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An important note for NSW families: nothing is in effect yet, and the current guidelines still apply until the policy is finalised. The draft keeps the three things registration has always asked of you: an education plan based on the NSW curriculum, records showing that plan is being delivered, and an assessment by an Authorised Person. It still doesn’t say exactly what’s required or how much evidence is enough. A key concern is that no urgent pathway has been added for families who can’t wait for the 12-week registration processing times. Brett Campbell and Ellen Brown work through what the draft means in practice. What counts as evidence, where Authorised Persons come from and whether they must visit your house, how likely approval really is, and what you can do if you need to remove your child from school while awaiting registration. Key points from this episode Nothing has changed yet. The Department has published drafts. The existing Guidelines remain in effect until a final policy lands. Parental choice survives into the new framework. The draft Policy states plainly that education is primarily the responsibility of the child’s parents. The draft does not say how much evidence is enough. It lists ways you can show learning, such as journals, checklists, excursions and digital portfolios, but sets no quantity for any of them. That leaves the judgement to your Authorised Person, and their approach can vary significantly. Refusal is rare. Families may get stressed thinking their application is unlikely to get approved, but if you have a plan, it is very likely your application will be approved. An audit recommended NSW speed up registration a year before the draft was written. The draft sets an indicative timeframe of up to 12 weeks, which is too long for some families. You can still act if your child cannot wait. An exemption from attendance comes from your school principal, not the Department, and taking your education plan to that meeting makes it much easier for a principal to say yes. Nothing has changed yet for NSW homeschooling families Homeschooling registration in NSW moved from NESA to the NSW Department of Education, and the drafts released on 27 July 2026 are the Department’s first framework. Consultation ran as a short survey and closed on 10 August 2026. The Department has confirmed that the current Guidelines remain in effect until the new policy is finalised. If you are registered, or partway through an application, nothing about your obligations has changed. What the NSW draft policy gets right about parental choice The draft Policy states that the education of a child is primarily the responsibility of the child’s parents, and that parents may choose either school enrolment or homeschooling registration. Ellen believes this is really important, because the policy language preserves parents’ right to homeschool. The second is flexibility. Parents write the education plan, decide how it is delivered, and can amend it during a registration period so it stays fit for purpose, including for children with disability or additional needs. Brett points out you do not need a diagnosis in the family to benefit from the flexibility. The plan is meant to bend around the child in front of you, whoever that child is. Both hosts agree that flexibility and structure are not opposite. Having a base to work from makes it possible to be flexible, try new things, and know you’re within the guardrails and ticking off all the boxes. What evidence of learning means under the NSW draft This is where there is some uncertainty, and Ellen states it is one of the things that makes parents most nervous. The draft requires parents to keep records demonstrating how the child’s education plan is being implemented, and how the requirements and conditions of registration are being met. That is a broad requirement, and the FAQs confirm there is no mandatory quantity or format of evidence. Learning journals, checklists, excursions and digital portfolios are offered as examples rather than requirements. The states handle this differently. Queensland tells you exactly how many pieces of work to supply and what they should look like. NSW gives you no number or format of evidence at all. Why no set amount of evidence can be unsettling “Broadness is wonderful, but it can also be unsettling, because it then comes down to your Authorised Person to say, actually, this is too much, or this isn’t enough. That’s where parents can start to feel a little bit like it’s shifting sand.”— Ellen Brown Brett’s read is that breadth leads to ambiguity, and ambiguity leads to frustration and anxiety. He wants the Department to publish a minimum, so families know whether they are meeting the mark. As a result, the NSW homeschooling community often fills the gap itself, comparing notes in forums about what different APs expect. It should be a lot clearer for families. What an Authorised Person is checking for When an AP turns up, it is not just to see what has been done, but to ensure that you’ve ticked the boxes aligned to the curriculum. Euka is built around this. Every lesson carries the curriculum code it maps to, families can upload work into the portal for safekeeping, and the registration and reporting service turns completed lessons and parent comments into one report you can hand over. Ellen homeschooled in NSW for 12 years, with different APs, and knows what it’s like to prepare reporting. The services at Euka reflect her experience and are built to help families feel confident in what they are putting forward. Who your Authorised Person is and what the home visit involves Once you apply, the Department organises your first meeting with an Authorised Person for your area. They review your plan and make a recommendation. Most APs come out of the mainstream school system. Retired principals, experienced teachers, people who know what a good education looks like from the inside of a classroom. Ellen has never met one who came from a homeschooling background and says it will be nice when that finally happens. Whether you are visited at home depends on the AP. In Ellen’s experience, some APs need to come to the house, and others are happy with a video call or a meeting at a library or community centre. It is worth asking rather than assuming. Ellen describes an AP as closer to a learning coach than an education inspector, and most turn up asking how they can support you. Other parents have told her they came away feeling judged rather than supported. Nobody is entirely comfortable when someone arrives to assess something they care about this much. If your child is highly anxious, the draft FAQs allow you to request that the AP does not sight your child, usually supported by information from their medical or allied health providers. Will my homeschooling registration be approved in NSW? It is highly likely, and the Department’s own numbers back this up. “If you’re stressing out about your approval, chances are you’ll be approved, because you’ve already thought it through.”— Ellen Brown In 2025, the Department refused 5.2% of applications. But most refusals (3.5%) were because the applicant could not be reached for assessment after repeated attempts over several weeks. Another 0.94% were refused because the child was not eligible, including living outside NSW or submitting an incomplete form. Applications refused because the requirements were not met were very low at 0.61%. If you have an education plan covering the NSW curriculum and you attend your assessment, you are in good shape. Euka has not had a family go through the process and fail to get approved. Some families are concerned about a shorter registration period. The draft Procedures allow an AP to recommend less than the full term where areas for improvement have been identified, or where there are current concerns about the child’s safety. Neither phrase is defined in any of the documents. Brett delves into both sides. A policy has to cover every household, including the small number where home is not a safe place, and you cannot write a rule for that without some breadth. What he wants is more clarity for families: if a family is given three months instead of twelve, tell them exactly what caused it and exactly what must change. There is a review pathway if a recommendation goes against you: an internal review by a different Authorised Person, then an external review at NCAT. Ellen notes that a review by a second person in the same role is limited on its own, and that the external step is what makes it a real safeguard. The audit recommendation the NSW draft did not act on A year before these drafts were written, NSW was told to speed up registration. The Auditor-General’s report Alternative school settings and home schooling, published on 25 September 2025, recommended that the Department of Education work with the homeschooling community on reform, including consideration of “expedited registration processing times to shorten transition periods”. The audit found the time to decide an application had already grown 63 per cent, from 40 calendar days in 2019 to 65 in 2024, while applications rose by around 125 per cent. The draft Procedures answer that with an indicative processing timeframe of up to 12 weeks, and the FAQs confirm that until registration is approved, the child must remain enrolled at school. A family worried about their child’s wellbeing is directed back to the school principal. Twelve weeks is 84 days. The audit’s figure for how long a decision was already taking in 2024 was 65, which makes the draft’s indicative ceiling longer than the problem the audit asked the Department to fix. Ellen recommends keeping the safeguards in place and adding a defined urgent or provisional pathway: the parent still lodges the application, still demonstrates an education plan, still provides information about the child’s circumstances, and the assessment still runs its course. The child gets a lawful bridge in the meantime. Brett’s frustration is with the evidence base underneath the decision. Euka asks every family their primary reason for choosing homeschooling. Around one in four name bullying, and one in three name bullying or social issues (which often have bullying as an underlying factor). The Department’s published 2025 data records bullying as the reason for 0.11% of applications. The explanation for that number is in how the survey is delivered. The application form offers tick boxes for philosophical, religious and special learning needs, and nothing else. Every other reason, including bullying, must be written by hand in a free-text box. In 2025, 33 per cent of applications landed in “other” and a further 21 per cent answered nothing at all. In the initial figure, bullying looks like a non-issue. But the reality is, it is skewed by how the data is collected, which may explain why the draft policy and procedures do not address bullying or provide an urgent pathway for homeschool registration. “As a parent, the last thing I would ever do is want to put my child back into an environment that I need them to be removed from.”— Brett Campbell How to take your child out of school while you wait for registration The route runs through your school principal, rather than the Department. The principal can grant an attendance exemption. It means your child stays enrolled but is lawfully absent, which is exactly the bridge families need while an application is processed. Ellen’s advice is to go to that meeting with your education plan in your hand. A principal carries legal responsibility for a child on their roll, and a parent who arrives with a clear plan for the term is much easier to say yes to than a parent who arrives with just a request. Many families join a program before they are registered for precisely this reason, because they need the plan anyway. If the school will not move, a letter from your GP, paediatrician, psychologist or counsellor explaining the impact of the school environment carries weight in that conversation. Some principals are genuinely good at this and will support you straight away. Some have never seen homeschooling done well and assume it means no schooling at all. Two things worth knowing once your child is home: Nobody expects lessons in week one. A child coming out of a stressful school situation needs time to decompress first. They don’t need to jump in and start doing their homeschooling plan straight away. Having lessons available still helps. What Euka sees is that children who know their peers are moving on without them get more anxious, not less. Knowing the same topics are there when they are ready gives them security. There is also a middle path a lot of families miss. If you are trialling a term away, or working through school refusal, you can stay enrolled under a partial attendance or exemption arrangement without registering for homeschooling. Schools are often willing to support that, particularly when there is a credible education plan behind it, and it leaves the door open for a staged return if the family wants it. If bullying is what brought you here, our guide to bullying and homeschooling works through the decision itself, and the signs a child is silently struggling at school covers what to watch for. If it is school refusal, our parent’s guide to the options and Episode 45 go further. If your child is struggling with how they are feeling, please talk to someone you trust. You can also reach Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, free, 24 hours a day. Why this episode matters Most of the anxiety in NSW right now comes from not knowing what the rules mean for your family. The parts you control are the ones that decide your outcome: your education plan, the way you keep records, and what you take into a meeting with a principal or an Authorised Person. Get those right, and you’re very likely to be okay. The consultation has closed. The final policy isn’t written yet, and an urgent pathway is still worth pressing for. Start the free homeschooling course If you are working out what your own registration year looks like, our Complete Guide to Confident Homeschooling covers registering legally in your state, choosing and structuring a program, building a daily rhythm, supporting a child who learns differently, and knowing your child is progressing. It is nine short video modules, about two and a half hours, hosted by Brett and Ellen. Free and self-paced. Start the free homeschooling course. Questions answered in this episode Have the NSW homeschooling rules changed? + Not yet. The NSW Department of Education released draft Policy, Procedures and FAQ documents on 27 July 2026, and consultation closed on 10 August 2026. The current Guidelines remain in effect until the new policy is finalised, so registered families and applications in progress carry on unchanged. What counts as evidence of learning for homeschooling in NSW? + Learning journals, checklists, excursions, digital portfolios, work samples, or a combination. The draft FAQs list these as examples and set no mandatory quantity or format. What your records have to do is show how your education plan is being delivered and how the work connects to the NSW curriculum, so keep that link visible as you go. How much work do I need to show my Authorised Person? + NSW does not publish a number, which is why experiences differ between areas. Keep enough to show coverage across the plan you wrote, with your own notes on how each part went. Who is the Authorised Person and do they have to come to my house? + An Authorised Person is authorised by the Department to assess your application, meet with you, and make a recommendation. Most come from mainstream teaching or school leadership backgrounds. Home visits are the default, but some APs will meet at a library or community centre or by video call, so it is worth asking. Does the Authorised Person have to see my child? + Usually yes, the AP is required to sight the child during the visit. The draft FAQs allow you to request approval for your child not to be sighted, and the Department will generally want supporting information from your child’s medical or allied health providers explaining why a visit could affect them. Will my homeschooling registration be approved? + Almost certainly, if you apply with an education plan covering the NSW curriculum and you are contactable for your assessment. Why would I be given a shorter registration period? + The draft Procedures allow an Authorised Person to recommend a shorter period where the assessment identifies areas for improvement, or where there are current concerns about the child’s safety. Neither term is defined in the draft. Can I appeal a homeschooling decision in NSW? + Yes. You can request an internal review, which goes to a different Authorised Person, and you are entitled to one internal review of the same decision. If that affirms the original recommendation, you can apply to NCAT for an external review, generally within 28 days of being notified. Can I take my child out of school before my registration is approved? + Not through the registration process itself. Under the draft, your child must remain enrolled until the Certificate of Registration is issued. The available route is an exemption from attendance or a partial attendance plan, granted by your school principal, and a GP or psychologist letter can support that request. Do I need to register if we are only taking a term off school? + Not if your child stays enrolled. Schools can support a partial attendance plan or an exemption without you registering for homeschooling, and that is common for families trialling a term or working through school refusal. Having a clear education plan makes those conversations much easier. About the hosts Ellen Brown is Euka’s co-founder and Head of Education. She is a qualified teacher, a mother of five, and has homeschooled in NSW for 12 years across many different Authorised Persons. Brett Campbell is Euka’s co-founder, Chairman and CEO. This article is general information about NSW homeschooling registration, not legal or clinical advice. The NSW Department of Education sets registration requirements, and the draft documents discussed here are not yet in force. If you are worried about your child’s mental health, please speak to your GP or a registered psychologist. Read the full episode transcript Ellen: We always want to keep at the centre of homeschooling, that parents have the choice to homeschool, and that it should be the same choice as if you were in public school, or you’re deciding to go to private school. Deciding to homeschool is a legal choice in our country. And so they got that right. And that’s important in the definitions. Sometimes we find that APs are coming with a lot of experience. And they’ve been and they’re really you know, I love to think of them, like I said before, as a bit of a coach, and they’re walking alongside you with enthusiasm saying, okay, how can I support you? And that has been my experience. But I have heard from other parents that they have had an experience that is a bit more challenging. Brett: The decision itself to homeschool for the majority is a major decision, and it and it puts this pressure on and people are like, am I going to get accepted? Am I not? You know, it’s not your final exam where, you know, yeah, the likelihood of you getting accepted is low. It’s actually the opposite. The likelihood of you getting accepted is very, very high. Narrator: Welcome to the Future Learners podcast, the home for parents and students thriving with homeschooling in Australia. Your hosts, Brett Campbell and Ellen Brown, are the co-founders of Euka Future Learning, Australia’s largest online K-12 homeschooling provider. Join them as they guide you from uncertainty to complete confidence. Let’s get into it. Brett: Hello and welcome to another episode of Future Learners. I am your host, Brett Campbell, CEO and co-founder of Euka Future Learning. I’m joined by my amazing co-founder and co-host and our Head of Education, Ellen Brown. How are you today, Ellen? Ellen: Very well, thank you. Brett: You have us set up for this topic. So this is this is a juicy topic. So I’m going to hand it straight to you. Set us up. What are we in store for today? Ellen: Today we’re going to be talking about the draft policy documents that the New South Wales Department of Education have produced. So we know that there’s been