Podcasts about National Society

Join me as I have a chat with Jan Burl, known as author jsburl, MA, is a hemorrhagic stroke survivor who lives in Northern NY. She loves family, crocheting, the mountains, dragons, gardening, writing poetry and stories, sketching and oil painting, dragons, and animals large and small. Did I mention she loves dragons? She lives with Tippy, the 4 legged star of Tippy's New Friend, a children's story series, the second being released next year. She recently finished her master's degree in Creative Writing and Poetry summa cum laude. She was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta International English Society, and The National Society of Leadership and Success. Jan is an international motivational speaker and will soon become a Life and Wellness Coach for Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury Individuals, their Caregivers and loved ones. She has been a journalist winning state and US competitions. Her poetry has appeared in the Adirondack Center for Writing, Sunflower Poetry Review, Waverly Press Poetry Review, Spillwords, Prose-n-Poetry Anthology 2003, International Library of Poetry, American Poets Society, Theater of the Mind, plus more, and The BeZine, where she is an associate production editor. The stroke took her mobility, but not her creativity. Her favorite thing to tell people is, “Don't fight the journey, but sit back and enjoy the ride. Make every day an exceptional day..”

I really enjoyed this conversation with Natalie and her mother, Mary, because it reminded me how an unstoppable mindset is often built quietly, over time, through creativity, learning, and persistence. Together, they share what it has been like to navigate life across generations while facing learning disabilities, health challenges, workplace adversity, and the constant need to adapt. We talk about Natalie's journey with attention deficit disorder and anxiety, how creative outlets like baking, art, music, and storytelling helped her find focus and confidence, and why returning to school later in life became an act of self-trust rather than fear. Mary's story adds another powerful layer. She reflects on growing up with low self-esteem, navigating male-dominated workplaces, and dealing with sexual harassment long before there were systems in place to address it. As a mother, artist, and professional, she shares what it means to keep moving forward while supporting her daughter's growth. Throughout our conversation, we explore accessibility, creative entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and why accommodations and understanding still matter. I believe you will find this episode both honest and encouraging, especially if your own path has been anything but linear. Highlights: 00:00 – Hear how creativity and resilience shaped an unstoppable mindset across two generations.08:35 – Learn how attention deficit disorder and anxiety changed the way focus, learning, and confidence developed.14:33 – Discover why stepping away from a demanding career can open the door to new growth.21:23 – Understand how workplace sexual harassment leaves lasting effects long after it happens.35:16 – See why protecting and celebrating local artists became a personal mission.59:09 – Learn why accessibility, accommodations, and empathy still matter in everyday life. About the Guest: Mary Dunn: Mary was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA.  She was the only child of Norman and Lucille Rump.  At a young age, she liked to draw and as she grew older she enjoyed painting.  Her first painting was in oil and Mary was eleven years old.  However, because of the expense of art supplies, it was difficult to pursue a continuous endeavor in that particular form of art. While in high school, nothing really exciting happened as Mary was on the shy side.  She didn't belong to any groups and she really just wanted to graduate.  She graduated in the upper third of her class.  The most momentous part of the graduation was that Jeff Goldblum was also a graduate of her class. After graduation, Mary continued her education at The Pittsburgh Beauty Academy.  There she studied cosmetology and acquired a teacher license.  Although she never taught, she did work at a few different shops and also managed a shop.  These experiences helped Mary to become less shy. At that time, she met her first husband and had two children.  The marriage lasted for eleven years, and Mary was left with two small children.  Mary realized that her background in cosmetology would not be sufficient to raise two small children. She decided to go to college. With the support of her parents, she was accepted to attend Carlow College which is now Carlow University.  There she studied business and minored in theology.  She almost minored in art, but she needed one more credit to have that as a minor.  It was important for her to graduate in order to take care of her children.  While in college she belonged to several organizations.  One organization was an honor society called Delta Epsilon Sigma.  There she became an assistant chair of the organization.  The second organization was OASIS.  The organization was for non-tradition students.  She was vice-president during her senior year at Carlow.  She graduated in 1991 cum laude. After Carlow, she found her first employment opportunity working the Equitable Gas Company as a “Technical Fieldman”.  In this position, Mary would draft pipeline installations, work up costs for those installations, and fill in for supervisors when they went on vacations.  The job was difficult as it had usually been filled by men prior to her.  She was thrust into a job that she learned on her own and was subject to sexual harassment.   At that time, sexual harassment was not spoken about.  Mary didn't even realize that her peers were doing these things to her.  When she supervised union personnel, they were nice and valued her expertise.  However, when she returned to the office, more harassment continued. During that period, Mary decided to get a Master's Degree and enrolled in Carnegie Mellon's Heinz school of Public Management.  Her classes were very valuable as she learned about leadership, information systems, and marketing communications.  She graduated in 1996 with distinction.  Even though after she graduated from CMU, she continued to be sexual harassed.  She thought it might be a good idea to document the issues that made her position difficult.  She began to take notes on these incidents.  When she went to Human Resources, Mary was told that she should confront these people and tell them how she was feeling.  Mary couldn't do that because she felt it would make matters worse.  She applied for another position within the company.  In 1997, Mary became Program Manager of Energy Technology. While there, Mary developed and implemented a marketing plan to promote the use of alternative fuels.  As a Program Manager, Mary became a member of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities which focused on alternative fueled vehicles.  During this time, she became a board member and focused on grants and wrote the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities Newsletter. In 1999, her position was eliminated at Equitable.  In some ways, Mary was relieved about the elimination, but in other ways, it was the first time this ever happened to her.  She was now remarried and was concerned about her children. It was very scary. Thankfully, Mary was not unemployed for long.  She was hired at Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission as a Transportation Planner.  In this position she implemented a newly designed client tracking system of their products and services that helped to increase revenue. Additionally, she worked on a communication plan to implement branding and crisis communications. Eventually, Mary became a Marketing/Communication Specialist for Southwestern Pennsylvania Communications.  She was responsible for multi-media communications connected with branding. Mary designed logos for special projects, arranged special affairs, open houses and conferences.  She remained a part of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities.   Mary additionally prepared presentations for executive management to deliver regarding the Joseph A. James Memorial Excellence in Local Government Achievement Award that recognizes a municipal government elected or appointed official in any local government, agency, or Council of Government for a lifetime of exemplary governance or management. Unfortunately, a new Executive was hired to replace the past Executive who had passed away.  Because of this, our whole department was eliminated. After Southwestern, Mary was hired as the Manager of Administration and Human Resources for THE PROGRAM for Female Offenders.  While at THE PROGRAM, Mary was responsible for maintaining the policies and daily operations in THE PROGRAM.  She implemented a cost effective foodservice program, introduced staff ID cards and implemented the Windows NT network server and computer security using a Digital Subscriber Line which is a type of high-speed internet connection that uses existing copper telephone lines to provide internet access to three PROGRAM facilities. Additionally, Mary implemented a human resource database for directors and managers that targeted specific employment information. Mary maintained safety equipment and introduced a safe evacuation plan for her building.. Unfortunately, because THE PROGRAM was grant based and when it was time to acquire grant money much of the previous grants were not renewed and Mary lost her job.  Mary eventually was hired by Roach and Associates, Inc. as a Project Manager. In this position, she negotiated oil and gas leases for exploration and productions of future gas wells in Clearfield County Pennsylvania.  During this time, Mary was responsible for permitting activities with the state, county and federal agencies as well as prepared training seminars to meet pipeline safety regulations as per U.S. Department of Transportation, CFR49, Parts 192-193. Mary authored documentation regarding pipeline regulations for various housing authorities and gas production companies within Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York.  Besides working at Roach, Mary became part of the Transition Team for Peduto for Mayor of Pittsburgh.  That was such a memorable experience as my team focused on some of the issues facing the newly elected Mayor. It was nice to be a part of change. After working ten years at Roach and Associates, Inc., Mary decided it was time to retire in 2015. While working at Roach, Mary began dabbling in art again.  It had been quite a while since college and painting.  But she began to work in pastels and eventually more in the line of acrylic painting.  She became president of the Pittsburgh Pastel Artist League.  She no longer is president of that group.  Mary now belongs to the Pittsburgh Society of Artists where she was juried into the group.  She has had her work display at The Galaxie in Chicago,  Pittsburgh Technical Institute, Monroeville Library, Gallery Sim, Boxheart Gallery, Southern Allegheny Museum of Art, Saville Gallery in Maryland and various other galleries around Pittsburgh.  Her Study in Pastels won an Award of Excellence from Southern Allegheny Museum of Art.  Mary also came in second place in the Jerry's Artarama Faber Castel Contest. As time went on, Mary decided to focus more on her art work and began teaching students how to paint with Acrylic.  She also began a YouTube channel, Pittsburgh Artist Studio, where she gave free art lessons in acrylic to future artists around the country.  Unfortunately, Mary developed chronic back issues, and she had to give up her teaching.  She has had two back operations to alleviate the pain, but the second operation really didn't help.  It has caused more painful issues.  Therefore, it is difficult for her to paint a long period of time.  Currently, Mary devotes her time to illustrating her oldest daughter's books for children.  The books are a series about a little boy's adventures in his life.  Her books can be found on Amazon under her name “Nicole Leckenby”.  Additionally, she has illustrated a book for her younger daughter, Natalie Sebula, entitled “The Many Colors of Natalie”. In conclusion, now that Mary is retired, she has had more time to work on different art projects a little at a time.  She lives with her husband Steve and two dogs Grumpy and Sally.  She belongs to a group of wonderful women who review Bible Psalms each week. Since my minor in theology, I do enjoy reading various books on different religious subjects.  I am thankful for each day that I have and continue to work on the gifts God has given me. Natalie Belin: I am focusing on the arts. I am a creator with an ambitious attitude. I have no problem thinking BIG and dreaming BIG. While everyone else stays inside the lines, I boldly color outside the lines. Natalie resides near Pittsburgh, PA. She is 40 years old and loves adventures. Within these 40 years Natalie has experienced highs and lows. However, during the low points she was like water: adaptable, resilient, and always finding a way through. At toddler age, it was brought to the attention that she had high pressure in her eyes. However, nothing was really done about it because of her age. Typically, high pressures occur in older adults. After many years, one eye doctor took it seriously.  He prescribed eye drops and finally recommended a laser technique to open the tear ducts.  This alleviated the high pressure and since no eye drops have been needed. In 5 grade, she was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. Her mother, Mary Dunn advocated for her until someone listened, and her teachers realized it was a real problem. Steps were taken to help Natalie focus more.  As she grew older, it was important to do activities that helped her focus such as cheerleading and possible careers in culinary. Because of the importance of focusing, Natalie decided that culinary arts would be beneficial.  Natalie graduated in October of 2004 from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute with an associate's degree in Specialized Technology Le Cordon Bleu Program in Patisserie & Baking.  While there, she was elected class president. The Pennsylvania Culinary Institute offered externships to various prestigious areas to hone the craft.  Natalie's externship was at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulpher Springs where she was ultimately hired. However, Natalie decided to return to Pittsburgh after a car accident. Natalie continued to work as a pastry chef for about five years. After, she decided to further her education, and Natalie graduated in December of 2023 from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. Some of her academic achievements are National Society of Collegiate Scholars, National Society of Leadership and Success, Alpha Sigma lambda-Alpha Chi Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh, Delta Alpha PI Honor Society. During her academic life, Natalie became an Emmy nominated producer for Pitt to the Point (a class focusing on the news as well as behind the scenes of a news/magazine program that covers the City of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh regional campuses as well as national and international events.) Currently, Natalie is in a Graduate Certification Program which is also at the University of Pittsburgh. The Certification is in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law (SEAL). She hopes to use this program as a steppingstone to complete her master's degree in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law. In addition to the SEAL certification, one could say that Natalie is a woman of many colors.  She works full-time as an Administrator for the Rehabilitation Science Program in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. This is where she provides administrative support for general program management, advising and faculty. Another aspect of Natalie's many colors is writing.  Several years ago, she wrote a poetry book called The Many Colors of Natalie. This is a book for 18+. There are several illustrations in the book that complement the poems. Mary Dunn, Natalie's mother, created the illustrations. In August of 2020, Natalie launched The Many Colors of Natalie Blog. She started this blog to give a new perspective to Pittsburgh other than being known for sports. This allows individuals the ability to educate themselves on different variations of Pittsburgh's art or artists as well as bringing awareness to the art scene. Natalie's motto is Love Art & Support Your Local Artist! Additionally, Natalie has been a model/actor since 2012. Most of her work consists of being an extra in various music videos and movies. Furthermore, she is an ambassador for Ambassador Sunglasses and Just Strong Clothing. Just Strong Clothing's Mission “We are a clothing brand on a mission to empower those who are not just strong for a girl, they are just strong. Whether you are an experienced lifter, a new starter or have simply overcome great adversaries in your life, the JustStrong community are here to empower and motivate you to never give up.” “Ambassador was formed to extract, refine, and exhibit the marriage between what was and what will be in fashion culture. When wearing Ambassador, you break the mold of the mundane to embrace your unmatched individualism.” Besides being an ambassador, Natalie became a Creative Percussion Artist in 2020. “Creative Percussion is a family-owned business, established in 2018, and run by husband-and-wife team, Kevin and Cheri Feeney.” Her picture is on the site as a CP percussion artist. Not only is Natalie a musician, but she dabbles in various mediums in art. Her mixed media piece Peace, Love, and Woodstock is currently in the Woodstock Museum located in Saugerties, New York. “The purpose for the Woodstock Museum is: To gather, display, disseminate and develop the concept and reality of Woodstock, encompassing the culture and history of a living colony of the arts, with special emphasis placed on the exhibition of self-sustaining ecological technologies. To encourage and increase public awareness of Woodstock by providing information to the general public through cultural events, displays of artifacts, outreach programs, communication media events and personal experiences, and to contribute, as an international attraction, to the cultural life and prosperity of our region; and to engage in all lawful activities in pursuit of the foregoing purposes.” Lastly, Natalie and her mother Mary Dunn started a side hustle several years ago. Mother and Daughter Collaboration (vending show name) is a great opportunity for Natalie to showcase her entrepreneurial skills in addition to her art. Their Etsy name is Maker's Collab Studio. In conclusion, Nat is excited for the future, and to see what is in store. She considers herself to be dynamic and resilient. Even those who know Natalie would say the same.  Regardless of what she has been through, she keeps going. She realizes that the tough times eventually do end. In self-reflection, the “tough time” may have been a life lesson, or a possible steppingstone to what's next in her life. Only time will tell. Natalie will always be a supporter of the arts, and she will always create in some way. As Natalie ages, she sees the importance of advocating for the disabled. At one point in her life, she was embarrassed about sharing her learning disability because she felt that we live in a society where having a disability isn't necessarily welcomed and is frowned upon. Do not fear individuals who need special accommodations.  Instead, educate yourself. Try being that individual who needs certain accommodations, and the accommodations are not provided or easily accessible. Progress has been made in educating the ignorant. However, there is more work that needs to be done. Ways to connect with Natalie & Mary**:** Blog website: Home - The Many Colors of Natalie Personal website: Home | natalie-sebula-belin Book of poetry: The Many Colors of Natalie: Written by: Natalie Belin - Kindle edition by Dunn, Mary, Leckenby, Nicole, Merlin, Grace, Palmieri, David. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Facebook: (1) Facebook Instagram: Natalie Sebula (@themanycolorsofnatalie) • Instagram photos and videos Etsy: MakersCollabStudio - Etsy About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson  01:21 Hi everyone, and welcome to another edition of unstoppable mindset. We're doing something that we've done a few times before, and we get to do it again today. We have two people as guests on unstoppable mindset this time, mother and daughter, and that'll be kind of fun they have, between them, lots of experiences in art, but in all sorts of other kinds of things as well. They live in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, and I'm not going to say a whole lot more, because I want them to tell their stories. So I want you to meet Natalie bellen and her mother, Mary Dunn. So Natalie and Mary, both of you, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  02:03 Well, thank you for Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  02:03 having us. Yes, we're happy to be here. Thank you. Michael Hingson  02:06 Well, let's see. We'll start with mom. Why don't you tell us something about the early Mary growing up, and you know what? What life was like growing up? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  02:18 Well, growing up, I was born in Pittsburgh. I was actually born on in the south side of Pittsburgh, and it was called St Joseph Hospital, and now it's an apartment building, but we lived here. I've lived here all my life. I lived in Hazelwood until I was about the age of three. Then we moved to Whitaker, Pennsylvania, and now I'm in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. So it's like we hopped around a bit. Growing up in my family was a little bit difficult. I had been bullied quite a bit by my cousins, so it kind of like left you know how it does with bullying. You know, it's not like today. Of course, I didn't want to go out and do something terrible to myself. It's just that it left my self esteem very low, and I just kind of stayed and was by myself most of the time. So until I grew up, I graduated from high school, I went to West Midland, North High School, I graduated in the same class as Jeff Goldblum. Although I didn't know him, I knew that he was very talented. I thought he was more talented on a piano than he was with acting, but he is still he's still very good with the piano, with his jazz music, and that's basically it. I've been in West Mifflin now for she's been quite a bit Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  03:49 since I was in seventh grade, and now I'm 40 years old, so we've been here a long time. Michael Hingson  03:54 Yeah, so it's sort of like 3027 years or so, or 28 years? Yes, well, Natalie, tell us about you when it was like growing up in and all of that. Sure. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  04:08 No problem. So I grew up in Whitaker for the most part, my yearly eight years, like until about fifth grade, I guess about like fifth grade, and then we moved, well, we just moved to a different house and whatever. Yeah, that when we moved for the second time, it was more in a neighborhood with kids, so that was, like, a lot more fun. And we played like tag and all that. So that my early years, I remember that like playing tags, swimming, I love, like skiing on the water, jet skis, stuff like that. Definitely. I loved running around. And I loved dance as a kid too, that was a lot of fun. Michael Hingson  05:00 Okay, and so you went to high school? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  05:05 Oh, yeah, I went, Yes. I went to West Midland area high school, and I graduated in 2003 in 2004 I graduated from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute as a pastry chef and part of the things that I had to do to graduate, I had to do, like, about a six month internship where I resided in white sulfur springs, West Virginia, and I got to do my externship at the Greenbrier, and that was pretty exciting, because it has quite the history. There. People love it there for Well, one of the things that sticks in my mind is Dorothy Draper, who decorated that resort. Her taste is very cool, because she went bold, like with flower print and stripes mixed together for wallpaper. There's stories in history behind the sulfur water there. And then most people might know the Greenbrier for their golf courses, for the golf course actually, or in history about the sulfur water Michael Hingson  06:26 now, you had high eye pressure for a while after you were born, right? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  06:31 Oh, yes, the eye pressures. That's quite the story, let me tell you so at a very young age, like different doctors and eye doctors that I went to. They knew that I had high pressures, but they didn't seem like it was a big issue. But my mom had the inkling that I needed to go to a different doctor when I was like, I guess you Middle School, Michael Hingson  06:58 yeah, yeah, you were about now, was there a lot of pain because of the pressure. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  07:02 I didn't even know was happening, so I wasn't in discomfort or anything. So they said, don't they kind of dismissed it. So I wasn't worried about it, Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  07:14 Neither was I. But you know, like eventually we did go to a doctor and he said, Oh, my goodness, you have these high pressures. And it's, it could be like glaucoma. We don't ever see that in a young person, you know, they haven't ever seen anything like that. He was just amazed by it. And go ahead, you can finish this. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  07:36 Dr Al, I have so much respect for him, because he truly took care of my eyes for a very long time. I started seeing him in middle school, and I saw him up until, like my late 30s, and he I would see him quite frequently, because he would always monitor those pressures, because he knew the importance of that and how they could damage my eyes and I can lose my sight. So he always had me do like fields test eye pressure checks, because your pressures in your eyes can fluctuate throughout the day. So I would come in in like different times of the day to make sure they're not super high and stuff like that. He would prescribe me on different eye pressure medications like eye drops, because the they like the eye drops would help my eyes to it to regulate the pressures to a certain point, and then my eyes would get used to them, it seemed like, so then we would have to go to a different prescription. I caused that doctor a lot of stress, I think, because he was always thinking about my case, because it was so rare. And he went to a conference, actually, and brought that up at a conference, and at that conference, they said for me to get the laser, laser procedure done to Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  09:10 open the tear ducts. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  09:12 Yeah, yeah. And luckily, that solved it. Michael Hingson  09:18 Wow, so you so the the tear ducts were, were small or not draining properly, correct? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  09:26 Yeah, it was points where, like, if I wanted to cry, no tears would come Michael Hingson  09:31 out, no tears would come out. Well, yeah, yeah. Then you also discovered, or somehow you you learned about being Attention Deficit Disorder. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  09:45 Yeah, so, um, when I was from like one or like, from kindergarten to third grade, I went to a Catholic school, and I didn't seem like there was anything. Being really wrong. But then when I went to a public school, I was really having a hard time grasping the material, and I would get really frustrated when I was at home trying to do the homework and I just wasn't understanding. I believe the educators there said like I was also behind, which could have been part of the issue. But my mom would like try to help me with my homework, and it was like Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  10:28 it was hard. She would, she would get so frustrated and throw the papers and just, you know it, because it was very difficult for her, and we really couldn't under I couldn't understand why. You know this was happening, because my, my other daughter, I never had issues like that with so we had, I guess we were told to go. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  10:53 I think that was Miss Lenz in fifth grade. Yeah, she had me get tested for a learning disability, and with all the testing that was done with that, they said that I had attention deficit disorder. So whenever that diagnosis was made, I was able to get like teacher teaching aids to help me through tests to help me understand the curriculum a little bit better. Tutors did the counselor Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  11:28 I well they I did take her to get tested outside of school, and that's they actually told me some things that could help her with this. And then I went to the teachers, and the teachers, some of them, didn't, like, actually take this into consideration. They, they didn't really realize attention deficit disorder at that time. It was new. And so they, they kind of said, well, we don't, we don't believe in that or whatever. And I said, Well, can you just have her, like, sit up front, because she would pay attention more and she would focus better, because that's the problem she couldn't focus on. So it took a while, and then finally, the principal in the fifth grade, he had a meeting with the teachers us, and he actually was the one who brought that to their attention, that this is a problem, that attention disorder, you know, does occur, and some of it is hyper, just hyperactive disorder. So it luckily she didn't have that part of it, but it was the focusing, and we just got her more involved in things that she could learn how to focus. They recommended cheerleading, they recommended culinary school, and I think that really helped her to learn more on focusing. But she still has anxieties and things like that. It's still Michael Hingson  13:03 it's still there. So why culinary school? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  13:07 So that is such a fun question. When my grandma used to watch me, she was very particular on what I was like watching. She didn't want me to watch anything like super crazy or out there. So I would always watch cooking shows, and I thought he was so unique, the different recipes and everything that these chefs were making. And I love some of their personalities, like emerald, he was always so hyper and loud, so fun. And it was interesting to see the different types of foods that they were creating that, like certain countries make. You know, I love Spanish food. It's so good. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  13:55 She decided not to even get into that part. That was the thing. She wanted to be a pastry chef, yeah, Michael Hingson  14:02 something to be said for chocolate chip cookies. But anyway, go ahead. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  14:07 Yeah, she makes a good one, too. At Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  14:10 this point, I don't even know why. What drew me to baking more than culinary I think the two different styles are cooking are very interesting, because like with cooking, you don't have to be so exact with the measurements and everything with certain things like the spices and stuff. If you don't like rosemary, you don't have to put it in there. But with baking, it's definitely more scientific. Have to be more accurate with the measurements of certain ingredients, like baking soda, because it's lavender and like, altitude will totally screw up your baking Yes, so many reasons that elevation is so important. So yeah, so Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  14:59 mine's to it. Or whatever, you know? Yeah, Michael Hingson  15:01 so you went and did an externship, and then what did you do? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  15:06 So with the externship, I was there for a little bit over six months, I was officially hired, and I graduated from culinary school, but, um, I got in a car accident. So that's like, why left? So I was in baking professionally for about a total five years, and then I went back to school. Sorry, that's grumpy. Can you hear him barking? 15:36 I'm sorry. I'll go. No, no, it's fine. Michael Hingson  15:41 So why did you leave culinary? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  15:43 Um, I was just ready for a change. Because I started working professionally when I was like 19, so by my mid 20s, I was just ready to go back. I mean, that is a very demanding field. You're working several hours. Um, you're working with all types of personalities, certain pressures, long days sometimes. And I was just ready to see what else was out there for me. Michael Hingson  16:12 So you went back to school to study, Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  16:15 yes, so my when I graduated in 2023 with my undergraduate degree, it was in humanities, and it focused on three areas of art, music, studio, arts and theater. The main focus was theater, okay? Michael Hingson  16:39 And so, what did you do with that? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  16:42 So with that degree, I did several different things. I wrote a poetry book, which I provided a link so people can access if they would like to purchase it. I created a blog in 2020 called the many colors of Natalie, and I created a blog to help bring a different perspective to Pittsburgh, other than just it being a city for sports, because there's a lot of talented artists out there, and plus, like during a pandemic, that caused a lot of strain on a lot of things, and I was really worried about certain venues that were iconic here closing and completely wiping out the whole art industry here, you know. So, um, with that too, I also, um, I was doing music at the time as a percussionist, and that's when I got introduced to creative percussion products, and I was using that with the different performances that I was doing. And I ended up being one of their artists featured on their page, website or website, yeah. Okay, yeah, and I also volunteered at a local dance studio called Lisa de gorrios dance, and I got to work with the younger kids, and I did that for a couple years. So that was interesting to see what it was like to teach and put on performances. It's a lot of you get to see the behind the scenes and time management and stuff like that. Also, I'm thinking here for a second, sorry. How about, oh, we, my mom and I created an Etsy shop. So we started a few years ago, called Mother Daughter collaboration, a vending that was like our vending show name, and we did that for Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  18:56 we've been doing that for a while. Yeah, we, we put different products up. I kind of tend to do my artwork, and she puts up some things also in art, we have, we have interesting things like CD, telephone, covers, cases, purses, you know. And we're working on a new product now to to put on to the Etsy shop this year. We didn't do many vending shows. I had surgery last last year on my back, and I had a hard time recovering because it was pretty expensive. So we're hoping to get that going again this year, or towards the end of the year, when the Christmas shows start happening, Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  19:47 we did, um, create an Etsy shop called makers collab studio, and we were focusing more on that this year. Um, so we do have, like, a variety of different products. Um. Um, which I also provided the link to the Etsy shop. If anybody wants to check out our products and what we have, that'd be great if you stop checked out that. Michael Hingson  20:11 Yeah, my late my late wife, was a quilter and tried to run an Etsy shop, but people didn't want to pay any kind of real prices for handmade quilts, because they just thought that quilts should be, like, 50 or $75 and that just wasn't realistic. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  20:30 But, well, that's, that's the trouble. What we're seeing also, yeah, we do, I do, like, we do t shirts and things like that too. But people it. I don't think people realize what's behind the whole process. No, or they don't care. No, you know, I mean, there's a lot involved as far as your equipment. When it was covid, I was, well, I'm retired, but I was working part time, and I was able to, you know, get what is it, you know, workers, whatever, yeah, you know, yes. And with that money, I actually bought like things to do, T shirts, like the heat press and different parts to like a cricket that we can do things with. And so, you know, like the things that you know, you still have to buy supplies, even with my artwork, it's so expensive anymore, when I first started back in, you know, when my kids grew up and they were on their own, where I really focused on it, and I can't believe the expense of it. You know, it's just, it's everything's expensive these days. So, yeah, really watch what you're doing and how you approach it too. You know, you can't spend a lot of money on things. We don't have, like, a whole backlog of products. I mean, we just do a few things and hope that the things that we make are sellers, you know, Michael Hingson  22:05 yeah, well, and I hope it, it can is more successful for you going forward. That's a useful thing. You You've done a lot Mary with with art over the years, but you've also had other, other kinds of jobs where you've worked for some pretty large companies, and you've been reading your bio, you faced some sexual harassment issues and things like that, haven't you? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  22:29 Yes, yes, that was difficult boy, and I didn't realize that at the time I went to college late in life because I was getting divorced and I needed a job that I could take care of my family, my girls, and so I decided to go to college and my my mom and dad watched my kids while I went to school, which was nice. And the first job I had was with the gas company here, and I was called a technical Fieldman. And what I would do is, like, I would draw pipeline installations and the and sometimes I would fill in as a supervisor. When I filled in first as a supervisor, it was great. I mean, the guys were decent. We always came to a conclusion. I always trusted what they're you know what they would say about pipeline? Because I knew nothing about pipeline. It was all new to me. But when I would go back to the office, it was, it was just like crazy things that would happen. I mean, I won't go into detail, and I started writing these things down because I thought this just doesn't seem right, that these people are saying these things to me or doing these things to me. I had a nice little book of all these incidents that happened, and I went to the HR department, and they wanted me to confront these people in my office, to tell them how I felt. Well, that, to me, would have made everything worse, because that's just that, you know, kind of work environment. So luckily, I was, I was promoted into a job that lasted two years, and then my job was eliminated. So that was my first, my first thing with that was the only time I really had sexual harassment that was really bad. I went on to another which was the program for female Well, I worked for a university for a while, and then I went into the program for female offenders, which was really interesting work. I enjoyed that it was like people that were out on that needed to, that were like drug addicts and and they were looking for a new way. They had been in jail and this incarcerated, and they came into this. Program they had that was part of their incarceration or parole. They had to do this, this program, and that was so interesting. I mean, it was just heartfelt, because you just saw these people that were trying so hard to make a good life for themselves and not to go back to their original way of living. And unfortunately, that was all grant money. And that job ended also so that, you know, and I was a transportation planner, I did a lot of things, and then I ended up going back into the gas industry. I worked for an engineer, and we were working in the production side of everything. So he had drove to you wells, and we had leases, and I took care of those. And I liked that job for about 10 years. I stayed there, and then I I retired. I was getting tired of it at that point. Michael Hingson  26:02 Yeah. Why was your first why was your first job at the original gas company eliminated? Or when you were promoted and you said it was eliminated, yeah? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  26:10 Well, that's what I like to know why it was eliminated. I think sometimes that job was just to keep me quiet. That's how I felt. I mean, I, I they, they knew that I was upset and that I didn't like what was happening. And I think it was just to keep me quiet, and they realized that that job wasn't going to last, but it was a marketing job. We were using different ways to use gas, alternative fuel vehicles, fuel cells, you know. So it was an interesting job, too, but it it didn't really have the supervisor we had was not really a person that pushed the product, you know. So that could have been the reason, too, that they eliminated a lot of that. Yeah, so I wasn't the only one that went I mean, there was another person in that at that time, and eventually that whole department was eliminated. Now that gas company, they sold all that off, and another gas company took it over and equitable. Still is EQT here, and they work, I think at this point, they work with the leases and things like that, and horizontal drilling, they call it. Michael Hingson  27:38 So now that you're retired, what do you do? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  27:41 Well, for a while there, Michael Hingson  27:44 in addition to Etsy, yeah, for Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  27:47 a while, I was actually doing hair. I was my first, my first, I guess, employment type, or whatever. I went to beauty school, and I became a cosmetologist, and I also became a teacher in cosmetology. So when I first became all that the money wasn't so great. I worked my first job. I was so excited I had this job because I thought I was going to be making millions. You know, they they really pump you up in in beauty school that you're going to really succeed and you're going to make this money. Well, my first job, I worked over 40 hours at that job, and I only got $15 in my first pay. It was like we had to stay there the whole time until everyone was finished working. So the girls that had their clientele that they worked the whole day and into the evening, like till eight o'clock. Maybe we had to stay till eight o'clock. Even though I didn't have anybody to do. I might have had one person that day, yeah, so that that wasn't too I just worked at that for a few years, and then I decided to leave and take care of my family. Yeah, well, that that I went back to it when I retired, and it had changed significantly, making pretty good money. I was only working three days a week, and I did pretty well. But then my back. I had the issues with my back, and I couldn't go back to it, which really upset me. I really love that job. Michael Hingson  29:29 Well, things happen. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  29:31 Yeah, it does. You know, I'm happy not to stay at home. I figured now that I'm actually 73 years old now, so I think I I should retire Michael Hingson  29:47 and enjoy my life a little. Well. So Natalie, you graduated in 2023 and so then what did you start to do? And what are you doing now? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  29:57 So what I'm doing now is I'm. Still focusing on the Etsy shop, but I also got into a graduate certificate program, and this certificate is in sports entertainment and arts law, and I really hope to use this program as a stepping stone to complete my master's degree in the sports entertainment and arts law program. Michael Hingson  30:25 What exactly is a graduate certification program, as opposed to a master's degree? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  30:32 So that's a great question. So the certificate program is like a newer program, and it's like the only one in the world, I'm pretty sure, that focuses on sports, entertainment and art. So it's like a newer, more modern type of learning program. And this certificate is a great stepping stone, and for me to check it out before I actually go in to the master's program. This is, like, my second week, and I love it so far, and all these classes that I'm doing, and if I keep my grades up and everything, will apply to the master's program if I get in. Michael Hingson  31:15 Okay, well, so Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  31:20 less credits than, like, what you would need for a master's program, and it's less I don't need a textbook. I have these things called nutshells, where I'm pretty sure, like, I'll be studying different types of cases or something like that through that. So it's like online stuff. Michael Hingson  31:43 The Okay? And how long do you think it will take you to complete that Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  31:49 the certification program should be about a year, and it's all online, okay? Michael Hingson  31:55 And how, how long have you been doing it so far? Just two weeks. Oh, so next August, yeah, yeah, yeah. And the hope is then you can use that to go forward and actually work toward getting a master's degree. Which, which sounds pretty cool, yeah, for sure. What do you want to do with it once you get a master's degree? Well, like Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  32:20 all those points like sports entertainment and arts, I think is Pittsburgh is a great city to represent all of those. And I hope to help represent like clients, maybe do like to protect their works and them as an artist. And I would like to hopefully get into paralegal work. That's what I'm focusing on right now. Michael Hingson  32:47 So is school pretty much full time for you these days? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  32:51 No, it's still part time, and that's what I like love about this program, because, like all week, you'll be doing 10 hours outside of so I still work full time as an administrator in the SHRS program, and I am the administrator for Rehabilitation Science. So yeah, it's great to have like, bosses and everything that support me in my educational journey, because that makes my life a lot easier too. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  33:26 Yeah, that's some great bosses. Michael Hingson  33:29 Well, it's good to have some people who tend to be a little bit more supportive. It helps the psyche when you get to do that. Yes, yeah. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  33:39 Because the one thing that I noticed with this program, it is definitely more manageable, because, like the undergrad program, I did enjoy the process. For most parts, some of it was really challenging. But the undergraduate program, it was really hard for me to get late night classes. Most of those classes that I had to take were I had to be in person, so like late classes were pretty hard to get, but my bosses allowed me to take earlier classes so I could help finish the program faster, but I just had to make up that time. Right? Michael Hingson  34:28 When did you discover that you had artistic talent? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  34:32 Um, I don't know if I ever really discovered that I had the talent, but I was very passionate at a young age, like when my mom was going back to school, I always loved watching her paint, because she had like the painting classes. I always thought so I like sit on the floor and watch her paint. And at a very young age, I was in the dance class. Do you remember the name? A France Dance School of Dance, France School of Dance. And I love dance class so much. I remember one time the dance school was closed because of a holiday, and I was, like, so upset, like, I didn't believe, like, the dance school was closed and I didn't understand, like, why I wasn't allowed to go. So they called the school and it went straight to, like, the answering machine so they could prove, like, it was closed and nobody was there. I was like, ready to show up. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  35:30 She wanted to go, yeah. She was just about three or four when she was taking the dance classes at that time. Yeah. But then it became on, you know that they both the kids were involved, but I couldn't afford it anymore. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  35:45 So dance is very expensive. Yeah? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  35:48 Well, you know, like, at that time too, I was going to school, and I didn't have much of a salary, and I was living with my parents, so, I mean, and they were retired, so it was, like, very tight. Yeah, right. Michael Hingson  36:04 Well, it nice to have an enthusiastic student, you know, Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  36:13 so true. Well, Michael Hingson  36:15 so you've created the many colors of Natalie blog, tell me about that. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  36:22 So I reach out to different artists that were that are located in Pittsburgh or at one time, working or living in Pittsburgh. So this is like musicians, photographers, actors and they, I I create questions for them, for them to answer in their own words, like advice that they would give, or funny stories that they had while working in the field. And that's that's the main point of the blog, because I want it to be a resource for people and for them to also see, like, why that genre is cool. And I think another reason that motivated me to create that blog is some people just don't see an importance to art, and I find that so offensive. Like, yeah, so I just wanted it to be as an educational type thing as well. Michael Hingson  37:28 How long has the blog been visible? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  37:33 So it's been visible for about five, six years now, five years, yeah, and I did over like 50 some posts. Michael Hingson  37:45 Do you do that with consistency? Or So do you have one, like, every week or every three weeks, or every month, or something like that? Or how does that work? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  37:53 So when I first started, I was consistent with the posts I don't ever leave my blog, like, not active for like a year. Like, I always try to post something, but it's a little more challenging to do a post. Like, every month, whenever I'm working, going to school, volunteering for different things, running the Etsy shopper, vending so I had to cut it back a little bit because that is just me running it. Michael Hingson  38:30 So you've also created a mixed media piece. First of all, what is a mixed media piece? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  38:35 You want to explain Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  38:36 the mixed media? Oh, well, a mixed media is like different mediums. It could be paint, it could be pictures, and it's posted on a board, a canvas, or whatever it can be in a journal. You know, you just use various types of mediums. It could be using lace, it could be using fabric, it could be using, like I said, pictures, paper, and they call it mixed media. So she decided she wanted to create a mixed media. I had a huge canvas that was given to me. It was like 36 by 36 giant. It was huge, and I knew I couldn't do anything on that, because I don't paint big. I like to paint on smaller canvas, like an eight and a half by 11, or eight and a half by 14. So she, she decided she wanted to use that Canvas for something. But you go ahead and tell them. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  39:38 So, um, whenever Woodstock had their 50th anniversary, and I believe that was around 2019 I had the opportunity to go to yaska's Farm and camp where the original campers from the very first Woodstock would stay in that. Campsite was like, right next to this yaska farms. So I took some pictures of it, like me with the yaska farm house. And so it was very inspirational to go to that because I was doing research on what Woodstock was, the original Woodstock. And what that was about, I talked to Uber drivers that were actually at the original Woodstock. Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorite musicians, and for him to not be there, I was like, so sad. Very sad. So with all the education experience. I needed to release that. And I took my mom, let me have that canvas, and like I created a mixed media giant collage, and I got that into the Woodstock Museum in Socrates, New York. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  41:01 Wow, it's actually there now, Michael Hingson  41:04 yep. How long has it been there? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  41:07 I believe got that in there? Yeah, about two years. Michael Hingson  41:13 Wow. So it's kind of almost a permanent piece there. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  41:17 I hope so. I hope they keep it there for sure. What? Michael Hingson  41:21 What prompted them to be interested in having it there. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  41:25 So I that piece was so giant, and I loved how it turned out, and I wanted that more than just in my house, my art pieces are very close to me, because that's like my soul and my work, and I want it out there to somebody who cares about it. So I reached out to Shelly nation, Nathan, because they, I believe, are the owners of the Woodstock Museum, and they were more than happy to have it. I had it shipped out there. And then, whenever the season was to reopen the museum, I went out there and visited it. And it's a very great it's a very cool place. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  42:10 Recommend, yeah, she, she was interviewed by them, also, right? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  42:14 Oh, yeah, we did go on a radio station. And that was also a cool experience, because I was never on a radio show at that time. Cool. Michael Hingson  42:25 Well, that's pretty exciting. I have not been to the Woodstock Museum, so that might be something to explore at some point when I get get back there next that'd Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  42:35 be great. Yeah, Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  42:37 all those things like, you know, like I grew up during that period, of course, I didn't go to the Woodstock. Original Woodstock wouldn't let me do that. I was only 16 at the time, and but I mean, you know, like, like looking back at that and and seeing how all those people were there, and not nothing terrible happened, you know, I mean, hundreds of 1000s of people, and nobody got hurt. Well, they might have passed out, maybe from things, but nobody was, like, shot or killed or and like today. I mean, you can't you're so afraid to do anything today, you don't know what's going to happen. And it just was a different time. And the musicians that were there. I mean, that music was is still good today. You know, it's it, it hasn't faded. And I wonder sometimes about today's music, if it will continue to be popular in years to come, or if it's just going to fade out. You know, we won't know that, and so well I won't be here, probably Michael Hingson  43:44 we won't know for a while anyway, yes, but I did hear on a radio station a rebroadcast of a lot of the Woodstock concerts that was kind of Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  43:56 fun. Yes, yes. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  44:00 Sorry I didn't mean to cut you. Go ahead. Go ahead. When I was talking to like the Uber drivers and stuff like that, and people who were at the original Woodstock, it seems like they were reliving that experience when they were telling the stories. I mean, it was great. Michael Hingson  44:15 Yeah. Well, you play creative percussion. First of all, what is pre creative percussion? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  44:23 So I actually have that written in some notes, what it actually is. So do you mind if I read off my notes? Michael Hingson  44:30 You're welcome to however you want to answer, perfect. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  44:33 So I was asked to be a creative percussion artist in 2020 and creative percussion is a family owned business established in 2018 and run by husband and wife team, Kevin and Sherry Feeney. They're great. I've had the opportunity to talk to them very much a couple of times, and my pictures also on the site. Um. Uh, under like my stage name now is a Bulla. So if you scroll down spell that it's S, E, B as a boy, u as in unicorn, L, L as in Len and a is an apple. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  45:16 Okay, what types of things, kinds Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  45:18 of there's various types of shakers that I played because of various bands that I was in, I was the percussionist, so I played tambourine and stuff. But like, they have uniquely shaped shakers, like there's the hatch shakers, which I love them. They had a baseball shaker, and these little golf ball shakers, and they all carry different sounds, and they really blended differently with the type of song that I was playing was playing, yeah, so it's cool, Michael Hingson  45:53 yeah, so interesting. So you you play them as part of being with a band, or what Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  46:01 for the most part, yeah, sometimes there was an acoustic band or just like a full band, and either way, I tried to have those pieces blend into the song. What I didn't learn when I was doing that is and an acoustic you really have to be on your game, because, like, if you mess up, like, people are gonna hear it more than if you're in a full band. So, yeah, right. Michael Hingson  46:38 So you do you still do that? Do you still play Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  46:42 at this time? I don't, um, just because I wanted to focus on other things, so I took a step back from that. Michael Hingson  46:51 Do you think you'll do more of it in the future, or Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  46:56 possibly, but like, that's how I am. I kind of just like, experience it, do it until I'm ready to move on to something else. Michael Hingson  47:04 So you flit, you flip from thing to thing, yeah, yeah, yeah. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  47:10 So, like, if you ever follow me, you might just see, like, me evolving and just trying other things. Michael Hingson  47:19 Well, you're adventurous. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  47:22 Yes, I love adventure. Michael Hingson  47:25 Nothing wrong with having an adventure in the world and getting to really look at things. So what are you doing now if you're not doing creative percussion and so on? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  47:38 Well, for the last couple months, I was helping my mom recover from like the back surgery. And then I was I was focusing on my blog, just really paying attention to that, getting certain interviews, and then schooling, getting ready to go into the certificate program. Michael Hingson  48:05 So you think you're gonna go ahead Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  48:09 and I'm setting up the Etsy shop. Michael Hingson  48:13 So you're pretty excited about seal, the sports entertainment, art and law. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  48:19 Yes, I'm very excited about that. I was very excited to get into the program. The professors are great. The whole programs like really good. The people involved in it, they seemed, they seem really organized and let me know what I need to do to get into the program. And they are really nice. If I have a question, they're happy to answer it. I love the curriculum, so I hope you go, Well, Michael Hingson  48:46 do you experience anything any more dealing with like attention deficit? Oh, 100% it still creeps up, huh? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  48:55 Well, it's more anxiety than anything. But like this program, I think, is to help calm my anxiety with just different things that are set up. And like, how responsive the professors are and how nice they are. But my goodness, when I was in my undergraduate program, like I was really pushing myself, and I would like, of like, when 2020, came around in the pandemic, I needed to talk to my doctor and get on meds, like I could no longer not do that without meds. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  49:29 Yes, she was, she was struggling. It was tough. Yeah. I mean, when I went for my Bachelor's, I I I wasn't working. She was working. When I went for my master's, I was working, but, and I know how hard that is, you know, trying to balance things, especially I was working at equitable at the time, and the things that I was going through and being, you know, filling in for supervisors was I. I was on call, like, 24 hours a day, and it, you know, like that was, I can see how difficult it is to do both. It's just, I know what she was going through there, and she goes through it, but she did well. She graduated sigma, sigma cum laude. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  50:17 Yeah, I did get some honorary, like accolades for like, whenever I graduated. So that was pretty exciting, because the hard work did pay off. Michael Hingson  50:29 What do you think about studying and attending classes virtually as opposed to physically being in the room? Hybrid learning? Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  50:38 Some people may have an issue with that, but I personally, cause I was working full time and it was hard for me to get later classes, I preferred the online learning, but I understand, like some of the classes really did need me to be there, like the theater classes, and I was okay with that. I don't mind either, either or, but it just seems like online learning is more manageable. For me, it Michael Hingson  51:08 takes more discipline to to stick with it and focus on it, as opposed to being in the classroom. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  51:14 Um, yeah, I agree, but I think which, which is not a negative thing, by the way. Oh, yeah, no, no, no, I totally understand, but I think, um, I forget what I was going with that. Michael Hingson  51:26 Sorry. Well, we were talking about the fact that more discipline dealing with, Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  51:33 Oh, yeah. Oh, that's right, thank you. It's just, um, I think if you truly want it, you're gonna put forth the effort in anything. You know, it's may not always be enjoyable, but like, if you want it, you'll put through it. You'll push through it, like with high school, my mom knows, just like from elementary to high school, like that curriculum, I was just not feeling it, but I knew I had to stick it out. I wanted to be a high school dropout. I voiced that many of times, but like, I knew if I wanted to get to culinary school, I had to really focus on my academics through then and just try to push through and just do it, do what I had to do to graduate. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  52:19 Yeah, it's such a different environment to high school, I believe, you know, like I found that I really enjoyed college. I enjoyed my subjects. They went fast. The classes went fast. It was fast paced, but it was an I learned more. I you know, I think that slowness of the way that they do things in in the high school, it takes them like three weeks to get through one chapter, you know, and so it, it just, it just made it a big difference. And I, I wished I could continue to go to school. I think I was a really good student. Michael Hingson  52:59 I think one of the things about college is, and I've talked to several people who agree, is, you certainly learn from the courses that you take, but College offers so much more with with with the extracurricular activities, with the interaction with people, with The greater responsibility. College offers so many more life lessons if you take advantage of it, that really makes it cool. And I, I always enjoyed college. I liked it a lot. Natalie Belin & Mary Dunn  53:29 Yeah, yeah, I did too, I think with some of my challenges and frustrations, not only with my learning disability, but like the fact that

