Podcasts about My Story

Interview recorded - 29th of May, 2026On this episode of the WTFinance podcast I had the pleasure of welcoming back Ted Oakley. Ted is the founder and managing partner of Oxbow Advisors, with more than four decades advising high net worth clients across multiple cycles. His highest conviction call for 2026 is not tech and it is not even gold. It is hard commodities and the old economy assets the market has spent the past decade ignoring. During our conversation we spoke about the market, historical comparison to other bubbles, how energy is vastly undervalued, AI capex & valuations, government bonds, precious metals and more. I hope you enjoy!0:00 - Introduction1:26 - Overview of markets and economy2:40 - Historical comparison5:50 - Energy companies undervalued9:07 - Commodities12:26 - AI Capex & valuation17:37 - Government bonds19:59 - Precious metals23:46 - Market correction24:51 - One message to takeawayTed Oakley is Managing Partner and Founder of Oxbow Advisors. With more than forty years of experience in advising high net worth clients in the investment industry, Oakley implements the firm's proprietary investment strategies and the “Oxbow Principles” to provide a unique investment perspective. He is a frequent guest on FOX Business News, Bloomberg Radio, KITCO News, Cheddar TV, Yahoo Finance, and many more.Mr. Oakley is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He is a member of the Austin Society of Financial Analysts. He is also a Partner of Herndon Plant Oakley Ltd., an investment company. He is a Board Member of Texas State Aquarium, American Bank, and American Bank Holding Company. Mr. Oakley is a United States Army Veteran.Mr. Oakley began his career in Dallas, Texas, over 35 years ago. He is the author of nine books: You Sold Your Company, $20 Million and Broke, Rich Kids Broke Kids – The Failure of Traditional Estate Planning, Crazy Time – Surviving the First 12 Months after Selling Your Company, Wall Street Lies, Danger Time, My Story, The Psychology of Staying Rich, and Your Money Mentality.Mr. Oakley's primary philanthropic interest is helping children. He is Chairman Emeritus and Founder of the Foster Angels of South Texas, the largest foster child foundation in South Texas, as well as Chairman Emeritus and Founder of Austin, Texas-based Foster Angels of Central Texas. Also, President and Founder of Advocates for Foster Children Foundation.Ted Oakley - Website - https://oxbowadvisors.com/Twitter - https://twitter.com/Oxbow_AdvisorsLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-oakley-08444a32/YouTube - @OxbowAdvisors WTFinance - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/67rpmjG92PNBW0doLyPvfniTunes -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wtfinance/id1554934665?uo=4LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-fatseas-761066103/Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnthonyFatseas

In this episode, I'm giving you a private debrief from one of my recent live trainings, The Messaging Reset, where I break down one of the biggest reasons so many entrepreneurs feel stuck in their business growth: they're still messaging to an outdated version of their audience. I share why “serve your former self” may work in the early stages of business, but eventually becomes the very thing that keeps you attracting people who consume your content without ever truly buying. We dive into the difference between former-self buyers, working-self buyers, and highest-self buyers—and why the quality of your messaging directly impacts the caliber of clients you call in. I also unpack how your message is so much deeper than content strategy. Your messaging is your leadership, your positioning, your standards, and the identity behind the way you communicate. This episode will help you understand why clarity and embodiment matter more than constantly creating more content, and how to shift your messaging so it actually reflects the level of woman you are now. If you've been feeling like your business is no longer matching your growth, this conversation will help you refine your message in a way that creates stronger alignment, deeper trust, and more powerful conversions. Liked this episode? Make sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review with your takeaways, this helps us create the exact content you want!  KEY POINTS:  00:00 Why Messaging Matters 03:36 Stop Serving Past You 04:15 Three Buyer Identities 05:55 Spot Your Messaging Type 07:17 My Story and Shift 07:56 Growth Collective Offer 09:39 Claps Without Clients 10:48 Client Case Study Jess 13:33 Proximity Creates Clarity 15:53 Revenue Accelerator Pitch 17:45 How The Container Works 19:33 Messaging Bible Process 22:36 How To Apply This QUOTABLES: “ Let me tell you this, there is nothing more costly than getting exceptional at building the wrong thing.” - Julie Solomon  “  Highest Self buyers don't need more education. They don't need more information. They don't need more inspiration. They don't need another funnel tweak. They don't need to be convinced. They need to feel like your words see them. They need your message to mirror who they already are.” - Julie Solomon  RESOURCES: [UNSCRIPTED: THE MASTERMIND] This 12-month, application-only mastermind is designed for high-caliber entrepreneurs ready to refine their positioning, amplify visibility, and scale strategically. If selected, you'll receive 2 1:1 calls with me, monthly mastermind sessions, two retreats, and a guest feature on Woman of Influence. Apply now and, if it's aligned, we will personally reach out with next steps. 

Dr. Tommy Dooley bought a low-reimbursement practice in 2017 doing $1.3M with $600 crowns. Eight years later, he's at $6.1M across two locations with three partners, 35 team members, and 47% overhead. He followed the Bulletproof playbook to the letter: dropped from 10 insurance networks to three, expanded from 7 to 12 ops, brought in partners, and hit 20% year-over-year growth for five straight years. But then he hit a problem growth could not solve: he's redlining. Not clinically. Not financially. Psychologically. Tommy thought the next level of leadership meant knowing every team member personally, remembering every birthday, and becoming the emotional center of a 35-person operation. Craig and Peter challenged that. In this real-time coaching conversation, they unpack the leadership identity crisis that hits practice owners when the business scales past what one person can hold. They cover why your definition of "good leadership" might be wrong, why the skill set that built your practice can eventually break it, and why the best leaders stop pushing their team toward a vision and start building a team that is pulled by one. If you're growing fast, feeling stretched thin, and wondering whether you're doing leadership wrong, this episode is for you. CASE STUDY: Growing dental entrepreneur focused on leadership development and scaling beyond operator dependency. Transitioning from solo producer to business leader and team builder Learning how to scale leadership while maintaining practice culture Navigating the challenges of delegation and accountability Balancing practice growth with personal fulfillment and freedom Building systems that empower teams instead of creating dependency Redefining success beyond production and revenue numbers Understanding the difference between management, inspiration, and leadership Developing long-term vision for growth, team alignment, and sustainability Learning how to create optionality inside a growing business Leadership growth became the key bottleneck and breakthrough for scaling DESCRIPTION The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode: 436 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Dr. Tommy Dooley MyStory is a new Bulletproof series where real dentists share their real story: what's working, what's not, and the questions they can't get answered anywhere else. Each episode is a one-hour Master Class. Peter & Craig give practical advice, just like they do inside our Mastermind Program and at the Bulletproof Summit. The point is simple: you'll hear your own challenges in someone else's story, and leave with clear steps you can use right away to shift your mindset, strengthen your practice, and avoid the mistakes that make growth harder than it needs to be. Contact Us Want to be on MyStory? Email MyStory@bulletproofdentalpractice.com If your story is selected, you will join Peter and Craig on the podcast. We also launched the Bulletproof Hotline. Call anytime and leave a message to share your story, ask a question, tell a joke, or leave a note for Peter and Craig. We will listen and respond with real-world feedback. Hotline: (561) 933-5575 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Growth 02:35 Tommy Dooley's Journey in Dentistry 05:17 Navigating Leadership Challenges 08:24 Understanding Ownership and Financial Growth 11:11 Defining Personal and Professional Goals 14:01 Balancing Growth and Personal Life 19:18 Defining Success and Personal Goals 21:52 The Quest for Freedom and Optionality 23:38 Redefining Leadership and Team Dynamics 31:09 Balancing Management, Inspiration, and Leadership 38:18 Building a Vision for Growth and Team Empowerment 46:32 Outro REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind

In this episode of The Human Founder, I sit down with Donna Griffit, a world-renowned Corporate Storyteller, Pitch Alchemist, and Communication Coach at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Donna is the bestselling author of "Sticking to My Story" and has spent over two decades helping startups and Fortune 500 companies globally raise more than $2 billion. Our conversation delves deep into the mental aspects of the entrepreneurial journey, exploring how communication serves as the foundation of all human behavior. We discuss the transformative power of empathy, the danger of losing our unique voice to artificial intelligence, and how founders can build the mental resilience necessary to navigate constant market shifts. The GSBG Framework and Finding Your "X Factor"  Donna shares a powerful framework she initially created during a market downturn to help anxious corporate employees identify and present their unique value. Today, she uses this method with Stanford students to help them articulate their personal narratives effectively. The framework, known as GSBG, stands for setting an internal Goal for the interaction, telling a relevant Story that highlights your suitability, presenting the Benefits and proof points you bring to the table, and circling back to the Goal to explain why you are the perfect match. It provides a structured way to steer any conversation with purpose rather than simply reciting a chronological resume. The Art of Empathy and the "Bonfire" of Small Talk  One of the most crucial elements of communication is empathy, which requires thinking deeply from the audience's perspective and understanding their specific needs. Donna notes that many young leaders today, partly due to the isolation experienced during the pandemic, struggle with basic small talk and building initial connections. She compares a good conversation to a bonfire: personal stories are the wood, curious questions serve as the kindling, and actively listening and responding to conversation hooks provides the oxygen that keeps the interaction alive. By navigating shared experiences and getting genuinely curious about the other side, founders can build the profound trust required for long-term relationships with investors and team members. Avoiding the "Patchwork Pitch"  A common and detrimental mistake founders make is altering their presentation based on every piece of isolated feedback they receive from different investors. Donna refers to this as the patchwork pitch, a practice that results in a dense, overwhelming deck that completely loses its core message. She emphasizes the critical importance of sticking to your core conviction and long-term vision. Instead of serving a messy platter of mixed information, founders should present their data clearly and cleanly, ensuring their central story remains the focus. Maintaining this focus requires immense self-confidence and mental strength to avoid being rattled by external noise. Pitching to the Head, Heart, and Gut in the Age of AI  While artificial intelligence is an incredible tool for solidifying and structuring ideas, Donna warns against relying on it entirely, noting that AI-generated content is ultimately devoid of soul. To truly captivate an investor, a pitch must successfully hit three points: the head for data and logic, the heart for emotional resonance, and the gut, which is where the actual investment decision is made. By sharing an authentic origin story, founders establish a triad of credibility, likability, and momentum. Personal vulnerability and authenticity remain the ultimate human advantages that no machine can replicate. Mental Agility and the Entrepreneurial Mindset  Entrepreneurship is not just the act of building startups; it is a fundamental mindset of continuous reinvention and agility. Donna openly shares her own professional challenges, such as navigating the 2008 financial crisis and the sudden halt of global work during the early days of the COVID pandemic. Her strategy for resilience involves allowing herself a short, defined period to mourn the setback, followed by a conscious, determined choice to seek out new opportunities. Whether it was pivoting to remote training or creating an AI version of herself called Deck Check, her journey highlights the absolute necessity of adapting. Ultimately, maintaining a positive energy and deliberately choosing to rebuild from adversity is the true essence of leadership.

Most conversations about transracial and transcultural adoption miss one vital piece: the heart of every child is made in God's image—and that's where the true starting point lies. If you've ever wrestled with questions about whether to adopt across cultures or felt overwhelmed by the complexity of identity and ethnicity, this episode is for you.Join host Rick Morton as he tackles the difficult, often polarizing issues surrounding international adoption, family support, family dynamics, blending personal stories, biblical truth, and expert insights. Chelsea Sobolik shares her journey growing up being adopted internationally, adopting from India herself, and her commitment to seeing every child's worth through God's eyes. Herbie Newell reflects on the importance of loving children well amid the brokenness of our world, emphasizing that love does not mean acceptance at the expense of truth, but rather a willingness to grow, learn, and serve with humility.You'll discover practical wisdom on preparing your heart and home for trans cultural adoption, the danger of elevating cultural differences above biblical unity, and how to foster a love that respects every child's dignity. We break down the importance of understanding trauma-informed care, embracing diversity as a reflection of God's creative intent, and creating a safe, loving environment where children can thrive—including those who will never be adopted but are deeply loved by the Father.This episode matters because overlooking the complexity risks parenting out of fear or cultural distortion, rather than biblical truth. The opportunity is vast—families can reflect Christ's love more fully when they approach adoption with humility, wisdom, and gospel-centered love. For Christian parents, mentors, or anyone caring for children, this conversation is an essential guide to navigating the tensions without losing sight of God's sovereignty and grace.Whether you're considering adoption or simply want to better love children from every tribe and tongue, this episode offers encouragement, challenge, and hope. Pull up a seat at the table—you'll leave with your heart and mind better equipped to love like Jesus.[00:00:07] - Welcome & Introduction to Transcultural Adoption[00:01:45] - Chelsea's Story: Adopted from Romania, Now Adopting from India[00:04:10] - International Adoption at an All-Time Low: What Changed[00:06:30] - Every Child Made in God's Image: The Biblical Starting Point[00:09:15] - Have Christians Elevated Race & Culture Too Much?[00:12:00] - The Pendulum Has Swung Too Far: Finding the Truth in the Middle[00:14:30] - Trauma-Informed Care: What Parents Didn't Have 30 Years Ago[00:17:45] - Raising Transcultural Kids: Be Approachable, Not Just Available[00:21:00] - Love Does Not Equal Acceptance: Parenting Through Hard Conversations[00:25:30] - Chelsea: Being a Christian Supersedes Every Other Part of My Story[00:30:15] - Rick's Daughter & the Moon Landing: A Transcultural Moment[00:33:45] - Parenting With the Holy Spirit: Praying for Wisdom Daily[00:36:00] - Herby's Challenge: Prepare, Stay Humble, Keep Learning

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTC Armand Balboni, a U.S. Army officer whose career spans military service, biomedical science, law, academia and executive leadership in the private sector.  Balboni's journey did not begin with certainty. Told early on that he was not college material; he enlisted in the Coast Guard after high school—an experience that would ultimately give him the confidence to pursue higher education, earning an MD, PhD and a law degree. He held a successful civilian career as an innovator in medicine, but in search of more, LTC Balboni rejoined the Army Reserve, where he now works within the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). As the Deputy Director of the Advanced Capabilities Directorate, he helps bridge the gap between industry and the military—translating real-world needs into actionable solutions. Whether working with partners across Africa or advancing lifesaving technologies like freeze-dried plasma, his mission remains constant: reducing the time between innovation and impact. Guest:   LTC Armand L. Balboni, J.D., M.D., Ph.D., U.S. Army Reserve Deputy Director, Advanced Capabilities Directorate U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa "My Country, My Story" 2026 Writing and Art Contest Winners will receive a $100 gift card and public recognition on the podcast, AUSA social media and at AUSA's Annual Meeting in DC that attracts 40K attendees. Find out more: https://www.ausa.org/education/writing-and-artwork-contest Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA's Army Matters podcast! AUSA's Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath.  Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA's educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.  Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org.  Disclaimer: AUSA's Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.  

