Podcasts about Meaning

On February 17, 2026, Jesse Louis Jackson made transition at 84, marking a watershed chapter in four generations of African struggle for US and global power. Emerging from Africana Governance formations, Jackson leveraged two currencies—voter power and consumer power—to push US domestic and global Social Structures to have to negotiate with the organized oppressed. From Operations Breadbasket and PUSH to Rainbow Coalition Presidential campaigns of 1984 and 1988, Jackson utilized and tested every tactic available to oppressed people confronting entrenched Social Structures. In Class With Carr 311 interprets the meaning of Jackson's life and work as a case study in the possibilities and limits of Black self-determination, asking what it reveals about today's fragile and reshaping political order and what understanding him, it and ourselves demands of us now.Are you a member of Knarrative? If not, we invite you to join our community today by signing up at: https://www.knarrative.com. As a Knarrative subscriber, you'll gain immediate access to Knubia, our growing community of teachers, learners, thinkers, doers, artists, and creators. Together, we're making a generational commitment to our collective interests, work, and responsibilities. Join us at https://www.knarrative.com and download the Knubia app through your app store or by visiting https://community.knarrative.com.To shop Go to:TheGlobalMajorityMore from us:Follow on X: https://x.com/knarrative_https://x.com/inclasswithcarrFollow on Instagram IG / knarrative IG/ inclasswithcarr Follow Dr. Carr: https://www.drgregcarr.comhttps://x.com/AfricanaCarrFollow Karen Hunter: https://karenhuntershow.comhttps://x.com/karenhunter IG / karenhuntershowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How can trauma become a catalyst for creative transformation? What lessons can indie authors learn from the music industry's turbulent journey through technological disruption? With Jack Williamson. In the intro, Why recipes for publishing success don't work and what to do instead [Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast]; Why your book isn't selling: metadata [Novel Marketing Podcast]; Creating a successful author business [Fantasy Writers Toolshed Podcast]; Bones of the Deep – J.F. Penn. Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with writing software, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 15% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Jack Williamson is a psychotherapist, coach, and bestselling author who spent nearly two decades as a music industry executive. He's the founder of Music & You, his latest nonfiction book is Maybe You're The Problem, and he also writes romance under A.B. Jackson. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Finding post-traumatic growth and meaning after bereavement, and using tragedy as a catalyst for creative transformation Why your superpower can also be your Achilles heel, and how indie authors can overcome shiny object syndrome Three key lessons from the music industry: embracing change, thinking creatively about marketing, and managing pressure for better creativity The A, B, C technique for PR interviews and why marketing is storytelling through different mediums How to deal with judgment and shame around AI in the author community by understanding where people sit on the opinion-belief-conviction continuum Three AI developments coming from music to publishing: training clauses in contracts, one-click genre adaptation, and licensed AI-generated video adaptations You can find Jack at JackWilliamson.co.uk and his fiction work at ABJackson.com. Transcript of the interview with Jack Williamson Jo: Jack Williamson is a psychotherapist, coach, and bestselling author who spent nearly two decades as a music industry executive. He's the founder of Music & You, his latest nonfiction book is Maybe You're The Problem, and he also writes romance under A.B. Jackson. Welcome to the show. Jack: Thank you so much for having me, Jo. It's a real honour to be on your podcast after listening all of these years. Jo: I'm excited to talk to you. We have a lot to get into, but first up— Tell us a bit more about you and why get into writing books after years of working in music. Jack: I began my career at the turn of the millennium, basically, and I worked for George Michael and Mariah Carey's publicist, which I'm sure you can imagine was quite the introduction to the corporate world. From there I went on to do domestic and international marketing for a load of massive artists at Universal, so the equivalent of the top five publishers in the publishing world that we all work in. Then from there I had a bit of a challenge. In December 2015, I lost my brother, unfortunately to suicide. For any listener or any person that's gone through a traumatic event, it can really make you reassess everything, make you question life, make you question your purpose. When I went through that, I was thinking, well, what do I want to do? What do I want out of life? So I went on this journey for practically the next ten years. I retrained to be a psychotherapist. I created a bucket list—a list of all the things that I thought maybe my brother would've wanted to do but didn't do. One of the things was scatter his ashes at the Seven Wonders of the world. Then one of the items on my bucket list was to write a book. The pandemic hit. It was a challenge for all of us, as you've spoken about so much on this wonderful podcast. I thought, well, why not? Why not write this book that I've wanted to write? I didn't know when I was going to do it because I was always so busy, and then the pandemic happened and so I wrote a book. From there, listening to your wonderful podcast, I've learned so much and been to so many conferences and learned along the way. So now I've written five books and released three. Jo: That's fantastic. I mean, regular listeners to the show know that I talk about death and grief and all of this kind of thing, and it's interesting that you took your brother's ashes to the Seven Wonders of the world. Death can obviously be a very bad, negative thing for those left behind, but it seems like you were able to reframe your brother's experience and turn that into something more positive for your life rather than spiralling into something bad. So if people listening are feeling like something happens, whether it's that or other things— How can we reframe these seemingly life-ending situations in a more positive way? Jack: It is very hard and there's no one way to do it. I think as you always say, I never want to tell people what to do or what to think. I want to show them how to think and how they can approach things differently or from a different perspective. I can only speak from my journey, but we call it in therapeutic language, post-traumatic growth. It is, how do you define it so it doesn't define you? Because often when you have a bereavement of a loved one, a family member, it can be very traumatic, but how can you take meaning and find meaning in it? There's a beautiful book called Man's Search for Meaning, and the name of the author escapes me right now, but he says— Jo: Viktor Frankl. Jack: Yes. Everyone quotes it as one of their favourite books, and one of my favourite lines is, “Man can take everything away from you, apart from the ability to choose one thought over the other.” I think it's so true because we can make that choice to choose what to think. So in those moments when we are feeling bad, when we're feeling down, we want to honour our feelings, but we don't necessarily want to become them. We want to process that, work through, get the support system that we need. But again, try to find meaning, try to find purpose, try to understand what is going on, and then pay it forward. Irrespective of your belief system, we all yearn for purpose. We all yearn for being connected to something bigger than ourselves. If we can find that through bereavement maybe, or through a traumatic incident, then hopefully we can come through the other side and have that post-traumatic growth. Jo: I love that phrase, post-traumatic growth. That's so good. Obviously people think about post-traumatic anything as like PTSD—people immediately think a sort of stress disorder, like it's something that makes things even worse. I like that you reframed it in that way. Obviously I think the other thing is you took specific action. You didn't just think about it. You travelled, you retrained, you wrote books. So I think also it's not just thinking. In fact, thinking about things can sometimes make it worse if you think for too long, whereas taking an action I think can be very strong as well. Jack: Ultimately we are human beings as opposed to human doings, but actually being a human doing from time to time can be really helpful. Actually taking steps forward, doing things differently, using it as a platform to move forward and to do things that maybe you didn't before. When you are confronted with death, it can actually make you question your own mortality and actually question, am I just coasting along? Am I stuck in a rut? Could I be doing something differently? One of the things that bereavement, does is it holds a mirror up to ourselves and it makes us question, well, what do we want from our life? Are we here to procreate? Are we here to make a difference? Some of us can't procreate, or some of us choose not to procreate, but we can all make a difference. And it's, how do we do that? Where do we do that? When do we do that? Jo: That's interesting. I was thinking today about service and gratitude. I'm doing this Master's and I was reading some theology stuff today, and service and gratitude, I think if you are within a religious tradition, are a normal part of that kind of religious life. Whether it's service to God and gratitude to God, or service and gratitude to others. I was thinking that these two things, service and gratitude, can actually really help reframe things as well. Who can we serve? As authors, we're serving our readers and our community. What can we be grateful about? That's often our readers and our community as well. So I don't know, that helped me today—thinking about how we can reframe things, especially in the world we're in now where there's a lot of anger and grief and all kinds of things. Jack: That's what we've got to look at. We are here to serve. Again, that can take different shapes, different forms. Some of us work in the service industry. I provide a service as a psychotherapist, you serve your listeners with knowledge and information that you gather and dispense through the research you do or the guests you have on. We serve readers of the different genres that we write in. It's what ways can we serve, how can we serve? Again, I think we all, if we can and when we can, should pay it forward. Someone said this to me once in the music industry: be careful who you meet on the way up and how you treat them on the way up, because invariably you'll meet them on the way down. So if you can pay forward that kindness, if you can be kind, considerate, and treat people how you want to be treated, that is going to pay dividends in the long run. It may not come off straight away, but invariably it will come back to you in some way, shape, or form in a different way. Jo: I've often talked about social karma and karma in the Hindu sense—the things that you do come back to you in some other form. Possibly in another life, which I don't believe. In terms of, I guess, you didn't know what was going to happen to your brother, and so you make the most of the life that we have at the moment because things change and you just don't know how things are going to change. You talk about this in your book, Maybe You're The Problem, which is quite a confronting title. So just talk about your book, Maybe You're The Problem, and why you wrote that. Put it into context with the author community and why that might be useful. Jack: Thank you for flagging my book. I intentionally crossed out “maybe” on the merchandise I did as well, because in essence, we are our own problem. We can get in the way, and it's what happened to us when we grew up wasn't our fault, but what we do with it is our responsibility. We may have grown up in a certain period or a climate. We didn't necessarily choose to do that, but what we do with that as a result is up to us. So we can stay in our victimhood and we can blame our parents, or we can blame the generation we are in, or we can blame the city, the location—however, that is relinquishing your power. That is staying in a victim mindset rather than a survivor or a thriver mindset. So it's about how can we look at the different areas in our life. Whether that is conflict, whether that is imposter syndrome, whether that is the generation we're born into. We try to understand how that has shaped us and how we may be getting in our own way to stop us from growing, to stop us from expanding, and to see where our blind spots are, our limitations are, and how that may impact us. There's so much going on in the moment in the world, whether that is in the digital realm, whether that is in the geo-climate that we're in at the moment. Again, that's going to bring up a lot for us. How can we find solutions to those problems for us so that we continue to move forward rather than be restricted and hindered by them? Jo: Alright. Well let's get into some more specifics. You have been in the author community now for a while. You go to conferences and you are in the podcast community and all this kind of thing. What specific issues have you seen in the author community? Maybe around some of the things you've mentioned, or other things? How might we be able to deal with those? Jack: With authors, I think it is such a wonderful and unique industry that I have an honour and privilege of being a part of now. One of the main things I've learned is just how creative people are. Coming from a creative industry like the music industry, there is a lot of neurodivergence in the creative industries and in the author community. Whether that is autism, whether that is ADHD—that is a real asset to have as a superpower, but it can be an Achilles heel. So it's understanding—and I know that there is an overexposure of people labelling themselves as ADHD—but on the flip side to that, it's how can we look at what's going on for us? For ADHD, for example, there's a thing called shiny object syndrome. You've talked about this in the past, Joanna, where it's like a new thing comes along, be it TikTok, be it Substack, be it bespoke books, be it Shopify, et cetera. We can rush and quickly be like, “oh, let me do this, let me do that,” before we actually take the time to realise, is this right for me? Does this fit my author business? Does this fit where I'm at in my author journey? I think sometimes as authors, we need to not cave in to that shiny object syndrome and take a step back and think to ourselves, how does this serve me? How does this serve my career? How does this work for me if I'm looking at this as a career? If you're looking at it as a hobby, obviously it's a different lens to look through, but that's something that I would often make sure that we look at. One of the other things that really comes up is that in order for any of us to address our fears and anxieties, we need to make sure that we feel psychologically safe and to put ourselves in spaces and places where we feel seen, heard, and understood, which can help address some of the issues that I've just mentioned. Being in that emotionally regulated state when we are with someone we know and trust—so taking someone to a conference, taking someone to a space or a place where you feel that you can be seen, heard, and understood—can help us and allow us to embrace things that we perceive to be scary. That may be finding an author group, finding an online space where you can actually air and share your thoughts, your feelings, where you don't feel that you are being judged. Often it can be quite a judgmental space and place in the online world. So it's just finding your tribe and finding places where you can actually lean into that. So there'd be two things. Jo: I like the idea of the superpower and the Achilles heel because I also feel this when we are writing fiction. Our characters have strengths, but your fatal flaw is often related to your strength. Jack: Yes. Jo: For example, I know I am independent. One of the reasons I'm an independent author is because I'm super independent. But one of my greatest fears is being dependent. So I do lots of things to avoid being dependent on other people, which can lead me to almost damage myself by not asking for help or by trying to make sure that I control everything so I never have to ask anyone else to do something. I'm coming to terms with this as I get older. I feel like this is something we start to hit—I mean, as a woman after menopause—is this feeling of I might have to be dependent on people when I'm older. It's so interesting thinking about this and thinking— My independence is my strength. How can it also be my weakness? So what do you think about that? You're going to psychotherapist me now. Jack: I definitely won't, but it's interesting. Just talking about that, we all have wounds and we all