Podcasts about north star

Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by David Nassief, author and creator of the One Page Wealth Compass. After spending 40 years in corporate America, David faced a life-altering moment at 63 when he was unexpectedly fired. With a cardboard box in hand and uncertainty ahead, he transformed his financial situation from impending bankruptcy to a seven-figure portfolio in just six years. David shares his powerful journey of resilience, revealing how he developed the One Page Wealth Compass to assist others facing financial stress.David discusses the importance of mindset shifts during his transition, emphasizing how separating his identity from his corporate job allowed him to rediscover his true self and purpose. He explains the concept of automated stewardship and how his simple yet effective wealth-building strategies can lead to financial freedom without the complexities often associated with investing.Listeners will learn about the nine trail markers and five North Star principles that form the backbone of the One Page Wealth Compass, providing actionable steps for anyone looking to improve their financial health. David also shares insights from his best-selling book, which is designed to be engaging and accessible, filled with true stories and practical advice.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The pivotal moments that led to David's transformation- How to separate your identity from your career- The fundamentals of the One Page Wealth Compass- Strategies for building wealth with minimal risk- Insights from David's best-selling book and how it can help youFor more information on David Nassief and to download your free One Page Wealth Compass, visit onepagewealthcompass.com/free Don't miss this opportunity to take control of your financial future!Support the show

I sat down with entrepreneur and business coach John Glon for a conversation about something I've experienced personally—and something I see happen to so many founders: the moment when hard work, grit, and determination that once built the business start becoming the very things that hold it back. John shared his journey from running a successful electrical manufacturing business to realizing that his deeper calling was helping leaders and their teams communicate, execute, and lead better. We explored what happens when founders become the person everyone depends on, why "I'll just do it myself" becomes such a dangerous habit, and how growth can eventually demand an entirely different skill set than the one that created the business in the first place. I also shared a deeply personal story about a painful decision I made with a business partner, the consequences of stepping too far away from my own company, and the years of costly mistakes that eventually helped me develop a better way forward. At the heart of this conversation is a simple question: What if the solution to your business problems isn't working harder, but learning how to lead differently? John and I unpack structure, vulnerability, curiosity, presence, accountability, and the importance of creating a business where everyone understands their role, knows the North Star, and has the freedom to do their best work. If you're a founder or leader who has built something successful but feels like the business is demanding more and more of you, this conversation may help you see your situation—and your next move—in a completely different way. Highlights (01:32) – John explains the philosophy that guides how he shows up: love, care, and compassion, and how his entrepreneurial journey led him toward helping other leaders. (02:52) – Why John walked away from a seemingly reliable and profitable business path after realizing that success wasn't filling his cup or allowing him to help enough people. (05:32) – We explore the idea of turning years of costly mistakes into a shortcut for other entrepreneurs, so they don't have to spend years learning the same lessons the hard way. (05:59) – I share a powerful storytelling lesson: how saying "I worked so hard to figure this out, and now I have the shortcut for you" can transform painful experiences into authority. (08:23) – John reveals the three things he believes make his coaching different: structure, vulnerability and curiosity, and being fully present with the people he serves. (10:34) – Why vulnerability can unlock a completely different level of trust inside an organization—and why admitting that you don't have all the answers can actually make you a stronger leader. (13:05) – The warning signs that a founder may be operating out of alignment: the business is growing too quickly, the wheels are falling off, or the owner desperately wants more time away from the business. (15:04) – We uncover a major trap for high achievers: you can't outwork every problem in your business—and you definitely can't outwork problems in your family. (17:29) – Why entrepreneurs often need someone outside themselves to help break habits, patterns, and "scar tissue" that keep them stuck in the same leadership cycle. (18:14) – John describes what becomes possible on the other side: genuine smiles, more engaged employees, higher-level work, more personal freedom, and a team that is finally rowing in the same direction. (20:02) – John tells the story of a painful decision to exit a business partnership—and how acting from shame and frustration created consequences that went far beyond the original conflict. (22:52) – A powerful lesson about the danger of using an "easy button" in business: stepping too far away can cause you to lose touch with the heart and soul of the culture you created. (24:36) – John discovers that his results-driven approach was alienating employees who had been drawn to the company because of its heart-centered culture. (26:18) – An emotional conversation with a key employee forces John to confront a difficult realization: he was no longer operating in alignment with his own values. (28:59) – John looks back on a period when his business finally felt joyful—employees were laughing, money was flowing, the team was connected, and he was able to create balance outside of work. (31:25) – I tell the story behind my own transformation, beginning with the question that stopped me in my tracks: "Why do we need to babysit you?" (34:00) – I reveal the process I developed through years of painful mistakes: creating structure, vulnerability, curiosity, and presence so leaders can bring their businesses and lives back into alignment. (35:53) – John reacts to hearing his story reflected back to him—and explains why experiencing a story can sometimes create more transformation than simply intellectualizing a problem. (37:53) – John shares why storytelling has become such a powerful leadership tool for him, and why the best speakers don't always need slides or complicated frameworks to make an impact. (38:59) – John shares his closing thoughts and where you can connect with him and learn more about his work.

The biggest emotional moment of the show centered on the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton at age 80, with the crew sharing personal memories and celebrating her impact on music, philanthropy, and culture. The conversation was amplified by tributes from stars including Beyoncé, who called Parton “the North Star” and praised her influence on generations of artists following their collaboration on Cowboy Carter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rickey Smiley Morning Show tackled a mix of major headlines, celebrity news, and cultural conversations, starting with the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily pause immigrant visa appointments worldwide while consular officers undergo additional training tied to screening applicants for possible reliance on public benefits. The show also highlighted actor and singer Tyrese Gibson’s arrival in Uganda, where he is helping launch the country’s “Explore Uganda Coffee Tourism” campaign, a nationwide effort designed to showcase Uganda’s coffee industry, cultural heritage, and tourism attractions through visits to the Source of the Nile, coffee farms, and the Africa Coffee Park. Recent reports note that Uganda is using high-profile international figures like Tyrese to boost global awareness of its coffee sector and tourism potential. The biggest emotional moment of the show centered on the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton at age 80, with the crew sharing personal memories and celebrating her impact on music, philanthropy, and culture. The conversation was amplified by tributes from stars including Beyoncé, who called Parton “the North Star” and praised her influence on generations of artists following their collaboration on Cowboy Carter. The show also explored Tyrese’s claim that his hit “How You Gonna Act Like That” was inspired by Kim Kardashian’s first marriage, while a lively debate broke out after 50 Cent declared that hip-hop is a “young man’s game,” prompting pushback from Rick Ross and others who argued that artists should continue creating as long as they remain connected to the culture and their fans. Along with Wellness Wednesday advice from Dr. MJ Collier, the morning was filled with heartfelt tributes, celebrity tea, and thought-provoking discussion about legacy, longevity, and cultural impact. Website: https://www.urban1podcasts.com/rickey-smiley-morning-show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm breaking down the biggest ways I think we sabotage our own healing, relationships, and lives. This conversation came from a post that resonated with millions of people and grew into a series because these patterns are so common - and so easy to mistake for growth. I talk about why insight isn't the same as change, why breakups aren't something we simply “get over,” why divorce doesn't automatically mean failure, and why chasing happiness can keep us disconnected from a life that actually feels meaningful. I talk about: Why knowing my attachment style doesn't automatically change my behavior. How self-awareness can become another place to hide. Why healing eventually becomes about execution, not explanation. Why I don't believe we truly get over people we deeply loved. How grief includes losing the future I imagined with someone. Why divorce doesn't erase a real or meaningful marriage. How staying because of fear is different from staying because of love. Why happiness was never meant to be my permanent destination. What I've started choosing instead of making happiness my North Star. If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Join our champion program: mark@themomentumcompany.comAttend a Thriving Leader event: https://thriving-leader-2026.lovable.app/Instagram: @the.momentum.companyLinkedIn: /momentum-companyIn this episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, Mark sits down with Robert Hunter, an executive leader, strategist, and fifth-generation Canadian farmer who has spent more than 20 years helping organizations navigate change, build partnerships, and create opportunities for growth.Robert has built his career at the intersection of agriculture, food systems, sustainability, innovation, trade, and public policy. Having lived and worked across Canada, Europe, Asia, and the United States, he brings a unique global perspective on what it takes to lead through complexity and change. His career has included senior leadership roles with organizations including CropLife International and Protein Industries Canada, and he currently advises organizations on strategy, governance, and industry transformation.Robert's definition of intentionality centers around a deceptively simple idea:Be present in the “is.”Leaders are trained to solve problems, make judgments, and drive toward outcomes. But in our rush to find the answer, we can miss what's actually happening in front of us.Robert challenges leaders to slow down long enough to understand the current reality—the people, environment, emotions, and circumstances—before jumping to conclusions or solutions.One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes from Robert's work on the Board of Directors of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, an organization supporting mental health in agriculture.When a fellow board member shared the devastating impact of a farmer's suicide in her community, Robert's instinct was to immediately find a solution.What resources could they provide?What could they do differently?How could they prevent it from happening again?But he recognized that wasn't what the moment needed.It needed someone willing to listen, acknowledge the pain, and simply be present.Sometimes leadership isn't about fixing the situation. It's about holding space for the people experiencing it.The conversation also explores Robert's journey from his family's farm in Canada to working across the global agricultural value chain.After beginning his career as a fifth-generation farmer, Robert moved into roles that exposed him to consumer demand, international markets, trade, regulation, policy, and innovation.That experience shaped how he views agriculture today:Innovation, commercialization, and policy have to work together.Progress doesn't happen when each operates in isolation.Another major theme throughout the episode is trust.After working across multiple countries and cultures, Robert believes trust is one of the most important foundations for building an environment where people can thrive.And trust starts with listening.Before entering a new organization, team, or culture and immediately deciding what needs to change, leaders need to understand the dynamics already at work.Robert shares a memorable observation from his international experience:Europeans are polite. Americans are nice. Canadians are kind.While intentionally simplified, his point is that communication, agreement, disagreement, and trust can look very different depending on the culture you're operating within.Great leaders learn to recognize those differences while remaining consistent in who they are and how they communicate.The conversation then turns to one of the biggest challenges facing leaders today:Distraction.News.Social media.AI.Politics.Technology.Constant information.There will always be something competing for our attention.Robert's perspective isn't that leaders should try to eliminate distraction entirely.Instead, they need to accept the environment they're operating in and learn how to lead effectively within it.The challenge for the next generation of leaders will be learning how to move organizations forward without constantly becoming reactive to whatever happens next.That requires something deeper:Knowing who you are.Robert shares that throughout his international career, he sometimes imagined moving to another country would allow him to become a different type of leader.Eventually, he realized something.He was still the same person.The real work wasn't becoming someone else.It was understanding who he was and learning how to become the best version of that person.The episode closes by looking toward agriculture's future.Robert challenges the industry to think bigger about its North Star.Food security will always matter—but what other global challenges could agriculture help solve?As AI reshapes employment and economies around the world, could agriculture play a larger role in creating meaningful livelihoods?Could agriculture help reconnect people to food, family, and community?Could the industry become part of the solution to challenges we haven't even identified yet?Robert's global experience has shown him that food remains deeply connected to culture in many parts of the world.Perhaps one of agriculture's greatest opportunities isn't simply producing enough food.It's helping people reconnect with why food matters in the first place.Listen if you are:Leading through uncertainty or organizational changeWorking across different teams, cultures, or countriesTrying to become a better listener and communicatorFeeling overwhelmed by constant distraction and informationInterested in the intersection of agriculture, policy, innovation, and tradeThinking about agriculture's role in solving future global challengesCommitted to becoming a more intentional leaderIntentional leadership starts with being present enough to see reality as it is—not simply as you expected it to be. Listen first, understand the moment, know who you are, and then lead forward.

Meet the husband and wife duo that used an old favorite to come up with a soon to be new, favorite, summer treat! On The Sawkar Salute!

Meet the husband and wife duo that used an old favorite to come up with a soon to be new, favorite, summer treat! On The Sawkar Salute!

  // GUEST // Website: https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/brand/chaotic-tarzan-fitness // SPONSORS // Blockware Solutions: https://mining.blockwaresolutions.com/breedlove Mind Lab Pro: https://mindlabpro.com/products/mind-lab-pro/breedlove // PRODUCTS I ENDORSE // Protect your mobile phone from SIM swap attacks: https://www.efani.com/breedlove Lineage Provisions (use discount code BREEDLOVE): https://lineageprovisions.com/?ref=breedlove_22 Colorado Craft Beef (use discount code BREEDLOVE): https://coloradocraftbeef.com/ Salt of the Earth Electrolytes: http://drinksote.com/breedlove Jawzrsize (code RobertBreedlove for 20% off): https://jawzrsize.com // UNLOCK THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD'S BEST NON-FICTION BOOKS //https://course.breedlove.io/ // SUBSCRIBE TO THE CLIPS CHANNEL //https://www.youtube.com/@robertbreedloveclips2996/videos // JOIN THE COMMUNITY // Telegram: https://t.me/TheWiMCommunity // TIMESTAMPS // 0:00 – WiM Episode Trailer 1:39 – Podcast Begins 7:00 – Grounded Presence: The Most Attractive Trait a Man Can Have 14:00 – Porn Brain, Nervous System, and Why Most Men Aren't There With Her 20:00 – Rejection as Information: How Failure Builds Real Men 26:34 – Mine Bitcoin with Blockware Solutions 27:40 – Boldness: Doing What You Feel Compelled to Do Without Hesitation 36:00 – Self-Amusement: The Secret Behind Natural Charisma 44:00 – Anti-Bragging, Radical Truth, and Why the Highlight Reel Fails 55:08 – Mind Lab Pro 56:15 – Cheap Dopamine Is the Devil: Masturbation, Drugs, and Free Will 1:08:00 – Follow Your Excitement as the North Star of a Lived Life 1:23:41 – Protect Yourself From SIM Swaps 1:24:47 – Unlock the Wisdom of the Best Non-Fiction Books // PODCAST // Podcast Website: https://whatismoneypodcast.com/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-what-is-money-show/id1541404400 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25LPvm8EewBGyfQQ1abIsE RSS Feed: https://feeds.simplecast.com/MLdpYXYI // SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL // Bitcoin: 3D1gfxKZKMtfWaD1bkwiR6JsDzu6e9bZQ7 Sats via Strike: https://strike.me/breedlove22 Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/RBreedlove Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/Robert-Breedlove-2 // SOCIAL // Breedlove X: https://x.com/Breedlove22 WiM? X: https://x.com/WhatisMoneyShow Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breedlove22/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breedlove_22/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breedlove22 Substack: https://breedlove22.substack.com/ All My Current Work: https://linktr.ee/robertbreedlove

I've talked a lot about burnout, but so has everyone else in this space. I'm starting to think we've been diagnosing the wrong thing, because the women I work with aren't always JUST exhausted. They have capacity, however they seem to be lacking the desire they once had. They're functioning, often even performing well, but they feel flat… uninspired && disconnected from the drive that used to make them insatiable.That's not simply burnout, that's disconnection. In this episode I'm breaking down the difference, why it matters, && what I've been doing to actually reclaim the aliveness I thought I'd lost.TOPICS WE EXPLOREWhy burnout && disconnection are not the same thingThe difference between anxious-overwhelm && depressive-flatWhy resting your way through disconnection makes it worseCuriosity as a North Star instead of certaintyHow to find aliveness in micro momentsThe body-brain connection && why transition routines aren't optionalWhy I stopped trying to minimize my ambition && what changedLanguage as identity: "I'm overwhelmed" vs "I'm feeling overwhelmed"What reconnection actually looks like in practiceTHE POINTYou can recover from burnout && still feel completely, utterly disconnected from your life. If resting isn't working, maybe what you need is to reconnect.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEMIXTAPE waitlist (opens September 21st)Work with AshAre you loving it? Send Ash a text! MORE ABOUT ASHI'm Ash McDonald — the Entrepreneur's Therapist. Trained therapist, seasoned entrepreneur, mom of 3, && the person you call when your business coach doesn't get your brain && your therapist doesn't get your business.I built the thing I couldn't find anywhere else: whole-picture support that holds your strategy && your humanity in the same conversation at the same time. LINKS:Work with me 1:1 → Deep CutsFast-track your results → The Green RoomSolve one thing right now → Studio SessionsBurnout-proof your life && business → MixtapeGet your free podcast playlists → The SoundcheckWeekly emails that tell you what your business coach won't && your therapist can't → Subscribe to The BeatWebsite: ashmcdonaldmentoring.com

What if the most aligned thing you could do this week… was nothing?In this week's Weekly Invitation, Jessica Meils explores the wisdom of slowing down, releasing control, and trusting what you've already set into motion. Inspired by the Scorpio Moon, Sagittarius Moon, the integration of the recent Leo eclipse, and the message of The Arrow from the Mystical Shaman Oracle, this episode is an invitation to notice your inner dialogue, release what no longer aligns, and reconnect with your own inner wisdom.Sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn't push harder.It's trust.⸻This Week's Invitation* Notice the stories your inner dialogue is repeating.* Observe where you're gripping too tightly or trying to control the outcome.* Release what no longer aligns with the person you're becoming.* Trust that what you've already set into motion will unfold in its own timing.* Remember: sometimes doing nothing is actually choosing not to interfere.⸻ReflectionAsk yourself:* What story has been quietly directing my decisions?* Where am I trying to force an outcome instead of trusting the process?* What am I being invited to release so I can continue moving toward my own North Star?Ways to Work With Jessica1:1 Intuitive SessionsIf you're navigating a season of change, seeking clarity, or feeling called to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level, I currently have a handful of one-on-one session openings available.Each session is intuitively guided and uniquely tailored to you, blending mediumship, intuitive guidance, energy healing, and practical support to help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and self-trust.✨ Book a 1:1 Session:https://www.jessicameils.com/book⸻The Rooted & Rising Living Library (Coming Soon)The Rooted & Rising Living Library is a growing collection of audio teachings, guided practices, meditations, and reflections designed to help you build self-trust, reconnect with your intuition, and turn inspiration into a lived practice.Join the waitlist to be the first to know when the library opens.✨ Join the Living Library Waitlist:https://jessicameils.myflodesk.com/immersive⸻Rooted & Rising: The Gathering PlaceIf you're looking for ongoing support and community, The Gathering Place is my upcoming membership where we'll explore intuitive living together through monthly teachings, live gatherings, guided practices, and meaningful conversation.Join the waitlist to receive early access and Founding Member pricing when doors open.

