Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael Smith

Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text 307-200-8222. Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. MT. https://RushToReason.com HOUR 1 Is U.S. Citizenship Being Exploited? Inside Birth Tourism, Human Trafficking & Political Games Why trust the first answer? John Rush reveals how seeking a second opinion could save you thousands. Then, the hour heats up with a dive into Colorado's election drama: explosive ethics complaints against Lauren Boebert, swirling political rumors, and the mystery behind Victor Marx's absence from a key Western Slope event. John breaks down how Colorado's Front Range is changing the game for campaigns statewide. Then, Ammon Blair from the Texas Public Policy Foundation uncovers the explosive reality of birth tourism: are organized maternity rings gaming America's citizenship laws? Blair exposes the dark links to human trafficking, Chinese transnational repression, and the uphill battle for state and federal authorities. John wraps up with a fiery debate: can independents shake up Colorado's two-party hold, and could they change the outcome of the governor's race? Guests 29:33 — Ammon Blair — Texas Public Policy Foundation — https://www.texaspolicy.com/ HOUR 2 Who Really Controls Your Voice? NFL Fines, Workplace Rules & Freedom of Expression Hour 2 kicks off with a hot-button controversy: NFL fines Muslim players for eye black religious messages. Is it free speech or corporate control? John Rush digs into the battle between personal expression and the ironclad rules of the NFL—and what it means for your own workplace rights. Caller John from Cheyenne takes the debate beyond sports—into schools and the real world. How much should employers and schools dictate our lives? The conversation reveals the hidden power of work ethic and how entry-level jobs can launch a whole career. Then Richard Rush jumps in for a rapid-fire Broncos breakdown—victories, comebacks, and the real story behind Bo Nix's rocky start and Denver's defensive shakeup. Get insider perspective on what it really takes to become an NFL quarterback. Next, it's Drive Radio meets adventure with the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. Richard uncovers what's new inside, how it handles Colorado's altitude, and the real deal on off-road performance—plus a sneak peek at Denver vs. the Rams. Guests 27:18 — Richard Rush 44:24 — 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro HOUR 3 Are You at Risk? Dangerous Misdiagnoses, Tax Hikes & the $49K Bank Scam Shocker Hour 3 blasts off with Greg Gifford, author of Lies My Therapist Told Me. John Rush and Greg expose the pitfalls of mental health labels, medication, and what most therapists won't tell you. Discover the questions everyone should ask before trusting a diagnosis. John tackles a controversial Converse ad pulled after accusations of racist imagery—was it really offensive, or just misunderstood? He shares personal memories of Converse All-Stars and explores the branding minefield Nike faces. Michael Smith, NFIB Colorado State Director, reveals why Amendment 87's new tax brackets could hit your wallet and threaten small businesses. Find out what's really at stake for education funding and affordability. The hour ends with a jaw-dropping story: an 81-year-old woman loses $49,000 to a bank scam. John reveals what went wrong at two local bank branches—and Ken calls in with more shocking tales of scams and identity theft that could happen to anyone. Guests 1:08 — Author, Greg Gifford — Lies My Therapist Told Me. https://transformedbc.com/ 26:06 — Michael Smith — https://www.nfib.com

Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text 307-200-8222. Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. MT. https://RushToReason.com HOUR 1 Is U.S. Citizenship Being Exploited? Inside Birth Tourism, Human Trafficking & Political Games Why trust the first answer? John Rush reveals how seeking a second opinion could save you thousands. Then, the hour heats up with a dive into Colorado's election drama: explosive ethics complaints against Lauren Boebert, swirling political rumors, and the mystery behind Victor Marx's absence from a key Western Slope event. John breaks down how Colorado's Front Range is changing the game for campaigns statewide. Then, Ammon Blair from the Texas Public Policy Foundation uncovers the explosive reality of birth tourism: are organized maternity rings gaming America's citizenship laws? Blair exposes the dark links to human trafficking, Chinese transnational repression, and the uphill battle for state and federal authorities. John wraps up with a fiery debate: can independents shake up Colorado's two-party hold, and could they change the outcome of the governor's race? Guests 29:33 — Ammon Blair — Texas Public Policy Foundation — https://www.texaspolicy.com/ HOUR 2 Who Really Controls Your Voice? NFL Fines, Workplace Rules & Freedom of Expression Hour 2 kicks off with a hot-button controversy: NFL fines Muslim players for eye black religious messages. Is it free speech or corporate control? John Rush digs into the battle between personal expression and the ironclad rules of the NFL—and what it means for your own workplace rights. Caller John from Cheyenne takes the debate beyond sports—into schools and the real world. How much should employers and schools dictate our lives? The conversation reveals the hidden power of work ethic and how entry-level jobs can launch a whole career. Then Richard Rush jumps in for a rapid-fire Broncos breakdown—victories, comebacks, and the real story behind Bo Nix's rocky start and Denver's defensive shakeup. Get insider perspective on what it really takes to become an NFL quarterback. Next, it's Drive Radio meets adventure with the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. Richard uncovers what's new inside, how it handles Colorado's altitude, and the real deal on off-road performance—plus a sneak peek at Denver vs. the Rams. Guests 27:18 — Richard Rush 44:24 — 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro HOUR 3 Are You at Risk? Dangerous Misdiagnoses, Tax Hikes & the $49K Bank Scam Shocker Hour 3 blasts off with Greg Gifford, author of Lies My Therapist Told Me. John Rush and Greg expose the pitfalls of mental health labels, medication, and what most therapists won't tell you. Discover the questions everyone should ask before trusting a diagnosis. John tackles a controversial Converse ad pulled after accusations of racist imagery—was it really offensive, or just misunderstood? He shares personal memories of Converse All-Stars and explores the branding minefield Nike faces. Michael Smith, NFIB Colorado State Director, reveals why Amendment 87's new tax brackets could hit your wallet and threaten small businesses. Find out what's really at stake for education funding and affordability. The hour ends with a jaw-dropping story: an 81-year-old woman loses $49,000 to a bank scam. John reveals what went wrong at two local bank branches—and Ken calls in with more shocking tales of scams and identity theft that could happen to anyone. Guests 1:08 — Author, Greg Gifford — Lies My Therapist Told Me. https://transformedbc.com/ 26:06 — Michael Smith — https://www.nfib.com

Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text 307-200-8222. Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. MT. https://RushToReason.com HOUR 1 Is U.S. Citizenship Being Exploited? Inside Birth Tourism, Human Trafficking & Political Games Why trust the first answer? John Rush reveals how seeking a second opinion could save you thousands. Then, the hour heats up with a dive into Colorado's election drama: explosive ethics complaints against Lauren Boebert, swirling political rumors, and the mystery behind Victor Marx's absence from a key Western Slope event. John breaks down how Colorado's Front Range is changing the game for campaigns statewide. Then, Ammon Blair from the Texas Public Policy Foundation uncovers the explosive reality of birth tourism: are organized maternity rings gaming America's citizenship laws? Blair exposes the dark links to human trafficking, Chinese transnational repression, and the uphill battle for state and federal authorities. John wraps up with a fiery debate: can independents shake up Colorado's two-party hold, and could they change the outcome of the governor's race? Guests 29:33 — Ammon Blair — Texas Public Policy Foundation — https://www.texaspolicy.com/ HOUR 2 Who Really Controls Your Voice? NFL Fines, Workplace Rules & Freedom of Expression Hour 2 kicks off with a hot-button controversy: NFL fines Muslim players for eye black religious messages. Is it free speech or corporate control? John Rush digs into the battle between personal expression and the ironclad rules of the NFL—and what it means for your own workplace rights. Caller John from Cheyenne takes the debate beyond sports—into schools and the real world. How much should employers and schools dictate our lives? The conversation reveals the hidden power of work ethic and how entry-level jobs can launch a whole career. Then Richard Rush jumps in for a rapid-fire Broncos breakdown—victories, comebacks, and the real story behind Bo Nix's rocky start and Denver's defensive shakeup. Get insider perspective on what it really takes to become an NFL quarterback. Next, it's Drive Radio meets adventure with the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. Richard uncovers what's new inside, how it handles Colorado's altitude, and the real deal on off-road performance—plus a sneak peek at Denver vs. the Rams. Guests 27:18 — Richard Rush 44:24 — 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro HOUR 3 Are You at Risk? Dangerous Misdiagnoses, Tax Hikes & the $49K Bank Scam Shocker Hour 3 blasts off with Greg Gifford, author of Lies My Therapist Told Me. John Rush and Greg expose the pitfalls of mental health labels, medication, and what most therapists won't tell you. Discover the questions everyone should ask before trusting a diagnosis. John tackles a controversial Converse ad pulled after accusations of racist imagery—was it really offensive, or just misunderstood? He shares personal memories of Converse All-Stars and explores the branding minefield Nike faces. Michael Smith, NFIB Colorado State Director, reveals why Amendment 87's new tax brackets could hit your wallet and threaten small businesses. Find out what's really at stake for education funding and affordability. The hour ends with a jaw-dropping story: an 81-year-old woman loses $49,000 to a bank scam. John reveals what went wrong at two local bank branches—and Ken calls in with more shocking tales of scams and identity theft that could happen to anyone. Guests 1:08 — Author, Greg Gifford — Lies My Therapist Told Me. https://transformedbc.com/ 26:06 — Michael Smith — https://www.nfib.com

Why are vintage Mary Maxim sweaters so good? What happens when gorpcore actually goes camping? Did American fashion miss its America 250 moment? Sol and Michael are back on Pair of Kings Podcast to talk knitwear, outdoor style and American identity.After a month apart, the boys reunite for a conversation about the clothes we collect, the places we wear them and the culture that makes us want them in the first place. From an Idaho vintage-store discovery to the 2016 fashion revival, this September 2026 episode connects menswear, archive fashion, craft, film and the great outdoors.Why do Mary Maxim sweaters deserve more attention?Pair of Kings Podcast explains the appeal of vintage Mary Maxim knitwear through its graphic knitting patterns, animal motifs and the individuality of sweaters knitted at home. Sol shares the cardigan his friend Bailey identifies as the No. 415 Totem Pole pattern, the wolf-head design he keeps coming back to, and why collars and proportions can make similar sweaters wear completely differently. The discussion takes in Cowichan-style cardigans, Undercover and Yohji Yamamoto knitwear, an Ultraman sweater grail, and the work behind a custom Newcastle football-kit sweater. Is learning to knit the answer to finding your perfect sweater? And is the "sweater curse" really about knitting, or about how much effort you're willing to put into a relationship?What does gorpcore look like beyond the city?Sol recounts hiking from Pettit Lake to Redfish Lake in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains, where thunderstorms, overpacking and increasingly stripped-back camping setups put outdoor style into perspective. The pair talk tents versus tarp shelters, the people you meet farther along the trail, and how experience changes what hikers carry. This is gorpcore through an actual camping trip: outdoor clothing, backpacking culture and the difference between dressing for a lifestyle and living it. Sol also thanks The North Face for providing gear for the trip.Did fashion drop the ball on America's 250th anniversary?Sol and Michael debate whether America 250 was a missed opportunity for American fashion, or whether its political associations made participation complicated. Ralph Lauren, Levi's and L.L.Bean become starting points for a bigger conversation about Americana, heritage brands, national identity and the relationship between fashion and politics. Can a brand sell a vision of America without getting pulled into the politics of being American? And are new ideas in menswear slowing down, or are we just looking in the wrong places?The conversation continues with Logjam Vintage, formerly Beankeepers, vintage L.L.Bean and a couple restoring Moose Peak Lighthouse on Mistake Island. Add old Champion T-shirts, heavy Filson wool trousers and the pleasure of finding clothes with a life before yours. Heritage menswear gets a lot more interesting when there's an actual story attached.Which movies make you want to change your wardrobe?The Lighthouse means wool coats, chunky knits and workwear; The Lost Boys means leather, a peacoat and Kiefer Sutherland; No Country for Old Men means Western shirts, worn-in jeans and cowboy boots. The boys also discuss Interview with the Vampire, Robert Pattinson in The Batman, military surplus and C.P. Company comparisons. Earlier, Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy leads into Glen Powell and Robert Pattinson's GQ fashion editorials, Diesel, Balenciaga and why a great actor willing to get weird can sell a look better than a safe shoot.Are vintage cowboy boots worth the money?M.L. Leddy's and Lucchese lead a debate about Western boot craftsmanship, exotic leathers, resale prices, heel wear and the elusive combination of price, style and fit. Sol talks about his Lost Control boots, while Michael gets into repairing his Balenciaga Santiago boots. Beautiful boots are one thing. Beautiful boots that fit and aren't worn through are another.What is the 2016 fashion revival getting wrong?Sol and Michael argue that people keep confusing 2016 style with the earlier 2010s "swag era." They revisit Haider Ackermann velvet bomber jackets, Vetements Metal logo hoodies, Yeezy 750s and 350s, Rick Owens DRKSHDW fishtail parkas, skinny jeans, drop-crotch trousers and the outfits that once defined Grailed wish lists. Which archive pieces deserve another run, and which memories are getting the decade wrong?Further, the boys get into Portugal, Lisbon natural wine, New York street style, Crocs cowboy boots, Balenciaga denim versus Levi's 501s, hemming jeans at Self Edge, a vintage 1999 Slipknot T-shirt, the relationship "swag gap," niche fragrance samples, Future Diary, Fogland, Hunter x Hunter and songs of the week from Timbaland and Justin Timberlake and The Black Dahlia Murder. The tangents are part of the outfit.This is integrated fashion: our season's exploration of brands expanding beyond clothes into culture and lifestyle, while people bring their hobbies, communities and interests into what they wear. In this episode, knitting, camping, cinema, music and vintage collecting all become ways of thinking about personal style.Glad to be back in your ears (no diddy).Lots of love,Sol and Michael.This season is sponsored by Scent Split.Follow Pair of Kings on Instagram: @pairofkingspodEpisode Tags: Mary Maxim sweaters, vintage knitwear, gorpcore, America 250, American fashion, heritage menswear, vintage L.L.Bean, M.L. Leddy's boots, movie style inspiration, 2016 fashion revival, archive fashion, integrated fashion, men's fashion podcastSol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