have the shadow, as you've even written about in one of your books. And it's how that can come from a childhood wound where it's like we seek help and it's not given to us. So we create a belief system where I have to do everything myself because no one will help me. Or we may have rejection sensitivity, so we reject ourselves before others can reject us. So it's actually about trying, where we can, to honour our truths, honour that we may want to be independent, for example, but then realising that success leaves clues. I always say that if you are independent—and I definitely align a hundred percent with you, Joanna—I've had to work really hard myself in personal therapy and in business and life to realise that no human is an island and we can't all do this on our own. Yes, it's amazing with the AI agents now that can help us in a business capacity, but having those relationships that we can tap into—like you mentioned all of the people that you tap into—it's so important to have those. I always say that it's important to have three mentors: one person that's ahead of you (for me, that would be Katie Cross because she's someone that I find is an amazing author and we speak at least once a month); people that are at the same level as you that you can go on the journey together with (and I have an author group for that); and then someone that is perceived to be behind you or in a younger generation than you, because you can learn as much from them as they can learn from you. If you can actually tap into those people whilst honouring your independence, then it feels like you can still go on your own journey, but you can tap in and tap out as and when needed. Sacha Black will give you amazing insights, other people like Honor will give you amazing insights, but you can also provide that for them. So there's that safety of being able to do it on your own. But on the flip side, you still have those people that you can tap into as and when necessary as a sounding board, as information on how they were successful, and go from there. Jo: No, I like that. If you're new to the show, Sacha Black and Honor Raconteur have been on the show and they are indeed some of my best friends. So I appreciate that. I really like the idea of the three mentor idea. I just want to add to that because I do think people misunderstand the word mentor sometimes. You mentioned you speak to Katie Cross, but I've found that a lot of the mentors that I've had who are ahead of me have often been books. We mentioned the Viktor Frankl book, and if people don't know, he was Jewish and in the concentration camps and survived that. So it's a real survivor story. But to me, books have been mostly my mentors in terms of people who are ahead of me. We don't always need to speak to or be friends with our mentors. I think that's important too, right? Because I just get emails a lot that say, “Will you be my mentor?” And I don't think that's the point. Jack: Oh, I a hundred percent agree with you. If you don't have access to those mentors—like Oprah Winfrey is one of the people that I perceive as a mentor—I listen to podcasts, I read her books, I watch interviews. There is a way to absorb and acquire that information, and it doesn't have to be a direct relationship with them. It is someone that you can gain the knowledge and wisdom that they've imparted in whatever form you may consume it. Which is why I think it is important to have those three levels: that one that is above you that may be out of reach in terms of a human connection, but you can still access; then the people at the same level as you that you can have those relationships and grow with; and again, that one behind that you can help pave the way for them, but also learn from them as well. So a hundred percent agree that that mentor that you are looking for that may be ahead of you doesn't necessarily need to be someone that is in a real-world relationship. Jo: So let's just circle back to your music industry experience. You mentioned being on the sort of marketing team for some really big names in music, and I mean, it's kind of a sexy job really. It just sounds pretty cool, but of course the music industry has just as many challenges as publishing. What did you learn from working in the music industry that you think might be particularly useful for authors? Jack: The perception of reality was definitely a lot different. It does look sexy and glamorous, but the reality is similar to going to conferences. It's pretty much flight, hotel, and dark rooms with terrible air conditioning that you spend a lot of time in. So sorry to burst the illusion. But I mean, it does have its moments as well. There is so much I've learned over the years and there's probably three things that stand out the most. The first one was I entered the industry right at the height of the music industry. In 2000, 2001. That was when Napster really exploded and it decimated the music industry. It wiped half the value in the space of four years. Then the music industry was trying to shut it down, throwing legal, throwing everything at it, but it was like whack-a-mole. As soon as one went down such as Napster, ten others popped up like Kazaa. So you saw that the old guard wasn't willing to embrace change. They weren't willing to adapt. They assumed that people wanted the formats of CDs, vinyls, cassettes, and they were wrong. Yes, people wanted music, but they actually wanted the music. They didn't care about the format, they just wanted the access. So that was one of the really interesting things that I learned, because I was like, you have to embrace change. You can't ignore it. You can't push it away, push it aside, because it's coming whether you like it or not. I think thankfully the music industry has learned as AI's coming, because now you have to embrace it. There's a lot of legal issues that have been going on at the moment with rights, which you've covered about the Anthropic case and so on. It's such a challenge, and I just think that's the first one. The second one I learned was back in 2018. There was an artist I worked on called Freya Ridings. At that time I was working at an independent record label rather than one of the big three major record labels. She had great songs and we were up against one of the biggest periods of the year and trying to make noise. At the time, Love Island was the biggest TV show on, and everyone wanted to be on it in terms of getting their music synced in the scenes. We were just like, we are never going to compete. So we thought, we need to be clever here. We need to think differently. What we did is we found out what island the show was being recorded on, and we geo-targeted our ads just to that island because we knew the sync team were going to be on there. So we just went hard as nails, advertised relentlessly, and we knew that the sync people would then see the adverts. As a result of that, Freya got the sync. It became the biggest song that season on Love Island, back when it was popular. As a result of that, we built from there. We were like, right, we can't compete with the majors. We have to think differently. We need to do things differently. We need to be creative. It wasn't an easy pathway. That year there were only two other songs that were independent that reached the top 10. So we ended up becoming a third and the biggest song that year. The reason I'm saying that is we can't compete with the major publishers. But the beauty of the independent author community is because we have smaller budgets—most of us, not all of us, but most of us—we have to think differently. We have to make our bang for our buck go a lot further. So it's actually— How can we stay creative? How can we think differently? What can we do differently? So that would be the second thing. Then the third main lesson that I learned, and this is more on the creative side, is that pressure can often work against you, both in a business sense, but especially creativity. I've seen so many artists over the years have imposed deadlines on them to hand in their albums, and it's impacted the quality of their output. Once it's handed in, the stress and the pressure is off, and then you realise that actually those artists end up creating the best material that they have, and then they rush to put it on. Whether that's Mariah Carey's “We Belong Together,” Adele with her song “Hello,” Taylor Swift did the same with “Shake It Off”—they're just three examples. The reason is that pressure keeps us in our beta brainwave state, which is our rational, logical mind. For those of us that are authors that are writing fiction, or even if we are creating stories in our nonfiction work to deliver a point, we need to be in that creative mindset. So we need to be in the alpha and the gamma brain state. Because our body works on 90-minute cycles known as our ultradian rhythm, we need to make sure that we honour our cycle and work with that. If we go past that, our creativity and our productivity is going to go down between 60% and 40% respectively. So as authors, it's important—one, to apply the right amount of pressure; two, to work in breaks; and three, to know what kind of perspective we're looking at. Do we need to be rational and logical, or do we need to be creative? And then adjust the sails accordingly. Jo: That's all fantastic. I want to come back on the marketing thing first—around what you did with the strategic marketing there and the targeted ads to that island. That's just genius. I feel like a lot of us, myself included, we struggle to think creatively about marketing because it's not our natural state. Of course, you've done a lot of marketing, so maybe it comes more naturally to you. I think half the time we don't even use the word creative around marketing, when you're not a marketeer. What are some ways that we can break through our blocks around marketing and try to be more creative around that? Jack: I would challenge a lot of authors on that presumption, because as authors we're in essence storytellers, and to tell a story is creative. There's a great quote: “One death is a tragedy. A thousand deaths is a statistic.” If you can create a story, a compelling narrative about a death in the news, it's going to pull at the heartstrings of people. It's going to really resonate and get with them. Whereas if you are just quoting statistics, most people switch off because they become desensitised to it. So I think because we can tell stories, and that's the essence of what we do, it's how can we tell our story through the medium of social media? How can we tell a story through our creative ads that we then put out onto Facebook or TikTok or whatever platform that we're putting them out—BookBub, et cetera? How can we create a narrative that garners the attention? If we are looking at local media or traditional media, how can we do that? How can we get people to buy in to what we're selling? So it's about having different angles. For me with my new romance book, Stolen Moments, one of the stories I had that really has helped me get some coverage and PR is we recorded the songs next door to the Rolling Stones. Now that was very fortunate timing, very fortunate. But everyone's like, “Oh my God, you recorded next door to the Rolling Stones?” So it's like, well, how can you bring in these creative nuggets that help you to find a story? Again, marketing is in essence telling a story, albeit through different mediums and forms. So it's just how can you package that into a marketable product depending on the platform in which you're putting it out on. Jo: I think that's actually hilarious, by the way, because what you hit on there, as someone with a background in marketing, your story about “we recorded an album for the book next door to the Rolling Stones”—it's got nothing to do with the romance. Jack: Oh, the romance is that the pop star in the book writes and records songs. Jo: Yes, I realised that. But the fact is— For doing things like PR, it's the story behind the story. They don't care that you've written a romance. Jack: Yes. Jo: They're far more interested in you, the author, and other things. So I think what you just described there was a kind of PR hook that most of us don't even think about. Jack: I'm sure a lot of authors already know this, so it's a good reminder, and if you don't, it's great. It's called the A, B, C technique. When you get asked a question, you Answer the question. So that's A. You Build a bridge, and then you go to C, which is Covering one of your points. So whenever you get asked a question, have a list of things you want to get across in an interview. Then just make sure that you find that bridge between whatever the question is to cover off one of your points, and that's how you can do it. Because yes, you may be selling a story, like I said, about writing the songs, but then you can bridge it into actually covering and promoting whatever it is you're promoting. So I think that's always quite helpful to remember. Jo: Well, that's a good tip for things like coming on podcasts as well. I've had people on who don't do what you just mentioned and will just try and shoehorn things in in a more deliberate fashion, whereas other people, as you have just done with your romance there, bring it in while answering a question that actually helps other people. So I think that's the kind of thing we need to think about in marketing. Okay, so then let's come back to the embracing change, and as you mentioned, the AI stuff that's going on. I feel like there's so many “stories” around AI right now. There's a lot of stories being told on both sides—on the positive side, on the negative side—that people believe and buy into and may or may not be true. There's obviously a lot of anger. There's, I think, grief—a big thing that people might not even realise that they have. Can you talk about how authors might deal with what's coming up around the technological change around AI, and any of your personal thoughts as well? Jack: I was thinking about this a lot recently. I mean, I guess everyone is in their own ways and forms. One of the things that came up for me is we have genre expectations and we have generation expectations. When we look at genres, you will have different expectations from different genres. For romance, they want a happily ever after or a happy for now. For cosy mysteries, they expect the crime to be solved. So we as authors make sure we endeavour to meet those expectations. The challenge is that if we are looking at AI, we are all in our own generations. We might be in slightly different generations, but there are going to be different generation expectations from the Alpha generation that's coming up and the Beta generation that's just about to start this year or next year because they're going to come into the world where they don't know any different to AI. So they will have a different expectation than us. It will just be normal that there will be AI agents. It will just be normal that there are AI narrators. It will be normalised that AI will assist authors or assist everyone in doing their jobs. So again, it is a grieving period because we can long for what was, we can yearn for things that worked for us that no longer work for us—whether it's Facebook groups, whether it's the Kindle Rush. We can mourn the loss of that, but that's not coming back. I mean, sometimes there may be a resurgence, but essentially, we've got to embrace the change. We've got to understand that it's coming and it's going to bring up a lot of different emotions because you may have been beholden to one thing and you may be like, yes, I've now got my TikTok lives, and then all of a sudden TikTok goes away. I know Adam, when he was talking about it, he'll just find another platform. But there'll be a lot of people that are beholden to it and then they're like, what do I do now? So again, it's never survival of the fittest—it's survival of the most adaptable. I always use this metaphor where there are three people on three different boats. A storm comes. And the first, the optimist, is like, “Oh, it'll pass,” and does nothing. The pessimist complains about the storm and does nothing. But the realist will adjust the sails and use the storm to find its way to the other side, to get through. It's not going to be easy, but they're actually taking change and making change to get to where they need to go, rather than just expecting or complaining. I get it. We are not, and I hate the expression, “we're all in the same boat.” I call bleep on that. I'm not going to swear. We're not all in the same boat. We're all in the same storm, but different people are going through different things. For some, they can adjust and adapt really quickly like a speedboat. For others, they may be like Jack and Rose in the Titanic on that terrible prop where they're clinging to dear life and trying to get through the storm. So it's about how do I navigate this upcoming storm? What can I do within my control to get through the storm? For some it may be easier because they have the resources, or for some of us that love learning, it's easy to embrace change. For others that have a fear mindset and it's like, “Oh, something new, it's scary, I don't want to embrace it”—you are going to take longer. So you may not be the speedboat, but at some point