"The important thing about 360 feedback is to sit down with the people who gave you the feedback and be brave and transparent about what you learnt and what you'll do with it."   This is a special episode only available to our podcast subscribers, which we call The Mini Chief. These are short, sharp highlights from our fabulous guests, where you get a 5 to 10 minute snapshot from their full episode. This Mini Chief episode features Tracey Burton, Executive Director of Uniting. Her full episode is titled Experiential learning, 360 degree feedback and the future of the health industry. You can find the full audio and show notes here:

On Aug. 7, Todd Shapiro was just finishing dinner in Summerland, B.C., when a wildfire outside the town “exploded” and prompted an immediate provincial emergency evacuation order. The former Montrealer, who had just moved to the Okanagan area last summer, grabbed his passport, a jar of peanut butter and some toilet paper, rounded up his teenage son and family dog, and fled the region. Shapiro is one of 20,000 residents of Summerland ordered to leave their homes as the fire, the size of the city of Burlington, Ont., is still out of control more than a week later. After an anxious journey, he shared, “I was kind of freaking out”, facing closed highways and uncertain of where to go. Shapiro and his family made it to Kelowna, where they were invited to sleep at the home of Jewish community leader Abbey Westbury. She runs a winery, but also is a Jewish Federation of B.C. “community connector”, who also has close ties to the local synagogue and the Okanagan Jewish Community Centre. Westbury has been making food for evacuees and the first responders fighting the wildfire. The smoke and ash from Summerland has been blanketing Kelowna, too, and made it difficult to just be outside. Despite suffering an asthma attack this week, local Chabad Rabbi Shmuly Hecht, with his wife, Fraidy, turned their Chabad of Okanagan centre in Kelowna into a supplies depot for evacuees and hosts. They've kept their summer camp running but switched to indoor activities. In Penticton, just up the road from Summerland, local Jewish resident Tami Bray, who works for an environmental organization, has been running a city-wide relief centre, but feeling frustrated that politicians aren't using the words “climate change” to describe what has caused this summer's devastation. On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner hears from these four Jewish residents on the front lines of the out-of-control Bald Range fire. Related links: Learn more about how to donate to the Jewish Federation of B.C.'s Wildfires relief fund and to the Chabad of Okanagan's Fire relief efforts fund. Watch Rabbi Shmuly Hecht's supplies depot video Read about the August wildfire in 2023 that came within metres of Kelowna's Okanagan Jewish Community Centre, in The CJN . Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner ) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izizie Helenchilde (produder and video editing), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter https://thecjn.ca/north Watch our podcasts on YouTube Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

Advertisers optimize for metrics that disguise the truth. Chester Scott, Chief Strategy Officer at Lunio, explains why ROAS—the North Star metric for most advertisers—undermines effective spend decisions across channels and campaigns. He makes the case for shifting to marginal ROAS to measure diminishing returns at the channel, platform, audience, and creative level, and reframes clicks as a fundamentally compromised leading indicator that should never drive optimization.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com   1:40 - Near-death experience 6:58 - The turning point 9:53 - Road to Healing 12:54 - Concept of Awakening in Coaching 16:09 - Journey to Spirituality / Invest in yourself 18:47 - The book; who is it for and key takeaway 21:43 - Key Advice by Dave 23:48 - Live like an Amateur or Pro 26:10 - Dave's North Star

Clicks and ROAS remain the industry's most trusted—and most misleading—metrics. Chester Scott, Chief Strategy Officer at Lunio, explains why the North Star metric guiding most advertisers actually disguises the truth about channel effectiveness. He makes the case for marginal ROAS over aggregate ROAS to expose diminishing returns across platforms, campaigns, and audiences, and reframes clicks as a fundamentally compromised leading indicator rather than a signal of performance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Aug. 5, a new national study of antisemitism on Canadian university campuses revealed a startling reality: 95.7 per cent of Jewish students surveyed said they had experienced or witnessed antisemitism in the past year. The report received wide coverage, including in The CJN, but there's more to this story than that disturbing number. The 1,200 anecdotes submitted by students paint a vivid picture of being targeted by peers and professors for their faith and identities. The research was originally commissioned by the office of Canada's Special Envoy on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, before Prime Minister Mark Carney's government scrapped both her office and the Islamophobia czar's in February 2026. When Carney announced the makeup of a new federal Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion in June, he told the members to tackle antisemitism first, especially on campus. That's when the study's authors reminded the government it already had the research sitting there, which it had paid for. But what else does this report tell us? What do Jewish university, college and CEGEP students actually say happened to them? And now that we have the research, what happens next? On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast with Ellin Bessner, you'll hear several of the students who spoke out, along with Cary Kogan, a University of Ottawa professor who was an advisor on the report and helped make it public last week, who spoke with The CJN's Zenith Wolfe. Related links A new report finds nearly 95%, nearly all Jewish students surveyed, personally experienced or witnessed campus antisemitism last year, in The CJN Read the report on the Government of Canada's website , and please specially read the Jewish students' personal comments . Read about the class action lawsuit against McGill University, and other legal actions underway against three other campuses including TMU, Western, and Windsor, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner ) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer/video editor), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter https://thecjn.ca/north Watch our podcasts on YouTube Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

Have you ever known exactly what you wanted to change…but somehow kept doing the same thing?Maybe you want to change a pattern in your relationship.Make a move in your career.Take better care of yourself.Or finally go after something you've been thinking about for months.You know what you want.And yet… you keep postponing it.I've been there too.There was a season when I knew exactly how I wanted my personal life and business to feel. I had my North Star.But for six months to a year, I kept putting off some of the very decisions that would take me there.Why?Limiting beliefs.And the tricky thing about limiting beliefs is that we often don't even know we have them.They hide underneath the complaints we repeat, the conversations we have with our friends, and the stories we've told ourselves so many times that they simply feel like facts.In this week's episode, I'm sharing three practical ways I use to bring those hidden beliefs to the surface, including a journaling practice that can help you move beyond the story you already consciously know and begin uncovering what may be sitting underneath it. Because before we can change a limiting belief…we have to be able to see it.Episode Timestamps00:53 — My own “North Star” and the beliefs that kept me from moving toward it 03:18 — Why limiting beliefs keep us stuck in the same patterns 04:56 — Start here: choose one specific area where you feel stuck 06:58 — Tool #1: Listen to your recurring complaints 09:05 — The difference between a circumstance and the belief you attach to it 10:16 — Tool #2: Pay attention to what you and your friends vent about 12:23 — Tool #3: Use journaling to uncover what's beneath the surface 13:51 — The journaling trick that takes you beyond your conscious story 15:49 — Putting all three tools together 17:38 — What's coming in Part 2And this is only Part 1.This week, your job is simply to find the beliefs that may be quietly running the show.Don't rush to change them yet.Use these three tools, get curious, and write down what you uncover, because we're going to use exactly what you find in next week's episode:3 Tools to Remove Limiting Beliefs From Your Subconscious Mind [Part 2]That's where I'll show you what to actually do with these beliefs once you've brought them into the light.So do the exercises from today, keep your notes somewhere close, and meet me back here next week for Part 2.Want to go deeper?Sometimes the beliefs we uncover aren't just thoughts we can talk ourselves out of. They're connected to deeper emotional patterns, old wounds, and reactions that can keep showing up even when we intellectually know better.That's exactly the kind of deeper work we do inside Untriggerable.And we now have a new home on Circle where you can learn more about the program, access resources, and join our community.Join us inside the Untriggerable community on CircleI'd love to see you there.

Click optimization remains fundamentally compromised as a performance marker. Chester Scott, Chief Strategy Officer at Lunio, challenges the metrics most advertisers treat as gospel. He explains why clicks function only as a leading indicator, makes the controversial case against ROAS as a North Star metric, and argues for a shift to marginal ROAS—measuring diminishing returns across channels, platforms, campaigns, audiences, and creative to drive overall effectiveness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailAI is quietly rewriting the rules of marketing, not by “changing SEO” but by changing how buyers choose. When a chatbot can shortlist vendors in a single conversation, visibility is no longer the finish line. Recommendability is. I sit down with Andy Crestodina, co-founder and CMO of Orbit Media, to unpack what it takes to earn AI recommendations and what most brands are missing when they chase rankings without understanding the visitor. We get practical about how AI search optimization is really the overlap of SEO and conversion rate optimization. Andy explains why prompts are longer and more personal than classic queries, how that extra context reveals real decision criteria, and why your website still matters because it is the place you control the depth, proof, and sales answers. We also dig into why AI-sourced visitors can be far more qualified, why traffic growth is a shaky North Star, and how to stop being silently excluded by publishing the questions prospects actually ask before they will take action. Then we go deeper on content strategy in an era of infinite “average” content. Andy makes a clear case for the formats AI cannot truly replicate: thought leadership with a strong point of view and original research rooted in real data. We also talk prompt engineering maturity, from ad hoc prompts to reusable prompts to custom assistants and tools, and what separates the revenue accountable CMO from someone who just manages AI outputs. This episode was recorded through a Descript call on August 3, 2026. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/train-the-ai-to-recommend-you-with-andy-crestodinaIf you care about B2B marketing, lead generation, buyer intent, and building a brand that gets chosen, this one will sharpen your playbook. Subscribe, share this with a marketer who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway...........................................................................Metricool is a new official podcast partner of Web3 CMO Stories in 2026. Metricool helps marketers and creators bring structure, clarity, and consistency to their social media workflows through analytics, planning, and reporting. Listeners can try Metricool Premium for free for 30 days using the coupon code JOERI.......................................................................... 

In this episode of The GaryVee Audio Experience, I sit down for an interview about legacy, parenting, and why my North Star is admiration - not money. I share why my parents' nudge into the liquor store worked and why I'm leaving an uncomfortable amount of money on the table on purpose. I also discuss why work ethic beats talent, why I'm not a fan of most masterminds, and the daily habit that keeps everything in perspective.You'll learn about:• Why Admiration Beats Money• Nudging vs. Cramming in Parenting• Why Work Ethic Beats Talent• Producing Content at Scale• A Daily Habit for Perspective

The Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th brings a huge reset... a massive confluence of cosmic energy designed to support you in coming into greater truth, greater resonance with soul, and moving along this accelerated timeline of awakening. Here are the 3 key things you need to know to make the most of it, plus a card pull for the collective.

Are you the enviable sort of person who was born with an innate sense of direction?Some of us know instinctively whether we are traveling North, South, East, or West. And some of us...would be lucky to find our way out of a paper bag, even with a map in hand.If you've ever been lost on a country road at dusk, no road signs, no one to ask for help, and no idea which way to turn — you know how very useful it is to have directions. You're burning daylight, and you aren't sure how to get back to civilization.Or maybe you've driven to a job interview in a new city. Unfamiliar cross streets, busy traffic, and the sound of blaring horns can be a distressing soundtrack when you're trying to pinpoint one office building among many.Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”When we're living for the Lord, we have a North Star to guide us on our way. When you aren't sure which road to take, or which choice to make, remember Who you live for. Ask the Lord to direct your path, to keep you safe from harm, and to be present every step of the way. Country roads, bustling city thoroughfares, and life itself are all so much more enjoyable when we navigate them with Jesus.Let's pray.God, forgive us for those times we prove ourselves aimless on the road of life. Be our guide and reveal your presence and direction to us on the journey. We are lost without you! In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Up to 60% of paid clicks provide zero conversion value. Chester Scott, Chief Strategy Officer at Lunio, explains why clicks and ROAS both distort performance measurement and how they corrupt AI bidding decisions. The conversation covers the shift from ROAS to marginal ROAS as a North Star metric, isolating diminishing returns across channels, platforms, and audiences, and protecting automated bidding models from compromised leading indicators that inflate CAC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where your attention goes, your energy flows.Today on Coffee & Crystals, we're exploring Dharana, the sixth limb of yoga, and what this ancient yogic practice of concentration and focused attention can teach us about our modern lives.In a world filled with notifications, social media, comparison, relationships, work demands and endless distractions, Dharana reminds us that we have a choice in where we place our energy.Kadie explores how Dharana shows up both on and off the yoga mat—from finding your drishti and balance in Warrior III to protecting your energy in relationships, setting boundaries, navigating comparison, staying focused on your purpose and learning when something simply doesn't deserve your reaction.We also explore teachings around the restless mind from the Bhagavad Gita, manifestation versus focused action, slowing down when life feels heavy, and Kadie's own current wellness and yoga reset.And with the August 2026 solar eclipse happening alongside this episode, we're looking up at the sky too. The Earth is rotating, the Moon is moving around Earth, and we're living within a solar system that is constantly in motion—yet moments of extraordinary alignment still happen.Maybe our lives don't need to stop moving for us to find our center.In this episode:What Dharana means in yogaThe sixth limb of Patanjali's Eight Limbs of YogaConcentration, mindfulness and focused attentionDharana, drishti and Warrior IIIProtecting your energy and setting boundariesComparison and social media distractionManifestation + intentional actionThe Bhagavad Gita and the restless mindRelationships and knowing what deserves your reactionSlowing down and reconnecting with yourselfThe August 2026 solar eclipse, alignment + perspectiveCreating a North Star for your lifePracticing yoga beyond the physical posesYour attention is powerful. Be intentional about where you place it.Continue following the Coffee & Crystals Eight Limbs of Yoga series, and join our 21-Day Yoga Pose Challenge on social media as we practice yoga one pose—and one lesson—at a time.Keywords: Dharana, sixth limb of yoga, Eight Limbs of Yoga, yoga philosophy, yoga podcast, meditation, mindfulness, concentration, focused attention, drishti, Bhagavad Gita, manifestation, conscious living, spiritual growth, protecting your energy, wellness, self-development, solar eclipse 2026Learn more about Kadie: https://coffeeandcrystalspr.com/