Today we’re going to take you through a company that spent over a century building some of Asia’s most recognisable commercial properties, from the skyscrapers in Marina Bay Singapore to those in Hong Kong’s Central financial district and even the West Bund in Shanghai. With its origins dating back to 1889 in Hong Kong, our guest for today Hongkong Land is a major listed property development, investment and management group. The company, owned by Hong Kong conglomerate Jardine Matheson, has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and secondary listings in Singapore and Bermuda. The firm develops, owns and manages premium and ultra-premium mixed-used real estate in Asian gateway cities, ranging from Grade A office, luxury retail, residential and hospitality products with assets under management coming in at over US$50 billion. Hongkong Land is a company that we want to speak to given how it is now embarking on what’s perhaps one of the biggest strategic changes in its history. Instead of growing primarily by owning and developing properties on its own, Hongkong Land now wants to focus on investing in ultra-premium commercial properties in Asia’s gateway cities while recycling capital from assets that no longer fit into its strategy. All while bringing in third-party capital to recycle assets and fund growth. In a series of moves to better align the firm with its new strategy, Hongkong Land stopped investing in its build-to-sell segment while recycling capital from the business into new, high-quality integrated commercial property opportunities to drive long-term value creation. More importantly, the firm launched its inaugural private real estate fund called the Singapore Central Private Real Estate Fund or the SCPREF. The fund had an initial portfolio assets under management of S$8.2 billion and seeks to focus on ultra-premium integrated commercial properties in Singapore. But what was the one reason that led to the strategy shift right now? Is the firm simply reshaping its portfolio or do the moves fundamentally change the economics of the business? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Michael Smith, Group Chief Executive, Hongkong Land Holdings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weeks show starts off with classics from Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh, Linval Thompson, Peter Broggs, The Roots Radics, Culture, The Mighty Diamonds, Bunny Wailer, The Gladiators, Jacob Miller, Michael Smith, George Nooks, Don Carlos, Jah Mikes, Wailing Souls, Anthony Chambers, Barry Biggs, Al Campbell with Bobby Kalphat, The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Cornell Campbell & Trinity, and Dennis Walks. New music this week comes from I-Taweh, Queen Ifrica, Zion Albert, Pressure Busspipe, Ras Teo, Perfect Giddimani, Saul Hiarp, Strictly Yard Sound with Brizion, Nga Han, Slimmah Sound with Macka B, Binghi, Ginjah, Xhae, Koffee, Kumar Fyah, Gentlemans Dub Club with Mungo's HiFi and Solo Banton, Inna Vision, Cali P, and Kabaka Pyramid. Also this week we ride the He Say She Say Riddim and tracks from the Reggae Souljahs Worldwide vol. 6 featuring artists like Papa Michigan, Tanya Stephens, Ras Ajai, Jah Rain, Ras I Dre, and Ras Indio. Enjoy! Dennis Brown - Emmanuel God Is With Us - The Promised Land - Blood & Fire Peter Tosh - Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised) - Legalize It - Columbia Legacy Linval Thompson - Jah Jah The Conqueror (extended) - Ride On Dreadlocks 1975-1977 - Blood & Fire Peter Broggs - Jah Jah Voice Is Calling - Never Forget Jah The Early Years 1976-1986 - Motion Records Roots Radics Meets King Tubby - Payback - More Dangerous Dub: Original Dub Classics Chapter 2 - Greensleeves Culture - Behold - Vital Selection - Virgin Mighty Diamonds - Two By Two/Two By Two Dub - Deeper Roots: Back To The Channel & Dubs - Virgin/Frontline Bunny Wailer - Jammins - Rootsman Skanking - Shanachie The Gladiators - Soul Rebel - Dreadlocks The Time Is Now - Virgin/Caroline Jacob Killer Miller - Mixed Up Moods - Mixed Up Moods - Sonic Sounds Michael Smith - Long Time - Mi C-Yaan Believe It - Island Records George Nooks - Freedom Blues - Whats Up Doc 12” Don Jah Carlos & Soul Syndicate - Black Harmony - Rawse Records 7” Jah Mikes - Down In The Bottom Of The Well - Jah Mikes Wailing Souls & Roots Radics - Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall/Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall Dub - Greensleeves Presents: Channel One Sound System Down In The Dub Vaults - Greensleeves Anthony Chambers - Jah Foundation/Jah Foundation Version - High Music Barry Biggs - The Road Is Rough - Mr. Biggs - Dynamic Sounds Al Campbell - It's True - Gee Baby - Burning Sounds Bobby Kalphat - Behold I Come - Kingston Shuffle: Funky Sounds and Beats From Kingston Jamaica - Pressure Sounds The Wailers - Stop That Train - Catch A Fire Deluxe Edition - Tuff Gong Gregory Isaacs - One One Cocoa - Pantomine 7” Cornell Campbell & Trinity - Two Timer/Video Man - Joe Gibbs 12” Reggae Discomix Showcase Vol.2 - VP Records Dennis Walks & Roots Radics - Drifter/Drifter Version - Greensleeves 12” I-Taweh - Give Him The Praise - Rasta Inna Middle - Evidence Music Queen Ifrica - Change The World - Breath Of Life - Nu Rush Records Zion Albert - High Horse - Lion Roots Pressure Busspipe & Zion I Kings - All For A Time - All For A Time - Zion High Productions Ras Teo & Lone Ark Riddim Force - Long Time/Long Time Dub - Jah Temple Records Duane Stephenson - August Town - From August Town - VP Records Richie Spice - Di Plane Land - Gideon Boot - VP Records Protoje - Kingston Be Wise - Don Corleon 7” Chronixx - Ghetto Paradise - Chronology - Soul Circle/Chronixx Music Perfect Giddimani - Tongue/Dub Of The Tongue - Giddimani Records Augustus Pablo & King Tubby - Pablo's Theme Song/Tubby's Dub Song - Original Rockers Deluxe - Greensleeves Mikey Dread - Industrial Spy - African Anthem: The Mikey Dread Show Dubwise - Ras Records Tippa Lee - Herbs Interest - Cultural Ambassador Deluxe - Stones Throw Records I-Plant - Blowing A Dub - Fire Dub Revolution - French Dub Strictly Yard Sound feat. Brizion - Skaracha/Hot Chili Dub - Strictly Yard Music Saul Hiarp - Boarding Ananke III - Dub Quest - Culture Dub Records The 18th Parallel & Roberto Sanchez - Hornsmen Dubbing/Hornsmen Blessing - Fruits Records Mikey Melody & Russ D - Haile O/Haile Dub - Taitu Records Presents Haile O - Taitu Records Slimmah Sound feat. Macka B - Nah Follow Dem/Dub Dem - Slimmah Sound Meets The Roots Tribe Players - Roots Tribe Nga Han - Utterance/Utterance Dub - Alive - Fontoyard Med Dred feat. Dub Caravan - Empty Words/Dubophonic Words - Dred Reggae - Dubophonic Records Binghi - I Am Blessed - Lion Rock Music Group Papa Michigan - Tell Me Tings - He Say She Say Riddim - Money Matters Entertainment Tanya Stephens - It's Not Love - He Say She Say Riddim - Money Matters Entertainment Ras Ajai - Love Is Kind - He Say She Say Riddim - Money Matters Entertainment Ginjah - Wata - Soul Connection - Tad's Records Xhae - Right Now - Xhae Music/DubShot Records Koffee - Ova So - Promised Land Recordings Kumar Fyah - 5000 Acres - Landmark Riddim - Stay Nice Music Gentlemans Dub Club & Mungo's Hifi feat. Solo Banton - Good, Good - Easy Star Records Inna Vision - Made 4 Troddin/Made 4 Troddin Version - Made 4 Troddin - Reggae Lives Cali P & Little Lion Sound - Zion Road - Evidence Music Kabaka Pyramid - From Weh Day - Rebel Music: The Lyrics Tape - Bebble Rock Music/Ghetto Youths International Jah Rain - Stand Firm In The Fire - Reggae Souljahs Worldwide Vol.6 - King Remo Music Ras I Dre - Chatty Chatty - Reggae Souljahs Worldwide Vol.6 - King Remo Music Ras Indio - Redemption Song - Reggae Souljahs Worldwide Vol.6 - King Remo Music Tippa Lee - Rasta Dance/Rasta Hi Power - Cultural Ambassador Deluxe - Stones Throw Records

In Episode 57 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, by looking back at what that day was like inside SD129 schools. Joined by educators Teresa Waldinger and Courtney Harvey and former West Aurora student (and current SD129 educator) Oswaldo De La Hoya, Dr. Smith reflects on their experiences as teachers and a student as the events unfolded. They share vivid memories of the uncertainty of that day, the challenge of processing their own emotions while supporting students, and how the experience influenced them in the years that followed. Tune in for a unique and personal reflection on a defining moment in history through the eyes of those who experienced it inside West Aurora classrooms.

Michael Smith from the City of Kalamazoo with a rundown of actions taken at the Kalamazoo City Commission's 9/8 meeting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning XTRA with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! The 8 o'clock hour is brought to you by Central Heating & Air, your Atlanta Carrier Experts. 770-GET-HEAT, Centralheat.com First thing to know: Talarcio is perhaps the best of the worst we have in this cycle Let’s tell you about the male Lindsay Clancy This is what happens in the arena of ideas Watch The Morning XTRA every weekday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the XTRA 106.3 YouTube or listen on the XTRA 106.3 App

The Morning XTRA with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! On Today's Show, College football is officially back, Acuña reaches 200 home runs, and Chris Carr takes aim at LSU. Tug and Los dig into why it’s important to understand how rulings create precedent in legal cases and why you should be careful what you wish for when it comes to the Lindsay Clancy ruling. Tom Mitchell, The Honest Car Guy, joins the show, and the guys take a look at Talarcio as perhaps the best of the worst in this election cycle. They also tell you about the “male Lindsay Clancy” and explain what happens when political battles play out in the arena of ideas. Plus, the guys gear up for the start of college, examine the outrage over Trump renaming things by looking back at what Biden did, and ask the question every parent can relate to: what is dropping your kids off at school like in 2026? Watch The Morning XTRA every weekday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the XTRA 106.3 YouTube or listen on the XTRA 106.3 App

What if the better environmental solution is also the better business? Michael Smith, General Partner at Regeneration.VC, argues that regeneration is about building products and systems that waste less, use resources better and outperform what they replace.He explores why we may have a design problem rather than a consumption problem, how corporate supply chains can drive change and why the ambition should go beyond sustainability and circularity towards restoring natural systems.HighlightsWhy better environmental solutions can also deliver better economicsHow supply chains can become a platform for impactThe difference between circularity and regenerationHow technology could help restore natural systemsThis session was recorded at the Love Tomorrow Summit, where EUVC curated the investor-focused programme.Timestamps(01:18) From DJ to regeneration(03:16) A design problem, not a consumption problem(04:06) Supply chains as a force for change(05:00) Regeneration in practice(05:50) When environmental solutions make better business(06:18) Beyond circularity(07:05) Super nature: where technology meets nature

On this episode of our Checkin' on the Checkoff series, hosts Michael Smith and Bailey Watson look back at the Alabama Cattlemen's Association's summer checkoff activities. From targeted digital advertising to in-person outreach at minor league ballparks, they highlight how the ACA kept beef front and center throughout summer grilling season. They also cover education and youth efforts across the state, including BQA Train the Trainer sessions for ag teachers, the 20th Annual AJCA Roundup, YCLP Class XIII's second session and upcoming Alabama Junior Cattlemen's field days.

Why does fashion need posers? What is Ball Hog style? Should men wear loafers without socks? And why should every pair of suit trousers be high-waisted?Sol and Michael return to the Pair of Kings Podcast for a thesis-driven conversation about the people, money, taste and contradictions that keep modern fashion culture alive. The central argument: fashion scenes need “posers." In their definition, these are especially wealthy consumers willing to buy at retail, spend heavily in boutiques and clubs, and subsidize the spaces that more obsessive fashion fans enjoy through research, resale and secondhand shopping. The Pair of Kings Podcast explains how luxury shoppers and fashion “whales” keep independent stores, designer flagships, nightlife and cultural ecosystems operating; why trickle-down economics may only work in fashion; and how full-price purchases eventually become the Rick Owens, Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons and archive-fashion deals that appear on Grailed, eBay, Yahoo Japan and friends-and-family sales.The episode also becomes a practical and highly opinionated men's fashion guide. Sol and Michael debate high-waisted suit trousers versus low-rise dress pants, whether men should tuck shirts into shorts, the few acceptable categories of men's shorts, office uniforms, golf style, Peter Millar polos, Lacoste, RLX, Robert Graham shirts and the strange power of Southern frat menswear. They answer some of menswear's most searched questions: Can men wear loafers without socks? Are no-show socks ever acceptable with dress shoes? What shoes work with a bright blue suit? Should blue suits be worn with brown shoes? How should tailored trousers fit? And why do high-rise pants usually create a stronger formalwear silhouette?Michael also explains Ball Hog style and Bradygoo, the emerging archive-fashion joke that combines loud, recognizable pieces associated with brands such as Number (N)ine, Dior Homme, Undercover, Maison Margiela and Saint Laurent. The cohosts trace how ironic internet aesthetics become real fashion movements, comparing Ball Hog to blokecore, gorpcore, dadcore and dark academia—and asking what happens when a niche meme becomes a sincere personal style.Elsewhere, the conversation moves through Rick Owens pod shorts, one-size tanks, Visconti pants and banana pants; Self Edge, Good Art and the customers who keep boutiques alive; Miu Miu activations, Awake New York and the difference between brands and stores with genuine taste; Cillian Murphy's Thomas Bird boots; Keira Knightley's repeated slouchy boots; Brad Pitt's Dior jeans; Jude Law, Seal and celebrity style uniforms; vintage band tees; and Michael's two fashion grails: a Rick Owens embroidered bomber and an original 1999 Slipknot self-titled T-shirt.In the spirit of the season's “integrated fashion” thesis, clothes are never isolated from the rest of life. Golf clothes become class signals, nightlife becomes fashion economics, celebrity press tours become lessons in personal uniform, vintage T-shirts become collecting culture, and movies, books and music become part of how people build taste. Sol and Michael also discuss why The Passion of the Christ plays like a 2000s torture-horror movie, Rick Owens sizing, The Holiday and the female gaze, actors who married their co-stars, Isaac Asimov's Foundation, summer's fashion-retail slowdown, leather-jacket weather, chivalry and the songs of the week.Questions answered in this episode include:- Why are posers necessary in fashion?- Who actually keeps luxury fashion stores alive?- What is Ball Hog fashion?- Is archive fashion becoming a costume?- Should men wear high-waisted trousers?- Can men wear loafers without socks?- Why are visible no-show socks so bad?- What color shoes go with a blue suit?- Why do rich people often dress badly?- How do designer clothes reach the resale market?- Is collecting vintage clothing pointless if you never wear it?- And what makes a fashion grail worth buying?We hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording!Lots of love,Sol#fashion #fashionpodcast #mensfashion #archivefashion #rickowensEpisode topics and tags: Pair of Kings Podcast, men's fashion podcast, menswear podcast, fashion podcast 2026, integrated fashion, fashion posers, luxury fashion economics, fashion whales, archive fashion, Ball Hog style, streetwear culture, men's formalwear, high-waisted trousers, high-rise suit pants, loafers without socks, no-show socks, blue suit brown shoes, office style, golf fashion, Peter Millar, Robert Graham, Rick Owens, Rick Owens Visconti pants, Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, Dior Homme, Number (N)ine, Undercover, Maison Margiela, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Awake New York, Self Edge, Good Art, Grailed, Yahoo Japan, vintage T-shirts, Slipknot vintage tee, Cillian Murphy style, Thomas Bird boots, celebrity style, fashion grails, resale fashion, secondhand designer clothingSol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

In this episode of Health Line 3, autism specialist Michael Smith discusses Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), early diagnosis, communication challenges, neurodiversity, and the strengths individuals with autism can bring to their families and communities.