we are going to have to embrace that change. Otherwise we're going to get left behind. So you need to look at that. Jo: The storm metaphor is interesting, and being in different boats. I feel I do struggle. I struggle with people who suddenly seem to be discovering the storm. I've been talking about AI now since 2016. That's a decade. Jack: Yes. Jo: Even ChatGPT has been around more than three years, and people come to me now and they're talking about stories that they've seen in the media that are just old now. Things have moved on so much. I feel like maybe I was on my boat and I looked through my telescope and I saw the storm. I've been talking about the storm and I've had my own moments of being in the middle of the storm. Now I definitely do struggle with people who just seem to have arrived without any knowledge of it before. I oscillate between being an optimist and a realist. I think I'm somewhere between the two, probably. But I think what is driving me a little crazy in the author community right now is judgment and shame. There are people who are judging other people, and there's shame felt by AI-curious or AI-positive people. So I want to help the people who feel shame in some way for trying new technology, but they still feel attacked. Then those people judge other authors for their choices to use technology. So how do you think we can deal with judgment and shame in the community? Which is a form of conflict, I guess. Jack: Of course. I think with that, there's another great PR quote: “If it bleeds, it leads.” Especially in this digital age, there's a lot of clickbait. So the more polarising, the more emotion-evoking the headline, the more likely you are to engage with that content—whether that is reading it or whether that's posting or retweeting, or whatever format you are consuming it on. So unfortunately, media has now become so much more polarising. It's dividing us rather than uniting us. So people are going to have stronger positions. There's so much even within this to look at. One is, you have to work out where people are on the continuum. Do they have an opinion on AI? Do they have a belief? Or do they have a conviction? Now you're not going to move someone that has a conviction about something, so it's not worth even engaging with them because they're immovable. Like they say, you shouldn't talk about sports, politics, and religion. There are certain subjects that may not be worth talking about, especially if they have a conviction. Because they may not even be able to agree to disagree. They may not be willing or able to hear you. So first and foremost, it's about understanding, well, where are those people sitting on the continuum of AI? Are they curious? Do they have an opinion, but they're open to hearing other opinions? Do they have a belief that could be changed or evolved if they find more information? That's where I think it is. It's not necessarily our jobs—even though you do an amazing job of it, Joanna—but a lot of people are undereducated on these issues or these new technologies. So in some cases it's just a case of a lack of education or them being undereducated. Hopefully in time they will become more and more educated. But again, it's how long is a piece of string? Will people catch up? Will they stay behind? Are they fearful? I guess because of social media, because of the media, as they say, if you can evoke fear in people, you can control them. You can control their perspectives. You can control their minds. So that's where we see it—a lot of people are operating from a fear mindset. So then that's when they project their vitriol in certain cases. If people want to believe a certain thing, that's their choice. I'm not here to tell people what to think. Like I said earlier, it's more about how to think. But I would just encourage people to find people that align with you. Do a sense test, like a litmus test, to find where they sit on the continuum and engage with those people that are open and have opinions or beliefs. But shy away or just avoid people that have convictions that maybe are the polar opposite of yours. Jo: It's funny, isn't it? We seem to be in a phase of history when I feel like you should be able to disagree with people and still be friends. Although, as you mentioned, there's certain members of my family where we just stay on topics of TV shows and movies or music, or what books are you reading? Like, we don't go anywhere near politics. So I do think that might be a rule also with the AI stuff. As you said, find a community, and there are plenty of AI-positive spaces now for people who do want to talk about this kind of stuff. I also think that, I don't know whether this is a tipping point this year, but certainly— I know people who are in bigger corporates where the message is now, “You need to embrace this stuff. It is now part of your job to learn how to use these AI tools.” So if that starts coming into people's day jobs, and also people who have, I don't know, kids at school or people at university who are embracing this more—I mean, maybe it is a generational thing. Jack: Yes. Look, there were so many people that were resistant to working from home, or corporations that were, and then the pandemic forced it. Now everyone's embraced it in some way, shape, or form. I mean, there are people that don't, but the majority of people—when something's forced on you, you have to adapt. So again, if those things are implemented in corporations, then you're going to see it. I'm seeing so many amazing new things in AI that have been implemented in the music industry that we'll see in the publishing industry coming down the road. That will scare a lot of people, but again, we have to embrace those things because they're coming and there's going to be an expectation—especially from the younger generations—that these things are available. So again, it's not first past the post, but if you can be ahead of the wave or at least on the wave, then you are going to reap the rewards. If you are behind the wave, you're going to get left behind. So that's my opinion. I'm not trying to encourage anyone to see from my lens, but at the same time, I do think that we need to be thinking differently. We need to always embrace change where we can, as we can, at the pace that we can. Jo: You mentioned there AI things coming down the road in the music industry. And now everyone's going, wait, what is coming? So tell us— What do you see ahead that you think might also shift into the author world? Jack: There are three things that I've seen. Two that have been implemented and one that's been talked about and worked on at the moment. The first, and this will be quite scary for people, is that major record labels—so think the major publishers on our side—they're all now putting clauses in their contracts that require the artists that sign with them to allow their works to be trained by their own AI models. So that is something that is now actually happening in record labels. I wouldn't be surprised, although I don't have insight into it, if Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, et cetera, are potentially doing the same with authors that sign to them. So that's going to become more standardised. So that is on the major side. But then on the creative side, there are two things that really excite me. The music AI platforms that we're hearing about, the stories that we've seen in the press, and it's the fact that with a click of a button, you can recreate a song into a different genre. I find it so fascinating because if you think about that—turning a pop song into a country song or a rap song into a dance song—the possibilities that we have as authors with our books, if we wish to do so, are amazing. I just think, for example, with your ARKANE series, Joanna, imagine clicking a button and just with one click you can take Morgan Sierra and turn her into a romantic lead in a romance book. Jo: See, it's so funny because I personally just can't imagine that because it's not something I would write. But I guess one example in the romance genre itself is I know plenty of romance authors who write a clean and a spicy version of the same story, right? It is already happening in that way. It's just not a one-click. Jack: Well, I think you can also look at it another way. I think one of the most famous examples is Twilight. With Twilight and Stephenie Meyer, if she had the foresight—and I'm not saying she didn't, just to clarify—but fan fiction is such a massive sub-genre of works. And obviously from Twilight came 50 Shades of Gray. Imagine if she had the licensing rights like the NFTs, where she could have made money off of every sale. So that you could then, through works that you create and give licence, earn a percentage of every release, every sale, every consumption unit of your works. There are just so many possibilities where you can create, adapt, have spinoffs that can then build out your world. Obviously, there may need to be an approval process in there for continuity and quality control because you want to make sure you're doing that, but I think that has such massive potential in publishing if we wish to do so. Or like I said, change characters. Like Robert Langdon's character in Dan Brown's books—no longer being the kind of thriller, but maybe being a killer instead. There's so many possibilities. It's just, again, how to think, not what to think—how to think differently and how we can use that. So that's the second of three. Jo: Oh, before you move on, you did mention NFTs and I've actually been reading about this again. So I'm usually five years early. That's the general rule. I started talking about NFTs in mid-2021, and obviously there was a crypto crash, it goes up and down, blah, blah, blah. But forget the crypto side—on the blockchain side, digital originality, and exactly what you said about saying like, where did this originate? This is now coming back in the AI world. It could be that I really was five years early. So amusingly—and I'm going to link to it in the notes because I did a “Why NFTs Are Exciting for Authors” solo episode, I think in 2022—it may be that the resurgence will happen in the next year, and all those people who said I was completely wrong, that this may be coming back. Digital originality I think is what we're talking about there. But so, okay, so what was the other thing? Jack: So the third one is the one that I'm most excited about, but I think will be the most scary for people. Obviously consumption changes and formats change. Like I said, in music I've seen it all the time—whether it's vinyl to cassettes, to CDs, to downloads, to streaming. Again, there's different consumption of the same format, and we see that with books as well, obviously—hardbacks, paperbacks, eBooks, audiobooks. Now with the rise of AI, AI narration has made audiobooks so much more accessible for people. I know that there are issues with certain people not wanting to do it, or certain platforms not allowing AI narration to be uploaded unless it's their own. The next step is what I'm most excited about. What I'm seeing now in the music industry is people licensing their image to then recreate that as music videos because music videos are so expensive. One of my friends just shot a music video for two million pounds. I don't think many authors would ever wish to spend that. If you can license your image and use AI to create a three-minute music video that looks epic and just as real as humanly possible, imagine if those artists—or if we go a step further, those actors—license their image to then be used to adapt our books into a TV series or a film. So that then we are in a position where that is another format of consumption alongside an audiobook, a paperback, an eBook, hardcover, special edition, and so on and so forth. It potentially has the opportunity to open us up to a whole new world. Because yes, there are adaptations of books that we're seeing at the moment, but for those of us that are trying to get our content into different formats, this can be a new pathway. I'm going to make a prediction here myself, Joanna. Jo: Mm-hmm. Jack: I would say in the next five to ten years, there will be a platform akin to a Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Apple Plus, where you can license the rights to an image of an actor or an actress. Then with the technology—and you may need people to help you adapt your book into a TV series or a film—that can then be consumed. I just think the possibilities are endless. I mean, again, I think of your character and I'm like, oh, what would it be if Angelina Jolie licensed her image and you could have her play the lead character in your ARKANE series? I mean, again, the possibilities potentially are endless here. Jo: Well, and on that, if people think this won't happen—1776, I don't know if you've seen this, it's just being teased at the moment. Darren Aronofsky has made an American revolutionary story all with AI. So this is being talked about at the moment. It's on YouTube at the moment. The AI video is just extraordinary already, so I totally agree with you. I think things are going to be quite weird for a while, and it will take a while to get used to. You mentioned coming into the music industry in 2000, 2001—I started my work before the internet, and then the internet came along and lots of things changed. I mean, anyone who's older than 40, 45-ish can remember what work was like without the internet. Now we are moving into a time where it'll be like, what was it like before AI? And I think we'll look back and go like, why the hell did we do that kind of thing? So it is a changing world, but yes, exciting times, right? I think the other thing that's happening right now, even to me, is that things are moving so fast. You can almost feel like a kind of whiplash with how much is changing. How do we deal with the fast pace of change while still trying to anchor ourselves in our writing practice and not going crazy? Jack: Again, it's that everything everywhere all at once—you can get lost and discombobulated. I always say be the tortoise, not the hare—because you don't want to fly and die. You want pace and grace. Everyone will have a different pace. For some marathon runners, they can run a five-minute mile, some can run an eight-minute mile, some can run a twelve-minute mile. It's about finding the pace that works for you. Every one of us have different commitments. Every one of us have different ways we view the industry—some as a hobby, some as a business. So it's about honouring your needs, your commitment. Some of us, as you've had people on the podcast, some people are carers. They have to care. Some people are parents. Some people don't have those commitments and so can devote more time and then actually learn more, change more as a result. So again, it's about finding your groove, finding your rhythm, honouring that, and again, showing up consistently. Because motivation may get you started, but it's habit and discipline that sees you through. Keep that discipline, keep that pace and grace. Be consistent in what you can do. And know where you're at. Don't compare and despair, because again, if you look at someone else, they may be ahead of you, but the race is only with yourself in the end. So you've got to just focus on where you are at and am I in a better place than I was yesterday? Am I working on my business as well as in my business? How am I doing that? When am I doing that? And what am I doing that for? If you can be asking yourself those questions and making sure you're staying true to yourself and not burning out, making sure that you are honouring your other commitments, then I think you are going at the pace that feels right for you. Jo: Brilliant. Jo: Where can people find you and your books and everything you do online? Jack: Thank you so much for having me on, Joanna, today. You can find me on JackWilliamson.co.uk for all my nonfiction books and therapy work. Then for my fiction work, it is ABJackson.com, or ABJacksonAuthor on Instagram and TikTok. Jo: Well, thanks so much for your time, Jack. That was great. Jack: Thank you so much. The post Post-Traumatic Growth, Creative Marketing, And Dealing With Change with Jack Williamson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Citizenship allows you to vote, get a passport and run for office – and it's supposed to be a promise of protection, equality and belonging. But as immigration agents arrest and detain more American citizens, what if that promise is a myth? In a new book journalist Daisy Hernández dismantles the idea that citizenship is neutral, stable or fair. And she proposes that today it often replaces race a powerful instrument of exclusion. We talk to Hernández about her new book “Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth” and what she thinks real belonging might look like. Are you a noncitizen, or a U.S. citizen who's felt “lesser than?”  Guests: Daisy Hernández, author, "Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Andy and Dasa are joined by the show's Harvey Pekar - Daniel Warren Johnson - to hear the story of Andy's journey of golf and his search for meaning in golf and life. Andy shares personal stories, transformative experiences, and the deeper meanings he has found over the last 15 years.