Teacher: Rob Zimmermann Download Sermon Notes  Watch Episode Give Online: http://westgatechapel.org/give Chapters (00:00:00) - He Changed My Life(00:04:27) - Wonders of the Westgate Chapel(00:11:42) - It's Only by the Blood(00:18:15) - Junior Bible Quiz(00:21:31) - Time of offering(00:23:28) - "First Things First"(00:26:16) - Celebrating 22 People Who Put Jesus First(00:27:59) - Meet the Kids Who Are Baptized(00:30:39) - Jesus Made a Difference in My Story(00:33:42) - Tell Everybody in Here What Did Jesus Do For You(00:36:38) - What Jesus Did For You(00:37:14) - Six Students Get Baptized(00:40:08) - Getting baptized at church(00:41:49) - Noah and Paiza(00:42:15) - Baptism for Kids(00:45:18) - Baptist Kids Get baptized(00:46:20) - Five High Schoolers Get Baptized(00:51:37) - 13 Amazing Stories of Being Baptized Again(00:57:29) - A baptism for the first time(01:01:57) - Praise the One Who Broke My Chains and Bought My Freedom(01:13:09) - A New Year's Celebration with Baptists

Erica Schimelpfenig is the CEO of Urban Ventures in Minneapolis and joins Northwestern to kick off our annual week of prayer and service.  Her personal story is one of a commitment to Christ and a passion to serve.  

Dr. Rajamohan is the Dean of the School of Nursing at UNW.  Hear her story today!

Mike Joseph is Northwesterns' Director of Residence Life and has a story to share about his life as an adopted man in America.  

Dr. X graduated two years ago and joined his father's practice with the understanding that one day it would be his. But right now, he's paid a daily rate, produces a fraction of the revenue, and has no formal path to ownership. His dad, a 35-year veteran producing $1.5M a year, loves dentistry and isn't slowing down. Meanwhile, Dr. X is sitting in half-empty chairs, struggling to grow, and watching his vision for the future clash with his father's comfort zone. In this raw MyStory episode, Craig, Peter, and Ian unpack everything Dr. X is up against: a team that doesn't see him as the leader, a business that's built around one producer, and a mindset that's quietly holding him back. Craig shares his own painful experience navigating the same dynamic with his father and the fights that nearly destroyed their relationship. The conversation goes deep on knowing your numbers, building a vision bigger than yourself, and why the hardest conversation you'll ever have might be the one that changes everything. CASE STUDY: Second-generation dentist, two years out of school, working in his father's practice with no equity and no succession plan. $2.1M practice, dad produces $1.5M, Dr. X produces $400K, hygiene makes up the rest Paid a daily rate with no production-based compensation 7 to 8 operatories currently, 2 underutilized, only in-network with Delta 4 to 10 new patients per month, net growth is negative Dad is 68, estimates 6 years left, not looking to invest capital Dr. X wants 14 ops, associates, and $500K net without producing Team doesn't know the vision, dad doesn't share it, no alignment $500K at 20% profit margin = $2.5M collections, doable with current chairs at ~$310K per chair Biggest barrier isn't capacity, it's one honest conversation with dad about vision, price, and timeline DESCRIPTION The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode: 434 HOSTS:Dr. Peter Boulden,  Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh GUEST: Dr. X MyStory is a new Bulletproof series where real dentists share their real story: what's working, what's not, and the questions they can't get answered anywhere else. Each episode is a one-hour Master Class. Peter & Craig give practical advice, just like they do inside our Mastermind Program and at the Bulletproof Summit. The point is simple: you'll hear your own challenges in someone else's story, and leave with clear steps you can use right away to shift your mindset, strengthen your practice, and avoid the mistakes that make growth harder than it needs to be. Contact Us Want to be on MyStory? Email MyStory@bulletproofdentalpractice.com If your story is selected, you will join Peter, Craig and Ian on the podcast. We also launched the Bulletproof Hotline. Call anytime and leave a message to share your story, ask a question, tell a joke, or leave a note for Peter, Craig and Ian. We will listen and respond with real-world feedback. Hotline: (561) 933-5575. Chapters. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. X's Practice Challenges 02:21 Dr. X's Practice Overview and Growth Concerns 04:03 Dr. X's Vision and Practice Goals 07:57 Current Practice Metrics and Revenue 12:05 Aligning Vision with Practice Reality 15:49 The Importance of Clear Communication with Family 20:11 Strategies for Practice Expansion and Ownership 24:59 Psychology and Mindset in Practice Growth 29:58 Team Management and Practice Efficiency 34:58 Insurance, Fees, and Practice Economics 40:11 Clarifying Goals and Building a Business Vision 45:00 The Power of Purpose and Core Values 49:54 Taking Action and Next Steps for Growth REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind  

Leonie's back after a break, recording this one solo from bed (because minimal viable podcast is still podcast), and she's spilling everything from the last six weeks — a $151K launch month, an intimate in-person retreat, an ADHD food-forgetting saga, a holiday that healed her heart, and enough book and TV recommendations to fill your entire weekend.Who this is for: If you're a neurodivergent creative who's been told there's only one "right" way to launch, or you're wondering whether courses and memberships still work in the age of AI, this episode is your permission slip and your proof of concept all in one.Topics covered:How Leonie ran a $151K launch month with zero paid ads and zero pre-written content HO HO HOThe return of Backstage Pass and why launching in public keeps her accountableRunning an affiliate competition that paid out $7,500+ in commissions (and a crystal dildo)Hosting her first small in-person retreat for Grow Mastermind membersThe confidence-before-competence trap and why you have to do the thing to build the thingHealing unresolved primitive reflexes and the nervous system capacity shift it createdLife updates — kids turning 12 and 16, a healing holiday to Jervis BayBook reviews, TV recommendations, and a rant about thought leaders staying silent on politicsKey insights:You don't need everything pre-written to launch. Leonie decided what to launch on a Wednesday and had the sales page live by midnight. Waiting for "ready" means never launching.Adding live chat (Chatra) to her website during launch converted browsers: 45% of chats were sales questions.Confidence and competence aren't prerequisites — they're byproducts of doing the thing. Leonie was nervous before her first intimate retreat despite having run conferences for 100+ people.An 85% profit margin came from keeping expenses radically low: ~$23,200 total costs against $151K revenue.Unresolved primitive reflexes can dramatically affect neurodivergent adults — healing them gave Leonie significantly more nervous system capacity and reduced autistic burnout symptoms.When your body is out of alignment (literally — displaced tailbone), your energy and spirit follow. Bodywork during launches isn't optional.Technology disruption is the pattern, not the exception. Netflix pivoted through DVDs nobody owned, an internet nobody trusted, and a dot-com bubble bursting — courses and memberships aren't dead, they're adapting.Notable quotes:"I will not abandon myself in this process. I will still be my own cheerleader. I will alchemize all of this into gold and I will do this in a way that is loving and kind to myself.""The only way to build confidence and competence is by actually doing the fucking thing.""I love that I've been able to send $900,000 to women's small business owners instead of doing paid advertising with billion dollar social media companies."Links & resources mentioned:Backstage Pass — leoniedawson.com/backstageUnicorn Biz & Life Academy — leoniedawson.com/academyMillion Dollar Memberships program (inside the Academy)Chatra live chat Burnout to Breakthrough podcast episode That Will Never Work by Marc Randolph (Netflix memoir)Our Members Be Unlimited by Sam Wallman (graphic nonfiction)Still Bobby by Bobby Brown (beauty brand memoir)My Story by Jo Malone (fragrance brand memoir)Rachel Rogers' Substack piece on obsolete jobsTV: The Other Bennet Sister, Last One Laughing UK, Mum (BBC), Celebrity Traitors UKDr. Sharon Williams, chiropractor/kinesiologist in Canberra (primitive reflexes)If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who needs to hear that launching doesn't have to look like everyone else's version. Leave a five-star review wherever you listen — it helps more neurodivergent creatives find us. #NeurodivergentBusiness #ADHDEntrepreneur #LaunchWithoutBurnout #WomenInBusiness #MembershipModel #CreativeEntrepreneur #AuDHD #OnlineBusiness #SpiritualBusiness #UnicornBizAcademy