Welcome to a new year of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast! We've had so much fun over the years talking all things wedding marketing - but today's episode is a fresh side of marketing that feels perfectly aligned with New Year energy: speaking opportunities.If you've been a longtime listener, you know I started adding in-person speaking to my business last year. Building my business during the COVID years meant everything was virtual, so stepping onto live stages for the first time felt intimidating - and I know I'm not alone in that.For me, the secret sauce was taking Meghan Ely's Wedding Industry Speakers course - the roadmap I didn't know I needed. It put me on an incredible trajectory, and it's exactly why I wanted Meghan on the show to kick off 2026. Because when it comes to speaking, PR, and positioning yourself as an industry authority, there are few people more qualified to lead that conversation than Meghan.You probably already know OFD Consulting, where owner Meghan Ely combines in-the-trenches event experience with a deep love of wedding PR to help her clients take their businesses to new heights. As a result, she's become one of the industry's most trusted voices, earning press for her clients in outlets including The New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, People, Bridal Guide, Architectural Digest, and Style Me Pretty. She is also a longtime columnist for Special Events and Catersource.Meghan is a past national president of WIPA, a member of the Allied Council for the National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals, and a National Speaker of the Year honoree by NACE. Most recently, RSVP Club named her the 2025 Favorite Educator  - and honestly? I have a feeling she's about to be one of our favorite guests of 2026.What we cover in this episode:Why speaking is one of the most effective ways to build authority and trust in the wedding industryWho speaking is actually for (B2B, B2C, educators, and tech brands alike)How speaking can open doors beyond the stage, including new revenue streamsHow to know if you're ready to speak - even without prior experienceWhere to start if you've never taken the stage beforeWhat Meghan wishes she knew before her first speaking gigsWhy speaker fees aren't the full ROI (and what really matters)How to choose a signature talk that aligns with your goals and expertiseHow to start small, build confidence, and grow into speaking sustainablyWhere to find Meghan + her courseYou can learn more about Meghan, her work, and the Wedding Industry Speakers course at:weddingindustryspeakers.comofdconsulting.comRegistration is open through January 21. It runs for eight weeks, is live and recorded, and yes - those office hours are as fun (and helpful!) as they sound.Onward and upward to 2026!Follow I Do Wedding Marketing InstagramFacebookLinkedInThreadsI Do Wedding Marketing podcast listeners can receive 15% off a 6-month subscription as a new Aisle Planner user! Use code IDWMxAP

In this episode of the Revolution 250 Podcast, host Professor Robert Allison is joined by Reese Holmes, National President of the Children of the American Revolution, for a lively conversation about one of the nation's oldest and most forward-looking patriotic youth organizations.Together, they explore the origins of the Children of the American Revolution, founded in 1895 to foster knowledge of America's founding ideals among young people, and the organization's enduring mission to promote historical education, civic responsibility, service, and patriotism. Holmes discusses how C.A.R. members engage with Revolutionary history through research, preservation, public programs, and community service, while also developing leadership skills that prepare them to be thoughtful citizens.The conversation highlights how today's C.A.R. brings the Revolutionary generation to life for new audiences and how youth involvement plays a vital role in the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. From lineage and memory to action and service, this episode underscores why the past still matters and why its stewardship increasingly rests in young hands.Tell us what you think! Send us a text message!

fWotD Episode 3147: Littlehampton libels Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Tuesday, 16 December 2025, is Littlehampton libels.The Littlehampton libels were a series of letters sent to numerous residents of Littlehampton, in southern England, over a three-year period between 1920 and 1923. The letters, which contained obscenities and false accusations, were written by Edith Swan, a thirty-year-old laundress; she tried to incriminate her neighbour, Rose Gooding, a thirty-year-old married woman. Swan and Gooding had once been friends, but after Swan made a false report to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children accusing Gooding of maltreating one of her sister's children, the letters started arriving. Many of them were signed as if from Gooding. Swan brought a private prosecution against Gooding for libel; in December 1920 Gooding was found guilty and imprisoned for two weeks. On her release the letters started again, and Swan brought a second private prosecution against Gooding. In February 1921 Gooding was again found guilty and imprisoned for twelve months.While Gooding was in prison, two notebooks were found in Littlehampton. They contained further obscenities and falsehoods and were in the same handwriting as the letters. As a result, Gooding's case came to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Archibald Bodkin, who thought that there had been a miscarriage of justice. An investigation by Scotland Yard cleared Gooding of involvement in sending the letters and she was released from prison. When the letters started up again, the focus of police attention moved to Swan and she was put under surveillance. She was seen to drop a libellous letter and prosecuted in December 1921. Despite the evidence against her, the judge intervened in the prosecution's questioning and the case collapsed.In early 1922 the letters began arriving again. By October the police and detectives from the General Post Office (GPO) were involved, all targeting Swan. GPO detectives caught Swan sending another libellous letter in June 1923. She was arrested, found guilty and imprisoned for a year. In 2023 a film about the events, Wicked Little Letters, was released; it stars Olivia Colman as Swan and Jessie Buckley as Gooding. A similar case of libellous letters being sent over several years was reported in 2024, in the village of Shiptonthorpe, East Yorkshire; parallels were observed with the events at Littlehampton.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:57 UTC on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Littlehampton libels on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Justin.

Katelyn Gebhart was selected as a Beck's Player with Heart because of her involvement and dedication to her school, sports, and community. Katelyn plays volleyball and participates in trap shooting, saying she loves making close friendships and receiving community support. As captain, she wants to lead by example and show younger members a positive attitude, a hard work ethic, good character, and how to pick teammates up. Katelyn has learned how to trust, encourage, and rely on others, as well as life skills such as perseverance, responsibility, and leadership. In school, Katelyn is involved in the Lemmon EMT Cadet Program, the Academic Olympic team, Close-Up, and Travel Club. She currently serves as vice president of student council, president of the National Honor Society, president of her FFA chapter, and is the senior class vice president. Katelyn is very dedicated to her community, volunteering at multiple organizations, shelters, nursing homes, and youth sports events. She is a member of 4-H, a Junior Beef Ambassador, a representative on the National Youth Leadership Council for the NRECA, the Overall Top Range Hand for the National Society of Range Management for South Dakota, and currently works as a CNA at a local nursing home. From building fences after fires to serving food at banquets, Katelyn has developed a passion for helping others. She has gained the support and respect of her community through her volunteering and by being a good role model for youth. Agriculture has always been a way of life, as she was born and raised on a ranch. Katelyn learned how to work hard and to persevere through tough times. It has also provided her with many valuable opportunities where she gained helpful life skills such as public speaking, dedication, and responsibility. Agriculture is the backbone of her community, and she is proud to be a part of it. Katelyn plans to attend South Dakota State University's nursing program to receive her RN and BSN degree. She wants to pursue a Family Nurse Practitioner degree and work in a rural clinic while continuing to work on the ranch with her family.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy ain't the only thing the recipient of the Student of the Year award from the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities plans to conquer. He's the president of the Auburn chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. He's had cybersecurity internships galore. And for the past year, he's served as a research and development engineer at the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. Yes, despite losing much of his sight, this senior in computer science and software engineering says he can now "see the larger picture, one that shows I can do anything I put my mind to.” Ladies and gentlemen, Aidan Anderson.

Finding yourself can start with a small step that leads to a complete transformation. In this episode, A'Dymond Sammons talks about feeling alone her first semester to becoming a campus leader, mentor, and advocate for others. As president of the Black Leadership Coalition and a regional board member for the National Society of Black Engineers, she explains how overcoming fears and embracing unexpected opportunities helped her flourish into who she is today. We'll also talk about navigating college as a first-gen student, the power of asking for help, and why it's perfectly okay not to have everything figured out from the start. Featured Majors: Electrical Engineering, Humanitarian Engineering, English Studies

Send us a textEveryone knows that when you go to study engineering at university, you will have to take a bunch of courses and laboratories.  These academic activities help students learn core engineering skills.  However, there is a lot of learning that can happen in engineering student organizations.  These extra-curricular activities are where students develop additional skills that will have an important impact on their career.In this episode we sit down with three engineering student leaders.  Lei Ocampo is the Vice-President of Events for the Regina Engineering Students' Society, Gianna Osuobeni is the Vice-President of Events for the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE – Regina Chapter), and Drake Smith is the President of Cougar Racing.  In this conversation we hear about their experiences as engineering students, and the value of getting involved in extra-curricular activities.  Learning at university does not just happen in classrooms and laboratories!

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-powered browser designed to compete with Google in the realm of online information searches. Initially available on macOS, the browser will soon expand to Windows, iOS, and Android, offering free access to all users at launch. The integration of core ChatGPT functionalities allows users to interact directly with search results, streamlining online tasks through features like a sidecar and an agent mode for automating web-based tasks, although the latter will be limited to paying users. Despite the promising features, concerns about security and privacy have been raised, particularly regarding the experimental agent mode.The rapid adoption of AI technologies has led to ChatGPT processing an impressive 2.5 billion messages daily, with its user base reaching approximately 800 million. However, OpenAI faces significant financial challenges, reportedly losing three times more money than it earns, with a substantial portion of its users not paying for the service. The company generated $4.3 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025 but suffered a net loss of $13.5 billion. This financial disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for growth in the market, as OpenAI aims to double its customer base while investing heavily in data center capacity.In other industry news, Corey Kirkendall has been appointed as the new president of the National Society of IT Service Providers, focusing on strengthening community ties and advocating for ethical practices within the IT service industry. His leadership is seen as a pivotal moment for the organization, which is evolving into a more influential advocacy group. This shift could provide IT service providers with a stronger voice in the industry, emphasizing the importance of relationships over technology.Additionally, TeamViewer has integrated its software with Salesforce's AgentForce, enhancing IT service management capabilities, while Serval has raised $47 million to develop innovative agentic AI models for IT service management. Zoom has also introduced new features for its Zoom Spaces platform to improve collaboration in hybrid work environments. These developments indicate a trend where the boundaries between IT management, collaboration, and automation are increasingly blurring, signaling a need for IT providers to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.Three things to know today00:00 OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas Browser as AI Dominates the Web—and Faces Its Own Financial Reality06:48 Corey Kirkendoll Named President of NSITSP as Group Matures into National Voice for IT Service Providers08:40 AI Redefines IT Management: Salesforce-Driven Agentforce Integration, Serval's Dual-Agent Model, and Zoom's Hybrid Enhancements Lead the Shift This is the Business of Tech.     Supported by:  https://scalepad.com/dave/https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship 

This week for our “Ready, Set, Leap” series, our host and founder, Yoli Tamu welcomes the very student who first inspired her to begin serving college students years ago! In this episode, we meet Rwanda Carter, ASW, PPSC, Psychiatric Social Worker for LAUSD's Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP). Born in Belize and raised in Watts, Rwanda shares how her parents' sacrifices inspired her to uplift her community, build belonging, and lead with purpose. She recalls finding her voice through campus organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK)—programs that nurtured her drive to serve others. Now, as a mentor and advocate, Rwanda has come full circle, creating opportunities for high school students to experience growth, community wellness, and college exploration. Her powerful journey proves that when you invest in underserved communities, the results ripple across generations. Rwanda completed both her Master of Social Work and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at California State University, Fullerton. She is a dedicated social worker committed to uplifting and serving communities with limited access to mental health resources. As the BSAP Psychiatric Social Worker, she promotes mental wellness among historically underserved students through representation, advocacy, and culturally responsive care. Her work centers on reducing stigma, expanding access to mental health services, and empowering Black youth through trauma-informed and identity-affirming interventions. By collaborating with educators, families, and community partners, Rwanda helps create safe, inclusive environments where students feel seen, heard, and supported. Her long-term goal is to influence mental health policy to expand equitable access to care and address systemic barriers impacting marginalized populations. To learn more about Rwanda and her work, visit her at LAUSD.org or connect with her on LinkedIn.