There's a quiet crisis right now of men who are drifting and feel disconnected from life. There's a lot of possible reasons why, but it still creates incredible pain in their lives. But what if that pain and disconnection is NOT God's plan? Join me in the next episode of Catholic Life Coach For Men as Dr James Torkildson and I talk about this issue, and what men can do to find relief. God does have a plan for you. Using scripture, prayer, and action you can make real changes in your life. God wants you to have hope and peace! You can find Dr. T's book and information on his website: https://drtconsulting.org/ I'm happy to announce I have a book out and available! You can find it on Amazon (more options to come.)

Ashwini Gangal shares about the importance of holding on to names.

What is your purpose?We all need to figure out why we are here. When we do, we find direction for our lives. That becomes our purpose.Today, we start a week of quotes on purpose. You will hear three powerful quotes today to get us started on the road to figuring out our purpose in life.As always, I am so grateful to all of you who support the podcast! I do this show because of you. While I enjoy the quotes myself, I do this podcast because many of you who are looking for inspiration and impact from these quotes come back and listen to it on a consistent basis. Thanks to all of you for being a huge part of this journey! In order to help me keep this journey going, please consider becoming a supporter of the show. You can donate to the show by clicking on the link below. Support the showFor more information to help you on your road to becoming your best, check us out at SlamDunkSuccess.com or email me at scott@slamdunksuccess.com.Our new background music, starting with Episode 300, is "Pulse of Time - Corporate Rock" by TunePocket. Our background music for the first 5 years of the podcast was "Dance in the Sun" by Krisztian Vass.

Kelli Thompson shows you how to break free from intimidation, hierarchy, and self-doubt.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) Why over-admiring your coworkers could be undermining your progress2) The key to sustainable confidence3) How to identify and trust your “genius zone” Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1131 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT KELLI — Kelli Thompson is an award-winning leadership and executive coach, keynote speaker, and the critically-acclaimed author of Closing The Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential & Your Paycheck. In Kelli's two-decade career leading teams, she received industry awards for her ability to build programs that cultivated the pipeline of future leaders.Kelli has coached and trained thousands of leaders to lead with more clarity and confidence through her no BS, yet highly compassionate approach. Her corporate clients rave about the insightful, engaging and practical application of her training and speaking programs. • Book: Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, and Your Paycheck• LinkedIn: Kelli Rae Thompson• Program: Clarity and Confidence Collective• TEDxTalk: "How idolizing coworkers can hold you back" | | Kelli Thompson | TEDxOmaha• Website: KelliRaeThompson.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better• Factor. Head to factormeals.com/beawesome50off and use the code beawesome50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year. (New Factor subscribers only)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we explore the 13 years of silence from God in Abram's life, leading to a new covenant that redefines his identity and the physical sign of circumcision. We also discuss why Abraham laughs at the seemingly impossible promise of a son through Sarah and God's unwavering commitment to His divine plan.https://study-companion.kit.com/0a352e0e64 Click link to download your free, weekly PDF Study Companion - stuff you won't find in Sunday school — real scholarship, surprising history, and sermons from voices outside your usual orbit. Chapters00:00 13 Years of Silence01:35 God's Covenant and Name Change06:52 The Meaning of Circumcision10:05 Sarah's Impossible Son15:53 Abraham's Act of Faith18:54 Commitment Beyond Understanding

Today on Texas Matters: The old Spanish missions of San Antonio — 300 years of history, community memory and meaning. Joel Daniel Kitchens is the author of “San Antonio and Its Missions: Three Centuries of History, Memory and Heritage.”

A five-week study of nearly 200 working adults found that leisure crafting, using hobbies more intentionally, boosted creativity and meaning at work, often more strongly than benefits seen in participants' personal lives Creative activities like art, music, dance, and gaming are linked to younger-looking brain function, stronger connectivity, and greater mental flexibility Reading regularly strengthens brain function, delays cognitive decline, and may reduce Alzheimer's risk by up to five years, making it one of the most powerful, affordable habits for long-term mental health Cooking at home and free-form dancing both support brain and body health by improving mood, reducing stress, and encouraging you to experiment Being intentional with your health by improving your diet, moving more, and getting sunlight can boost your energy, focus, and resilience so you can fully enjoy the hobbies that bring you joy

Prof. Philip Goff is a British philosopher, author, and professor at Durham University whose research focuses on philosophy of mind and consciousness. He was an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Central European University and the Department of Philosophy, University of Birmingham. Philip is also the author of Galileo's Error: A New Science of Consciousness, Consciousness and Fundamental Reality, and his most recent, Why? The Purpose of the Universe, is the touchstone for this episode. We're covering some lofty territory today: from the hard science of physics and cosmology to the deep waters of philosophy, religion, and the question of God. Some highlights from the episode: 06:16 Framing the big questions: purpose, consciousness, and the value hypothesis 10:00 Fine-tuning theory: dark energy and the "casino" intuition 12:54 Meaning: Frankl, suffering, and why questions matter 16:52 Agency and teleology 24:18 Mystics and mystical experience across traditions 28:04 Consciousness and panpsychism 28:52 The 'Why' book tension: cosmic purpose, hope, and meaning 30:14 Returning to religion: becoming a 'heretical Christian' 31:32 Meaning as beauty, gratitude, and 'pronoia' 34:06 Scientism and other ways of knowing 37:47 Religion as social technology: community over doctrine 39:23 Orthodox mysticism + Anglican flexibility 41:19 Prayer: orientation vs. supplication 45:08 Meditation: creative energy without certainty 51:04 Reflections on affordances and enacted meaning Quick note: at the very end of this episode I tacked on a short addendum. I share how this conversation actually landed for me.  Enjoy!  

In this episode, Rachel and Luisa are back for another round of Play with Pyro. Because if there's a kitchen torch involved, Luisa is there. Rachel makes a classic buttermilk pie, while Luisa bakes guava shortbread cookies topped with torched meringue for a fiery finish.Then it's time for Meaning to Make, where they finally tackle bakes they've been dreaming about for ages: Rachel whips up spiced pumpkin buns, and Luisa celebrates her birthday the best way possible... By baking her own pistachio lemon cake. Expect cozy flavors, big goals, and a little controlled chaos!