a change. Home schooling has moved from NESA to the Department of Education. They’ve provided a draft about how they might change some policies, and we’re going to talk about that today. Brett: Excellent policies, policies. Although sometimes the policy conversations may not be the most exciting or exhilarating for, um, whether it’s people speaking about it and or the participants listening. And I just want to double tap on the importance of this. Um, and whilst this might not be the most exciting topic of conversation for you to indulge in today, definitely stick with us. We’re going to we’re going to unpack it to the best of our ability. And as Ellen said, is this is a draft policy. And we’ll talk a little bit more about what that means, because we’re getting a lot of families reaching out to us with questions, queries, concerns, etc. And we’re going to try and do our absolute best to, um, talk to those points today. So over to you, Ellen. Ellen: One of the reasons that we want to talk about this is really to provide support to families as there especially families that are already in homeschooling and they’re thinking, okay, what’s going to change? How will this affect me? And it’s quite natural for people to begin talking. And then the it starts to snowball. And so it’s really just to provide support and let you know that we are watching and we’re trying to work through how to best support you as we make these changes. Brett: I think it would be a good idea if you actually set up and share that, you know, obviously, Euka one of our, uh, roles as we see it in the industry is, you know, we want to be a voice, uh, and also a seat at the table for, you know, the tens of thousands of families homeschooling. And if can you maybe share a little bit just to start on how this even originated, like how we even got to where we are now with these policies, draft policies? Ellen: Yes. Well, look, NESA was, um, having homeschooling under their umbrella for the last 15 years. And so earlier in the year that the movement of homeschooling under the New South Wales Department of Education happened. And then it was quiet and everybody wondered, well, maybe no changes will happen. And that sort of everybody continued along on their merry way until all of a sudden and of course, in the background, the Department of Education was saying, okay, how are we going to manage this? You know, when NESA had homeschooling, it grew and grew and grew. The numbers grew. So this was an opportunity for the Department of Education to say, okay, fresh air, a fresh voice, I suppose. Also good to keep in mind that nearly actually just over a year ago or nearly a year ago, in September last year, there was a review into homeschooling in New South Wales and audit. And some of those recommendations would have been also being looked at when they came to drafting these policies. And we’ll be able to talk about that, because one of the glaringly obvious ones that didn’t change is part of our discussion this morning as well. I’m going to run through a few different things that we can see haven’t changed first, or where New South Wales, the policy, the draft policy of has got it right. And then we’ll get into some of the topics that are causing a bit of concern from homeschooling families and from Euka as well. So let’s start by looking at where the draft policy got it right. And one of the things that we could say they definitely got it right is where they talk about parental choice and responsibility. We always want to keep at the centre of homeschooling that parents have the choice to homeschool, and that it should be the same choice as if you were in public school or you’re deciding to go to private school. Deciding to homeschool is a legal choice in our country. And so they got that right. And that’s important in the definition. So they say parents have the primary responsibility for education of their children. So we’re happy about that. It’s a big deal. It’s one of those things that can be argued about in policy where they start changing the language. But we’re really happy with that language. Brett: Yeah. And just to that, there’s in the actual the draft of the policies, you know, to give a little bit more clarity. And I think where their angle of it was and how they’re making that decision has actually helped the wider, broader audience of homeschooling. And I’ll get to that and says the education plan must be based on New South Wales curriculum, which is obvious for New South Wales, and be suitable to the child’s learning needs as identified by the applicant, which is the parent. Parents may amend the plan during a period of registration to ensure it remains fit for purpose, including to meet the needs of children with disability or additional needs and that needs to be carved out in there because not all children are created equal, but what it also does by having this, this caveat in, in that point is that you don’t necessarily even need to have special needs in your family or your household. What it does is it gives you the ability to be able to, um, yeah, fit for purpose. Right. And, and a lot of these drafts and a lot of, um, regulations that get laid down, um, whether it be in homeschooling or just in general, everyday life is there’s always nuance to the meaning and the definition of it. Unfortunately, I’ve read too many agreements and I’ve looked at all these things. And what you quite quickly find is that someone’s interpretation of that could be very different than another ten people who read it, and they all interpret it differently. So this is still very much open for interpretation, because the real question then, if you dig on that a little bit deeper and it’s like, well, what does fit for purpose even mean, right? Like there’s there’s barriers and laneways into all of that. But at a very high level, what it does for us is and again, Euka is built on this concept of flexibility, obviously, whilst we provide the entire curriculum and so forth, you know, we absolutely have that built into our product and program, where you can ideate and stretch and even remould, or even recreate a lesson if you desire, which is which is fantastic for the family. So. Ellen: Yeah, absolutely. So, so the two things that we’re really happy to see in there, that parents have the responsibility for making a choice around their program, their education program. And as you are mentioning, the flexibility for parents to be able to choose how that’s delivered to their child. And we want to see that kind of flexibility. Like you were saying, Brett, it’s really important to not see structure as an opposite to flexibility in actual fact. And we’ve talked about this before in a podcast. Having some structure allows you then to be flexible and springboard off over here and off over there, but you’re still ticking those boxes at the lowest level. Brett: So and just and just for those families who are reading that point and going, oh no, I don’t want to have the flexibility. I just want to be like, I just want a program that I can follow. I totally hear you and understand that. And again, that’s that is the beauty of a program like Euka is that there is that structure there if you need it to keep you in the, in the guardrails. But, um, the beauty about that point, though, is if you do desire to have flexibility, that is your prerogative. Ellen: Mhm. Absolutely. So this is an area now evidence of learning. That is one of the things that makes parents most nervous because especially in New South Wales you know Euka have students all around the country. So we work very closely and look very closely at what the Department of Education is doing in every state. And New South Wales is a state where there’s a lot of personal opinion. When you’ve got an authorised person who’s kind of like we used to call them, your learning coach, rather than the education police, who is someone who is actually your direct support person when you’re homeschooling. And so evidence of learning is a big one for parents. What do we actually have to provide to the department? And in some states they’re very prescriptive, like in Queensland, when they say exactly how many pieces of work and what you need to provide. New South Wales isn’t like that. And so there’s no so the actual from the draft that we can see in the frequently asked questions, which is where actually a lot of the noise has come from parents. It actually says that the department states there’s no mandatory quantity or format of evidence. It gives examples of learning, learning, journals, checklists, excursions, digital portfolios. But and broadness is wonderful. But it can also be unsettling because it then comes down to your authorised person to say, well, actually, this is too much, this isn’t enough. And so that’s where parents can start to feel a little bit like it’s shifting sand. Brett: Yeah. And the draft that states parents must keep records demonstrating how the child’s education plan is being implemented and how the requirements and any conditions of registration are being met. That’s a that’s a big sentence on the surface. It’s like, oh, it makes sense. Like you should be keeping some records and demonstration of how your child’s education is being rolled out. Um, but then there’s the how is that meeting the requirements of the registration, which when you register, you have to obviously follow a syllabus as well, which is one of the detailed points here is, you know, you must, um, follow the New South Wales syllabus, which is very important. And out of all the states, New South Wales is the only one that has its general like these guidelines around you must follow the New South Wales versus, you know, the rest of the states are happy to follow the Australian curriculum as well. So there’s a few nuances in there. But the to your point on this broadness can lead to ambiguity, which can lead to frustration, anxiety and a whole heap of different things because in certain times of need. Sometimes you just need to be. Or you want to be told exactly what to do. Like you point there around Queensland, House says, you know you need to provide this many. This many of this, this many of that. Like then you know where you are. You’re either hitting the mark or you’re not hitting the mark because where it falls back to an individual person and, you know, touchwood, everyone in the department who is, who has these AP roles, they’re doing the best that they can with what they know to be true, right? However, not everyone governs the exact same stipulations, like if they had in their rule book. That are your guidelines are there must be a submission of 23 pieces of work. Like if they’ve got that because they must have a gauge to work from if they have that, then you know I would. My personal opinion is like, how about we just share with the families going, this is a minimum requirement. Like I think having minimum baselines is a very important place to start from, because if you don’t, you have no expectation because and I say this, you know, constantly in Euka when we’re speaking to the team, it’s like if someone goes, it’s going great. I’ll be like, what does great mean? Like exactly how great, how many this, how many that, what’s this mean? Etc. So very, very important to not be lackadaisical. When is such an important outcome for a family who’s whether you’ve been in homeschooling for some time, you’ve been doing it a specific way. It might really shake up the way you’ve been doing things, because what you think might hit the mark. Now, the new regulations, under their own personal definition, whether it’s currently being hidden right or it hasn’t been shared, um, then it can lead to lead to, you know, a lot of ambiguity and possible frustration because, yeah, it’s a it’s an ungoverned thing right now. Ellen: It is. It’s actually quite stressful. I love that the homeschool community get together very quickly. They know their AP from their area. They talk on their homeschooling forums about, oh, did you know, did you have so-and-so as your AP? What did they expect? And but it’s kind of a shame that it has to be like that, that it can’t be a bit clearer. I’m certainly not one for let’s have three of those and four of those, because the flexibility is really fantastic when you’re homeschooling that you can work with your child to demonstrate them their learning in a way that fits them. And, you know, as an organisation and our role to support you as parents, that’s something we’ve really struggled with. How can we support you so that then you’ve got lots of options to show your learning. So, you know, it might be a good opportunity just to mention these new assignments that we’ve added to the program now, so that if you want to keep those as work samples, you know where the curriculum is being covered. You know, everything that you know that that you’re going to be asked and at least you’ve got that freedom to say, well, look here, I can see there’s an assignment on such and such. Actually, my child likes to do something different, but I’m going to adapt that. So, you know, like I said before, structure and flexibility can go really well together. If you’ve if you’ve got a base to move from. So it is a tricky one. And we certainly do hear some big differences between what different authorised people actually ask for. Brett: Yeah. And for those who are homeschooling and not using a platform like Euka, you know, keeping records and demonstrating how your child’s, you know, actual education plan is being implemented and met like it’s not an easy thing to try and solve for if you don’t have structure. Right from Euka’s perspective is we have the ability you can do the structured assignment air quotes that we have. Right. It’s it’s a very detail like it’s a detailed plan for that lesson that we know will absolutely be applicable and get the automatic tick of approval from any AP. Because of the way that we’ve built it and structured and so forth. You can do that. You can take photos, you can upload, you can hold it in our platform and in our portal, um, for safekeeping, because I don’t know about you, but, you know, you get paper and you’re writing on it. You’re gonna have filing cabinets and look for some people, they’re very, very diligent like that. So, um, that’s a skill I wish I had a little bit more of, but, you know, having the ease of a digital platform, you do the lesson, you click through, you’ve got the report, you can add context because that’s another thing as well. Um, you know, with our, with our reporting that we provide, um, that that comes with Euka, you can put uh, specific. So you finish the lesson is specific questions about how did you go, what did you find work this that, that. And you can add context to it because that’s what the APs are effectively looking at. Right. They’re coming to your, your home. Um, and we’ll talk about this in a minute as well because I think that’s, that’s a, um, something that needs to be discussed is they’re coming to you and saying, look, Demonstrate what you’ve done and how have you done it, and how does that then meet the curriculum? That’s where it gets. It’s not a someone’s not turning up and just showing, asking to show some work. And what have you done and drawn and pictures and this and that is it. Like but have you actually ticked the boxes that are aligned to the curriculum? Hence, you know, every lesson with, with our platform is directly connected to a specific curriculum code. And you can see that in the lesson itself. But the beauty of, again, and I don’t want us to sort of sound like a bit of a pitch fest for Euka, but it certainly is, because everything we’ve built is for these reasons, because we know all of these things that we’re going to discuss and go through. The tension that families have can be obliterated and not even there if we just sort of follow the process, you know, to be able to do each lesson, upload it at the end of the year. Yeah, well, when required, press a button. It compiles an entire report that you just hand to them and go, here you go. And they’re like, oh wow, how’d you do that? And you know, it’s it’s magic. Ellen: Absolutely. I think knowing that that comes from experience. I’ve been homeschooling in New South Wales for 12 years, and I’ve had a lot of different APs that I’ve had to work with, and so having that experience, knowing what it feels like to think, okay, someone’s coming and they’re going to have a look and they’re judging me. Um, it really is reflected in how we prepare what we do at Euka to make sure that families can feel confident in that, having been there ourselves. Brett: We’ve mentioned the word AP a handful of times, and I think now would be a good time. Can you fill in the gaps of for those who are like, I’m not sure what an AP is, I’m looking to get started or I’ve just started and I’m not sure what’s going on. Like, talk about the role of the AP as it relates to New South Wales, and then maybe provide context of that’s not the case for the rest of the country. Ellen: In New South Wales, we have an authorised person that’s in charge of your area of homeschooling and that authorised person, AP, will come and visit you. There are some APs that are very happy to meet with you at the local library or at the community centre instead of your actual house? But that’s something that you’ll be able to negotiate directly with the AP. So once you enrol in or you applied for your application to become a homeschooler, you’ll receive information back in an email back organising for that first meet up with an AP to come and see you and discuss what your plan is for homeschooling. Brett: So let me ask this, Ellen, for the for the people who are curious like do, why do they have to come to your house? Why can’t they do a zoom meeting? Do they do zoom meeting? Do they meet online? Do they do phone calls? Or does everyone have to have someone literally turn up to their place of living? Ellen: Well, that’s going to be remains to be seen with this new umbrella of the Department of Education. In the past, I’ve had them. I’ve had certain APs that need to come to my house, and other times I’ve had some that are very happy to do a zoom meeting. So it really is dependent on the person. Most of the time the APs are coming out of the mainstream school system. Sometimes they’re principals who’ve retired or teachers that have been teaching. So they’re coming with that kind of background and most in, I have never actually found an AP that’s actually come from the homeschooling background yet. That would be nice when that finally happens. But at this stage, sometimes we find that APs are coming with a lot of experience, and they’ve been and they’re really, you know, I love to think of them, like I said before, as a bit of a coach, and they’re walking alongside you with enthusiasm saying, okay, how can I support you? And that has been my experience. But I have heard from other parents that they have had an experience that is a bit more challenging, where they haven’t felt quite so supported and they’ve felt nervous. So it’s hard to know whether that’s come from the actual AP or whether it’s, you know, an internal one ourselves. But it’s always uncomfortable when something’s coming to judge what you’re doing. No one feels comfortable in that situation. Brett: That’s right. Yeah. And because of the decision itself to homeschool for the majority. Is a major decision. And it and it puts this pressure on. And people are like, am I going to get accepted. Am I not? Can you talk to that as well that we might be able to add a little bit of, um, flavour to on the. You know, it’s it’s not your final exam where, you know, you know, the likelihood of you getting, um, accepted as low. It’s actually the opposite. The likelihood of you getting accepted is, is very, very high. Obviously you have to meet many different, you know, box ticks, etc. But can you speak to that to try and like lower the temperature of some families, like really stressing out prior to the specific meeting? Ellen: If you’re stressing out about your approval, chances are you’ll be approved because you’ve already thought through. Oh, I hope my plan is good enough. So you’ve got a plan and you’ve thought through and you’ve, you know, made some decisions. You’ve got some information. You’ll be okay as long as you’ve got a plan that’s covering the New South Wales curriculum, you’ll be okay. One of the