  In this episode you will discover: Identity Is Shaped in Interaction — Narrative identity forms and reforms through relationships and stories shared with others — making connection a core ingredient of recovery, not a bonus Visual Methods Unlock What Words Cannot — Collage-making, photos, and art give people with aphasia a pathway into identity work that talk alone can't always reach. Identity Reconstruction Is a Long Game — People continue navigating complex, shifting identities for years after stroke. Our systems need to follow them farther into that journey, not stop too soon. Sit on Your Hands and Truly Listen — The most powerful thing you can offer is unhurried, attentive presence. Learning to wait and watch — rather than fill the silence — is a skill worth deliberately practicing. If you've ever felt like there's more to aphasia care than the therapy protocol in front of you, or wondered what identity-centered practice actually looks like in the real world, this conversation will give you both the framework and the practical insights you need. Welcome to the Aphasia Access Aphasia Conversations Podcast. I'm Katie Strong from Central Michigan University and a member of the Aphasia Access Podcast Working Group — a community dedicated to supporting better aphasia care. Rianne Brinkman is a speech-language pathologist and linguist from the Netherlands whose PhD project "Who Am I Now?" explores identity changes in people with aphasia through storytelling and creative arts-based approaches. Before her doctoral work — supported by the Dutch NWO Teacher Research Grant — she spent years as a clinician in rehabilitation and aphasia centers, and that deep clinical foundation shapes everything she brings to her research. She teaches in the Speech and Language Therapy program at Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen and conducts her research at the University of Humanistic Studies in Utrecht. Today's conversation feels especially personal to me. Like Rianne, I came to doctoral work after years of established clinical practice, and my own research centers on narrative identity and aphasia through the My Story Project and the PULSE framework. So, when she sought me out at a conference in 2019, I recognized immediately that we were kindred spirits working toward the same questions from different corners of the world.   So, let's get into the conversation. Katie Strong: Well, before we dive into your work, I wanted to share something with our listeners. One of the things that drew me to this conversation is that we have a parallel story. We both came to do our PhDs after established clinical careers, and you're in the thick of that journey. I'd love to start with what made you decide to go back, and how did your clinical work shape what you wanted to pursue? Rianne Brinkman: I used to work in rehabilitation for a long time, and then I moved from one part of the Netherlands to another part, and there was not much work for me. So, I got the opportunity to help establish an aphasia center. And of course, if you look at the rehabilitation phase, that's far more deficit oriented, so that's very different than in the chronic phase, where an aphasia center comes into place. So, I really had to change my view of therapy. I had to establish a few groups on identity. I started reading on identity, on communicative participation, on how to do that in groups. So that's really where the interest came from. Katie Strong: I love hearing that. Sometimes as we go into a different phase or area of work, and it really re-shapes our thinking and how we engage with our clients or patients. Rianne Brinkman: Yeah, it does. And in those groups, I worked together a lot with creative therapists, and I learned so much from them, because then I realized that if you use narrative approaches, and you combine them with visual arts or arts therapy, that it can mean so much for somebody. They can get so many more means of expression. So, yeah, I learned a lot from that. Katie Strong: I love that! It is powerful. And I'm really looking forward to talking more about this. I was curious, you know, what the experience has been like from a clinician turned researcher, what you know, what's that actually been like for you? And has there been anything that surprised you most about the transition? Rianne Brinkman: I did not realize that much how much you yourself as a person influences the conversation with somebody with aphasia, you know that co-construction part. So that your identity aspects really influence how the conversation takes place and what somebody chooses to tell you or not. So that is really momentary, and so it's just a snapshot, really, when you do this. So, I became really aware of that. But also, your own norms and values and the way you listen and all those sorts of things. It's just a different way of doing therapy. And then you're doing it as research which is different. I think that's one thing, sometimes I'm a little bit too much the therapist, so I really have to be a researcher again, you know? So, you change between those roles.   Katie Strong: Yes, it is a shift, right? Rianne Brinkman: Yeah, exactly, exactly. Katie Strong: Yeah. And thinking about how those two roles are different or powerful, sometimes combined. Well, let's talk a little bit about the work that you're doing. And I want to acknowledge that what we're talking about today really all comes out of your doctoral journey, which is really remarkable. I thought we could first talk about your 2025 scoping review that really mapped the landscape of what we know about identity changes in aphasia, and it also laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Could you walk us through that narrative identity model that came out of the review?   Rianne Brinkman: Yeah. That was quite complex, because there's so much written about identity, and everybody defines it slightly in a different way, or uses different words. So, what we tried to do is really get a grip on that literature to see what was written on identity changes in aphasia, and what kind of theory was used. And what we saw was that everything is from a social constructionist perspective, really. But then there are many different philosophers and different authors that write about identity. So, what we tried to do was because, of course, Barbara Shadden, she's very foundational in this work. With her colleagues, she created the four domain interdisciplinary framework. So, we tried to use that in the model as one of the foundations. And then, of course, the work of Paul Ricoeur, who's a French philosopher who writes about that you only shape your identity through interaction with other people which gives meaning to the stories you share with other people. And the work of Bamberg, and he talks about dilemmatic spaces. So what it means, really, is that I think identity, you only shape in interaction, and we tried to visualize that in the model. So, there's an "I" part, and that's about you, the personal domains, and there's the "we" part, and that's about the social domains. We tried to visualize how those domains interact, including temporality, because you shape your identity in the here and now, but also through time. And then in the middle of the model, there's a head with interconnected gears, and that's where it all comes together. That's you at your identity, your narrative identity, a specific point in time. So that's the model in a nutshell. And then you've got, of course, all those personal domains, like your biography, agency and power, communicative abilities, your roles you fulfill in life. And then the social domains are, like your social situation, your cultural background, society and all of that works together, informing, shaping your identity. Katie Strong: It's powerful work, and it is complex. I appreciate the work that you led to be able to assimilate and give us this model for us to be really thinking about narrative identity in a way that takes all of those big thought leaders and helps it become more approachable to those of us that are interested in narrative identity as researchers, but also as clinicians. Rianne Brinkman: That's great. Thank you. Katie Strong: Thank you for that work. And then you have another recent paper. Congratulations, by the way! That paper just came out earlier this year in 2026 and I guess I should say to the listeners, we'll have both articles linked in the show notes, as well as some other resources that will be interesting to explore if you're into this topic. This 2026, article is really the first of its kind to look at identity in this early stage, six to eight weeks after admission to rehabilitation. So, I was hoping you could talk with us about who were these people and what were you doing together in these sessions? Rianne Brinkman: Yeah. So, it's the first session of a longitudinal study, so I'm following those people over two years. And so, there are 22 people with aphasia. Unfortunately, two of them couldn't continue as one of them, I couldn't organize the reflection session, and one of them, I just couldn't reach anyone. But the other 20 people are still in the study, which is really amazing! Katie Strong: That is really amazing! Rianne Brinkman : Yeah, that's really nice. They're all middle aged people who range in age from their 30s to their 60s until 67. They also have different severities of aphasia. Some people were still clinical inpatient, some of them already were outpatient. And then I tried to elicit their story with visual participatory methods in combination with the narrative approach. So those sessions are quite long, sometimes two and a half to three hours, so it's a lot of time. It's really nice to just sit with them and connect. During the first session I did collage making. I just took a lot of magazines with me and scissors and glue and everything, and then we just sat down. And then I just let them start leafing through those magazines and see what appealed to them, what kind of images, what kind of words, what it's reflected about them. And then they created their collage. And then, of course, you look at what kind of images do they choose, but also, how do they position them? How do they create their collage. Is there some kind of reason behind things? You discuss that, but also how do they get across what they do? You know, some people think for a long time and are hesitant to act. Some people start straight away. Some people tear the images. Some people cut them really neatly. So, everybody behaves in a different way, and that reflects something on your identity also. So, I always ask questions about that. And then when we finish the work, a proxy comes in and we reflect on the work of the person with the face yet together to get perspective. Katie Strong: That's really fantastic. So, you're, you're coming into either the hospital room or their home, is that where the work is done? Rianne Brinkman: Yeah, so usually the speech therapist, who's in charge books a room for me in the rehabilitation center. Or I just go to the homes of the people. Katie Strong: Well, I'm excited to talk about what you found out, but, but before we get into that, I just have to ask about the tattoo, because it's an integral part of this work. And it stopped me when I read it. And the title from the paper comes from the tattoo on one of your participants. So, could you talk to us about that?   Rianne Brinkman: Of course. There's one lady, and I was analyzing the session, because, of course, she will need to transcribe them. And then I saw her doing her hair in a ponytail, and I saw her arm, and I thought, "Oh, she's got a really nice tattoo there." So, I sent her a text, and I said, "What does that tattoo mean to you? What is it? "And then she told me that it was a tattoo that said, leave the thorn, enjoy the rose. And that's from a music play from Handel. And her father really enjoyed that. But her father passed away, so that tattoo was a memory tribute to her father, but also it reflects how she sees life, that you have to try to stay optimistic whatever happens. And I think that voice of positivity is a very important voice in all the stories of all the participants. Everybody said that. So, I thought, oh yeah. Even when something really bad happens, bad happens, people try to stay positive. So, it reflected a very important, yeah, result of the data, really. So, I thought, I'm going to make that the title. Katie Strong: It really is beautiful. So, so the rose bush. You develop this beautiful rose bush image to represent what you found across the participants. Walk us through that. And what does the rose bush capture about what identity looks like at that early stage of recovery? Rianne Brinkman: So, we used different methodology of analysis. So we listened to the voices that were reflected in the stories of people with aphasia, and then we realized that there are many contrapuntal voices, so it's very ambiguous. Really, very complex. So, we thought, we cannot just do a thematic analysis. We have to show that one experience can be both positive or negative or whatever. And that's why we came to those tensions and in that rose bush, so at the stem you see, for example, where you see the branches, and at the stem it's, for example, the tension between disconnection and connection. And connection is at the rose and disconnection at the stem, another tension is agency and disempowerment, and another one is living loss and personal growth. And then what we found was that people had coping voices and affirmative voices, but also challenging voices. And what we did was we put the challenging voices at the thorns and the coping and affirmative voices at the roses to reflect that they used that both to make sense of aphasia and of their identity, really. And so, they were moving along those branches, really. Sometimes they felt connected. Sometimes disconnected. Sometimes they grieved. Sometimes they cope by staying positive or focusing on the present. So that's how we tried to show that it's very complex that people move along those tensions, that it's never static. And those three existential tensions were really very tangible in the data. Katie Strong: It's just such powerful work. When I was reading it and I. I was talking with one of my students, she was saying she actually became pretty emotional when she was reading about all of that as well. It's really, really powerful work. And what I find so interesting, and you mentioned it earlier, but this role of the visual methods, the collage making, images as a way into identity. Could you paint a picture of what that actually looked like to sit with a participant in those sessions? Rianne Brinkman: Yeah. Well you really have to sit on your hands. And I learned a lot from my colleagues, creative therapists, because when I first did this…because sometimes people feel a bit awkward. You know that they all of a sudden have to draw something, or that they have to cut images from a magazine. And then you want to do something to help them feel less awkward. You shouldn't really. You should just let that happen and let that session develop. That's very important. So, I really learned to just tell them, "you are looking the magazines and you see what appeals to you. And I'll just give you some time to get into that" and then you just wait. And while you're waiting, you can just see, for example, if somebody finds it really hard, and then you can also see how long they look at an image, for example, if it means something to them. Or they stop on a certain page all the time. And then you can help them a little bit and say, "Oh, you're looking a long time at this image. Maybe, is this something that appeals to you for some reason?" And then you can help them. But also, very often, people just know what to do. I don't know. It's very intuitive. So first, they don't know what they will choose, or they don't know what kind of collage it will be. But it comes to them for some reason.   Katie Strong: Yeah, it's interesting. I think we had talked about this previously, but a person with aphasia and research collaborator that I worked with, Todd Berreth, and I did some, we called it. We the "cut-up" style using images to be able create a story about yourself and integrate those pieces. And it was so interesting to watch people who came to our workshop, and just as you're saying, like how they chose and what they did. Some people were very, "I know what I'm doing", and others were hesitant, or wanted to take their work home before finalizing it and everything in between.   Rianne Brinkman: Yeah, that's very that's very nice. You really get that extra layer, I think. And also, when people really can't talk very well, you know, they can maybe say yes or no and sometimes a word, you know, then it's very hard to talk about your identity. Using images then that really helps. So, I remember one lady, she couldn't talk very well, but she was very creative. And she started, you know, with those magazines, and then straight away, there was that butterfly symbolizing her mom, connection to her mother. And maybe, I think we would never have reached that trying to do this in words. So, yeah, very powerful.   Katie Strong: Thank you. Another thing I wanted to talk about is that you use something called the Listening Guide as part of your analysis. And I'm thinking that a lot of our listeners may not have come across this before. Could you give a sense of what it really means to listen in the way that that approach demands?   Rianne Brinkman: Yes. So, what you do is, first you well, you listen to the plot of the story. So, you listen to, what does this story contain? What's the big line of the story? And you write that down. And then you look again at the data, and then you look at all the "I" positions and I also look at the "me" positions. So, everything that's "I" and "me". You get that out and you create "I-poems". We created all those "I-poems" about certain experiences. I could give maybe an example of one. This one is a bit connected to, on the one hand, feeling very sad that somebody suffered from stroke and aphasia, and on the other hand, tried to stay positive. So, I've got one here. I was crying last weekend. I realized, Oh no, this happened to me. I have to deal with this. I have changed. I also stayed positive that I will be okay. I just say it will be okay and I won't think negatively. So, then you get an "I-poem" that reflects different voices, like, in this case, the voice of grief and positivity. Then you look at those voices. In the next step, you look at the contrapuntal voices, and like grief and positivity are very contrapuntal. So very often, I think also we as human beings do the same, you know, you talk to yourself in your head, you know. And you've got all those different positions towards an experience. And those are the contrapuntal voices. And what we tried to do, so we adapted this approach by Gilligan and Eddy, and we tried to incorporate the visuals, the visual data, and also embodiment, because sometimes people with aphasia do very interesting things. They give a lot of information, non-verbally. Also you want to be sure that you really understood the person, so checking if you're on the same page is very important also. Sometimes you have to interpret what somebody means, or you have to give words to what somebody says as a researcher, which is the ethical part, of course, which is hard sometimes, but you can't avoid that. So, yeah, so that's how we integrated all the data. And tried to get those stories out and get the depth of the depth of the story.   Katie Strong: I love it. That's really fascinating. And the "I-poems" are really powerful. And I think we'll put a link to the Listening Guide reference in the show notes if people are interested in learning more about that technique. You mentioned earlier that this is a longitudinal study that you're undertaking for your dissertation work, which is pretty amazing. I mean, very amazing. And you're, you're two years into this longitudinal study, and this paper we've been talking about is the six to eight week snapshot. What are you most curious about as you continue following those participants over time? And also, what do you want clinicians who are listening today to take away from what you've already found?   Rianne Brinkman: Tomorrow, I'm doing another two sessions. One of them is the last session with somebody with P5 and with another person, P4. I think I am about I'm halfway through. Well, I'm almost, I think I've got another year to go to have collected all the data. And what I see really is that it's very clear that identity formation and reconstructing, renegotiating your identity, is a very long and complex process, and that at different points in time, different things happen. You see different patterns also along those moments in time that I'm doing the sessions. What I also realize, I'm not sure how that is in states, but in the Netherlands, I think communicative access, for example, if you want to start working again, you know, to understand what all the letters you get the process, and that it's very hard. Also in health care. And people are really struggling with that, and get really a lot of stress from this, and that it's very unclear often, and that people feel very uncertain. And I think we've got to realize that we should take a longer role in this. You know, not stop too soon, or just at least keep, well, the finger on the pulse, like we say in Netherlands, just keep following people. I think that's very important. And I also realized that the combination of a narrative approach with visual participatory methods really gives you a lot of information. And I also think the listening skills, to really listen to that story and try to get that story out, that gives you such a powerful connection with somebody. So, every time I see them again, I'm really curious, and they're really happy to share their story again and to show me where they are at that point in time. Yeah, and then I'm working together with colleagues with aphasia also, which is really great because they learn from each other. You know, that's nice.   Katie Strong: I love all of that. And I think maybe one of the things I'd like to reiterate, or we could talk about a little bit more, is that what I think I hear you're saying is we know aphasia is a chronic change to their life and the way they communicate and how they can connect with others, and ultimately how that impacts who they are, as people, or their identity. And our health care systems, I know in the US, we're set up for lots of intervention, or maybe the most that they're going to get, even if it's just a little, early in that phase, and then having them have to navigate that process on their own, as they become farther from having the stroke. And this work showcases their journey along the way. But I just wonder is there something that a clinician who's listening could implement or do with their client, wherever they're seeing them, in the journey? Rianne Brinkman:  I think using creative arts is always a good idea. You could keep it really simple. You could just ask them to bring a special object or to show a photo that they're proud of, or make a collage, or use Legos to build with. So, I think that's a good possibility. And also, I think a peer contact is very important. So do that together with a little group or people that are interested in exploring and sharing their stories. And I think we should realize that it's important to check in. So even if you finish therapy with somebody, then it's a good thing after a few months, to ask how they how they are, and stand still with the process. That's something very important also. Katie Strong: And sometimes harder to do than it would seem, but I think, as you're talking it seems like connecting people with peers and following up. I know here in the states, making  sure they're a part of a support group so that they can have a community to be able to connect with. Rianne Brinkman: Yes, because what I've seen a lot is that after a while, there's that phase of uncertainty, really. You don't know if you can get your work back, maybe in a different form, maybe not. And then there's no therapy anymore. And then how are you going to navigate all that uncertainty? And I think that usually speech therapy has stopped. I think then it's hard, of course, because it's not always doable, but I think it would be a very good moment. So, after eight months to really start up something again and then really discuss the identity of somebody. Really use narrative approaches to help them renegotiate all those dilemmas that they're experiencing. Katie Strong: Yeah, and certainly, I guess you know, advocacy work on big levels to recognize that people should be able to access therapy whenever they feel like they need it. Rianne Brinkman: Yeah, definitely. Katie Strong:  We've got some work to do. I appreciate this conversation, and I just wanted to let the listeners know that Rianne and I have been in conversation since we met at the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference in Philadelphia in 2019 and what started as a conversation in a parking lot I might add, has grown into some real research and educational collaboration. And Rianne, together with Sabine Corsten and Bianca Spelker, we have been developing and studying training programs for future SLPs in life storytelling approaches across three countries, so the US, Germany and the Netherlands and Rianne, I was hoping you could tell our listeners a bit about what we're actually building together and what you're learning from that work about what students need most before they walk into the room and try to do this identity centered practice, style of work. Rianne Brinkman: Well, we based it a lot on your work, of course, and the My Story project and Narraktiv from Sabine. So, Katie you started this in the US, and then we thought, "oh, this would be great in the Netherlands and in Germany also." The students first of course, need to be trained in supportive communication techniques, because that's very important for them. I think in the Netherlands, it's maybe a little bit different than in the States and in Germany, because I work with students that are still in their bachelors. So they've had only one year of theory, and they haven't done their training or internship yet. Although some of them have. And then you see a very different student. So, but I've got the students that are really for the first time meeting someone with aphasia, for example. And they're very scared, because they think, "Oh, am I able to adapt my communication and what if somebody's going to cry, or what if that story is really going to touch me?" So, you really need to prepare them with a lot of information about what narrative identity is and also what identity work entails. We also must train on how you can really, truly listen. Active listening skills from that nice paper you wrote with Barbara Shadden on the power of story and taking the PULSE of people with aphasia. Appreciating their uniqueness, And also what we do in the Netherlands is practicing with them how they use visual methods, creative methods, to use in their sessions with the people with aphasia. And then once they start, I always say to them, "Well, at least the first session maybe is very exciting, but you're there, you're listening, you're engaged. That's already means so much to somebody if you do that, if you truly listen." And then after one session, they realize that, and then it goes really nicely.   Katie Strong: There's this that feeling very uncomfortable and not sure where to go. And then being able to let that person with aphasia kind of take you on that journey. Rianne Brinkman: Yeah. That's so nice because it contributes to both, to the person with aphasia who participates, and also to the students and their development. Katie Strong: I strongly believe you can't do identity, story based work without being influenced yourself, by the work   Rianne Brinkman: Yeah, definitely. Katie Strong: Well, before we wrap up, I would be remiss if we didn't talk about some tips or strategies, resources or readings for clinicians who are interested in implementing identity, focused story work into their practice. So, can you share a few things with us? Rianne Brinkman: Definitely. Yeah. When I started this work, I really liked the work of Carol Pound and her colleagues, and that's a book called Beyond Aphasia. It's very interesting theoretically, but also very practical. It really helped me to develop methods for my aphasia group to talk about identity. I really think that's a very good book. And then also the book of Barbara Shadden and her colleagues on Neurogenic Communication Disorders. There are some really practical cases in there, and it's very broad. It's not only about aphasia, but also a different neurogenic disorders. And I what I really like is it's such a nuanced theoretical perspective; they gather lots of theory, but they do that in such a good way. It's a very book. Katie Strong: Yeah, I agree, both Carol Pound and Barbara Shadden's work. It's approachable, but it does have the meat of the theory in it.   Rianne Brinkman: Yeah. So that's helped me a lot. And what I said earlier, the paper you wrote with Barbara on the power of story, I think that's very helpful to better understand what happens when you use narrative interventions, and what kind of interventions there are. And then, of course, the different interventions, like the work of Sabine Corsten on Narraktiv in your work, on My Story. And I have a book but it's only in Dutch. I attempted to share all those methods I created for the group, and it's very practice based. So that's why I started later on my PhD. But those practice-based methods are combined in a book, but it's only in Dutch. Katie Strong: It looks fabulous. I'm not able to access it with my limited language skills, but we'll make sure to have all of those references listed in the show notes so people can explore and take a look around it. And I think you know your book that you're talking about, Rianne even though it is all in Dutch, so maybe not accessible to everyone, but it's got beautiful graphics and photos and things like that you can get an essence of what it is that you're expressing. Rianne Brinkman: It's all, it's all painted or drawn by Reno Hubers. He's a Dutch person with aphasia, and he was in one of my groups. And then every time I was reading about something, he was just drawing it or painting it. And I thought, "Oh, I really need to ask him help me make the images for this book." So, it was together with him that we created this. Katie Strong: Beautiful. And what a great story. Thank you for being here with me today. And I don't know if you have anything else you want to add before we wrap up our conversation. Rianne Brinkman: Well, thank you for inviting me. But also, I want to say thank you to my team, because they really stimulate me to think differently about identity. I've got a very interprofessional team, and that's really helpful. And also, of course, our identity group meetings with you and Sabine and Bianca and Barbara. That's very helpful to shape my thinking on identity. And, of course, the participants of my research who are so open and vulnerable and want to share their stories. I would like to acknowledge that that's very important.   Katie Strong: For sure! We sure appreciate you sharing your experiences with us and look forward to what's to come from the longitudinal study. We wish you well in your studies as well. Thanks Rianne. What strikes me most about this conversation is how Rianne's work reminds us that identity reconstruction isn't a detour from aphasia care — it is aphasia care. And the tools she brings, the collage, the listening guide, the willingness to simply sit and wait, are more accessible than we might think. What began as a chance conversation in a parking lot in Philadelphia in 2019 has grown into something neither of us anticipated. Rianne, together with colleagues Sabine Corsten and Bianca Spelker, and alongside my own work through the Strong Story Lab, we have been developing and studying training programs for future clinicians in life storytelling approaches — across the US, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is the kind of international collaboration that only happens when people are genuinely working toward the same thing. On behalf of Aphasia Access, thank you for listening. For references and resources mentioned in today's show, please see our show notes, available on our website at www.aphasiaaccess.org. There you can also become a member of our organization, browse our growing library of materials, and find out about the Aphasia Access Academy. If you have an idea for a future podcast episode, email us at info@aphasiaaccess.org. For Aphasia Access Conversations, here at Central Michigan University in the Strong Story Lab, I'm Katie Strong.   Resources Brinkman, R. (2018). Bouwen aan identiteit. behandeling van afasie – met 25 werkvormen [Building identity. Breindok. Treatment of aphasia – with 25 methods]. http://refhub.elsevier.com/S0021-9924(26)00012-2/sbref0006  Brinkman, R., Cardol, M., Neijenhuis, K., Luinge, M., & Leget, C. (2026). "Leave the thorn, enjoy the rose" identity formation of people with aphasia in the early rehabilitation phase. Journal of Communication Disorders, 120, 106627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2026.106627  Brinkman, R., Neijenhuis, K., Cardol, M., & Leget, C. (2024). Who am I now? A scoping review on identity changes in post-stroke aphasia. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47(5), 1081-1099. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2367606  Gilligan C., & Eddy J. (2017). Listening as a path to psychological discovery: An introduction to the Listening Guide. Perspectives on Medical Education, 6(2),76-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40037-017-0335-3  Pound, C., Parr, S., Lindsay, J., & Woolf, C. (2000). Beyond aphasia: Therapies for living with communication disability. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315169057  Shadden, B. B., Hagstrom, F., & Koski, P. R. (2008). Neurogenic communication disorders: Life stories and the narrative self. Plural Publishing. https://www.pluralpublishing.com/publications/neurogenic-communication-disorders-life-stories-and-the-narrative-self  Strong, K. A., & Shadden, B. B. (2020). The power of story in identity renegotiation: Clinical approaches to supporting persons living with aphasia. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 5(2), 371-383. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_PERSP-19-00145   