If you haven't streamed the full episode yet, make sure you don't miss it.Optimizing for Meaning: What Industrial Engineering Teaches Us About Balance and BurnoutIn this thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation, Aly Kamel, an industrial and management engineering student at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, explores how core industrial engineering principles like input-process-output, value-added analysis, and constraint management can be applied to something far more personal: balance, burnout, and sustainable ambition.Aly challenges the idea that success means maximizing output at all costs. Instead, he reframes burnout not as a personal failure, but as a predictable system outcome, and one that can be redesigned.Industrial engineering isn't just about factories and supply chains. It's a mindset for designing systems that last.And the most important system you'll ever design… might be yourself.Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)Problem Solved on LinkedInProblem Solved on YouTubeProblem Solved on Instagram

Is The Greatest Shift in Christian Theology Going From Heaven to Earth?   Heaven isn't the point of the gospel—and N.T. Wright challenges the "accept Jesus and escape earth" narrative of Christianity. Curtis Chang talks with Wright, leading theologian and prolific author, about New Creation and his latest book God's Homecoming: The Forgotten Promise of Future Renewal, asking whether the Bible's promise is the Kingdom of God on earth—or simply going to heaven when you die. They examine the "royal priesthood" calling, what this means for life after death and suffering now, and the true purpose of Christian faith.   Sign up for the Good Faith Newsletter Learn more about George Fox Talks Register for the Illuminate Arts + Faith Conference   03:43 - The Continuity Between Old and New Testaments 05:05 - Reject Platonism and Embracing New Creation? 08:04 - A Vision More Demanding Than The "Ticket To Heaven" Gospel 13:48 - What Does This Mean For Grace, Works, and Human Vocation? 19:53 - Divergence on the Meaning of The Kingdom of God 27:24 - The Problem of Evil and the "Now and Not Yet" 34:59 - A Pastoral Response to Heaven-Focused Theology 40:41 - How Are Heaven and Earth Interlocking Realities? 47:59 - The Royal Priesthood: Humanity's Biblical Mandate 51:47 - Tom Wright's Future Projects and Reflections   Scriptures: Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV) - kingdom + priests reign on the earth Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) - royal priesthood Genesis 1-2 (ESV) - creation "very good"; humanity's vocation Revelation 21–22 (ESV) - new heaven/new earth; God dwelling with humanity Romans 12:2 (ESV) - renewing of the mind Romans 8:21–23 (ESV) - creation set free; redemption of bodies Malachi 3:1 + Isaiah 40:3 (ESV) - prepare the way; the Lord coming to his temple Psalm 8 (ESV) - humanity crowned with glory/honor; vocation Ephesians 4 (ESV) - new humanity; community ethics   Mentioned in This Episode: N.T. Wright's book God's Homecoming: The Forgotten Promise of Future Renewal N.T. Wright's book Surprised by Hope What is the Bar Kokhba Revolt? What is the Mishnah? "Teach Me, My God and King" (George Herbert / "The Elixir")  Tom Holland's book Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World C.S. Lewis' book Miracles Scot McKnight's book Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of Empire   More from N.T. Wright: N.T. Wright Online N.T. Wright's Speaking engagements N.T. Wright's books (Amazon)   Past Conversations with N.T. Wright: Good Faith ep. 207: N.T. Wright Explains Ephesians: The Church, Christian Nationalism, & the Armor of God Good Faith ep. 128: The Unseen Spiritual Powers Shaping Our World (with N.T. Wright)   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Krista Stepney shares powerful tactics for moving forward when fear has you feeling stuck.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) How to identify and address the root causes of inaction2) How to take your power back from comparisons and self-doubt3) Two powerful scripts for when you're stuckSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1130 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT KRISTA — Krista D. Stepney is a leadership and business strategist, keynote speaker, and transformation advisor who helps leaders and everyday changemakers turn hesitation into momentum. With over 15 years of experience in operations, organizational leadership, and culture transformation, Krista blends research, faith, and lived experience to help others build a purposeful life and legacy.As the creator of The BOLDprint Method and the W.A.N.D. Methodology, she has coached executives, entrepreneurs, and everyday dreamers on overcoming fear, resisting comparison, and designing a personalized roadmap forward, even when the next step feels unclear.Her mission is simple: to help people get unstuck and move anyway, especially when it feels like the hardest thing to do.• Book: Move Anyway: A Guide for Overthinkers, Perfectionists, and Almost-Starters• Website: KristaStepney.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: Perfectionism Research by Vitale & Co.• Study: “Healthy Reflections: The Influence of Mirror Induced Self-Awareness on Taste Perceptions” by Ata Jami• Study: “Implementation Intentions and Goal Achievement: A Meta‐analysis of Effects and Processes” by Peter M. Gollwitzer and Paschal Sheeran• Book: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen• Book: Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones• Past episode: 015: David Allen, The World's Leading Authority on Productivity• Past episode: 798: How to Have Difficult Conversations about Race with Kwame Christian• Past episode: 1078: How to Stop Playing Small and Achieve Your Greatest Goals with Richard Medcalf— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better• Factor. Head to factormeals.com/beawesome50off and use the code beawesome50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year. (New Factor subscribers only)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Physician, philosopher and best-selling author Rachel Remen describes her remarkable course, “The Healer’s Art,” taught at medical schools throughout the United States. To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

The Respectable Addiction: When Work Becomes the Coping Mechanism A reflection on burnout, identity, and recovery — plus practical action steps There's an addiction we rarely talk about because it looks like ambition. It earns praise. Promotions. Respect. It hides behind phrases like "driven," "productive," and "hard-working." But for many high achievers, work isn't just effort — it's a coping mechanism. In this episode, Dawn shares her story of a "workaholic blackout" — the moment she realized work had become her drug. After years of recovery from substances, she found herself caught in a new cycle: overwork, anxiety, identity tied to productivity, and eventual burnout. At one point, she drove home from work and had no memory of the drive. That was the moment everything shifted. What followed was a diagnosis of extreme burnout and a realization that she wasn't just "busy" — she was addicted to working.     When Work Stops Being Healthy One of the most powerful distinctions Dawn shared is this: Working hard doesn't make someone a workaholic. External pressure doesn't equal addiction. Workaholism comes from the inside. It's marked by: An internal compulsion to keep working Self-worth tied to productivity Constant thoughts about work Anxiety or guilt when not working Difficulty detaching — even during rest You can meet deadlines, put in long hours, and still be healthy. But when work becomes how you manage fear, grief, identity, or anxiety — it shifts from effort to escape.     Burnout Isn't Just Exhaustion Burnout isn't just being tired. It's a full-system collapse: Physical Emotional Mental Spiritual For many high performers, burnout mirrors an addiction "bottom." You keep pushing… until your system can't. And then something breaks. Relationships suffer. Health declines. Meaning fades. And the work that once energized you begins to feel like pressure, obligation, or proof of worth.     The Cultural Trap Our culture celebrates overworking. We glorify: Hustle Sacrifice Endless productivity "Grinding" for success But we rarely talk about the cost: Anxiety Family strain Loss of identity outside work Chronic stress Emotional detachment Workaholism is often called "the respectable addiction" because it looks admirable from the outside. Until it doesn't.     Recovery Isn't About Quitting Work Unlike substances, you can't abstain from work. Recovery is about boundaries, awareness, and redefining your relationship to productivity. Dawn shared practices that helped her rebuild balance: Under-scheduling instead of over-planning Creating "top lines" (healthy behaviors to commit to) Creating "bottom lines" (behaviors to avoid) Protecting time for joy, relationships, and rest Spiritual grounding and daily reflection Detaching self-worth from output It's less about doing less — and more about working from a different place. Not fear. Not "not enough." Not urgency. But intention.     Action Steps: Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship With Work If this episode resonated, here are simple starting points. 1) Notice the fuel behind your productivity Ask yourself: Am I working from joy… or fear? Is this aligned… or avoidance? Am I creating… or proving? 2) Separate urgency from importance Not everything urgent is important. And not everything important feels urgent. Pause before reacting. 3) Identify your "bottom lines" Examples: No work after a certain hour No phone during family time No checking email first thing in the morning 4) Define your "top lines" Healthy commitments like: Movement Hydration Connection Rest Creative time 5) Schedule spaciousness Recovery often begins with: Fewer commitments Fewer calls Fewer goals at once Space allows clarity. 6) Detach identity from productivity Practice this reframe: "I am enough — with or without what I produce today." 7) Watch for the "self-care productivity trap" Even healing can become another project. Self-care isn't something to optimize. It's something to experience.     Reflection Prompts Where is my self-worth tied to achievement? What am I avoiding by staying busy? When do I feel most at peace — and why? What would "enough" look like today?     Resources Mentioned Workaholics Anonymous literature and tools Journaling and recovery reflection practices Byron Katie's "The Work" inquiry process Anxiety and habit research (Dr. Judson Brewer) Recovery communities and peer support spaces (Referenced from episode transcript)     Final Thought You don't have to burn out to change your relationship with work. You don't have to earn rest. You don't have to prove your worth. You don't have to run on fear. There is another way to work — one rooted in clarity, presence, and enoughness. And it starts with one honest question: What's really driving me right now? Guest Contact Info: 

What does it really take to build a life of meaning? In this episode of Live On Purpose Radio, Dr. Paul sits down with author Rick Walker to explore insights from his book 9 Steps to Build a Life...

In Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, hosted by Sayan, communication consultant and author David Firth challenges a common belief: that work is something to endure just to finally live later. Together, they explore how the stories we carry about work shape our mental wellbeing—and how small shifts in thinking can change the entire experience. This episode is for anyone stuck in the repeat cycle of wake–work–sleep, or anyone who ties self-worth to job titles, income, or external approval. You'll walk away with a clearer way to relate to work as value creation, not just a paycheck—and practical ingredients that make work feel more human. About the Guest: David Firth is a consultant focused on communication, storytelling, and meaning in business and life. He has spent over three decades helping leaders and organizations rethink how they communicate, lead, and relate to change. He's also the author of How to Make Work Fun for the Business World and is writing a book called Ratty and Angelo. Episode Chapters: 00:05:04 — Why the way we think about work shapes our whole life 00:07:07 — The flawed belief: “Get a job = security and happiness” 00:08:34 — Money comes from adding value, not just holding a job 00:13:34 — What actually predicts happiness: relationships, health, and meaning 00:18:06 — Breaking the wake–work–sleep loop with better questions 00:18:58 — The original meaning of “work”: to create 00:20:47 — The 4 ingredients that make work fun: people, progress, freedom, joy Key Takeaways: Replace “I have to work” with “What value will I create today?” Build one better relationship at work—connection makes work lighter. Track progress daily: do one thing slightly better than yesterday. Identify where you have autonomy—and expand it through trust and clarity. Turn down the inner critic “Ratty” and practice listening to the wiser voice. Separate your worth from your work so self-respect isn't performance-based. How to Connect With the Guest: Website Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6000+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.

Ramadan began this week. Somewhere around 2 billion Muslims around the world will be engaging in a day time fast for the next month. Living in the Gulf, Ramadan contorts my life in so many...