Kyle Overmyer was a cop who crossed the line — battled addiction and ended up in prison. Michael Smitty Smith was a Philadelphia prison guard and cop who spent his entire career on the right side of the badge. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick they sit down face to face for the first time — and nothing is off limits. They go deep on what creates a corrupt cop, how former officers are treated inside prison, what prison actually does to people who have worn a badge, whether someone who betrayed the badge can ever truly earn trust back and the moral dilemmas that reveal exactly who each of them really is. _____________________________________________ #corruption #cops #truecrimecommunity _____________________________________________ Thank you to NOCD & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode: NOCD: visit https://www.treatmyocd.com/ to book a free 15-minute call _____________________________________________ CASH APP: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. _____________________________________________ Connect with Kyle Overmyer: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.overmyer.16/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-overmyer-ba-cei-345b55203 Book: https://www.amazon.sg/Prison-Prodigy-Power-Purpose-Reborn/dp/B0GX2CT7GB _____________________________________________ Connect with Michael "Smith" Smitty: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EPRh9W5yE/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittymike2999?igsh=NG1ycThxcTljZDc2 _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Introductions & Backgrounds 04:45 First Impressions: Cops Crossing the Line 07:00 The Meaning of the Badge After Crisis 09:45 Corruption: Could It Happen to You? 13:13 Mental Health in Law Enforcement 17:13 Accountability & Protecting Problem Officers 21:27 Understanding Corruption: Causes & Consequences 26:47 Department Responses & Second Chances 30:33 Cops, DUIs, and Public Perception 34:49 Losing Faith in Policing? 37:54 Treatment of Officer-Inmates in Prison 44:43 Can Prison Rehabilitate? Programs & Second Chances 50:16 Re-Entry and Life After Release 57:00 Earning Back Trust & Second Acts 01:00:55 Why Honest Dialogues Matter To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyle Overmyer was a cop who crossed the line — battled addiction and ended up in prison. Michael Smitty Smith was a Philadelphia prison guard and cop who spent his entire career on the right side of the badge. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick they sit down face to face for the first time — and nothing is off limits. They go deep on what creates a corrupt cop, how former officers are treated inside prison, what prison actually does to people who have worn a badge, whether someone who betrayed the badge can ever truly earn trust back and the moral dilemmas that reveal exactly who each of them really is. _____________________________________________ #corruption #cops #truecrimecommunity _____________________________________________ Thank you to NOCD & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode: NOCD: visit https://www.treatmyocd.com/ to book a free 15-minute call _____________________________________________ CASH APP: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. _____________________________________________ Connect with Kyle Overmyer: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.overmyer.16/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-overmyer-ba-cei-345b55203 Book: https://www.amazon.sg/Prison-Prodigy-Power-Purpose-Reborn/dp/B0GX2CT7GB _____________________________________________ Connect with Michael "Smith" Smitty: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EPRh9W5yE/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittymike2999?igsh=NG1ycThxcTljZDc2 _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Introductions & Backgrounds 04:45 First Impressions: Cops Crossing the Line 07:00 The Meaning of the Badge After Crisis 09:45 Corruption: Could It Happen to You? 13:13 Mental Health in Law Enforcement 17:13 Accountability & Protecting Problem Officers 21:27 Understanding Corruption: Causes & Consequences 26:47 Department Responses & Second Chances 30:33 Cops, DUIs, and Public Perception 34:49 Losing Faith in Policing? 37:54 Treatment of Officer-Inmates in Prison 44:43 Can Prison Rehabilitate? Programs & Second Chances 50:16 Re-Entry and Life After Release 57:00 Earning Back Trust & Second Acts 01:00:55 Why Honest Dialogues Matter To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the best FIFA World Cup 2026 kits, and why do so many modern football shirts look worse than their vintage predecessors? What is the difference between a bootleg and a knockoff? When does a garment become vintage, true vintage, or archive fashion? Why does fashion feel like it is in a down cycle—and why are Leviticus, Obsession, Backrooms, and Longlegs part of the same cultural conversation?Sol and Michael return for an episode about sports fandom, fanaticism, horror movies, and “integrated fashion”: the idea that clothing increasingly absorbs the hobbies, communities, media, politics, and rituals people build their lives around. Starting with food influencers, perfume storytelling, and a fit check featuring Keep Earth jeans, vintage U.S. Open golf tees, a 1999 Slipknot shirt, Iron Heart denim chaps, raw denim, Grailed, and Self Edge, they examine how collector knowledge, age, scarcity, and internet language reshape what counts as vintage menswear or archive fashion.The pair then break down bootleg versus knockoff culture through New York Knicks victory shirts, anime football jerseys from Mexico, Goku and Neon Genesis Evangelion kits, Grateful Dead lot tees, rare Daft Punk bootlegs, vintage movie T-shirts, Liquid Blue blanks, and Lithuania's legendary 1992 Olympic basketball uniforms. They ask why fan-made merchandise can carry more cultural meaning than officially licensed sportswear, how Fanatics and heat-pressed jerseys changed sports merch, and why vintage football shirts now function as streetwear, collectibles, and fashion history.Then comes a full World Cup kit review. Sol and Michael debate the best 2026 FIFA World Cup jerseys, praise DR Congo and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), criticize the USMNT flag-based kit, and revisit iconic soccer shirts including the USA 1994 denim kit, Japan's 1998 flame goalkeeper jersey, Mexico 1998, England 1990, Chile 1998, Croatia 1998, Germany 1994, Jamaica 1998, and Nigeria 2018. They also discuss collars, national identity, heritage design, team arrival fits, tournament dress codes, Wimbledon whites, and Andre Agassi's acid-wash Nike tennis style.From there, the conversation moves into Paris Men's Fashion Week and fashion's current down cycle: Balenciaga after Demna, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton, Rick Owens x adidas SS27 inflatable air-conditioned sportswear, latex and fetish aesthetics, Meta smart glasses, privacy, AI surveillance, and influencer culture. The hosts examine 424 casting Clavicular, Woah Vicky, online lolcow culture, fashion-media ragebait, and the widening gap between viral runway moments and serious editorial fashion writing and research. They also connect World Cup politics to Iran and the United States, debate fashion's political silence, and review Zohran Mamdani's soccer style.Finally, Sol reviews the new era of horror movies, including Leviticus, Obsession, Backrooms, Longlegs, Cuckoo, Talk to Me, It Follows, Hereditary, Midsommar, The Lighthouse, Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Cloverfield, and The Blair Witch Project. Why are low-budget, internet-native, character-driven horror films connecting now? Is Longlegs a great supernatural crime procedural with a weak ending? Is Leviticus one of the best horror movies of 2026? And why does horror merchandise feel like the next archive-fashion obsession?We hope you enjoy just as much as we did recording.Lots of love,Sol TIMESTAMPS:0:00 — Best World Cup Kits, Bootlegs and Horror Movies1:11 — Pair of Kings Podcast Intro1:32 — Food Influencers, PerfumeTok and Lifestyle Marketing5:11 — What Counts as Vintage, True Vintage or Archive Fashion?8:57 — Fit Check: Keep Earth Jeans, U.S. Open Tees and Fanatics15:03 — Vintage Slipknot, Iron Heart Chaps and Raw Denim23:09 — Knicks Fanaticism and Fair-Weather Fandom27:13 — Knicks Bootleg Shirts and Fan-Made Sports Merch29:35 — Bootleg vs Knockoff Fashion Explained30:25 — Mexico's Anime Football Jersey Bootlegs31:48 — Grateful Dead Lot Shirts and Bootleg T-Shirt History33:12 — Lithuania 1992 Olympic Basketball Merch35:16 — Vintage T-Shirts in Thailand and Rare Merch Blanks37:14 — Daft Punk Bootleg Tees37:57 — World Cup 2026 Kit Review Begins41:43 — DR Congo and Côte d'Ivoire: Best Kits of 202643:29 — Best Vintage World Cup Jerseys Ever49:00 — National Identity and the Perfect USA Soccer Kit51:42 — Wimbledon Dress Codes and Andre Agassi Style54:11 — Balenciaga, Demna and Oversized Fashion56:37 — Why Fashion Feels Boring in 202658:50 — Rick Owens x adidas SS27 and Inflatable Fashion1:00:51 — Meta Smart Glasses, Privacy and AI Surveillance1:04:14 — Vinted Conspiracies and Internet Panic1:08:45 — How Horror Movies Changed After Found Footage1:10:43 — Leviticus, Obsession, It Follows and A24 Horror1:12:36 — Cuckoo and Longlegs Review1:13:27 — Longlegs: Great Setup, Weak Ending1:16:52 — Leviticus and Backrooms Review1:17:11 — Toy Story 5, iPads and Screen Culture1:19:44 — World Cup Politics, Iran and the United States1:21:52 — Why Fashion Brands Avoid Political Commentary1:24:13 — Zohran Mamdani's World Cup Style1:26:03 — 424, Clavicular and Ragebait Runway Casting1:27:09 — Lolcow Culture, Woah Vicky and Fashion Media1:31:23 — Fashion Algorithms vs Editorial Research1:32:44 — Song of the Week: Meat Loaf and Sisqó1:36:57 — Shaolin Soccer and Chrome Hearts---Episode Tags: Pair of Kings podcast, fashion podcast, integrated fashion, World Cup 2026 kits, best World Cup jerseys, vintage football shirts, vintage soccer jerseys, football shirt fashion, blokecore, bootleg vs knockoff, bootleg T-shirts, archive fashion, vintage menswear, vintage tees, sports merchandise, Fanatics jerseys, Grateful Dead lot shirts, Lithuania 1992 basketball, Japan 1998 jersey, USA 1994 denim kit, Mexico 1998 kit, Nigeria 2018 kit, DR Congo kit, Côte d'Ivoire kit, Rick Owens adidas, Paris Fashion Week menswear, Balenciaga, Demna, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Pharrell Louis Vuitton, Meta smart glasses privacy, 424 Clavicular, fashion media, Leviticus review, Obsession movie, Backrooms movie, Longlegs review, best horror movies 2026Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

Vicki Gunvalson stopped by the Page Six studio to chat with “Virtual Reali-Tea” co-hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real to unpack her epic return to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” for its landmark 20th season. The OG of the OC also discussed playing peacekeeper between friends-turned-foes Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador. Plus, Vicki shared some love life updates and dished on whether she'd eventually want to marry her boyfriend, Michael Smith. Check out the full unedited interview! “The Real Housewives of Orange County” airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo with new episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock. Follow us on Instagram! Sign up for our newsletter! Check us out on YouTube! Head to our show page for more tea! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My Legal Academy invited me to talk about the ethics of AI alongside Lucian Pera and moderated by Michael Smith.I'll demonstrate my personal AI workflows and how I ensure compliance with Model Rules 1.1 and 1.5 using enterprise-grade tools.Stay tuned for more announcements on LinkedIn as we launch our new Practi podcast network!Here's the link to register for The Lawyer's Guide to AI Compliance session.See you there! Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Ways of the Eagle / Guest Pastor Michael Smith by Hope City Church

⬥EPISODE NOTES⬥ Tidal is about to stop paying royalties on any track it judges to be fully machine-made. Frame that as a music story and you miss the shift underneath it. By Deezer's own detection, roughly 75,000 AI-generated tracks now arrive every day, about 44% of everything uploaded, yet that same AI music is only 1 to 3 percent of what people actually play, and around 85% of those streams are flagged as fraudulent. The flood is not an audience. It is an attack on a shared payout. This edition follows one pattern across six industries: when the cost of generating something collapses toward zero, platforms stop paying for output and start paying for proof of human origin. Tidal cuts AI royalties. The Authors Guild sells a "Human Authored" badge for ten dollars a title. YouTube demonetizes "inauthentic" content. curl killed its bug bounty after a flood of AI slop, then reopened when the slop got good. And where no gatekeeper owns the payout, hiring, the open web, the scientific record, the flood just degrades the mechanism until no one trusts it. In this edition of Lens Four:

⬥EPISODE NOTES⬥ Tidal is about to stop paying royalties on any track it judges to be fully machine-made. Frame that as a music story and you miss the shift underneath it. By Deezer's own detection, roughly 75,000 AI-generated tracks now arrive every day, about 44% of everything uploaded, yet that same AI music is only 1 to 3 percent of what people actually play, and around 85% of those streams are flagged as fraudulent. The flood is not an audience. It is an attack on a shared payout. This edition follows one pattern across six industries: when the cost of generating something collapses toward zero, platforms stop paying for output and start paying for proof of human origin. Tidal cuts AI royalties. The Authors Guild sells a "Human Authored" badge for ten dollars a title. YouTube demonetizes "inauthentic" content. curl killed its bug bounty after a flood of AI slop, then reopened when the slop got good. And where no gatekeeper owns the payout, hiring, the open web, the scientific record, the flood just degrades the mechanism until no one trusts it. In this edition of Lens Four:

Host Dennis Scully and BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus discuss the biggest news in the design world, including a new hub for home influencers, what makes for a great design portfolio and the final piece of RH's European strategy. Later, Michael Smith joins the show to talk about his first collection for Zoffany.   This episode is sponsored by Joon LoloiLINKSMichael Smith for ZoffanyBusiness of Home

Is fashion art? Why is archive fashion everywhere in 2026? Have designers created anything genuinely new since 1970—and what do postwar Paris, May 1968, 1970s punk, quiet luxury, vintage clothing, fashion TikTok, and the decline of print magazines tell us about how people dress now?On this episode of Pair of Kings, Sol and Michael sit down with Dr. Alexis Romano, fashion historian, writer, curator and professor at Parsons School of Design, for a conversation about fashion history, modern fashion trends, and the forces that turn clothing into culture. Alexis studies twentieth-century fashion, photography, women's history, clothing archives, and everyday dress. Her book, Prêt-à-Porter, Paris and Women: A Cultural Study of French Readymade Fashion, 1945–68, traces the rise of French ready-to-wear after World War II through garments, Vogue and Elle, film, photography, oral history, and the lives of women who bought and wore the clothes.The conversation begins with a fit check spanning Rick Owens, Crocs, selvedge denim, and a vintage Mollie Parnis Ultrasuede set before asking whose clothing gets preserved as fashion history. Museums often prioritize haute couture, luxury fashion, and famous designers, while everyday sportswear, workwear, ready-to-wear, and heavily worn garments disappear. Alexis explains why ordinary clothing and oral history create a richer record.Sol, Michael, and Alexis trace French prêt-à-porter and its tension with haute couture. They discuss how postwar modernization, technology, urban life, New Wave cinema, fashion magazines, photography, and changing ideas about women shaped the modern fashion industry. They examine how ready-made clothing became fashionable rather than merely practical, why casual dress grew alongside social liberalization, and how fast fashion represents the latest stage of a much longer ready-to-wear system.That history leads directly into the fashion landscape of 2026. Why do many well-dressed people now choose either expensive designer clothing or vintage and secondhand clothes? Why are the 1990s and Y2K still being recycled? Has archive culture made younger consumers more historically literate—or convinced them that old clothes are automatically better than new design? The episode connects the 1970s “beige decade” to The Row-era minimalism, natural-looking materials, texture, tactility, pared-back luxury, and the quiet-luxury conversation. Alexis breaks down the decade's competing trends: American sportswear, punk fashion, disco style, polyester, plastic, lamé, bold color, natural fabrics, wide-leg trousers, and Ultrasuede. Contradictory aesthetics existed at once—much like today's mix of minimalism, maximalism, streetwear, high fashion, and microtrends.A major section asks the central question: is fashion art? The group discusses The Met Costume Institute's 2026 Costume Art exhibition, the Museum at FIT, the Whitney Museum, MoMu Antwerp, and the growth of museum fashion exhibitions. Rick Owens becomes a case study in how a garment can be a consumer product, collectible design, personal uniform, museum object, and artwork at the same time. They also discuss Yohji Yamamoto exhibitions, the boundary between a fashion store and an art gallery, museum merchandise, and why fashion may be “the art of the people”—an art form audiences can wear, touch, collect, alter, and recognize in their own closets.This episode is part of Pair of Kings' exploration of “integrated fashion”: the idea that brands increasingly operate across clothing, art, media, music, fragrance, retail, technology, museums, and lifestyle, while consumers build wardrobes around their hobbies, identities, communities, and references. Fashion is not only what appears on a runway. It is also what gets worn, photographed, posted, remembered, collected, studied, resold, copied, preserved, and eventually called history.Whether you follow high fashion, menswear, streetwear, archive fashion, vintage clothing, fashion TikTok, fashion magazines, modeling, editorial photography, independent designers, museum exhibitions, or fashion theory, this conversation offers a practical history of how taste is made—and asks what parts of modern fashion culture will still exist for historians fifty years from now.Alexis is collecting fashion oral histories and personal fashion autobiographies for her research. Find her at @dressondisplay and AlexisRomanoProjects.com.We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording.Lots of love,SolSol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