About Dawn Christman Dawn is a human capital executive with expertise spanning 25 years in talent acquisition, talent operations, human resources, and coaching space across the Americas, EMEA and APAC.​   Building and leading international teams of 60+, Dawn focuses on the strengths and opportunities of talent to help propel businesses forward, regardless of their physical location.  Having led both functions and clients within start-up, publicly traded and private equity owned environments – she quickly recognizes opportunities to remove obstacles and provide bottom line impact.​   Always intrigued by challenge, she's had the opportunity to complete needs assessments across sales, operations, human resources, talent acquisition, IT, HRIS, finance, legal, risk and compliance, marketing and branding.  Ultimately, results are used to build standard global policies and processes, geared toward impacting internal EVP and external brand – regardless of industry.​   Throughout her career, she has further enhanced her professional and personal career via Board. Historically sitting on the Board of the Twin Cities Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBA's offered the opportunity to lead their major fundraising gala, facilitate sponsor events and develop marketing activities.​   She is now leading the Executive Advisory Board for Jobs for Humanity – focusing on maximizing partnership with the CEO and several C – Suite leaders all focused on the growth and development of the business.​   Her Board work is a natural complement to her humancentric leadership style - driven by the personal belief that people are capable of far more than they realize.  Maximizing talent in any space is simply a matter of identifying and driving initiatives together, with humility and the goal to succeed.​   Episode Notes 00:00 Introduction 05:16 Positioning Yourself for New Opportunities 08:17 Research and Networking for Career Growth 16:57 Respect and Career Progression 19:31 Dealing with Job Search Frustration 20:06 Breaking Out of Isolation 20:54 Reinventing Yourself Professionally 21:23 Recognizing Your Value 23:53 Considering Leaving Your Job 27:19 Handling Job Loss Emotionally 30:31 Negotiating Severance Packages  

I almost never say yes to cold pitches. But one late night, I opened an email from Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting—and instead of deleting it, I hit reply. It was researched, personal, and actually useful. That same energy comes through in this conversation, where Meghan shares how she's helped creatives land features in The New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart, People, and more. This episode will shift how you think about PR—not as something reserved for celebrities or giant corporations, but as a powerful tool for any creative entrepreneur ready to be seen. In this episode, we cover: The real difference between PR and marketing—and why Instagram isn't PR The anatomy of a great wedding submission (permissions, vendor credits, and photo curation that tells a story) How to jump on cultural moments (like Taylor & Travis) with smart, timely commentary The truth about pay-to-play, advertising, and how to promote ethically Why rejection is part of the process and how to separate your self-worth from submissions Client success stories where press built authority, trust, and long-term bookings How OFD Collective helps creatives get quoted, featured, and speaking opportunities Meghan is smart, warm, and refreshingly candid. If you've ever wondered how to get published—or if you're tired of trying to DIY submissions—you'll love this conversation. Meet Meghan OFD Consulting owner, Meghan Ely, combines in-the-trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR to empower her clients to take their businesses to new heights. Her team's publicity efforts are regularly honored by the Public Relations Society of America, and more recently, Eventex named her one of the most influential Wedding Professionals in the Industry. A long-time industry speaker and writer, she has regularly earned clients' press in such outlets as the New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, People, Bridal Guide, Architectural Digest and Style Me Pretty, among many others. Meghan is a past national president WIPA and is a member of the Allied Council for the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals. Connect with Meghan Meghan's WebsiteOFD Collective Membership

In this special episode, Jewel sits down with George Antoin Smith, co-founder of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), to uncover the untold story behind one of the most powerful student-led movements in history. From the Chicago Six at Purdue to building an institution that now shapes 30,000 Black engineers worldwide, George shares firsthand how vision, friendship, and persistence transformed a dire need into a global legacy. Packed with history, lessons on resilience, and insights for leaders ready to leave their mark, this conversation is a living blueprint on how community and purpose create institutions that outlast us all. Join us ➡️ Black Executive Men on Linkedin ➡️ Apply here for Black Executive Men

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ronald Mallett, a Professor Emeritus of Physics in the Department of Physics at the University of Connecticut. As a theoretical physicist, academic professional, and author, Dr. Mallett's research interests are fascinating: general relativity and gravitation, black holes, relativistic astrophysics, and quantum cosmology… Dr. Mallett earned his Ph.D. in physics from Pennsylvania State University, where he was honored with the Graduate Assistant Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1975. A distinguished physicist, he is a member of both the American Physical Society and the National Society of Black Physicists. In recognition of his contributions to science, he was named an honorary member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2005. Dive in to find out: The difference between special and general relativity.  Whether time travel might one day move from science fiction to reality. The relationship between time and movement. Is time travel possible? How do black holes shape our understanding of the universe? Whether you're a science enthusiast, a curious skeptic, or fascinated by the mysteries of space and time, this episode is sure to expand your perspective. Want to learn more about Dr. Mallett and his work? Click here now! And be sure to read his intriguing book, Time Traveler, to deepen your understanding of this subject.

Today, I sit down with David Udoh, David is a thoughtful, motivated, and community-oriented individual with a strong passion for engineering and using his skills to make a tangible impact. He is a junior chemical engineering student at The University of Texas at Austin, with a growing interest in applying engineering solutions to real-world problems that positively impact the community. David is currently working a summer internship with Linde and is currently exploring opportunities that combine technical innovation with meaningful service. He is an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), where he enjoys building leadership skills, organizing events, and fostering a sense of belonging among fellow students. Outside of academics, David is committed to personal growth and wellness, consistently balancing his studies with regular workouts and creative pursuits.

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, sits down with Kathryn Reed, PA-C, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh and founder of the National Society of Black Physician Assistants (NSBPA), to explore how virtual shadowing is transforming access to the PA profession. Reed explains how this innovative approach expands opportunities for pre-PA students, especially those facing geographic, financial, or systemic barriers. She offers practical tips for identifying high-quality virtual experiences and dives into the broader PA pathway—from application challenges to the power of mentorship. Whether you're an aspiring PA or supporting future healthcare leaders, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and resources for the journey ahead. This episode is sponsored by the University of Saint Francis and its online Doctor of Medical Science Degree.   PA PAth is produced by Association Briefings.

Send us a textRichard Altabe serves as principal and executive vice president for institutional advancement at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, roles he has held since 2016, and as an adjunct professor at Touro College since 2021. With over 35 years in K-12 education, he previously served as headmaster at Shaare Torah, director of Limudei Chol at the National Society of Hebrew Day Schools, and executive director of TOVA Mentoring. His earlier roles include principal at Magen David Yeshivah, dean of secular studies at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, and founding director of Simcha Day Camp. Mr. Altabe has contributed articles on education to Hamechanech and Jewish Observer and has been active in leadership roles within Jewish educational and community organizations, including founding the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance and serving as vice president of CAHAL for 30 years.Mr. Altabe holds a BS in biology from NYU, an MS in education and an advanced certificate in educational administration from Brooklyn College, completed the Summer Principal Program at Harvard, and is a certified school district administrator in New York State. Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, he takes pride in developing special education and afterschool programs, attributing his success to his passion for education and dedication to student support. Looking ahead, he plans to focus on consulting to advise schools on system-wide instructional best practices.For more Brainstorm go to...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuzsIoNKYt5jjv7RFT?si=67dfa56d4e764ee0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brainstorm-with-sony-perlman/id1596925257Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brainstormwithsonyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainstormwithsony

In this episode, we explore the motivations, findings, and clinical implications of a recent study examining patient understanding of the terms “sex” and “gender” in the context of prenatal testing, particularly non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).    “Patient understanding of fetal sex versus gender in the context of routine cell-free DNA screening”   Mindy Kolodziejski (she/her) is a Senior Genetic Counselor at University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare and a graduate of the UTHealth Houston Genetic Counseling Program (UTGCP). She is the first author of "Patient understanding of fetal sex versus gender in the context of routine cell-free DNA screening," published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling, and presented this research at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) conference in 2024. As a queer genetic counselor, Mindy is passionate about LGBTQIA+ issues in genetic counseling and strives to improve care, inclusion, and accessibility for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. She also provides genetics services in the UK Differences of Sex Development (DSD) clinic. Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-kolodziejski-a07573186/   In this segment we discuss: - Why the terms sex and gender are different, but are often used interchangeably - Factors influencing patient understanding of sex and gender - Ways to help patients understand the information being presented while balancing being accurate and appropriate with the language being used - Specific content and approaches that can be added to prenatal education programs   Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.   Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.    DNA Dialogues' team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today's Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Sydney Arlen.

Lori Duff's journey began with strong academic success, which led her parents to steer her towards law school. Initially focused solely on her legal career, Lori truly discovered her love for creative writing after a challenging election loss in 2012. This moment of introspection prompted her to start blogging, humorously chronicling her husband's antics, which then evolved into a more public writing career. Lori is a lawyer, a judge, and an award winning writer.  She's a past president of the Georgia Council for Municipal  Court Judges, and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.  A two time winner of the Georgia Bar Journal's Annual Fiction Competition, she also won the Forward Indies Gold Medal for Humor,  and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists Annual Column Contest, and many other awards for her work.  Her new novel,  Devil's Defense, is a finalist in the American Book Fest Best Book Awards in General Fiction and Thriller Adventure categories and her novella, Broken Things, won the Georgia Independent Author of the Year Award for Literary Fiction.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  01:46 Lori's Background 04:24 Journey to Writing 05:34 Balancing Law and Writing 15:20 Creative Inspirations 18:05 Character Development 30:46 Upcoming Projects   Quotes “People are complicated. Nobody thinks they're the bad guy.” “Don't let anyone else tell you no. There's enough people telling you no.”   Mentioned: loriduffwrites.com Substack @loriduffwrites Twitter: @loriduffwrites Facebook: Lori Duff Writes Instagram: @loriduffwrites LinkedIn: Lori Duff eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

About the Speakers:Dr. Thureiyya K. Rodriguez, DHA, MSN, CWOCN, has over two decades of experience in healthcare and specializes in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing. Dr. Rodriguez's experience spans beyond inpatient and outpatient nursing. She has an extensive range of knowledge and expertise in staffing methodology and leadership nursing. Dr. Rodriguez's experience in nursing practice and healthcare administration, combined with her tenure in both federal and private healthcare sectors, equips her to offer comprehensive and tailored solutions. Dr. Rodriguez has peer-reviewed publications in Nursing Made Incredibly Easy and is an active peer reviewer for Wolters-Kluwer: Advances in Skin and Wound Care. She is actively involved in the Northeast Region WOCN (NER WOCN) and National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). She is the owner of Thureiyya Rodriguez RN, PLLC and North-Browne Consulting Services.Katie Cesario, MA, RN, CWOCN, became a nurse in 2005 after obtaining her BSN from Pace University. She started her career at Visiting Nurse Service of New York as a public health nurse intern. In 2009, she received her Master's Degree in Nursing Education from Pace University and soon after took a position as Orientation Nurse Instructor at VNSNY. In 2013, she studied at the Cleveland Clinic to become a Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse. In 2015, she took a WOC nurse position at New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center. In September 2018, she joined the WOC nurse team at NYP, Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. She held the Secretary position for the Metro NY Affiliate of the WOCN Society from January 2021-December 2022. Since 2019, she has served on the skin and wound care advisory board for Coloplast. Presently, she is embarking on a new path in her career by starting her own private nursing business for wound and ostomy patients and their caregivers, Katherine Cesario RN, PLLC. In this new role, she is most excited to combine her background in home care and education with her dedication to help people living with wounds and ostomies.Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Are fewer, bigger farms putting our entire food system at risk?That's the warning at the heart of Land Rich, Cash Poor, the latest book by Brian Reisinger. In it, he explores the forces—technological, political, and economic—that have hollowed out rural America and made it harder than ever to keep a family farm alive. Drawing from his own multigenerational farming roots in Wisconsin, Brian traces how policy choices and market consolidation have left farmers squeezed—sometimes literally sitting on millions of dollars of land they can't afford to keep.In this episode, we dive into: Why the U.S. has lost over 70% of its farms in the past century—and what that's done to rural communities. The role of technology and policy in fueling unnecessary consolidation. How farm crises, past and present, continue to push out small and mid-sized producers. The rise of land as an investment asset—and what that means for food producers. The growing divide between those who own the land and those who work it. Why America's tradition of small landowners is worth fighting for. What scale-neutral technology and smarter R&D could do to level the playing field. How we create real economic opportunity for a new generation of small farms.More about Brian:Brian Reisinger is an award-winning writer and rural policy expert who grew up on a family farm in Sauk County, Wisconsin. Reisinger worked with his father from the time he could walk, before entering the worlds of business journalism and public policy, then going on to work as a columnist and consultant. He lives to tell the hidden stories of rural America and has been published by USA Today, Newsweek, Yahoo News, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, PBS/Wisconsin Public Radio's “Wisconsin Life,” The Daily Yonder, RealClearPolitics, The Hill, and elsewhere. He's given a TEDx talk on risks to our food supply, and appeared on C-SPAN's “Washington Journal,” CNN, public radio, farm radio, and other outlets across the political spectrum. Reisinger's writing has won awards from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, first place in the Seven Hills Literary Contest, a Solas Award, and more. He lives with his wife and daughter, and helps lead Midwestern-based Platform Communications, splitting time between northern California and the family farm in Wisconsin. Land Rich, Cash Poor is his first book.Find him on X: @BrianJReisingerAgrarian Futures is produced by Alexandre Miller, who also wrote our theme song. This episode was edited by Drew O'Doherty.

Sofia Gonzalez, M.Ed., MA is a High School AP English teacher, Nonprofit Leader, and Education Activist from Illinois. She has been in the field of education for 15 years and has a deep passion for students & teachers who are disadvantaged.She's a sought-after keynote speaker & podcast host who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a message that's infectious. She has received national teacher recognitions and nominations such as 2019 Top Educator of the Year with the National Society of High School Scholars, 2021 Golden Apple Nominee for Teaching & Excellence and 2022 Authenticity Award with Latinx Education Collaborative. She is also a nonprofit Lead Visionary for Project 214 which promotes education in underserved areas for students and teachers on the margins.An alum in various spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Urban Leaders Fellowship, and the US Department of Education, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom at a national and international level. ______________________________________________________________________ The Edupreneur: Your Blueprint To Jumpstart And Scale Your Education BusinessYou've spent years in the classroom, leading PD, designing curriculum, and transforming how students learn. Now, it's time to leverage that experience and build something for yourself. The Edupreneur isn't just another book—it's the playbook for educators who want to take their knowledge beyond the school walls and into a thriving business.I wrote this book because I've been where you are. I know what it's like to have the skills, the passion, and the drive but not know where to start. I break it all down—the mindset shifts, the business models, the pricing strategies, and the branding moves that will help you position yourself as a leader in this space.Inside, you'll learn how to:✅ Turn your expertise into income streams—without feeling like a sellout✅ Build a personal brand that commands respect (and top dollar)✅ Market your work in a way that feels natural and impactful✅ Navigate the business side of edupreneurship, from pricing to partnershipsWhether you want to consult, create courses, write books, or launch a podcast, this book will help you get there. Stop waiting for permission. Start building your own table.

Kiera Phyo (Reconciling Leaders Network Director to the Archbishop of Canterbury) and Lorraine Prince (Head of Networks, National Society for Education, Church of England) discuss the Difference program (https://difference.rln.global/).

Welcome to Episode 212 At 212 degrees fahrenheit, water becomes steam. At 211 it's hot. At 212 you can move a locomotive or make electricity. We are happy to bring you episode 212 of the Killing IT Podcast! Please share this podcast on Apple, iHeart, or wherever you listen. Sponsored by… The Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. The best deal in online communities for IT business owners is the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Memberships start at just $799 per year, and that includes a five-week course at IT Service Provider University. Grab all the details at https://www.smallbizthoughts.org.  Topics: Topic 1: CISA update If the US government is not going to be helping small businesses with security alerts, who will step in to provide this service? Is there anything we can do to get CISA to help, or will this be another function we simply defer to Europe to provide the leadership? Doing nothing is not an option? What are you doing to stay tuned to security alerts for your clients? Topic 2: Taxes for IT consultants. Maryland and Washington announce new taxes. Who's next? Not to say we told you so, but … Whether we like it or not, taxes are coming to online services and tech support. Maryland's tax appeared very quickly, and then narrowed down to only SMALL IT consultants.  Dave mentioned this in his Business of Tech podcast, and the National Society of IT Service Providers addressed this on their blog at https://nsitsp.org/those-who-do-not-organize-get-taxed-lessons-from-marylands-3-tech-tax/. Now is a great time to decide where we as an industry stand on this. Topic 3: Under what circumstances should we rely on generative AI? There's a growing disillusionment with generative AI. There continue to be problems with hallucinations and outright falsehoods. And there are continuing examples of just plain laziness - without any meaningful accountability.  We discuss a really great, Boolean decision tree. See the graphic at https://guides.lib.usf.edu/c.php?g=1315087&p=9678779. That graphic also provides a very short, very straight-forward description of the answer. Does it matter if the output is true, accurate, or helpful? Do you have the knowledge and ability to determine whether the output is accurate? Feedback always welcome! :-)

Damaune serves as Global Chief Growth Officer at 72andSunny, one of the world's most admired and innovative creative agencies, where he is responsible for the global revenue of the business including marketing and revenue operations, business development, and corporate communications.For Journey, success means driving growth on both the agency and the client sides of the partnership, and he works across 72andSunny's four global offices, as well as its long roster of brands, including the National Football League, United Airlines, Zoom, and Audible. Previously, Journey was Chief Growth/Marketing Officer at Private Medical, a concierge medical practice serving select UHNW families across the United States. In this role, he successfully developed and led the organization's growth and expansion strategy. Prior to Private Medical, Journey was hired by private equity firm TPG Growth to serve as Chief Revenue Officer at the renowned private security firm Gavin de Becker & Associates, where he was responsible forrevenue growth, marketing and commercial operations, and scaling strategy.As an executive and business unit leader at ShotSpotter, a venture-backed technology company, Journey helped lead thefirm's IPO with its 2016 NASDAQ listing and was a featured protagonist in the Harvard Business School case, “ShotSpotter: A Gunfire Detection Business Looks for a New Market” about his efforts. Before ShotSpotter, he led global marketing and business development for CSECO, where he successfullyexpanded the business to international markets on four continents.Outside of his private-sector career, Journey has proudly served as National Chairperson and advisory board member of the National Society of Black Engineers and currently serves as a board director for a number of non-profits and social enterprises. Journey has a Bachelor's degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, helives in Oakland, CA with his wife and their two young children.