Bill Pruitt: That's My Story

Send us Fan MailMy guest Gareth surprised me with a story about turning rejection into inspiration. After facing major pushback for his LGBTQ+ library display, he channeled the negativity into writing a wild, satirical novel.Sometimes, the worst moments fuel the best stories—and even better growth.It's a reminder that even tough experiences can lead us to new creative heights. Maybe it's time to see rejection differently?What's one “bad” blow that pushed you to do something unexpected?Drop your stories in the comments!Drop a ❤️ if you've ever felt this way—you're not alone!#LGBTQBooks #TurnRejectionIntoArt #OwnYourStory #CreativeResilience #memorablemoments To connect with Gareth, check out his website, which includes a link for purchasing his book: http://www.GarethCarterAuthor.comCopyright Becoming Wilkinson Podcast/2026Photo credit: Wilkinson/ http://.www.MenJustMen.comTo follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jim.Wilkinson8/

Dr. Donnie bought his dental practice just 6 months ago, and he's already facing the challenges every new owner hits. In this raw and honest "MyStory" episode, Craig and Peter sit down with Dr. Donnie to unpack the real problems he's navigating as a first-time practice owner: arbitrary revenue goals with no math to back them up, two part-time associates who aren't pulling their weight, a rocky practice management software switch mid-transition, a team that says everything's fine but clearly isn't, and a leadership style that's more people-pleasing than people-leading.  The guys break it all down, from reverse-engineering his $3M dream with actual operatory data, to why his bonus system could quietly be killing his margins, to the hard truth about what it means to lead vs. manage a team you inherited. Case Study:  Dr. Donnie Wiggins Single Practice Owner Based in New Jersey (commuting from Brooklyn, NY) Purchased Practice: September 2025 Experience: 6 months into ownership DESCRIPTION The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 432 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden,  Dr. Craig Spodak &  Ian de Jongh GUEST:  Dr.Donnie Wiggins "MyStory" is a new Bulletproof series where real dentists share their real story: what's working, what's not, and the questions they can't get answered anywhere else. Each episode is a one-hour Master Class. Peter, Craig and Ian give practical advice, just like they do inside our Mastermind Program and at the Bulletproof Summit.  The point is simple: you'll hear your own challenges in someone else's story, and leave with clear steps you can use right away to shift your mindset, strengthen your practice, and avoid the mistakes that make growth harder than it needs to be. Contact Us Want to be on MyStory? Email MyStory@bulletproofdentalpractice.com. If your story is selected, you'll join Peter, Craig  ans Ian on the podcast. We also launched the Bulletproof Hotline. Call anytime and leave a message to share your story, ask a question, tell a joke, or leave a note for Peter, Craig and Ian. We'll listen and respond with real-world feedback. Hotline: (561) 933-5575 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Dr. Donnie's Background 01:15 Dr. Donnie's Path to Practice Ownership 02:22 Why Dr. Donnie Chose Practice Ownership 04:14 Current Challenges in Practice Management 05:00 Vision for the Next Three Years 06:07 Financial Goals and Profit Margins 08:20 Building Out the Practice and Capacity 09:08 Analyzing Practice Performance and Capacity 10:14 Forecasting Future Production and Growth 13:28 Staffing, Culture, and Buy-In 15:10 Understanding Practice Revenue and Data 18:00 Staffing Strategies and Efficiency 22:50 Leadership and Influence in Practice 30:09 Overcoming Staff and Culture Challenges 36:20 Financial Metrics and Bonus Systems 40:43 Patience and Long-Term Growth Mindset 42:52 Self-Leadership and Continuous Learning 44:55 Effective Communication and Influence 45:36 Embracing Change and Problem Solving 46:29 Encouragement and Final Advice REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind

Dr. John Lenox, author, “My Story” My Story: A Spiritual and Intellectual BiographyThe post Faith and Reason – Dr. John Lenox, 4/15/26 (1054) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Get all sides of every story and be better informed at https://ground.news/AlexOC - subscribe for 40% off unlimited access.For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: https://www.alexoconnor.com.-John Lennox is a Northern Irish mathematician, bioethicist, and Christian apologist originally from Northern Ireland. He has written many books on religion, ethics, the relationship between science and God, and has had public debates with atheists including Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. -Exclusive discount: Listeners to my show can get 30% Off John Lennox's autobiography, My Story when shopping directly from his publishers. Visit https://spckpublishing.co.uk/my-story and enter AOC30 at checkout to get 30% off.  - TIMESTAMPS00:00 - How Pressure Can Produce the Best Work02:29 - Does the Incarnation Make Sense?06:22 - John's Richard Dawkins Debate14:39 - What Did the New Atheists Get Wrong About God?26:21 - Science Cannot Explain Everything31:22 - What Did the New Atheists Get Right?35:18 - Why Does God Hide From So Many People?44:36 - Why Does God Allow Arbitrary Suffering?56:25 - Is Faith “Belief Without Evidence”?1:00:33 - How Could God Punish a Mere Lack of Faith?1:08:14 - How Christopher Hitchens Agreed with Jesus1:13:03 - Does Christianity Cause Evil?