“Can non-Catholics receive ashes?” This question opens a discussion on the significance of rituals in the Catholic faith. Other topics include the differences between Catholic Mass and Protestant services, the removal of certain feast days from the calendar, and the meaning behind the priest adding a drop of water to the wine. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:30 – Can Non-Catholics receive ashes? 06:09 – I'm in OCIA. How do I sum up the differences between a Catholic mass and a protestant service and why it’s important? 12:44 – In the new calendar we removed feast days of saints. Why did that happen and did it undermine papal authority? 16:58 – How can the bread turn into the body and the wine turn into the blood? 21:50 – Iowa Catholic Radio. Why does the priest add a drop of water into the wine? 28:47 – Are the SSPX in communion with Rome? What do you say to someone who goes to those masses? 34:28 – Can you emphasize why our Catholic rituals have meaning? 43:49 – Why does the eucharist have to be celebrated at every mass if it’s only required once a year? 51:14 – My priest changes words during the mass. What are your thoughts on that?

Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away today at the age of 84. A civil rights giant and candidate in the 1984 and 1988 presidential elections, he had a vision that kept hope alive and included economic justice and international solidarity. In our latest, we talk about the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson.--------------------------

What happens when the ocean turns heavy, control disappears, and the margin for error vanishes?In this powerful ALLSMITH conversation, Bryce sits down with Jamie Mitchell, widely regarded as one of the greatest big-wave surfers and ocean endurance athletes of all time and a 10-time Molokai to Oahu champion.Jamie has spent decades in environments where fear is real, preparation is survival, and ego has consequences. Those experiences forged a mindset rooted in humility, discipline, and earned calm. Today, that same mindset shapes his approach to fatherhood, leadership, performance, and life beyond sport.Together, Bryce and Jamie explore identity under pressure, confidence you cannot fake, and why nature remains the most honest teacher of character and responsibility.This episode is about more than surfing.It is about who you become when conditions turn against you.⸻Support ALLSMITHIf this conversation resonates and you want to live these principles:Join ALLSMITH CoachingPersonalized fitness, mindset, and lifestyle design rooted in peak expression and intentional livingExperience ALLSMITH EventsSauna, cold, movement, and community gatherings that build resilience and connectionPartner with ALLSMITHBrand collaborations, experiences, and storytelling aligned with performance, health, and cultureExplore ALLSMITHwww.allsmith.coInstagram: @allsmithco@therealbrycesmith @jamie_mitchoSubscribe to the ALLSMITH Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.Share this episode with someone navigating adversity.Leave a review to help more people discover the show.Timestamps00:00 – Who do you become when conditions turn against you02:12 – Jamie's path into big-wave surfing and endurance paddling06:41 – The Molokai channel and real fear12:05 – Calm is earned, not found18:32 – What heavy water reveals about identity24:47 – Fatherhood reshapes courage31:18 – Confidence you cannot fake38:03 – Leadership in unpredictable environments44:08 – Why nature removes ego50:27 – Comfort culture and avoidance of hardship57:42 – Sustainable performance and recovery1:03:11 – Meaning beyond achievement1:08:46 – Who you are when control disappears1:12:28 – Final reflections⸻QuotesCalm is not found. It is survived.The ocean does not care who you think you are.Confidence comes from preparation you cannot skip.Fear is loud until preparation answers it.Fatherhood changes what courage means.Nature removes ego faster than anything.Conditions do not build character. They reveal it.You cannot fake calm when the stakes are real.Respect is the foundation of survival.Who you are shows up when control disappears._____TakeawaysPressure reveals identity more than successPreparation is the only reliable source of confidenceCalm is trained, not inheritedFatherhood reshapes purpose and riskNature provides honest feedbackSustainable performance requires humilityMeaning comes from alignment, not applauseRespect for forces beyond you creates wisdomAdversity clarifies valuesYou discover yourself when conditions turn against you.When conditions turn against you, identity stops being theoretical.It becomes visible.Who do you become?Thank you for Listening! Learn more below.ALLSMITH IG ALLSMITH YouTubeBryce Smith IG

When your child says “I can’t do this” and wants to quit right now… what do you do? Whether it’s maths, piano, friendships, or riding a bike, kids hit the wall. They avoid. They melt down. They take their bat and ball and go home. But what if that uncomfortable moment isn’t failure… it’s the doorway to growth? In this episode, we unpack the powerful reframe that helps kids push through frustration, build resilience, and experience real progress — without shame, pressure, or lectures. This one shift changes everything. KEY POINTS Why avoidance feels good — and why it holds kids back The two dimensions of emotion and what they mean for learning The “Learning Zone” reframe that transforms frustration Why purpose matters more than pressure The three drivers of motivation: relationships, choice, and competence Why discomfort is often the signal that growth is about to happen When pushing through is healthy — and when it’s not QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Discomfort isn’t the enemy. It’s the signal that growth is about to happen.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Man's Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Check relevance first – Does this challenge actually matter? Name the Learning Zone – Help your child recognise discomfort as growth. Strengthen connection – Struggle feels heavier when kids feel alone. Support competence – Break tasks into smaller wins. Focus on purpose – A strong “why” makes the “how” bearable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (2/18/26). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v73rjxu","div":"rumble_v73rjxu"}); Video Source Links (In Chronological Order): The Empire Above Epstein & The Tightening Grip Of Its Enforcement Arm (10) The Last American Vagabond on X: "This should have been at the end of my show today. Would have perfectly tied it together: https://t.co/dit2hgoxGk "The Empire Above Epstein & The Tightening Grip Of Its Enforcement Arm"" / X The Empire Above Epstein (10) Jay Anderson on X: ""They have figured out their world is an illusion, their perception is engineered, their leaders are puppets, their entertainment is a distraction, their labour is meaningless, but will they do anything about it?" https://t.co/IaCjKPnxAK" / X New Tab (10) Jeff Carlson on X: "We have a government. But it's not ours." / X (10) Shadow of Ezra on X: "Tucker Carlson said he and his staff were detained in Israel following an interview with Mike Huckabee. Israeli officials confiscated his passport and took his executive producer to an interrogation room. The officials demanded to know what they spoke to Mike Huckabee about. https://t.co/HDV1jNAynz" / X (10) Dominic Michael Tripi on X: "NEW: Trump told Tucker Carlson to “turn down the temperature” on GOP rift over Israel, Carlson now currently visiting Israel, per the Jerusalem Post." / X Donald Trump behind Tucker Carlson's Israel visit to make amends | The Jerusalem Post (12) DD Geopolitics on X: "The USA is so fucking depraved the President's son is taking an ISRAELI company public that advertises 'low cost-per kill.' You do not hate these people enough. https://t.co/vGO4a9UDS0" / X Backed by Trump's son, Israeli-founded AI drone startup plans to go public on Nasdaq | The Times of Israel Charlie Kirk refused Netanyahu funding offer, was ‘frightened' by pro-Israel forces before death, friend reveals - The Grayzone Trump received morbid gift from Israel's Prime Minister during White House visit | The Independent Israel accused of planting mysterious spy devices near the White House - POLITICO (12) Ron Paul on X: "Why is a U.S. Senator from South Carolina going to Israel "every 2 weeks"? Lindsey Graham said in a speech (from Israel) that if Iran ends up hitting U.S. troops in the region ... it's worth the risk of attempting regime change. https://t.co/ufr8lwWUFR" / X New Tab Les Wexner's Very Bad Week: Billionaire Forced to Testify About Epstein and OSU Sexual Abuse Scandal (12) The Last American Vagabond on X: "Rep Dave Min claims not a single Republican showed up for the deposition of Les Wexner to today. https://t.co/55uAj4YomT" / X (14) The Last American Vagabond on X: "Maybe Jordan is trying to draw attention away from his involvement with the Les Wexner deposition today: https://t.co/86EHhRZxyj" / X New Tab (14) Art Vandelay on X: "Nancy follows me, so maybe she'll see this... I am asking politely for our elected officials to stop this madness. It's over. MAGA influencers lied to their audience for years about this crap. And then, MAGA friendly politicians like Nancy Mace, took the cheese, just like" / X (14) Harrison H. Smith ✞ on X: "Here's the weird thing about this... Trump is not in the Epstein files like they are insinuating. There are a bunch of ridiculous and disproved "allegations," but nothing of substance. HOWEVER, people close to Trump like Howard Lutnick ARE implicated throughout the files. So" / X (14) Clayton Morris on X: "This is actually real. I had to read it twice. So you're saying @RepThomasMassie calling for the release of the Epstein Files is preventing the DOJ from going after criminals? Meaning there are no criminals in the Epstein Files? Murderers, cannibals, sex traffickers, child" / X New Tab (18) Jeff Carlson on X: "Remember when the DOJ and FBI tried to convince us there was no client list, no persons of interest, told us Epstein killed himself and tried to pronounce the entire Epstein Case closed? None of these people & institutions are worthy of our trust." / X (14) John Achterhof on X: "@krystalball https://t.co/52NxGHdSYG" / X (14) Brian Allen on X: "