My guest today is Janet Burl. Jan lives in Northern NY, with the family dog Tippy. She is an international motivational speaker and coach for Stroke @ Traumatic Brain injury Individuals, Caregivers & Loved Ones, and a published Children's Author. She has been an Associate Production Editor, tutor and researcher, artist, poet, and is a lover of the mountains, and dragons. She's psychically 'challenged' from hemorrhagic stroke, but her mind, and now left hand are busy creating. While working on her Masters three years ago, she wrote her first children's book, the second was released this past October. Jan graduated in English & Creative Writing, in 2023, Summa Cum Laude, became a member of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Several other books are in the works, including a memoir, historical romance, poetry, and a Mid-Grade Series. The stroke changed things, opening doors to new and exciting things. She tells everyone, "Make every day an extraordinary day.".In this episode we discuss stroke recovery, breath work, children's books and mental health.IG - https://www.instagram.com/jsburl_author/FB - https://www.facebook.com/groups/3455197218042847/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCefBVEt2N-yaOaXeMuEYm-gLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-burl-ec-nlp-ma-4476b416/In this episode you will learn:1. How to set and achieve realistic goals.2. Some tools and strategies you can use to help you regain confidence and independence after a traumatic brain injury or stroke.3. The role of mindset and emotional resilience in the recovery process. “No stroke is ever like any other. So each person brings their own story into each talk that I have with them.” - 00:08:51“There are going to be setbacks. There are going to be good days, bad days." 00:20:33“Don't give up on yourself. Believe in yourself, have empathy for others around you. Do not give up on anyone .” 00:40:33

In this episode, we are discussing 2 articles focused on cardiovascular genetics. In the first segment, Khalida talks to authors Marianne and Erin about their research exploring the opportunities for downstream revenue of cardiac genetic counseling services in a pediatric medical center. In the second segment, Naomi chats with Jodie and Erin about the recent NSGC Practice Resource about genetic testing and counseling for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Segment 1: Cardiac genetic counseling services: Exploring downstream revenue in a pediatric medical center Marianne Olson, MS, CGC is a genetic counselor at Baptist Health in Kentucky. She provides prenatal genetic counseling at Maternal Fetal Medicine clinics in Louisville and Lexington. Marianne graduated from the Cincinnati Genetic Counseling Graduate Program in 2024. Prior to working as a genetic counselor, Marianne taught high school chemistry and biology for 12 years. Erin Miller is an Associate Professor in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Erin is a genetic counselor IN THE DIVISION OF CARDIOLOGY at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She leads the cardiology genetic counseling team in providing genetic counseling services to individuals of all ages with and at risk for cardiovascular disease. Erin is focused on improving access to genetics services for families with inherited cardiovascular diseases. In this segment we discuss: - What sparked the decision to explore downstream revenue (DSR) in a cardiac genetic counseling setting - Financial challenges institutions face when hiring genetic counselors, especially around reimbursement - The role of genetic counseling in reducing costs by guiding risk stratification and avoiding unnecessary testing - Limited uptake of cardiac screening among at-risk relative and strategies that could help improve adherence - How findings from this study can support the case for sustaining genetic counseling roles within pediatric cardiology - Potential to adapt the study's methodology to other specialties like neurology or prenatal genetics, and considerations for doing so   Segment 2: Genetic testing and counseling for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: An evidence-based practice resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors Erin Miller (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati and a cardiac genetic counselor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the Division of Cardiology. She leads the cardiology genetic counseling team in providing genetic counseling services to individuals of all ages with and at risk for cardiovascular disease. Erin is focused on improving access to genetics services for families with inherited cardiovascular diseases. Associate Professor Jodie Ingles (she/her)  is Head of the Clinical Genomics Laboratory and Program Director of Genomics and Inherited Disease Program at Garvan Institute of Medical Research. She is a cardiac genetic counsellor in the Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney. Her team is focused on using genomics to improve diagnosis and care of families with inherited cardiovascular diseases. In this segment we discuss: - The motivation behind creating an official practice resource focused on genetic testing and counseling for HCM - Deep dive into the first major recommendation: offering genetic testing to all individuals with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of HCM, paired with appropriate genetic counseling - Exploration of the second recommendation: ensuring that genetic tests are selected, ordered, and interpreted within the context of genetic counseling, and the complexities that come with this process - Discussion of the third recommendation: providing cardiac and cascade genetic testing to at-risk relatives, without age limitations, and why this is critical for effective family-based care - A look at the barriers to integrating genetic services into cardiology practices, especially in settings without dedicated genetics expertise   Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.  For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.  Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.  DNA Dialogues' team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today's Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Sydney Arlen.  

Mariah Humphries and Katie Mullin welcome from across the pond Alysia-Lara Ayonrinde and Lorraine Prince to Peace Talks. Their wide-ranging conversation highlights their work in education through The Church in England. From how they teach belonging, inclusion, and power dynamics, to the astonishingly insightful questions from their young students, Alysia-Lara and Lorraine inspire us in the US to see education through a new lens.Lorraine Prince is the Head of Networks at the National Society for Education, where she plays a pivotal role in facilitating professional development and fostering connections across various educational networks. Her expertise centres on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice (EDIJ), focusing on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Trauma, and Justice and Courageous Advocacy.Alysia-Lara Ayonrinde is the Schools Project Lead for Reconciliation at the Church of England. She is deeply committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, evident through her transformative contributions to learning environments globally. She pioneers innovative strategies that empower leaders, teachers and students from all backgrounds to flourish.The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we've created a Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.Connect with The Center Online!Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.orgFollow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616Support the show