Beekeepers often think of wax production as something that simply happens when colonies build comb. But what if bees are constantly moving wax throughout the hive, recycling it from one location to another as colony needs change? This week, Jeff and Becky welcome Massachusetts beekeeper Dave Wade to discuss his observations and experiments exploring how honey bees utilize and relocate wax within the colony. Dave's journey into beekeeping began nearly twenty years ago when concerns about pollination of backyard fruit trees led him to a local bee school. Since then, he has become an active member of the Worcester County Beekeepers Association and developed a reputation for practical experimentation and careful observation in the bee yard. The discussion focuses on Dave's work providing supplemental wax directly to colonies. Using strips and rolls of beeswax foundation placed inside frames, Dave has observed colonies rapidly incorporating the wax into comb construction, brood nest expansion, honey storage, and comb repairs. His experiments suggest that bees readily utilize available wax resources, especially later in the season when natural wax production slows. Dave shares results from several years of observations, including the use of colored wax to visually track wax movement within colonies. Collaborating with researchers including Dr. David Tarpy, Dr. Michael Smith, and Dr. David Peck, Dave has documented evidence that bees relocate wax significant distances throughout the hive, supporting brood rearing, honey capping, and comb construction. The conversation explores seasonal wax production, comb reduction, honey-bound colonies, package bee development, plastic versus wax foundation, and practical methods beekeepers can use to encourage comb building later in the season. Dave also discusses how supplemental wax may reduce colony energy expenditures and potentially improve colony productivity. Whether you're establishing new colonies, drawing foundation, managing honey-bound hives, or simply fascinated by honey bee behavior, this episode offers a fresh look at one of the colony's most important building materials. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com   Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC     ______________ Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!  As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. APIS Tactical is a beekeeping brand focused on innovation. We create a wide range of gear for beekeepers of all types—whether you're managing a few hives or working bees every day. We combine science and artistry to create purposeful, hardworking gear. We're here to help you care for your bees with confidence, so you can focus on what matters most—your hive. Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com Thank you for listening!  Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Bolero de la Fontero  by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

Behind the ACA's newest membership benefit with Watt Cattle Company's WW Livestock is a story that goes deeper than a discount. On this episode of Cattle Connect, host Michael Smith talks with Tyler Watt of Sumter County about growing up in the cattle business and the challenges he faced as a beef producer. Tyler shares how faith, family, a little endurance, and entrepreneurship helped him rebuild and support other producers today.  If you or a farmer or rancher you know is struggling with mental health challenges, remember that help is available and you are not alone. Find resources through A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm at https://agi.alabama.gov/hyhf/.