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 431 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden,  Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh DESCRIPTION In this episode, Peter Boulden, Craig Spodak, and Ian  De Jongh (CEO of Bulletproof) explore the critical role of accountability in dental practice management and how it directly impacts growth, hiring, and team performance. They break down effective hiring strategies, emphasizing the importance of involving team members, setting clear expectations, and building a culture of ownership. The conversation also dives into associate development, highlighting the mindset required for long-term success, the importance of mentorship, and creating clear pathways to partnership. With insights on retention, motivation, and the evolving role of DSOs, this episode provides a practical framework for building a high-performing and aligned dental team. Want to be on MyStory? Email MyStory@bulletproofdentalpractice.com. If your story is selected, you'll join Peter and Craig on the podcast. We also launched the Bulletproof Hotline. Call anytime and leave a message to share your story, ask a question, tell a joke, or leave a note for Peter and Craig. We'll listen and respond with real-world feedback. Hotline: (561) 933-5575 TAKEAWAYS Accountability is a key driver of action and results in practice management Involving team members in hiring improves culture and long-term fit Clear communication of expectations sets the foundation for success Hiring slow and firing fast leads to stronger teams Empowering staff in hiring decisions builds ownership Motivation is tied to individual drive and long-term goals Associates need clear career pathways to grow and succeed Partnership opportunities attract and retain top talent Monthly check-ins support new graduates and associate development Understanding practice performance and financials is essential Mentorship plays a critical role in developing dental professionals The dental industry is evolving, requiring adaptability and strategic thinking   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the Hotline and Its Purpose 02:47 Accountability and Action in Practice Management 06:03 Hiring Strategies and Team Dynamics 11:46 Empowering Team Members in Hiring Decisions 15:11 Mindset and Motivation in Associate Growth 21:40 Navigating the DSO Landscape 25:19 The Importance of Partnership Pathways 30:07 Understanding Associate Dynamics 34:49 Key Questions for Associates 38:54 Announcements and Closing Thoughts REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind  

In this week's episode, Lisa interviews Florence K, award-winning musician, author, and mental health advocate. Florence talks with Lisa about her experience growing up in a musical household and the bond of touring musicians. She also addresses the challenges of being a professional musician. In her current work as a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Quebec in Montréal, she explores the complex link between mood, creativity, and well-being in the performing arts. Joining in the conversation is Dr. Aimée Gaudette-Leblanc. Aimée is a professor and researcher whose work focuses on early childhood development, parent-child relationships, and the role of arts and culture in family well-being. Aimée shares insight into the family ensemble, sensitive and responsive parenting, and the joy of observing your children musicking.Florence K's artist pageFlorence K shares “My Story” in The Catalyst, publication of The Mental Health Commission of Canada. Florence K's co-authored article, “Exploring the well-being of professional female musicians: a self-determination theory perspective” in Frontiers in PsychologyAimée's co-authored article, “The implications of participating in a Music Early Learning Program for parental sensitivity and socioemotional functioning in children aged 2–5 years: A randomized control trial” in Psychology of MusicAimée's faculty homepageSesame Street song “Put Down the Duckie” discussed in episode

Northwestern is honored to have the son of our 2nd President, Rev. Franklin Graham share with our community.  

Adeena ReportingAdeena reports about her experience from the Star Trek cruise and shares all the fun details about what it was like being aboard a ship filled with Trekkies and Trek celebrities! Brian, Cris, and Steve hang on her every word as they only wish they could have been there, too!This podcast is a proud part of the Trek Geeks Podcast Network and works hard to bring you great content from all over the science fiction universe. We would love to hear your feedback, suggestions, and ideas. Take a moment to send us an email at thebigscifipodcast@gmail.comTheme music for season 10 was created with AI from the Suno platform with prompts from Brian Donahue.Check our podcast out and learn more about the other great podcasts on the network by visiting trekgeeks.com.We've got the merch! If you want BIG Sci-Fi swag, check out this link and support us by wearing us everywhere you go! www.teepublic.com/thebigscifipodcastCheck out all of our social links in one place:https://linktr.ee/thebigscifipodcastCheck out Cris' amazing YouTube channel for Trek content galore:https://www.youtube.com/@yellingaboutstartrek1532Check out Brian's new book available at Amazon for Kindle and in paperback:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brian-Donahue/author/B0C3BQ93VDSubscribe for free to Brian's Substack page where he writes original science fiction and fantasy: https://bdonahue.substack.com/Listen to Brian's music including his new brand new compilation album "My Story" at: https://www.reverbnation.com/765591/album/330256Find Adeena's books here: https://crazyrobot.myshopify.com/Follow her on Substack here: https://beyondthedroid.substack.com

Free newsleter + gift - https://www.clarkkegley.com/free-ques... Free shadow work Qs - https://www.clarkkegley.com/shadow-work My Best Journal Program - https://www.mybestjournal.com The Best of Series | 10-years In The Making:    • THE BEST OF - Clark Kegley | Top Videos on...   Have you felt different the last 3 years? Like someone asks how you're doing and the honest answer is… tired, empty, and kinda numb. You sit down to work on the thing you KNOW is good for you, and your brain immediately starts screaming for anything else. "Pull out the phone. Scroll. Skip the gym..." So you're chasing anything that makes you feel something. And the worst part is you don't even want to be doing it. You just can't break the loop. This video breaks down exactly what's happening to your brain and 3 changes that brought my energy and motivation back. Timestamps 0:00 - The Dopamine Hole 1:45 - What most get wrong about dopamine 3:15 - The danger of Dopamine Holes 4:30 - How this looks in your life 6:45 - The modern world problem 8:30 - Your pain-pleasure balance 10:00 - My Story: brain fog 12:30 - The dopamine-ADHD connection  14:15 - Solution #1 17:30 - Solution #2 20:15 - Solution #3 21:30 - Summary MY FAVORITE TOOLS

“That's my story, but not where it ends.” — Bob Dylan, “Key West (Philosopher Pirate)”Fitzgerald said there were no second acts in the American story. But it is, of course, a narrative of second chances. And there's no more of an American story than Bob Dylan, whose second act may be more memorable than his first.Robert Polito — poet, National Book Critics Circle Award-winning biographer, and former director of creative writing at the New School — has written what may be the (anti) definitive book on Dylan's second act. After the Flood: Inside Bob Dylan's Memory Palace covers the years from “Time Out of Mind” in 1997 through “Rough and Rowdy Ways” in 2020. It's structured as an abecedarium — twenty-six chapters, A to Z — because Polito explains, he wanted a form that acknowledged the limits of what anyone can know about Dylan. There is no rosebud sled buried in the Tulsa archive. So an alphabet book as good as we are gonna get.Digging into Dylan's Tulsa archive, Polito found much blood on the tracks — multiple drafts for every work, songs ripped up and redistributed line by line. The freewheeling spontaneity of Dylan's first act, Polito suggests, was replaced by something more deliberate: an American folk process merging into literary modernism. A hostage to his own memory palace, Dylan weaves Civil War poetry, Ovid's exile poems, Homer, and nineteenth-century speeches into songs that know more than any single listener can interpret.Polito argues that “Rough and Rowdy Ways” is Bob Dylan's real Nobel Prize speech — his self-reflection on his own art, delivered in his own forms and idioms. This pinnacle of Dylan's second act is his story, but not where it ends. Five Takeaways•       Rough and Rowdy Ways Is Dylan's Real Nobel Prize Speech: The 2020 album is Dylan's self-reflection on his own art, delivered in his own forms and idioms. Every song addresses his craft, his legacy, his audience. I Contain Multitudes, Key West, Murder Most Foul, My Own Version of You — each one a chapter in the speech the Nobel committee was waiting for. That's when Polito knew he could write the book.•       Dylan Works Harder Than Anyone Would Expect: The Tulsa archive reveals multiple drafts of songs that change radically from version to version. For Time Out of Mind, Dylan completed three or four songs, then ripped them up and redistributed the lines across different tracks. The spontaneity of the first act gave way to something more deliberate — folk process merging into literary modernism. Eliot, Joyce, Gertrude Stein.•       The Memory Palace Is Real: Dylan embeds Civil War poetry, Ovid's exile poems, Homer, nineteenth-century speeches, and movies into his late songs. The classical mnemonic device — depositing memories in specific rooms — became Polito's image for how much those songs know. There is no rosebud sled buried in the Tulsa archive. The memory palace is the art itself.•       That's My Story, But Not Where It Ends: The last line of Key West — probably Polito's favourite song on Rough and Rowdy Ways. If the song had ended with “that's my story,” there would have been a definitiveness about it. Instead, Dylan subverts the line in the very next breath. Tentativeness and self-skepticism, all the way through.•       The Police Didn't Believe He Was Bob Dylan: Wandering around New Jersey in the rain, looking for where Springsteen grew up. The police pick him up. What's your name? Bob Dylan. What's your real name? Robert Zimmerman. Where do you live? That's a good question. The more precisely he told the truth, the more they assumed he was lying. Knowing innocence. About the GuestRobert Polito is a poet, critic, and biographer. His biography of Jim Thompson, Savage Art, won the National Book Critics Circle Award. He is a former director of creative writing at the New School. After the Flood: Inside Bob Dylan's Memory Palace is published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.References:•       After the Flood: Inside Bob Dylan's Memory Palace by Robert Polito (FSG) — the book under discussion.•       Episode 2849: How Stories Can Save Us — Colum McCann on Narrative Four. McCann's “that's his story, but not where it ends” is also Dylan's line.About Keen On AmericaNobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,800 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting.WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters:(00:00) - (00:31) - Introduction: Fitzgerald, second acts, and A Complete Unknown (02:57) - Team Dylan? No — tentativeness and self-skepticism (04:00) - The abecedarium: twenty-six chapters, A to Z, no rosebud sled (06:13) - Dylan the movie guy: always watching films on the tour bus (07:13) - The memory palace: how much those late songs know (09:26) - The interlude: the Grammy lifetime achievement speech and starting over (12:11) - Time Out of Mind and the Tulsa archive: how hard Dylan works (15:55) - Folk process meets literary modernism: Eliot, Joyce, Stein (18:34) - Lanois, the spoken vs. written word, and why albums are just a stage (21:41) - Rough and Rowdy Ways as Dylan's real Nobel Prize speech (24:19) - Key West: that's my story, but not where it ends (26:04) - The sacrificial quality: he was given something and shouldn't squander it (30:24) - Race, the civil war, and Love and Theft as minstrel acknowledgment (34:32) - Murder Most Foul: take me back to Tulsa, to the scene of the crime (40:56) - Picked up by police in New Jersey looking for Springsteen's house