things that has been an area of concern within this draft policy, again, is, um, where they say in the policy that says a short period of registration may be recommended. Now, this isn’t new, where instead of being given your 12 months or your 24 months, sometimes in your homeschooling approval, you’re given a shorter term. And that’s concerning because of the language around that, that there’s areas of improvement that have been identified that need to be reassessed or current concerns about the child safety. So that’s some sort of very vague language that’s causing concern for parents. Like what you were just saying, Brett. It’s a very small percentage of people that are ever told, actually, you can’t homeschool like it’s, you know, less than 2% because people have got a plan. They don’t just say, I’m going to homeschool and then put click on, you know apply and off we go. They’ve done some thinking. They’ve got a plan. Uh, but sometimes we do find that people will not be given the full 12 months. And that’s where parents want to see some a bit clearer language on what those, those what areas of improvement might be meaning. Brett: Correct. And that’s that ambiguity where it’s it’s in any, any contract. There’s always the let’s keep this vague so that we could claw back something if we need to. And here’s something as well that I think is important to touch on because it’s also important not like to consider that the department is that when they’re creating policies like this, they need to try and do a catch all net. Right. And there are cases where, you know, and this is the minority of course by a lot. But there are cases where children are in households where we would probably deem probably not a great idea to be in, or hope like, you know, is not the best environment for them. Right. And this is where it can get difficult at times because these type of policies, they have to have the vagueness in there for protections. And again, I’m not speaking for the department here myself. I’m just reading through between the lines. Right. Um, but I personally if I’d sort of steelman the opposite side, if I go well, I’d want that in there simply because there needs to be these allowances. And it’s hard because a lot of people go, well, I’m not impacted. So I don’t even want to be in that classification either. I don’t want that rule applied to me. But it’s like when you’re trying to apply a rule to an entire sort of industry standard. There’s always the nuances that need to be considered. And a lot of times, unless there’s a specific stipulation directly attributed to families with specific violence or reasons as to being whether it’s not a safe environment for children. It has to be, uh, it has to be umbrella underneath a much broader, broader piece. But it still doesn’t negate that there should, I believe, be a little bit more specifics around that. Because if you give a family look, we’re going to give you three months or six months. It’s like, what exactly is the reasons for that? And what exactly must change in order to get 12 months? Right. And why wouldn’t you give me 12 months? Yeah. Um, so those there’s, there’s lots of considerations to that. Ellen: Yeah, absolutely. I think when it comes to the child safety part, we already know the authorised person coming in to check on your family is, um, a person that’s a mandatory reporter. So to have it written there like that, I don’t know. I, I know there was a case in Queensland, and the fact that I even know that there was a case in Queensland where a child was unsafe and that caused the reviewing Queensland means that it’s it’s a to to make the decision to homeschool is a big decision for a family. And you put the spotlight on yourself. And most educators who are even in mainstream school would agree that children who are in an unsafe learning environment, the parent wouldn’t do that. It’s like they’re generally there a child that’s registered in school and just don’t go, um, that those children would be far more unsafe situation than someone who’s made that decision to homeschool. Um, so that’s probably where the fear is coming from. Why is it in there? And then you’ve got an authorised person, just the one person coming and making decisions. So that brings us to the next part, which is about the review process. So if a family is given a shorter period of time, there’s no discussion in the policy about how we can get a review from an independent AP on that. That is just a line in the sand by the one AP if by a small, you know, situation that you. Have your homeschooling approval knocked back then the policy says that then another AP can then make a review. Thankfully it doesn’t end there because a peer review doesn’t make much sense. As far as, um, real clarity around a decision that’s being made. There is actually a review process after that. So, um, you know, it’s like you said, it’s it’s an unusual thing to be knocked back for your approval. You’ve really got to have no plan and no idea. And, um, you know, it’s it’s definitely what Euka is created for, to make sure that families are well supported and very confident going into their meetings with their AP. And as far as, uh, approval is concerned, we’ve never, ever had anybody who hasn’t had their approval given the stamp of approval. Brett: Mm. Absolutely. Um, so the other one is one where we were talking before about the review last year in September, the audit. Ellen: The Auditor-General’s report. Yeah. So I wanted to talk about that. So back in September of 2025 there’s a recommendation recommendation 2b. And it says that the Audit Office recommends that reform of homeschooling regulation consider expedited registration processing times to shorten transition periods. So that’s one of the recommendations that’s come through. And what we’ve seen in this new draft is that there is no special, um, expedited process for children that are really in need of, um, instant removal from school. Brett: And that’s something that. This is this is what the, the, um, draft procedure actually stipulates. Says and this is step 5.1 for those reading at home, aims to finalise the application within the indicative processing time frame of up to 12 weeks. And then it says in the draft FAQs, until your registration is approved, your child must remain enrolled at school. And this is something that, um, yeah, we have some very strong opinions around Ellen. Ellen: Yes, absolutely. Because we see that people who are true, uh, and I was going to say choosing to homeschool. Yes, sure, they’re choosing to homeschool, but many times they’re moving into homeschool because that is the safest thing for their child. You know, we know about the bullying rates and the anxiety and mental health issues and reasons why removal from school is an urgent thing, and that actually is quite common. So it’s kind of an oxymoron. So we’re choosing to homeschool when often it is really the only option at that point. Brett: Well Ellen, I’ve been doing some digging around that because, as you know, I love I love data and I like to speak to the truth as in the closest approximation, I can get to the truth governed by data and actual real life happening. So and this is something that that has really highlighted for me, where I feel that there’s, there’s something not right. Okay. And what I mean is you mentioned that, um, yeah, about bullying and so forth. So we ask every family who comes to Euka, what’s your primary reason for homeschooling? And then we have we have multiple options that people can choose. Right. Um, and again I’ll preface this by saying data is as only as good as the way in which it is collected. Okay. You can very easily create a data set that is very ambiguous and probably not accurate. By leading a specific question to get someone to choose a specific answer and I’ll I’ll say that first. But we asked directly primary reasons and then we got secondary reasons, etc. As we’ve been reporting back since 2021, you know, circa 25% of families, their primary reason is bullying. And then we add in other social element reasons. We go we go all the way up to 30 percent just for bullying and social, um, reasons and so forth. Anxiety. And so that’s our data that we’ve collected amongst a whole heap of other data points and different reasons and so forth that we’ve got as to why families homeschool and choose homeschooling. I looking at the 2025 data report from the New South Wales Government in 1st of January, 2022 to the 31st of December, are we doing calendar year here? They are reporting. Wait for this. Don’t fall off your chair. But just for those playing along at home. At this period, we reported 25%. It was about 24.7 to be exact, right. But circa 1 in 4 children. Their primary reason was bullying. The New South Wales government data says he gave reason for homeschooling. They have philosophical, religious, special learning needs, bullying, other and nil response. Those are the options you have, right? Bullying comes in at 0.68% right now. You’ve got the New South Wales government and this is probably my voice is starting to raise here because I’m getting passionate about this. But I’ll tone down. My voice is probably busting out on the podcast, but we’ve got 0.68% now. Keep in mind other comes in at 31.69% and nil response comes in at 22.91%. This is why I said the way in which you ask and collect your data is very, very important because I would have to. If I’m making an assumption on being a data analyst here, I would have to say there would be a lot of people in the other and the no response it would have to fall under bullying. Right now that’s an assumption because I don’t have the facts there. However, what the problem I have with this is that the department or the government itself is showing. So if you’re the New South Wales premier and you’re on TV and you go, oh, look, bullying rates is 0.68%, there’s no bullying. What do you mean, bullying? It’s not even a thing. Right. So and check this out. If we fast forward to January 2024 to December 24th, low and behold, the bullying rate has decreased to 0.45%. We’ve noticed an increase, which is interesting. And this is where the nail in the coffin for me and I just can’t understand this. And I need to. We need to do something about. This is from January 1st, 2025 to December 2025. The bullying rate has reduced to a staggering 0.1. You might as well say, ah, there’s no such thing as bullying, right? And if this is how they’re collecting their data one the collection method is abhorrent and it needs to be fixed because I get the concept of having other and nil. And look, there’s families who might not want to report that. And I totally get that as well. Right. But here’s where the problem is. They’re going to be looking at these reasons, right? If I’m in the department I’m like, okay guys, I’m here to reform the homeschooling unit and how homeschooling works across the country. I’m not going to go, oh, here’s an opinion. I’m going to go show me the data. Okay. Bullying 0.1. That’s great. Amazing. Okay. We probably don’t need to do too much about bullying. Right. And it sets up a series of decisions that are. Based off a very shaky, to say the least. Foundation of data collection. Right. So with their stating, in the last four years, there’s been a decline from 0.7% to 0.1. That’s a huge decrease. But that’s not what we’re seeing in our data. And again, I’m not I just want to stipulate that I’m reporting the data in which I have been able to see and view and the way in which we collect those pieces of data as well. Now, the reason why I dig in on this topic so much is the issue we have with this, and this came out of the Auditor-General’s report that families just can’t wait 12 weeks, especially if you’re one of the children who had finally, because I’ll tell you this, I would hands down, almost guaranteed the majority of families who put their child into homeschooling their child has been bullied, not yesterday, but they’ve been bullied for a very long period of time. That has now gone to a point that you can no longer continue this on. It’s gotten to a point where the mental health has declined so badly that you’re like, I’m, I’m at my last option, right? They’ve had enough and they need to make change. And we’ve got data saying this. We’ve got 12 weeks and this is in the draft policy off the back of the Auditor-General’s report. It’s almost like it fell on slightly deaf ears. Almost. It’s like to even say that we aim to finalise the application, like it says, aims to. And I get why. Because there’s not a lot of APs and there’s tens of thousands of students homeschooling. Like it’s just the math isn’t math thing when you’re trying to really put this together because it says aims to finalise the application, meaning we may or may not. You may be up to 16 weeks, you might be 20 weeks, you might be two weeks. We don’t know. But we’re going to aim to have it done. And again, this is not a I’m not trying to push at the APs themselves either, or trying to do the best they can. And I could only imagine, you know, these visits for, for a lot of absolutely exhilarating and they love it. But it’s slow to go from house to house to house. You know, you go from probably three visits locally when you could do probably 20 on a zoom, 30, 50 a day on a zoom meeting. Right. Um, which could expedite it. I spoke about this with the Auditor-General’s report. It’s like a solution is quite easy, is let’s just say you give them a temporary a temporary registration pass. And when your AP can actually catch up to go and visit them, they might have already been homeschooling for 12 weeks, and they’ve already done a complete term versus sitting in limbo. Because I’ll tell you what, as a parent, the last thing I would ever do is want to put my child back into an environment that I need them to be removed from. And then it says here, and this is the I’ll, I’ll wrap up on this point, Ellen, until your registration is approved, your child must remain enrolled at school. Now, let me ask you this, Ellen, because I’m not one for breaking rules. I’m not one. I’m always I’m always looking at the nuance of how something says. Does that specifically mean like they can remain at school but can under these rules or under this draft because you can still be enrolled at school, but you’re just not turning up the school and you can start your homeschooling, talk to talk to that nuance. Ellen: Yeah. So this is another area where they’re frequently asked questions of the draft policy come into effect. So can my child exit school? Um, and the response is no, you need to stay in school unless given permission by the principal. Now, this is where the problem is. A principal is not in a position most of the time to be able to say, oh, you’ve been bullied, okay. Because it’s their job to ensure there’s no bullying. So the only option they’ve got to legally do what the department has said here is to go to the principal and say, we’d like to remove the student because they’ve been bullied and they’re having a mental health crisis or whatever’s going on, we need to remove them immediately. And the principal has to say, not a problem at all. Here’s an exemption, which means, yes, you’re not in. You’re still enrolled in the school, but you don’t have to go. That’s a really. Some principals are wonderful and they’ll say yes, you know, if that’s what your child needs, that’s what we’ll do and will support you in that. And we do hear that because more and more principals are educated now about what homeschooling can look like. But sometimes you hit a principal that doesn’t have any idea what homeschooling can look like. And they think that it means no schooling, you know, and so they are very opposed to homeschooling. So it just depends, you know, who you get. Um, the most important thing to know here is, um, a doctor certificate or a psychologist or a counsellor can support you in getting that exemption and taking your child out. It’s very important to know that your that you don’t have to be a passive passenger. And if your child is at risk, you need to act. Brett: Yeah. Great. And I stay steadfast on that. Your child is the most important thing. Not what the school says or doesn’t say either. But to your point, Ellen, you know, um, I always give benefit of the doubt. And of course, there’s lots of schools out there and principals that totally understand we’re in a world now where you as a parent, you need to look after the most important thing and that’s your children. And, uh, if you are in a position where you’re extreme, you because we get feedback and this is coming from lots of pieces of feedback that we get and lots of, um, you know, from families who are asking questions, you know, saying, look, I want to start now, but I’m not registered, can I what should I do? And the advice there is go and speak directly to your principal. Let them know that look, I fear for whatever reasons, x, y, z, um, and based on these decisions and the mental health of my child, we are removing them from the school currently. And we request from you written permission that we, uh, we get an exemption right now whilst we undertake because whilst removing my child from the scenario, it’s not like you’re going to put them on a six week holiday per se. It’s like you want to continue their learning on and then you can you can go and have that. So when the time comes and you do have a visit, you’ll be able to show that here’s the exemption, etc.. Ellen: And you know one thing that would be helpful, actually two things that popped into my mind there is sometimes when you go to a principal with an exemption, what the feedback we’ve had is if you can go with an education plan. So a lot of the families that join Euka are without yet having been approved, which is a lot of families will join Euka prior because they need that plan anyway. When they’re registering, they’ll take that with them. The scope and sequence or educational learning. Plan with them to the principal and say, we need an exemption. Here’s what we’re going to do. And going with something like that just means that the principal can feel comfortable because, you know, he has a legal responsibility when you’re on his books as one of his students or her students. So you want to be able to help them make the decision for that exemption. So taking a plan is very helpful. The other thing is, you know, yes, you want your child to be able to, you know, move out of the school system and have a plan in place. It doesn’t mean from the first week that we would even dream of expecting that your child jumps straight in and starts doing their homeschooling plans straight away. There is a time that is needed for a child to be able to just decompress after going through that kind of stressful environment, but what we have found is that if there is some an education that’s there for them to be able to go on with at lessons and additional stress that can happen when they are removed from school. All of a sudden they see their peers moving forward. And that can actually heighten the fear and the anxiety that the child is having. So knowing that, yes, you know, here’s your lessons. These are the same topics that are being done in school that can just give them a, ah, while they’re taking that time to get the support that they need and the mental health support they’ve got, that educational foundation that gives them security. Brett: And a nuance to that as well. Ellen. And for those families who are like, well, my child isn’t being bullied and there are no sort of social reasons as to why we just want to change in our life. And we’d like to make that change now. It’s been the school holidays. We’ve thought about it, we’ve sat down, we’ve been considering it for some time. We’ve but we’ve we’ve stayed at school. And now’s the time to make the decision. The last thing you want to do as a family as well go. You know what? I’m going to put our entire life on hold for 12 weeks until we get a registration. Ellen: But if your child hasn’t had any issues, going to the principal and saying, look, this is what we would like to do, they’re usually okay with that too. So don’t think that there has to be a problem. There’s more and more people saying, you know what, we just would like to take a little bit more of an active role in our child’s education. It’s not unusual now. So that’s something you can. Brett: Yeah. And something we find as well