We're diving deep into Francis Weller's third gate of grief: the sorrows of the world. This gate reminds us that collective losses like wars, violence, injustice, and environmental destruction impact us whether we acknowledge them or not. We are interdependent beings, wired for connection, and when we try to shut down our caring to protect ourselves, we sacrifice our capacity for joy, flexibility, and resilience. The challenge is to trust our intuitive drive to care and connect, even when it feels uncomfortable. We'll offer some practical strategies to meet that challenge and to help you stay open to collective grief without being overwhelmed by it. CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses gun violence. About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Full transcript here   Sources and Notes for this full grief series: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Grief Series: Why We're Doing a 10-Part Series on Grief (And Why You Need It) [part 1, ep 248] Everything We Love, We Will Lose: Navigating the First Gate of Grief [part 2, ep 249] Welcoming Back the Parts of You That Have Not Known Love [part 3, ep 250] Other related Joy Lab episodes: The Power of Gathering: Science-Backed Ways to Combat Loneliness Through Group Connection [ep. 240] Sympathetic Fear vs. Sympathetic Joy: What Are You Tuning Into? [ep. 238] Where's Your Third Place? [ep. 171] Learning to Love Well: Creating a House of Belonging [ep. 25] Common Humanity vs Isolation (ep. 28) Lonely in crowded places (this isn't a country music song) (ep. 73) Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller Skye Cielita Flor & Miraz Indira, The Joyful Lament: On Pain for the World. 2023 Access here Learn more about Joanna Macy's work from the Commons Library. "Interdependency is not a contract but a condition, even a precondition." — Dr. María Puig de la Bellacasa "Let me keep my distance always from those who think they have the answers. Let me keep company, always, with those who say, look and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads." — Mary Oliver "The mind pays for its deadening to the state of our world by giving up its capacity for joy and flexibility." — Joanna Macy "Don't be afraid of your sorrow or grief or rage. Treasure them. They come from your caring." — Joanna Macy "Joy is the practice of our entanglements." — Ross Gay "Grief is brought forth by the safety and holding capacity of the communal nervous system. We cannot and should not do it alone. We have evolved to open together and carry each other into the places that scare us just as we have evolved to sing and praise and dance and grow together." — Skye Cielita Flor and Miraz Indira  Beckes & Sbarra, Social baseline theory: State of the science and new directions. Access here Beckes, et al. (2011). Social Baseline Theory: The Role of Social Proximity in Emotion and Economy of Action. Access here Bunea et al. (2017). Early-life adversity and cortisol response to social stress: a meta-analysis. Access here. Eisma, et al. (2019). No pain, no gain: cross-lagged analyses of posttraumatic growth and anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms after loss. Access here  Kamis, et al. (2024). Childhood maltreatment associated with adolescent peer networks: Withdrawal, avoidance, and fragmentation. Access here  Lehrner, et al. (2014). Maternal PTSD associates with greater glucocorticoid sensitivity in offspring of Holocaust survivors. Access here  Hirschberger G. (2018). Collective Trauma an d the Social Construction of Meaning. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1441. Access here  Sheehy, et al. (2019). An examination of the relationship between shame, guilt and self-harm: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Access here  Strathearn, et al. (2020). Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Health Outcomes Associated With Child Abuse and Neglect. Access here  Yehuda et al. (1998). Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors.  Access here. Yehuda, et al. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. Access here    Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Welcome, Late Boomers! We're Cathy Worthington and Merry Elkins, and this week, we set sail on a truly transformational journey with Alison Gieschen—author, former horse farm owner, educator, and intrepid world sailor.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to leave everything behind and follow a lifelong dream? In this inspiring episode, Alison shares how she dared to reinvent her life, selling her horse farm and embarking on an adventure with her husband to sail around the world. From the lush hills of upstate New York to the remote islands of French Polynesia, Alison opens up about her life's boldest moves, the storms she's weathered—physically and emotionally—and how it all fuels her work as a writer.We dive deep into Alison's bestselling books, The Seven and A Mermaid's Tale, the profound lessons she's learned traveling to over 49 countries, and the universal themes of courage, culture, and resilience that weave through her stories. You'll also hear incredible anecdotes, like surviving life-threatening storms at sea, encounters with solo sailors, and how her lifelong love of horses continues to inspire her writing—even while anchored in paradise.Key TakeawaysReinvention Is Possible at Any Age: Alison's journey from horse farmer to global sailor proves it's never too late to answer the call of adventure.Facing and Managing Fear: Learn how Alison turned fear into fuel, surviving tumultuous ocean storms and emerging with a deeper understanding of her own resilience.The Transformative Power of Travel: Discover how experiencing different cultures shaped Alison's worldview and the authentic characters in her novels.Writing from Life: Hear how personal stories, hardships (like her son's bullying), and the solace of animals are woven into her fiction and children's books.Simplicity Breeds Joy: Alison discusses the happiness she's witnessed in communities with few material possessions, offering a powerful message for all of us in the West.Finding Community on the Water: Even in the vastness of the ocean, Alison found deep connection and camaraderie with fellow sailors from around the world.Actionable Inspiration for Listeners: Alison encourages everyone to carve out distraction-free time to pursue creativity—and to be brave enough to make the leap toward that “someday” dream.Ready to be inspired for your own third act—or maybe just to ignite your curiosity about life's possibilities? We invite you to:Subscribe to Late Boomers wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify, etc.) so you never miss these empowering conversations.Check out Alison Gieschen's books, especially The Seven, A Mermaid's Tale, Sienna, Riding the Waves of Reality, Blue Ridge, and The Legend of Altor—perfect whether you're a horse lover, adventurer, or in need of a dose of hope.Visit our website at lateboomers.us for more inspiring content and to get in touch.

Goal: The goal of this episode is to help you walk away with tangible tools for helping students build connected meaning within and across texts. We talk about:        1.Concept Mapping 2. Recap of chapter 6 of Smart Teaching Stronger Learning 3. Strategies that you can implement in your classroom today. Links to resources mentioned in the podcast:Grab my free guide for keeping your mini lesson mini Book a discovery call for one on one coaching or school professional developmentLink to the book (affiliate link)Next Steps: If this episode resonated with you, take a screenshot of the episode and tag me on instagram @msevamireles. This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other upper elementary teachers get ideas they can use in their class today.The Reading Teacher's Playbook Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'Episode 122 — Helping Students Build Connected MeaningLeave a Rating and Review:

This is a recording of a live guided meditation.  The meditation guide and the members of the public who joined the meditation used the Zoom platform.   Even though you are listening to this meditation as a recording rather than attending live, in the world of consciousness, there is no time or space. Meaning, regardless of when you listen, you are in a meditation with a large group of folks from different walks of life and places on the planet.Meditation Guide: Judy Hunter, Master meditation guide and seasoned teacher and trainer for the Divine Spark Program.Judy's Meditation Guide Style: Rich, musical tone to her voice.  Inspiring imagery and clear guidance makes possible going deep into your center safely and joyfully.Content: Features these tools and techniques:Grounding (Earth Connection)ReleasingCenteringIntentional BreathingCenter of Head AwarenessFinding the energy flow of universal consciousness within you, then stepping into itTraveling within your energy architecture -- moving point of awareness through 1-12 chakras Intention setting Bringing your life energy into harmony with your divine/universal self

Burnout doesn't start with exhaustion—it starts with leadership gaps.Paula Davis joins Jonathan Cohen to break down her Lead Well framework for navigating stress and uncertainty. She explains how psychological safety, a sense of mattering, and simple practices like the “444” exercise help teams thrive. They also explore Active Constructive Responding and practical ways leaders can prevent burnout before it spreads.Explore Paula's work at StressAndResilience.com and learn more about her book Lead Well.KEY TAKEAWAYSBurnout is a systems issue, not a personal weakness.Psychological safety and mattering fuel resilient teams.Small weekly habits (like the 444 method) create lasting leadership impact.Timestamps0:00 Intro7:51 The Impact of Uncertainty on Leadership10:28 Exploring Mattering and Meaning in the Workplace13:08 Overcoming Barriers to Creating a Resilient Work Environment25:20 The 444 Exercise: Reflecting on Successes and Setting Intentions30:28 Active Constructive Responding (ACR) and Preventing Burnout54:40 Conclusion and ResourcesConnect with Paula DavisWebsite: https://stressandresilience.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauladavisspeakerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauladavislaack/Stay InspiredNever miss an episode of Inside the Inspired! Hear the stories of founders, innovators, and game-changers pushing the edge of wellness, entrepreneurship, and mindset. Follow and subscribe for weekly episodes that energize your journey.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-inspired/id1535384791Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FV1VqP5bth6A7dEt5wo9VYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jonathanzcohen

Monday 2-16-26 Show #1240: Miguel tells us about his trip to the Grand Canyon and Aimee joins us to talk about her all-woman comedy show collective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's solo episode is all about my anxiety around meal time. Specifically my kid's meal time. One kid is a bottomless pit and the other has a beige diet preference. Meaning one eats us out of the house and we're lucky if we get 2 spoons of rice into our other kid. In this episode I talk about how I'm trying to get my kid to finish a meal and have a well-balanced diet. Whilst not comparing my kids to every other kid who's eating raw capsicums. If your life also feels a lil stress around the kid food front,this one is for you. InstagramFollow Parenthood on Instagram @parenthoodpod ShareWe'd love it if you could share this episode with a friend! Parenthood Podcast acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of theland on which we work and live, and recognise their continuingconnection toland, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past,present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people think life is supposed to feel smooth once you “figure it out.”Stable income. Good relationship. Momentum.But life doesn't work that way.In this episode of The Bedros Keuilian Show, I break down what really happens when you hit a losing season; when the money slows down, the relationship falls apart, the car gets wrecked, the depression creeps in… and you feel stuck on the hamster wheel.Here's the hard truth:It may not be your fault. But it is your responsibility.There are winning seasons.There are losing seasons.Neither lasts forever.What does last is the resilience you build when you decide to stop playing the victim and start becoming the problem-solver.Life is the gym.Adversity is the resistance.And if you don't lift it, it crushes you.This episode is a reminder that nobody is coming to save you. Not the economy. Not your circumstances. Not luck. Not even God.You save yourself.One decision.One action.One problem solved at a time.Because success isn't about avoiding pain.It's about becoming strong enough to carry it and keep moving anyway.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

In December 2025, former US Senator Ben Sasse announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. That's the primary topic for this far-reaching conversation about mortality, faith, and what truly matters when time is short. Sasse reflects on “redeeming the time”—holding ambition lightly, loving family more deliberately, and resisting the urge to make politics or professional success the center of life. The discussion also covers Sasse's thoughts on the failures of Congress; the dangers of a fragmented, attention-starved republic; the crisis of higher education; and the moral challenges of technological abundance. Sasse speaks candidly and movingly about regret, forgiveness, prayer, and suffering—arguing that while death is a real enemy, it does not get the final word. Recorded on February 9, 2026.  Subscribe to Uncommon Knowledge at hoover.org/uk

In this episode, Faith Salie, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and comedian, explores the complex nature of envy and how to harness it for personal growth. Drawing from Faith's Audible series “Envy Enlightened,” they discuss the different types of envy, how it can be both destructive and motivating, and the importance of acknowledging and transforming it. Through personal stories and expert insights, they emphasize gratitude, self-awareness, and compassion, encouraging listeners to view envy as a natural feeling that, when understood, can guide personal growth and deepen appreciation for one's own life. Take our quick 2-minute survey and help us improve your listening experience: ⁠⁠⁠oneyoufeed.net/survey⁠⁠⁠ Exciting News!!! Coming in March, 2026, my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Key Takeaways: Exploration of the nature and complexities of envy as an emotion. Discussion of the parable of the two wolves and its relation to emotions like envy. Differentiation between benign (positive) and malicious (negative) forms of envy. The impact of modern culture and social media on feelings of envy. Personal experiences and reflections on envy, including its evolution over time. The importance of recognizing the whole lives of those we envy, not just their successes. The role of gratitude as a tool to counteract feelings of envy. Distinction between envy and jealousy, and their emotional implications. The neuroscience of envy and the concept of "envy grooves" in the brain. Strategies for managing and transforming envy into positive action and self-awareness For full show notes: click here! If you enjoyed this conversation with Faith Salie, check out these other episodes: The Age of Magical Overthinking: Why Our Minds Keep Doubling Down with Amanda Montell How to Turn Life's Pain into a Path of Meaning and Joy with Danielle LaPorte Are Your Desires Really Yours? How to Recognize and Reclaim What You Truly Want with Luke Burgis By purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you! This episode is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Protein ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try David is offering our listeners a special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠davidprotein.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hungry Root⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.hungryroot.com/feed ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code: FEED. IQ Bar: Text FEED to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, including the ultimate sampler pack, plus FREE shipping. (Message and data rates may apply). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special edition of the new Worldviews series, Brendan Graham Dempsey asks Jim about his life and worldview using a faith development interview. They discuss Jim's life chapters from growing up through becoming a complexity guy and GameB advocate, his age 11 epiphany that religion is bullshit after researching world religions at the library, the formative influence of his wife and parents who built lives from poverty, his realization that exponential growth on a finite planet driven by advertising and economic systems is destructive, understanding the limits of knowledge through complexity science and rejecting naive Newtonianism, his three core values of human well-being, ecological richness, and preserving humanity's path to bring the universe to life, the belief that humans may be the only general intelligence in the universe, the sacred as high-dimensional experiences that can't be explained scientifically, the importance of humility given how often we're wrong, the decision-making method of studying enough for a bullshitter's understanding then walking until reaching a conclusion, utilitarian deontology, human life as a leaf node on the tree of emergence, language and science as major transitions with AI as a potential third, disbelief in the supernatural, explaining evil through game theory, psychopathy as evil by nature, humans as mesoscale entities, a universe fine-tuned for emergence, and much more. Episode Transcript Institute of Applied Metatheory A God That Could be Real: Spirituality, Science, and the Future of Our Planet, by Nancy Ellen Abrams Brendan Graham Dempsey is Director of Research at the Institute of Applied Metatheory, where he studies the complexification of worldviews and human meaning-making systems across scales. He holds an advanced degree from Yale University, where he studied religion and culture. His books include Emergentism: A Religion of Complexity for the Metamodern World and the multi-volume Evolution of Meaning series. He is Managing Editor of Integration: The Journal of Big Picture Theory and Practice and a founding editor of Metamodern Theory & Praxis.  