Across the 8th DimensionThis week on The BIG Sci‑Fi Podcast, we strap in for one of the wildest, most delightfully eccentric rides in sci‑fi cinema as we dive deep into the 1984 cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.Buckaroo Banzai isn't just a neurosurgeon. Or a rock star. Or a particle‑physicist‑slash‑comic‑book‑hero. He's all of the above—and somehow that's only the beginning. From Red Lectroids to jet‑car dimension‑hopping to a cast packed with unforgettable performances, this film has carved out a unique place in sci‑fi history.We explore why this movie continues to inspire such passionate fandom, how its chaotic charm became part of its legacy, and what makes Buckaroo Banzai such a singular cinematic experience.Whether you're a longtime Blue Blaze Irregular or you're stepping into the 8th Dimension for the first time, this episode is packed with fun insights, behind‑the‑scenes tidbits, and our signature BIG Sci‑Fi banter.So grab your oscillation overthruster and join us as we boldly go… wherever Buckaroo Banzai takes us next.This podcast is a proud part of the Trek Geeks Podcast Network and works hard to bring you great content from all over the science fiction universe. We would love to hear your feedback, suggestions, and ideas. Take a moment to send us an email at thebigscifipodcast@gmail.comTheme music for season 10 was created with AI from the Suno platform with prompts from Brian Donahue.Check our podcast out and learn more about the other great podcasts on the network by visiting trekgeeks.com.We've got the merch! If you want BIG Sci-Fi swag, check out this link and support us by wearing us everywhere you go! www.teepublic.com/thebigscifipodcastCheck out all of our social links in one place:https://linktr.ee/thebigscifipodcastCheck out Cris' amazing YouTube channel for Trek content galore:https://www.youtube.com/@yellingaboutstartrek1532Check out Brian's new book available at Amazon for Kindle and in paperback:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brian-Donahue/author/B0C3BQ93VDSubscribe for free to Brian's Substack page where he writes original science fiction and fantasy: https://bdonahue.substack.com/Listen to Brian's music including his new brand new compilation album "My Story" at: https://www.reverbnation.com/765591/album/330256Find Adeena's books here: https://crazyrobot.myshopify.com/Follow her on Substack here: https://beyondthedroid.substack.com

How my wellness journey started vs how it is NOW!! In this week's episode, I share my healing journey with food & the changes I made to improve my wellness journey along with some of my favourite recipes. Hope you enjoy & make sure to follow our socials below: MY SOCIALS:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kaylieestewart/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/hotgirlenergypodcast/?hl=entiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kaylieestewart?_t=8UV3DMjINID&_r=1Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAlWpmp905JHvVLtZnIk8A

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 428 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Dr. Cary Brown  DESCRIPTION "MyStory" is a new Bulletproof series where real dentists share their real story: what's working, what's not, and the questions they can't get answered anywhere else. Each episode is a one-hour Master Class. Peter and Craig give practical advice, just like they do inside our Mastermind Program and at the Bulletproof Summit.  The point is simple: you'll hear your own challenges in someone else's story, and leave with clear steps you can use right away to shift your mindset, strengthen your practice, and avoid the mistakes that make growth harder than it needs to be. Want to be on MyStory? Email MyStory@bulletproofdentalpractice.com. If your story is selected, you'll join Peter and Craig on the podcast. We also launched the Bulletproof Hotline. Call anytime and leave a message to share your story, ask a question, tell a joke, or leave a note for Peter and Craig. We'll listen and respond with real-world feedback. Hotline: (561) 933-5575 Our Guest: Dr. Cary Brown Single Practice Owner Based in Dallas, Texas Yearly Production $800,000 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Cary Brown's Journey 05:34 Identifying Pain Points and Goals 10:59 Understanding Revenue Stability and Growth 17:35 Exploring Fulfillment and Business Satisfaction 24:24 Strategies for Improving Patient Retention 29:55 Conclusion and Next Steps 30:25 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 30:48 The Role of Before and After Photos in Practice Growth 30:58 Why Social Media Posting Has Been Paused 31:37 The Impact of Social Proof on New Patient Acquisition 32:15 The Connection Between Social Media and Revenue 33:10 Current Patient Numbers and Growth Goals 33:43 Reverse Engineering Revenue Goals from Patient Numbers 34:44 Setting Reappointment Rate Benchmarks 35:56 The Importance of Reviews and Referrals 36:34 Goals for Review Acquisition and Practice Growth 37:20 The Psychology Behind Practice Management Challenges 38:46 Addressing Psychological Barriers and Self-Leadership 40:13 The Role of State and Belief in Practice Success 41:37 Shifting Mindset to Focus on Patient Care 42:20 Helping Patients as the Core Mission 43:32 The Impact of Leadership and Personal Conviction 44:08 Practicing Communication and Leadership Skills 45:42 The Power of Repetition and Practice 46:36 Breakthroughs in Practice Growth and Self-Leadership 47:32 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Psychological Barriers 48:35 The Obligation to Help Patients First 49:08 The Importance of Consistent Action and Accountability 50:00 Future Goals and Follow-Up Plans 50:41 Closing Remarks and Next Steps 52:38 Outro REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind

Commentators are warning that Sarah Ferguson could pose a new risk to the British royal family if the former Duchess of York decides to publish another memoir.Writing in The Royalist, Tom Sykes argues that financial pressure and public scrutiny could tempt Ferguson to produce a revealing book about her decades inside royal circles. Her 1996 memoir My Story caused major tension within the family and reportedly damaged her friendship with Diana, Princess of Wales.Experts say Ferguson's long proximity to the royal household means she holds extensive knowledge about private events and relationships within the monarchy. One royal commentator warned that the family understands she “knows where the bodies are buried.”With Prince Harry's memoir Spare reportedly earning about $20 million, publishing insiders believe a similar tell-all from Ferguson could attract enormous interest — and potentially create another major challenge for the monarchy.Get episodes of Palace Intrigue by becommming a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts. Click the button that says uninterrupted listening.  Just $5 a month, and that includes many ofther shows on the Caloroga Shark network.Royal Books:William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside StoryThe Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana

Episode Summary: This week's episode features a special message by Becky Davidson recorded live at By the Brook in 2019 titled “This Is My Story.” In this powerful and personal talk, listeners are invited to reflect on the stories they carry — the ones they tell themselves, the ones others have spoken over them, and the narratives they've come to believe. Some of these stories are beautifully true. Others, however, are incomplete or simply untrue. Every person has a story — the stranger in the hallway, the cashier at the grocery store, the mother across the waiting room. Yet it's easy to mistake a single moment for the whole narrative. What's visible today is only a page, a paragraph — not the entire story. This message explores where personal narratives come from and how both internal thoughts and external voices shape identity. It gently challenges listeners to reconsider the assumptions they've accepted and to recognize that their lives are part of something far greater. At its heart, this episode points to the Bigger Story — one written by God — that brings meaning, redemption, and hope to every chapter. Practical, everyday tools are shared to help listeners ground themselves in truth, remember who they are, and live with confidence in the Author who holds it all together. To purchase your ticket to By The Brooke - A Weekend Experience For Special-Needs Moms follow this link - https://www.risingaboveministries.org/bythebrook To learn more about Rising Above's Retreat Experiences, such as “This is My Story”, visit risingaboveministries.org  

How will you preserve your family history? Maybe through journaling or family movies? What about grabbing an audio recorder? Today, we’ll hear all about oral history projects in Connecticut that are recording stories for posterity. Later on, we’ll also hear how the Yiddish language and its dialects are being preserved. Guests: Katie Heidsiek: Director of Exhibitions for the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History Jamil Ragland: writer for the New Haven Independent, Hartford community member and Hartford bureau chief for "Midbrow" Elizabeth George: Doctoral student at the University of Connecticut and an instructor for “My Story, Our Future.” Christa Whitney: Director of the Yiddish Book Center's Wexler Oral History Project Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The First Five Episodes

For the next few months, I'm going to be focusing on the most important foundational work that you can do to improve your relationships.This includes:- developing secure attachment- freeing ourselves from codependency- cultivating true self-love and self-worth- learning about boundaries- developing crystal clear communication skillsIn the path of relationships that I teach, I call this Level 1. It will completely change your life even if you have zero interest to move into the higher levels of relationships (Level 2 - Conscious Relationships, and Level 3 - Spiritual Partnership).The vast majority of people have not yet built the strong and solid foundation that Level 1 provides, and this is why there is immense confusion and failure when it comes to building strong, healthy relationships.There is no shame, since most people are not taught this - and I had to learn everything the hard way through major life lessons that were incredibly painful and humbling.This work is worth every single minute.The Foundation begins on Sunday, March 22.Join us:https://www.love-evolved.us/the-foundation-0856c6d2-8590-4157-b61d-875f6aad63e5Other resources mentioned:My Story, Part 1: Healing from Abusehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-evolved-with-leigh-anne-lopinto-conscious/id1589898399?i=1000650388992My Story, Part 2: Recovering from Divorcehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-evolved-with-leigh-anne-lopinto-conscious/id1589898399?i=1000650999284The Trap of Codependency and How to Healhttps://www.love-evolved.us/storeThe War on Love, S_x + Relationshipshttps://leighannelopinto.substack.com/p/the-war-on-love-sex-relationshipsThe Work of a Lifetime: The New Paradigm of Relationshipshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-evolved-conscious-relationships-with-leigh-anne/id1589898399?i=1000717107657—About me:My name is Leigh-Anne LoPinto, and I'm a psychologist and breathwork teacher focusing on relationships.I help people who are done with repeating the same patterns over and over again, and want love and connection built on a healthy, stable foundation.My clients tend to struggle with insecure attachment, codependency, and a more passive style of communication.They tend to settle for subpar relationships, put others on pedestals, and have difficulty with boundaries.We work on healing all of this in order to step into incredible, healthy and happy relationships - this work is truly life-changing.Book a Free Intro Call:https://www.love-evolved.us/start-here.htmlThe Visionaries Community:https://www.love-evolved.us/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/love.evolv.ed/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leighannelopinto.substack.com

The 1970 Sci-Fi FilmIn this episode of The BIG Sci‑Fi Podcast, the crew dives into one of the most fascinating—and unsettling—techno‑thrillers of the classic sci‑fi era: Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970). This underrated gem imagines a world where humanity hands global security over to a supercomputer… only to discover that the machine has ideas of its own.Join the team as they explore the film's bold themes of artificial intelligence, Cold War paranoia, and the uneasy relationship between human freedom and technological control. They unpack the film's prophetic warnings, its surprisingly grounded scientific concepts, and the unforgettable performance of Eric Braeden as Dr. Charles Forbin—the man who built a system he can no longer command.Expect lively discussion, sharp insights, and plenty of BIG sci‑fi energy as the hosts revisit what makes this film a standout in the genre's history. Whether you're a longtime fan of Colossus or discovering it for the first time, this episode will have you thinking about the line between creator and creation long after the credits roll.Tune in, think deeply, and boldly go into the world of classic sci‑fi cinemaThis podcast is a proud part of the Trek Geeks Podcast Network and works hard to bring you great content from all over the science fiction universe. We would love to hear your feedback, suggestions, and ideas. Take a moment to send us an email at thebigscifipodcast@gmail.comTheme music for season 10 was created with AI from the Suno platform with prompts from Brian Donahue.Check our podcast out and learn more about the other great podcasts on the network by visiting trekgeeks.com.We've got the merch! If you want BIG Sci-Fi swag, check out this link and support us by wearing us everywhere you go! www.teepublic.com/thebigscifipodcastCheck out all of our social links in one place:https://linktr.ee/thebigscifipodcastCheck out Cris' amazing YouTube channel for Trek content galore:https://www.youtube.com/@yellingaboutstartrek1532Check out Brian's new book available at Amazon for Kindle and in paperback:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brian-Donahue/author/B0C3BQ93VDSubscribe for free to Brian's Substack page where he writes original science fiction and fantasy: https://bdonahue.substack.com/Listen to Brian's music including his new brand new compilation album "My Story" at: https://www.reverbnation.com/765591/album/330256Find Adeena's books here: https://crazyrobot.myshopify.com/Follow her on Substack here: https://beyondthedroid.substack.com

The Infamous DS9 EpisodeIn this lively and laughter‑filled episode of The BIG Sci‑Fi Podcast, the crew dives headfirst into one of Deep Space Nine's most delightfully bizarre adventures — “Move Along Home.” From hopscotch‑like puzzles to the Wadi's mysterious game of Chula, this DS9 outing gives us plenty to unpack, debate, and celebrate.Adeena, Brian, Cris, and Steve explore every corner of this cult‑favorite episode, sharing what makes it charming, frustrating, unexpectedly deep, and endlessly rewatchable. Along the way, the conversation takes some beautiful detours — from the nature of early‑season DS9 experimentation to the joys of Trek's willingness to get weird, whimsical, and wonderfully theatrical.If you love DS9, quirky Trek episodes, or just hearing a group of friends have a blast dissecting sci‑fi storytelling, this is an episode you'll want to queue up immediately.Allamaraine… move along home!This podcast is a proud part of the Trek Geeks Podcast Network and works hard to bring you great content from all over the science fiction universe. We would love to hear your feedback, suggestions, and ideas. Take a moment to send us an email at thebigscifipodcast@gmail.comTheme music for season 10 was created with AI from the Suno platform with prompts from Brian Donahue.Check our podcast out and learn more about the other great podcasts on the network by visiting trekgeeks.com.We've got the merch! If you want BIG Sci-Fi swag, check out this link and support us by wearing us everywhere you go! www.teepublic.com/thebigscifipodcastCheck out all of our social links in one place:https://linktr.ee/thebigscifipodcastCheck out Cris' amazing YouTube channel for Trek content galore:https://www.youtube.com/@yellingaboutstartrek1532Check out Brian's new book available at Amazon for Kindle and in paperback:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brian-Donahue/author/B0C3BQ93VDSubscribe for free to Brian's Substack page where he writes original science fiction and fantasy: https://bdonahue.substack.com/Listen to Brian's music including his new brand new compilation album "My Story" at: https://www.reverbnation.com/765591/album/330256Find Adeena's books here: https://crazyrobot.myshopify.com/Follow her on Substack here: https://beyondthedroid.substack.com

David Myles is a fantastic pastor and speaker.  His story encourages on so many levels.  Note, this sermon includes real-life mental health moments.  

