or a friend or a, you know, a leader of some kind in some capacity, with all this knowledge you have, you could, you can, you can, you can support people around you who need it. So there's just so much more live 20 bonus years. Plus, you know the way things are going, we'll see how we'll see how this ages by February, considering they're trying to get rid of nursing degrees and stuff like that in July. So we'll see. But I'm just saying there's a lot you can do. And I just really want people, I want people to have all the information. I don't. I don't like that some people have to work until they're 80, or because they either because they need the money or because they don't know what to do other than that, like that makes me sad, both of those. So hopefully this helps you. I'm Lesley Logan. Lesley Logan 41:57  And I'm Brad Crowell. Lesley Logan 41:58  Thanks so much for listening. How are you going to retire? We want to retire? We want to know what that vision What's your retirement persona? Tell Gregg. Tell the Be It Pod, and until next time, Be It Till You See It. Brad Crowell 42:07  Bye for now. Lesley Logan 42:08  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 42:51  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 42:56  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 43:00  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 43:07  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 43:11  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of “Who Am I” with discussions about having our identity rooted in Christ. When our identity aligns with Christ, it helps us answer the question “Am I enough?” And because of Jesus’s sacrifice, we know the answer is yes. Then we had Philip Miller join us to discuss further how to find our identity in Christ rather than in the world. Philip is the Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. He can also be heard on the weekly Moody Church Hour radio broadcast on over 700 stations nationwide. You can also listen to Pastor Philip on the daily program, Living Hope, at 11 am CT, across the Moody Network. Then, we had Dr. Andy Bannister join us to discuss how to share the truth with someone in a loving and gentle way when there are opposing ideas. Dr. Bannister is the Director of Solas, and he speaks and teaches regularly throughout the UK, Europe, Canada, the USA, and the wider world. He addresses audiences of both Christians and those of all faiths, or none, on issues relating to faith, culture, politics, and society. He also hosts 2 podcasts called PEP Talk and Pod of the Gaps. He also wrote several books, including “Have you Ever Wondred? Finding the Everyday Clue to Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality”. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Philip Miller Interview [04:45] Andy Bannister Interview [22:01] Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listen/Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reaching the age of 50 isn't when the magic fades, but when you encounter the midlife magic and inner wisdom that brings you greater peace and joy. Those small signs, strange coincidences, and odd little nudges you've been noticing are life trying to get your attention! Slow Down to See the Magic This is something I've been noticing more and more, both in my own life and in conversations with women like you. It's subtle and often hard to name, yet once you begin to sense it, something shifts. Life starts to feel a little easier, more exciting, and unexpectedly richer. Midlife carries a particular kind of magic. Not the dramatic kind, but something subtle and more alive. A kind of magic that doesn't announce itself loudly. Instead, it becomes visible when you slow down enough to notice what may have been present all along, waiting for your attention. For many women, this stage of life arrives with mixed feelings. On the surface, things are fine. You're functioning, capable, and holding things together. Yet underneath, you might notice a low hum of restlessness. Friends have moved away. If you have children, maybe they've left home. Days can feel repetitive. Nothing is wrong, but something feels off. You may find yourself wondering if this is really all there is. That feeling doesn't mean something has gone wrong. In fact, it may be a signal that something deeper is ready to emerge. The Subtle Shift in Midlife By the time you reach midlife, you've already lived a rich stretch of life. You've loved, adapted, endured, learned, and carried responsibility in countless visible and invisible ways. Even if you don't always recognize it as wisdom, there is a depth of knowing that comes from navigating real experience over time. This is often the moment that quiet sense of blah surfaces, not as a failure, but as a signal that something deeper is ready to emerge. For many women, an internal shift begins to unfold. The constant drive to prove, push, or keep up starts to loosen its grip. You may care a little less about what others think. The outer noise dims just enough for you to sense something more subtle moving underneath it. What emerges is a different kind of awareness. A willingness to listen more closely to what's happening around you and within you. There may be a growing curiosity about what feels meaningful now, rather than what once felt necessary or expected. Midlife doesn't arrive with a clear announcement. It creeps in gradually, and then one day you realize you're standing in a new phase. Yes, it may come with a few gray hairs, but it also brings the possibility of greater discernment, honesty with yourself, and a deeper connection to what truly matters. This stage of life naturally invites reflection and a slower, more intentional way of listening. You may find yourself relying less on figuring everything out and more on presence, patience, and awareness. Becoming the Wise Woman This is why I call you wise women, even if you don't fully identify with that name yet. Wisdom isn't about accumulating