Podcasts about Northern Arizona University

During James Arthur Ray's 2009 Spiritual Warrior retreat in Sedona, the self-proclaimed spiritual teacher exhorted participants to “play full-on” in order to overcome their limiting beliefs and fear of death. After having their heads shaved and enduring a gruelling 36-hour “vision quest,” Ray packed the spiritual warriors into a makeshift “sweat lodge,” where temperatures reached 120 degrees.  Three people died. Eighteen were hospitalized. Ray fled the scene, taking cover at a nearby luxury resort to promote his next event. After spending just two years in jail, he went right back to presenting himself as a spiritual guide and transformational seminar leader.  Journalist and professor emeritus at Northern Arizona University, Annette McGivney joins Julian to discuss her new book, Plastic Shaman: The True Story of a Deadly Self-Help Retreat and America's Misguided Quest for Wellness. Show Notes Annette McGivney Bio Plastic Shaman is available September 15th through Torrey House Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Children still learn long division even though calculators exist, and many people continue to study languages even as AI translation becomes faster and more accurate. Is there a deeper purpose for learning that technology will never touch? In this episode of How to Touch Grass, hosts Natalie Brennan and Julie Beck hear from Michelle Miller, a cognitive psychologist at Northern Arizona University who studies technology and learning. She explains that although the changing tides of tech may shape what and how we learn, as humans we still have the autonomy to build the minds we want.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nicole Walker joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about how we talk about current traumas and past traumas in ways that don't retraumatize us, making our work matter to others, giving ourselves agency over the hard stuff we're writing about, conveying interiority and emotion, making our experience fundamental to our writing process, exploring our stories through research, asking readers not to look away, disassociation vs distance, metaphors as entry points for readers, experimenting with the speculative, becoming more expansive, and her new book Writing the Hard Stuff.   Ronit's upcoming workshop: Writing Dynamic Memoir: From Lived Experience to Gripping Story https://www.lmcmurtrylitcenter.org/workshops/writing-dynamic-memoir-from-lived-experience-to-gripping-story    Also in this episode: - revising life paths - encapsulating our experience - the narrator voice and perspective in our work   Books mentioned in this episode: Constellation of Ghosts: A Speculative Memoir with Ravens by Laraine Herring Frontier: A Memoir and a Ghost Story by Erica Stern A Braided Heart: Essays on Writing and Form by Brenda Miller How to Plant a Billion Trees by Nicole Walker   NICOLE WALKER is the author of several books including How to Plant a Billion Trees and Writing the Hard Stuff. She has written pieces for The New York Times and is a noted author in several editions of Best American Essays. She edits Crux, the literary nonfiction series at University of Georgia Press and teaches creative writing at Northern Arizona University where she serves as Writer-in-Residence for the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society.    Connect with Nicole: Website: nikwalk.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.walker.18041 @nikwalk.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikwalker28/ ‭https://nikwalk.substack.com/    Purchase Book:  https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/writing-the-hard-stuff-9781350518650/ https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/how-to-plant-a-billion-trees-9798216278894/   - Ronit Plank bio and links:  Ronit Plank is a writer, teacher, and editor whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, Poets & Writers, River Teeth's Beautiful Things, The Rumpus, Salon, Hippocampus, The New York Times, and elsewhere, earning Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, and multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. Her memoir When She Comes Back was a Book Riot Best True Crime Book and Kirkus Reviews calls it, “An intimate, intuitive, emotionally vivid family account that finds hope in reconciliation". Ronit is also the author of the award-winning short story collection Home is a Made-Up Place, and her work has been anthologized in Selected Memories, Vol. 2: 15 Years of Hippocampus Magazine and Manna Songs: Stories of Jewish Culture and Heritage. Ronit is the Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, teaches memoir at a host of venues including the University of Washington's Continuum Program, Antioch University, and 92NY's Roundtable, and is host of the podcast Let's Talk Memoir and the Substack Let's Talk Memoir. Find her on social media @ronitplank   Website: www.ronitplank.com Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ When She Comes Back: https://ronitplank.com/when-she-comes-back/  