Michael Smith—Managing Partner and Founder, Emerald Advisors Michael Smith shares how a client-first philosophy, niche specialization, and independence helped Emerald Advisors grow from $385mm to more than $1B in assets. In Summary What happens when an advisor builds a business around client service rather than operational efficiency? Jason Diamond speaks with Michael Smith, Founder and Managing Partner of Emerald Advisors, about the path from a successful Merrill practice to an independent RIA that has grown from approximately $385mm to more than $1B in assets. Along the way, Michael shares the story of being told he was “overservicing” clients, why that moment became a catalyst for independence, and how a highly specialized service model fueled the firm's growth. Drawing on lessons from a 24-year Navy career, Michael offers a perspective on leadership, specialization, client care, and what it takes to build a durable business in today's wealth management landscape. The Storyline Growth is often viewed as the result of marketing, referrals, acquisitions, or scale. Michael Smith sees it differently. After building a successful practice at Merrill, Michael found himself at odds with the constraints of the traditional wirehouse model. What ultimately stood out wasn't compensation, technology, or platform capabilities. It was a philosophical difference around client service. When he was told he was spending too much time helping clients navigate tax planning, equity compensation, and other financial decisions outside the traditional scope of investment management, he began to question whether the model aligned with the way he wanted to serve families. That realization eventually led him to launch Emerald Advisors in late 2019. The firm started with roughly 85 clients and approximately $385mm in assets. Today, Emerald serves more than 225 families and oversees more than $1B in assets. Throughout the conversation, Michael reflects on the lessons learned from building an independent firm, developing a niche around concentrated stock positions and executive compensation, navigating custodial and technology decisions, and creating a culture rooted in accountability and service. Underlying it all is a simple belief: when firms become highly intentional about who they serve and how they serve them, growth often becomes the outcome rather than the objective. Topics Covered Merrill breakaways and independence Client service as a growth driver Building an RIA RIA growth and scalability Organic growth strategies Concentrated stock positions and equity compensation planning Ideal client personas and niche specialization Schwab and Fidelity custody relationships Advisor succession and enterprise value Navy leadership principles in wealth management The rise of mega RIAs Advisor technology and infrastructure > Download a transcript of this episode… Listen and Learn Highlights for Advisors Why did being accused of “overservicing” clients become a turning point? (08:15)Michael explains how a conversation with management revealed a deeper misalignment between his client-service philosophy and the wirehouse model. What does client service look like beyond portfolio management? (11:30)The discussion explores how tax planning, equity compensation guidance, and proactive coordination can deepen client relationships. Why can specialization accelerate growth? (15:45)Michael shares why serving a defined niche often creates stronger referrals, greater expertise, and clearer positioning. How has the RIA landscape evolved since 2019? (20:30)Michael reflects on the rise of mega RIAs, changing technology capabilities, and why he believes independent firms still have significant advantages. What role do custodians really play in an independent business? (23:15)Michael discusses his experience working with Schwab and Fidelity and why he views custodians as strategic partners rather than competitors. Is the wirehouse model still the right fit for some advisors? (26:45)The conversation challenges the assumption that independence is the best path for everyone and explores the realities of running a business. Does reaching $1 billion in assets actually change anything? (32:45)Michael offers a practical perspective on growth, success, and why asset milestones can be misleading. What can advisors learn from the “steamboat” philosophy? (37:15)Drawing on his Navy experience, Michael shares a leadership framework that continues to shape how he approaches business building and decision-making. Key Takeaways Exceptional client service can become a meaningful competitive advantage when it extends beyond investment management. Independence gave Michael the flexibility to build a service model that aligned with his philosophy rather than adapting his philosophy to fit the platform. Developing a niche around executive compensation and concentrated stock positions helped accelerate Emerald's growth. The ability to make technology, custodial, and operational decisions quickly remains a significant advantage for independent firms. Not every advisor should be independent. Running a business requires a different set of skills and responsibilities than serving clients alone. Growth milestones are useful, but they do not define success. Michael believes success existed long before Emerald reached $1 billion in assets. High-performing teams with a clear client focus often find that growth becomes a natural byproduct of execution. https://youtu.be/RjzsMcC2DnY Quotable Moments “I literally had to go back and Google the word overservicing.” “Servicing the client is the most important thing that we can do today.” “If you serve a niche and you're very good at that niche, that word gets around.” “Growth becomes the outcome.” FAQs Can an advisor really “over-service” clients? The discussion explores the tension between efficiency and depth of service. While some business models prioritize scale and consistency, others are built around solving a broader range of client problems. The right answer often depends on the advisor's philosophy and business model. Does specialization still matter in a relationship business? Michael argues that developing expertise in a specific area can accelerate growth by making referrals easier and helping advisors become known for solving a particular set of problems. What actually changes when an advisor becomes independent? Beyond economics, independence often creates more flexibility around client service, technology, processes, and business decisions. At the same time, advisors assume responsibility for running the business itself. Is full independence the right path for every advisor? No. Michael acknowledges that many advisors benefit from the structure, support, and resources available within traditional firms. Independence offers flexibility, but it also introduces complexity and responsibility. How should advisors think about the $1 billion milestone? Michael views asset milestones as useful benchmarks but not measures of success. In his view, business quality, client outcomes, and sustainability matter more than any specific asset number. What role does an ideal client persona play in growth? Rather than trying to serve everyone, Emerald built its business around a clearly defined client profile. Michael believes that focus improves service, creates operational consistency, and supports organic growth. How can advisors balance growth with client service? One of the central themes of the episode is that growth and service are not necessarily competing objectives. In some cases, a differentiated service model becomes the reason a business grows. The discussion explores the tension between efficiency and depth of service. While some business models prioritize scale and consistency, others are built around solving a broader range of client problems. The right answer often depends on the advisor's philosophy and business model. Michael argues that developing expertise in a specific area can accelerate growth by making referrals easier and helping advisors become known for solving a particular set of problems. Beyond economics, independence often creates more flexibility around client service, technology, processes, and business decisions. At the same time, advisors assume responsibility for running the business itself. No. Michael acknowledges that many advisors benefit from the structure, support, and resources available within traditional firms. Independence offers flexibility, but it also introduces complexity and responsibility. Michael views asset milestones as useful benchmarks but not measures of success. In his view, business quality, client outcomes, and sustainability matter more than any specific asset number. Rather than trying to serve everyone, Emerald built its business around a clearly defined client profile. Michael believes that focus improves service, creates operational consistency, and supports organic growth. One of the central themes of the episode is that growth and service are not necessarily competing objectives. In some cases, a differentiated service model becomes the reason a business grows. Related Resources The Transitioning Advisor's Lament: Things I Wish I Knew Before Freedom vs. Familiarity: Is it Worth Disrupting Comfort for Something That Might Be Better? IBD vs. RIA Revisited: Two Independent Pathways for Advisors to Consider Advisor Transition Report 2026 Guest Bio Michael Smith, CPWA® is the Founder and Managing Partner of Emerald Advisors, an independent wealth management firm overseeing more than $1 billion in assets for affluent families, executives, and business owners with complex planning needs. Mike entered the wealth management industry in 2005 after a distinguished 24-year career in the United States Navy, where he served both as an enlisted sailor in the Submarine Force and later as a Limited Duty Officer aboard USS Abraham Lincoln and on major staffs around the world. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and an MBA with dual emphases in Finance & Accounting and International Business. Throughout his career, Mike has been known for his commitment to comprehensive planning, helping clients navigate complex issues involving concentrated stock positions, executive compensation, tax strategy, estate planning, philanthropy, and multi-generational wealth transfer. His client-first approach and passion for education have helped Emerald Advisors grow from a startup firm in 2019 to a nationally recognized RIA serving more than 225 families. Outside of the office, Mike is an avid ultrarunner, golfer, lifelong learner, and dedicated advocate for children’s health initiatives. He is a current member of the Legacy Council at Seattle Children’s Hospital and has served in leadership and board roles supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, the ALS Association, and the Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center. He is also the proud father of Kat Smith. NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation. View the transcript of this episode… From “Overservicing” Clients to Building a $1B RIA: A Merrill Breakaway Story A conversation with Jason Diamond and Michael Smith, Managing Partner and Founder of Emerald Advisors.      Jason Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is From “Overservicing” Clients to Building a $1B RIA: A Merrill Breakaway Story. It’s a conversation with Michael Smith, managing partner and founder of Emerald Advisors. I’m Jason Diamond and this is the Diamond Podcast for financial advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned and, each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education driven and based on building relationships starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at (908) 879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual advisor transition report. It’s the award-winning, data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Jason Diamond: Growth is often viewed as the result of better marketing, stronger referrals, a larger team and even acquisition and that’s all true yet growth can be the byproduct of something else entirely. For example, Michael Smith built a successful practice at Merrill then, one day, he was told he was spending too much time with his clients, or his management put it over-servicing clients. For Michael, that wasn’t a warning sign about his approach, it was a signal that he might have outgrown the firm and the model. Today, Michael is the founder and managing partner of Emerald Advisors, the independent RIA he launched in late 2019 with roughly 385 million in assets and 85 client relationships. Less than seven years later, the firm has grown to more than a billion in assets while remaining deeply focused on a highly-specialized client base and an unusually hands-on service model. What makes this story particularly interesting isn’t just the growth, it’s the thinking behind it. Michael’s perspective was shaped long before he entered wealth management. After serving more than two decades in the Navy, he brought a leadership philosophy centered on accountability, discipline and what he calls steamboat people, those who keep moving forward regardless of conditions, that mindset continues to influence how he builds his team, serves clients and evaluates opportunities. In this episode, we discuss the decision to leave Merrill, the realities of launching a fully independent RIA, why specialization can accelerate growth, the evolving role of custodians and technology and why he believes exceptional client service remains one of the industry’s most durable competitive advantages. Because Michael’s experience suggests that growth isn’t always the result of finding more opportunities, sometimes it’s the result of creating the freedom to execute the vision you already had so let’s jump in. Michael, thank you so much for joining us today. For starters, can you walk us through your background and what brought you to the world of wealth management? Michael Smith: Jason, thank you so much for the opportunity to be here today, I do listen to the podcast a lot especially before I left Mother Merrill. But my background and how I got into financial services is really distinct because I was on the board of JDRF back in the day and the national sponsor for JDRF was UBS PaineWebber and they’re like, “Mike, why don’t you be a financial advisor?” And my master’s degree was actually a finance and accounting in portfolio management because I’ve managed my own portfolio for years and years and so, when I couldn’t get a job, I just fell into it because I couldn’t get a job and I needed a job. That was 21 years ago, Memorial Day so that’s how I got into this industry. Jason Diamond: It’s a unique background, it’s super interesting and I want to talk more about it. You mentioned Mother Merrill, we’ll certainly get there. Before we do, give us a little bit of context on the current business you operate, Emerald Advisors, any context you can share on size, number of staff, types of clients you serve would be great. Michael Smith: Sure. So, we launched Emerald in 2019, November 2019 with about 85 clients and you always talk about this on the podcast how scared it is to launch and go independent. And I would say we took over about 95% of our clients that we wanted to bring over and today we’re at about 230 clients, I think we have some onboarding right now, we have just over a billion of assets. So, we launched with the 85 clients and around 350, 385 million, now we’re over a billion. Jason Diamond: Good for you. Michael Smith: Thank you. And I launched with four employees and we’re now at 11. And I would give a shout-out to one of my key employees because, when I launched, I actually hired somebody that had no experience with us and that was really a good thing because that allowed that person to really focus on operations and back office stuff while my business partner Emily and I were able to focus on bringing on the clients and alleviating any issues that they may have or thought. Jason Diamond: So, meaning you hired somebody basically immediately upon launch to help you with the transition and with this next chapter? Michael Smith: Correct. I hired them before but they started the day we launched. Jason Diamond: Brilliant, I love it. Oh, let’s definitely talk more about that because I think that’s a great strategy for … You’re right, you said it in a joking manner now because you’re seven years past but it’s a very real fear that advisors have and I think it’s worth talking more about. I want to mention too you have, obviously, built this business and grown this business dramatically. I don’t want to make this episode about the pandemic but you moved the business at a, certainly, a unique time. Did it impact your growth at all? Did you feel like you hit a brick wall? Just curious about your thoughts. Michael Smith: No, Jason, that’s a great observation. I would venture to say that the pandemic was actually a good thing for us. Jason Diamond: Interesting. Michael Smith: And I say that because, all of a sudden, you could hit pause because everyone was relearning how to do business, how do we do client reviews, how do we communicate with clients in a environment. So, I think the pandemic allowed us to just really reset our expectations visiting with clients because I used to fly a lot because I have clients in 38 different states so this has actually been, not just good for me, but good for the industry because I think it’s reset our expectations that we don’t have to be every day with a client facing. Jason Diamond: I agree with that largely and it’s true of our business too, by the way, it’s certainly reshaped the way people expect to be communicated with. I think Zoom has become much more mainstream, phone calls and we’ve heard from many other advisors who say something similar. I was just curious because you moved so close to or if there was an impact but I get, honestly, I think you’re right, it allowed you to have this nice natural inflection point and almost like flipping a switch of a clean slate. Michael Smith: It allowed us to learn the processes too. So, we launched in November 1st, by March we were in lockdown and so it gave us the opportunity to take several months of just learning the processes of how to be an RIA, it was pretty good. Jason Diamond: Absolutely. So, one of the things you mentioned in that was the way in which you serve clients and I’d read something funny and I think it was around the time of your move. You were talking about that, Merrill, you had a manager who spoke about that you would overserve your clients, you serve clients too much, tell me about that. Michael Smith: That was such an interesting topic because I got called down to the ops officer’s office and they’re like, “Ugh, Mike.” And it brought my admin down with me and they’re like, “Mike, these reports that you’re taking care of your clients too much,” and I’m like, “What do you mean?” “Well, you’re overservicing them.” Jason, I literally had to go back and Google the word overservicing because I was like, “How do you overservice the client? I’m not making their bed.” It was just so funny to me that I got counsel for overservicing clients when we’re in a client-facing job and I think that was part of the catalyst. Jason Diamond: Tell me more about what they meant, you think. Michael Smith: Hindsight, I think they … I like to take care of people which means I’m very intuitive towards taxes, I understand how the tax code works, I understand how everything impacts their bottom line. So, when we’re doing deferred comp enrollments or 401(k) enrollments or I’m a big believer in Roth 401(k)s and backdoor Roths and I’ve been doing them for years, I think what Mother Merrill wanted at that time was us not to do that. And, again, nothing against Merrill, I get it but this is how they wanted us to act and I wasn’t in that mold, I was taking care of clients to a much deeper depth is how I would say it. Jason Diamond: And I think that speaks to you outgrew the model not necessarily the firm. I think Merrill does a lot of things really well, you would agree with that, I think given that you built 85 clients and 350 million in assets is nothing to sneeze at. But the model that it seems like you value client service and an integrated client service experience of that and the wirehouse model oftentimes doesn’t put a premium on that. Tell me about your ethos or your thoughts around client service today and what being independent enables you to do. Michael Smith: So, that’s an interesting observation because one of my clients actually just mentioned to me that the reason we’re growing so much is because of our service model and the fact that we deliver a tremendous amount of value over just portfolio management. I said my managers is in portfolio management, I don’t do that any longer, I have a staff that handles that for me but it’s really the servicing of the clients because they don’t know what we know and I think servicing the client is the most important thing that we can do today. Jason Diamond: Give me some examples of what you mean by servicing the client in a more holistic way. I agree with you, by the way, portfolio management, table stakes, financial planning, table stakes, tell me more about what you mean. Michael Smith: By that I mean we do a quarterly review on tax. So, a lot of people don’t understand how taxes work and how estimated taxes work. So, estimated taxes are January 1st to March 31st, January 1st to May 31st, January 1st to August 31st, that’s how you do your estimated tax payments, you figure out what that is. And for compensated employees where they have RSUs that come in at different times of the year or different grants or exercise their options at a different time, that can affect their estimated tax liability and I’m not big on giving Uncle Sam any more money than they have to have until they need it. And then everyone doesn’t understand how the penalties and interest works on the IRS. And I’m big on the tax payments because that’s where we can add a lot of value for not a lot of time and we integrate it with our portfolio so we know what we’re doing with our gains. And I happen to reside in Washington State which has a long-term capital gains tax rate once you surpass about 270,000 of long-term capital gains. So, it’s super important for us to be aware of this and that’s how we service them. We also help them with their rebalancing of their 401(k)s, things that wirehouses cannot supposed to do, we are not supposed to be helping them with some of their aspects of life. Jason Diamond: Yup. That’s what I was alluding to earlier, it’s limitations on the model, not because they’re bad models, it’s just a different way, a different ethos around client service. You mentioned RSUs and corporate employees, I know that’s a niche you have is around concentrated stock positions and equity comp plans. I guess let me ask you two different questions around this. First of all, why that niche? Interested. And then, second of all, do you think a team needs to have a specialization to be competitive these days or do you think it’s okay just to be like, “My job is to be the best advisor and I want to service assets wherever those assets may come from?” Michael Smith: Another great observation. I’m going to address the niche first and foremost. I think, and I talked to R.J. Shook’s staff just recently, and having a niche gives you a specialization and it also accelerates your growth factor. If you serve a niche and you’re very good at that niche, then that word gets around. If you’re a jack of all trades, you can do lots of things but I don’t think you’re focused and you’re not hitting the right numbers that I like to see. And I think that would be my theme is the niche allows you to focus on a very specific type of ideal client, that’s a Schwab thing where you have an ideal client persona and our firm has an ideal client persona. As far as having the equity comp, I absolutely was one of the teams at Merrill Lynch that was equity compensation designated, I managed a couple of plans. My exposure to that, Jason, I haven’t thought about this in a very long time, came from UBS where I had team members that were colleagues that were associated with the Nextel Sprint plan. And I always thought that you’re taking care of the top executives but, really, my background being in the military was how do we take care of the troops, the troops, I call them sailors, and how do we educate those sailors. And one of the things I’ve always said in my entire career in the military and I still say to this day is 50% of every bonus or a promotion or something like that should go to long-term savings. So, I use that same mentality with RSUs, with stock options, with bonuses. Set that aside, let that grow because you’re not used to spending it and you will learn to spend what you make. Jason Diamond: I think that’s a great reason, it’s super smart and I love your explanation, it was a very simplistic way. Honestly, even I hadn’t thought about that around your niche, I think, becomes almost like a force multiplier for your own growth because it’s much easier to become the guy in X, Y, Z vertical than to be the guy in every financial advisor of America, across America. Let me ask you a follow-up question, you mentioned the ideal client persona. I spend a lot of time at our firm thinking about this as well, what does your ideal client persona look like. How do you think about an opportunity though that differs from that persona? So, it’s great. Obviously, everybody, it’s easy, you get somebody who’s your perfect prospect, they walk in the front door, sign me up. But when you get something that’s not down the fairway for you, is it just I evaluate it on a one-off basis or are you super disciplined to that approach because it’s who your firm is? Michael Smith: I truly haven’t given that a whole lot of thought but I will tell you how I would handle that because I am handling it with some one-offs. I like the opportunity because you’re stretching your brain in that you’re thinking about how somebody else is reacting so you’d never know. So, I like it from a learning perspective but I also know it comes with a lot of other baggage, I’ll call it baggage, because, all of a sudden, they want to short the market, they want to go long-short strategies. So, all of a sudden, they’re not in our niche and, all of a sudden, they’re taking a lot of time, they’re draining our time so I think you got to be very careful about what you wish for. And there’s a lot of great advisors out there that will walk circles around these topics that I’m like, “Okay, I would rather refer somebody so they get the right experience than give them the wrong experience.” Jason Diamond: I absolutely love that answer. The bow you just put on it, I think, is the appropriate way in my mind to put a bow. At the end of the day, wouldn’t you rather service somebody more optimally even if you don’t believe it’s yourself, I agree with that. I want to ask you one more point on the client service piece. I was playing around on your website and, on your service model, you have health as a component of the client experience of your diagram. Why do you think health matters in a financial context? Michael Smith: I always believed in a healthy mind and a healthy body will bring so much joy to you and I think health is just part of your persona. If you don’t take care of yourself and your body and your mind, then it doesn’t matter what I do, I think you got to start with health. So, I’m very big on the executive physicals, I routinely require all of our staff to have an annual physical. And, again, they’re young people but you got to have these annual … I live and breathe going to see a doctor every year to do my annual physical, not because I think I’m pretty good health, I still run, I do a lot of things but I think your life starts with being healthy. Jason Diamond: Yeah, it’s refreshing to hear that, no doubt. It’s funny to think about but 2019 is a long time ago now and, in RIA world, I almost think of it like dog years. You’ve been around the block now for a little while so I’m curious how have you seen this space change since you launched in 2019? Michael Smith: In 2019, I didn’t know what I was doing, I could barely get out a wet paper bag but I do think it’s changed dramatically. I would say the biggest thing I’ve seen in just the six and a half, almost seven years is the rise of the mega RIAs and how they’re going to shape the industry. Everyone talked about fee compression at Merrill Lynch. When I was at Merrill, we talked about fee compression, then they talked about robo-advisors and now they’re talking about artificial intelligence replacing advisors, I don’t believe that and I don’t think that’s going to happen in the RIA space. What I see the RIA space maturing is into these very big mega firms as well as these independent RIAs like myself that serve a very niche market where we can walk in our lane. The ability to transact today is so much easier as an RIA than it was at a wirehouse as well because we have instant access to technology. My military background, my Navy background says make a decision right, wrong or different, if you don’t like it afterwards or you get new data, course change. So, in our industry, we can change on a notice. I hired a tech firm last year, I didn’t like the experience nine months into it, guess what, they’re not coming back. So, I can do that but you can’t do that at the bigger firms and even the bigger mega firms would have a hard time navigating a change just like that on a dime. Jason Diamond: You bring up an interesting point. To the extent you face competition, do you find yourself competing more against traditional wirehouse type firms or RIAs like yourself, mega caps RIAs? Are your clients attuned to any of this? Michael Smith: That’s an observation I haven’t thought of either there, Jason. I would say I don’t feel that I have a … I know there’s competition out there but we have a growth issue more than we have anything else so I don’t … I can’t take on the clients that want to become my clients so I’m not competing with people too much. Jason Diamond: A capacity issue, you mean? Michael Smith: Yeah, I