more information. It's about recognizing and sensing what's essential. You begin to trust what you've learned through experience and more of that can be cultivated over time. By midlife, your knowledge has had time to mature into meaningful insight. Your sense of inner authority may be emerging, even if you still look to others out of habit. With greater awareness and reflection, you may notice how your timing, decisions, and attention shape your life in more intuitive ways. The wise woman moves through life with discernment. She understands that clarity doesn't always come through effort or logic alone, but through attention and reflection. This way of living can be strengthened with practice, support, and guidance. Even if you're not fully living this way yet, you may already sense it's possible. That knowing is important. It means the door is open. What Magic Looks Like When I talk about midlife magic, I'm talking about perception. The ability to notice underlying messages from your inner wisdom, higher self, or spirit. Magic lives in awareness. It shows up as moments of resonance, gentle guidance, and the feeling that life is quietly responding to you. You may notice synchronicities appearing more often, beauty landing more deeply, or intuition speaking more clearly. As internal noise quiets and striving eases, space opens. Your perception sharpens because you're available to notice more. This connection doesn't need to be summoned. It reveals itself naturally as you move through your day with openness and attention. One of the most reliable ways this magic appears is through beauty. Beauty that arises naturally and catches your attention. Light filtering through trees. Firelight flickering across a room. Snow falling into stillness. These moments slow you down and bring you into your body. They remind you that life is still offering meaning in quiet, accessible ways. This is why I spend time in my garden. Sitting near my zinnias, bordered by wild, unclaimed land, I feel connected to something larger. Over time, this practice has become a place of grounding, insight, and presence. The wisdom of the natural world has taught me that when we slow down and listen, guidance arrives. Synchronicity as Conversation Another way midlife magic reveals itself is through synchronicity. A book appears at the right moment. A thought is echoed by an unexpected phone call. A message arrives just when it's needed. These moments can feel like a conversation with the Universe itself. A sense that something unseen is responding to your questions or intentions. I've experienced this many times, including during my years as a dating coach when a simple affirmation about writing for a women's magazine turned into a four-year column through an unexpected conversation. This was no coincidence but an amazing response from the Universe. Even if you're not fully living as a wise woman yet, you can learn to notice these moments. A wise woman pays attention, reflects, and allows meaning to unfold. The Return of Aliveness Here's what feels important to say. The easing that comes in midlife isn't due to a loss of vitality. Midlife can be a powerful time of trusting what you know and honoring the wisdom you've earned, while continuing to grow into deeper connection and awareness. When you begin to tune in this way, joy becomes less frantic and more luminous. Life feels responsive. Meaning expands. You don't need to chase this magic. You simply need to notice where life already feels alive and engaged. Midlife isn't a narrowing of life. It's an opening into a more intimate relationship with yourself, with life, and with something greater. Something ancient and luminous is stirring within you now. As you slow down and pay attention, life begins to respond. This is where your magic lives — and it is only just beginning. It's time to celebrate your wisdom and open to your midlife magic! The post Here’s How You Know You’re Using Midlife Magic appeared first on Intuitive Edge.

The Counter Momentum of Spin, with Dr. Franco Musio – Is life a game of strategy or a gift of grace? Drawing on Monty Python's humor, classic board games, and Christian theology, this reflection explores success, purpose, and meaning beyond material achievement. It contrasts worldly definitions of winning with faith-based perspectives, inviting readers to reconsider what it truly means to live well...

In a world overflowing with business content and quick-fix success formulas, authentic dialogue about what gives life meaning can feel rare. On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, we have a conversation with Daniel Coyle, bestselling author of “The Culture Code” and the new book “Flourish.” We unpack why thriving individually and collectively goes far beyond achievements. Their dialogue serves as a blueprint for building a life and community that feels connected, alive, and meaningful. You're listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let's go.   Beyond the Mountain: What Happens After Success? For many, life is a climb toward results: career milestones, fame, or financial rewards. Both Lochhead and Coyle share how, after reaching some form of the summit, people often ask “What's this all for?” The answer, according to years of research on happiness and human development, isn't another achievement. Instead, life satisfaction comes from meaningful relationships. Despite this, Western culture pushes us to optimize, perform, and automate, treating life and business as machines instead of thriving ecosystems. To flourish means to recognize life as something to be tended like a garden, not a hill to conquer.   The Paradox of Results and Meaning High performers often value discipline, drive, and outcome; the thrill of legendary results. Coyle acknowledges the paradox: results are important, but without serving something higher, they feel empty. Achieving big goals can even hollow out life if not connected to deeper values or service beyond oneself. True flourishing involves aligning your pursuits with something greater and knowing what you want to exist in the world even if you're not there. As Coyle puts it, life's best moments often come when “you kind of vanish” into connection, contribution, or flow: whether with people, ideas, or experiences.   