Tap into your inner wisdom with Christina Deering, a shaman, healer, and intuitive business coach. In this episode, Lesley and Brad break down Christina's insights on aligning with your highest self, overcoming limiting beliefs, and using intuitive tools like pendulums and tapping. Discover how to embrace daydreaming as a manifestation technique and reprogram your mindset for success.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe.In this episode you will learn about:Understanding your highest self as an extension of your soul.Breaking free from limiting beliefs and societal conditioning.Using intuitive tools like pendulums and tapping for clarity.The power of daydreaming as a manifestation tool.Aligning your energy with your goals for greater success.Recognizing and shifting emotional vibrations for better decision-making.Episode References/Links:Cambodia October 2025 Waitlist - https://crowsnestretreats.com Spring Pilates Training - https://opc.me/eventsPilates Studio Growth Accelerator - https://prfit.biz/acceleratorAccessories Flashcards Waitlist - https://opc.me/flashcardwaitlistChristina Deering Website: https://www.christinadeering.comChristina's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamchristinadeeringFree Gift - 5 Min Energy Reset - https://beitpod.com/energyreset If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS!Check out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSoxBe in the know with all the workshops at OPCBe It Till You See It Podcast SurveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates MentorshipFREE Ditching Busy WebinarResources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube!Lesley Logan websiteBe It Till You See It PodcastOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley LoganOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTubeProfitable Pilates Follow Us on Social Media:InstagramThe Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channelFacebookLinkedInThe OPC YouTube Channel Episode Transcript:Brad Crowell 0:00  I think, also, to giving yourself permission to know that that was a possibility.Lesley Logan 0:05  It's not a waste of time. Brad Crowell 0:06  Well, it's not a waste of time to daydream, letting yourself daydream, let yourself visualize, give yourself the spaciousness to connect with the things that feel exciting. But also, I think it's the counterbalance to this internal monolog that we have, that everything's gonna crash around us. It's all coming to an end.Lesley Logan 0:24  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, Brad, and I are going to dig into the intuitive convo I have with Christina Deering in our last episode. If you haven't yet listened to that interview, feel free to pause us now and go back and listen, or stay here and then listen later. You can do both, because she's an intuitive so you're going to want to do both.Today is February 27th 2025 and it's Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, a significant day. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is marked annually at the end of February during engineering week. This year, it takes place on February 27th. This day was founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (N.S.P.E.) in 1951. According to N.S.P.E., didn't you love that? I like to discover things as we're.Brad Crowell 1:52  That's news to me.Lesley Logan 1:53  I like, learn this as you're learning it, everyone.Brad Crowell 1:56  She clearly previews all the work that goes into these show notes.Lesley Logan 2:03  Oh my God. Engineering Week aims to ensure a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. I just want to say.Brad Crowell 2:14  That was written by an engineer.Lesley Logan 2:16  Totally wise and you can't say engineering week and describe it as a like a definition, and then use engineering in the definition of what the week is. You gotta, I don't actually think I know what engineering is so. Did you know since the origins of STEM fields in the 18th century (the Age of Enlightenment) have remained predominantly male? Yeah, we knew this. It's a burgeoning issue calling for an urgent redress. One of the main ways that this is being done is through the creation of scholarships for women. So I think that's so cool. There was a model who had like, coder weeks. Is coding engineering?Brad Crowell 2:56  Yeah, we can, it's a form of engineering. Yeah. Lesley Logan 2:58  Is engineering anything to do with computers? Brad Crowell 3:00  Well, there are software engineers. But, yes, engineers could be structural engineers or mechanical engineers or, you know, aviation has engineering.  Lesley Logan 3:11  So this is not a niche week. Brad Crowell 3:13  No, I think it's general. You could have software engineers who are developers. Sure.Lesley Logan 3:17  Here's the thing. Clearly, I wasn't introduced to engineering during Engineering Week when I was a child, even though it was started in 1951 so we have lots of work to do and.Brad Crowell 3:26  I wonder if architects are considered engineers, or how does that work? Do they work together? I mean, you know, they're building. An engineer would build a bridge.Lesley Logan 3:35  Yeah, yeah, right, exactly. So then maybe Meridith's partner is an engineer. So we know engineers.Brad Crowell 3:42  Well, he is, he's a mechanical, no, he's a structural engineer. Can't remember. Yeah, we know engineers.Lesley Logan 3:47  We love you. There's one in our family. We should know.So anyways, I just thought this was a really cool holiday. When Brad was showing me the holidays, I thought it was a cool holiday because, obviously, when we expose people to different jobs that they could do, we actually bring in really cool experiences into those jobs. And engineers are, obviously, have a vast amount of things that they could work in and that are necessary. And so life experiences that are different than others are really important. And so here's to Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. I too was just introduced. So there we go. All right, so as you listen to this, we are in Cambodia.Brad Crowell 4:26  Right now, as you are listening. We are so excited.Lesley Logan 4:29  Oh my gosh. And also, the people who are coming, I'm just excited for this week that we're having with them. So anyways, you guys have to join us in October. Seriously, I know that you've got a lot on your plate. You got a lot going on. October feels like, a far way away, but we, actually, it's not. And it's the perfect time to just have something in your Q4 to look forward to. So go to crowsnestretreats.com and join us, because we want to spend a week with you. We want to retreat from the chaos of this world and just sweat and do Pilates and breath work and see temples. And Lotus farms and eat good food.Brad Crowell 5:03  Yeah, it's, I mean, elephants, friends, make friends. It's, you know, explore a city.Lesley Logan 5:08  You don't have to come with a friend. You can come by yourself, because we, we'll provide the friends.Brad Crowell 5:13  Yeah, we do. You're guaranteed a friend.Lesley Logan 5:17  You are. You've got a friend in me.Brad Crowell 5:21  Well, in March, a month from now, we will be a P.O.T. in Denver, Colorado. P.O.T is Pilates on Tour, if you're not familiar, although I. Lesley Logan 5:30  It's sold out. Brad Crowell 5:31  I think it's sold out.Lesley Logan 5:32  Yeah, it's sold out. Can't come. Well, last time we checked, we were, I think they had a couple spots on Sunday, which we'll be there for. I'm teaching every single day. I'm keynoting.Brad Crowell 5:42  I know. Keynote speaker, Lesley.Lesley Logan 5:46  Oh my God. So anyways, you'll come if you can, and if there's spots, if not, we'll see you in Chicago. But also in March, Brad doesn't know this yet, March 18th through the 24th is the Accessories Flash Dard presale. See, Meridith and I just scheduled it right now.Brad Crowell 6:04  What?Lesley Logan 6:06  Yes and so the date has been set. Only those on the waitlist are going to get the invite. So you need to go to opc.me/flashcardwaitlist, opc.me/flashcardwaitlist, and that is going to get you the opportunity to get this, the latest and last deck, 30% off. And by the way, the Accessory Deck is for all the bodies, everybody. And we're going to have a lot of fun celebrating who got the cards, Meridith and I have a bunch of tricks and things planned up our sleeve, but you have to be on the waitlist to hear about it. So sorry. So opc.me/flashcardwaitlist.Brad Crowell 6:40  Yeah, but you get the hook up by being on it. So do it. Get yourself over there. All right, next up in April. Guess what, y'all? OPC is gonna be doing a spring training in April. This is gonna be April 27th through May. 3rd. Ten events across a week. You're gonna be able to join us virtually no matter where you are, whether you're watching them live or watching replays.Lesley Logan 7:03  You don't have to have Pilates experience to join us. You don't have to have equipment. There's going to be options for a mat only track, and then equipment plus mat track and Meridith and I did the math. Well, Meridith did the math. I'll just, why am I taking credit? It's like $6 per class if you have the mat ticket or something like that. So, you know, it's such a steal. Anyways, so opc.me/events gets you on to the waitlist, because those on the waitlist will get the early bird price. Those not on the waitlist will get to pay the full price, which is still a good deal, but on the waitlist, it's a great price.Brad Crowell 7:37  Yeah, it's a steal. It's a steal for the early bird. It's still an amazing deal.Lesley Logan 7:41  OPC members. Will get it for free. So if you want it for free, be an OPC member.Brad Crowell 7:46  Yeah, but to get on the waitlist for all that go to opc.me/events or just put it in your calendar right now, April 27th through May 3rd, just mark it off and be like OPC Spring Training. It's going to be super fun. We're doing spring training this year instead of summer camp. Okay? To be honest, people, I, we were getting confused between summer tour and summer camp. So we said this is dumb. Why don't we not make it a summer thing?Lesley Logan 8:11  We have a spring, summer, winter, and then, I guess, retreat in the fall. But it's not fall weather in Cambodia.Brad Crowell 8:19  So technically.Lesley Logan 8:20  But it's in the fall but it's not a fall event, so we're only doing three events.Brad Crowell 8:25  It's going to be amazing. It's going to be amazing. Anyway, go to opc.me/events. Okay, finally, if you are taking money from a client and teaching them Pilates or yoga or whatever, if you are a fitness business owner in that way, I want you to come join me for a free webinar. Lesley and I have been teaching, coaching fitness business owners just like you, for more than seven years now. I can't believe Agency is seven years old. I'm doing a free webinar called Studio Growth Accelerator. So if you want to learn the three biggest secrets that we have learned from coaching more than 2500 people, come join me. Go to prfit.biz/accelerator. That's profit without the O, dot biz slash accelerator and come join me for free.All right, before we move on, here, we have an audience question from Jennifer Carbone. She asks does the Arkantos Pilates chair, Split-pedal stability combo chair with handles, does it work for your workouts?Lesley Logan 9:28  Here's what I appreciate. I appreciate how specific she told me.Brad Crowell 9:32  I think she copied the names off the website.Lesley Logan 9:34  I mean, clearly, I think so too. So I think that for anyone listening who's just like, what did he just say? Do split-pedal combo chairs work for my workout? Brad Crowell 9:44  Is this one or two pieces of equipment?Lesley Logan 9:46  Well, it's, well, it's two. So most.Arkantos Pilates chair is different from the split-pedal stability combo chair?No, no, it's that chair. And then nope, that's not her chair. That's our chair. So it's like that, but it's a combo chair with handles. They're just using all the SEO terms to make the name of the thing. It's just, it's a bunch of marketing. So at any rate, yes.Brad Crowell 10:06  Oh yeah, she copied it straight off from Amazon. Lesley Logan 10:08  So yeah, she did. Okay. So, wow, this is a very cheap price. Okay, guys, you're getting, like, real time. Oh my god, the marketing on it just grosses me out. So here's the deal. Brad Crowell 10:19  Look, it does use springs. Lesley Logan 10:21  No, no, it's fine. So here's the thing, if you have a combo chair, a high chair, Wunda chair combo that has the handles, take the handles off. So I don't really care about the brand, take the handles off. We won't use them on a Wunda chair class. But then you can use the chair as a Wunda chair. And I can tell from this split-pedal that it can be locked. So it's a single pedal, so just lock it in place. And then the thing about Wunda chair exercises is that the spring tensions, like this one has four springs, so I'm imagining it has a light and a heavy. Yeah, that has a little lock, so it has a light and a heavy. So what I'm going to say is I don't know why they call them gears on this guy, someone is copying a reformer and making a Wunda chair. So okay, ignore the gears on this chair, but I'm just gonna talk about Wunda chairs in general. If there's not a classical Wunda chair, if it has a split pedal, if it has handles, ditch the handles. Make sure you don't split the pedal. So it's a single pedal. And then you pick the spring that tension that actually supports your body. So meaning, if I say it's a top bottom spring for me, but your fun size, it might be a middle bottom. Or if you're heavier, it might be a little higher. So you always have to choose the right spring tension for you in a Wunda chair class. But my teachers at OPC and I always give suggestions that you can start moving with. And if you have, you're an OPC member, you can also take a video of you doing an exercise on your chair, and go, am I doing this right? And we can go, oh, you don't look like you have enough spring tension. Oh, it looks like you have too much. Oh, you might need a block to make the floor rise up. So we will give you personalized feedback. But in general, anything that's an actual Wunda chair will work. So if it's combo chair, knock the handles off. That is.Brad Crowell 12:00  Just knock them off. Lesley Logan 12:01  Yeah, if they don't come off.Brad Crowell 12:03  No, they will. I'm sure they'll come off. Lesley Logan 12:05  They look like they remove. Brad Crowell 12:06  Yeah, they remove, yeah, they can just unscrew it to take them out.Lesley Logan 12:09  Yeah. I had someone correct me, not correct me, but give me more information, because I have a video about how I don't like folding reformers. And I said, I don't like them because all these different things. And people go, well, this company has a $900 one that folds, and it has all the things you want. And I looked at it, and it does. It uses springs. It has a foot bar that lowers down. It still has ropes with high I don't like that. And the thing that gets me concerned when things are made folding, that you're actually they will have springs and you're gonna stand on, is I get concerned about weight restrictions. I get concerned of when the person made this, did they actually know all the Pilates exercises are going to go on it? Because sometimes they don't. A lot of people, engineers will just.Brad Crowell 12:51  Engineers Lesley Logan 12:52  Engineers will. Hey.Brad Crowell 12:54  Hey. Lesley Logan 12:55  And this is not an offense to them. But they'll go, oh, we can make this cheaper by using this and this instead, and this instead. And all of a sudden, you take a piece of equipment that is heavy for a reason, because the moves you're going to do are rolling on it and moving on it and lifting your legs. And you need the piece of equipment to be durable enough, heavy enough to support your body moving around on top of it. So I cannot attest to any folding reformer that isn't going to come from a company that I've already worked with. I got to try things on because I don't want to get hurt. I also don't want you to spend $1,000 on something that might not be the thing you need, or might restrict you from exercises you really want to do. Brad Crowell 13:33  Or it just might not be the same quality.Lesley Logan 13:35  Right. If the reformer isn't high enough off the floor, you cannot do pull straps, you know what I mean? So there's just exercise you get limited. If it's too high off the ground, it can affect things. So I get, like, equipment's expensive. We just place an order and we're just like, whoo, okay. But please, please, please, please, please, just consider what you're letting go of and do your research or save up for the thing that you need. That's what I would say. So anyways, I hope you take class with us. That's a great chair. We'll see. Here we go.Brad Crowell 14:01  Awesome. All right. Well, stick around. We'll be right back. We're gonna dig into this amazing conversation you have with Christina Deering.Okay, now let's talk about Christina Deering. A shaman, healer, a business intuitive and the host of You Unlimited podcast, Christina is dedicated to helping spiritual entrepreneurs confidently grow their businesses. A former marketing professional for 15 years, she explores modalities like breath work and Reiki, which led her to discover her true calling in shamanism. Today, she blends deep healing practices with practical strategies, enabling clients to overcome imposter syndrome and step into their full potential. On her podcast, You Unlimited, Christina delves into personal growth and the transformative power of intuitive guidance.Lesley Logan 14:45  Yeah. So I think she was just so sweet. I just really liked her. Yeah. I was on her podcast, and so that was a lot of fun. We had a great conversation there. And I was like, well, I want to hear more about over here. We got to give away one of her masterminds on tour. She's just such a generous person.Brad Crowell 14:58  Oh yes, connecting the dots. Lesley Logan 14:59  So I really love when she talked about turning into your soul's alignment. She said our highest self, based on what we channeled, that's our soul. So we are tapping into our soul. So what does your soul desire most to do? And she shared like, our goal is to live in alignment with our soul. And I actually think that this is so hard.Brad Crowell 15:16  This is the one you were talking about, like, what is the highest self? What does that even mean? And I thought it was good to help define that, because I really appreciated Christina's pragmatic approach to calling herself a shaman. Because I'm like, uh, the hell is a shaman?Lesley Logan 15:31  There are some shamans. And I'm like, are you a shaman? You know.Brad Crowell 15:35  Well, you know she was talking about at the beginning. She was like, yeah. So when I was suggested that I look into becoming a shaman, because I'm being called into being a shaman, she was like, let me Google what is a shaman? And I was laughing because I was like, I was Googling what is a shaman. That was pretty funny. So when she's talking about her, anyway, I appreciated her sincerity there. But you know, she's talking about what is the highest self, and she says, that's like, tapping into your soul.Lesley Logan 16:00  Yeah. So when people say, like, thinking about your higher self, or what would your higher self want to do? What is it you do here? That's what your soul is. And I think that's kind of a cool way to think about it. I never thought of my highest self and my soul being the same thing. And now that I say it out loud, it sounds pretty obvious. So, you know. I don't know. I just, you know, you just think of them as two separate things. I have a higher self. I guess I think of the highest self as my future. I've got my shit together self and my soul is like this deep, like, burning magic.Brad Crowell 16:33  Your higher self is like, who you hope you'll end up being one day? That's kind of how I've always thought of it, too.Lesley Logan 16:38  Yeah. But when she describes it like this, it's, oh, well, if my. It's like, what's happening now.Brad Crowell 16:42  It's like, what's happening now. Lesley Logan 16:42  Yeah, well, if it's my higher self is my soul, then I actually don't have another thing I've got to figure out how to be. I could just actually tap into my soul and then I get to be my highest self.Brad Crowell 16:51  Because I am that right now. Lesley Logan 16:52  Yeah, this is. Brad Crowell 16:55  I think we just broke the world. Lesley Logan 16:57  I think, I think. Brad Crowell 16:58  We just, we just solved the riddle of the meaning of life.  Lesley Logan 17:00  I feel I've, you know, I, It's really great. So anyways, she advised tap into your soul by using tools like pendulums or intuition exercises. And we actually got to talk about like the pendulums and intuitive exercises. And I find just sitting down for me and for my red light can really help me and just breathe, can really help me get myself calm enough to actually go into thinking about a pendulum or an intuitive exercise, like you kind of have to calm down first and then use some tools. But I think that there's a lot of different tools that one can use. I also think I get the best ideas in the shower or on a morning walk, you know, like the sun is rising. So there's, I think maybe the thing that you all can do from this is, like, figure out, like, when do you feel like you're the closest to tapping into your soul or your higher self? And can you practice that so you can always use it as a tool when you need it.Brad Crowell 17:50  Yeah, she was talking a lot about spiritual-led entrepreneurialism, the distinction she talked about with your brain versus your higher self, I thought was interesting in that she said, often our brain starts us down these, what if problems or these I got to figure this out problem, or this problem, problem, problem, we're like creating all this unnecessary stuff that we have to think through. And she said, the mind is meant to serve the heart and soul. It's not there to create unnecessary problems, but we let ourselves go down that path. So I just thought it was interesting and but also she was talking about the pendulum thing, you know, holding the pendulum and asking questions. And I didn't quite follow that entire exercise.Lesley Logan 18:29  Okay, guess what? E-Squared. She has a, in the book E-Squared, we talked about many, many moons ago on this podcast, but she talks about taking a wire hanger and you twist it so it's at an angle, and then you're just supposed to hold it, and you can ask questions, and it will turn one way to answer yes or no. It's kind of crazy. So the pendulum is like that wire hanger. It's like something that is connected to the energy of your body, and it kind of will answer the question over your head. It's like, what you want. It's, okay, I know we just really got somewhere weird. I will pull the book out Brad, and we can look at the chapter.Brad Crowell 19:06  Hey, look, we're like a 1.75 woo here.Lesley Logan 19:09  I know (inaudible), I, but it's a really interesting thing. I even looked this practice up on because I was like, What is she saying? I don't think I'm understanding how to make this wire hanger, and also, who has wire hanger? So I didn't want to screw it up. I had one wire hanger, and I Googled on YouTube, and this woman did it on camera. She's just holding this thing, and then she's holding it away that her fingers cannot manipulate the wire so, like she's holding it, and the wire hanger is just like moving to, yeah, it's really strange. So we'll do it. We'll do it.Brad Crowell 19:39  Okay, I'm in. One thing I really loved was she talked about breaking through self-imposed limitations. Actually, now that I say that, I don't think they're necessarily self-imposed, it could be like societal limitations, parental, you know, limitations or friends or expectations that are just placed on us by our surroundings, environment, like the things that we're doing. And she said, when we are trying to pursue, you know, and connect with our higher self, our soul, it may be that we're bumping into these barriers, that this box that we put ourselves in, that's tough, you know. It's tough because, first off, it's hard to identify that you're bumping into these walls if you don't even realize that they're there. But also, how do we identify them? And how do we change that programming? You know, how do we walk away from something that has been ingrained in us for our whole lives? Whatever that might be, that could be a religious faith, or it could be, I don't know, just something where you're feeling trapped.Lesley Logan 20:37  It's interesting because you had said self-imposed, and you're like, actually, it's all these things. I think we impose things on ourselves based on what we've picked up is the right, in air quotes, the right thing to do, or the expected thing to do. And so you kind of learn like, oh, I get in trouble in class when I make this noise, so I'm not going to make that noise anymore. You tap your foot a lot teachers today, one of the girls we work out with, she has kids who need to dance while they're doing the work, so she has them in the back of the room so they can do their work. And they literally dance and do their work. And as long as they are in the back of the room, not distracting people, it's not a problem. But back when you were in school, they would be like in trouble for tapping. And that means that, first of all, you (inaudible).Brad Crowell 21:19  I bet I would have been considered a dancer, because I was not, I was flipping around in my chair.Lesley Logan 21:24  But the point is, is that when you're a kid, you learn, oh, I get in trouble. It's bad to do these things. And so then you start to change who you are. And then if you don't have anyone who gives you permission to be who you are when you're younger, it becomes this thing you take all the way to your adulthood, and you don't realize, oh, I've been posing all these rules and stories on myself, that didn't come from you in the first place.Brad Crowell 21:45  Brad Crowell 21:45   it's actually, yeah, yeah, or, that's right, or it's a learned behavior. One of the things we talk about all the time, and I just couldn't come up with the example a few minutes ago, was the way we see money.Lesley Logan 21:56  Oh, yeah. Brad Crowell 21:56  Our money mindset is how we like to say, but the money mindset, the way that we are coming into that conversation, we are bringing with us a bunch of baggage that most likely we don't even know where it came from, you know, and we really have to truly sift back through our inner thoughts and childhood to understand, why do we act the way we act around money, or have this relationship with it. So it's interesting and it's challenging to identify these walls. So anyway, I thought that was really great. I think it's really important. When you start to ask yourself, why, I think, actually, that's a great way to start to identify, why do I hold why do I see this, the way that I see this? Why?Lesley Logan 22:34  Gay Hendricks would say, he would go, hmm.Brad Crowell 22:38  Hmm, I like that.Lesley Logan 22:39  I wonder why. And that's what he would always say. He always says, I wonder, I wonder. I don't even think I can see it, I wonder.Brad Crowell 22:46  He's got a tattoo that says it on her hand.Lesley Logan 22:48  But he says, the important thing is the hum, hmm, I wonder why. And he said, the hmm does something to the brain. I forgot. Gay, I'm sorry I forgot what it does, but it does something to the brain that turns on this part of where you think about things, and then the I wonder opens up curiosity versus, why do I do this? It's like, I wonder. You can't be mad, you cannot be angry with the wonder word, you have to, like, go I wonder. Brad Crowell 23:15  I wonder.Lesley Logan 23:15  I wonder. Brad Crowell 23:16  I wonder. All right, well, stick around. We'll be right back. We're gonna talk about those Be It Action Items that we got from your conversation with Christina Deering.All right, so finally, let's talk about those Be It Action Items. Say it with me. What bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action items can we take away from your conversation with Christina Deering? Christina explained that daydreaming is not just idle imagination. It's a way of tapping into future possibilities. She said, hey, when we can visualize it, we're actually tapping into future timelines.Lesley Logan 23:50  She is not wrong. I just learned a little bit about how to manifest in a different time, and so.Brad Crowell 23:58  We're like, multiversing it over here.Lesley Logan 23:59  Yes, she said this and I was like, okay, I get that. And then I heard someone else talk about it, and I'm like, oh, I get it. So when she talks about this, you're, the more specific you get, the more you live in the future with that idea, in that moment of that daydream, then you come back into your regular day life where you are in this time, but you have that in the future, and you've manifested it, and you've made it, and as long as you are taking actions that would be like, yes, that's gonna happen, even when things are saying no, it's not.Brad Crowell 24:29  Well, I think also, to giving yourself permission to know that that is a possibility. Lesley Logan 24:34  It's not a waste of time. Brad Crowell 24:36  Well, it's not a waste of time to daydream, letting yourself daydream, let yourself visualize, give yourself the spaciousness to connect with the things that feel exciting. But also, I think it's the counterbalance to this internal monolog that we have that everything's gonna crash around us. It's all coming to an end. The other shoe is gonna fall. We have the self talk that is like, give it three months and