In this episode of ATTRA's Voices from the Field Podcast, NCAT Senior Manager Tammy Howard visits with Elliot Smith, co-founder of Kitchen Sync Strategies (KSS). KSS started in 2019 to help connect more people to nourishing, impactful food and connect more big buyers with local producers. KSS has been an important partner in NCAT's Bringing the Farm to School through New Connections project, which Tammy manages. Elliot shares how KSS supports the farm to school and institution supply chain, the role of brokers in the producer/buyer business relationship, and some exciting success stories around the development of food hub networks.This podcast is produced by the National Center for Appropriate Technology through the ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program under a cooperative agreement with USDA Rural Development.

Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 49-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 46,177 on turnover of 10-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan ended lower Monday despite a late rally as bargain hunting emerged ahead of an increase in the local market's weighting under the latest MSCI regular index review. The market came under pressure initially after U.S. stocks fell Friday, following hawkish remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, and the early downturn also reflected a spike in crude oil prices following renewed military strikes in the Middle East. Taiwan Day to showcase Taiwanese culture in Poland The National Cultural Association of Taiwan is holding a two-day "Taiwan Day" cultural event in Poland later this month… featuring Taiwanese contemporary dance and folk arts (民間藝術), plus a market showcasing Taiwanese food and culture. A social media post said that performances at the event will "transform the Polish streets into a Taiwan temple front." The event on September 11th and 12th will see stalls showcasing Taiwanese foods and goods, including dumplings, which are described as the Taiwanese counterpart to Polish pierogi. At a promotional press event in Taipei, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who also serves as NCAT vice president, said the cultural tour is aimed at inspiring Europeans to visit Taiwan and experience the country. TRUMP HINTS AT FURTHER MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAN DESPITE SHIFT TO SANCTIONS STRATEGY US President Donald Trump has warned that the door remains open to further military strikes on Iran, delivering a blunt assessment of Tehran's weakened state while speaking to reporters at the White House. The comments came as the Washington Post reported that Iran's economy is feeling new pain from the latest sanctions campaign, though analysts doubt the measures will bring Tehran to the negotiating table. Iran has rejected (拒絕) the sanctions, with its economy minister saying the new measures will fail. Mitch Mccann in New York says a social media post by US President Donald Trump showing an AI-generated image of bombs hitting Iran's main oil export facility has raised concerns about what the White House may be planning. Congo Ebola Tops 6Thousand Cases Congo's authorities report that the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has topped 6,000 cases with 2,911 deaths. More than 1,360 people have recovered from the virus which authorities on Monday called an “encouraging” development. The outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading under extremely (極為) difficult conditions. Insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike and intense population movements fuel the crisis. The virus spread into two new health zones in the region last week. The World Health Organization says it remains out of control and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak which is the deadliest on record. Indonesia Mt Sinabung Erupts Mount Sinabung in Indonesia has erupted, spewing black ash and smoke into the sky over Sumatra island. Gray ash covered several villages after Monday's eruption, and authorities distributed (分發) masks to residents to protect themselves. People were advised to refrain from activities in nearby villages in Karo district in North Sumatra province and areas within 6 kilometers of the summit. No casualties, evacuations or disruptions to flights were reported. I ndonesia's Geological Agency raised the alert to the second-highest level for volcanic activity and expanded the safe zone around the mountain. Sinabung has had increased volcanic activity recently, and the agency's chief said a larger eruption (噴發) could occur. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 準備賣房嗎？ 即日起至12月31日， 把房屋專任委託給台南住商不動產，即可參加「好友五吉」抽獎活動，賣房抽五機~有機會抽中最新 iPhone 18！ 錦上添花, 好運大獎拿不完! 詳情請洽台南住商任一加盟店。 https://sofm.pse.is/9krz5g -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Matt is joined by Jason from Australian Hunting Podcast for an in-depth and at times fiery discussion about the current state of firearms laws in New South Wales, what the changes could mean for licensed firearm owners, and where the shooting community goes from here.Jason has been talking about firearms legislation and politics on his podcast for more than a decade, and many of the concerns he raised years ago are now becoming reality. Together, Matt and Jason discuss why they believe licensed shooters are facing some of the most significant changes seen in years and why firearm owners need to understand exactly what is happening rather than simply assuming it won't affect them.One of the biggest issues discussed is the removal of access to NCAT appeals for certain firearms licensing decisions. Jason explains why he believes the loss of an accessible avenue to challenge a decision could have consequences extending well beyond firearms, particularly when the alternative of pursuing a matter through the Supreme Court may be financially unrealistic for an ordinary person.The conversation also turns to firearm limits, lengthy licensing and PTA processing times, the effect on firearm dealers and businesses, and the proposed compensation figures for affected firearms. Matt and Jason question whether the scheduled payments realistically reflect the value of many firearms and discuss the potential financial impact on shooters who have invested thousands of dollars into rifles and shotguns that may be affected.With the NSW election approaching, politics inevitably becomes a major part of the discussion. Matt and Jason examine the response from Labor, the Liberals, Nationals, Shooters Fishers and Farmers, the Libertarian Party and One Nation, and discuss why promises to oppose legislation are very different from an explicit commitment to repeal it.The conversation goes well beyond simply telling people who they should vote for. Instead, it raises a bigger question for Australia's shooting community: after decades of relying on the same political strategies, does something need to change?Matt and Jason also discuss the importance of firearm owners becoming more engaged, contacting representatives, supporting organisations that genuinely represent their interests and having conversations with people outside the shooting community.Importantly, both reinforce throughout the conversation that firearm owners must continue to comply with the law. Their argument is that change needs to occur through democratic and lawful processes, particularly through political engagement and the ballot box.The episode also examines the response of Australia's major shooting organisations and asks whether the shooting community could have been better organised years ago. With organisations increasingly working together now, Matt and Jason discuss whether the industry needs a stronger united voice and whether personal interests, politics and organisational differences have prevented that from happening in the past.This isn't a traditional hunting story. It's a long-form conversation about firearms ownership, politics, due process, the future of shooting in Australia and what could happen next.Whether you agree with everything said or strongly disagree, this is a conversation worth having. Have a listen, make up your own mind, research the changes for yourself and, most importantly, understand what the decisions being made today could mean for the future of hunting and shooting in Australia.Disclaimer: Content shared on this podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Australian Hunting and Beyond. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered legal advice. Firearms owners are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws and regulations. For the full disclaimer, click on this link.