have a capacity issue. Jason Diamond: I think you’re not alone in that. How can I even think about competition and the like when … A lot of advisors would probably say that. I want to talk more about the capacity situation but, before I do, let’s talk a little more about the RIA setup. Who do you custody with, remind us, and why or how did you arrive at that decision? Michael Smith: Yeah. So, when I launched, I went with Schwab, Schwab is a phenomenal partner, they helped me get a lot of stuff done, I couldn’t have done it without Schwab. During the pandemic, I realized that I should probably … So, remember, during the pandemic, we had a lot of issues with the banking industry, it was almost like a financial crisis but in a very compressed time. So, during the COVID, I decided to add Fidelity as another custodian so now I have two custodians and I opened accounts on both sides of the house but I like the custodians that are there to help you, they’re very good at what they do. I don’t even consider them a competitor and they aren’t competitors, they have their own branch so I don’t consider them competitors, I think they’re my partners and both Charles Schwab and Fidelity are good partners. Jason Diamond: Yeah, I think that’s the healthy way to look at the custody relationship. That’s a very common approach, I think, is launching with one custodian and then adding a secondary custodian or a tertiary custodian down the line for one reason or another so I appreciate you sharing that because we get those types of nuts and bolts questions a lot so I figured I’d ask you. One last question on the setup and then we’ll shift gears. Has anything been a negative? So, you talked about leaving Mother Merrill behind and, Mother Merrill, we use it facetiously but obviously it implies a degree of comfort and the homeland so I’m curious if you miss anything. Michael Smith: I miss the camaraderie of being with a bunch of other folks. I mentioned this when I first launched, I mentioned it year over year with my team, the one thing that we miss as an RIA and, again, Dynasty has their benefits as well and the mega RIAs have their benefits but, if you’re a true independent like myself, we get to go to conferences that we want to and that’s a timing issue, really, a time constraint. But one thing Merrill and Morgan, JPMorgan, and the other big wirehouses have as well as the megas, they have the ability to put conferences together for their advisors or their administrators and have this education. That’s the one thing that, I think, would evolve in the RIA industry in the future as well. They’re not my competitors, they’re my business colleagues. And if we think of them as competitors, and a lot of people do because I don’t want to share my client information or what I do with my competitor because they may steal them, if you’re that insecure, then you’re probably not the right advisor in the first place. Jason Diamond: I don’t disagree with that. It’s interesting too, I hear two common answers to that question, not about Merrill but just about somebody who’s broken away, what do you miss about the captive firm world. Either on this podcast or just in conversations with advisors, brand comes up a lot and then the point you just raised. I’ll even hear like, “Hey, forget the conferences and the trainings, just being able to have an office where I’ve got eight other advisors on a row for me, it’s a little bit of a different setup than in the independent space,” and I think that’s just a reality of you take the good with the bad. And for other advisors, by the way, one of the things I want to ask you about to this point is do you believe that there are advisors that are just better served in the W2 traditional firm world or do you think that every advisor should be looking at the RIA space? Michael Smith: I think that wirehouse serves a great purpose and- Jason Diamond: Okay, me too. Michael Smith: … there’s a lot of great people that are great advisors in that wirehouse, they need the structure. What I hadn’t alluded to is, and I mentioned this to a former manager from Merrill Lynch of mine just recently, actually, I was like, “I don’t think advisors realize what it takes to run a business.” I’m not trying to sugarcoat it, running an RIA is hard work, it takes a lot of your time day in and day out to run a business as well as taking care of and servicing your clients so I do think the wirehouse venue is the right way to go. And, Jason, I want to go back to one other thing about your identity. I launched as the Smith Group because that’s what I was known at Merrill Lynch. Within three or four months, I changed that name to a firm because I did not want to be associated with it. So, when you’re at one of the wirehouses, you’re known as your team name or something of that sort, I didn’t want to be known as that, I wanted to be known as Emerald Advisors not the Smith Group because, all of a sudden, you have a single point of failure. So, brand identity, it’s not so unique inside the wirehouse because it’s a team name versus Merrill or Morgan Stanley or something like that. Jason Diamond: It’s a good segue because I’ll tell you where my mind goes when you bring that up. My mind goes is you’re smart in a way that you might not even realize or maybe you do realize which is that, if and when it ever comes time to sell this business, it is probably more valuable without your name attached to it or maybe not. But in some way, shape or form, as an RIA, you have an obligation to be thinking about that or it’s probably on your radar, maybe not an obligation. Have you given an ounce of thought to M&A either acquiring businesses, growing in that way or, ultimately, when you succeed out of this business and what the RIA space enables you to do? Michael Smith: To answer that question, yes. Everyone’s thinking about merger and acquisition, I think about succession planning from day one. I actually thought about I’m a big team person, I come from the submarine force where everyone is a key player on a submarine, every single person has a job and responsibility on a nuclear submarine. So, inside the financial services industry, I know Merrill Lynch was very big on teaming, I understand Morgan Stanley is as well because teaming gives them a breadth of responsibility where the responsibilities are shared. So, mergers and acquisitions or selling my business, I think, if you’re not thinking about that … And I’m not thinking about selling my business because that’s a distraction to me. If I needed the money, then I would’ve went to a wirehouse and that’s okay, you monetize your life’s work. Today, I’m all about what’s right for the client, what’s right for my team and what’s right for where I want to be in the next 10 to 20 years. So, I am growing, I do want to grow, I’m looking at opening offices in probably three locations in the next 24 months or so. Jason Diamond: Well, that’s what I was going to say, plenty of advisors I think would say the same, I have a lot of runway. But what about the other side of this equation which is you’ve had tremendous organic growth, you’ve tripled your client base, you’ve more than tripled the asset base, have you thought about acquisition as a mean to jet fuel the inorganic growth side of things? Michael Smith: I have but not in the typical sense that you’re looking at as buying a book of business. I want to partner with like-minded advisors that share that common thread of taking care of clients where you can serve as their trusted counsel and sit in the meetings with their attorneys and sit in the meetings with the accountants and give them sage counsel that you can only do because you’ve been with the family for 20 years. You know this family and that, not always, but I think that’s missed a lot in other firms. Jason Diamond: Yeah, I think that’s fair. I just thought of something else that you brought up. You brought Dynasty so I’m going to ask … I’m going to pull on this thread. That implies to me that you’re at least loosely aware of the supportive independence models that are out there yet you chose a very independent, autonomous path, why? Michael Smith: Because I didn’t know what I was doing. Jason Diamond: Fair. Michael Smith: Let’s be honest, I like Dynasty, I talked with Dynasty when I left. I talked to them all, I talked to Rockefeller, I talked to Morgan, I talked to Dynasty and then, when push came to shove, I wanted to be Mike Smith and launch my own firm and learn. And I will tell you, you learn drinking through a fire hose and we did that, we learned, I know the mistakes. What I didn’t want to do is just go to someplace where this is the stuff you’re going to have to use. So, I think Dynasty is a great launching platform, I think there’s other ones out there that are similar to Dynasty or the Rockefellers or the Morgans, it’s truly what you’re trying to achieve in life. What do you want for you and your clients and I always put my clients before me because I’ve always had this lifelong thing of, you do the right thing, you’re going to get taken care of. Jason Diamond: Yeah. And that’s a very common analysis, by the way, and it’s very common too for big advisors like yourself to say I did my homework across all of those different categories. I looked at the traditional wirehouses and regional firms and boutique firms, I looked at the independent broker dealers, I looked at the support platforms and the aggregators and the roll-ups and here’s ultimately what I landed on and why. Did you always know that though or was that something that it took you a diligence process to figure out? There was plenty of advisors, by the way, who come to us and they’re like, “I knew for the last five years that I was sitting there I was launching an RIA someday.” Michael Smith: Yeah. I did not know that and, to be honest with you, hindsight, I think one of those partners probably could have made me a little bit better at first because then I could have focused on clients versus focusing on, hey, how to open a business, who’s your technology … We talked about custodians and some other things but we didn’t talk about technology, how do you go find that technology. Where’s your email address come from? Who’s your chief compliance officer? When it resides on you, you got to look in the mirror. So, I think those parties out there that provide that for brand-new advisors launching could be very beneficial. I had in my mind what I needed to do and I knew I’m very frugal so mine boiled down to how much money I wanted to spend, to be honest with you. Jason Diamond: I think it is a cost benefit analysis, it is. It’s absolutely … Because if you list the functions of a support platform on paper and you showed it to somebody who didn’t know the industry, they would say, “Why on earth wouldn’t you do this? They’re taking off your plate compliance and tech and custody and the like,” and the answer is because there’s a cost associated with it and plenty of advisors decide what you decide, I wanted … Or I just wanted a greater degree of autonomy and freedom, to your point, the name on the door piece, I wanted this to be mine. Michael Smith: And, Jason, I think it also goes to the uncertainty. I had never done anything since Navy, financial advising and then launching. So, for me, I was launching with four employees I had to take care of and here I was going to hire a third party that I was going to have to spend X amount on and I didn’t even know what my income was going to be. That’s different if you’re a multi-billion dollar FA coming out of a wirehouse, the monetary dynamics are different. Jason Diamond: Agreed. Okay, here’s a good one for you. We get this concept from advisors, from firms, from private equity that a billion dollars in assets is like this magic number in our industry. Do you feel like anything’s changed now that you’re at a billion and what’s the next chapter for Emerald Advisors? Is it just continuing on this steady trajectory and serving clients and trust that everything else comes with that? Michael Smith: I go back and forth on a billion, everyone thinks that’s the right number, the biggest number that you need but I think it’s just an arbitrary numbers because it didn’t define who I was. And a lot of people define success at a billion, they define success that you’re a successful firm at a billion. I think I was a successful firm at 300 million, I was a successful financial advisor with 20 clients in 2005. I would say a billion is a multiplier, what I would tell new advisors out there today is gather assets. The more assets you have, the more revenue you generate. The more revenue you generate, the more money you can put in your pocket which means the longer you can stay in the industry. The problem with the industry is an attrition problem, not anything else. So, assets just give us the ability to have revenue which gives us the ability to grow. Jason Diamond: And is that the plan? Keep adding assets, keep growing one client at a time with the focus though, obviously, on what makes you which is a very client-centric service model. Michael Smith: Correct. There’s a lot of things I want to do in the next couple of years and expanding our footprint is our biggest one with the right partners and then just keep adding. I have a business development officer that I’m probably offer a job to here pretty soon and things are going well. Jason Diamond: Yeah, that’s great. You mentioned the tech stack and the other components of the business and I hear you on the frugal cost-benefit analysis. But who did you turn to for some of those early decisions, was it Schwab primarily who helped hold your hand through that? Michael Smith: Schwab was very good at helping me identify the tech stack at first and the tech stack is actually the one consistent, there’s a lot of things I’ve been consistent on but tech is one that I’ve stayed with them. I launched with RightSize, now they’re Advisory, they’re very good, they do the right job for us and I’m big on cybersecurity. So, tech was helpful from Schwab, Schwab helped us with that. Jason Diamond: So, we spoke a little bit about your naval experience but, I’m curious, can you tell us how has your naval experience shaped your perception or your experience in wealth management? Michael Smith: My Navy path was a lot different than many officers. I served 12 years as an enlisted person before I got my direct commission as a Mustang officer, typically called limited duty officers or loud, dumb and obnoxious as I like to say. But that experience gave me a unique perspective because I was able to be the enlisted side and officer which are the workers and then the management side so I had both experiences which was unique. When I was commissioned, Admiral Jerry Ellis, a submarine admiral that commissioned me, heard this lesson to the podium, he was just talking about me in this point but he said, “There are three kinds of people in every organization. You have rowboat people who need to be pushed, you have sailboat people who move whenever the conditions are favorable and then there’s steamboat people, they move continuously through calm or storm.” And he said, “This is Ensign Michael Smith,” he said, “Make your course.” And that’s always stood with me because you do have those three types of people in life. You got people that are just … They’re robo people, they go until they get tired. You got sailboat people that go wherever the wind blows them and then you got steamboat people that chart their own course. I would say for advisors out there make your course or just be happy with what you’re doing. But for some of us hard chargers, I think that analogy has stayed with me my entire career. Jason Diamond: It’s fantastic. I love the analogy, great naval tie in also. Thanks for sharing that. We got time for one more question. You have a fascinating background, a fascinating path to the industry, obviously, an incredibly disciplined approach around client service, any parting thoughts, words of wisdom especially as it relates to growth? That’s what strikes me most about your story is the growth that your move unlocked and that’s what every advisor who listens to our show is looking for. Michael Smith: I’m going to give another plug to Schwab on this. We actually were fortunate and I got their consulting group to come in right afterwards and I’m a big believer in having offsite. So, I’ve had an offsite, two offsites a year for my team and it’s the entire team unlike the wirehouses where you don’t take your admins and stuff like that. I take my entire team to an offsite and we group up on what we’re trying to achieve and have goals and objectives for the year. Schwab allowed us to use their consultants and we came up with our ideal client persona. Teams or firms that have this model become high performing. When you become high performing, growth becomes the outcome. I couldn’t do anything but grow. Jason, I couldn’t not grow because I had this ideal client persona, I knew how I was going to do it, it was measurable. So, growth becomes the outcome and, if you hold people responsible, then we’re all going to grow together and it’s a fun outcome. Jason Diamond: Fantastic, it’s a great place to end. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us, I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for Emerald, this has been a lot of fun. Michael Smith: Jason, thank you so much. I appreciate everything you do for the industry as well. Mindy Diamond: As a financial advisor, you hold yourself to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and credibility. You are successful because you take your professional responsibility seriously and are dedicated to your clients. But are you living your best business life? Are your goals aligned with your firms or could a better option exist? Should I Stay or Should I Go? Is a book written with you in mind? It’s a self-guided journey that walks you through the key steps that we take with our advisor clients. This strategic thought process and roadmap to professional self-discovery is designed to help you ask the right questions and think critically and objectively whether you’re considering change or not. Learn how to get your copy at diamond-consultants.com/thebook. From “Overservicing” Clients to Building a $1B RIA: A Merrill Breakaway Story A conversation with Jason Diamond and Michael Smith, Managing Partner and Founder of Emerald Advisors.      Jason Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is From “Overservicing” Clients to Building a $1B RIA: A Merrill Breakaway Story. It’s a conversation with Michael Smith, managing partner and founder of Emerald Advisors. I’m Jason Diamond and this is the Diamond Podcast for financial advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned and, each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education driven and based on building relationships starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at (908) 879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual advisor transition report. It’s the award-winning, data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Jason Diamond: Growth is often viewed as the result of better marketing, stronger referrals, a larger team and even acquisition and that’s all true yet growth can be the byproduct of something else entirely. For example, Michael Smith built a successful practice at Merrill then, one day, he was told he was spending too much time with his clients, or his management put it over-servicing clients. For Michael, that wasn’t a warning sign about his approach, it was a signal that he might have outgrown the firm and the model. Today, Michael is the founder and managing partner of Emerald Advisors, the independent RIA he launched in late 2019 with roughly 385 million in assets and 85 client relationships. Less than seven years later, the firm has grown to more than a billion in assets while remaining deeply focused on a highly-specialized client base and an unusually hands-on service model. What makes this story particularly interesting isn’t just the growth, it’s the thinking behind it. Michael’s perspective was shaped long before he entered wealth management. After serving more than two decades in the Navy, he brought a leadership philosophy centered on accountability, discipline and what he calls steamboat people, those who keep moving forward regardless of conditions, that mindset continues to influence how he builds his team, serves clients and evaluates opportunities. In this episode, we discuss the decision to leave Merrill, the realities of launching a fully independent RIA, why specialization can accelerate growth, the evolving role of custodians and technology and why he believes exceptional client service remains one of the industry’s most durable competitive advantages. Because Michael’s experience suggests that growth isn’t always the result of finding more opportunities, sometimes it’s the result of creating the freedom to execute the vision you already had so let’s jump in. Michael, thank you so much for joining us today. For starters, can you walk us through your background and what brought you to the world of wealth management? Michael Smith: Jason, thank you so much for the opportunity to be here today, I do listen to the podcast a lot especially before I left Mother Merrill. But my background and how I got into financial services is really distinct because I was on the board of JDRF back in the day and the national sponsor for JDRF was UBS PaineWebber and they’re like, “Mike, why don’t you be a financial advisor?” And my master’s degree was actually a finance and accounting in portfolio management because I’ve managed my own portfolio for years and years and so, when I couldn’t get a job, I just fell into it because I couldn’t get a job and I needed a job. That was 21 years ago, Memorial Day so that’s how I got into this industry. Jason Diamond: It’s a unique background, it’s super interesting and I want to talk more about it. You mentioned Mother Merrill, we’ll certainly get there. Before we do, give us a little bit of context on the current business you operate, Emerald Advisors, any context you can share on size, number of staff, types of clients you serve would be great. Michael Smith: Sure. So, we launched Emerald in 2019, November 2019 with about 85 clients and you always talk about this on the podcast how scared it is to launch and go independent. And I would say we took over about 95% of our clients that we wanted to bring over and today we’re at about 230 clients, I think we have some onboarding right now, we have just over a billion of assets. So, we launched with the 85 clients and around 350, 385 million, now we’re over a billion. Jason Diamond: Good for you. Michael Smith: Thank you. And I launched with four employees and we’re now at 11. And I would give a shout-out to one of my key employees because, when I launched, I actually hired somebody that had no experience with us and that was really a good thing because that allowed that person to really focus on operations and back office stuff while my business partner Emily and I were able to focus on bringing on the clients and alleviating any issues that they may have or thought. Jason Diamond: So, meaning you hired somebody basically immediately upon launch to help you with the transition and with this next chapter? Michael Smith: Correct. I hired them before but they started the day we launched. Jason Diamond: Brilliant, I love it. Oh, let’s definitely talk more about that because I think that’s a great strategy for … You’re right, you said it in a joking manner now because you’re seven years past but it’s a very real fear that advisors have and I think it’s worth talking more about. I want to mention too you have, obviously, built this business and grown this business dramatically. I don’t want to make this episode about the pandemic but you moved the business at a, certainly, a unique time. Did it impact your growth at all? Did you feel like you hit a brick wall? Just curious about your thoughts. Michael Smith: No, Jason, that’s a great observation. I would venture to say that the pandemic was actually a good thing for us. Jason Diamond: Interesting. Michael Smith: And I say that because, all of a sudden, you could hit pause because everyone was relearning how to do business, how do we do client reviews, how do we communicate with clients in a environment. So, I think the pandemic allowed us to just really reset our expectations visiting with clients because I used to fly a lot because I have clients in 38 different states so this has actually been, not just good for me, but good for the industry because I think it’s reset our expectations that we don’t have to be every day with a client facing. Jason Diamond: I agree with that largely and it’s true of our business too, by the way, it’s certainly reshaped the way people expect to be communicated with. I think Zoom has become much more mainstream, phone calls and we’ve heard from many other advisors who say something similar. I was just curious because you moved so close to or if there was an impact but I get, honestly, I think you’re right, it allowed you to have this nice natural inflection point and almost like flipping a switch of a clean slate. Michael Smith: It allowed us to learn the processes too. So, we launched in November 1st, by March we were in lockdown and so it gave us the opportunity to take several months of just learning the processes of how to be an RIA, it was pretty good. Jason Diamond: Absolutely. So, one of the things you mentioned in that was the way in which you serve clients and I’d read something funny and I think it was around the time of your move. You were talking about that, Merrill, you had a manager who spoke about that you would overserve your clients, you serve clients too much, tell me about that. Michael Smith: That was such an interesting topic because I got called down to the ops officer’s office and they’re like, “Ugh, Mike.” And it brought my admin down with me and they’re like, “Mike, these reports that you’re taking care of your clients too much,” and I’m like, “What do you mean?” “Well, you’re overservicing them.” Jason, I literally had to go back and Google the word overservicing because I was like, “How do you overservice the client? I’m not making their bed.” It was just so funny to me that I got counsel for overservicing clients when we’re in a client-facing job and I think that was part of the catalyst. Jason Diamond: Tell me more about what they meant, you think. Michael Smith: Hindsight, I think they … I like to take care of people which means I’m very intuitive towards taxes, I understand how the tax code works, I understand how everything impacts their bottom line. So, when we’re doing deferred comp enrollments or 401(k) enrollments or I’m a big believer in Roth 401(k)s and backdoor Roths and I’ve been doing them for years, I think what Mother Merrill wanted at that time was us not to do that. And, again, nothing against Merrill, I get it but this is how they wanted us to act and I wasn’t in that mold, I was taking care of clients to a much deeper depth is how I would say it. Jason Diamond: And I think that speaks to you outgrew the model not necessarily the firm. I think Merrill does a lot of things really well, you would agree with that, I think given that you built 85 clients and 350 million in assets is nothing to sneeze at. But the model that it seems like you value client service and an integrated client service experience of that and the wirehouse model oftentimes doesn’t put a premium on that. Tell me about your ethos or your thoughts around client service today and what being independent enables you to do. Michael Smith: So, that’s an interesting observation because one of my clients actually just mentioned to me that the reason we’re growing so much is because of our service model and the fact that we deliver a tremendous amount of value over just portfolio management. I said my managers is in portfolio management, I don’t do that any longer, I have a staff that handles that for me but it’s really the servicing of the clients because they don’t know what we know and I think servicing the client is the most important thing that we can do today. Jason Diamond: Give me some examples of what you mean by servicing the client in a more holistic way. I agree with you, by the way, portfolio management, table stakes, financial planning, table stakes, tell me more about what you mean. Michael Smith: By that I mean we do a quarterly review on tax. So, a lot of people don’t understand how taxes work and how estimated taxes work. So, estimated taxes are January 1st to March 31st, January 1st to May 31st, January 1st to August 31st, that’s how you do your estimated tax payments, you figure out what that is. And for compensated employees where they have RSUs that come in at different times of the year or different grants or exercise their options at a different time, that can affect their estimated tax liability and I’m not big on giving Uncle Sam any more money than they have to have until they need it. And then everyone doesn’t understand how the penalties and interest works on the IRS. And I’m big on the tax payments because that’s where we can add a lot of value for not a lot of time and we integrate it with our portfolio so we know what we’re doing with our gains. And I happen to reside in Washington State which has a long-term capital gains tax rate once you surpass about 270,000 of long-term capital gains. So, it’s super important for us to be aware of this and that’s how we service them. We also help them with their rebalancing of their 401(k)s, things that wirehouses cannot supposed to do, we are not supposed to be helping them with some of their aspects of life. Jason Diamond: Yup. That’s what I was alluding to earlier, it’s limitations on the model, not because they’re bad models, it’s just a different way, a different ethos around client service. You mentioned RSUs and corporate employees, I know that’s a niche you have is around concentrated stock positions and equity comp plans. I guess let me ask you two different questions around this. First of all, why that niche? Interested. And then, second of all, do you think