Cultivating Flourishing in Daily Life If flourishing is rooted in shared, joyful, and meaningful growth, how can we cultivate it amid daily pressures? Coyle's advice is to start small and intentionally reflect on where you already feel most resonant, moments when you lose yourself in work, play, or connection. Track these periods and aim to create more of them. Meaningful relationships come from deep questioning and mutual investment, not from perfect routines or solitary habits. Prioritize the “animate” parts of your life: the conversations, surprises, and even the messiness of real relationships, which are hallmarks of flourishing communities and partnerships. Ultimately, flourishing is mutual: you cannot thrive alone, and your aliveness helps those around you come alive too. The message is clear. Achievements matter, but without connection and mutual flourishing, they become hollow victories. Designing a flourishing life is not only possible but necessary for real fulfillment, and it starts with tuning into what gives your days meaning and builds authentic relationships along the way. To hear more from Daniel Coyle and how to flourish in business and daily life, download and listen to this episode.   Bio Daniel Coyle is a bestselling author and leading voice on peak performance, talent development, and organizational culture. He is best known for The Talent Code, The Culture Code, and The Little Book of Talent, which explore how individuals and teams achieve extraordinary results. Through immersive research with elite sports teams, businesses, and creative organizations, Coyle uncovers the habits and environments that spark learning, trust, and sustained excellence. His work translates complex science into practical, actionable insights. Coyle's writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. As a sought-after speaker, he helps leaders build cultures that drive growth, resilience, and long-term success.   Links Follow Daniel Coyle!  Daniel’s Blog | LinkedIn | Facebook   We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and subscribe on Apple Podcast / Spotify!    

The history of redemption is shaped by the covenants that God has made. But what is a covenant? Today, R.C. Sproul delves into these biblical promises and considers what they reveal about the Lord's faithfulness to His people. Get R.C. Sproul's book The Promises of God, plus digital access to his video teaching series The Promise Keeper and accompanying study guide, with your donation: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4576/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Forget party, forget class, forget any perceived differences: We must speak loudly and with one voice against those who intimidate, those who violate, those who abuse and discriminate. If we're not going to fight for the little guy, for the other, and do what we can for them, who will?

Most men keep chasing success like it's the finish line.More money. More wins. More validation.But if you're still broken inside… none of it matters.In this episode of the Bedros Keuilian Show, I'm talking about something greater than success: Self-mastery. Healing. Becoming the man who stops self-sabotaging.Because the truth is, most men don't fail from lack of potential.They fail because they never deal with the trauma, the shame, the guilt… and they keep escaping through alcohol, weed, porn, distractions, and low standards.You can build the body.You can build the business.You can build the bank account.But if the operator inside the machine is damaged… you'll always crash back into the same life.This is the wake-up call.No more victim stories.No more running.No more living like a human animal.Heal. Raise your standards. Keep your promises. Rewrite the story.Because the life you want is on the other side of the work.DOMINATION DOWNLOADSTRAIGHT FROM THE DESK OF BEDROS KEUILIANYour weekly no B.S. newsletter to help you dominate in business and in lifehttps://bedroskeuilian.com/MAN UP SCALE BUNDLE: $29 (100% Goes to Charity)Get your Digital Man Up book + Audiobook + 2 Exclusive MASTERCLASSES & Support Shriners Children's Hospital. https://www.manuptribe.com/limited-offerREGISTER FOR THE LEGACY TRIBEGet the Life, Money, Meaning & Impact You Deservehttps://bedroskeuilian.com/legacytribeJOIN MY FREE 6-WEEK CHALLENGE:Transform into a Purpose-Driven Manhttps://bedroskeuilian.com/challengeTHE SQUIRE PROGRAM: A rite of Passage for Your Son as He Becomes a ManA Father and Son Experience That Will Be Remembered FOREVERhttps://squireprogram.com/registerTruLean Supplements | https://www.trulean.com/pages/bedrosGet 50% Off Trulean Subscribe & Save BundleUse Code: BEDROS Few Will Hunt Apparel | https://fewwillhunt.com/Get 20% Off Your Entire OrderUse Code: BEDROSOPEN A FIT BODY LOCATIONA High-Profit, Scalable Gym Franchise Opportunity Driven By Impacthttps://sales.fbbcfranchise.com/get-started?utm_source=bedrosPODCAST EPISODES:https://bedroskeuilian.com/podcast/STAY CONNECTED:Website | https://bedroskeuilian.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/bedroskeuilian/LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bedroskeuilianTwitter | https://twitter.com/bedroskeuilian