Pye is a returning guest to The Burn, having last joined us in January 2023. She is a writer and artisan who was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 37, and again at 59. Pye's work has appeared in five issues of Wildfire to date. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband, Steve, a photographer.In this episode, Pye reads two poems she wrote for the 2025 “The Second Time Around” issue of Wildfire Journal. These poems explore the strange familiarity and quiet revelations of facing cancer again after more than two decades.April and Pye talk about what it's been like to be an ongoing contributor to Wildfire, the differences in cancer care across decades, parenting with cancer at two very different stages of life, and how you decide who to share details of your diagnosis with. They also discuss the role of art in Pye's life.More about episode sponsor iRise Above Foundation: https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/More about episode sponsor Young Survival Coalition: https://youngsurvival.org/Learn more about Pye:https://www.instagram.com/blog.forthegirls/https://www.blogforthegirls.com/Listen to My Story in Ink with Pye Pajewski: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/305b98f0-e162-45ec-a886-e831dca7d671/Purchase the The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/secondtimeBuy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today's Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletterLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/freeMore about Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orghttps://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunityInformation on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal:...

Dr. Moss shares his life testimony and the impact a racial covenant of his childhood home had on his faith.  

What does it look like to let go of the bitterness? Imagine not feeling frustrated or angry because motherhood has taken your identity. Instead you are able to find the joy and ease in your role as a mother.

Join Lighthouse Horror on Patreon: Lighthouse Horror | PatreonShop at the Lighthouse Horror Giftshop: https://hauntedstuff.com/Art & Credits: ninerioartsMusic by Lucas King, Myuu, Kevin MacLeod & Darren CurtisOriginal YouTube link: I Took a STRANGE Job Near CANDLE COVE. This is My Story.     Copyright © 2025 Lighthouse Horror. All rights reservedThank you for listening to this scary story! If you enjoyed this story, please check out some of my other horror stories. We'll be uploading new episodes every week, featuring ghost stories, haunted encounters, mysteries, true stories, creepypasta, and anything supernatural and paranormal. Don't miss out on the thrill and suspense that await you in each episode!

Teacher: Randy Fall Download Sermon Notes  Watch Episode Give Online: http://westgatechapel.org/give Connect With Us: http://westgatechapel.org/connect Chapters (00:00:04) - I Met the Author of My Story(00:05:09) - Dads and Kids Night of worship(00:06:29) - Makers Mart(00:08:29) - Still a Make or Break at the Maker's Mart(00:10:33) - Christ, Be Magnified in Me(00:16:23) - Christ Be Magnified In My Life(00:23:58) - All My Life You Have Been Good(00:25:51) - Wonders of the World Give offerings during worship(00:27:32) - Joseph's Story(00:32:14) - Joseph's Reasons for Being Faith(00:37:50) - God Uses Forgiveness to Awaken the Heart(00:41:15) - Truth #3, Real Repentance(00:44:05) - Truth #3 in Forgiveness: Trust God with the Justice(00:48:53) - Forgot to Go to the Person First(00:51:40) - Forgiveness Is More Than a Command(00:52:33) - 4. Forgiveness frees the forgiver first(00:53:31) - Holding on to a Hurt(00:58:27) - Release One Person's Unrighteous Heart(01:00:41) - Wonders at the Lord's Table(01:02:16) - Holy Communion(01:09:55) - God's Prayer for Families

President Hoornbeek reminds us that you can only have one PRIORITY...not many!  

Welcome to my podcast! In this special episode, I am thrilled to welcome Colin Thackery, a Chelsea Pensioner and Britain's Got Talent winner, who has an extraordinary life story to share. Colin talks about his time in the Royal Artillery, his experience being appointed an MBE and his unexpected journey to stardom at the age of 89. We also discuss his book, 'My Story. Love Changes Everything' and his enduring love for his late wife Joan. Join us as we reflect on his inspiring journey, his military service and his newfound fame with captivating stories of bravery, love, and resilience.00:49 Colin's MBE Award Journey05:49 Life at the Royal Hospital09:32 Britain's Got Talent Experience15:44 Reflecting on Joan's Legacy16:12 Early Marriage and Military Life17:22 Family and Cultural Heritage18:51 Royal Artillery and Highclere Event22:24 Musical Journey and Britain's Got Talent25:09 Post-Army Career and Civilian Life29:05 Meeting Jo and New BeginningsYou can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

Some stories shape your life before you are old enough to remember them. In this solo episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh shares his Iranian origin story and how the Iranian Revolution changed the course of his family's life. Born to a Persian father and Italian American mother, Darius reflects on his family's forced exit from Iran, growing up disconnected from half of his identity, and the lasting impact that displacement had on his father and his upbringing. As Iran faces renewed unrest today, Darius explains why speaking up matters and how personal stories can shine light on what is often ignored. This episode is a reminder that freedom should never be taken for granted and that awareness begins with empathy. In this episode, Darius will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to My Story (01:17) My Iranian Heritage and Family Background (04:49) The Iranian Revolution and Its Impact (09:45) Life in America: Growing Up with a Dual Identity (16:50) The Aftermath of the Revolution on My Family (21:26) A Call to Action: Supporting Freedom in Iran Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of the lies playing on repeat in your mind? Feeling like a fraud, rejected, or not good enough—even when you're managing everything? In this vulnerable episode, we're exploring how to speak the truth over yourself and your children, exchanging lies for God's identity and calling for your life.Kerry shares her deeply personal story of walking through rejection and discovering that speaking the truth out loud daily—not just thinking it—is what transforms your mind and breaks the power of lies.What you'll learn in this episode:✅Why we must speak the truth out loud (not just think positive thoughts) to renew our minds✅The white stone with a new name in Revelation 2:17 and what it means for your identity✅The two questions that replace "Why, God?" and actually move you forward✅Kerry's story: learning to speak the truth as a warrior on her knees after 31 years of marriage ended✅How to help your kids speak the truth over the lies they believe about themselvesReady to start your identity exchange? Download the FREE Biblical Truths Printable mentioned in this episode—sample truths Kerry speaks over herself daily plus a blank page for your own. Grab your copy of Jamie Winship's book Living Fearless! Podcast: Stop Negative Thinking for You & Your KidsShow Notes: Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break.We talked last week about lies in our head and lies that our kids believe. This week, we're going to get to the hopeful part. That may have been a little depressing. We're going to get to the hopeful part. We're going to come talk to God about what our identity is in Him, what His calling is for us, and how we can replace those lies.Jamie Winship calls it identity exchange. We are going to exchange those lies for truth.Learning from Living FearlessWhat I'm sharing are things that I have learned from a man named Jamie Winship. He's written a book called Living Fearless. You can get the link to it in the show notes, and I highly recommend it. A few years ago, I bought a copy for every one of my children, and for my parents and my sister as well, because it had such a huge impact on us.We're going to talk today about how God actually gives you a new name, a true identity, and how to listen for it, how to find out what it is. We're going to start with Revelation 2. This is where Jesus is writing to the different churches, and he's written to a church called Pergamum. He says, you have remained true to my name, to God's name. You did not renounce your faith in me. And that was a good thing.But at the end of his letter, he has this to say in Revelation 2:17: Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious, I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away up in heaven. I will give to each of you a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands, except the one who receives it.You may be going, what is this white stone he's talking about? And how do we get a new name? Because that new name has something to do with your identity. Well, in ancient Greece, the jury members would give a white stone if they were going to acquit the man. They would give a black stone if the defendant was guilty. In ancient Rome, they had a custom of awarding white stones to the winner of athletic events, and their name was written on that stone.We want to talk about that new name, because we walk in newness of life. We walk in a new covenant. We're going to put away our sins. We're going to leave our past in the past, and we are going to walk in newness of life. That's what I want for you, Mom. That's what I want for your children as well.Can You Really Hear from God?If you've ever wondered, can I really hear God about my identity? How do I know? Sometimes we don't truly believe God and what He is saying. We say He can do the impossible, but we don't really think it for us.Let me share a couple stories that Jamie Winship shares. He met a man in Washington, D.C. who had been working with Congress, and this man comes up to him, like a bodybuilder, very well-built, very healthy. And he says, how can I know if I can really hear from God? And he said, well, you can come with me to a mission, because Jamie Winship had worked with the CIA over in the Middle East for decades, and he was now helping Congress with some things about working with conflict.He and this Jason Bourne dude and a Navy guy, they all got dropped off in Northern Africa, pitch dark. They get there, they're staying in tents, their host would fix their meals, and they would fix 4 plates. And the Jason Bourne guy would go, why is there someone else? Why do they keep fixing 4? There's only three of us.Eventually, after a few days, he says, well, go ask them. Since this guy could speak that language, he says, why do you have four plates? Well, it's for your security detail. He's like, what are you talking about? Well, long story short, they're like, the guy that's guarding y'all outside. And he's like, what does he look like? He's the big, bulky guy that's protecting you. And what is he? He has a sword.Come to find out, they could see this angel of God that was protecting Jamie and this Jason Bourne guy and the other guy from enemy attack, and he had a sword. Muslims believe in visions like that. They believe these things. They believe you can hear from the gods. And they could see this angel, even though Jamie and Jason Bourne person couldn't.But when he heard that, Jason Bourne is like, okay, how do I hear God? I want to know. How do I hear God? And basically, Jamie says, what about your situation? He's like, why can't we have kids? And he says, you're asking the wrong question. And for some of you, you're asking the wrong question when it comes to the problems in your life, your identity. You're saying, why, why, why? That is the wrong question.Here are the two questions that Jamie suggests. We need to say, God, what do you want me to know, God? What do you want me to do? And that was a question that I actually wrestled with. This morning, again, on my walk, I was gonna go right into prayer. I'm like, no, I need to listen to God.A lot of believers, we all believe, yes, God's powerful, we've seen Him do miracles, all this stuff, but we don't really believe that we can hear from God. And if we don't believe that, we believe in a weak God. I do believe that I can hear from God. We believe in a God that can do it for everyone else, but not for us. Or that He will do miracles, but I don't know about for us.Well, that is not total faith. Total faith is believing that God can do miracles. And we need to let God tell us what He is doing, instead of our past dictating what we do. Instead of our failures dictating what we do. Instead of our fears. Do you have fears about homeschooling? Or raising kids? You see, this is what leads to bad identity, to the lies that we talked about.But when you live from what God says you are, you are going to become more creative, more resilient, you're going to have more peace, even in the hard circumstances. I am a product of that as well. You see, you may be great at multitasking, teaching, managing your home, but you still feel like a fraud.Identity Exchange is going to God and letting him rename you. Like that white stone with a new name.The Story of HamzaThere was a young man in the Middle East that Jamie ran across. I actually shared this story at Homeschool Superheroes about 3 or 4 years ago, and in the chat, people are like, is this for real? Is this a real story? Is she really telling the truth? And yes, it is real, and you can read about it or listen to it when Jamie tells that story. But there was a man named Hamza.He had found a Bible at a hotel, and somehow he connected with Jamie, and he's like, who is this man? And they go, well, do you want to hear from him? Or do you want us to tell you about him? I want to hear from him, talking about Jesus, because he had read parts of the New Testament.They got together, and they didn't tell him what they knew about Jesus. They were like, we're gonna let God speak. And what they did was they prayed and said, okay, God, Hamza really wants to hear from you. Would you please speak your truth to Him and let him hear that?Would that be a scary prayer? In the United States, we don't pray that. You know why? We're afraid God's not going to show up. We're afraid God's not going to show up for me, for our friends, for our own children. We're afraid he's not going to speak.Well, they weren't afraid, and God has shown up over and over. I've heard many stories that He has shared of Him speaking, and Hamza heard, and he began to grow in his new identity in Jesus Christ. He has walked through so many hardships. His family tried to kill him several times, like, throw him off a cliff, shoot him with a gun, and somehow he's made it through all of this because he walks in his identity of Christ, and what God spoke to him.His hardships and fear began to change as he learned to listen to God's voice and receive that new identity of who He is in Christ Jesus. This has opened doors to things he would never imagine, and it can be the same with you in your homeschool. If God can reach a young man, a Muslim man, being killed by his family because he has faith in Jesus, and even more dangerous situations, he can speak to you, tired homeschool mom, in your minivan, or at the kitchen table.My Story of Identity ExchangeI know from experience that God has spoken to me. I don't know how many of you know my story, but about nine and a half years ago, my husband left. We'd been married for 31 years. I'd be a very rich person if I had money from all my friends that looked at me and went, you and Steve? No, that's not true. Because they'd seen a marriage that seemed to be working.But I felt, when I found out he was leaving, totally rejected. I'd never felt depression before. I felt hopeless. And I could have walked in those lies. I probably did for a while. My friend says, Kerry, you were walking in PTSD for a few years. That's probably true.But I began praying for him all the time. I pray for him every single day. Sometimes it's a quick prayer, sometimes it's prayers of tears, but it is a prayer for his soul. His soul needs to go back to accepting the redemption that He has through Jesus Christ. I also pray for reconciliation for our marriage and our family. And there are people that are like, just get over it and move on, and go find someone else. No.I made a covenant with God, a three-way covenant. Not a contract, where if he does something wrong, it's broken, go off and do whatever. A covenant. God's never broken His covenant with Israel. He's remained faithful, even through discipline. And I decided that is what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna remain faithful to our covenant. God and I are still waiting for Steve's return.The question isn't why, God? Why is this happening? It's, God, what do you want me to know? What do you want me to do about this? And then let God work in and through me through the Holy Spirit. You see, I need to focus on me growing with God, and I'll let God deal with Steve. I believe He is faithful to the promises He's made, Steve and me. God says, I will never leave you or abandon you. I will work on you until the day of Christ Jesus.Over time, I've learned who I am. What is my identity? And it's not the same as for you, but I will share mine. I believe I'm a warrior, a warrior on her knees, a teacher. A teacher of women and kids, both online and in person. An encourager. I never wanted to be a counselor. That's the thing I ever wanted to do. But God has used me to counsel kids and women. And I've pressed into that. And I'm a networker. I'm an organizer networker, trying to pull people together, trying to get things, not programs, but relationships. That's where it's all about, a networker of relationships.You need to know your identity comes first, and then the outcome. I am a prayer warrior for Steve and for our family on my knees pretty every day. Again, sometimes there are quick prayers, but a lot of times, when I go for a walk, that's my prayer time. When I sit at the kitchen table, that's my prayer and Bible time. That is who God made me, a warrior of people's souls. A warrior that fights and contends for people's souls, starting with my own marriage and husband, and family, kids, and grandkids.We haven't seen reconciliation, but I know God is good, I know God loves Steve, and He is still working, and I totally believe that He is reconciling our marriage. In the middle of my pain, it wasn't why God. Well, yeah, I had asked that, honestly. Why is this happening to me? It's not supposed to be like this.But I have learned it's more important for me to keep my eyes upward and my faith in Jesus. Because this world is passing away, and there is nothing that I need to do. I need to change my identity and not believe the lies that I was a terrible wife or a terrible mom. I've been rejected multiple times since Steve left by him, neighbors, church, family members, and it hurts.But I keep going back to God, because He's the one that's going to move me forward. I can't change people. I can just deal with myself. And He will meet me in the messiness of my broken marriage, my sleeping marriage, my destroyed marriage. He will meet you in your homeschool. He will meet you in your family, in your home, in your marriage, and in your heart.Simple Steps to Get UnstuckThere are two key questions you need to be asking yourself. Not why, although you can ask why. I'm not expecting to, well, I do, I'll be honest, the reason why is so I would trust Him, and I would grow closer to Him. I would never wish my life on anyone. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Because I am closer to God than I have ever been.So, God, what do you want me to do about this situation, your situation? God, what do you want me to know, and then what do you want me to do?Your child melts down over math. The old question is, why is this always happening? What is wrong with us? The new question is, God, what do you want me to know about my child? What do you want me to do? Comfort? Pause, change the approach, stop doing math. I did that for a whole year, actually, when I had a child that wasn't doing well with math, and had a bad attitude about it.Maybe skip it first. You're a gentle shepherd, not a drill sergeant. Then speak that truth out loud. Start acting as a gentle shepherd and not that frazzled failure. Just like I did.What I want you to do is I want you to look at the lies, pick one, and write a truth, hopefully a Bible verse that will go along with that truth. And then once you've wrestled through this, work with each of your children. What is the lie they are believing? I can't do it. I'm not smart enough. I need this, or I need that. I don't want this, I don't want that. Blaming people, whatever the lie is.Do it with your kids as well, and write a truth down, and say it out loud. Here are the simple steps so that you can get unstuck with the lies that you're believing. Number one, name one lie. That was last week's episode. Ask the two questions. What, God, do you want me to know about this? What do you want me to do about this?Then, I want you to find a truth and write it down, and put it somewhere that you're going to see it every single day. Kitchen sink, I have some in the bathroom window, I actually have some in the kitchen sink, I have some in my car. So I have different truths that I will see at different times of my day. And then I want you to say it aloud every single day.Do this with your kids, maybe at the breakfast table. They read out loud that Bible verse or that truth about themselves, maybe at their desk, if they have a desk, and they are going to read that out loud as well, before they get started on their homeschool.Speak the Truth Over Your LifeIf you want more ideas, you can get Jamie's book, Living Fearless, that'll be in the show notes. If you want these free things here that I have, I'm going to read these in a second, then you can get those, the link is in the show notes as well. It's just a printable, and there is a page for you to write your own truth. You don't need mine, but mine can be just sort of a sample.And I'll close with this. Like Jesus, I am chosen by God to be holy. I am chosen by God for great honor. I trust in Jesus, therefore I am not put to shame. God loves me and always takes care of me.I am precious to God, because He bought me with Jesus' blood. I am a daughter of the king, a princess. I live in the light shining for Jesus all day long. I control my thoughts, my words, my food, my drink.I receive God's mercy and grace, so I give grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others. I lead my case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. I speak with words. I speak with pure and reverent behavior, and with a gentle and quiet spirit. I wait quietly on God.Some things I have to really work on, and when I'm really struggling with a lie at that time, I may just pull that one out and say it every day, sometimes multiple times. I am patient. I am kind. I always forgive. I forget offenses against me. And some of you are like, I can't forget that. Well, you know what? If I have the Holy Spirit inside of me, I have the power that God has inside of me, and I can overcome, and God can take those thoughts away. He takes other thoughts away that I forget. Surely He can take those offenses, and I forget them.The Holy Spirit renews my mind and attitudes every day. God never leaves me, never abandons me, never fails me. I listen well. I trust in God to fight my battles. He wins my battles.Thanks for spending time with me. If any of this hits home, please share this with just one friend, maybe another homeschool mom, that this might encourage. That would mean the world to me. I'm Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break. We'll talk to you next time.