Mushrooms are one of the most unique agricultural enterprises available to farmers and entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional crops, mushrooms are fungi that thrive on organic materials such as hardwood pellets, sawdust, straw, and agricultural byproducts, transforming low-value resources into nutritious food and profitable products. In this episode, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Gabriella Soto-Velez sits down with fellow NCAT colleague and mushroom grower Cody Brown to explore the fascinating world of mushroom cultivation.Whether you're curious about growing your first oyster mushroom bucket or considering mushrooms as a farm business, this episode offers practical insights and real-world experience from two growers passionate about sustainable food production.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.Episode Webpage: Episode 392: Growing Mushrooms for Profit and Purpose: A Conversation with Cody Brown – NCAT

Mushrooms are one of the most unique agricultural enterprises available to farmers and entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional crops, mushrooms are fungi that thrive on organic materials such as hardwood pellets, sawdust, straw, and agricultural byproducts, transforming low-value resources into nutritious food and profitable products. In this episode, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Gabriella Soto-Velez sits down with fellow NCAT colleague and mushroom grower Cody Brown to explore the fascinating world of mushroom cultivation.Whether you're curious about growing your first oyster mushroom bucket or considering mushrooms as a farm business, this episode offers practical insights and real-world experience from two growers passionate about sustainable food production.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.Episode Webpage: Episode 392: Growing Mushrooms for Profit and Purpose: A Conversation with Cody Brown – NCAT

Strata manager Luke Derwent joins me to share how an owners corporation ended up in NCAT after a committee member leaked confidential negotiations with a major service provider. We discuss how the committee responded, why they chose NCAT over an internal political fight, and what it really took for Luke (a non-lawyer) to successfully prepare and present the case himself, on behalf of his client.

Strata issues with keys and fobs?

In today's episode you get yourself 3 new songs to explore, that's right 3 for the price of 2.We rehash last episodes picks, the timeless sounds of Karnivool, the suprisingly interesting Yebba and did MEEK hit the streaming stats we predicted?We also introduce 3 new songs.Chris breaks his own mould with fellow NCAT alumni: Dom Dolla - Addicted to Bass get it hereANDKacey Musgraves with Dry Spell get it here (please watch the video)And Cassie joins the Tik Tok cult and brings in Maisie Peters with My Regards get it hereListen wherever you listen to podcastsLike what you hear? Leave us a review, it helps us reach more listeners and find some fresh blood.Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dug-by-us/id1490210326Want to crack a chat and see what we're up to on the gram? Follow us: www.instagram.com/dugbyusWatch and subscribe to Dug By Us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfzGsaFFPRW7jOhs-NA_1Uqh-EpNkA9zQDug By Us is an independent podcast, hosted by Chris Holland and Cassie Walker, produced by Cassie Walker. Dug By Us is made on stolen land. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of ATTRA's Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Audrey Kolde continues her investigation into sustainable and organic farming practices by learning more about the Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources (STAR) project. Audrey speaks with STAR project director, Jake Deutmeyer, to learn how this national, non-profit organization established and expanded the STAR framework for conservation practice, evaluation, implementation, and valuation. Designed and led by producers, the STAR tool utilizes science and experience to target local solutions for local natural resource concerns, and to support farmers and ranchers on their conservation journey – wherever they are. NCAT Resources:Soil Health Indicators and Tests – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureEpisode 382: Organic Certification: One Step at a Time – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureAsk an Ag Expert Connect – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureFind Organic Resource Organic Farming – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureOther Resources:Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture ResourcesThis work is supported by NCAT's Preparing a Resilient Future: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Training for Organic Field Crop and Livestock Producers in the Northern Great Plains.' Project, award no. 2021-70033-35698. from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.

In this episode of ATTRA's Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Audrey Kolde continues her investigation into sustainable and organic farming practices by learning more about the Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources (STAR) project. Audrey speaks with STAR project director, Jake Deutmeyer, to learn how this national, non-profit organization established and expanded the STAR framework for conservation practice, evaluation, implementation, and valuation. Designed and led by producers, the STAR tool utilizes science and experience to target local solutions for local natural resource concerns, and to support farmers and ranchers on their conservation journey – wherever they are. NCAT Resources:Soil Health Indicators and Tests – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureEpisode 382: Organic Certification: One Step at a Time – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureAsk an Ag Expert Connect – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureFind Organic Resource Organic Farming – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureOther Resources:Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture ResourcesThis work is supported by NCAT's Preparing a Resilient Future: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Training for Organic Field Crop and Livestock Producers in the Northern Great Plains.' Project, award no. 2021-70033-35698. from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.