In May, Jewish residents in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island were invited to celebrate the festival of Lag BaOmer around a bonfire. On Aug. 6, a kayak paddling excursion on Burnaby's Deer Lake attracted 30 members of that city's Jewish community. Coming up on Aug. 23, Jewish residents of Squamish and Whistler are planning a boat cruise to spot wildlife, followed by a brunch. These different events around British Columbia have something in common: they're part of a new project underway in the province in response to the measurable shift of Jewish people moving away from Vancouver's traditional Jewish corridor. Whether for affordability reasons or lifestyle choices, the populatin of Jews living outside Vancouver grew by 60 per cent, according to official figures. Jewish communities like Victoria are seeing tremendous population growth, while the Okanagan region is growing, too. That is why Vancouver's Jewish Federation officially changed its name this summer to the Jewish Federation of B.C., to better reflect the territory they intend to represent. As part of an annual budget of $1.2 million, they have hired nearly a dozen local Jewish leaders whose job it is to help boost Jewish life in places without easy access to a synagogue, kosher food and the like. Funding is also available for events and outreach, and plans are underway to hire another “community connector” for Prince George. On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner checks in with two curent community connectors: Jessica Benoualid, a former Montrealer stationed in the Comox Valley, and Jenny Reznik, serving in Burnaby/New Westminster, who's fighting political battles at City Hall; and we speak with Mijal Ben-Dori, who oversees the entire outreach program and says other Jewish federations in Canada are taking notes. Related links Read more about the June 26 gathering in Whistler of B.C.'s small Jewish communities who are participating in the Jewish Federation of B.C.'s new connector program, in The CJN . Hear the Jewish Federation of B.C.'s Okanagan community connector Abbey Westbury, interviewed about Jewish life in Kelowna several years ago, on The CJN's “Yechupetzville” podcast. Learn how to contact Jewish Community Connectors in your part of British Columbia. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner ) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer and video), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter https://thecjn.ca/north Watch our podcasts on YouTube Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

Send us Fan MailWinning stops being a score and starts being a personal definition you test in real life. We explore the South Star principle, why action creates wisdom, and how rejection can be proof you are moving forward. We can define the thesis for winning by understanding the antithesis of winning. We often talk about The North Star as guide, but what if we looked at the South Star for wisdom as well?Thank you for tuning in! If you feel led, please subscribe & share the show to others who you believe would benefit from it.Keep in touch below!Join The Unshakeable Discipline Community! Winning Is... Weekly Newsletter!LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/ryanacass/Instagram | @ryanacass

Summary In this episode of Grit, Grace & Glitz, Erika Rothenberger sits down with Randi Roberts, a former pharmaceutical executive turned life and executive coach, to explore what it really means to define success on your own terms, and why constantly chasing the next accomplishment can keep us from appreciating how far we've come. Drawing from her 30+ years in the pharmaceutical industry and her experience building her own coaching business, Randi shares practical insights on creating a personal “North Star,” treating your life with intention, embracing discomfort as an opportunity for growth, and learning to navigate criticism without allowing other people's opinions to define you. She also opens up about a deeply personal health experience that taught her the importance of asking for help and allowing others to support her. The conversation ultimately challenges listeners to take audacious action, step outside their comfort zones, and recognize that they don't have to do life or success alone. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: How to define success based on your own values rather than society's expectations. Why high achievers can become addicted to chasing the next accomplishment. How to create your own personal “North Star” for life and career decisions. Why treating your life like a strategic business plan can help create clarity and direction. How to handle criticism and outside opinions without allowing them to define you. Why you don't have to speak to or please everyone to make a meaningful impact. How embracing discomfort can become an opportunity for growth. Why setting boundaries and saying “no” can be powerful acts of self-leadership. The importance of recognizing when you need to ask for help and lean on others. How a major health challenge taught Randi a powerful lesson about independence, vulnerability, and accepting support. What it takes to make an audacious career leap and leave the security of the corporate world. How intentional investments, structure, and mindset helped Randi build her coaching business. Why balance doesn't have to exist in every moment—it can be created over time. How to take small, purposeful audacious actions every day. Episode Timeline 00:25 Randy's transition from corporate to coaching 01:26 What does success mean to you? 02:19 The importance of values in defining success 03:13 Using strategic planning for personal growth 04:36 Making a positive impact while doing well 05:34 The role of clarity and self-awareness 06:28 Handling criticism and external judgment 07:45 Building resilience and thick skin 09:02 Overcoming fear and asking for help 10:17 The analogy of adding weight to grow 11:25 Welcoming discomfort as a growth opportunity 12:47 The importance of choosing your heart 14:06 Reprioritizing and maintaining well-being 16:19 The universe's messages and trusting intuition 18:10 Lessons from health challenges 19:41 The power of leaning on others 20:39 Being audacious in leaving the corporate world 22:46 Celebrating bold, audacious actions 23:43 Join the Audacious Women's Summit 24:02 Closing remarks and gratitude Where to Find Randi: Website: https://www.corlinroberts.net/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randiroberts/ Connect with your host, Erika: LinkedIn (primary) https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikarothenberger IG https://www.instagram.com/erikalearothenberger?igsh=MmhjeTRhbnB1aXM2 FB https://www.facebook.com/share/69wqEYVzFKKnci9u/?mibextid=LQQJ4d Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of us worry about the potentially negative impacts of technology. We worry our kids are online too much, that social media is disrupting their sleep, academics, mental health, and relationships—and frankly, taking away good time outdoors. And it doesn't feel good to have the same fight over screens again and again. But what if the answer isn't simply taking technology away? What if we could design it differently—and help our kids learn to use it well?In this episode, I talk with Juliette Blake, founder of Moxies, who has been thinking about girls, media, and technology since she was a teenager herself. Now a mom of three, Juliette brings the perspectives of both a tech founder and a parent to our conversation about social media, digital literacy, addictive design, and healthy screen habits. We explore how technology can be built with kids' well-being as the North Star—and what we parents can do to help our kids become thoughtful, capable digital citizens.Episode Highlights[3:31] - Juliette's remarkable origin story: how watching her eight-year-old sister and her friends struggle with body image and friendships inspired her to start a company as a teenager.[6:05] - Why the tween years are such an important—and often overlooked—developmental stage, particularly for girls navigating media and brand imagery.[8:45] - Kids don't bring every problem to their parents. Why simply knowing “I'm not the only one” can sometimes matter as much as the advice they receive.[10:33] - Magazines then, social media now: the medium has changed, but many of the pressures facing girls haven't.[13:36] - Can technology be part of the solution? Moving away from the attention economy and making well-being our North Star.[15:35] - What “safe by design” actually means—and why companies building products for kids should bear responsibility for protecting them.[20:58] - “Dark-patterned persuasive design features”: streaks, likes, notifications, endless rewards, and other features designed to keep kids coming back.[24:22] - Why Moxies shuts down chat at night and how thoughtful guardrails can support kids when their own self-control gets wobbly.[27:43] - Teaching digital citizenship in real time by helping girls reconsider an unkind message before they send it.[31:17] - Autonomy with safeguards: creating online spaces where tweens can connect with people they actually know rather than strangers.[35:56] - Building digital literacy into technology itself, from privacy and passwords to confidence and emotional skills.[38:26] - The Anxious Generation, phone bans, and why simply taking devices away isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.[42:00] - Endless scrolling and the important difference between kids wanting to return to technology and feeling they have to.[45:42] - Why “my kid isn't on TikTok” doesn't necessarily mean they're avoiding the same addictive design elsewhere online.[50:46] - Practical advice for parents: explain the why behind boundaries, start conversations early, and model the digital habits we hope our kids develop.[54:09] - Why keeping devices out of bedrooms can protect sleep, relationships, and healthy boundaries.Key TakeawaysWe're still underestimating media's influence on tweens. Social media and brand imagery can have an outsized impact on developing minds, particularly for young girls.Tweens won't bring every problem to their parents. Sometimes discovering “I'm not the only one” can be just as valuable as the advice they receive.The medium has changed, but the issues haven't. Whether the images come from magazines or social media, kids' well-being should always be our North Star.Parents shouldn't have to outsmart addictive technology. Companies have a responsibility to protect kids from “dark-patterned persuasive design features” designed to keep users clicking, scrolling, and coming back.Digital citizenship has to be taught. Screens make it easier to say things we might never say face-to-face. Kids need coaching to understand the real impact of their words online.Our own digital habits matter. If we want our kids to put their devices down and be present, we need to model that ourselves.Links & ResourcesMoxies Social Media Platform — joinmoxies.comIf this episode has helped you, remember to rate, follow, and share the Self-Driven Child Podcast. Your support helps us reach more people and create more content that makes a difference. If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com

Is it possible to be off track in life?If things feel challenging, does that mean something's not meant for you?How do you actually co-create a life aligned with your unique gifts, talents and purpose when you're not 100% sure which direction to go?If any of these questions have crossed your mind, we're breaking it all down in this week's podcast episode.I decided to use oracle cards this week to open up to intuitive guidance and asked three questions:✨ What do people misunderstand about vision?✨ What does Spirit want people to know about vision?✨ What can help you activate a vision for your life that lights you up?The messages that came through felt SPOT ON and answered so many of the questions my clients have been wrestling with lately… and they might just answer what's been on your mind too.If you're ready to stop questioning your path and start intentionally creating a life that feels deeply meaningful, inspired and aligned for you, give this episode a listen. ⚡️What space to get clear about the direction that's calling you forward? Join me for Activate Your Vision, a virtual workshop on Thursday, August 13th. ⚡️Together, we'll quiet the noise, tune into the sparks and desires asking to be followed, and imagine a future that feels deeply aligned with what matters most to you.You'll leave with a vision that becomes your North Star, helping you navigate uncertainty and make more intentional choices about where you want to go from here.

What if the biggest thing standing between your client and better health isn't the protocol, but what they believe about themselves? In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, Margaret Floyd Barry is joined by IRH staff member Ishbel Cavaleri to explore the pivotal role of mindset and self-belief in achieving lasting health transformations. We'll explore why simply providing protocols isn't enough, how to help clients become the heroes of their own stories, strategies to support change when it feels overwhelming, and ways practitioners can avoid common mistakes like taking setbacks personally or moving into "fix-it" mode. This episode is packed with practical tools and powerful reframes for clinicians and anyone striving to make sustainable health changes.  Inside this episode, we explore: Why client agency, not practitioner perfection, drives lasting change How to uncover a client's deeper "North Star" beyond symptom relief Why tracking progress helps clients build evidence that change is working How temporal discounting can derail even highly motivated clients Why setbacks should be expected and normalized, not treated as failure How identity and self-talk shape a client's ability to follow through on a protocol The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health: https://instituteofrestorativehealth.com/ Connect with IRH: Upcoming Event: PCOS has a new official name: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. The science isn't new. Functional practitioners have understood the metabolic and hormonal complexity of these cases for years. The name just finally says so. On August 12th, Margaret Floyd Barry and Sara Fields are hosting a free live session on what this means for your practice. What shifts in how you assess and talk with female clients. What stays the same. Live Q&A at the end. Free. 60 minutes. Register here! Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofrestorativehealth/ Join our email list here: https://instituteofrestorativehealth.com/join-our-email-list/ Connect with Ishbel Cavaleri: Website: https://gutsyhormone.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gutsyhormone/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IshbelWELL Timestamps: 00:00 Diet change impacts relationships 08:09 Balancing health and family priorities 15:52 Discussing mindset and habit formation 18:00 Building healthier habits anytime 26:45 Resisting the urge to advise 33:32 Creating a bridge with healthier desserts 35:38 Impact of Social Circles on Lifestyle 41:11 Identity shift through dietary change 45:29 Challenging year with clients 50:54 Dealing with client criticism 56:13 Preparing clients for tough moments 01:03:28 Link between physiology and thoughts 01:10:24 Discussing the hormones course Guest bio:    Keywords: functional health practitioners, mindset and belief in health, client self-sabotage, tracking client progress, health behavior change, North Star motivation, symptom-driven motivation, chronic disease reversal, client journaling, nutrition protocols, self-image and health, food as identity, dietary changes, practitioner-client relationship, emotional root causes, integrative health, functional nutrition, practitioner defensiveness, normalizing failure, overcoming burnout, habit change strategies, self-judgment in healing, protocol adherence, client agency, empathetic listening, bridge foods, temporal discounting, self-soothing behaviors, practical coaching tools, referral to therapists Disclaimer: The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.  

This and all episodes at: https://aiandyou.net/ . What is AI doing to medicine? Specifically, in molecular biology, and protein folding: figuring out the 3-D structure of proteins, which look like the output of a pasta-making machine on LSD. Remember DeepMind's AlphaFold and the announcement of it predicting 200 million protein structures? I have questions. And here to answer them is one of the top researchers in the world, Professor Mohammed AlQuraishi of Columbia University's Department of Systems Biology, and a member of their Program for Mathematical Genomics. He heads a lab focused on biological perspectives at the molecular and systems levels. He has an MS in statistics and a PhD in genetics from Stanford University and was a Departmental Fellow at Harvard Medical School. As if that wasn't enough, before this storied academic career, he founded two startups in the mobile computing space.  We talk about Mohammed's background in molecular biology, the big goals of that field and his North Star of understanding biology well enough to simulate it; why I haven't yet seen the kind of revolutionary impact I was expecting from AlphaFold, what it means for a protein to fold and why it's a big deal and how AlphaFold and similar models work at figuring that out. All this plus our usual look at today's AI headlines! Transcript and URLs referenced at HumanCusp Blog.        

On this week's episode with host Davis Hovey, an interview with House District 5 candidate Sheldon Prout, a new model could predict ocean acidity for crab fishery management, the former North Star building is home to the Sun'aq Tribe's Alutiingcut Child Care Center and the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly votes down a proposed cannabis sales tax.

When Canadian First World War soldier Pvt. Albert Detmold was killed by German shelling on Aug. 15, 1917, while digging communication trenches on the front lines in northern France, he could never have imagined that more than a century later, both a Chabad rabbi from Toronto and a Ukrainian Catholic priest from Saskatoon would preside over his formal military burial. Detmold's remains were discovered by construction workers in a field near the French city of Lens in the summer of 2020. They'd lain there for over 100 years, sharing the fate of many hundreds of his comrades who lost their lives in the Battle for Hill 70, after Vimy Ridge. While Detmold's name was later engraved on the Vimy Ridge Memorial as missing with no known grave, in late 2025, DNA testing and historical sleuthing allowed Canada's Department of National Defence to make a positive ID. Arrangements were soon put in place to mount a formal reburial ceremony on July 9, in France, Detmold's actual birth date. He was born into a prominent European Jewish family before coming to Canada, so inquiries were made about the possibility of having a Star of David engraved on Detmold's gravestone. But officials ultimately decided to bury him under a cross, as the soldier had enlisted as a Presbyterian. Detmold's great-niece, Liana Walters, of Tees, Alta., traveled to France to represent the family at the service, and told The CJN she “would have liked to have seen the Star of David on the tombstone as well.” On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner speaks with chaplain Maj. (Rabbi) Arnold Noteh Glogauer, of Thornhill, Ont., who recently returned from officiating at the burial, and with Walters, the great-niece, about their surprisingly emotional farewell for the long-lost soldier. Related stories Read how Canada's Department of National Defence Casualty Identification Program spent five years doing DNA testing and tracing Pvt. Detmold's relatives, in The CJN. Watch our interview with the three Canadian experts who made the positive identification, on The CJN's North Star podcast, on YouTube from April 2026. See the Canadian Armed Forces' brief video of Detmold's burial service. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( info@thecjn.ca) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer and video editor), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter https://thecjn.ca/north Watch our podcasts on YouTube Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

How do you know when “just one more” becomes too much? Tune in for an inspiring discussion Colleen Clifford on her new book Life Beyond the Binge: A Commercial Fisherwoman's Journey Home. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comColleen Clifford has spent more than three decades working in the commercial fishing industry, living and working at sea for months at a time aboard one of the largest vessels in the Bering Sea. Her experiences—both on the ocean and in her personal life have shaped a powerful story of resilience, loss, recovery, and rediscovery.  After surviving multiple near‑death incidents and the alcohol‑related suicide of her husband, she embarked on a profound journey back to herself which she share in her book, Life Beyond the Binge, A Commercial Fisherwoman's Journey Home. Today, she writes, speaks, and coaches from the heart, helping others reconnect with their own inner compass—their North Star. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, grateful for every clear and sober sunrise. https://lifebeyondthebinge.com/book Order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/00SbIiB1 Discover inspiring conversations with today's leading authors, celebrities, thought leaders, and change makers. To learn more about the Moments with Marianne Radio Show, explore guest interview opportunities, connect with Marianne, and follow her on social media, visit https://www.mariannepestana.comExplore the Moments with Marianne Book Club and find your next great read: https://www.mariannepestana.com/book-club/Listen to the Moments with Marianne Radio Show on KMET 1490AM & 98.1FM, an ABC News Radio Affiliate, weekdays at 8:06 AM PT / 11:06 AM ET and Sundays at 10:06 AM PT / 1:06 PM ET. Learn more at: https://www.kmet1490am.com/moments-with-marianne