We got one of People Magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive" - Brian Michael Smith - on Black Fat Femme this week, and we get into discussions about authentic trans narratives, wanting more mediocrity (?!?), and the power of tranformative storytelling. From The L Word: Generation Q and 9-1-1: Lone Star, to his advocacy in film and television, Brian breaks down his journey from sports star to TV star while your favorite cohosts share their hot takes about parasocial relationships, being paid more for less, and some of the "hidden figures" in trans history. We want to hear from you! Send us an email with your thoughts/comments about the show: BlackFatFemmePod@gmail.com. Also, don’t forget to watch and subscribe on YouTube! Buy DoctorJonPaul's book here! Follow the show on social: Instagram | BlueSky | Threads | Tik-Tok | Facebook Follow DoctorJonPaul: BlueSky | Instagram | Website | Tik-Tok Follow Jordan: Instagram | Website | Tik-Tok Follow Brian: Instagram | Website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this insightful interview, Michael Smith shares his journey from investment banking to creating an alternative education platform focused on private equity, real estate, and wealth-building strategies rooted in faith and clarity. Discover frameworks like the Dominion Framework, the importance of stewardship, and practical investment tips to elevate your financial game.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

What do shoppers actually want in 2026? Do brand vibe, culture, and ethos matter more than the clothes? Is experience-based fashion just better marketing? And what does “integrated fashion” look like when your wardrobe is built around music, sports, clubs, video games, vintage, coffee shops, and the internet?On this episode of Pair of Kings, Sol Thompson and Michael Smith break down the largest survey they've run on fashion preferences, shopping habits, and taste: 1,500+ responses on how people look for, select and justify clothing today. The duo use the season's thesis of “integrated fashion” to interrogate why brand culture matters, how shoppers decide between buying piece-by-piece vs building a full aesthetic, why brand storytelling still works, and what makes a fashion brand captivating enough to hold an audience.We get into Rick Owens, Kozaburo, Rolling Dub Trio, Lost Control cowboy boots, Undercover, Comme des Garçons, Celine, Hedi Slimane, CC41 wartime tailoring, vintage band tees, Bruce Springsteen shirts, KMFDM, Electronic Research Department / ERD, Daft Punk, and controversy-driven fashion marketing.Sol and Michael also discuss Everlane's sale to Shein, sustainability fatigue, ethical fashion, cost per wear, quality vs longevity, resale liquidity, wardrobe economics, consumer inequality, and why the modern fashion industry is selling lifestyles as much as clothing. Further, they ask what sparks the desire to buy: Honey Dijon at Coachella, Saturday Night Fever, The Batman motorcycle jackets, FKA twigs, Interplanetary Criminal, video games, old magazines, X-Files tees, Julian Carter, and archive fashion grails.Other topics include: NYC summer style, Havaianas and flip-flop discourse, Birkenstocks without socks, finance guys in Lululemon khakis and On Running shoes, Kangol hats, men's matching sets, white jeans, World Cup style, vintage soccer jerseys, Newcastle kits, Nike Total 90s, Puma Speedcats, Big Red Boots, brand pop-ups, shock drops, fashion coffee shops, Instagram style discovery, raves, punk shows, clubs, flea markets, Harajuku, Santee Alley, gay clubs, furries, online fashion communities, The Devil Wears Prada 2, whether good marketing can compensate for bad clothes. We hope you enjoy just as much as we did recording.Lots of love!Sol---Episode Tags: fashion podcast 2026, integrated fashion, fashion survey, menswear, streetwear, high fashion, archive fashion, shopping habits, brand culture, experience-based fashion, Rick Owens, Kozaburo, Everlane Shein, sustainable fashion, vintage fashion, World Cup jerseys, Nike Total 90, Puma Speedcat, Celine #fashion #fashionpodcast #rickowens #archivefashion TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 — Intro: 1,300+ Person Integrated Fashion Survey 1:09 — Sol & Michael Introduce the Episode 1:53 — New York Summer Fashion and the Style Reset 2:23 — Fit Check: Birkenstocks, Kapital Denim & Vintage Bruce Springsteen Tee 6:37 — KMFDM Shirt, Vintage T-Shirt Care & Washing Old Tees 7:14 — ERD Daft Punk Shirt, Vintage Resale & Controversial Fashion Marketing 11:42 — NYC Summer Style: Flip-Flops, Havaianas & Birkenstocks 16:27 — Finance Guy Fits: On Running, Lululemon Khakis & No-Show Socks 18:07 — Kangol Hats, Lower East Side Trends & One-Weekend Menswear Fads 20:22 — Matching Sets and Summer 2026 Menswear Predictions 21:16 — White Jeans, Vintage Soccer Jerseys & World Cup Style 25:05 — Everlane, Shein and the Future of Ethical Fashion 26:29 — Sustainability Fatigue and Rick Owens Sustainable Cotton 27:23 — Consumer Economics: Who Fashion Brands Actually Sell To 29:15 — AI Data Centers, Consumption and Environmental Cost 31:10 — Fashion Survey Begins: How Young Shoppers Buy Clothes 32:07 — Do Brand Vibe, Culture and Ethos Matter? 32:44 — Rick Owens, Kozaburo and Buying Into Brand Worlds 35:17 — Wardrobe Building: Piece-by-Piece vs Full Aesthetic 36:06 — Rick Owens Harness Boots and Buying in a Vacuum 40:03 — UJ Militaria, CC41 Wartime Blazer & Archive Menswear 43:00 — Brand Storytelling: Undercover, Sustainability and Fashion Narrative 45:24 — What People Consider Before Buying Clothes 46:14 — Cost Per Wear Debate 50:15 — Sustainability, Ethics, Price, Fit, Resale Liquidity & Durability 52:16 — What Makes People Want to Buy Clothing? 52:41 — Honey Dijon, Coachella, Saturday Night Fever & Cultural Inspiration 56:09 — CDG, Archive Fashion and Mental Catalogs of Grails 56:42 — FKA Twigs, Interplanetary Criminal, Video Games & Fashion Inspiration 57:39 — Do Fashion Influencers Actually Influence Fashion People? 59:38 — The Batman, Motorcycle Jackets & Style Obsession 1:01:13 — Hedi Slimane's Celine “The Dancing Kid” Beanie 1:03:15 — Experience-Based Fashion: Drops, Pop-Ups, Coffee Shops & Activations 1:06:02 — Influencer Gifting, Clothing Waste & FOMO Marketing 1:08:41 — Big Red Boots, Puma Speedcats & Hype Products That Disappear 1:10:01 — Nike Total 90, Slim Soccer Sneakers & Footwear Trends 1:10:20 — Where People Experience Fashion: Raves, Flea Markets, Clubs & Coffee Shops 1:13:37 — Instagram as a Fashion Scene and Style Discovery Tool 1:17:44 — Clubs, Raves and the Anti-Commercial Fashion Scene 1:19:04 — Song of the Week 1:21:58 — The Devil Wears Prada 2, Fashion Movies & Reboot Culture 1:26:37 — Speed Racer, Style Nostalgia & Closing Thoughts 1:26:59 — Outro  #FashionPodcast, #Menswear, #Streetwear, #Fashion, #Style, #FashionCulture, #FashionCommunity, #FashionDiscussion, #FashionAnalysis, #FashionCommentary, #MensFashion, #MensStyle, #ArchiveFashion, #FashionArchive, #VintageFashion, #FashionHistory, #DesignerFashion, #LuxuryFashion, #FashionResearch, #FashionWriting, #IntegratedFashion, #FashionTheory, #FashionConsumer, #FashionShopping, #FashionTrends, #FashionIndustry, #FashionMarketing, #BrandCulture, #FashionConsumerBehavior, #FutureOfFashion, #RickOwens, #CommeDesGarcons, #Undercover, #HediSlimane Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

On this episode of our Checking in on the Checkoff series, hosts Bailey Watson and Michael Smith review spring Alabama Beef Checkoff activities, including stockyard visits, regional meetings, and youth programs. They also recap the Beef 101 series, the kickoff of YCLP Class XII, and a NASCAR partnership promotion at Talladega. The episode also highlights upcoming beef promotions, including summer grilling campaigns, and gives listeners a preview of what to expect at the 20th Annual AJCA Round-Up.

Was Dave Macklovitch right about the Hedi Boy revival? Is Hedi Slimane's skinny-jeans-and-leather-jacket universe bigger than fashion? And what happens to musicians when AI can make the record but not the room?Sol and Michael sit down with the podcast's favorite well-dressed unc, Dave Macklovitch of Chromeo, for his second episode and a proper apology tour after the 2025 Hedi Slimane craze proved him right. The trio explore the Hedi Boy phenomenon, Celine skinny jeans, Dior Homme codes, Saint Laurent leather jackets, indie sleaze, Grailed resellers, archive fashion, and why the looks that last are never just clothes—they come with music, photography, nightlife, diet, attitude, community, and a whole lifestyle system.Further, Dave connects that idea to Chromeo, explaining how the band built an 80s funk world through contrast rather than costume, why charisma still matters in the age of Suno AI and AI-generated music, and how the “human avatar” may become even more important as the back end gets automated.They also discuss Kid Cudi's “Day 'N' Nite,” Fool's Gold Records, the birth of modern emo rap, Lil Peep, Yung Lean, Clams Casino, Lil Uzi Vert, Geese, DJ Sneak, Daft Punk, Radiohead, Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and the strange grace we give artists after their best albums.On the fashion side, they talk Aimé Leon Dore as integrated fashion, Supreme and Dior Homme coffee machines, Rick Owens lifers, Tom Ford's symbolic universe, Haider Ackermann, Berluti cowboy boots, Soshiotsuki, Anthony Vaccarello, Demna at Gucci, Kozaburo, how to interact with Thom Browne on a budget, Balmain by Christophe Decarnin, moto denim, Saint Laurent patina, eBay archive finds, vintage Abercrombie, CDLP, DEVOA, Issey Miyake, and why brands that sell a world—not just a garment—keep winning. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did.Questions answered in this episode:- Why is Hedi Slimane influential?- What is a Hedi Boy?- Are skinny jeans coming back?- Why are Celine skinny jeans popular again?- What is integrated fashion?- Why do fashion brands sell lifestyle now?- What makes a brand universe successful?- How do music and fashion influence each other?- Why do Supreme, CELINE, Dior Homme, Saint Laurent, Rick Owens, and Tom Ford create such strong cultural identities?- How will AI music change musicians?- Will AI replace artists?- Why does charisma matter in live performance?- Why was Kid Cudi's “Day 'n' Nite” important?- Why is A$AP Rocky considered a fashion artist?- What makes archive fashion valuable?- How do Grailed, eBay, and Discogs shape taste?- What brands are exciting right now? Lots of love!Sol---Episode Tags: Dave Macklovitch, Dave 1, Chromeo, Pair of Kings, Hedi Slimane, Hedi Boys, Celine, Dior Homme, Saint Laurent, integrated fashion, fashion podcast, menswear podcast, archive fashion, indie sleaze, AI music, Suno AI, Kid Cudi, Day N Nite, Fool's Gold Records, A$AP Rocky, Rick Owens, Tom Ford, Haider Ackermann, Demna Gucci, Kozaburo, Soshiotsuki, Thom Browne, Balmain Decarnin, Grailed, vintage menswear#fashionpodcast #chromeo #hedislimane #celine #saintlaurent #diorSol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, sports media personality Michael Smith joined the Cubs for a Cure Radiothon to share his powerful story about his late wife's fight against cancer and the toll the terrible disease takes on a family; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Mully & Haugh Show to share insight on a few free agents who are still available who could be fits for the Bears; and Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to discuss the Cubs' recent struggles, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong's vulgar comment toward a fan and more.

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, sports media personality Michael Smith joined the Cubs for a Cure Radiothon to share his powerful story about his late wife's fight against cancer and the toll the terrible disease takes on a family; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Mully & Haugh Show to share insight on a few free agents who are still available who could be fits for the Bears; and Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to discuss the Cubs' recent struggles, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong's vulgar comment toward a fan and more.

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, sports media personality Michael Smith joined the Cubs for a Cure Radiothon to share his powerful story about his late wife's fight against cancer and the toll the terrible disease takes on a family; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Mully & Haugh Show to share insight on a few free agents who are still available who could be fits for the Bears; and Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to discuss the Cubs' recent struggles, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong's vulgar comment toward a fan and more.