everything's gonna explode, but we can have a counter argument to that, and that's this is the Daydream. I think it's valuable. I think it's super helpful, and it helps you operate from a better place. Instead of operating from fear, you're operating from a place of expectation, hope, joy, excitement. So what about you? Lesley Logan 25:15  So we got more into manifesting, and Christina highlighted the importance of aligning your energy to match your goals.Brad Crowell 25:21  Okay. Lesley Logan 25:22  And she referenced David R. Hawkins' Map of Consciousness.Brad Crowell 25:25  I thought this was really curious. I'm not familiar with David R. Hawkins' Map of Consciousness.Lesley Logan 25:29  No, I feel like I need to put it on my TBR. I also know what a TBR is. So I'm super, I'm super on it. Brad Crowell 25:36  Way to be so hip. Lesley Logan 25:37  I'm on the book talks.Brad Crowell 25:38  What's a TBR, oh, to be read.Lesley Logan 25:41  To be read. I'm not on TikTok though. I'm just on the Instagram of book talks. So I wonder, if they call that the Insta book, what are they? Anyways, we were talking about the energy of the things you're manifesting, and so she asked you for your be it action items, she said, when you think about what you're manifesting, what would you feel when you're manifesting that thing? So she explained if you'll probably feel love or you'll feel peace, and she said that you want to make sure that you are in that vibration of the manifesting that you're wanting, because if you're in a lower vibration, like guilt or shame, it's going to indicate misalignment. And so you can actually make sure you're manifesting things you really do want based on if you feel that love or peace or that high vibration, if you feel low vibration feelings, then you might be manifesting something that it's not right for you based on what you think people think you should have, or what a friend or partner is putting on you. It's really quite cool, just to pay attention to the feelings that you're having in the manifestation of the thing that you want. It should be in a high vibration. Should feel really good to think about it.Brad Crowell 26:40  It's interesting. I was just looking at this map, and it helps you basically associate emotions with a level and an energetic number, like an energetic log. They have it. And so wherever your emotional state is, it connects with a specific number, and then that allows you to start connecting the way you're feeling like, oh, I'm feeling like a 20, or I'm feeling like a 700 or whatever.Lesley Logan 27:05  So a 20, just so you guys know, that's shame, and the predominant emotional state is humiliation. The view of life is miserable. The God view is despising, and the process is elimination. I don't know those last two really well, but I think we can all understand, shame feels really low, and if you're feeling guilt or shame, guilt is only above shame by a little bit. If you're feeling that in your manifestations or around manifesting, there's something misaligned. She also suggested use tools like tapping. We've had tapping come up a few times on this podcast.Brad Crowell 27:35  Many times, EFT, Emotional Freedom Tapping, is that right? Emotional Freedom Technique, Emotional Freedom Technique.Lesley Logan 27:42  And like you can tap along your collarbones. Brad Crowell 27:45  Your forehead. Lesley Logan 27:46  Yes, yes, it's really it's, oh, look here we got Emotional Freedom Techniques. You could tap the top of your head, the side of your eye, the inner edge of your eyebrow, underneath your eye, underneath your nose, under lip, above the chin, sides of the center of the collarbone, under the arm, side of the hand, beneath your pinky, so all these different places you can tap on yourself. And I think, I think it's a great, even if you have no idea what we said about vibrations, you can tap.Brad Crowell 28:12  So, like, yeah, what EFT can do is create a sense of calm, and basically when you're daydreaming and forecasting and allowing yourself to believe what could be for you, and you're associating that with this sense of calm that you're gaining by tapping you're effectively reprogramming yourself, you know.Lesley Logan 28:31  Yeah. How cool. How powerful is that? Brad Crowell 28:33  It's pretty powerful. Lesley Logan 28:34  I loved it. So Christina Deering is really cool. And what she's been doing out there, she's really special. We talked about money mindset. She's really amazing as a coach and a shaman for people who are in the intuitive space, as either a life coach or yoga instructor or things like that. And so if you are struggling to shout out from the rooftops that you're amazing, you should talk with her. She's pretty great. I'm Lesley Logan.Brad Crowell 28:57  And I'm Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 28:58  Thank you so much for being here today. We are so grateful to have you as a listener. Holy moly, this podcast has grown so much so quickly. It's compounding because of you.Brad Crowell 29:07  I mean, we're almost at 500 episodes.Lesley Logan 29:09  I know, it's really not and we're in the top 1.5% I checked again yesterday just to make sure it wasn't a fluke, and it's not. Thank you. It's not a fluke. It's pretty amazing. So thank you for being you. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. Also on Fridays, we celebrate your wins, and we want you to send your wins in. It's like you think that your win isn't good enough for me to shout out to other people, and that makes me sad, because actually, the smaller wins are the best thing. So please send them in. You can DM to us on Instagram on the Be It Pod or to me, and just tell me, this is for the wins, for the FYFs, and we will shout them out because you might need to hear your win on the day it comes out, because you might be having a day that's not so awesome. So anyways, have an amazing day until next time, Be It Till You See It.Brad Crowell 29:51  Bye for now. Lesley Logan 29:53  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 30:35  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 30:40  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 30:45  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 30:52  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 30:55  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Transcribed by https://otter.aiSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Genetic testing plays a key role in the evaluation of epilepsy patients. With the expanding number of choices for genetic tests and the complexity of interpretation of results, genetic literacy and knowledge of the most common genetic epilepsies are important for high-quality clinical practice. In this episode, Gordon Smith, MD, FAAN speaks Sudha Kilaru Kessler, MD, MSCE, author of the article “Epilepsy Genetics,” in the Continuum February 2025 Epilepsy issue. Dr. Smith is a Continuum® Audio interviewer and a professor and chair of neurology at Kenneth and Dianne Wright Distinguished Chair in Clinical and Translational Research at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Kessler is an associate professor of neurology and pediatrics at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Read the article: Epilepsy Genetics Subscribe to Continuum: shop.lww.com/Continuum Earn CME (available only to AAN members): continpub.com/AudioCME Continuum® Aloud (verbatim audio-book style recordings of articles available only to Continuum® subscribers): continpub.com/Aloud More about the Academy of Neurology: aan.com SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/continuumcme @ContinuumAAN  Host: @gordonsmithMD Full episode transcript available here Dr Jones: This is Dr Lyell Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Continuum, the premier topic-based neurology clinical review and CME journal from the American Academy of Neurology. Thank you for joining us on Continuum Audio, which features conversations with Continuum's guest editors and authors who are the leading experts in their fields. Subscribers to the Continuum journal can read the full article or listen to verbatim recordings of the article and have access to exclusive interviews not featured on the podcast. Please visit the link in the episode notes for more information on the article, subscribing to the journal, and how to get CME. Dr Smith: Hello, this is Dr Gordon Smith. Today I've got the great pleasure of interviewing Dr Sudha Kessler about her article on epilepsy genetics, which appears in the February 2025 Continuum issue on epilepsy. Sudha, welcome to the podcast and please introduce yourself to our audience. Dr Kessler: Oh, thank you so much. I'm Sudha Kessler. I am a pediatric epileptologist here at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr Smith: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Are you a geneticist too, or how did you get into this particular topic? Dr Kessler: Yes, I want to emphatically say that I am not a geneticist. I'm not an expert in epilepsy genetics at all. I take care of all sorts of patients with epilepsy. I actually do mostly epilepsy surgery-related care. But this part of epilepsy is, every year, increasingly important to our everyday practice. And I think it's fascinating, often a little daunting. I think I was asked to get involved with this article as a non-expert to help translate from the experts to the rest of us. Dr Smith: We're going to get there, because one of the things you do a really good job of in the article is talking about genetic concepts that are germane to everything we do. And I think you're an expert. You do it in a way that I understood. So, I'd like to get there, but- and this is a really hot area. For instance, I really loved your figure that shows the arc of discovery of genetic causes for epilepsy. It's really breathtaking, something we wouldn't have thought possible that long ago. And it's also a lot to digest. And so, I wonder if maybe we can begin by thinking about a framework and, for instance, you talk about these different groups of disorders. And one that seems to be particularly impacted by this unbelievable A-rated discovery. Our developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, or DEEs. What can you tell our listeners about that group of disorders? Dr Kessler: Sure. I think that, you know, most of what we think about in epilepsy genetics now has to do with disorders that are attributable to changes in a single gene. Genetics is obviously much more complicated than that, but that's still where we are in the stage of discovery. And the graph in the article is definitely one to take a look at because it represents the explosion that we've had in our understanding of single gene disorders leading to epilepsy and related manifestations. The DEEs are a group of disorders where any individual disorder is fairly rare, but as a group they are not that rare, and very impactful because they often cause epilepsy at a very young age. And either as a consequence of seizures or as a consequence of the underlying pathophysiology of that gene change, they are typically associated with really significant developmental impairments for a child 's entire life. Dr Smith: My understanding is that there's therapeutic development going on in this space. So, the early recognition of these genetic testing offers the promise of very impactful treatment---like we now do for SMA, for instance---early in the disease course. Dr Kessler: I think that's right. That's one of the most exciting parts of this field is that so much, just around the corner, for drug development, therapy development in this area. And as you can imagine, with a lot of these disorders, earlier intervention is likely to be much more impactful than later intervention when a lot of the developmental consequences are sort of… you know, when the cat 's already out of the bag, so to speak. Dr Smith: Yeah. So, this is really transformational and something that everyone who takes care of kids with epilepsy needs to know about, it seems. So on the other extreme, I guess, there are the self-limited epilepsies. I didn't really know about this in terms of genetic discovery, but can you talk about those disorders? Dr Kessler: Yeah, sure. I mean, I think some of these are the classic childhood epilepsy syndromes that we think about like childhood absence epilepsy or what we used to call benign romantic epilepsy and now call self-limited epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes. It's a mouthful, shortened to SeLECTS. Those are the epilepsies that occur typically in previously healthy children, that affects them for a few years and often remits so that epilepsy is just age-limited and doesn't continue for life. They clearly have genetic influences because they tend to run in families, but the genetics of them is not generally single gene associated. And so, we haven't actually explained why most of those kids actually get epilepsy. I think that'll be sort of another interesting area of discovery that will help us even understand some really fundamental things about epilepsy, like, why does this syndrome start at this age and tend to resolve by adolescence? Dr Smith: And the other thing I found interesting is disorders that I might have thought going into it would have a defined genetic cause or some of the disorders that there are not. So JME, for instance, or childhood absence, which is a little counterintuitive. Dr Kessler: It's completely counterintuitive. We call them genetic generalized epilepsies, and we know that they run in families, but we still know so little. I would say of all of the disorders that are mentioned in this article, that is the group where I think we have explained the genetic underpinnings the least well. Dr Smith: Yeah. Isn't that interesting? It's… wasn't it Yogi Berra who said, it's hard to predict things, particularly the future? So… Dr Kessler: Yes. Dr Smith: Who would have thought? So, we've talked a lot about kids. What about adults? You know, what role does genetic testing play in adults who have unexplained epilepsy? Dr Kessler: Yeah, I think that that is also a really important emerging area of knowledge. I think many epileptologists may think of genetic epilepsy as being solely pediatric. There are definitely not how many of these disorders can manifest for the first time in adulthood. Not only that, many of our children with childhood onset epilepsy that is due to a genetic problem grow up to become adults and will then need adult epilepsy care. In order to take care of both of those groups, it's really important for all epileptologists, including those that take care of adults, to have some knowledge of the potential impact of genetic testing. And how do you even approach thinking about it? Dr Smith: The message I guess I'm getting is if our listeners take care of patients with epilepsy, no matter how old those patients are, they need to be familiar with this. And the other message I'm getting is, it sounds like there are a lot of patients who really need genetic testing. And this came through in one aspect of your article that I found really interesting, right? So, what are the recommendations on genetic testing? So, the National Society of Genetic Counselors, as I understand it, said everyone needs genetic testing, right? Which I mean, they're genetic counselors, so. Which is great. In the International League Against Epilepsy, they recommended a more targeted approach. So, what's your recommendation? Should we be testing anyone with unexplained epilepsy, or should we be focusing on particular populations? Dr Kessler: Well, I guess I think about it as a gradation. There are certain populations that really deserve genetic testing, where it is going to be absolutely critical. You know, it's very likely that it will be critical knowledge to their care. If you diagnose somebody with epilepsy and you do imaging and that imaging does not reveal an answer, meaning you don't see a tumor or you don't see an old stroke or some other sort of acquired lesion, the next pillar of testing for understanding underlying etiology is genetic testing. That is the point at which I typically send my patients, and that's whether they're refractory or not. I think in the past some people felt that only patients with refractory epilepsy deserve or require testing. I think the reason why not to limit it to that population is that what's on a person's mind with epilepsy, or a family's mind with epilepsy, is what's going to happen to my child or to me in the future? And if genetic testing can shed some light on that, that will have a huge impact on that person's life. Dr Smith: You've got great cases in your article, which, I just want to give you a compliment. The information and entertainment, frankly, for per page: off the charts. It's not a long article, packed with useful information. And, I mean, some of your cases are great examples of patients who are heading down the surgical epilepsy path and you discovered, nope, there's a genetic cause that really impacted their care. What's the yield, right? The number of patients that you send genetic testing on for epilepsy, what percentage come back positive for a relevant sequence variant that you think is either causing or contributing to their epilepsy? Dr Kessler: That's a great question. I think that is actually still in flux because it depends on the population of patients that are being sent for testing, obviously, and then also on what testing is being done. So, I know in at least one large recent meta-analysis, the overall yield was 17%. And somebody hearing that number might think, oh, that's not very high, but it's actually very comparable to the yield for imaging. And we all do MRIs and patients that have new-onset epilepsy where the yield of MRI testing is about 20%  or so. So, quite comparable. And then with children with DEEs, the yield is much, much higher than that. Dr Smith: So, 17% is actually a really great diagnostic yield. When I think of my yield and doing genetic testing on patients who have an axonal CMT phenotype, right? I mean that's better than what I get. So, good for you. That's exciting. Dr Kessler: It's interesting. I think that maybe an assumption might be that you're working somebody up. You do a genetic test, it reveals a difference, and thus surgery is off the table. It's actually quite different than the head, which is that some results may make surgery be even more “on the table” because you might find a gene that is known to be associated with a propensity to vocal cortical dysplasia, for example. And you may take a good second look at that person's MRI imaging or do other imaging to reveal the MRI invisible vocal cortical dysplasia. Dr Smith: Outstanding point. Let's talk a little more about the genetic testing itself. So, we've got all these genes. We understand when to test. What do you do? For instance, last night I just looked at the company that we use for most of our neuromuscular testing and they have a genetic epilepsy next gen panel with, I don't know, three hundred and twenty genes, right? Do you use that kind of panel? Do you go directly to a whole EXO? What's the right approach? Dr Kessler: Yeah, I think that that is quite dynamic right now, meaning that recommendations seem to change often enough that I rely on help. I have the enormous good luck of working here at CHOP where there is a fantastic epilepsy genetics group that I can easily refer to, and I know not everyone has that resource. The current recommendation is to start with an exome if that is available and is covered by that patient's insurance. When exome is not available, then the next best thing is a gene panel. You know, in recent years there have been a lot of sponsored gene panels, meaning free to the patient, administered by a company that then, you know, has other uses for compiled or grouped genetic data. And I think that as long as all of that can be clearly explained to a patient, and- along with all of the other things so you have to explain to a patient before doing genetic testing, about the pluses and minuses of doing it, I think that you sort of go for the best test you can that's available to that patient. Dr Smith: The sponsored programs can be very, very helpful, particularly from a payer or a patient payment perspective. And so, I guess the lesson there is it's great if you got the resources and CHOP to help you decide, but better to get whatever panel you can get than to do nothing; or, of course, refer to a center if you're not comfortable. Dr Kessler: And also, just know that these things change often enough that if it's been a couple of years and you might want to recheck whether the EXO is available to that patient or whether a gene panel can be sent that includes more than they had eight years ago. Dr Smith: So, are there situations to go to the other extreme where you just do targeted sanger sequencing? Like, just sequence the specific gene of interest?  Dr Kessler: Yeah, absolutely. I'm still a big proponent of thinking clinically about a patient. If there are clues in that patient's history, exam, imaging, anything that gives you some sense of the disorder that this patient might have. And I think a classic example would be tuberous sclerosis. If you see an infant who has new onset spasms, you see hypopigmented macules on their skin and their MRI shows a tuber, you know, also known as a focal cortical dysplasia, then sure, send the targeted sequencing for the TSC1 and TSC2 genes. Dr Smith: And Rett syndrome?  Dr Kessler: And Rett syndrome would be another example. And there are many examples where, if you feel like you have a good sense of what the disorder is, I think it's completely acceptable to send the targeted testing.  Dr Smith: So, I'm going to get further down the rabbit hole and get to from easier to harder. I always get confused about things like chromosomal microarrays or, like, karyotypes and rings and stuff like that. What role do these tests play and what do our listeners need to know about them? Dr Kessler: Yeah, I think that it is really important to have at least some knowledge of what each test can't tell you. I tell my medical students at my residence that all the time. With anything in medicine, you should know what you're asking of a test and what answers a test can tell you and can't tell you. It is baseline knowledge before requesting anything. And if you don't know, then it's best to ask. So, chromosomal microarray is used when you think that there is a large-scale derangement in a bunch of genes, meaning there is a whole section of a chromosome missing---that would be deletion, or that that information is duplicated or is turned around in a, you know, in a translocation. That is what- the kinds of things that that test can tell you. I think of doing a microarray when a child has not just epilepsy and intellectual disability, but also has, for example, other organ systems involved, because sections of chromosome can include many, many, many different genes and it can affect the body in larger ways. That's often when I think about that. So, a child with multiple congenital anomalies. Karyotype, which we think of as the most old-fashioned way of looking at our genes, still has some utility because it is useful for looking at a specific situation where the ends of arm of a chromosome get cut off and get sticky and then stick to each other and make a ring. For example, ring chromosome 20 is a disorder which can cause epilepsy, particularly hard-to-treat frontal lobe epilepsy, and that sometimes doesn't show up until adolescence or even early adulthood. That's just one example of something that karyotype can tell you.  Dr Smith: And it goes without saying, but just to emphasize, these are things that you would miss completely on a next generation panel or a next genome? Dr Kessler: That's correct. Because this isn't about sequencing. This is about large structures. You know, with my patients, it's sometimes, I think, very hard to explain. It's hard enough to explain it to other physicians who aren't in genetics, but it's a whole other undertaking to explain it to families who may not have a lot of literacy about cell biology or genetics or, you know, anything related to that. So, I often rely on analogies. And one analogy I use is that if you're- all of your genetic information is like a book, that book is split into chapters and those are the chromosomes. And you can be missing entire paragraphs or have paragraphs duplicated. And that would be the kind of thing that we would be looking for with the chromosomal microarray with sequencing or, you know, with sequencing, we're looking for spelling of words, and we can look at one word at a time. That would be targeted sequencing. Or we can look at many, many words at a time. And that would be next gen sequencing.  Dr Smith: I just want to say that you are the genetic whisperer. You know, translator. I love it.  Dr Kessler: You can continue using it down to the level of explaining the possibility of a variant of unknown significance, which I think is sometimes difficult to explain. So, I often will say, I know how the word color is spelled: C O L O R. But sometimes in other places it will be spelled C O L O U R and that's still the same word, that's still color. That's just what we would call a population variant. If it is spelled C O M O R, that changes meaning; that is not a word, and that is probably a pathogenic variant. But if it gets misspelled and it's K O L O R, then I'm not sure. Could that be a variant that means something different or not. And so that I would call that a variant of unknown significance, meaning its impact is to be determined. Dr Smith: So, I was going to ask you about variant calling, but you'd beat me to the punch. And that's a great metaphor that I will definitely remember. All right, here's another concept that I think people often find challenging, which is read depth. Can you tell us about reading depth or sequence depth?  Dr Kessler: Yes, hopefully I can. Again, not an expert here, but as I understand it, the way next gen sequencing works is that pieces of DNA are getting read. And the number of times any given nucleotide is read in this process is the read depth. It basically just translates to the number of times the processor, the machinery of doing this, pays attention to anyone site. The reason it's important is that the process by which this reading is done can sometimes result in errors. The greater your depth, the more times something is read, the less likely you are to have a mistake.  Dr Smith: In either direction. So, you're presumably less likely to have a false positive or false negative. Yep, again, very well explained. You know, I've got a lot of other questions I want to ask you, but I do want to be respectful of our listeners' time. I wonder if we could pivot a little bit and just let's go back to where we began. Really exciting time, right? Amazing. And you've been doing this long enough. I'm sure you didn't think when you started that it was going to look like this. What does the future look like? I mean, we talked a little bit about therapeutics, but the world's changing fast. Five, ten years from now, what's your hope for that?  Dr Kessler: Oh, that's such a great question. You know, we are at the point with genetic epilepsies that gene-based therapies, either antisense oligonucleotide-based therapies or viral vector-based gene therapies, are actually now being developed and administered in trial situations to actual patients. And so, it always feels like we're on the cusp, but I think actually now we really are on the cusp of having gene-based therapies for genetic epilepsies. I think that there is still so much to sort out, both from basic scientific point and from a practical administering these things to patients and what are the potential long term consequences.For example, unlike medications, which are therapies that you can stop if there are adverse effects, often administering a gene therapy is a one-and-done thing that can't be retracted. Thinking even about the ethical framework of that and the framework of explaining to patients that we don't know the ten, twenty-year consequences of that, is part of the informed consent process, for example. So, there's still so much work that is going to be transformational, not just from the, you know, the big picture, but from developing all, you know, from going through all of these steps to really make these kinds of therapies a reality. Dr Smith: Well, it's really amazing. And, you know, we're seeing this in multiple different areas in neurology. So, well done. You run the child neurology residency program there, I understand. I try to snoop on people before I talk to them because we haven't met before this. And you're obviously a very a very good educator. Thank you so much for talking with me today. I don't spend a lot of time in epilepsy, but every time I do one of these, I kind of want to go back and do something different because it's such a neat field. Thank you.  Dr Kessler: You're welcome. It was my pleasure.  Dr Smith: Again, today I've been interviewing Dr Sudha Kessler about her article on epilepsy genetics, which is truly outstanding. This article appears in the most recent issue of Continuum on epilepsy. Be sure to check out Continuum audio episodes from this and other issues. And thank you, listeners, for joining us today. Dr Monteith: This is Dr Teshamae Monteith, Associate Editor of Continuum Audio. If you've enjoyed this episode, you'll love the journal, which is full of in-depth and clinically relevant information important for neurology practitioners. Use this link in the episode notes to learn more and subscribe. AAN members, you can get CME for listening to this interview by completing the evaluation at continpub.com/audioCME. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio.