What can healthcare innovators learn from an Olympian?In the opening keynote of the 5th Annual Medical Innovation Olympics #MIO2026 at Rockefeller Center in NYC, two-time Olympian swimmer and NHS UK Advisor Chris Cook shares lessons from elite performance and why they matter for leaders transforming healthcare.From missing a major competition by four-hundredths of a second to becoming a champion, Chris explores resilience, accountability, consistency, courage, teamwork, and incremental improvement - connecting world-class performance to turning ambitious healthcare ideas into measurable patient impact.The conversation concludes with a Q&A on failure, motivation, finding your “North Star,” and why the real gold is not the medal, but who you become in pursuit of something bigger than yourself.CHAPTERS00:00 - The Mindset of People Who Change IndustriesTransformative leaders stay uncomfortable longer than everyone else.00:25 - Welcome to the 5th Annual Medical Innovation OlympicsTim Mikhelashvili opens MIO 2026 with its mission: lasting impact on healthcare, society, and patients.01:44 — Introducing Two-Time Olympian Chris CookChris describes MIO as fundamentally different from a traditional conference: “a competition with purpose.”03:26 — What Olympic Performance Can Teach Healthcare InnovatorsChris' Olympic journey, elite performance lessons, and innovators' larger responsibility.03:51 — The Work Nobody Sees Behind High Performance4:30 a.m. starts, sacrifice, injury, doubt, repetition, and discipline reveal how excellence is built through consistent small decisions.05:19 — Losing by 0.04 Seconds—and the Power of “Yet”After missing a major competition by four-hundredths of a second, Chris hears: you're not good enough yet. Four years later, everything changes.06:30 — From Setback to ChampionChris returns to win two gold medals and a silver—and explains how competitors think and respond differently.07:05 — Innovators See Possibility Before There Is ProofOlympians and innovators pursue possibility while others demand proof—and stay uncomfortable long enough to create change.07:42 — Measurement, Accountability & Healthcare ImpactMeasurement creates clarity. AI, data science, and precision medicine are powerful, but transformation also requires leadership and accountability.09:21 — When Innovation Becomes HumanAccess, quality, and continuity of care are not abstract metrics—they affect patients, families, treatment, and time.09:46 — Three Lessons from an OlympianPressure is a privilege. Consistency beats intensity. Great teams outperform great individuals.10:57 — Courage, Competition & Stepping Into the ArenaInnovation requires vulnerability, evaluation, courage, and a willingness to participate rather than stay comfortable.11:36 — Tiny Improvements Can Change Lives at ScaleBetter workflows, faster diagnoses, improved pathways, and breakthrough ideas compound into human impact.12:41 — Q&A: The Healthcare Champions Nobody SeesUnrecognized professionals across safety, pharmacovigilance, product quality.14:25 — “The Real Gold Is the Person You Become”The greatest reward is not the medal - it is who you become while pursuing something bigger than yourself.15:57 — What Do You Do When Nothing Is Working?Q&A: How do you keep moving when experiments fail, progress stalls, and motivation disappears?16:26 — Experiments Don't Fail - They Produce ResultsChris reframes failure: what matters is what you learn from results and what you do next.16:56 — Inspiration, Motivation & Finding Your North StarChris distinguishes enduring inspiration from motivation, which naturally rises and falls.18:24 — Look Back to See How Far You've ComeFocusing only on the gap ahead can demotivate us. Confidence also comes from recognizing how far we have traveled.19:38 — Transformative Power of SportFormer IOC President Thomas Bach closes by reflecting on sport as a force for good and a tool for improving lives.

Photo: Desks with art supplies sit ready for preschoolers at Kodiak’s North Star building on July 31. A wing of the building reopened to children on Aug. 3. (Katherine Irving / KMXT) The doors of what was once Kodiak's North Star Elementary School reopened August 3 for the first time since last June. The school closed because of budget cuts, but one wing of the building is now home to the Sun'aq Tribe's Alutiingcut Child Care Center, a preschool for two-to-five year-olds. KMXT's Katherine Irving toured the center before its opening and has the story. “This is our foxes classroom. This is our oldest.” Montana Sanchez is the childcare administrator for the Sun'aq Tribe. On a Friday at the end of July, the building that used to be North Star Elementary School was abuzz with activity. “You just walked into fixing the ceilings and the Wi-Fi on the same day.” Sanchez and the teachers had just three days left to get everything finished before opening their doors for preschoolers on August 3. She showed me some of the classrooms, freshly redecorated with dollhouses and play mats and tables covered with art supplies. “I think everyone's been here for the last three weekends in a row getting this set up.” She says this transition has been years in the making. The Tribe's Alutiingcut Child Care Center got its start in 2022 with one classroom at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The center has always accepted all children ages two to five, but with preference for Alaska Native and American Indian families. As demand grew, they expanded to three classrooms at St. Mary's. With a long waitlist, and no more room to grow at the parish, Sanchez says moving to the North Star building was the logical next step. Sadie Coyle, or Ms. Taqu as the kids call her, is the Alutiiq language teacher for the preschool and she has been with the Alutiingcut Child Care Center since the beginning. We caught her in the middle of pushing a cart of supplies to her classroom. “When we first started, four years ago, we had one classroom, and now eventually we're gonna have five. I think that's a good milestone for us.” Enrolling at the preschool costs $1,075 per month per child for kids aged two through three-and-a-half, and $1,025 per month per child for the older kids. That hovers around the statewide average of $1,009 per month, according to data from the non-profit First Five Years Fund. Sanchez says they currently have 35 preschoolers enrolled. They are planning to enroll 75 kids by December and hoping to be licensed for a maximum of 110 by next year. “We already know this is going to be a big change for them, although it's great. So we're going to take it slow, and then hopefully in another month and a half we'll open another classroom, and after that another classroom.” Even with the expansion, she says they still have people on their waitlist. There are several in-home daycares on the island, but the Alutiingcut is the only childcare center, besides the one on the Coast Guard Base Kodiak, which is not accessible to the general public. Sanchez says childcare is hard to come by. Preschools at the Kodiak Baptist Mission and the Lutheran Church closed in 2025 and 2022. “We just don't have many options. Especially the ages from three to five, it's such a hard age to find childcare for. Yeah, we're really hoping to fill that need.” The expansion to North Star brings new opportunities. Coyle, the language teacher, says she is excited to finally have her own classroom, with the space to teach the kids Alutiiq dances. “Dance is my passion, and I want to be able to teach some dances that I’ve learned for the last 15 years now, because they have a lot more fun singing and learning, and like adding a little bit of song and tune to the language helps a lot.” Coyle says she has been designing the curriculum for her class from scratch, which has been a lot of work and no small amount of stress, but she says it has all been worth it. “A couple weeks ago, one of my kiddos looked outside, and it was very sunny, and he said, ‘Oh, Ms. Taqu, it's macanguq out.’ Just those little moments where I'm like, oh, I'm doing something right, I'm doing something for the community.” After months of work and four weekends spent getting everything ready, the North Star wing opened for childcare on August 3. Sanchez says kids and parents alike were excited to explore the new space. A post marks where Enbridge's Line 5 crosses the reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on Friday, June 24, 2022. (Photo: Danielle Kaeding / WPR) A federal appeals court is siding with a Wisconsin tribe in its long-running fight against an oil pipeline crossing its reservation. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Enbridge has been trespassing on land belonging to the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, after pipeline easements on some tribal lands expired in 2013. The court says Enbridge must remove its Line 5 pipeline from those lands, but sent the case back to a lower court to reconsider how much time the company will have to complete a reroute. The court will also reconsider how much Enbridge owes the tribe for profits connected to the trespass. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Friday, August 7, 2026 — Notable Native theater events range from horror to historic

Send us Fan MailGet vidIQ Boost for an exclusive price! https://vidiq.com/podcastWant a 1 on 1 coach? https://vidiq.ink/theboost1on1Join our Discord! https://www.vidiq.com/discordWatch the video: https://youtu.be/_kUOrWhNynwWe break down how People Vs Food stays fresh after a decade by pairing a clear creative North Star with systems that make videos scalable and easy to click. Nicole shares what it really takes to reduce key man risk, test new formats, and package ideas so the audience understands the promise instantly. • Nicole's career path from traditional film and TV into digital food content and YouTube • Using food as a storytelling vehicle for culture, education, and shared history • Defining the channel's North Star before choosing formats, topics, or games • Managing key man risk with hosts as anchors and an ensemble cast model • How casting works at scale with polls, topic buckets, and scheduling constraints • Bulk shooting 10–14 episodes in two days across multiple studios • Why ideation and packaging beat “cool ideas” without a clear title, hook, and thumbnail • Testing new formats over multiple uploads and judging success by the intended goal • Where AI helps and where it fails, especially for research and fact accuracy • Workflow automation with Airtable to reduce manual work and protect creative focus I want y'all to leave me a comment. Which which video from uh people versus food is your favorite? 

This episode's guest is Hawk, a human who needs only one name because they're that brilliant and magical. They, along with Josh Proto and Dira Osland, are the organizers behind North Star Camp Out — a multiday gathering of astrologers and magicians taking place on farmland in the Pacific Northwest at the end of this month —  which is aug in the year of 2026.Honestly, I don't need to make a pitch. It's one of those "if you build it, they will come" situations. For the record, I have been called. I am coming. And I am very much looking forward to spending a weekend in the woods with some of my favorite minds.If you're called, you can learn all about the festival here: https://northstarcampout.org/Support the Podcast & Learn Astrology!Ready to take a deep dive into astrology? I invite you to join⁠⁠⁠ Club Astro⁠⁠⁠ by becoming a paid subscriber to ART of the ZODIAC on Substack.Your membership offers:Exclusive Cohort: Access to a dedicated community of astro seekers.Weekly ZOOM Sessions: Bring your chart, ask me questions directly, and connect with fellow astrology enthusiasts in intimate gatherings.Secret Invites & Discounts: Including discounted tickets to online workshops, LA Astro Fest, and my monthly in-person gathering, The Los Angeles Astro Salon.More than just benefits, your membership directly supports me and this work, allowing me to continue creating content like this.Join Club Astro here:⁠⁠⁠ https://vivihenriette.memberful.com/⁠⁠⁠Other Ways to Support (No Funds Required!)Even if you can't join Club Astro right now, your time and listenership are invaluable. If you enjoy this work, please consider:Tell a friend: Word-of-mouth is incredibly helpful!Leave a review: A review wherever you listen to podcasts truly helps new listeners find the showAbout HawkHawk Grubb is a diarist, omen seer, astrologer & magical mentor living in the Pacific Northwest.Their magical interests include the holy guardian angel & abramelin operation, wresting ceremonial magic from the hands of stodgy misogynists, the four elements, and natural omen seeing as a foundational spiritual practice/ lifelong navigation tool.They're focused on placemaking, firetending, and third housing with their friends, neighbors and spirits.About ViviVivi Henriette is an LA-based astrologer and tarot reader whose practice centers on storytelling, mythology, and collaborative divination. She creates a space for clients to reclaim their personal narratives through the lens of ancient archetypes. Vivi produces⁠⁠⁠ LA Astro Fest⁠⁠⁠, hosts the Los Angeles Astro Salon, and is the creator of the podcast⁠⁠⁠ TalkTalkTalk⁠⁠⁠. You can find her weekly writing on ritual and meaning right here on⁠⁠⁠ ART of the ZODIAC⁠⁠⁠.

In today's episode, we are kicking off WAugust, the number TWO Washington Wine Month, with our friend, Lisa Tussing-Hatch with Vehrs. We've known Lisa for years and it's hard to believe she hasn't been a guest on our podcast yet! Lisa is bringing and AMAZING assortment of Washington Wines for us to taste through and we love on all of them! #HappyFriday! #ItsWineTime! #Cheersing #WAugust #MerLittle #70IsTheNew30 Wines this episode:2025 Gård Franc Blanc ($21 at area stores)2025 Readers Chenin Blanc ($15 at Pilgrim's Market)Lucius Chillable Mourvédre ($23 at Pilgrim's Market)2021 Upchurch Vineyards Counter Part Red Wine ($46 at Pilgrim's Market)2021 Dunham Cellars Syrah ($40 at area stores)2022 Va Piano Cabernet SauvignonA HUGE thanks to our sponsor: Eternal Wine, J. Bookwalter and Liberty Lake Wine Cellars!Eternal Wine: Are you a Rhone Ranger or just really love Syrah? Then you need to check out Eternal Wine! Their focus is on single vineyard Rhone valley wines in Washington State. Also check out their Drink Washington State brand of approachable wines! Visit https://eternalwine.com for more information or simply call 509-240-6258. Eternal Wine: Drink Wine, Be Happy.*Check out The (Almost) Tragic Story of Carménère by Eternal Wine by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucKOK6oRKVsJ. Bookwalter: Celebrating their 40th year of producing award-winning wines crafted from the finest Columbia Valley vineyards, J. Bookwalter wines bring excellence and quality to every glass. Visit https://www.bookwalterwines.com for more information or simply call or 509-627-5000.Liberty Lake Wine Cellars: Looking for amazing wine? Taste Liberty Lake Wine Cellars' big, bold reds from Red Mountain, along with their delightful Tahija whites and Rosés. Join their Wine Club for exclusive benefits including their Thursday Wine Club night. Get all the details at https://www.libertylakewinecellars.com/ or call 509-255-9205. Liberty Lake Wine Cellars: Celebrating 20 years of making exceptional Washington wine!The Pilgrim's Market Wine Word/s of the Week - Rain ShadowThe geological effect where a high mountain range (the Cascades) blocks rain-bearing weather systems. It leaves Eastern Washington desert-dry (getting just 6–8 inches of rain a year), making precise drip irrigation essential.Check out Pilgrim's Market for an expansive selection of fine wines with wine club prices EVERY day and weekly complimentary tastings! Visit pilgrimsmarket.com or call 208-676-9730!Mentions: Next Level Consulting, Judy Tebow, Kevin Olsonberg, Josh & Lisa Lawrence, Vine & Olive, Matías Kúsulas, Ed Holmes, Rotary on the Rocks, Russell Mann, Nickie Zepedas, King Estate, Daou, Crickets, Northstar, Andrew Latta, Latta Wines, Kind Stranger, Metropolitan Grill, André Mack, Chris Upchurch, DeLille Cellars, Charlie Hoppes, Fidélitas Wines, Long Shadows Vintners, Leonetti Cellars, Woodward Canyon, Quilceda Creek, Figgins Wine, Riedel Stemware, Hospice of North Idaho, Andrea Robinson, M.S., La Condesa, Joanne Dunham, Mike Dunham, Eric Dunham, John Marzden, Steve White, Justin Wiley, Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Seasons of Coeur d'Alene, Angelos Ristorante, CDA Gourmet, Naked Wines, Gary Vaynerchuk, Clearwater Canyon, Koenig, Cinder, Rivaura, Flame & Cork, Jared Burns, Revelry Vintners, Teodora Bernadette Baba, Sam Lange, Kari and Joe Miller, Tecolote Vineyards, Alan Holtzeimer, Silver Bell Winery, Brett Moury and Sara Lane.Check out Episode 254, Wine is Like Music with Keven Olsonberg! Some wines we've enjoyed this week: Negru de Drăgășani, Santa Virdina Vinho Verde, LeEcole No 41 Cabernet Sauvignon, a J. Bookwalter Double Plot Chardonnay and a Duckhorn Chardonnay.Please find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WineTimeFridays), Twitter (@VintageTweets), Instagram (@WineTimeFridays) on our YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@winetimefridays and on Threads, which is @winetimefridays. You can also “Follow” Phil on Vivino. His profile name is Phil Anderson and will probably “Follow” you back! © 2026 Wine Time Fridays - All Rights Reserve