Nonprofits are facing unprecedented funding volatility, shrinking donor files, and increased pressure to prove impact, forcing them to rethink how they build trust with new and current donors. In today's episode, Kris Johns discusses how nonprofits can tap into television as a surprisingly accessible, highly trusted channel for donor acquisition and long-term relationship building — often at a cost lower than social media advertising. Tune in to learn how television amplifies every other channel in your mix, why evergreen efforts matter all year long, how small budgets can still succeed on the big screen, and how to measure results across an integrated fundraising campaign. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources AdGood's Ad Manager tool https://adgood.streamr.ai/ [NPFX] Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/authentic-ethical-and-effective-messaging-from-theory-to-practice Guest Kris Johns is the CEO and Founder of The AdGood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to transforming unused advertising inventory into a powerful tool for social change. By leveraging global partnerships and advanced technology, AdGood empowers nonprofits with affordable and effective Connected TV (CTV) advertising solutions. With over 15 years of experience in media technology, Kris specializes in Streaming (FAST & AVOD), Monetization, and AdTech. His career has been driven by a commitment to innovation, growth, and impact, consistently achieving revenue growth and enhanced profitability through strong client relationships and strategic leadership. Founding AdGood was a natural evolution for Kris, uniting his passion for social impact with a deep understanding of streaming and AdTech. Under his leadership, AdGood continues to innovate and lead in the digital advertising industry, delivering effective solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients and consumers alike. https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisjohns/ https://adgood.org/ Host Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement

Send us a text and chime in!The Northern Arizona University Police Department and NAU Emergency Management, in collaboration with the Flagstaff Police Department and City Emergency Management, will conduct an active shooter preparedness exercise on the NAU campus on Friday, Aug. 7. The scenario will involve a simulated active shooter situation on the NAU campus and emergency response activities. The goal of the exercise is to strengthen emergency response capabilities, improve coordination among responding agencies, and enhance overall regional preparedness for emergencies. Participating agencies include the NAU Police Department, NAU Emergency Management, the Flagstaff Police Department, City Emergency Management, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the Flagstaff...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/northern-arizona-university-hosts-multi-agency-safety-training-exercise/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Send us a text and chime in!The Northern Arizona University Foundation reached its largest endowment in history while surpassing its fundraising goal for the fourth consecutive year. The milestone follows the public launch of Elevate, the campaign for NAU, and includes the second-largest fundraising year in the university's history. Having raised .8 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, the NAU Foundation has brought in more over the past four years of the Elevate campaign than the university raised in the previous 20 years combined—a historic achievement that marks the most successful fundraising period in NAU's history. “Elevate sparks a new era of philanthropy...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/northern-arizona-university-sets-record-with-422-7-million-endowment/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Nicole Walker is the author of several books, including, “Processed Meats: Essays on Food, Flesh and Navigating Disaster” and “The After-Normal: Brief, Alphabetical Essays on a Changing Planet.” She edits the “Crux” series at the University of Georgia Press, is the nonfiction editor at the journal “Diagram” and teaches creative writing at Northern Arizona University.. Her new book is How to Plant a Billion Trees: A Memoir of Childhood Trauma and the Healing Power of Nature, just out from Bloomsbury. Listen in as we discuss how to create your authority as a writer without being overly authoritative. The QWERTY podcast is brought to you by the book, The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life. Read it, and begin your own journey to writing what you know. To learn more, join The Memoir Project free newsletter list and keep up to date on all our free webinars, instructive posts and online classes in how to write memoir, as well as our talented, available memoir editors and memoir coaches, podcast guests and more.

Send us a text and chime in!Four key businesses and organizations have donated hundreds of individual welcome bag items for 40 new Bullhead City School District teachers. Everything was contributed after the Bullhead Area and Laughlin Chambers of Commerce spread the word about the drive. The new teachers represent those relocating to the Colorado River Valley for the first time, locals who went through BCSD's and Northern Arizona University's “Grow Your Own” program, experienced faculty from other schools and districts, student teachers, and current BCSD faculty moving into new roles. Welcome bags and supplies came from the BHHS Legacy Foundation, Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, Bullhead...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/bullhead-city-community-welcomes-40-new-bcsd-teachers/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