Is DEI really going away? Before we are quick to agree or disagree with President Trump's mandate on DEI, let's all take a deep breath and talk about how we can all continue to work together to ensure inclusion and belonging are ingrained in company cultures. In this episode, Teresa and Jennifer discuss this hot topic and share some insights from the National Society of Human Resource Management and a recent Harvard Business Review articleCONNECT WITH THE BOSS LADY COMMUNITY:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Teresa Rand Consulting Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Boss Lady Facebook Page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Teresa on Instagram

This episode is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. In this episode of Diverse, Tricia Marks, director of security technology operations at the U.S. Department of State, shares her incredible journey as a trailblazing woman in engineering with host Larry Guthrie, SWE's director of content strategy. Marks reflects on her upbringing in Brooklyn, where her father's work sparked her interest in engineering, and takes us through her global career spanning over two decades, including assignments in Iraq, China, and Mongolia. She dives into the evolving challenges of security engineering, the transformative power of mentorship, and the importance of building supportive communities for women in STEM. Marks also shares how organizations like National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and SWE have helped in shaping her career and offers practical advice for aspiring engineers interested in exploring opportunities at the State Department.

This week on the KORE Women podcast, Dr. Summer Watson welcomes Sofia Gonzalez, who is an award-winning educator, nonprofit leader, and passionate education activist. As the 2019 Educator of the Year with the National Society of High School Scholars and a driving force behind Project 214, Sofia's work is transforming the landscape of education. Her bold advocacy for educational equity and innovative leadership strategies are reshaping how we think about learning, access, and opportunity. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about the future of education, the power of activism, and how one voice can spark meaningful change. Thank you for taking the time to listen to the KORE Women podcast and being a part of the KORE Women experience. You can listen to The KORE Women podcast on your favorite podcast directory - Pandora, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, JioSaavn, Amazon and at: www.KOREWomen.com/podcast. Please leave your comments and reviews about the podcast and check out KORE Women on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also learn more about the host, Dr. Summer Watson and KORE Women at: www.korewomen.com You can also learn more about Dr. Summer Watson, MHS, PhD, KORE Women, LLC, the KORE Women podcast, and her Community Empowerment and Cross-Generational Consultation Services by going to: www.korewomen.com. Thank you for listening! Please share this podcast with your family and friends.

On This Episode We Discuss: In this episode we explore genetic testing in low risk populations, both in direct-to-consumer and clinical settings. We interview authors on two recent JoGC papers related to topics of communication of health risks, understanding of genetic testing, and informed decision-making. You can find the Journal of Genetic Counseling webpage via onlinelibrary.wiley.com or via the National Society of Genetic Counselors website.   Segment 1: An analysis of direct-to-consumer genetic testing portals and their communication of health risk and test limitations Nicole Lee is an associate professor of communication in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State University. Her research examines the intersection of science communication, public relations, and digital media. This work has been applied to many contexts including climate change, biodiversity research, wellness products, and direct-to-consumer genetic testing. x: @lee_nicole linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleepr/   In this segment we discuss: - What motivated the exploration of how direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies communicate health risks to consumers. - Potential impacts on consumers who may misinterpret relative risk when presented without adequate context. - Importance of genetic counselors in improving interpretation and communication of DTC genetic test results. - Suggestions for enhancing transparency and clarity in communicating health risks to consumers.   Segment 2: Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening: Testing Motivations and Decision Making in the Low-Risk Population Meagan Choates, MS, CGC is the Assistant Program Director of the University of Texas Genetic Counseling Program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston where she practices prenatal genetic counseling. She received a BS in Biochemistry and Genetics with a Minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 2014 and an MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of Texas Genetic Counseling Program in 2016. Meagan provides prenatal genetic counseling services at several Houston area clinics, and supervises genetic counseling students while on their prenatal rotation. In addition, she directs and teaches the genetic counseling program's Embryology course and Approaches to Genetic Counseling Research I & II. She co-directs and teaches in the program's Prenatal Genetic Counseling, Psychosocial Issues, and Psychosocial Practicum courses. She additionally oversees the genetic counseling students' Master of Science thesis research process. Her personal research interests include understanding how genetic screening and testing options are discussed, utilized, and interpreted in the clinical setting. ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Meagan-Choates-2 In this segment we discuss: - The anecdotal observations that inspired the study, notably that low-risk and high-risk patients shared similar motivations for choosing NIPT. - That insurance coverage was the second most significant factor influencing the decision to undergo NIPT. - About 44% of participants were classified as making "uninformed decisions" despite receiving pre-test counseling from a genetic counselor. However, the term “uninformed” used by the MMIC tool can be misleading. - The challenge of balancing detailed knowledge expectations with patients' ability to make value-consistent and thoughtful decisions.   Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.   Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.    DNA Dialogues' team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today's Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Sydney Arlen.

Back in October, Sofia González, teacher, thinker, writer, speaker and activist and Gerardo finally found time for this interview. This was prior to the 2024 election and all that followed. What ensued was a great conversation--provocative, humorous, and energetic. As we brace ourselves to face another four years of anxiety, frustration, fear, and state-encouraged violence, this conversation remains a reminder that the struggle is truly beautiful, and full of opportunities for all of us to engage differently, as the people we are. To quote the great poet Audre Lorde, “We are the ones we have been waiting for,” exemplified by Ms. G. Sofia is 2019 teacher of the year with the National Society of High School Scholars, nonprofit leader for organization Project 214, and education activist from the Chicagoland area. She is a sought-after public speaker regarding the state of education who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a passion that's infectious. A High School teacher, 15-year veteran, teacher leader, and alum in a variety of spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Latinx Education Collaborative-Storytellers for Change, and Urban Leaders Fellowship, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom and beyond. 

Ep. 286: Dave Kehr on To Save and Project 2025: 7th Heaven, A Circle in the Fire, Maria Candelaria, and more Welcome to The Last Thing I Saw, with your host, Nicolas Rapold. To kick off the new year, I welcomed back Dave Kehr, curator in the department of film at the Museum of Modern Art, to talk about a perennial favorite starting now: To Save and Project, the festival of preservation and restoration, which received a Film Heritage award this year from the National Society of Film Critics as well as one from the New York Film Critics Circle. Kehr takes us on a tour of several titles in the 21st edition, including: 7th Heaven (directed by Frank Borzage), A Circle in the Fire (Victor Nunez), Maria Candelaria (Emilio Fernández), Rosaura at 10 O'Clock (Mario Soffici), Raskolnikow (Robert Wiene), Mia Luang (Vichit Kounavudhi), and Shoulder Arms, a Chaplin mid-length being seen in its proper full form for the first time in over a century. To Save and Project runs through January 30 at the Museum of Modern Art. Please support the production of this podcast by signing up at: rapold.substack.com Photo by Steve Snodgrass

David C. Williams, a tech entrepreneur, author, and award-winning inventor from Dallas, Texas, is celebrated for his contributions and leadership in the tech industry. Williams is known for his best-selling book "Business Model". Williams is a recipient of the Distinguished Engineer of the Year 2023-2024 Golden Torch Award by the National Society of Black Engineers.David stepped into reality TV and competed for LisaRaye McCoy's heart, on Queens Court Season 2 and is sharing a side of his life he's never made public before.  https://davidcwilliamsinc.com/  The Douglas Coleman Show VE (Video Edition) offers video promotional packages for authors. Please see our website for complete details.  https://www.douglascolemanmusic.com/vepromo/  Please help us to continue to bring you quality content by showing your support for our show.  https://fundrazr.com/e2CLX2?ref=ab_eCTqb8_ab_31eRtAh53pq31eRtAh53pq

On this episode, we were joined by Oscar-nominated filmmaker RaMell Ross, director and co-writer of Nickel Boys, the new screen adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.Rated five stars by The Times and The Guardian, hailed as a "masterpiece" by The Independent, and recently named Best Film of 2024 by the National Society of Film Critics, Ross' film is a transformative adaptation of Whitehead's novel, employing a first-person POV that faithfully translates the book's prose experience into the language of cinema.RaMell spoke to us about the daunting task of adapting the work of a literary icon, his unique journey from potential NBA prospect to artist, his love of J.D. Salinger, and whether genre-oriented books make for the most successful screen adaptations.