Grim and James are joined by Jerry Cthulhu, ThatGuy, Nickie the Dude, RSHarmful, Endless, Anubis, and Suzanne! Enjoy the chat!! Email me for the Guilded chatroom link! Check out our anime review show Shonen Dump www.shonendump.com James Cruz Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/cruz_controllin Grimsteak Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/grimcrt Grimsteak Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@grimsteak Send us hatemail or love mail at grimsteak@gmail.com Live Show Every Tuesday at 9pm est on CwS Radio https://s3.radio.co/s230f698de/listen Check out Jerry's show "Nox Mente' at https://noxmente.simplecast.com/

Victor Penev, Founder and CEO of Edamam LLC, is on a mission to help people make healthier food choices by organizing the world’s food knowledge, while building a Zero-Spend Marketing Engine that fuels sustainable growth through a proprietary semantic food database. By combining food science, nutrition expertise, and AI-powered technology, Victor has built Edamam into a trusted food intelligence platform that enables businesses to develop innovative health, wellness, and nutrition applications while making reliable food data accessible at scale. In this conversation, Victor introduces The Democratic Decisions Framework—No Pre-Judgement, Freedom to Speak Up, Intellectual Environment, Robust Discussion, and Work Towards Consensus. He explains why removing preconceived opinions encourages better ideas, how open dialogue and diverse perspectives lead to stronger decisions, and why working toward consensus builds lasting commitment across teams. Victor also shares how partnerships, referrals, and search authority fueled Edamam’s sustainable growth, and why proprietary data and continuous human refinement remain the company’s competitive advantage in the age of AI. — Zero-Spend Marketing Engine with Victor Penev  Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here with the Management Blueprint Podcast. Today, my guest is Victor Penev, the Founder and CEO of Edamam LLC. Edamam is helping people eat better by making daily food choices simple and easy, eventually organizing all the food knowledge in the world. To that end, the company has built a proprietary semantic food knowledge base and is creating, on top of it, a range of consumer and business applications to solve real-world, everyday problems. Wow. Victor, welcome to the show.  Thank you. Good to be here. I’m very excited.  So I was shocked to learn that you’ve got 900,000 foods in the system and 2.3 million recipes. I mean, I don’t know who is even able to create so many recipes. So how did that whole thing come about? How did you come up with this idea? Are you a foodie?  I am a foodie. Yeah, that’s kind of the origin story. I’m a serial entrepreneur. I’ve done a few startups. I had a successful exit about 15 years ago. A friend of mine and I built Bulgaria’s largest internet company. Then I started looking for what to do next. I was actually going to start a news organization, but then I realized one day, on a beach in Thailand, that I think about food five hours a day, and I cook every day.  So I might as well do something around food that helps people. I married my passion for food with my passion for technology and built a company.Share on X The problem we set out to solve back then is still a very valid problem. People need the right information, just in time, to make the right food choices. The data is always inconsistent, incomplete, and lacking. So we set out to organize the world’s food knowledge so we can help people make the right food choices.  Wow, this is fascinating. So what is your personal ‘Why’ that you’re manifesting in this business?  So, in terms of philosophy—and my philosophy changes. Everybody’s personal philosophy changes over time. But where I am right now, I think there are a couple of things that really matter if you want to live what one would call the good life—a meaningful life. One is to be really present in the moment. You know, be here now. The other is to help people. I think my business falls into…Share on X For us, the measure of success is not revenue or profit.  It’s how many people we ultimately reach through our data. It’s worth noting that we’re a business-to-business company, so we don’t reach people directly. But we have partnerships with companies like Nestlé, Microsoft, Amazon, and Food Network. Through those partnerships, we think we reach at least a billion people. For us, that’s the real measure of success.  Helping everybody eat better and live longer, healthier lives. My vision is that everybody can live to 120 without chronic illness or mental conditions. A big part of that is food. So we're trying to help people. That's my 'Why'.Share on X  Yeah, I love it. Obviously, eating healthy is a big thing. You know, garbage in, garbage out. This is fascinating. Do you find that certain cultures have better eating habits than others? And what drives it?  I think history and geography, to some extent. Everybody knows about the Mediterranean diet. And it’s not only the countries around the Mediterranean. Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine are Mediterranean in the composition of the food. A lot of it comes from being close to water, living in a certain climate, and having a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, and fish. But I think the biggest change over the last hundred years hasn’t been culture. It’s been technology—quote-unquote—and the processing of food so it’s shelf-stable, can be shipped, and sold at a lower price.  I think that’s the biggest problem. It’s changing eating habits everywhere in the world. It’s very well known in the United States and, to some extent, in Western Europe. But even places like Japan are starting to eat a lot more processed food. Mexico is starting to eat a lot more processed food. This is more technology-driven than anything else. If I had to say one thing that would help people, it would be this: Go back to your roots. Get food directly from the soil. Cook it at home. It's a question of time and effort, but if you value your health, that's one of the best investments you…Share on X  Yeah, as we’re getting busier and busier, the opportunity cost of cooking our own meals is becoming higher. And that’s the real problem.  It is a problem. I mean, it’s a question of priority. I cook every day. I’m very busy, but for me, it’s an important enough thing. Food, apart from nourishment and nutrition, is also a very social thing. People connect through food and spend time together, and that’s another thing that correlates very well with longevity and a well-lived life. So there’s a lot more to be said about having good food.  Yeah, I think Woody Allen said in one of his movies that eating together is the second sexiest thing to do, or something like that.  Yeah, there you go. I’m not going to ask what the first one is.  Yeah. That’s awesome. So let’s talk about frameworks. This podcast is all about frameworks. What’s a framework that you’ve discovered along the way that helps you think about your business, create outcomes in your business, help other people be productive, or whatever it is that’s driving results in your business?  A couple of things come to mind. I’ll start with the non-obvious one. Some people speak about it, but I’ve practiced it, and I think going slow gets you further. You know, the hare and the tortoise. I am definitely against growth for growth’s sake. That drives a lot of decisions: who you raise money from, how you run your business, and so on. Over the years—and I’ve been an entrepreneur for probably close to 40 years—I’ve discovered that every successful product has its timing and its soul.  You just have to let it come to fruition. Sometimes that means slowing down instead of rushing forward. For me, being deliberate about the end goal without having time constraints is a framework that’s always helped me. It’s not for everyone. Definitely not for the modern world, where VC money is trying to get you to grow very fast, and everybody competes based on how fast their revenue or customer base has grown.  But I find that this does not lead to lasting results in terms of impacting humanity and having a meaningful life—both for yourself and for everybody in the company. So that’s one framework. The other, which is also very simple, though not too many people execute it, is just: treat people like people. This means there’s no hierarchy in my company. I’m super proud to say that in my last company, I never had an employee leave. And that was over 15 years.  It’s because I treat people as people. Going back to the Latin origin of the word companion, companio, which means “to break bread together.” We are a band of people breaking bread together on a journey. That’s how it works. That means doing things that are not intuitive in business. For example, having no advance notice requirement for vacations. If you want to take a vacation, take it now. Giving responsibility to people and treating them well. Those are the two frameworks that I think have helped me. In addition, making decisions democratically, which is a very contentious thing in business. Okay.  So how do you do that?  There is always, ultimately, an arbiter, which is oftentimes me or some kind of board. But that means having a robust discussion around a topic without preconceived notions of what the end decision or result should be. Creating a culture where everybody can speak up, argue, and tell you they disagree with you. Having that freedom creates an intellectual environment where people really debate.Share on X  At the end, more often than not, the obvious decision emerges. It takes a long time, but the reality is that once a decision is made, everybody has bought into it, and it’s usually the right decision. So I don’t make wrong turns. Now, there are times when it’s a coin flip. There are two equally good—or equally bad—options, and somebody has to make the call. Then it falls to me. But for the most part, it’s democratic decision-making.  So how do you cultivate that? How do you foster it? How do you make sure people contribute to it?  I’ve had the luxury of starting a company from scratch. It’s a lot easier to do when you start from scratch because you establish the culture with the first hire. It’s a lot harder to change a culture and instill new values. For me, it's been a very deliberate choice about what I want the company to be. People working together toward a common goal. People who don't get overworked. People who always have something exciting to do and an amazing group of people to work…Share on X  So it’s about hiring people who are reliable, self-sufficient, and want to move things forward. Then really showing that any conversation and any intellectual argument is absolutely allowed. There is no hierarchy where you can say something and I’ll just shut you down because I’m the boss. You have to demonstrate that in practice. You have to actively solicit everything a person has to say. After the first couple of hires, it becomes easier with the next ones because they see what’s going on. That’s how you do it. It’s a deliberate choice to build the culture through day-to-day interactions. There’s no easier way, unfortunately.  So how scalable is this flat, democratic culture? Does it impact scalability in any way?  It is scalable. My current company is small, but my previous company had about 150 people. Even when we sold the company and had to find a replacement CEO, the candidates had about 50 interviews each. At the end, the whole company voted on who the CEO would be. It is scalable. It slows down the decision-making process, but it speeds up the progress of the company.  An individual, even the smartest individual, is more likely to make mistakes than the crowd. Now, there are exceptions. I’m pretty sure Steve Jobs would have done it differently. But for the most part, I think people make fewer errors through a democratic process than by making decisions on their own. So yes, I think it’s scalable. It’s really a matter of deciding which decisions belong at which level. You don’t have the entire company of, say, 10,000 people voting on one thing. For a particular problem, there might be 10 people who are the relevant decision-makers. They get together and sort it out, and everybody else accepts what those people decide.  So it’s more of an approach to tapping into the minds of the people who can potentially bring diverse opinions.  Yeah. Diversity of opinion. They all have a different angle from which to look at the issue that needs to be resolved. So different angles. Because they’re all impacted, everybody can contribute. There’s respect in listening to everybody else. It’s not that one person establishes the ground truth and everybody else has to agree. There is actual debate.  Yeah. Interesting. By the way, I just want to comment on this bootstrapping aspect. I saw your post on bootstrapping. You spoke at a recent conference on it. So what are your thoughts on bootstrapping? What are the critical ingredients there?  So bootstrapping is the way business has been run for a very long time. It’s only recently—in historical terms—that the venture capital industry emerged and allowed businesses the luxury of building without thinking too much about the bottom line. But I think the disciplining effect of constantly thinking about the bottom line is super important. To some extent, it takes a certain kind of individual to do it, which I call the true entrepreneur. Those are the people who are risk-takers and can live with a very high degree of ambiguity.  When you don’t have money in the bank to cover next month’s expenses, you have to be comfortable with that. To me, that’s the right entrepreneur. It has become too easy for people to become “entrepreneurs” by raising tens of millions of dollars. That’s not to say they might not be brilliant people who execute very well and create amazing companies. I think those are probably one in a thousand. The majority get the money, spend it in two years, and they’re gone. So for me, bootstrapping is the proof in the pudding. If you do it day in and day out and keep moving forward, you're actually building something that's valuable.Share on X  Yeah, I agree. Some people say it’s akin to being an employee when you raise money and just have to get to the next fundraising round, and then the next fundraising round. It’s almost like executing the business plan your board has given you.  Exactly.  Worst case, you go take a job somewhere else if things don’t work out. But you’re not losing your livelihood, and your family isn’t going to starve, right?  It is a certain type of personality, and I don’t think it’s for everyone. But my personal belief is that if you’re going to build a business, you’re better off building it with a little bit of hunger. Not always having enough. Having just enough so you can keep moving forward.  Yeah. Necessity is the mother of invention, right? If you don’t have too many resources, that’s a constraint you can push against and come up with better ideas. It’s a forcing function.  Correct.  There you go. So, Victor, what drives growth in your business?  Like I said, I’m not pro-growth per se. This was also a deliberate choice for the company. Just as a parenthesis, the last business I ran before this was a media business. We sold advertising. I personally don’t believe that spending money on advertising is a good idea. So I built a business with the explicit desire not to spend any money on marketing. That meant I had to build mechanisms for referrals, inbound traffic, and so on.  A lot of our early customers—including companies like The New York Times and Food Network—received very high discounts, but with the requirement to display “Powered by Edamam,” linking back to us. Search engines like that. It builds authority and so on. Over the years, we’ve built enough authority that most of our traffic now comes from search engines and chatbots. That’s what’s driving our growth.  The other thing is that we try to stay nimble. We build technological assets and products, but the market changes. Who needs the data? For what use cases? It’s important to stay aware of the market and adjust to wherever the opportunity is. That’s how I’ve built the business. I’ve built it to generate lots of inbound traffic and then adjust very quickly if the market changes. The rest is we’re almost like a spider waiting for the flies to come in.  So you say you’re not pro-growth. Do you mean you don’t want to make this a bigger company?  No. I’m not for growth just for the sake of growth. Let’s grow 300% this year in top-line revenue. For me, as I said, what drives the business is how many people we reach with our data. That’s the metric I’d like to grow as much as possible. If possible, I’d like to reach every person on the planet. That’s the aspiration. When I say I’m not for growth, I mean that  sometimes growth becomes its own incentive. You grow without asking, “What’s the ultimate goal here?” Why do you have to grow?  Oftentimes, the answer is because you want to sell the company at a big profit. That’s why VCs put money into your company. You’re feeding the VC business model. But if you’re not feeding the VC business model, why do you have to grow the company? What’s the point? You may have investors, but you have patient capital, and they’re aligned with you. Eventually they’ll get their money back, but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of the company’s mission. When I talk about growth, I mean the pressure to constantly grow top-line revenue, which has become very popular over the last couple of decades.  So when you say you eventually want to organize all the food knowledge in the world, it sounds a little like Google organizing the world’s information—just for food. Isn’t that a big vision that requires growth?  No. Again, I don’t think growth is necessary to execute that vision. I think you can organize the world’s food knowledge, and we’re already well along the way. There’s always more to do. Even with very limited resources, we’ve been able to do it. I think that having more customers and more revenue would probably help, but only on the margin. It’s not a prerequisite.  The prerequisite is having the right technology and the right setup to constantly ingest new information about food, pass it through our pipeline, clean it, verify it’s accurate, structure it, organize it, and link it to other data. Food is a relatively limited universe. You started by asking whether people really create 2.3 million recipes. There are only so many ways to combine food items into something people eat. So it’s a limited universe. What’s exciting is the depth of food.  There are macronutrients, micronutrients, allergies, diets—we all know about those. But there’s much more. There are many more molecules in food. Eventually, even the soil it was grown in and the amount of sun exposure could become valuable data. There’s always more work to do, but we focus on what’s actually doable right now.  So do you envisage that the growth of technology, especially AI, means you can keep the company the same size as it is and accomplish your ultimate mission?  I think so. Similar size. To some extent, AI is helping us because it’s bringing a lot more customers. People are building all kinds of applications with large language models and agents, and they need accurate, deep data, so they come to us. We are also using AI to build tools and meet the demand, so our engineers are becoming more effective. So, to some extent, that helps keep the team small.  That being said, in terms of the speed with which AI moves, it’d be nice to have a few extra people. That doesn’t mean doubling the size of the company. I think it’s probably having 20 to 30% more people would be sufficient to actually leverage the technology—which is AI—to the best effect. So that’s kind of my view now. Ask me in two months, I may have a different view.  So what is one thing that you’re actively trying to figure out in this business right now?  Well, AI is throwing a wrench into everything, so it is a very fast-moving environment. Our clients are constantly changing their demands. The profile of our clients is changing. There’s a lot more new health, wellness, prevention, and weight-loss companies that are showing up and starting because they can now build with AI. So all of that makes for a very choppy sea. We can’t figure out exactly where the wind is blowing from and where we should head.  So for me, it’s kind of like having the North Star of, “Okay, we are a data company. We leverage our data asset, and we just keep doing that. Then we’ll innovate on the technologies that we need to offer, but stay there, as opposed to trying to change what the company does.” That’s kind of what’s keeping me steady. But again, it’s a very choppy sea, so I don’t know what’s going to happen. One big worry is whether Anthropic or OpenAI are eventually going to replicate everything that we’ve done. I don’t know. I don’t think so. But artificial superintelligence is something that nobody knows about.  Yeah. So the technology evolves very fast. So how do you avoid being commoditized by AI? I think the data—our moat is the data, right? It’s taken us so much time to actually clean, organize, and structure the data, and that’s not a process you can do easily just by throwing people or AI at it. We’ve used what used to be called AI since the beginning of the company: machine learning, natural language processing, and so on. Now we use generative AI. But we’ve used that, plus super-smart engineers, food experts, nutritionists, and week in, week out, we’ve been improving the data, improving the algorithms, refining it, and so on. That is not something you can just throw resources at.  It requires that constant iteration between humans and technology in order to get there. So for us, I think that’s an important moat because if somebody wants to build it and commoditize us, they’ll have to replicate that. I think the more likely scenario is they may end up buying us. Like I said, artificial superintelligence could be a completely different ballgame. But with the technology that exists right now, with large language models, I don’t think that’s replicable. We know it because enough people have tried.  Yeah. Would you be okay with someone buying you? Is this your…  Sure.  Yeah?  Yeah. The way I think of companies is the following. They’re like children. At some point, children become 18-year-olds. They can earn their own bread. They can walk on their own two feet. You kind of have to let them go. I think this company has gotten to that stage. It’s a teenager that can walk on its own. It doesn’t need me. And I have ideas for 10 more businesses. Who knows? If I’m healthy, I think I could probably build another four or five businesses in the next 40 or 50 years. Why not?  Yeah. I love it. So who do you want to connect with you, go on your website, check things out, and what’s the best way to engage with what Edamam is doing?  Two categories of people or entities. One is companies that are building something around diet management, nutrition, health, or food. I think they’ll find that we have valuable resources that can speed up whatever they’re developing. So that’s one category. The other is like-minded individuals. They could be investors, but they could also just be people who really care about healthy eating and the prosperity of humanity.  Those are the types of people I’d like to talk to because aligned minds often come up with new ideas. It’s kind of the Y Combinator thing—lateral thinking. If we have an aligned goal and we come from different fields, we may come up with something new.  Okay. So that’s a way for you to find people worth brainstorming with, I guess, who have the same ideas: healthy eating, helping people live longer—to 120 years. And other companies that could be using the data you’re processing and organizing. So if you’re out there and you’re in the food business or the healthy living business, then definitely pay attention.  Check out Edamam LLC‘s website. Talk to Victor Penev on LinkedIn. So, Victor, thank you for coming on the show and sharing your wisdom. And if you enjoyed this conversation, stay tuned because we have wonderful entrepreneurs like Victor every week. Anything else, Victor, you want to share? Any famous last words?  Yeah. I just want to say thank you. I appreciate the opportunity. Keep up the good work. I really enjoyed the conversation.  Thank you, Victor. And thanks for listening. Important Links: Victor's LinkedIn Victor's  website