"Secondary trauma is when you experience trauma second-hand. The trauma might not have happened to you specifically, but somebody shares with you their firsthand trauma and it impacts you emotionally, maybe physically. We don't realize that we are very compassionate, empathic people, and we sometimes take it on without meaning to. It can impact us. I don't think I can think of a teacher who's never dealt with it.“Dr. Lynn Ryan began reading music before she learned how to read English. A lifelong musician, she loves to bring the power and joy of music to singers and audiences alike! Lynn is a skilled conductor, soprano, pianist, and horn player – in addition to whatever instrument is lying around!She has taught in Great Falls for the past fourteen years. As director of the C.M. Russell High School Choirs for ten years she developed a thriving program, leading the Chanteur Choir to four northwest regional conference performances and national recognition as finalists for the American Prize in Choral Music. Currently Lynn enjoys teaching 5th and 6th grade instrumental music at seven different elementary schools. She is also founding artistic director of the non-profit choral arts organization, the Electric City Choral Union. She is an advocate for creating singing opportunities that provide community and high-level artistry. She has served on the Northwest ACDA board, organizes the MCDA Central Montana Youth Sing, and enjoys guest conducting and adjudicating choral music all over the Pacific Northwest.Lynn earned her bachelor's degree in K-12 Choral Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University, her Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Northern Arizona University, and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University in Tampa, Florida.Outside of school she plays piano and handbells at her church and frequently collaborates with her choral director husband, Patrick. Together they have three children who are budding musicians themselves!To get in touch with Lynn, you can email her at lynn_ryan@gfps.k12.mt.us, find her on Facebook (@lynn.fransenryan) or visit electriccitychoralunion.org .Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

In the latest episode of Public Power Now, Barry Johnson, a Fire Mitigation Specialist at Arizona public power utility Salt River Project, discusses SRP's recent announcement that it is working with Northern Arizona University to install new wireless moisture sensors designed by a company called Growvera to improve how wildfire risk is monitored in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. The pilot project is testing new technology from Growvera that enables continuous, real-time tracking of forest fuel and soil moisture conditions.This episode is brought to you by Caterpillar Energy Services. Energy costs are rising -- and municipalities are feeling the pressure to do more with less. Cat AMP from Caterpillar Energy Services gives utilities and communities a powerful way forward.

On the 408th episode of You Know I'm Right, hosts Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by Big Brother's, Morgan Pope to discuss:- First app she checks everyday- Being a Track and Field star at Northern Arizona University and California State University Sacramento and getting a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies- First job out of college- Becoming a Twitch streamer- Modeling for brands such as Nike, Adidas, Wrangler, Target, Reebok, Skechers, Dicks Sporting Goods and Adobe- How did she end up on Big Brother?- Hardest part about living in the Big Brother house?- How stunned was she to not win the last HOH and have Ashley evict her?- What could Vince have done to gotten more votes to win?- How is Vince Panaro doing? Does she think he will ever come on our podcast?- How much worse was Vince's freakout at the last competition in person than what was shown on tv?- How did her life change after the show? How did her social media following grow?- How long did it take to adjust back to regular life such as driving or going to a grocery store? - What was it like interacting with fans and other reality stars at the Over The Edge Celebrity weekend? How great was it to be interviewed by us by the pool?- Why wasn't she on The Challenge season 42?- Would she do Big Brother again? Why do people think her and Keanu will be back on for season 28?- DJing career- You Know I'm Right moment- Zodiac sign