Comedian and filmmaker Ryan Beck's parents are just starting to get old, but that hasn't stopped them from getting rid of nearly all their worldly possessions and creating a death binder full of useful information in case they die or lose their faculties. But Ryan wonders if they've gone too far with their Swedish death cleaning. Check out Ryan Beck's hilarious short film about his parents' death binder, A Few Days Home in Johnson County and his podcast, The Meaning of Life. To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joincampside.com⁠. You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Youtube⁠. If you have questions you want Vanessa to try to answer, or just want to tell us what you think of the show, email us at parents@campsidemedia.com. Can't wait to hear from you! Our production team is Shoshi Shmuluvitz, managing producer and editor; Lily Houston Smith, senior producer; Ashley Warren, production manager; Yi-Wen Lai-Tremewan, studio recordist; and music by Mark McAdam and Amber Devereux. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, you're going to hear a conversation that will help you find meaning again - especially if you've been feeling lost, stuck, stretched thin, or quietly wondering, “Does any of this even matter?” Joining Mel is Ocean Vuong - one of the most acclaimed writers of our time and the bestselling author of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. His newest book, The Emperor of Gladness, moved Mel so deeply she knew she had to bring him on the podcast - because Ocean has a rare gift: he puts words to feelings you've had, but never knew how to say out loud. Ocean is an award-winning poet, a MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant” recipient, and a professor at NYU. He writes and speaks about grief, love, identity, hardship, and hope with an honesty that doesn't just hit… it stays with you. This episode is an invitation to pause, reset, and reconnect with yourself. It will help you stop judging where you are, release the pressure you're carrying, and remember that you don't need to become someone else to be worthy - or to build a meaningful life. Even if you've never read Ocean's work, this conversation will feel like someone finally handed you the words you've been searching for. In this episode, you'll learn: -How to find meaning even when you're behind in life -How to move through grief without shutting down and let beauty exist alongside pain -Why chasing who you “should” be is keeping you stuck and how to come back to yourself -How to reconnect with yourself when you've been in survival mode for too long -How to feel calmer and more grounded when life feels uncertain - How to reprogram your mind for more positive thinking By the end of this episode, you'll feel more hopeful, more centered, and more at peace with where you are - with permission to be exactly who you are, right now. For more resources related to today's episode, click here for the podcast episode page.  If you liked the episode, check out this one next: Why You Feel Lost in Life: Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma & How to HealConnect with Mel:   Order Mel's new product, Pure Genius ProteinGet Mel's newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel's #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when you come face to face with death and are forced to make a choice?Ethan sits down with Jamie to unpack a raw, deeply personal story about sobriety, self-worth, and survival. Jamie opens up about being a highly functioning alcoholic, the quiet rationalizations that kept her drinking, and the medical crisis that nearly took her life. What followed was a moment of clarity that changed everything and led to a commitment she could not ignore. This conversation is honest, emotional, and unfiltered, exploring pain, meaning, and the power of choosing to stay.For more reflections like this, subscribe to Ethan's newsletter here:https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Wired Headphones and Small Talk00:26 Jamie's Journey to Sobriety01:31 High-Functioning Alcoholism Explained03:13 The Illusion of Control05:54 Drinking as Medication06:07 The Question of Rock Bottom09:03 Dating, Anxiety, and Drinking Before the Date10:38 Accidentally Sober in a Snowstorm15:10 Withdrawal, Denial, and Pushing Through18:03 Severe Appendicitis and Ignored Pain21:44 Facing Death in the Operating Room25:54 “Do You Want to Stay or Go?”29:43 Surviving Against the Odds31:18 Choosing to Stay Alive36:26 Power, Perspective, and Agency41:30 Self-Kindness as a Practice47:24 Meaning, Suffering, and Choice53:57 Toxic Positivity vs Real Empathy58:04 Sobriety, Growth, and Closing Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your life looks good on paper but feels flat, this is for you.Many of us follow the rules, build what appear to be successful lives, and still sense something essential is missing. That feeling sends us on a chase for more meaning or purpose, impact and clarity. But, what if the way we seek them is all wrong, and actually makes us less happy, content and alive, not more?In today's conversation, we explore a radically different way to think about meaning, one rooted in aliveness, presence, and becoming rather than achievement, impact, mattering, or outcomes.My partner in conversation is Dave Evans, the coauthor of the New York Times number one bestseller Designing Your Life, cofounder of the Stanford Life Design Lab, and author of the new book How to Live a Meaningful Life. I've known Dave for years now, and he's spent decades helping people redesign work, identity, and daily living in ways that feel deeply human.In this episode, you'll discover:Why fulfillment and impact often become dead ends rather than answersA simple shift that helps you feel more alive without changing your circumstancesFour overlooked sources of meaning that most people rarely accessHow to move fluidly between getting things done and actually being presentA practical way to experience wonder, flow, coherence, and connection in everyday momentsIf you've ever wondered why a life that looks good can still feel unsatisfying, this conversation offers a grounded and hopeful reframe. Press play to explore a more livable path to meaning.You can find Dave at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the conversations we had with Dan Pink about regret, reflection, and using inner signals to guide a more meaningful life.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.