Mastering nonprofit leadership strategies requires a unique blend of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and governance expertise. In this episode, we sit down with four distinguished nonprofit CEOs—Jennifer Gillivan (IWK Foundation), Sharon Avery (Toronto Foundation), Michael McKnight (United Way of British Columbia), and Wendy Beauchesne (Alberta Cancer Foundation)—to explore how the CEO role has evolved over recent years. From navigating the complexities of post-pandemic hybrid work to building trust-based relationships with volunteer boards, these leaders share candid advice on what it truly takes to succeed. Discover the power of creating a “North Star,” the importance of strategic patience, and the art of delegating for impact in this insightful look at the future of organizational management.

Does having a vision for your life mean you have everything perfectly mapped out for the next 10 years and beyond? I don't think so. I believe having a vision is like having a North Star.

Send us Fan Mail Your life is already being written, just not always by you. We start with a simple but heavy truth: every human being lives inside a story, not only what happened, but what we decided it meant. That story shapes mental health, confidence, relationships, and the risks we dare to take. When we never examine it, we end up protecting a narrative that quietly limits everything we reach for. I'm joined by best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and publisher Teresa Rodriguez, founder of Liberte Press. Teresa opens up about a painful season of abandonment, depression, and self-harm, and the moment she refused to hand her life over to a script she didn't choose. Her path back begins with “soloness” not loneliness, but intentional time and space to breathe, be present, and reconnect with the self. We also unpack why childhood beliefs feel so true, how narrative change works in real life, and why it takes sustained effort to break through self-sabotage. Then we tackle modern pressure points: ambition, burnout, and the myth that you can have it all. Teresa offers a practical reset for sustainable ambition: define success by how you want it to feel, name your North Star, and prioritise accordingly. We also talk social media envy, mirror work, journaling, and a simple writing habit that can unlock the book you've been carrying for years. If this sparks something, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs a reminder that change is possible, and leave a review so more people can find it. Connect With the Guest: Website: https://libertepress.com Instagram (Teresa Rodriguez): https://www.instagram.com/teresarodriguez_sf/ Instagram (Liberté Press): https://www.instagram.com/libertepress_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tangodiva Astrologer Royale Offer: Save $50 on your Natal Chart Reading | Code: POD50 Extraordinary People LLC All free so we can get to know each other! Wake up ltd Self Mental Healthcare/Stress Relief Practices - Buddha way, backed by science | Code: healthymind The Rooted Co-op 50% off the Nervous System Work: Be the Change Course! | Code: POD50 Convergence Offer: 50% off | TRANSFORM50 Kasia Makuch-Cole Offer: First Month Free | Code: AvikandSana Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?