In this episode of ATTRA's Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Tammy Howard speaks with participants from her USDA‑funded project, Bringing the Farm to School. The project is designed to help agricultural producers build the skills and capacity needed to sell their products directly to schools. Alongside this training, NCAT and the National Farm to School Network have also hosted facilitated networking events to connect producers with school food buyers.Tammy talks with her NCAT colleague and Growtopia Farms owner Cody Brown, as well as Matt Hanson from the Central Texas Food Hub, a social enterprise of the Central Texas Food Bank. Both Matt and Cody attended one of these networking events in Central Texas. Their conversation highlights their personal experiences and offers practical advice for developing strong producer-buyer relationships that support successful school food sales.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.NCAT Resources Bringing the Farm to School Through New Connections BlogScaling up for Regional Markets TutorialScaling up your Vegetable Farm for Regional MarketsFarm to School Sales: Profiles of Ranches Making It WorkFood Hubs: A Producer GuideEpisode 358. Abundant Montana “Meet Up” Meets with SuccessOther ResourcesBringing the Farm to School ProjectNational Farm to School NetworkCentral Texas Food BankGrowtopia Farms 

Elder financial abuse is one of the fastest-growing and most hidden forms of exploitation in Australia — and for many families, it's happening right under their noses. In this episode, Jess sits down with Pascale Helyar-Moray who shares how she uncovered that her own mother was losing thousands of dollars every month at the hands of someone she trusted.TW: abuse, financial abuse.If you believe this is happening to someone you care about, please visit the NCAT website: https://ncat.nsw.gov.au/Or contact Elders Abuse: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/referral/report-elder-abusePascale Helyar-Moray OAM is an entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate, passionate about financial security and author of Rich Woman, Poor Woman. Check out her Instagram for more from her: @daretoberichFinancially Fierce is proudly supported by Sphere Home Loans and Skye Wealth.Need a mortgage broker? Check out https://www.spherehomeloans.com.auNeed to review your personal insurances? Head to https://skye.com.auTo organise a clarity call chat with Jess, or to check out either The Evergreen Money Growing Club or The Greenhouse Money Growing Program, click here.To get help click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bougie Babes, we're back!!!! Welcome to SEASON 6! We enjoyed an extra long hiatus since our last season but with all that's going on and all that has gone down in the world, we had to get back on the mic ASAP! We talk life updates, recap our recent homecoming experiences, and give our take on the latest news regarding the Bravo-universe and RHOP's latest alleged criminals.  Grab your cocktail and a  comfortable seat as we get back in the groove.  This season our episodes are being recorded live on YouTube and streamed on IG; so if you can, try to catch us Friday nights.  Cheers to the new! Enjoy!!!~Your Bougie Bartender, KevSend us a text

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Audrey Kolde sits down with colleagues Ann Baier and Andrew Coggins to discuss the initial steps in obtaining organic certification in farming. Before coming to NCAT, Audrey worked as a manager of vegetable production on a certified organic farm, and she brings that experience to this conversation.In addition to her role as an NCAT Agriculture Specialist, Ann is also certified organic inspector. Ann has inspected numerous organic farms, livestock operations, and handling (processing) facilities to ensure compliance with USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) and international organic standards.NCAT Agriculture Specialist Andrew Coggins facilitated ten Organic Academy Roadshow workshops in five states between 2022 and 2024, providing training to farmers and ranchers on organic production practices for both crops and livestock.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.NCAT ResourcesAsk an Ag Expert Connect – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureFind Organic Resource Organic Farming – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureOther ResourcesOrganic Regulations | Agricultural Marketing ServiceOrganic Integrity Database https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/farms-operationsIf you are a producer who wants to get certified by a USDA-accredited certification agency, find the current list of those: https://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/organic-certifying-agentsOrganic Trade Association's study finds that the USDA Organic label is among the most trusted by consumers. https://www.farmprogress.com/organic/organic-stands-out-in-a-growing-sea-of-labelsutm_rid=CPG02000008489713&utm_campaign=97156&utm_medium=email&elq2=9b2f8ae1c10944179ff6cf3d4e18209c&sp_eh=54253693183eb833a6e39ca4dab2768d807401229a0c2ea146804e542447f37c

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Lee Rinehart is joined by Mike Miezianka, co-founder of Toasted Oysters, a 3 1/2-acre aquaculture farm on Great South Bay off of Long Island. Mike and his business partner Ray Smith cultivate authentic Blue Point Oysters which they sell to distributors and restaurants on Long Island and beyond.In this conversation, Lee and Mike discuss the promising future of aquaculture, including regulations on food safety and environmental stewardship which is paving the way for more farms to be established in waters around highly populated areas. There is a steady demand for these products, perhaps due in part to an increasing awareness of the ecological benefits of oysters, such as their ability to filter water an enhance marine habitats. Mike also shares advice for beginning farmers interested in getting started in aquaculture as well as some of the tools he and Mike have utilized to increase efficiency and reduce labor on their farm.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.NCAT ResourcesAquaculture – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureCase Study: Solar Oysters LLC – AgriSolar ClearinghouseArmed to Farm – Sustainable Agriculture Training For Military VeteransOther ResourcesToasted Oysters - Authentic Blue Point OystersOcean Farming: a Conversation with Bren SmithYou can get in touch with NCAT specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Send us a textSJG, Cobi and Josh talk about their games as the HBCU season heats up. Support the show

In the second of our episodes focusing on disabled travel, we look at NCAT's latest report on the overall picture for accessible transport in the UK. It's not a rosy picture. Support #Railnatter at https://patreon.com/garethdennis. Merch at https://merch.railnatter.uk. Join in the discussion at https://discord.railnatter.uk. You can also buy my book #HowTheRailwaysWillFixTheFuture: https://bit.ly/HowTheRailways

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT agriculture specialist Eric Fuchs-Stengel sits with Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson, the couple behind Many Hands Organic Farm and co-authors of the book Many Hands Make A Farm. The farm has been selling to the public since 1985, and specializes in certified organic produce, meat and eggs in Barre, Massachusetts.In this conversation, Jack and Julie share how they started their farm by cultivating a community of volunteers, many of whom have become shareholders and paid staff over the years. They also offer tips on how best to communicate with volunteer workers and discuss the importance of celebrating milestones and sharing meals as way to foster cooperation and productivity on the farm. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.  NCAT ResourcesOrganic Farming – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureOrganic Certification – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureOther ResourcesMany Hands Organic Farm Many Hands Make a Farm BookYou can get in touch with NCAT specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Audrey Kolde dives into irrigation with Dr. Stacia Congers, an associate professor and statewide irrigation specialist and engineer at the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center.  Audrey and Dr. Congers talk about all things water: floods, droughts, as well as interesting research projects that may yield promising advancements in agriculture irrigation. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.NCAT ResourcesThe Texas Irrigator's Pocket Guide – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureTutorial: Sustainable Irrigation, a Beginner's Guide – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureMeasuring and Conserving Irrigation Water – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureSoil Moisture Monitoring: Low-Cost Tools and Methods – ATTRA – Sustainable AgricultureOther ResourcesStacia CongerDrought Irrigation Response Tool (DIRT): A ManualYou can get in touch with NCAT specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Walking into NCAT as a tenant or landlord? It's not court, but it feels like one. From security checks to awkward blue lounge standoffs, we're taking you on a virtual walkthrough of what to expect when a dispute lands you at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Repair shop owners today face a new kind of complexity: how to keep up with rapidly advancing vehicle technology without falling behind in training, tools, or talent.As modern vehicles become “computers on wheels,” the pressure to repair them properly is growing. Systems like ADAS and interconnected sensors demand up-to-date knowledge and precise calibration—raising the stakes for every technician in the bay.Join Matt Di Francesco and Pam Oakes, SME Auto technical app engineering consultant $ business intelligence, as they explore what it takes to stay ahead in a high-tech repair world—and why elevating the industry's image starts with investing in continuous learning.Matt and Pam also talk about:(02:23) The risks body shops face when repair protocols aren't followed(03:05) Why body shops should commit to training(05:24) The worst thing that a technician can ever experience(07:58) Why ASE Certification matters more than a recommendation(14:44) Why we won't see a fully autonomous car in the next 5 years(23:34) Why today's technicians are comparable to rocket scientists(24:12) How younger technicians bring fresh ideas to the shop(25:10) How can independent shops thrive in the future(27:46) An important reminder when searching for training onlineConnect With Pam OakesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamoakesase-eet/Website: https://www.autoINENG.ioEmail: autoINENG@gmail.comConnect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYoutube: @highliftfinancialAbout the guest:Pam Oakes is a Subject Matter Expert Consultant in Automotive App Engineering and Business Intelligence at autoINENG.io, where she helps drive innovation across the automotive industry. With decades of hands-on experience, Pam specializes in ADAS and HVAC systems and serves on the National Science Foundation's NCAT advisory committee as well as the SAE International Task Force.In addition to her consulting work, Pam is a developer designer at Automotive Aids, where she and her team hold two pending patents for OEM sensors and have created a nationally recognized invention that is now available in major retail outlets like Ace Hardware. Pam is passionate about equipping the automotive industry with cutting-edge solutions and sharing her expertise to elevate standards and practices across the field.Disclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategy discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT specialists Lee Rhinehart and Eric Fuchs-Stengel have a lively discussion on the topic of beekeeping. Lee and Eric talk about the best and worst conditions for keeping bees, common mistakes for beginners, bee anatomy, and honey production. Eric also shares his own experiences in raising bees and provides many practical suggestions who to seek guidance from when first starting out and for cultivating healthy hives.  ATTRA Resources:Alternative Pollinators: Native Bees Free Bees, Part One: Finding Them Free Bees, Part Two: Keeping Them Beekeeping Basics: Making SplitsBeekeeping: Overwintering Bees in Warm PlacesEpisode 214. Attracting and Protecting PollinatorsAdditional Resources:Heroes to Hives Hives for HeroesXerces SocietyMaster Beekeeping Program at Cornell UniversityNatural Beekeeping - Ross ConradRaising Resilient Bees: Heritage Techniques to Mitigate Mites, etc. - Eric McEwenDadant Beekeeping SuppliesScientificbeekeeping.comPlease complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field NCAT specialists and colleagues, Maura Henn and Tammy Howard, reflect on their journey helping Montana farmers markets build capacity and sustain success. Maura and Tammy also talk about new resources they have developed including Harvest of the Month at Farmers Market toolkit and a suite of Farmers Market Vendor Success videos. ATTRA Resources:Farmers MarketsFarmers Market Pricing Strategies for VendorsEpisode 377: Developing Farmers Market Cooperatives with Blake LineweaverAdditional Resources:Getting Started at Farmers Market ToolkitMontana Farmers Market NetworkNational Farm to School NetworkFarmers Market CoalitionPlease complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Specialist Gabriella Soto-Velez sits down with Asha Walker, founder and powerhouse behind Health in the Hood, a Miami-based nonprofit tackling food insecurity and health disparities by transforming vacant lots into thriving community gardens.  Gabriella and Asha dive into the origin story of Health in the Hood, unpack how today's food landscape is fueling chronic disease in low-income neighborhoods, and explore Asha's new wellness app, Cured, which helps people take control of their health journey. Asha also shares ways you can get involved—whether it's volunteering in the garden, supporting the mission, or just spreading the word. ATTRA Resources:Community GardeningUrban Gardening Tips with Echo Global FarmsEpisode 311: More Than Food Grows at Community Gardens and Urban FarmsAdditional Resources:Health in the Hood WebsiteContact Gabriella Soto-Velez gabriellas@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Specialist Maura Henn is joined by Blake Lineweaver, Co-op Development Program Manager at Mission West Community Development Partners. Maura and Blake talk about how farmers markets in Montana are using the cooperative business model to build resilience in their local food systems, as well as the steps to forming a cooperative farmers market, as well as the principles that guide all cooperatives. ATTRA Resources:Farmers MarketsAdditional Resources:Everything Co-op PodcastCooperatives at Work BookCooperationWorks! Co-op Development Center Map"We're Team Farm" Co-op Farmers Market MW Case StudyMission West Community Development PartnersContact Maura Henn at maurah@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT's Nina Prater is joined by Tim Hammer, co-owner of Homegrown Native Foods, LLC. Tim is an educator who teaches people about responsible and safe foraging of wild plants and mushrooms in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas. In this conversation, they discuss the many qualities of native plants that make them desirable in the farmscape, the commercial potential of different native plants, how to forage in the wild responsibly, and more.ATTRA Resources: Native Plants Offer More Than Beauty to the FarmscapeSwitchgrass as a Bioenergy CropAlternative Pollinators: Native BeesCompanion Planting & Botanical Pesticides: Concepts & ResourcesOther Resources: Homegrown Native Foods, LLCTim Hammer Contact InfoBringing Nature Home, by Doug TallamyFall Glade Onion informationArkansas Food Innovation CenterThe Beaver InstituteBo Brown, Foraging Author and Nature EducatorPrairie Moon Nursery