In this episode we discuss the recent National Society of Genetic Counselor's Practice Resource on Dystrophinopathies, which was recently published in JoGC, with two of the publications' authors. You can find the Journal of Genetic Counseling webpage via onlinelibrary.wiley.com or via the National Society of Genetic Counselors website.   Segment 1: “Genetic counseling for the dystrophinopathies- Practice resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors”   Ann Martin, MS, CGC is a board certified genetic counselor with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD). Ann serves as the VP of Community Research and Genetic Services and manages a team of genetic counselors who coordinate all aspects of The Duchenne Registry and the Decode Duchenne genetic testing program. Since joining PPMD in 2011, Ann has been directly involved in all aspects of the Registry programs including collection and curation of the Registry data, clinical trial and research study recruitment, data exports, patient and family inquiries, genetic testing, and educational content on the PPMD websites. Ann represents The Duchenne Registry on TREAT-NMD's Global Data Oversight Committee, which is responsible for reviewing requests for data from the TREAT-NMD Global Registries, and serves as the DMD Subgroup Co-Lead. In addition, Ann has been a member of Sarepta Therapeutics' Advisory Board for Early Diagnosis of Duchenne since 2022. Ann is continually engaging and educating both the patient and professional community about the Registry and Duchenne and Becker research. Before joining PPMD, Ann worked as a clinical genetic counselor for 15 years at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, where she provided genetic counseling for pediatric and adult patients with a wide range of genetic disorders. Ann is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati Genetic Counseling Graduate Program. She is board-certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Angela Pickart (she/her) is a licensed, certified genetic counselor practicing in the Genomics Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, performing variant interpretation, report writing and test development for neurogenetics assays. She received her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling at the University of Minnesota and has extensive clinical experience in pediatric, neurology, and oncology genetic counseling prior to transitioning to her laboratory role. She has been awarded the academic rank of Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science where she serves as course co-director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences Molecular Variant Evaluation Course. She is also the course co-director of the Laboratory Practicum for the Medical College of Wisconsin Master of Science Genetic Counseling Graduate Program and Adjunct Assistant Professor of the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Graduate Studies.   In this segment we discuss: - Origins and significance of the genetic counseling-specific practice resource for dystrophinopathies. - Changes in the treatment landscape due to FDA-approved therapeutics and ongoing clinical trials for dystrophinopathies. - Strategies for educating patients and families about the implications of genetic testing and diagnosis in dystrophinopathies. - Advocacy roles of genetic counselors in helping patients access the latest therapies and participate in clinical trials for DMD/BMD. - Importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in managing dystrophinopathies and the roles genetic counselors play within these teams. - Potential broader impact of the practice resource on the medical field and patient community.    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.  For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.  Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.  DNA Dialogues' team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today's Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Sydney Arlen.

Ninth Day of CraftLit (2024) All of CraftLit's Christmas episodes can be found at LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: AUDIO ONLY: If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: DAY 2: DAY 3: DAY 4: DAY 5: DAY 6: DAY 7: DAY 8: DAY NINE A Christmas Inspiration  By: Lucy Maud Montgomery -   From:    eText:   Read by: Darcia Douglass -     A Christmas Mistake By: Lucy Maud Montgomery -   From:   eText:   Read by: TriciaG -    (27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898) better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English writer, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all examples of the genre of literary nonsense. He is noted for his facility at word play, logic, and fantasy, and there are societies in many parts of the world (including the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and New Zealand) dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of his works and the investigation of his life. Read by:  (1:17)  (19 September 1796 – 6 January 1849) was an English poet, biographer, essayist, and teacher. He was the eldest son of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Read by:  (1:17) Stella C Shetter (c. 1879 - 1937) was a short story writer who in 1933 won a national contest sponsored by the American Legion. Read by:  (6:37) A little insight into customs from other times  (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832) 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time. Scott was the first English-language author to have a truly international career in his lifetime, with many contemporary readers in Europe, Australia, and North America. His novels and poetry are still read, and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor. Read by:  (2:35)  (13 July 1793 – 20 May 1864) was an English poet, the son of a farm labourer, who came to be known for his celebratory representations of the English countryside and his lamentation of its disruption. Read by:  (6:03) Morris Dance, Harlequin + hunchback  (12 March 1799 – 30 January 1888) was an English poet, and author of the famous poem The Spider and the Fly. She was educated at home, and read widely; she commenced writing verses at a very early age. Together with her husband, William Howitt, she wrote over 180 books. Read by:  (1:45)  (December 15, 1845 – July 29, 1928) was an American writer and historian. She devoted herself chiefly to the study of the social history of the Colonial and Revolutionary periods of the United States, wrote a number of entertaining books and magazine articles in this field, and was chosen historian of the The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Read by:  (12:07) Christmas on Wheels (1895) By: Willis Boyd Allen -   From: Christmas on Wheels -   eText:    Read by: David Wales -   Christmas and the Literature of Disillusion (1908) By: Samuel McCord Crothers -   From: By the Christmas Fire -   eText:   Read by: Andrew Ordover -   Barney's Tale of the Wee Red Cap (1916) By: Ruth Sawyer -   From: This Way to Christmas -   eText:   Read by: Jonathan Uffelman _____ Digital Premium Audiobook Shop:  CraftLit's Socials Find everything here: Join the newsletter:  Podcast site: Facebook:  Facebook group:  Pinterest:  TikTok podcast:  Spooky Narration:  Email: Call and share your thoughts! 1-206-350-1642 SUPPORT THE SHOW! CraftLit App Premium feed  (only one tier available) PATREON:  (all tiers, below) Walter Harright - $5/mo for the same audio as on App Jane Eyre - $10/mo for even-month Book Parties Mina Harker - $15/mo for odd-month Watch Parties All tiers and benefits are also available as —YouTube Channel Memberships —Ko-Fi NEW at  — Premium SITE Membership  (identical to Patreon except more of your support goes to the CraftLit Team) If you want to join us for a particular Book or Watch Party but you don't want to subscribe, please use  or CraftLit @ Venmo and include what you want to attend in the message field. Please give us at least 24 hours to get your message and add you to the attendee list. Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app) Call 1-206-350-1642

Sofia Gonzalez is 2019 teacher of the year with the National Society of High School Scholars, nonprofit leader for organization Project 214, and education activist from the Chicagoland area. She is a sought-after public speaker regarding the state of education who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a passion that's infectious. A High School teacher, 15-year veteran, teacher leader, and alum in a variety of spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Latinx Education Collaborative-Storytellers for Change, and Urban Leaders Fellowship, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom and beyond.  Sofia believes that education is a fundamental right and not a privilege for the select few, and aims to lead from her Latina identity. Her recent focus has been taking her seat at decision-making tables and traveling the country as a keynote speaker where she can amplify the lived experiences of the Latino community for the sake of social change and informing education policy.   Plan your financial future with Alex and Tori! Support the podcast on Patreon! Link to episode 184 of Have You Heard

Brian Reisinger grew up on a family farm in Sauk County, Wisconsin and lives to tell the hidden stories of rural America. A columnist and consultant, Reisinger worked with his father from the time he could walk, before entering the worlds of business journalism and public policy. He has been published by USA Today, Newsweek, Yahoo News, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network, PBS/Wisconsin Public Radio's “Wisconsin Life,” The Daily Yonder, RealClearPolitics, The Hill, The Wisconsin State Journal, The Cap Times, Saving Country Music, and many other news, policy, outdoor, and cultural publications. Reisinger's writing has won awards from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, first place in the Seven Hills Literary Contest, a Solas Award, and more. He lives with his wife and daughter, and helps lead Midwestern-based Platform Communications, splitting time between a small town in northern California and the family farm in southern Wisconsin. Land Rich, Cash Poor is his first book. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561679438759 Amazon link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Land-Rich-Cash-Poor-Disappearing/dp/1510779981/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 Website: https://www.brian-reisinger.com/

Berkley Bryant, the reigning Miss South Carolina Volunteer, captured the prestigious title of Miss Volunteer America 2025. The organization honors young women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities through volunteer work. Bryant was selected because she embodies and exemplifies the values of service, compassion and leadership. As Miss Volunteer America 2025, she assumes the role of national ambassador for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and national brand ambassador for The Salvation Army. She is a 23-year-old honor graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a minor in biological sciences. While at Clemson, she received Palmetto Fellows and National Society of Collegiate Scholars recognition. In this episode, she shares her inspiration for entering the competition and what she has discovered along the way. This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

Jessica Ordonez, certified genetic counselor and Medical Science Liaison at Myriad Genetics explains genetics' role in breast cancer and how the MyRisk® with RiskScore® tests can help you better understand your 5-year and lifetime risk. You'll learn what you need to know about different kinds of genetic factors, including the impact of changes in genes like BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, and others. Uncover the fallacy that you aren't at risk if you don't have “the BRCA gene.” We'll also discuss how a genetic counselor can guide you if your results show a high lifetime risk. If you have a family history of cancer or are simply curious about your genetic health, this episode offers insights into genetic testing, risk factors, and empowering yourself with knowledge.For more resources, visit our website: SheMDpodcast.comFollow us across social media: @SheMDpodcastSponsor:Knowing your family's history of cancer is the first step to understanding your own cancer risk and may qualify you for the MyRisk Hereditary Cancer Test with RiskScore hereditary cancer test. It's easy, accurate and covered by most insurers. Learn more at GetMyRisk.com, https://myriad.ws/getmyriskIN THIS EPISODE: [1:06] Jessica describes the role of a genetic counselor and a medical science liaison[2:51] Discussion of genetic markers and BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes[13:41] The difference between gene mutations and variants of uncertain significance[23:16] Explanation of the CHEK2 gene[27:11] How would a genetic counselor counsel a woman whose genetic test comes back with a high lifetime riskRESOURCES:Myriad Genetics InstagramGet MyRisk WebsiteGUEST BIOGRAPHY: Jessica Ordonez is a certified genetic counselor and Medical Science Liaison at Myriad Genetics. She holds diplomate status with the American Board of Genetic Counseling and is an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Florida Association of Genetic Counselors.Jessica completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor's in Cell & Molecular Biology and Spanish Literature and a Master's in Genetic Counseling. With over a decade of experience as a clinical genetic counselor, she has provided care in pediatric, adult, and cancer genetics clinics within academic and private hospital settings, focusing on Spanish-speaking patients.As a Medical Science Liaison, Jessica educates clinicians across Florida on hereditary cancer and reproductive genetics. She is involved in several company projects at Myriad, specifically leading a needs assessment for patient-facing Spanish resources to enhance inclusiveness and equity in care.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gary Busey is an American actor. He portrayed Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor. His other starring roles include A Star Is Born, D.C. Howie Mandel Does Stuff available on every podcast platform Get your Buseyisms at https://www.garybusey.com/ Visit the Official Howie Mandel Website for more: https://www.howiemandel.com/ Howie Mandel Does Stuff Merchandise available on Amazon.com here https://www.amazon.com/shop/howiemandeldoesstuff Join the "Official Howie Mandel Does Stuff" Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/HowieMandelPodcast/ Say Hello to our house band Sunny and the Black Pack! Follow them here! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackMediaPresents TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackmediapresents Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/01uFmntCHwOW438t7enYOO?si=0Oc-_QJdQ0CrMkWii42BWA&nd=1&dlsi=a9792af062844b4f Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunnyAndTheBlackPack/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackmediapresents/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/blackmediapresents Twitter: twitter.com/blackmedia Gary Busey Was The Reason for This CA Law | Howie Mandel Does Stuff #213 https://youtu.be/tKcGMMd5-PU @howiemandel @jackelynshultz @garybusey

Dr Hilary Cass, now Baroness Cass, led a four year review into children's gender identity services in England.  Her final report concluded that children had been let down by a lack of research and "remarkably weak" evidence on medical interventions, and called for gender services for young people to match the standards of other NHS care.  In an exclusive interview Nuala McGovern gets Dr Hilary Cass's reflections six months on from releasing her landmark report.Alison Steadman is one of our best loved actors.  Candice Marie in Nuts in May, Beverly in Abigail's Party, Mrs Bennett in Pride and Prejudice and Pamela in Gavin & Stacey, just some of the iconic characters Alison has brought to life.  She's also won an Olivier Award for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and a National Society of Film Critic Award.  She is also a keen birdwatcher.  She joins Nuala to talk about her memoir, Out of Character. The second phase of a campaign aimed at finding the names of unidentified women who were murdered or killed in suspicious circumstances is being launched. Operation Identify Me is highlighting another 46 cold cases that European police are seeking to solve. BBC coverage of last year's appeal helped to identify a British woman, Rita Roberts, some 30 years after her murder. Nuala is joined by BBC Correspondent Anna Holligan. The Northumbrian electro-folk musician Frankie Archer has performed at Glastonbury and The BBC Proms, been featured on ‘Later... With Jools Holland',and named as One To Watch! She has released a new EP 'Pressure and Persuasion', through which she tells the stories of four women and girls from centuries past who navigate the same expectations that are put on women today.  She joins Nuala to talk about womanhood, tradfolk and her current UK tour, and to perform her current single, Elsie Marley.Presented by Nuala McGovern Producer: Louise Corley

GDP Script/ Top Stories for September 18th Publish Date:  September 18th   From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Wednesday, September 18th and Happy 65th Birthday to MLB HOF Ryan Sandberg ***09.18.24 – BIRTHDAY – RYNE SANDBERG*** I'm Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Gwinnett Buying Macy's Store At Former Gwinnett Place Mall 4-H Farm Friends Exhibit Introduces Families To Animals At The Gwinnett County Fair North Gwinnett Student Named To National Society of High School Scholars Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on Fiber. All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: KIA MOG   STORY 1:  Gwinnett Buying Macy's Store At Former Gwinnett Place Mall Gwinnett County leaders have authorized the issuance of revenue bonds to finance the $16.5 million purchase of Macy's department and furniture stores at the former Gwinnett Place Mall. This acquisition adds 23 acres to the 39 acres already owned by the county, furthering redevelopment plans for the site. The purchase, set to close in November, marks a crucial step in revitalizing the area, with plans for a mixed-use "Global Villages" development featuring residential, retail, green spaces, and a cultural center. This move aims to stimulate growth and support surrounding businesses, enhancing the county's central business district. The bonds, capped at $18 million with a maximum interest rate of 7%, will facilitate this transformative project. STORY 2:  4-H Farm Friends Exhibit Introduces Families To Animals At The Gwinnett County Fair Ellie Mae, a 14-year-old donkey, is a beloved resident of the 4-H Farm Friends exhibit at the Gwinnett County Fair. Having been born at the fair in 2010, she has become a familiar face and a highlight for many attendees, including Gwinnett County Police Officer David Itani, who visits her daily. Despite her teenage aloofness, Ellie Mae enjoys gentle attention, particularly from Officer Itani. The exhibit offers families the chance to interact with various farm animals for a small fee, providing a unique experience for children while serving as the biggest fundraiser for the Gwinnett 4-H program. The funds support 4-H initiatives, such as public speaking competitions and judging activities, underscoring the exhibit's importance to both the community and the development of young participants. STORY 3: North Gwinnett Student Named To National Society of High School Scholars Malik M Roberts, a student from North Gwinnett High School, has been honored with membership in the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). This prestigious recognition highlights Malik's exemplary leadership, scholarship, and community involvement. Announced by NSHSS President James W. Lewis, and co-founded by Claes Nobel, the Society aims to support top scholars through their academic journey. As a lifetime member, Malik will gain access to a supportive community and resources designed to enhance his academic success and career readiness, aligning with NSHSS's mission to nurture the potential of outstanding young students. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We'll be right back Break 2: Tom Wages (OBITS) STORY 4:   Rainbow Village's 'We Are Family' Gala Raises More Than $380K The Rainbow Village "We Are Family" Benefit Gala, held on September 7 at the Atlanta Athletic Club, successfully raised over $380,000 to support the Duluth-based nonprofit's mission to end homelessness "one family at a time." With Northside Hospital as the presenting sponsor, the gala exceeded expectations during the "Fund Our Mission" segment, raising $92,200 in just 20 minutes, surpassing the $75,000 goal. Key highlights included a champagne reception, dinner, auctions, and the presentation of the 2024 Joel P. Hudson Humanitarian Award to Cole Porter of Porter Steel. The funds will aid in maintaining Rainbow Village's 2.5-acre campus, which provides transitional housing and support services. The next fundraising event, "Pickleball for a Purpose," will be hosted by Ordner Construction at Pickle and Social Gwinnett in Buford on November 16. For more information or to donate, visit RainbowVillage.org. STORY 5:  Gwinnett wants business owners, residents to participate in first disparity study  Gwinnett County is launching its first disparity study to explore challenges faced by small businesses in securing government contracts. To gather community input, two meetings are scheduled this week: an in-person session at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at George Pierce Park Community Room in Suwanee, and a Zoom meeting at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Led by Griffin & Strong P.C., the study aims to identify barriers for small and underrepresented businesses in county contracting, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive business environment. Residents are encouraged to participate and can register for meetings via the county's website. For additional inquiries, participants can email GwinnettCountyStudy@GSPCLaw.com. We'll be back in a moment   Break 3: INGLES  5 (NUTRITION QUESTIONS)   And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fiber.   ***LEAH MCGRATH INERVIEW ON FIBER***INGLES 1 FIBER***   We'll have final thoughts after this.   Break 4: GWINNETT COUNTY FAIR (07.29.24 GWINNETT FAIRGROUNDS_FINAL) Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today's Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/ Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network   Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com  www.wagesfuneralhome.com www.kiamallofga.com www.gwinnettcountyfair.com   #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversationsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Home Care Matters was honored to welcome Laurette Klier, Christine Droney, Elisa Bosley, and Paula Muller as guests to the show to discuss "Spirituality, Faith, & Care." About Laurette Klier - Founder of NANA'S Books: As the founder of NANA'S BOOKS, Laurette Klier brings a wealth of experience and expertise to elder care and compassionate communication. With a lifelong commitment to teaching and caregiving, Laurette holds undergraduate and master's degrees in speech communications and education from Boston College. A certified dementia practitioner and cognitive stimulation therapist, Laurette is dedicated to enhancing the lives of elders through innovative techniques and purposeful resources.  An Aetna fellow and teacher consultant for the National Writing Project, Laurette blends academic knowledge with hands-on caregiving experience. Her pioneering approach to re-imagining the culture of elder engagement has earned her a 2021 Maude's Award, a 2023 National Mature Media Award and a 2023 Service to Seniors Award from the National Society of Certified Senior Advisors.  About Christine Droney, LCSW, MSW, CT, MPH-C, NCTTP: Christine's journey began 3,217 miles away in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the Troubles, the war of the 1970s. Her parents bravely left everything they knew behind to pursue a life of peace and opportunity for their family in the United States. Christina has noticed the barriers to an individual's (and their family's) emotional, social, and cultural experiences while going through complex life events. These barriers contributed poorly to their mental health. After years of starting a family and raising children with a bleeding disorder, she was determined to embark on a path of being part of the solution to the problem. Christine's emphasis on whole-person wellness provides a holistic treatment to your psychological well-being. Therefore, she inherently invest in the best outcome for her clients. Christine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Her desire to help others has pushed her to serve her community for over thirty years. She was inducted into the New Jersey Women's Hall of Fame in 2017 for her contributions to social services and volunteerism. She has made over 400 visits to the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and legislative offices advocating on behalf of patients for much-needed change. She has a passion for education issues, brain health, Men's, Women's, and LGTBQIA+ health, and has worked on several nonprofit boards.  About Elisa Bosley, Chaplain: Elisa has more than 40 years of experience leading non-denominational Christian worship services and Bible studies in both church and parachurch settings. She also has over 20+ years of experience interacting with older adults with dementia, a population she absolutely loves. (Her own father-in-law developed Alzheimer's disease in the early 2000s, and she and her husband were intimately involved with his journey until his death in 2012.) In 2016, she combined her spiritual-care experience with my dementia-care experience and became a licensed chaplain for elders with dementia. She serves at a long-term memory care community near her home in Boulder, Colorado. She is now caring for a parent living with dementia.  About Paula Muller, Ph.D.: Founder of CareLink360™, brings a wealth of experience in healthcare technology, including a background in Biomedical Engineering, EEG analysis in Switzerland, Ph.D., and Post-doc work with Parkinson patients. Her career spans tech and software development roles at companies like SiriusXM, Net-Scale Technologies, and Authentidate. Paula's vision for CareLink360™, inspired by her commitment to family bonds, aims to bring seniors and their loved ones closer together.