What happens when you stop trying to become the person the world expects and finally begin choosing who you want to be? In Episode 152 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson welcomes global speaker, bestselling author, disability advocate, activist, and content creator Spencer West for a powerful conversation about disability identity, autonomy, interdependence, and breaking free from expectations. Spencer is the author of Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself, a new book that invites readers to question the expectations shaping their lives and begin choosing a more authentic path. Born with a genetic condition that prevented the muscles in his legs from functioning, Spencer underwent surgeries that resulted in the amputation of both legs just below his pelvis. Growing up, he was repeatedly told that he was “just like everyone else” and that every child wanted to walk. But prosthetic legs were not the best mobility choice for Spencer. By sixth grade, his parents and therapist gave him the opportunity to decide for himself how he wanted to navigate the world. Choosing to stop using prosthetic legs became one of his earliest lessons in bodily autonomy. “The moment I realized I could choose how I wanted to navigate the world, everything started to change.” That decision did not eliminate the pressure to fit in. Spencer shares how he continued confronting internalized ableism, social expectations, and the confusing message that disability should be ignored rather than embraced as part of his identity. The Life Changing Power of Autonomy Spencer and Alycia discuss why disabled children deserve the opportunity to participate in decisions about their own bodies, mobility, healthcare, and lives. Spencer credits his parents with giving him choices instead of assuming they always knew what was best for him. Looking back, he recognizes that this early experience helped him understand that he could make other meaningful choices too. For parents, educators, medical professionals, and leaders, his story offers an important reminder: supporting disabled people does not mean controlling every decision. It means creating space for autonomy, self discovery, and informed choice. Climbing Kilimanjaro and Redefining Help Spencer also shares the story behind climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. He was not motivated by a desire to prove that “anything is possible.” In fact, Spencer openly admits that he does not like camping and had never dreamed of becoming a mountain climber. The climb became part of a larger campaign called Redefine Possible, which raised more than its original $500,000 goal for clean water initiatives in East Africa. Spencer trained for a year alongside two of his closest friends. Although the original plan was to use both his wheelchair and his hands to climb, the terrain required him to navigate much more of the mountain on his hands than expected. Throughout the expedition, Spencer relied on his friends for physical support. But on summit day, both friends became sick from the altitude. Suddenly, the person who assumed he would need the most assistance became the person helping them continue. Spencer could not physically carry his friends, but he could stay beside them, encourage them, and keep moving forward with them. That experience transformed how he viewed strength. “We all need help. We all need to ask for help, and we all need to offer help.” Rather than celebrating the myth of the self made person, Spencer encourages people to embrace interdependence, the understanding that every person depends on support, relationships, community, and collaboration. Moving Beyond Inspiration Porn Spencer and Alycia examine the harmful narratives that often surround disabled people who accomplish highly visible goals. Spencer never wanted his Kilimanjaro climb reduced to a message suggesting that if a disabled person can climb a mountain, everyone should be able to overcome every barrier. That framing ignores systemic ableism, access needs, privilege, support, and the reality that every disabled person has a different body and experience. Spencer shares how disability justice advocate Naomi Ortiz challenged him to reconsider the way he talked about the climb. The true story was not that he overcame disability alone. It was that he reached the summit through community and interdependence. That conversation led Spencer to study disability history, disability justice, and the advocates who have shaped the movement. Today, much of his content reflects what he continues to learn and unlearn in real time. What Does It Mean to Break Free? Spencer's new book, Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself, examines the expectations people absorb from the moment they enter the world. For Spencer, those expectations included: Do not think of yourself as disabled Overcome your disability Use prosthetic legs Follow a traditional career path Marry a woman Measure success through productivity Live according to society's definition of a successful life As a disabled gay man growing up in a conservative Wyoming community, Spencer gradually realized that many of those expectations did not reflect who he was or what he wanted. Breaking free became the process of identifying which expectations belonged to him and which ones had been placed upon him by others. “My value and success are not tied up in what my body can produce.” Spencer explains that breaking free does not always require climbing a mountain or completely changing your career. It can begin with one small decision, such as leaving an unhealthy relationship, exploring a new passion, moving to another city, or making room for something that brings joy. Disability as Identity During a volunteer trip to Kenya, Spencer spoke with students about his disability. A young girl told him she had not realized that the loss of limbs could happen to a white person too. Her observation sparked a major realization. Until that moment, Spencer had viewed disability primarily as something that happened to him. He had not yet embraced it as part of his identity. That experience helped him begin connecting disability with the other layers of who he is, including being queer, a speaker, a creator, and an advocate. Spencer and Alycia reflect on how long it can take to fully embrace disability identity after growing up in environments that treated disability as something negative, shameful, or separate from the self. A Book Designed to Become a Tool Breaking Free is more than a memoir. Spencer designed the book as a practical guide for readers who are questioning the expectations shaping their lives. Each chapter includes exercises, reflection questions, key concepts, and opportunities for readers to begin their own process of change. The book also gives Spencer an opportunity to share parts of his life that he had not discussed publicly before, including the pressure he experienced to hide his queer identity while working within an organization concerned about conservative donors and religious partners. After years of advocacy from Spencer, queer colleagues, and allies, he eventually shared his coming out story publicly on June 26, 2015, the day marriage equality became law across the United States. For Spencer, that moment represented years of persistence, truth telling, and breaking free. Spencer West's North Star Today, Spencer continues speaking, creating digital content, and helping organizations understand the value of hiring disabled talent. His work challenges myths about disabled employees and highlights the unnecessary ableism many disabled people face while trying to find meaningful employment. His current North Star is clear: get Breaking Free into the hands of people who need permission to question expectations, embrace their identities, and begin choosing themselves. In This Episode Why bodily autonomy matters for disabled children and adults Spencer's decision to stop using prosthetic legs Unlearning internalized ableism The deeper story behind climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Why no one is truly self made Interdependence and the courage to ask for help How inspiration porn harms disabled people Learning from disability justice advocates Disability and queer identity Breaking free from society's expectations Separating personal value from productivity Why Spencer wrote Breaking Free Disability inclusion and employment Memorable Quotes from Spencer West “The moment I realized I could choose how I wanted to navigate the world, everything started to change.” “The story was not that I reached the top alone. The story was interdependence.” The Pushing Forward Moment “Maybe our job is not to become anything. Maybe our job is to unbecome all the things that do not belong to us so we can become the person we were meant to be.” Spencer explains that this idea, inspired by a passage associated with Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, became the guiding thesis behind Breaking Free. Connect with Spencer West Visit Spencer2TheWest.com to learn more about Spencer, book him to speak, and find his new book. Follow Spencer on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @spencer2thewest. Book: Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself Available wherever books are sold. Connect with Alycia Anderson Visit AlyciaAnderson.com to learn more about Alycia's keynotes, disability inclusion programs, accessibility resources, and consulting services. Explore more episodes of Pushing Forward with Alycia. Pushing Forward is how we roll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can building an audience in advance help your stories reach the people who make movies? And how can you prove there's demand for your book or screenplay before you've written it? Brooks Elms shares his advice after more than 20 years as a WGA screenwriter. In the intro, what doesn't work for book marketing and what does [Amy Chan SubStack; Unsingle; Rephonic]; Goodreads giveaway for Bones of the Deep; FutureVision XPrize. This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Brooks Elms is a WGA screenwriter with over 45 scripts, over a dozen sales, and he has directed two indie features. He is the creator of the Answer the Call system and has trained over 1,000 writers. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes How to see the opportunity in AI when others only see the threat How to test a story with samples, and what a 16-second movie can do Building the trailer before you write the screenplay Letting your audience finance the film once they have validated the idea Why Hollywood still wants existing IP, and what makes them pay attention Feeling safe enough to write the truth, and finding a concrete path forward You can find Brooks on LinkedIn or email him at brooks@brookselms.com. Transcript of the interview with Brooks Elms Jo: Brooks Elms is a WGA screenwriter with over 45 scripts, over a dozen sales, and he has directed two indie features. He is the creator of the Answer the Call system and has trained over 1,000 writers. So welcome to the show, Brooks. Brooks: Thank you. It's awesome to be here. Jo: Fantastic. So first up— Tell us a bit more about you and how you got into screenwriting. Brooks: I started filmmaking first. A buddy came up to me in high school and said, “Hey, we're making a karate movie, do you want to help us?” I was like, “Oh my God, yes, that sounds amazing.” So next thing I know, I had this karate outfit on, and we were just making this completely ridiculous and totally fun movie, and it was amazing. It was so fun. Then it went to a whole other level when we shared it with a friend, this guy Jay Sharon, and he watched the movie and he laughed so hard he literally fell out of his chair. I was like, “Oh my God,” the fun I had making it could actually transfer to somebody else. I was hooked. So from there I went to NYU film school, and then made a few independent feature films which were good but not great in terms of how they were received. They were great for me in terms of enjoyment, but I knew I needed to iterate faster at that point. So then I was like, “Well, it's expensive and it takes a long time to make a movie,” at least back then. So I pivoted to screenwriting, and pumped out two, three scripts a year, got signed at UTA, got writing assignments, and basically launched a screenwriting career. Then I still tried to get some stuff going, but it's hard when movies are so expensive. It's not hard, it's just that it takes a lot of precision in the marketing, and a lot of conversations to find the right matches to finance something, and you're either interested in doing that or you're not. I just was like, “Well, I'll just mostly write screenplays.” Then I started teaching at UCLA Extension and then coaching after that, along with writing. Then all the way up to the future. What's great about moving forward is that with AI, shot-making is becoming very close to cinematic quality. You can actually match cinematic quality in moments in some genres, but probably by next year. Right now you could actually do a really good horror movie all AI for 10, 20,000 bucks, depending on how much you're doing yourself or getting other people to do. So the economics are going to absolutely explode. So I'm sitting on dozens of scripts that didn't get through the Hollywood packaging bottleneck because they're too expensive, and I now have this giant slate that's ready to go, and I'm just absolutely thrilled. It's been a lifelong dream for me. Jo: Oh, so much to come back on there. Where to start? I do want to talk about what you just said there, sitting on dozens of scripts and now seeing the opportunity. I actually wrote down in my journal about a year ago, I see what's coming with AI, and I think that the best thing I can do is create as much original IP as possible, so that I can make the most of the opportunity ahead. So let's just get into the AI, because a lot of people feel it's a super bad thing. Talk about the opportunities and the attitude that you've got [around AI], and that you've seen others have around this, for what is ahead in a positive way. Brooks: It's fascinating to see how people respond to AI. I wonder, when the printing press rolled around, if there was some sort of backlash. Books must be handwritten. They can't be mass-produced. Here's one of my theories. At a deep psychological level, it's so profoundly powerful that I think the default setting is, “Oh, crap.” When I was a kid, some things were hard, and that power imbalance, when something big, new and powerful comes along: I'm going to get screwed, and so this is somehow a bad thing. I think that's the base psychological thing going on with most of the noise. Obviously there are some legit problems, in terms of copyright infringement from learning models, or from some of the environmental situation. So I'm not saying it's all rainbows and butterflies, but I think 90% of the noise around it comes from a fear of change. Here's the other one—a fear of, “Oh, yikes, I'm going to get taken advantage of somehow by either robots, or the corporations are going to use the robots against me,” or something like that. I have real empathy for me when I feel that way a little bit, but I don't feel it much, and for other people that do feel it. The other thing is, you know what it is? I think they fear their own empowerment even more. I had a therapist who was really good. He said, people aren't so much afraid of failing as they are afraid of succeeding. Because if we fail, we're stuck in act one and we don't go anywhere. The fear is answering the call and going to act two, when everything effing changes in the new world. So I think people are afraid of how goddamn powerful they're going to be when they can have a team of AI agents helping them do everything they want in business or life or whatever. I think it's the same thing with the internet. People are like, “Oh, I don't like social media, blah, blah, blah.” And I get it. There's a lot of noise and a lot of crap. Yet we have access to billions of people, and the algorithms in social media right now I think are level three out of 10. They're just going to get better and better. Even as it is now, if I do a post about something and it gets ignored, that's on me. The algorithms are trying to match me to my people. So if I'm not unique enough and authentic enough and aware enough of how virality works, that's on me, and it's a learnable skill that I can embrace and then change and then get better at. So I think people then resist that change. They resist the empowerment of learning the art of virality, or learning the art of some sort of social media stuff or whatever. The last thing I'll say about this rant is, I don't want to act like I'm the guru on the hill that has all the answers. I refuse calls all the time. I'm scared about all sorts of things. I'm certainly not perfect. I feel frustrated when I'm trying to put my big ideas into action and I can't get this technology thing to work or that one, and I throw tantrums. I'm trying to come at it from a real human perspective, but by and large, I've got stars in my eyes. I'm like, “This is amazing. This is going to be so powerful.” For so many people, you just have to be ready to embrace it and just go along for the ride, because there's going to be some big-ass changes. There already are, and that's going to accelerate. Jo: You mentioned there learning the art of whatever it is. One of the things is, I've spent 20 years, and so have you, learning our craft and our art, and now it can be done very easily. I'm generating video, as you mentioned, which is a craft I haven't spent 20 years on, but now I can generate. So things have definitely changed in that way. Just coming to the screenwriting side. Probably about a decade ago now, I did my first screenwriting course. I've written screenplays. Then I looked at the game you have to play and, like you said, the conversations you have to have, the events you have to go and network at, all the things that you have to do to put a screenplay in front of the right person at the right time. I was like, “I cannot do that. It's just not going to happen. I can't do that along with everything else.” So I put it aside, but now I feel maybe it's time to bring it back because things are changing. So can you maybe talk about, if someone has a screenplay now that they've written, or some IP like a book that they have now— What would you recommend people do in terms of wanting to get that [IP] in front of somebody, or doing something with it themselves? Brooks: It's such a good question. By the way, not even a screenplay—you could do the same things with a novel. Let me try to be succinct here, which is a good challenge for me. A simple way to look at it is, you're giving samples. Let's say it's a lemonade stand, and you give out a little shot of your… maybe you have cayenne pepper lemonade, some sort of fun lemonade. If you give out a sample and people are into it, they're going to come back and they're going to tell friends. If you give a sample of the lemonade and they're not into it, then you go back to the kitchen and you mix up a different flavour. So that's some basic business, but the internet allows us to do that at scale. So what I like to encourage people to do when I coach them is come up with the minimum viable material. It can be a 10-second clip. There's a writer in my community who made a really beautiful 16-second movie. It's one shot. I love it so much. It's two wine glasses. There's a lipstick smudge on one of the wine glasses. They're half full, and it's just that shot. It's sitting there, and all of a sudden you hear this thundering, thumping down these stairs, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun. Then you see out of the corner of the frame one person runs by, and then the other person behind her runs by and goes, “Wait.” That's it. That's the whole movie. It's 16 seconds. He did that with his phone. So there's so much going on. There's a couple of basic elements, but he just did it with his phone, and you can evoke enormous emotional impact on people through social media, whether it's just words. You guys have a big advantage as novelists because you're so good with words. Whether it's a little bit longer, like sudden fiction, that's a couple of pages or whatever. Even just copywriters are really in a good position for the future because they're super potent with two words or three words or 10 words. Then novelists are probably really advantageous because it doesn't cost anything to just put some words out on the internet. The point is, if you put something out, it's a signal, and you're talking about billions of people who could find that signal. If you do it and then you look at the response, and then you try again, you look at the response, we can do this iteration infinitely for free. So you can do it already. You've been able to do it for 10, 15, 20 years, just with words. But now you're going to basically be able to do that with movies or clips or trailers. So the thing that I'm leading in my community of writers is having people build trailers in advance, or clips. When a book or a movie is done, how the heck do we get people to see it? One way is a trailer or some sort of behind-the-scenes material. You can just do that stuff now before even writing the screenplay. I saw that you were doing this project, a trailer for this competition. And then you mentioned, “Oh, I've got to write the screenplay.” Not really. You have to develop the story enough to know what you're referring to, and then it's about studying the craft of either trailer construction, or whatever the clips are, or viral clips. They all have a structure, and then you just test it. If you enjoy that testing process, which I find absolutely thrilling, it feels like the filmmaking version of a stand-up comedian. If I did stand-up, I say a joke, they laugh or they don't laugh. It's really beautiful feedback from the universe. Nerve-wracking, right? But we can do that now as storytellers. We put a story out there in any format, and the audience responds. Just like you have to read any room, you have to learn how to read the engagement on social media. What do likes mean? What do shares mean? What do comments mean? How do you deal with trolls? All that is just part of the new art. Once you get good at it, holy smokes, that's the key to the kingdom. You can build audiences in advance, and for movies you could even have them finance your movie in advance, if you've built an email list of 20,000, 30,000, 40,000 people because you kept putting out all these viral clips around your story, novel, or screenplay. Then you go, “Okay, now 30,000 people are on my email list and I tell them about me and my perspective and my world. We're going to make this darn thing with AI for 20,000 bucks. You guys have got to pony up some money. Put in a dollar, five, 10, or you get the VIP $500 experience.” It's like crowdfunding, but much more sophisticated, because most crowdfunding was like begging friends and family to donate to your crazy dream. What I'm talking about is going to the audience directly, developing enough of the story, then going to the audience second, and then only when they validate the idea, to the extent that you're happy with. You could do a crazy idea that's going to have a small audience, and you don't have to have a blockbuster audience. You get to pick the audience size that you want, and then put the samples out there and see if you have a relevant audience size for this next project. Once the audience tells you, “Yes, we want this,” then you go make it. So you're ultimately reducing risk to almost zero. It takes time and you have to learn how to do this stuff, but it's thrilling to me because we just have the capacity to test the material and listen to the audience upfront. The last thing I'll say, and I've rambled a lot, I'm sorry. When I made a movie in 1994, a feature film right out of NYU, it took me three years to find out what the audience thought about that movie. I had to make the damn thing, and then I ran out of money, and that took me years to edit it, and I finally got it, blah, blah, blah. And again, I loved it. I loved every facet of it, and it was fine, but it was super inefficient. Today, I could take those same elements, create an AI trailer this weekend, put it in front of hundreds of thousands of people, and they could tell me right away, “This sucks,” or, “This is interesting,” or, “Holy smokes, this is amazing. I want this.” If it's not, “Holy smokes, this is amazing, I want it,” I can go ahead and re-edit the whole damn trailer, and just keep reiterating at almost no cost. Then once the demand is there, I can take that demand and that audience and go to Hollywood, and that's when they're going to want to work with me. Then it doesn't take a million conversations and finding the needle in the haystack, because Hollywood sees the numbers and they go, “Oh, you're the people we do want to do business with. You've proven demand. We want to do business with you.” Jo: Yes, it's so interesting. I can hear people listening and they're like, “Easier said than done, getting an email list of 40,000 people.” And in fact— It's exactly the same as building up a career as an independent author. This is as a filmmaker, as a visual person, and the industry is visual, so doing a visual trailer is the obvious thing. And as you say, the tools I use just to do this one, I use Midjourney, and I've used Seedance as the main video model. It does take a while, but it is pretty fast now, if you have a visual image of what you want in your head, which obviously you're a visual person as well. But is it… Brooks: Hold on. I want to push back on that a little bit, because I think it's really important. So yes, that's true, but underneath that, my friend, it's a relationship. It's the relationship, and the media is secondary. You have been prolific in connecting with your audience, and that's why I think a lot of people like you, because you share and they get to know you in that sort of cadence. I saw you in another podcast, you mentioned Seth Godin, who just said, “Hey, I want to be the type of person that has this relationship with my audience. I'm going to share some of my thoughts every day.” He happened to do it with words, with his background in marketing, but you could do the same thing with still images. You could do the same thing with a five-second movie clip once a week. It's the relationship you want with your fans. I'm not saying you snap your fingers and you have 50,000 people on your email list. What I'm saying is, what else are you doing? If we're artists and our impulse is to create and share, and if you do it in this way, if I can create and share and inspire trust in this relationship with a stranger because they like my genre thing and they like the way they felt when they experienced my media, words, images, movies, it doesn't matter. They just like the feeling, and they go, “Ooh, I want more of that feeling. How do I get more of that? Oh, this person has this email list or community.” If I can do it with one, then I can scale it out. So getting the first one, or the first 5 or 10 samples, that is a whole process. But then once you do that, scaling up is more of a mechanical thing. It's not even that hard, especially when you can do paid ads. So you can scale up very quickly if you have the sauce. If you don't have the sauce, it doesn't matter who you're related to, you've got to get the sauce right. Jo: Yes, and again, it's so parallel to the indie author community. I've just got to ask you, in the olden days, an author might write a screenplay, or a screenwriter write a screenplay, and then they would send it. They'd find an agent. They'd pitch an agent, and I guess then they'd hope that someone would turn that into a movie. So is that just dead now? Is it realistically that you need to get yourself out there, build the audience in the same way that it often is for authors? Brooks: So, no. I've got two screenplay deals going right now. So here's how it's going to work. Think about Broadway, or the theatre district in Britain. It's like West End or East End or whatever… Jo: The West End. Brooks: Sorry for my American ignorance. West End, okay. So every town on the planet has a stage, but there's only one Broadway, there's only one West End, right? And every town has its own festival, but there are a few significant tastemakers. There's Cannes, there's Sundance, there's Toronto. Hollywood is always going to be a tastemaker in our lifetime, for sure. What they don't have anymore, what they enjoyed for the first 100 years of the industry, is that they had a stranglehold on basically the equipment, the financing, and the audience, and that's all going away. Do you want to hear a fun story about the birth of cinema? Do you know why Hollywood started in Hollywood? Jo: No. Brooks: So Thomas Edison invented the camera, or the type of model camera that they were using in, I don't know, 1910 or something around there. They didn't want to pay his patent. They didn't want to pay the patent to make these movies, so they went all the way across the country, a bunch of outlaws, and they set up shop in California because he couldn't enforce his patent that they were basically stealing. And reason number two, LA enjoys amazing weather almost all year round. The weather here is either nice or really nice. You have mountains, you have beach, you have desert, you have all these different locales. So when it was really important to be on location, LA was the perfect place. Anyway, that is all going away. For many decades, more people could make movies. In the early '90s, Robert Rodriguez made a movie for 9,000 bucks. There was a book in the '80s that I bought that I loved, it was Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices. This guy, Rick Schmidt, I think his name was. There were the independent filmmakers really in the '60s and the '70s. So the cost has been going down and down and down, and now it's less than ever. Once social media came along, now you have access to the audience, so why do you even need Hollywood? That being said, there are tons of people. There are 400,000 people already working in the movie and the TV industry here. And they're voracious. We have a voracious demand. Humans need stories. We need big stories, long stories. We need stories, and Hollywood is so good at giving them stories. And so they have a need for these things, and they're still spending a lot of money on those budgets. So yes, there's still a demand for turning books and optioning them and turning them into movies. Books are great. Any sort of existing IP is great because there are marketing efficiencies there. People already know that stuff, know the vibe of it, and so it's easier to market than something that's totally creative and new. When you're spending that much money, you want those marketing efficiencies. They're really important. So the point being, the power is shifting away from Hollywood. Hollywood will still be a tastemaker, but you and me can reach anybody on the planet now. Almost. Billions of people. If it's making a movie, right now you could make a movie that most people wouldn't realise is an AI movie. If it was a horror film, I know a handful of people that could make a feature-length horror film right now with AI and 99% of the audience couldn't tell, if it was professionally written. Jo: I think the point here though is, I'm an author, the people listening are authors, and we don't want to make movies. We want to license our IP to people who want to make movies. Brooks: Yes. Great. Okay, good. So then you could, if you wanted, build an audience. Hollywood loves when something's already proven, so that's that IP thing, right? So if you just have a great book, then it's all about the sales. You guys have Dragons' Den, we have Shark Tank here. And what's amazing about that show is these are people or entrepreneurs pitching an idea, and there's an amazing rhythm that happens. They say, “We've got this great idea. It's this sort of company.” And the sharks, or the dragons, will listen. And there's a huge turning point when they reveal sales. They're either really excited about the idea and then they go, “Well, how are the sales?” And the person goes, “Well, we don't have any sales yet.” And they go, “Uh,” and they're not interested. Or they might even be like, “Eh, it doesn't seem like a good idea.” And they're like, “Well, how are the sales?” And they're like, “Oh, well, we've sold through the roof.” And then all of a sudden they perk up. So it's all about the sales. So step one is writing something that you want. Step two is making sure other people in your target audience are also loving it as much as you do. Step three is proving in some way at scale that there's real demand for it. So you could do that with trailers, you could do that with clips, you can do that as an indie publisher. There's all sorts of things that you can do. Humans are much more persuaded by concrete data than they are by just vibes. So if you can bring Hollywood concrete data of any type, like viral videos, like audience, like obviously bestsellers. Awards mean something, but not quite as much as sales. Then you're going to get Hollywood's attention because that reduces risk for them. So even now, when Hollywood's definitely shrinking and contracting, there's still very significant money being spent because it's a huge demand. If you ever walk around a studio lot, those things are opulent places. It's stunning. Like, how are they paying for all this stuff? These lots are enormous. It's because humanity is voracious for stories, and movies are one premium type of storytelling. The demand for stories is steady if not going up. It's just that we have a wider variety of types of stories that we can do, whether we're an indie author. So anyway, did I answer the question? You get me too excited with these questions, Jo. It's a problem. Jo: Yes. I think there's a lot of opportunity and a lot of ways in, but the parallels with being an indie author I think are quite clear. One of the things I found interesting about your profile and what you do is that you help clients who are already accomplished but not quite breaking through, and that sounds like a lot of mid-list indie authors, probably a lot of mid-list screenwriters, mid-list filmmakers. This is a hard place to be because, on the one hand, we are grateful for what we have achieved and what we can do, and yet wanting more, wanting that big Hollywood deal or the Netflix deal, or wanting the massive bestseller or whatever. So if someone wants to get to that next level, what are some of the ways that they can perhaps try and get there? Brooks: It's a great question. Coaching is a really wonderful way to learn anything of this sort of complexity and challenge, especially if it's a hyper-competitive business. We need two things, I think, to write a great novel or screenplay or both. A, we need to feel profoundly safe in our space. If we can't really feel deeply authentic about the things that are embarrassing, or that we feel shame about, or just our shadows, or anything that we don't feel completely comfortable saying and sharing in public usually. We need to be able to touch those things, and be articulate about those things, and that's one part of it. Then we need a concrete path forward. Maybe you're thinking about some tragedy that you had in childhood, and how you dealt with it and how difficult that was. So you need to be able to be real precise in those observations about what it felt like, and how you tried to compensate for it, and that didn't work and it made it worse. Whatever your observations are about your life journey, you need to be really specific and really deeply felt. A good coaching relationship allows you to be in that space, to be really honest with yourself and authentic. g Aood coach will push you back and say, “You know what? That sounds interesting, but maybe not quite as true to you deeply.” So that's one piece of it. Then there's a concrete path forward. You need to have the emotional access to that truth, and then you need to know what to do with that truth in a step-by-step way. Because most people, the ones that you're talking about, they're accomplished in something else. What happens is when we first start writing, and maybe this happens with novelists, but for sure it happens to screenwriters, you just start typing words. But you haven't really thought through the theme, the concept, the structure, the character, all the deeper questions that really matter. The milestones, like a North Star: winning a major award, or getting a publisher. That's the direction that we're heading towards, and then you set it and forget it, but you want to keep checking it every week, every month or whatever. But you want it very specific. “I would like to sell a book, or sell a book to Hollywood, or write a screenplay, or get a producer attached to a screenplay.” Whatever the milestone is, make it really specific, really concrete, and then reverse engineer. This is what I do on the concrete path. I reverse engineer every step to get there, starting with a really tiny one we can do today, and I make sure they feel really safe, and then we just walk through. Then what happens is, if you do that, if you feel safe, if you're showing up authentically and you have a process that's repeatable, not just willy-nilly, it's got to be something that's proven to work. It wasn't an accident I wrote 45 scripts. I've got a whole system. But by the way, the first five scripts took me forever. The last movie that I made took me three years to write that script. I can write a better script with those same elements in three months now, because I know I have a concrete path. So if you want to do something new, whether it's playing the piano or getting six-pack abs or writing a screenplay, work with somebody who's got a system that's already proven, and make sure you relate to them, and then just follow the system. Then when the doubts come up, and they will, that's where the feeling safe is really important. Because, oh, I want the six-pack abs, but I don't feel like going to the gym. I want the extra donut. If I'm working with a really good trainer, they go, “Dude, do you want the six-pack abs or not?” And then you go back and forth, and I go, “Okay, now I can make peace with myself and say I can take one tiny bite of the donut and then still do my workout,” and then I'm moving towards that North Star. Does that make sense? Jo: Yes. I think, like many independents, I resist anything that is systematised. I'm a discovery writer, and I follow the muse, and all of that kind of thing. I think I would say something in a similar vein, which is sustainable creativity for the long term, because your 45 scripts are also years of work, and my books are years of work, and we get better at what we do. So my system, I do have a system really, because— My system is that I do the work, and I write my stories, and I get them out there, and I do the marketing. So even if it's not as systematised as such, it's still a process that I have repeated over and over again. Brooks: That's fascinating to me. Would you consider yourself a pantser? You're like, “I've got an idea,” and you just start writing? Jo: I don't use the word pantser. I guess I call it discovery writing, which is… Brooks: That's a better term. Jo: Yes. What I'm writing for this prize, for example, I know the characters, I know now what's happening. When I had the idea, it was very much a vision and a theme, and the competition has a theme: a positive future with AI and technology. But the things that came around that, I then started playing with ideas around the treatment. I haven't written the screenplay yet. I don't do a plot, or I don't follow Save the Cat or any of that kind of thing. When I write a novel, I just explore and I never write in order. Then at some point I stop and then I have to think about the structure and putting it all together, so the edits are quite big. But my fun is in that discovery, really. Brooks: Oh, that's awesome. Okay, so let me ask, that's really fascinating. And by the way, that doesn't, to me, negate the system that I use. The one that I use is ultimately… the thing is, these questions, the audience is wanting your unique answers to. You don't necessarily need to do it in a certain order. I think that's actually really cool that you write out of order and you have a few elements in mind. All that stuff sounds awesome. The only thing that then makes me curious is, how's your pace? Are you actually completing novels at a pace that feels good, or do you feel like you go too fast, too slow? Jo: I do one or two a year at the moment. Well, two a year, really. But I would say I'm not as successful as I'd like to be, so I'm not saying that my system is the best. I'm saying I want to be better. It's just that my fun is this sort of creative chaos, which I then try and control later. One of the things I really like about screenplays and treatments and doing this kind of thing for film is that it is much more structured, I think, than a 70,000-word novel. You can go in all kinds of directions, whereas with screenwriting you do have to be more disciplined really. Brooks: Yes, so this is going to be fun probably, to hear my view for your audience, and the differences as I see them. For starters, you're talking about what, 10, 20, 30 hours reading a novel sometimes, or maybe less, whereas a movie's a 90-minute experience, right? So that's different. Or if it's a TV series, you might see an hour and then an hour. So that's a very different experience. What happens is when it's condensed like that, you're loading up layers. So every scene is stacked with exposition beneath the drama, and done in a certain way. So specifically, movies are only what you can see and only what you hear. Whereas novels, if you can think it, you can write it, it can be in there. So you don't need to have a plot, but if you want to sell your book to Hollywood, it helps. So I was very resistant about structure. I went to NYU film school, where we really just made short films. It was funny, I had friends that were in the dramatic writing department, and I was like, “You guys are wasting your money. You're just learning to write scripts. We learn to write the scripts and make the movies.” What I hadn't realised is it's a different skill set to hold somebody's attention across an hour-long play, or a 90-minute movie, than it is to make a movie that holds their attention for two minutes or five minutes. I found out years later when I made a feature that was like a lot of shorts patched together, and people were not… They liked it, but they didn't love it. I was like, “Well, what's going on?” And so then I learned to really love Save the Cat in particular. It completely changed me. What happened was, I got a big old slice of humble pie. I had made my second feature, and I put everything I had into it, and it had loose structural beginning, middle, end, blah, blah, blah. But I was still, “Eh, Hollywood BS. What do they know? It's all fake.” So I was very anti-Hollywood structure. Then I was like, now I've got two independent films out there, people saw them, liked them, whatever, but it wasn't getting me consistent work. It wasn't really advancing my career in the way that I wanted. And I was like, “Well, maybe there is something to the Save the Cat.” So I went to the Save the Cat workshop with Blake when he was still alive, and he was delightful, a really awesome guy. He's got this kind of cutesy style, for people that don't know. For context, Blake Snyder was a working Hollywood screenwriter, and he had this system called Save the Cat, which actually has some really interesting ideas. He's got this very light, breezy sort of style. A lot of people don't like him and some people really love him, and everything in between. But I took his weekend seminar, and it completely changed me, because at that point, like I said, I took three years to write a script. Then once he had a process and he had a way of thinking about craft that was just much more screenwriter-friendly, I was like, “Oh my God.” It was so much easier, because I was just focused on the right thing at the right time. So it just sped everything up. After that, I was banging out two to three scripts a year, and better and better quality. So for me, because I went from winging it and wrote five scripts in 13 years, and then wrote two to three scripts every year, I became a huge proponent of system and process. Then my own system really came from that, but it's modular. I have a nine-step system, but you don't necessarily have to go in that order, other than the last three steps, but I won't get into the details. Sometimes you kind of jump from two to three and then back to two and then back and forth. So I love that you get the feel for those elements, and then you just felt your way through. But writing screenplay pages doesn't make sense until you really understand concept, you get a deep sense of beginning, middle, end, character arcs, and these other threads. There are just way better tools for those jobs than screenplay format, because it's a really weird format. It's got these weird slug lines at the top that are all in caps, because a screenplay is a blueprint for somebody else to make the movie. It's not an end-user document like a novel. I don't let my clients even go to that format because it just gets them focused on the wrong things. What they really need to know is, what is your perspective about this theme? What happened in your life that you're fascinated with, that you'd even want to write about this? And tell me what your real life lessons are. So we go into… again, I go back to relationship. What's your relationship to the universe? And what's your relationship to your best friends, or where you got your heart broken, or whatever you want to write about. And then we get that clarity, and then I show you how to express it in terms of developing a screenplay. It's really long-form storytelling, and then the structure just makes it build on itself. But with the structure, because you're talking about so much money and people involved to make it, at least traditionally, what ended up happening was narrative structure that was not so much rigid. Because here's the thing, you can look at 50, 100 years of European cinema and you can look at Hollywood cinema, and Hollywood laps them. When I taught at UCLA Extension, I had lots of foreign students. Let's say there'd be two or three students… if there were 12 people in the class, two or three people would be from America, and everybody else would be from other countries. I would go around, I'd be like, “What movies and TV shows have you been watching?” Almost in every single country, they watch half from their own country, half from Hollywood. So Hollywood storytelling works, that's just the data, and they're dominant. The reason it works is what Aristotle was saying thousands of years ago.. There's a way of thinking about beginning, middle, end that just deeply speaks to the psyche, and you can ignore it if you want. I think Godard said, “You need beginning, middle, and end, but not necessarily in that order,” right? Which is great. Just the way we experience life, there's a beginning, a middle, an end to this podcast interview. There's a beginning, middle, end to the day, a beginning, middle, end to me eating lunch. So if you don't lean into the beginning, middle, end psychological aspect of your story, you're going to bore your reader. But to your point, you don't necessarily have to sort that out in the beginning. It's more efficient probably if you do, but you don't have to. Go into it wherever the muse tells you to go, and then at some point, like you do, then you go, “Okay, now I go back and I edit.” If you're saying there's another level, you have another gear in you, then yes, I'd be curious to slowly go through how you're making those decisions. Because what's happening probably is there are ways you're holding back a little bit. There's maybe something you're afraid of being vulnerable about. That's usually where me or other writers are holding themselves back, and we can take a look at that. There are different ways I show writers to do it. Then you can go, “Oh, I was doing it here, and now I can do it there.” And it could be with process, or just a certain creative choice. With story, it's clear and compelling. Those are the simple things. So, is this clear enough? Is it compelling enough? And there are almost always ways to up-level on any facet, whether it's one sentence, or a sentence that describes the whole concept of the book, or a chapter. Each one of those can be looked at with that lens and we can just say, “Hey, this is 70%, 80%,” whatever, and then we say, “Well, how do we get a little bit more?” And then when you do that enough, it piles up. Then especially if you bring in an audience and people are flipping out for your work, they'll tell you. Jo: Yes, I love a challenge, so thank you for everything you've shared today. So where can people find you and everything you do online? Brooks: Well, one way you can find me—if anything I said seemed helpful for you, if you have questions about Hollywood or you have a screenplay in your heart—you can just email me, brooks@brookselms.com. You could look me up on LinkedIn. I'm at Brooks Elms. I also have a Skool community called Screenwriter Marketing, but it's really for any sort of storyteller, and it talks about my favourite way to engage an audience and get through it. So anybody can jump into that if you like my vibe. If you really think anything I've said, or the way I said it, seems like it could be helpful for you, just reach out. Let me know what you're up to, and maybe there's a way I can help you. Jo: Fantastic. Well, thanks so much for your time, Brooks. That was great. Brooks: You're welcome. It was a total pleasure. It was lots of fun, and I really appreciate you.The post How To Prove The Demand For Your Stories And Get The Attention Of Hollywood With Brooks Elms first appeared on The Creative Penn.