Cubs for a Cure: Revisiting Michael Smith's powerful story of his wife's battle against cancer (Hour 18) full 2417 Fri, 22 May 2026 09:10:45 +0000 wiV8CvcVGusAVQgRqX4NENiuWNU0Weto sports Best of 104.3 The Score sports Cubs for a Cure: Revisiting Michael Smith's powerful story of his wife's battle against cancer (Hour 18) Best of 104.3 The Score Best of 104.3 The Score is a curated snapshot of the station at its best, delivering the standout moments Chicago sports fans don't want to miss. Featuring top interviews, expert commentary, and memorable segments from across the lineup, the podcast covers everything from Bears Sundays and Cubs summers to Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox headlines. Whether you're catching up or reliving the biggest conversations of the day, Best of 104.3 The Score brings the voices, stories, and debates that power Chicago sports talk into one easy listen. © 2026 Audacy, Inc. Sports

Cubs for a Cure: Michael Smith calls back in and more of your calls (Hour 14) full 3246 Fri, 22 May 2026 04:37:50 +0000 M2qPgiUiToMKG5ftysfkU3qCBFjVYmp0 sports Best of 104.3 The Score sports Cubs for a Cure: Michael Smith calls back in and more of your calls (Hour 14) Best of 104.3 The Score Best of 104.3 The Score is a curated snapshot of the station at its best, delivering the standout moments Chicago sports fans don't want to miss. Featuring top interviews, expert commentary, and memorable segments from across the lineup, the podcast covers everything from Bears Sundays and Cubs summers to Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox headlines. Whether you're catching up or reliving the biggest conversations of the day, Best of 104.3 The Score brings the voices, stories, and debates that power Chicago sports talk into one easy listen. © 2026 Audacy, Inc. Sports https://player.am

Cubs for a Cure: Michael Smith & Ian Happ get emotional remembering their loved ones (Hour 7) full 2784 Thu, 21 May 2026 22:19:32 +0000 zisNOYly8Lu3pklXmUCYPJib6NTvX3pV sports Best of 104.3 The Score sports Cubs for a Cure: Michael Smith & Ian Happ get emotional remembering their loved ones (Hour 7) Best of 104.3 The Score Best of 104.3 The Score is a curated snapshot of the station at its best, delivering the standout moments Chicago sports fans don't want to miss. Featuring top interviews, expert commentary, and memorable segments from across the lineup, the podcast covers everything from Bears Sundays and Cubs summers to Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox headlines. Whether you're catching up or reliving the biggest conversations of the day, Best of 104.3 The Score brings the voices, stories, and debates that power Chicago sports talk into one easy listen. © 2026 Audacy, Inc. Sports h

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3566: Michael Smith shows how quickly unchecked credit fraud can unravel someone's career opportunities, insurance costs, and peace of mind, and how persistence, organization, and vigilance helped rebuild both financial stability and confidence. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2015/01/02/the-price-of-inattenton/ Quotes to ponder: "She unwound a horrible situation, worked her way out of it by spending hours fixing it and documenting every conversation she had and she now feels invincible financially." "My take away from her case is that we must all be aware of what is going on in our financial life." "If we fail to pay attention, it's possible for bad things to be happening beneath the surface." Episode references: Credit Karma: https://www.creditkarma.com Credit Sesame: https://www.creditsesame.com Annual Credit Report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3566: Michael Smith shows how quickly unchecked credit fraud can unravel someone's career opportunities, insurance costs, and peace of mind, and how persistence, organization, and vigilance helped rebuild both financial stability and confidence. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2015/01/02/the-price-of-inattenton/ Quotes to ponder: "She unwound a horrible situation, worked her way out of it by spending hours fixing it and documenting every conversation she had and she now feels invincible financially." "My take away from her case is that we must all be aware of what is going on in our financial life." "If we fail to pay attention, it's possible for bad things to be happening beneath the surface." Episode references: Credit Karma: https://www.creditkarma.com Credit Sesame: https://www.creditsesame.com Annual Credit Report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3565: Michael Smith shares the unsettling story of a woman whose trust was shattered after her fiancé secretly stole her identity and destroyed her credit. As the truth unraveled, she faced emotional devastation, mounting debt, and a complicated recovery process that ultimately sparked a remarkable personal transformation. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2015/01/02/the-price-of-inattenton/ Quotes to ponder: "The fun part for me was getting updates on her progress and seeing the change in her voice, posture and energy level as things got better." "The worst part of that was that the perpetrator was her fiancé, who is now an ex-fiancé with a warrant out for his arrest." "Telling a complete stranger (me) that story took incredible bravery on her part and she was emotionally drained after telling me how she got into that situation." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 56 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith welcomes Jewel Middle School special education teachers Mia Gianfrancesco and Heather Van Lear for a conversation about mentorship, relationships, and supporting students with diverse needs. Mia, a second-year teacher in a self-contained classroom, and Heather, a veteran educator and mentor teacher, reflect on the connection they've built through the district's teacher induction program and how that support system helps new-to-SD129-educators grow with confidence. The episode also offers an inside look at the different roles special education teachers play in supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about collaboration, growth, and the relationships that help both students and teachers thrive in West Aurora School District 129.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3565: Michael Smith shares the unsettling story of a woman whose trust was shattered after her fiancé secretly stole her identity and destroyed her credit. As the truth unraveled, she faced emotional devastation, mounting debt, and a complicated recovery process that ultimately sparked a remarkable personal transformation. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2015/01/02/the-price-of-inattenton/ Quotes to ponder: "The fun part for me was getting updates on her progress and seeing the change in her voice, posture and energy level as things got better." "The worst part of that was that the perpetrator was her fiancé, who is now an ex-fiancé with a warrant out for his arrest." "Telling a complete stranger (me) that story took incredible bravery on her part and she was emotionally drained after telling me how she got into that situation." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who was Stanley DeSantis? Why is a 2004 Slipknot tee selling for $2,000? And what does a Daft Punk Roulette residency shirt have to do with how fashion brands sell you a lifestyle in 2026?Sol Thompson and Michael Smith return from their Neuehouse live recording for Episode 3 of Pair of Kings Season 14, continuing the season's deep dive into integrated fashion — the symbiotic loop where brands, hobbies, and ephemera matter more than the clothes. This week the boys go solo on the post-COVID explosion of the vintage band tee resale market and the story of Stanley DeSantis, the late character actor turned licensing impresario whose 90s company Passing For Sane made some of the most collectible all-over print T-shirts ever: X-Files, Aeon Flux, Spawn, Wizard of Oz, Speed Racer, Beavis and Butt-Head, Gone With the Wind, Pink Panther, Independence Day. The man licensed everything.Sol and Michael unpack why vintage T-shirts became fashion's most contested asset class: NYC's 8x vintage multiplier, why Slipknot Iowa-era merch and Daft Punk Vegas Roulette tees command four-figure resale on eBay and Whatnot, single stitch vs. double stitch hems, and the rodent-brain instinct of saving a Dub Tribe Sound System eBay search for years. They revisit the Miu Miu Literary Club through intellectual signaling (Simone de Beauvoir, Fumiko Enchi), the Aimé Leon Dore x Porsche 993 Turbo collab, defend RRL as American integrated fashion's original blueprint, and confront the imposter syndrome of wearing someone else's faded jeans.Other topics: Hedi Slimane Dior Homme resale gatekeeping, Charlie XCX Pop 2 merch as a future grail, the $3,700 Lady Gaga Schott Perfecto, why Akira and Ghost in the Shell tees became NFTs from first principles, scenecore and metalcore history (Suicide Silence, Dance Gavin Dance, The Used, Odd Future), Graceland Ridgewood, Rick Birkenstocks, and a moment for the goat — Stanley DeSantis, 1953–2005.Brought to you by ScentSplit. Tune in next week for a conversation on the artist as avatar.Lots of love!SolTags: Stanley DeSantis, Passing For Sane, vintage band tees, 90s licensed apparel, all over print t-shirts, integrated fashion, Pair of Kings podcast, fashion podcast 2026, menswear podcast, Slipknot Iowa shirt, Daft Punk Roulette, Hedi Slimane Dior Homme, Lady Gaga Fame Monster, Charlie XCX Pop 2, Aimé Leon Dore Porsche, Miu Miu Literary Club, RRL, Aeon Flux shirt, X-Files vintage, Ghost in the Shell tee, NYC vintage multiplier, Graceland Ridgewood, scenecore, archive fashion, ephemera fashionSol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

When musician Michael Smith couldn't find an audience for his music, he manufactured it. By unleashing thousands of bots to listen to thousands of fake AI-generated songs on Spotify and other platforms, Smith earned millions in royalties before getting caught.Resources:North Carolina Musician Charged with Music Streaming Fraud Aided by Artificial Intelligence — U.S. Department of JusticeNorth Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Music Streaming Fraud Aided by Artificial Intelligence — U.S. Department of JusticeIndictment: United States v. Michael Smith — U.S. Department of Justice PDFSpotify says it now has more than 100 million songsSpotify Q4 2025 Earnings ReportAlthough the songs and listeners were fake, the millions of dollars Smith stole was real — MusicRadarSpotify's fake artists problem gets weirder with AI-generated albums — The VergeArtificial Streaming — Spotify for ArtistsHow Royalties Work on Spotify — Spotify Loud & ClearDeezer launches artist-centric payment systemBillie Eilish Was Discovered on Spotify and SoundCloud Before Global Fame — Rolling StoneSofi Tukker on Streaming Success and Spotify DiscoverySend us Fan MailSupport the show

 Is fashion still just about clothes? Why are cars, watches, and Formula 1 the new menswear? What does Aime Leon Dore have to do with Porsche, and why, in an age of automation, are buyers paying a premium for things that are...worse?Sol Thompson and Michael Smith sit down with Wesley Breed, the New York-based influencer, storyteller, and car enthusiast who pivoted his fashion platform into automotive content, to unpack the rise of "integrated fashion": the symbiotic loop between brands, hobbies, and identity that's redefining men's style in 2026.Recorded live at Neuehouse, the trio dig into how taste is built across cars, clothing, and watches, why hyper-niche content outperforms mass content on social media, and why mid-century craft is making a comeback. We continue to chat about Wesley's charity car show, how Adidas reframed Mercedes-AMG F1 with the Y-3 collection at the Miami Grand Prix, Yohji Yamamoto's soccer kits, why Nike's stock keeps tumbling while Adidas eats their lunch, Nike ACG sponsoring the F.A.T. Ice Race in Montana with Ferdi Porsche, Meyers Manx, and Tuttle, the Porsche Carrera GT hammering for $6.7M at Amelia Island, and why pre-exit Helmut Lang and Raf Simons-era Prada hold value.We don't just cover fashion; we discuss Aime Leon Dore x Porsche collabs, Lewis Hamilton's Rick Owens and Kartik Research wardrobe, Mario Balotelli as the original unintentional style icon, the Puma Speedcat's roots in Michael Schumacher's Ferrari race boots, Why AI drives buyers towards things they can feel, and watches from Casio to Patek Philippe complications. Plus: Frank Ocean wearing Jenny Holzer at Panorama, white Ferrari t-shirts, NYU Gallatin self-designed majors, Wesley parting with his Margiela, Comme des Garcons, and Rick Owens archive for comfort, Kozaburo as the designer to watch in 2026, the Green Street SoHo car meet scene, and why loving the thing beats owning it.Hope you enjoy as much as we did recording. Huge thanks to Neuehouse for hosting us and everyone that came!Lots of love!SolTags: Wesley Breed, Pair of Kings podcast, integrated fashion, men's fashion 2026, fashion podcast, Aime Leon Dore, ALD Porsche, New Balance 574, F1 fashion, Mercedes F1 Adidas, Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto, Nike ACG, F.A.T. Ice Race, Ferdi Porsche, Meyers Manx, Porsche Carrera GT, Lewis Hamilton style, Mario Balotelli fashion, watch culture 2026, Patek Philippe, CasioSol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok

Alex Moss and Burton DeWitt are back with a new episode of your go-to darts podcast after the latest Players Championship double header!   The boys kick off the show with a look back at this week's ProTour action in Milton Keynes and discuss the latest history-making title for Beau Greaves, who became the first woman to win a ProTour title, as well as reflect on the runner-up Michael Smith almost ending his two-year title drought.   Leon Weber (20:19) calls in after a busy last week in Milton Keynes which saw him win two Development Tour titles. The German looks back on his title double as well as his career in the game so far, from taking up darts during the pandemic to winning his first PDC tour card at European Q-School last year. Leon reflects on a nervy final day at last year's Q-School, how his life has changed after joining the PDC tour full-time, making his mark on the European Tour in his debut season, and his hopes for the rest of 2026 and his main goal to qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship for the first time.   The boys continue their review of the last seven days in darts by giving their thoughts on the weekend's Development Tour action in Milton Keynes, which saw Sebastian Bialecki and Leon Weber pick up a pair of titles each.   Denmark's Jonas Graversen (52:25) joins the show after securing a debut in the PDC World Cup of Darts this summer. The former semi-professional footballer explains how he switched from football to darts, making an immediate impact on the PDC Nordic & Baltic Tour in 2024 and beating Jeffrey de Graaf on his way to a first semi-final, an elbow injury last year that slowed down his progress on the oche, the close race for the Denmark World Cup team this year and earning his spot on the final day before the cut off on Sunday, as well as outlining his aims for the future including a return to Q-School and to one day become a professional.   Join the Darts Strava King group on Strava *** Get your own Alex Moss replica shirt (as worn by our co-host at the Las Vegas Open 2026) from DJD here! A % of the profits will be donated to The Ethan King Fund for Ewing Sarcoma Research *** This podcast is brought to you in association with Darts Corner - the number one online darts retailer! Darts Corner offers the widest selection of darts products from over 30 different manufacturers.  This podcast is sponsored by Darts Atlas - the platform for darts players, venues, and organisations. Darts Atlas is the home of the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) with hundreds of tournaments held on the platform every week.  Have you used Darts Atlas before? Share your feedback and experiences with Darts Atlas with us by sending an email to weeklydartscast@gmail.com and be in with a chance of winning some new logo Weekly Dartscast stickers! Check out Condor Darts here: UK site *** Enjoy our podcast? Make a one-off donation on our new Ko-Fi page here: ko-fi.com/weeklydartscast Support us on Patreon from just $2(+VAT): patreon.com/WeeklyDartscast Thank you to our Patreon members: Phil Moss, Gordon Skinner, Connor Ellis

In Episode 55 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith is joined by West Aurora High School senior and student board representative Dexter McWilliams for a student-centered conversation on the district's “off and away” cell phone policy. Dexter shares his journey through SD129, highlighting the relationships, activities, and experiences that shaped his high school years, while offering an honest perspective on how the policy has impacted learning and classroom culture. The discussion explores both the challenges and unexpected benefits, including increased focus, stronger peer connections, and improved productivity. Tune in for a thoughtful look at this initiative through the lens of a student voice and what it means for the future of learning at West Aurora.

Why does every fashion brand run a coffee shop? How did a Stussy varsity jacket network from the late 1980s predict the business model of modern fashion? What does used spray paint have to do with why Miu Miu is one of the most effective brands in the world right now?Sol Thompson and Michael Smith open Season 14 of the Pair of Kings Podcast with a level set: the history of integrated fashion—the idea that buying clothes has always really been about buying into a lifestyle, a cult of personality, and an identity. Starting in 2014 at the height of Tumblr's image-first culture and tracing the full arc through Supreme drop culture, the grail sneaker peak, the outfit grid, the crash of sneaker resale, the rise of archive fashion, and the TikTok lifestyle-as-content revolution, they map how men's relationship with fashion fundamentally changed.They cover the Stüssy Tribe as fashion's original brand ambassador model—featuring Hiroshi Fujiwara, Michael Kopelman, and a pre-Supreme James Jebbia—the Supreme x LV collab as the undisputed peak of drop culture, Kith Treats and Cafe Leon Dore as the architects of the fashion third space, and the Miu Miu Literary Club as the most transparent example of what fashion brands are actually selling. We also touch on Demna's debut Gucci collection and his philosophy as a fashion anthropologist, the Hedi Slimane Saint Laurent Hedi boy cult of personality, the runway appearances of looksmaxxing and body dysmorphia, Vivienne Westwood and punk as integrated fashion's original historical anchor, the CBK/JFK aesthetic overtaking downtown New York, and what it means when even finance bros start buying Celine suits on purpose.Michael's fit: Wabash denim from Sugar Cane, Flat Head houndstooth flannel.Sol's fit: a Daft Punk Musique Vol. 1 CD release tee and a North Face layer.We hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it.Lots of love,Sol---Episode Tags: integrated fashion, fashion lifestyle, menswear history 2026, drop culture history, grail sneakers, Stussy Tribe, Supreme x Louis Vuitton collab, archive fashion rise, sneaker resale crash, StockX history, Cafe Leon Dore, Kith Treats, fashion third space, Miu Miu Literary Club, Miu Miu girl, Demna Gvasalia Gucci 2026, Hedi Slimane Saint Laurent, Hedi boy aesthetic, Vivienne Westwood punk, looksmaxxing fashion, CBK JFK New York aesthetic, finance bro style 2026, Patagonia vest, Tumblr fashion era, outfit grid, KOTD, Instagram reels fashion, Hiroshi Fujiwara, James Jebbia, A$AP Rocky fashion, Rick Owens darkwear, archive PDF, menswear podcast 2026, Pair of Kings podcast, fashion podcastSol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don't forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we've dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.comSubscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a monthLinks:InstagramTikTokTwitter/XSol's Substack (One Size Fits All)Sol's InstagramMichael's InstagramMichael's TikTok