Send us a text and chime in!The city of Sedona promoted Roxanne Holland as Public Works Director/City Engineer, effective yesterday, July 1, 2026 following the retirement of the previous Public Works Director/City Engineer Kurt Harris. Holland has served the city for nearly 14 years, most recently as the Wastewater Director for seven years, in progressively responsible engineering and leadership roles. A registered Professional Civil Engineer in Arizona, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northern Arizona University. Throughout her career with the city, Holland has successfully managed numerous major capital improvement projects, including wastewater treatment plant improvements, major sewer rehabilitation projects and the...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/sedona-appoints-new-public-works-director-and-city-engineer/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, welcomes Jamie Axelrod, MS, director of disability resources at Northern Arizona University, to discuss disability access and accommodations in PA education. Jamie explains how programs can create accessible learning environments while meeting essential educational and clinical requirements, highlighting common accommodations in the classroom and the individualized approach needed for clinical experiences. He also discusses legal considerations, admissions best practices, partnerships with clinical sites, and the importance of proactive, collaborative strategies that support students with disabilities while maintaining academic and professional standards. This episode is sponsored by Aquifer. The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Send us a text and chime in!Northern Arizona University received its first T32 grant from the National Institutes of Health, which will allow the university to fund 20 doctoral students over a five-year period. The grant, awarded to G-RISE at Northern Arizona University, is [post_excerpt].76 million over five years, providing funding for 20 doctoral students in four different disciplines. Powered by grant funds, G-RISE is focused on increasing the breadth and quality of the biomedical and health-focused science workforce in the United States, which will contribute to greater public and community health. Between a quarter and a third of applications are funded each year, according to...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/nau-receives-1-76-million-nih-research-grant/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Shortly before the start of the spring semester, Tim Curry joined us for an episode discussing his ambitious plan to create structured learning experiences for students using chatbots. In this episode, we check back to see how this experiment developed. Tim is a lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences at Northern Arizona University. He is developing AI applications for autism research and tribal health service while building Northern Arizona University's Applied Health Analytics program. He's also working on the completion of his PhD degree in health equity technology. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

For nonprofits that want to grow their impact, being invisible is not an option. In a crowded, distracted landscape where donors and funders are overwhelmed with messages, nonprofits that fail to show up clearly and consistently are being passed over for those that communicate with intention. In today's episode, Russ interviews Jenn DeBarge Goonan to discuss how a clear, strategic communications approach can keep your organization top-of-mind with the people who matter most. Tune in to find out exactly how much a lack of visibility might be costing your nonprofit in lost funding, credibility, and momentum. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources [NPFX] When You Don't Message Enough: How Humility Can Kill Your Fundraising https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/when-you-dont-message-enough-how-humility-can-kill-your-fundraising-narrative-strategy [NPFX] Leading through Layers: Communication Strategies to Align Your Team https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/leading-through-layers-communication-strategies-to-align-your-team "Greatest Good" Substack https://jenndebargegoonan2.substack.com/ Jenn's Visibility Checklist: 1. Online presence — Your website is easy to find and built for how people actually search. That means SEO and AEO (optimized for AI search tools like ChatGPT). 2. Ongoing media attention — Industry trade, local press, national coverage. Third-party coverage is your street cred. It signals you're legit and worth funding. 3. Thought leadership — Your CEO or executive director needs to be out there. Podcasts, conferences, speaking engagements, LinkedIn. Push the person forward, not just the org. 4. Consistent social media — You can't go dark for 3-5 months. Out of sight, out of mind,  especially with donors and partners. 5. Ecosystem partnerships — What associations, coalitions, or organizations are you connected to? Who you run with signals whether you should be taken seriously at the table. Guest Jenn DeBarge Goonan, founder of JAG Communications, has launched and elevated dozens of brands and nonprofits, from introducing Lululemon to the U.S. market to leading social justice campaigns and iconic product launches for Ben & Jerry's, and driving strategy for organizations like the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), Bosch Community Fund, Dunkin' Foundation, Women Enabled Enterprises, ShopConsciously, and many others to help generate millions in revenue and move hearts to action.  Jenn is also the author of Greatest Good on Substack that spotlights stories of changemakers, nonprofits, and purpose-driven businesses making an impact that offers clear ways for anyone to support, engage, and help move the positive work forward. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-debarge-goonan-4423a34/ https://www.jag-communications.com/ Host Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement

Nicole Walker is the author of several books including Howto Plant a Billion Trees: A Memoir of Childhood Trauma and the Healing Power of Nature, Sustainability: A Love Story, and The After – Normal: Brief, Alphabetical Essays on a Changing Planet, along with many other noted titles. She has written several pieces for The New York Times and is a recognized author in several editions of Best American Essays. Sheedits the Crux, the literary nonfiction series at University of Georgia Press and teaches creative writing at Northern Arizona University where she serves as Writer-in-Residence for the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society.