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Gabriella Soto-Velez explores the principles and power of Syntropic Agriculture with Roger Gietzen and Mauro Rosito-Weber—two educators and practitioners deeply immersed in this regenerative agroforestry method. Together they discuss how syntropic agriculture differs from traditional agroforestry systems, long term benefits of this model, common challenges, and practical steps and resources for getting started. Related ATTRA Resources:How Syntropic Agriculture Restores Soil and FarmsAgroforestryAdditional Resources:Global Freedom ProjectECHO Global FarmsContact Gabriella Soto-Velez gabriellas@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Nina Prater is joined by Dr. Faye Smith, a soil scientist with a focus on sustainable soil and landscape management. They talk about the importance of soil health, science-backed approaches to soil health, important benchmarks for measuring soil health, and more.ATTRA Resources:Soil Aggregate AssessmentManaging Soil for Water PublicationAdditional Resources:Dr. Faye Smith's WebsiteOlogies, Indigenous Pedology EpisodeThe Art of Soil paintsContact Nina Prater at ninap@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Listeners! It' election day and I cannot be bothered so it's AI shownotes this week. Enjoy! Hosts: Joel Hill & Dave (Cooker Watcher Supreme)(00:00:00) Introduction & WelcomeJoel welcomes listeners and introduces guest host Dave, replacing Jack the Insider.Shoutout: CB Co Beer for election night viewing. Mention of a competition involving a boat trip.Election Calls to Action:Vote 1 Fiona Patton in the Victorian Senate, preference 2 Purple Pingers.(00:01:48) Tinfoil Tales Follow-Up: The Next Pope?Discussion on cooker theories about the next Pope (King Charles?).Lindsey Graham's tweet suggesting Donald Trump for Pope.00:02:38 Dave reads the tweet.Trump's blue suit vs. Obama's tan suit controversy revisited.Brief thoughts on the late Pope's legacy and potential successor.(00:04:37) Dave's Cooker Report: Cessnock & CPACDave attended a meeting with Joel Jammal ("Eyebrows") in Cessnock (his 8th visit).Jammal debriefed the local unnamed "Freedom Group" (often linked to One Nation) on his CPAC trip.Local Candidates Present:Stuart Bonds (One Nation candidate for Hunter).Jennifer Stefanak (Trumpet of Patriots Newcastle) - Flat Earther, aliens are fallen angels, won NCAT case after dismissal from child services. Not allowed to speak despite attending.Mysterious Host: Christine Stevens, credited by Jammal as "brains behind the Wollongbae Road campaign" (a local road widening project used by cookers).Stevens now campaign manager for Stuart Bonds (referred to as "boss"). Possible links to broader far-right organising.Joel Jammal's Gifts: Rolled-up maps for Cessnock's 6 cooker councillors showing ALP vs. Voice 'No' vote intersections. Maps available for purchase from Jammal.Jammal's CPAC Trip: Won the trip via the "Shark Bites Pitching Contest" at CPAC Australia (Sky paywall).Winners expected to produce content upon return.Included a communication seminar with Steve Bannon.Stuart Bonds' Candidacy (Hunter):Odds discussed ($10 on Sportsbet).Labor's Dan Repacholi favoured ($1.15).Bonds' history: 21% primary in 2019, left One Nation, rejoined. Consistent far-right vote in the region.Bonds' desire to "start a conversation about coal mining" (already ongoing).Discussion on Labor's telehealth plan and cooker opposition.(00:24:07) Trumpism & Dutton's CampaignDiscussion on the "blueprint for Trump 28".Chris LaCivita (Trump advisor) reportedly helped Peter Dutton's campaign. Joel questions the effectiveness given global trends.Mainstream media's difficulty rallying behind Dutton.(00:25:52) Cooker Report Part 2: Gosford & MyPlaceDave attended the Lisa Bellamy independent campaign launch in Gosford.Follow-on from "Coasties Who Care" (MyPlace environmentalist council ticket).Shadowy Figure: Kate Mason (anti-renewable circuit, IPA/Advance events). Launched Bellamy's campaign.Campaign barely mentions climate change, focuses on opposing Aboriginal Land Council developments.Key Figures on Stage:Jake Cassar (musician, prepper).Lisa Bellamy (MyPlace coordinator, seen at Convoy with Kate Mason).Vicki Burke (MyPlace food/water security organiser, believes in aliens/other planets).Group suggests increased One Nation vote would benefit them. Bellamy received ~3000 votes previously.Kate Mason's Agenda: Reshaping the environment movement to focus on conspiracies (15-min cities, anti-meat).Shapeshifted from anti-vax (IMOP) -> Voice 'No' -> Anti-artificial food/Bellamy campaign.Significant Telegram following despite "gobbledygook" posts.Rally vs. Darkinjung Land Council/Woolworths Development: Focus remains on Land Council projects. Racist undertones ("love the land as much as we do").Links to Garingai (now potentially split/rebranded). NRL Welcome to Country discussed.Jake Cassar Deep Dive: Constant self-promotion, minimal concrete environmental vision beyond opposing the Land Council. Attacks Labor/Greens. Right-wing presence at events. Ballarat missing person search (found dog with SES). Yowie encounter at Woy Woy tip. Lack of accountability in Facebook environmental groups (anti-immigration/Aboriginal rhetoric).(00:40:33) Monica Smit's Private Prosecution of Dan AndrewsMonica plans a private criminal prosecution against Dan Andrews (and Jacinta Allan).Website Quote: "The wait is over righteous justice begins now" - Monica Smit.Topher Field involved as cheerleader/promoter.Basis: "New evidence" (Document 34 FOI email) allegedly showing curfew decision made before consulting CHO Brett Sutton. Implication: tyranny, not health advice.Joel suggests it was likely capitulation to police enforcement ease.Fundraising: Claimed $124,605 raised (via manually updated widget). Monica paid herself $1000/week stipend already.Monica's Justification ("Why me?"): Stood toe-to-toe and won, relentless energy, prison time (refused bail), won appeal, resisted database handover, won unlawful arrest case (appealing costs decision), claims past refund integrity, lives simply, no distractions (children/friends).Bender (@SpambotX) Twitter Thread: Brutal takedown of Monica as a "despicable con woman".Highlights Consumer Affairs conviction ($66k pocketed from unregistered fundraiser).Accuses Topher Field of seeking a cut.Details legal failures, self-orchestrated "martyrdom", $250k legal bill after rejecting settlement.Criticises "journalism" and book ("Cell 22").Predicts prosecution failure and abandonment once donations dry up.Bender's Legal Analysis (Round 2):Private prosecution (Crimes Act s 321) needs prima facie case, not conspiracy.Document 34 likely inadmissible hearsay.Misconduct charge needs proof of knowing, malicious law-breaking (R v Quach).Lockdowns upheld (Loielo v Giles), backed by Public Health Act & CHO advice.DPP can shut down frivolous cases (Public Prosecutions Act s 22).Previous treason case tossed out.Criticises fundraising transparency (Fundraising Act 1998), $52k/year salary.Highlights past legal issues (incitement charges dropped, health order conviction, Judge Tran's comments).Past Precedent: 2021 private prosecution for treason (Anthony Herman) recalled - chaotic online hearing.Monica's Timeline & Updates:Initial plan: Assemble legal team by April 24, first meeting April 30.Reality (May 1): No team announced. Video claims it will take "a few weeks" to pick lawyers.Met with a lawyer ($500/hr, 2 hours booked).Posted picture near a waterfall instead of legal updates ("reset and reload").Now targeting Jacinta Allan as well.Promises refund of remaining balance if no prospect of success.Discussion on cooker lawyers (Matouk, Buckley). Monica's motivation seen as attention/clout chasing.(01:17:54) Return to The Cali (Caledonian Hotel, Singleton)Dave attended Pauline Hanson & Stuart Bonds event ($20 lunch that never happened).Low turnout (~45 people in beer garden). Regulars, pensioners, Chris Sky filming, James Ashby present.Stuart Bonds Guardian article discussed (misogyny, anti-vax, "Little Hitlers"). Worn as badge of honour.Homeschooling attempt due to "woke trans agenda".Red Ensign described as "real flag".Unregistered campaign trailer incident.Pauline Hanson: Speech built to "greatest hits" (Aboriginal industry). Mumbles less the longer she speaks.Cali Update: Corruption Whistleblower book sold at bar (credit card accepted). Eureka beer on tap (FJB beer rebranded/gone?). Frenchies brewery connection? Pub seems to be returning to normal operations, but Red Ensign still flies. Food looks good, beer selection poor (Lion Nathan). No coal miners attended the event despite Bonds' background.(01:36:30) Candidates Forum: Patterson (Port Stephens)Dave attended forum; ABC filming due to anti-wind turbine mob presence.Low turnout of protesters (~5 loud individuals). Meryl Swanson (Labor incumbent) well-prepared.Marginal seat: Libs (Lawrence Ancliffe), aligned Independent, One Nation, Trumpet, Family First running against Swanson.History of intimidation (boat incident during Mayoral campaign).Betting odds discussed (Labor $1.66, Coalition $2.37). YouGov poll (Labor 51.8%).Irony: Libs proposed nuclear plant at Port Stephens in 2007.Bizarre Moments:Trumpet candidate Peter Arena: Wind turbines interfere with missile detection; mentioned fighting audience member over wife littering.(01:42:37) Billy Bay vs GAP Feud UpdateDr. William Bay told people not to vote for GAP (Great Australian Party) despite running for them.Rod Culleton's response.Billy Bay's letter to Culleton: Mock SovCit style ("Office of Vexatious Litigants and Spiritual Audits"), demands apology, foot kissing, $8 trillion. Full of threats (librarian grievance, livestream in lab coat, seizing karma balance). Written on GAP letterhead.Feud background (payment disputes) covered previously by Tinfoil Tales.(01:46:51) Amelia Hamer (Liberal, Kooyong) vs The PeopleRecap: Fake renter scandal (owns 2 properties + trust fund beneficiary).A-Frame sign spamming controversy vs Monique Ryan (Teal MP).Council imposed one-sign limit due to safety/obstruction complaints.Liberals took council to Supreme Court over implied freedom of political communication.Court upheld freedom but allowed council safety enforcement (opaque outcome).Likely outcome: confrontations over sign placement. James Patterson claiming victory. Joel predicts local backlash.(01:51:08) Election Odds & PredictionsSportsbet: Labor $1.05, Coalition $9.50.YouGov: Labor 53 / Coalition 47 (2PP). Projecting 84 seats for Labor (75 needed for majority).Dickson (Dutton's seat): YouGov 50.2% LNP / 49.8% ALP. Sportsbet has Dutton favourite ($1.28 vs $3.35).Joel laments betting ban but expresses optimism for Labor win, potential Dutton loss.(01:53:29) Wrap Up & OutroJoel thanks Dave for his "invaluable" and "brave" cooker reporting.Standard Patreon plugs etc. skipped.Sign off & enjoy the election.