Are you a complete beach person or just craving a warm escape? Either way, you're in luck. We cover: All-inclusive resorts: pros & value Authentic Bajan culture & dining Island adventures & smart planning This episode is for travelers who want more from Barbados than beach chairs and swim-up bars. If you're questioning the hype, the cost, or tired of tourist traps, Crystal Hammond offers a clearer picture after three trips with the same group of friends. Crystal and Joe Saul-Sehy explore how Barbados blends resort relaxation with real adventure, from local rum shops and flying fish to ATV rides, jeep safaris, snorkeling with turtles, and beaches locals love. They break down when all-inclusive resorts are worth it, which excursions matter, and how to balance comfort with authentic Bajan experiences. You'll also hear smart packing tips, budget-friendly advice, favorite local finds, and Gear of the Day picks to help turn a good Caribbean trip into a memorable one. Find our Gear of the Day here: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD Call in and share YOUR story! StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Discover five powerful lessons from the Christmas story as we explore how God stepped into the lives of Mary and Joseph—and how He still steps into ours today. In this episode, we unpack themes of surrender, unexpected life, God's provision, community, and the peace Jesus brings, all through the lens of biblical parenting. Learn how these timeless truths can shape your family, strengthen your faith, and guide you as you raise children who walk closely with God. Perfect for Christian parents, faith‑based families, and anyone wanting to live the wisdom of the Nativity all year long.Join the Prayer Tribe https://mailchi.mp/24bba9787d3e/raisingkidsonyourknees Step Free! My Journey of Healing After Abortion https://www.amazon.com/Free-Journey-Healing-After-Abortion/dp/1729681484?crid=2ORR6PWEPZCF2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T3HxNVbLECDJ4DlgKY0CAeMBkT3W9tHrBOP2f-hl5bkT0yw200ng6yGWtXxgeLPB01zVWP6OxKVo7j_jwoaZSVbNraaWUrJu3YPTj2Gd8S_ZYtiW_9XWryfBYwbJIDW63N9uUtVRb-qFwCf0OpjkN3C9u-AuBoD5hYasRKEGbwb-SAWr9DK6canpxR5NLtT86LV8Dt7qs-u1yK_XzB3cUddA1Zbzyxud4ImmiMkAeio.NGgLFMozUhVkg2Ga6xXDYnNVter_BZmwlp7B6t7FJBU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Tina+Chamber+Smith&qid=1766165248&sprefix=tina+chamber+smith%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-12The Truth About Abortion Nobody Tells You, My Story https://www.amazon.com/Abortion-truth-testimony-resources-available-ebook/dp/B07643FF9T?crid=2ORR6PWEPZCF2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T3HxNVbLECDJ4DlgKY0CAeMBkT3W9tHrBOP2f-hl5bkT0yw200ng6yGWtXxgeLPB01zVWP6OxKVo7j_jwoaZSVbNraaWUrJu3YPTj2Gd8S_ZYtiW_9XWryfBYwbJIDW63N9uUtVRb-qFwCf0OpjkN3C9u-AuBoD5hYasRKEGbwb-SAWr9DK6canpxR5NLtT86LV8Dt7qs-u1yK_XzB3cUddA1Zbzyxud4ImmiMkAeio.NGgLFMozUhVkg2Ga6xXDYnNVter_BZmwlp7B6t7FJBU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Tina+Chamber+Smith&qid=1766165236&sprefix=tina+chamber+smith%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1Flying Arrow Productions

The Adult Improver Series returns with the remarkable story of FM Nick Matta, a five-time Louisiana State Champion who made one of the most unusual rating climbs in recent memory. Nick returned to tournament chess as a college freshman and went from roughly 1400 to 2400 USCF over the next decade. In our conversation, he breaks down the habits and mindset shifts that fueled that rise, including: How complete immersion in chess during his college years accelerated his progress Why the mental game became increasingly important as he climbed the rating ladder The books, videos, and tools that helped him at each stage Nick's improvement in his 20s may be rare, but his insights are applicable to players of a wide range of levels. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/  00:00 – Intro & AnnouncementsFInd out more about the teaching job opportunity at IS 318 here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/796878173716685/posts/32637324772578611/ Join the Perpetual Chess discord here!              https://discord.gg/27AXnaUr 03:20 – Who Is FM Nick Matta? Mentioned Nick was also interviewed in episode 450- Hikaru in Louisiana https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/9/9/ep-450-hikaru-in-louisiana-stories-from-his-surprise-appearance-in-the-louisiana-state-championshipnbsp  Check out Nick's USCF Rating History here: https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12845401 His rapid rise from 1480 → 2390 and return to chess after Katrina. Also Mentioned: Pawn Structure Chess by GM Andy Soltis, IM Jeremy Silman's How to Reassess Your Chess, Pawn Power in Chess  08:30 – How the Improvement Started Immersion, study habits, book recommendations, and developing a love for feedback. Mentioned: Kasparov's My Story with GM James Plaskett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEY66T0q80 GM Melih Khachiyan's Evaluation and Planning Series on Chess.com https://www.chess.com/video/player/evaluation-and-planning---part-1 23:50 – Openings, Training, and Evolution Why he constantly changed openings, how his training shifted as he reached master level, and learning from top coaches. Mentioned: GM Gregory Kaidanov, IM John Bartholomew, GM Jacob Aagaard's Thinking Inside the Box  30:40 – Time Trouble & Mental Game Breakthroughs Aagaard's tough feedback, decision-making, cold-plunge training, meditation, and building emotional resilience. Mentioned: Karpov in a cold plunge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAhtMKhvG1A 53:20 – Coaching, Pursuing the IM Title & Final Advice Balancing coaching with personal ambition, whether he'll chase the IM title, and his distilled guidance for adult improvers. 1:15:00- Thanks to Nick for joining me! Here is how to reach him:  Lichess coaches page: https://lichess.org/coach/nickmatta Chess.com coaches page: https://www.chess.com/member/nickmatta Email-  Nickmatta13 at gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In honor of Veterans Day, we bring you a special three-part masterclass celebrating the power of service, courage, and communication. Each guest — a distinguished leader shaped by the military experience — reveals a different side of what it means to lead and connect in complex times. Dr. Heiss Gibson explores humility and trust in the age of artificial intelligence, showing why the best leaders never stop learning. Michèle Flournoy takes us inside the rooms where history was made, from the Bin Laden raid to the cultural transformation of the Pentagon, revealing how strategy and empathy coexist under pressure. Finally, Brian Ahearn shares a deeply personal journey of reconciliation with his father, a Vietnam veteran, proving that influence and healing often begin with one honest conversation. Together, these stories remind us that true leadership isn't about rank or power — it's about service, humanity, and the conversations that move us forward. The One Thing Smart Leaders Miss About AI: Professor Hise Gibson — Retired U.S. Army Colonel & Professor at Harvard Business School High Stakes Negotiation: How to Win With Persuasion with Michèle Flournoy -Former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Brian Ahearn: The Hard Talks We Avoid—And Why We Need Them Brian Ahearn — Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE & Author of His Story, My Story, Our Story