About Our Hosts Diana White has over 30 years in sales and retail experience, leading stores with revenues of over 10 million and a staff of 200. Consumer psychology, marketing, operations, and leadership are just a few of her skillsets. Seeing a need for startup and operations assistance within the local business community, Diana established D.E.W. Business Solutions, LLC, to provide consulting to small businesses. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Small Business Administration from Northern Arizona University, holds a green belt in Lean Six Sigma, and is a certified Agile Scrum Master. She is committed to helping businesses and non-profits as well as the community at large. Siebe Van Der Zee is President of Vanderzee & Associates, Executive Search & Coaching. He has served as an international management consultant for over 25 years. For 28 years, Siebe has served as Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Arizona. He holds a Master's Degree in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and he is a current member of the International Leadership Council at GPEC (Greater Phoenix Economic Council). Robert Hossary has been involved in the not for profit/charity sector for the past 12 years. Robert also has an excellent knowledge in international business. Since 2011 - 2018, Robert was the General Manager for the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham) and helped advise many Australian and US companies about their international expansion requirements. Prior to that, Robert was Regional Vice President for the Americas for a technology manufacturer. He has also worked in Taiwan with responsibility for Asia Pacific and the Middle East. With a background in Technology, Transport, Fashion and Healthcare, Robert has a wealth of experience to share. Episode notes: 00:00 Special - International Lessons 00:21 Introduction 02:33 Guests' International Backgrounds 08:04 Biggest Challenges Working Abroad 16:14 What Is Culture? 17:45 Accepting an International Position 21:29 Family Considerations 26:56 Being a Citizen of the World 30:04 Empathy Through Cross-Cultural Experience 36:22 How to Acclimate to a Dominant Culture 42:48 Final Advice & Takeaways

BONUS MONDAYS: Joel Fuhrman, M.D. is a board-certified family physician, seven-time New York Times best-selling author and internationally recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing. He specializes in preventing and reversing disease through nutritional methods. Dr. Fuhrman is the President of the Nutritional Research Foundation and on the faculty of Northern Arizona University, Health Sciences division. He coined the term “Nutritarian” to describe a nutrient-dense eating style, designed to prevent cancer, slow aging, and extend lifespan.For over 30 years, Dr. Fuhrman has shown that it is possible to achieve sustainable weight loss and reverse heart disease, diabetes and many other illnesses using smart nutrition. In his medical practice, and through his books and television specials, he continues to bring this life-saving message to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.Dr. Fuhrman is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) School of Medicine (1988) and has received the St. Joseph's Family Practice Resident's Teaching Award for his contribution to the education of family practice residents; and a C3 Cardiology Global Health Award for teaching nutritional science to cardiologists.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/next-level-soul-podcast-with-alex-ferrari--4858435/support.Take your spiritual journey to the next level with Next Level Soul TV — our dedicated streaming home for conscious storytelling and soulful transformation.Experience exclusive programs, original series, movies, tv shows, workshops, audiobooks, meditations, and a growing library of inspiring content created to elevate, heal, and awaken. Begin your membership or explore our free titles here: https://www.nextlevelsoul.tv