In this episode of ATTRA's Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, Eddy Labus, is joined by Joe Boccardy, better known as Joe Ginseng. Joe has a small farm nestled in the mountains of Northwest North Carolina where he cares for a small herd of Scottish Highland cattle, pigs, and chickens. Joe farms the forests on his farm, raising several different types of threatened or endangered species like Ginseng and Golden Seal. In this episode, Eddy and Joe talk about growing plants in Appalachian forests, preservation methods, and value-added marketing ideas. Related ATTRA Resources:Quick Tips for AgroforestryOther Resources:Appalachia's ginseng goldmine may not last much longerAppalachian Harvest Herb Hub™United Plant SaversForest Farming: An Agroforestry PracticeCultivating Native Woodland BotanicalsAppalachian Forest Farmer CoalitionPlease complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Gabriella Soto-Velez goes in-depth into the world of mushroom production and market diversification in a conversation with Russell Hollander from Care2Grow, a vertical mushroom farm located in Naples, Florida.They talk about how to start producing mushrooms on any scale, the uses of spent mushroom blocks, the health benefits of edible and medicinal mushrooms, and Russell's marketing journey. Related ATTRA Resources:Container Production of Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms with Care2Grow FarmEstablishing a Wine Cap Mushroom BedOther Resources:Care2GrowContact Gabriella Soto-Velez gabriellas@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In today's episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Specialist Audrey Kolde interviews Cynthia Flores the founder of Labor-Movement, an organization that believes when you move well, you work well. Audrey and Cynthia discuss the inspiration for creating Labor Movement and the importance of proper movement for those whose livelihoods depend on their bodies, especially farmers, fishers, foresters, and industrial athletes.ATTRA RESOURCES: Equipment – ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture Farm Stress and Emotional Well-Being, Part I – ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture  OTHER RESOURCES:Labor-Movement WebsiteFarmer Well-Being – ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture Contact Audrey Kolde at audreyk@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Gulf States Regional Coordinator Felicia Bell sits down with “The Principal Farmer,” Patrick Muhammad, of Atlanta, Georgia. Patrick is the principal of the Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, where students from kindergarten through eighth grade learn about the world through the lens of agriculture, nature, and the arts. He also has a farm and enjoys helping adults learn to love the land and return to their farming roots.Related ATTRA Resources: Farmland Access Beginning Farmer Tutorials https://attra.ncat.org/publication/farmland-access/  https://attra.ncat.org/tutorial-beginning-farmer-training/   Other Related Resources: Chattahoochee Hills Charter School The Principal Farmer Contact Gabriella Soto-Velez at gabriellas@ncat.org. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.  You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG. 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transition from a successful corporate career to owning a thriving business in the signage industry? Join us in this episode as we sit down with Darren Vanderhall, a dynamic entrepreneur and proud Aggie from North Carolina A&T, whose journey from Coca-Cola and Lowe's Home Improvement to Sinorama franchise ownership is both inspiring and instructive. Discover how a fraternity retreat sparked a transformative shift in Darren's career path, leading him to embrace the franchise model's structured support and proven strategies for success. Listen closely as Darren unfolds his story of leveraging corporate project management experience to build a legacy in entrepreneurship, fueled by community connections and familial guidance.The episode also uncovers the fascinating dynamics of leadership within the franchising world, particularly through the lens of Darren's experiences as a Sinorama franchise owner. We explore the intricate role of a regional manager and the importance of nurturing relationships within franchise networks. Darren shares valuable insights into building a versatile team by integrating diverse talents, including recent graduates and family members, to tackle real-world business challenges. His story is a testament to the power of practical problem-solving and resilience, offering a refreshing perspective for those drawn to the allure of entrepreneurship.Lastly, we delve into the profound themes of legacy and entrepreneurial learning. Darren opens up about guiding the next generation, including his son, towards business ownership as a means to bridge economic gaps. He reflects on the significant role of reading in personal and professional growth, drawing wisdom from "The 48 Laws of Power" and balancing it with biblical principles. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on supporting entrepreneurial appetites, fostering community engagement, and the importance of reputation in business. Don't miss out on the insights shared by Darren Vanderhall and the enriching discussions on nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial spirit.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

Well Hello, Hello Bougie Bunch!  This week marks a special milestone for our host Miss Erica, so in true fashion we will all be partying it up and celebrating. In preparation for the B'day shenannigans, we weren't able to get in a full episode proper this week;  however, we couldn't leave you with nothin'!  We've provided you with a little Quickie drop to hold you over till the next.  And the topics for this one are all over the place; its whatever our goddess Erica wanted to talk about.  Pop some champagne for our girl and do a little 2-step as you listen to this one!  Your Bougie Bartender~Kev

Greetings Bougie Babez!  On today's episode, we're giving you another installment of our Bougie Advice Column.  We have some particularly ratchet scenarios that we're discussing today, and of course the convo gets derailed at a few points with endless chuckles and random rabbit holes.  It's always great to start off a new year with some huge laughs though.  Grab a huge cocktail to match, and enjoy!Your Bougie Bartender~Kev

Episode 367: The Farming Systems of Puerto Rico This episode of Voices from the Field explores the ancient Taino Conuco farming systems of Puerto Rico in a conversation between NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Gabriella Soto-Velez and researcher Joseph Navarro. They discuss how these sustainable practices supported self-sufficiency during pre-colonial times, their evolution through colonial and industrial transitions, and their potential to transform Puerto Rico's future and address modern challenges like soil erosion, food insecurity, and climate resilience. Related Resources: Can Indigenous Agricultural Methods of Puerto Rico Mitigate Climate Change and Feed the Island?  Jungle: How Tropical Forests Shaped World History – and Us  Precision Ecology Contact Gabriella Soto-Velez a at gabriellas@ncat.org and lee@ncat.org. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast. You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG. 

Greetings Bougie Posse!  On the heals up new years celebrations (Happy New Years to our listeners btw) we're discussing the latest trending topic involving a young pregnant teenager who was recently compelled to apologize to her church congregation for becoming pregnant.  The crew discusses our thoughts on the situation, and the blowback/aftermath that has occured to the pastor of this church for his words after the teenager shared.  The whole thing is going viral because many church services live stream.  Is teen pregnancy still a relevant issue in 2025? What is the young girl's mother's role in this and does she have a responsibility or take ownership of what happened?   Is what this church/pastor did appropriate or are there other ways of handling the situation?  Grab your communion juice and crackers, and get ready to enjoy this super-sized episode.Your Bougie Bartender~Kev

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Ag Specialists Nina Prater and Lee Rinehart are joined by recently retired Ag Specialist Guy Ames to celebrate his life and work. Guy is deeply knowledgeable about his area of expertise, fruit trees, and is also a font of wisdom about how to live the good life. This conversation includes how Guy found his way to farming in the Ozarks, the many failures that guided him toward success, and like most conversations with Guy, contains many wonderful, circuitous meanderings. He also shares about what it was like in the early days of ATTRA in the distant pre-internet past. We will all miss Guy here at NCAT and are so grateful he joined us in this episode to keep the "cultural cycle," as Wendell Berry puts it, turning. ATTRA Resources:Soils and Sites for Organic Orchards and VineyardsTree Fruits: Organic Production OverviewBattling Borers in Organic Apple ProductionBlueberries: Organic ProductionFruit Trees, Bushes, and Vines for Natural Growing in the OzarksHeirloom ApplesOther Resources:It All Turns on AffectionThe Good LifeDivine Right's TripAmes Orchard and NurseryThe WheelBraiding SweetgrassContact Nina Prater and Lee Rinehart at ninap@ncat.org and lee@ncat.orgPlease complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Seasons Greetings Bougie Babes and Bros!  For this week's special holiday episode, we're talking all things Christmas, as we all get ready,  We're all about making new holiday traditions so we also discuss hypothetical fantasy holiday setups with the guests of our choice.  It gets wild and crazy on this one.  Grab your hot cocoa and a shot of your choice alcohol as you wrap gifts and bust a gut on this one.~Your Bougie BartenderKev

Whats Up Bougie Babes and Gents?!?  This week we're talkin' bout the law!  All things sensationalized in the media regarding the justice system that is; whether it be our president elect's recent cabinet picks, or the recent pop culture fascination with Gypsy Rose and the Menendez Brothers.  We also give more input on whole Diddy situation, and even refer to some the most sensationalized court cases we remember from our childhood, like OJ Simpson.  Is there priviledge with a certain sector of folk when it comes to getting justice?  Why is there such a lengthy process to litigation in our court system?  And why do some bounce back from jail stints (i.e. Martha Stewart) while others struggle to make it?  Grab your drink of choice and some popcorn and be amused by our thoughts this week, its all in fun!Your Bougie Bartender~Kev

We back at it again Bougie Babes!  Continuing where we left off last week, the Bougie Crew talk whether or not men get in relationships for love, legacy, or potential.  We also talk abstinence, the alienation of being single, and differences in the dating pools of men and women.  Last week's buzzword is sprinkled throughout the episode, so you know its full of a lot of laughs.  Enjoy!Your Bougie Bartender~Kev

What's Up Bougie Babez?!?!? Miss E introduces a theory that she believes men are more likely to abandon or retreat from loving relationships because of vasopressin. What do you think of this hypothesis?  The Bougie Crew break down the hormones' that play into expressions within romantic relationships like vasopressin, and oxytocin.  Also brought into the discussion are public displays of affection on the innanet!  When is it appropriate to post someone when dating?  Is there a difference between being a private person or hiding your relationship status for more play?  Of course we go down a few rabbit holes, and this week's buzz word ("mental illness") starts to echo throughout the conversation.  Grab your drink and snacks, and prepare for the fun, cuz we're all in on this one! Your Bougie Bartender~Kev

Alright Bougie Babes and Bros!  We made it through another presidential election.  This one has probably been the most important and perhaps will rival for the most historical election of our lifetimes; and though it has been a heavy week, we get on the mic to give our thoughts on the results, our mindset moving forward, and hopefully provide some levity and encouragement along the way.  This week's convo (which was recorded on the night following election day) is just about as candid and real as it can get.  Enjoy~Your Bougie Bartender,~Kev

Seasons Greetings Bougie Babes and Bros!  Now we know you reading the title sayin' "Side pieces again?!?"   We know, we know!   It's that time of year again.... Cuffing Season is upon us. With all the consecutive holidays in the forefront, we discussed the politics of potluck culture; are potlucks still a thing?  Should they be?  What is your modus operandi for navigating company potlucks during this time of year?  And from discussing different types of dishes at potlucks, we diverge into a conversation about sides & situations.  What do you do when someone's sidepiece is brought to a holiday or family function?  We get into it all on this week's episode.  Grab you a couple of sides and some chicken while you're at it.  Its gonna be a gut-buster!~Your Bougie Bartender      Kev 

What's Good Bougie Babes and Bougie Bro's!  Thank you for your patience, and sorry to keep you waiting!  So we know we're late with this one but we had a lot going on last week with our latest homecoming celebration!  Before those festivities though, we got together to discuss the anticipation of celebrations as an adult.  As a child, Christmas was like the penultimate of holidays, and we would prepare and dream about it all year leading up to it; so this episode's discussion focuses on what things give us that same excitement and anticipation as adults.  Of course we have to talk about GHOE (Greatest Homecoming On Earth, and also the reason no episode was published last week). For the grown and sexy, what do you anticipate all year leading up to?  What things get you so excited you can hardly sleep.  Hope you enjoy this one!~Your Bougie Bartender  Kev

Bougie Babeez!  It has indeed been a week to say the least.  One thing that none of us could miss was the back-and-forth blasting that has been going on between popular rap star Cardi B, and her estranged and soon-to-be divorced husband, Offset (from rap group Migos).  We all know Cardi from Love & Hip Hop fame, which she only appeared on for a few seasons and quickly used the notoriety to glow up her music career; but it seems like with the posts she and Offset have made, she is back to reality show antics.  We break down our thoughts on the public exchange on the innanets, and talk about some of our own former situationships that ended because of infidelity.  When a relationship goes south, do you tend to want to vent to the internet, or do you respect the person and keep your gripes to yourself?  Stay tuned, sit back and follow us down this road; it is truly intriguing.Your Bougie Bartender~Kev