On today's "Fr. Simon Says", Fr. Simon dives into the meaning of temptations, plus did you know that there are two Greek words for the English word "crown? (2:56) Bible Study from James 1:12-18 and Mark 8:14-21. (22:32) Break 1 (22:40) Letters (22:45) What time zone do I fast in when I am traveling? (26:20) Patty – The book of Samuel stunned me. (40:06) Break 2 (40:15) Word Of The Day - "Crown" (43:22) Phones (43:30) Casey - Could you explain Judges 19:28-30? It's very confusing.

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah Marshall, Josh Hussung, Danny Kwon, and Becca Heck wrestle with how to teach holiness without drifting into guilt, shame, or moralism. Grounded in Scripture, the conversation reframes holiness not as behavior modification, but as a joyful, relational response to the gospel. The hosts explore how youth ministries can unintentionally slip into legalism, how to speak about sin without leaving students feeling hopeless, and how relational discipleship creates space for grace, confession, and growth. With honesty, humor, and pastoral wisdom, this episode offers youth leaders practical ways to model holiness anchored in Christ's finished work, not performance. Scripture & Themes ReferencedLeviticus 11:44 – “Be holy, for I am holy”1 Peter 1:16 – Holiness as a call rooted in God's characterIsaiah 6 – God's holiness and moral perfectionMatthew 5–7 (Sermon on the Mount) – Holiness of heart, not just behavior1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Responding differently to the idle, weak, and discouragedRelational Discipleship – Walking with students over time, not managing behaviorGospel-Centered Holiness – Living from acceptance, not for acceptanceBiggie Size Your Grace in the Pursuit of Holiness by Andy CornettDiscipling Teenagers in the Meaning of the Law by Chelsea Kingston Erickson
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.Watch the episode on Youtube!Register for Rooted 2026 in Nashville. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with Cantor Lauren Blasband-Roth for a thoughtful conversation about vocation, music, and Jewish life. Lauren shares her journey to the cantorate, reflecting on her Brooklyn roots, the influence of her family, and the experiences that shaped her love of Judaism and song.The conversation explores what surprised her most about becoming a cantor, the joys and challenges of clergy life, and the ways music opens hearts and builds connection. Lauren also speaks about her passion for Jewish education, her work teaching learners of all ages, and her special connection with her fifth-grade class and bar and bat mitzvah students.Along the way, Rabbi Zweiback reflects on what a gift it has been to welcome Lauren as a colleague at Wise, highlighting the beautiful voice, intelligence, and warmth she brings to the community, and the meaningful partnership she shares with Cantor Emma.A warm and inspiring episode about calling, teaching, and the power of music to shape Jewish spiritual life.https://www.laurenblasband-roth.com/

Optimizing for Meaning: What Industrial Engineering Teaches Us About Balance and BurnoutWe talk a lot on Problem Solved about optimizing systems, improving processes, and designing better organizations.But what happens when the system you're trying to design… is your own life?In this thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation, Aly Kamel, an industrial and management engineering student at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, explores how core industrial engineering principles like input-process-output, value-added analysis, and constraint management can be applied to something far more personal: balance, burnout, and sustainable ambition.Aly challenges the idea that success means maximizing output at all costs. Instead, he reframes burnout not as a personal failure, but as a predictable system outcome, and one that can be redesigned.Together, we discuss:Why high achievers are especially prone to burnoutHow “value-added” thinking applies to your daily lifeThe difference between intensity and sustainabilityWhy constraints should be treated as design inputs, not weaknessesAnd how to optimize for meaning — not just productivityIndustrial engineering isn't just about factories and supply chains. It's a mindset for designing systems that last.And the most important system you'll ever design… might be yourself.Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)Problem Solved on LinkedInProblem Solved on YouTubeProblem Solved on InstagramProblem Solved on TikTokProblem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth GrimesInterested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation with Michael Witt, Community & State Outreach Manager for the DirectEmployers Association. DirectEmployers is a non-profit member association built by employers, for employers, and we talked about how they support their member employers to better serve the military and veteran population as well as how DirectEmployers has worked to become a PsychArmor Veteran Ready OrganizationProvide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestMichael Witt is the Community & State Outreach Manager for DirectEmployers Association (DE). DE is a non-profit member association built by employers, for employers. After 21 years of service with Iowa Workforce Development, including Division Administrator of Field Operations, oversight of WIOA federal programs and state workforce programs, he works closely with DE's 1k+ Member companies to implement strategies for improved recruitment and retention of skilled talent across the country.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeDirectEmployers Association WebsiteDirectEmployers VetCentral Webpage PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the Behind the Mission Podcast episode with Lori Adams, in episode 122. During this conversation, Lori and I talk about the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, D.C. and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, business and wage and hour services, in addition to administering the unemployment insurance, veteran reemployment and labor market information programs. You can find the resource here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/lori-adams  Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

"Sometimes popping two gummies on vacation helps us have really great sex!" "I really need that glass of wine to get me in the mood!" "Smelling alcohol on your breath is such a turnoff!" As couples and sex therapists, we've talked to thousands of partners about how alcohol and substances affect their relationships. Sometimes couples report that alcohol is a major block to sexual connection, others share that it can help them get out of their heads and make sex more enjoyable. In your relationship, is alcohol a gas pedal or a brake? Meaning it turns you on and helps with desire, arousal, orgasm or it shuts you down and you withdraw from sex. If seeing your partner drunk is a sexual brake, you may feel rejected by their advances because they wouldn't typically act like that sober. If alcohol is a gas pedal, you may feel your inhibition lower and it's more comfortable to access thoughts about sex and connection to your body. Listen to this episode as George and Laurie discuss the function of alcohol in sex and relationships and what you may need to explore underneath if it is a gas pedal or brake. Our hosts approach this topic with non-judgement and are explicit that alcohol and substance use runs on a wide spectrum and affects people in many ways. We know this may open up myriad reactions from our listeners and we welcome your feedback! As always, thank you for listening and keep it hot, y'all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does the Bible truly restrict women in leadership? In this thought-provoking Voxology Podcast episode, Mike Geary, Susie Lind, and Preston Sprinkle wrestle with this deeply significant theological question. Drawing from Preston's upcoming book, *From Genesis to Junia: What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership*, they explore the historical, cultural, and biblical contexts that shape complementarian and egalitarian debates. Are women called to lead, preach, and teach in the church? What role does cultural context play in interpreting scripture? With a blend of personal stories, rigorous scholarship, and honest dialogue, the hosts unpack passages like 1 Timothy 2 and Ephesians 5, illuminating how interpretations of authority, headship, and agency have shaped the Church's approach to women in ministry. Susie shares her lived experience as a pastor navigating these challenges, while Preston dives into the exegetical work that informed his book. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how faith intersects with justice, theology, and cultural issues. Join the conversation as the hosts emphasize Jesus' inclusive teachings and challenge the commodification of women within religious structures. We encourage you to engage the discussion on Facebook and Instagram, or share your thoughts in the comments below. Let's continue to pursue understanding, humility, and critical thinking as we navigate these important topics together.  CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Our Break from the Lord's Prayer 05:03 - INTRO to Preston Sprinkle Interview 09:29 - This Weekend 10:39 - Poems 12:06 - Intro 13:56 - Origins of Our Faith 17:10 - Susie's Journey 18:34 - Preston's Journey 23:28 - Best Argument for Complementarianism 27:10 - Understanding 1 Timothy 2:12 28:00 - Analyzing 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 28:40 - Exegetical Laziness in Scripture 33:20 - Trusting English Translations 39:44 - Kephale: "Head" or "Source" 37:18 - Ephesians 5:23 Explained 38:18 - Insights on 1 Corinthians 11:3 39:18 - Meaning of "Head" in Context 41:04 - Greco-Roman Household Code 42:08 - Reexamining the Meaning of "Head" 48:54 - Process of Becoming a Pastor 52:00 - The Right Plumbing for Ministry 57:38 - Thank You 1:00:20 - Where to Find More of Preston's Work 1:01:06 - Upcoming Book Release 1:01:46 - Sign Off 1:05:05 - Support the Show As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! https://www.etsy.com/shop/VOXOLOGY?ref=shop_sugg_market Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Michael Norton reveals the science behind rituals that can help us change the way we feel and perform.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) What makes rituals more powerful than habits2) How rituals help you get into the zone3) Simple team rituals to build closenessSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1129 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT MICHAEL — Michael I. Norton is a professor at Harvard Business School. Michael's research focuses on behavioral economics and well-being, with particular attention given to happiness and spending, income inequality, the IKEA effect, and, most recently, rituals.Michael Norton's research has been published in popular media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, and The New York Times, as well as academic journals like Science, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the American Economic Review. His “How to Buy Happiness” TED Talk has been viewed over 4 million times, and his work has been parodied by The Onion. In 2013, Norton co-authored Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending with Elizabeth Dunn. His recent book The Ritual Effect focuses on the surprising and versatile power of rituals.• Book: The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions• Quiz: "Are you turning mundane moments into meaningful ones?"• Website: MichaelNorton.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: "Overearning" by Christopher K. Hsee, Jiao Zhang, Fengyan Cai, and Shirley Zhang• Book: The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World by Lewis Hyde— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/betterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all know about St. Valentine's Day - but do we really? Was he a real person? What did he do that became stories of legend and historical truth? Join Fr. Chris Alar as explains who this saint was, what the spirituality of St. Valentine's Day really is, and how is love really defined. 

Could a new president ever be carved into Mount Rushmore? It depends on who you ask. We call up historian Matthew Davis (author of A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore) to learn about the history of the monument and what its future might hold. It’s a story with a lot of surprising twists and turns, from the hills of Georgia to the sacred mountains of South Dakota. How does Mount Rushmore reflect America’s battles over who and what America chooses to celebrate? In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Mount Rushmore was carved, and who originally inspired the project The forgotten faces and ideas that never made it onto the mountain How Indigenous history and land rights shape Rushmore’s legacy Whether a future president could legally (or physically) be added GUEST: Matthew Davis, author of A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount RushmoreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, I break down why health is the real number one asset, and why chasing goals without asking “for the sake of what?” leads people off track. I share how losing everything forced me to reframe the meaning I gave my past, and how behavior either aligns with where I want to be or interferes with it. I walk through practical daily practices like non negotiables for sleep and health, lowering the bar to stay consistent, and refusing to stack two losses in a row. I also explain why being more interested than interesting changes everything.

Meaning, purpose, the pursuit of happiness... Just existing shouldn't be the only way to live. You are important - you just may not realize how much.