What does it take to stop competing on price and start commanding attention? One word. Your core belief. In this episode of the Business of Story, host Park Howell sits down with Brian Burkhart, founder of Square Planet and one of America's top communication strategists, to reveal why most businesses become invisible commodities — and exactly what to do about it. Brian has spent decades helping Fortune 500 leaders, CEDx speakers, and senior executives find the single galvanizing word that transforms how teams align, how audiences feel, and how brands compete. His insight is simple and powerful: if you can't name what you stand for, you won't stand out. In this episode you'll discover: How to distill your core belief into one powerful word that galvanizes your entire organization Brian's 10-step ancient Stoic framework that works for any presentation, pitch, or keynote How to reverse-engineer your core beliefs directly from your daily actions Why your audience decides with feelings first — and how to make art that activates them The Mad Men "It's Toasted" moment that proves one idea beats every feature list Brian Burkhart defines art as "the unnecessary done on purpose to make someone feel." Sprinkles on cupcakes. Colorful hospital walls. Hotel turndown service. None of it is necessary. All of it creates enthrallment. And enthrallment is exactly what separates unforgettable brands from forgotten commodities. Whether you're preparing a Monday morning presentation, a keynote, or a company-wide initiative, this episode gives you the tools to find your North Star — and make it impossible to ignore. Guest: Brian Burkhart, Founder of Square Planet Contact: info@squareplanet.com Free 45-minute consultation: mention the Business of Story Host: Park Howell, Founder of the Business of Story and creator of the StoryCycle System™ Learn more: businessofstory.com

Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contactㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson's new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out June 9, 2026).All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206ㅤSubscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletterㅤRegister for GuruConference (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.guruconference.comㅤCheck out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.comㅤConnect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/askㅤLeave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!ㅤFollow Stu McLaren on Instagram at @stumclaren, and head to his website Stu.me, where he points listeners to find everything he is working on.ㅤEveryone slaps the word "community" on things now, but almost nobody builds one that survives past 90 days. Stu McLaren has been quietly building membership businesses since before that was a buzzword, and he sits down with Jay Schwedelson to explain why the whole game has flipped from handing people information to actually walking them to the finish line. The part worth your commute is a one-message test that tells you whether anyone will pay before you build a single thing.ㅤBest Moments:(02:59) Why most communities turn into ghost towns after 90 days(04:32) The North Star question every membership needs to answer for its members(07:33) The founding member launch: one message that proves demand before you build anything(12:23) How AI flipped memberships from access to acceleration(17:42) Love me or hate me, there's no money in the middle(19:50) Why Stu is now completely evangelical about Japan

Do you feel like you built a business for freedom, but somehow became the person everyone depends on for EVERYTHING? In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Thomas to talk about the leadership shifts that help you move from reactive chaos to sustainable success. We break down why discipline and clear expectations create more freedom, the ways poor retention and people-pleasing are costing your business, and why being the "cool boss" without structure creates confusion and resentment on your team. Ashley also shares her Leadership Compass framework for defining your North Star, turning your values into behaviors your team can actually follow, and creating a culture where accountability starts with you. Get ready to become a stronger leader, empower your team to take more ownership, and build the systems and culture that give you more freedom to focus on growing your business. Check out our Sponsors: Shopify - Try the ecommerce platform I trust for Glōci. Sign up for your $1/month trial period at http://Shopify.com/happy. Zazzle - Save 25% on your first order today at http://Zazzle.com with code EARN. Monarch Money -  Get your first year of Monarch Core for half off at http://Monarch.com with code EYH. Northwest Registered Agent - Visit northwestregisteredagent.com/EarnFree and start using free resources to build something amazing. Wealthfront - Join the million-plus people already building long-term wealth with confidence by heading to wealthfront.com/earn. Indeed - Indeed is giving Earn Your Happy listeners a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to help get your job the premium status it deserves. Just go to http://Indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on Earn Your Happy. Momentous - If you want to try Momentous Signature Spec Creatine, head to livemomentous.com and use code EARN for up to 35% off your entire first order. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 How to turn a reactive business into an intentional one.05:30 Why discipline and boundaries protect you from constant business fires. 09:15 Why business owners struggle to step into leadership. 12:00 The North Star framework for staying focused on what matters most. 15:15 Strategies for staying disciplined and focused on your bigger goals. 20:45 What your retention numbers reveal about your company culture. 25:00 Why a "no rules" culture can create confusion and resentment. 31:45 Tips for building a strong company culture as your business grows. 34:45 The people-pleasing trap that can hurt your team and leadership. 36:15 The leadership mistakes that could be creating your culture problems. 40:00 The framework for defining who you want to be as a leader. 43:45 Ways to turn your core values into behaviors your team can actually follow. 46:00 What's the difference between talking about your values and actually living them? 49:15 What is sustainable success? 52:00 Strategies for building a leadership team that can make decisions without you. 54:45 Advice for becoming the leader your business needs you to be. RESOURCES DM “GIFT” to Ashley @hbic.sixten on Instagram for a chance to win Ashley Thomas' Leadership Compass, valued at $999! Apply for the Elite Entrepreneur Mastermind HERE! Get on the waitlist for Mentor Collective Mastermind HERE! Try glōci for 40% off your first order with code HAPPY at checkout - head to getgloci.com FOLLOW Follow me: @loriharder Follow glōci: @getgloci Follow Ashley: @hbic.sixten Earn up to 4.30% APY with Wealthfront's high-yield cash account for a limited time: https://wealthfront.com/earnThis experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The host of Earn Your Happy podcast, Lori Harder (“Media Partner”), is not a client of Wealthfront. The Media Partner receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for this paid endorsement placed in their podcast, creating a conflict of interest. More details available via the referral link. The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC provides eligible clients a 0.25% APY increase above the base APY on eligible Cash Account balances (up to an overall boosted rate of 4.30% for a limited time when including the three month 0.75% APY boost for new clients) when you direct deposit $1,000 a month, plus open, fund, and maintain an investing account. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determine eligibility at its discretion. Terms apply. Full details at wealthfront.com/promo-terms.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. References to the APY for the Wealthfront Cash Account, including any APY increase, are to the APY paid by insured depository institutions that participate in our cash sweep program (the "Program Banks”). Wealthfront Brokerage does not pay interest. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY.Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Fees & Eligibility requirements may apply to certain checking features. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Securities investments are not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Product images are for illustrative purposes and do not reflect individual experiences, account balances, or performance.