Higher ed professionals have more conference options than ever before—but with limited budgets, packed calendars, and countless acronyms to navigate, how do you know which events are actually worth your time? On this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler welcomes back Dr. Josie Ahlquist, higher education consultant, researcher, and longtime conference enthusiast, for a practical conversation about making the most of professional conferences. Together, they unpack the differences between major higher ed gatherings like AMA, NASPA, CASE, NACAC, and emerging niche events, while sharing strategies for maximizing learning, networking, and career growth. From choosing the right conference for your goals to defining your own "Return on Conference Attendance" (ROCCA), this episode offers actionable advice for both first-time attendees and seasoned conference veterans. Guest Name: Dr. Josie Ahlquist, CEO and principal of Dr. Josie Ahlquist Inc. Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Dr. Josie Ahlquist guides educational leaders, organizations, and students to practice purposeful digital leadership through speaking, coaching, and consulting. Her practical, evidence-based frameworks empower clients to build and implement a digital engagement strategy that fits their life, audience, and purpose. Josie's work is grounded in the grant-funded and award-winning research that has allowed her to train thousands around the globe as a speaker; provide consulting services to institutions and companies; and coach professionals in branding, voice, and positioning. Josie 's work has appeared in The Handbook of Student Affairs Administration, The Journal of Leadership Studies, NASPA Leadership Exchange, Technology and Higher Education, and Contested Issues in Troubled Times: Student Affairs Dialogues on Equity, Civility, and Safety (Stylus Publishing, 2019). She also served as co-editor and author of the New Directions in Student Services volume Engaging the Digital Generation and the New Directions in Student Leadership volume Going Digital in Student Leadership. In 2023, Dr. Ahlquist was selected as a NASPA Pillar of the Profession, one of the highest honors for the field of student affairs. Josie is a three-time LinkedIn Top Voice in Education has been recognized by Ed Tech Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Must-Read Higher Education Technology Blogs” for five years. Her podcast, Josie and The Podcast, has been featured by The Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed. Her new book, Digital Leadership in Higher Education: Purposeful Social Media in a Connected World was listed as an Amazon #1 new release for college and university student life. Josie received her EdD in higher education leadership from California Lutheran University, an MEd in counseling from Northern Arizona University, and a BA in sociology and human development and family studies from South Dakota State University. Prior to her independent path, Josie spent nearly 15 years on college campuses in areas of student leadership, student activities, residence life, and student affairs communications and marketing. She previous served as a research associate and instructor at Florida State University Leadership Learning Research Center, where her curriculum builds digital literacy and leadership skills for undergraduates to doctoral students. For more information about Josie Ahlquist's research, speaking, coaching, and consulting, visit  www.josieahlquist.com . - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jenny Li Fowlerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/https://twitter.com/TheJennyLiAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join now: https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wJK64PXpMKk&offerid=455759.614&type=3&subid=0 Transforming your health is more fun with friends! Join Chef AJ's Exclusive Plant-Based Community. Become part of the inner circle and start simplifying plant-based living - with easy recipes and expert health guidance. Find out more by visiting: https://community.chefaj.com/ ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!! https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248 or https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242 GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK: https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download MY BEST SELLING WEIGHT LOSS BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes. Today's show will help you understand why a Nutritarian diet is so effective for permanent weight reduction and disease reversal and the effects are based on knowledge, not will power. Preparing your mind for a permanent nutritional make-over involves exercises to develop emotional health, peace and passion in your life. The 21 Day Detox starts Monday so register here now: https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wJK64PXpMKk&offerid=455759.614&type=3&subid=0 To make an appointment at LongevityRX: https://www.drlongevityrx.com/ Father–daughter duo Dr. Joel and Dr. Cara Fuhrman are thrilled to announce the opening of Longevity Rx, a one-of-a-kind center where they've hand-selected the most advanced, non-radiation imaging and regenerative treatments from Europe and the U.S. — integrating them with Dr. Joel Fuhrman's 37+ years of pioneering work in precision nutrition. Their mission is to identify disease risk at its earliest stages, personalize every protocol, and help patients reverse the trajectory of aging and chronic illness. Website: https://www.drlongevityrx.com/ Instagram: @longevityrx_ https://www.instagram.com/longevityrx_/ Phone: (858) 367-3558 Joel Fuhrman, M.D. is a board-certified family physician, seven-time New York Times best-selling author and internationally recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing. Dr Fuhrman is the President of the Nutritional Research Foundation and on the faculty of Northern Arizona University, Health Sciences division. He coined the term “Nutritarian” to describe a nutrient-dense eating style, designed to prevent cancer, slow aging, and extend lifespan At https://www.drfuhrman.com he advises people from all over the world, enabling recoveries from a wide range of ailments that are often considered permanent or incurable. Dr. Fuhrman also operates the Eat To Live Retreat in Southern California. Website https://www.drfuhrman.com Masterclass on Combating Autoimmune Diseases and Cancer https://www.drfuhrman.com/masterclass-cancer-autoimmune Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drfuhrman/ Twitter https://twitter.com/DrFuhrman nstagram https://www.instagram.com/joelfuhrmanmd/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@drfuhrman LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-fuhrman-m-d-61887112/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/drfuhrman/ Podcast https://www.drfuhrman.com/podcasts “Eat for Life” can be purchased here: https://shop.drfuhrman.com/eat-for-life-paperback/ Link to Masterclass on Combatting Auto Immune Diseases and Cancer https://www.drfuhrman.com/masterclass-cancer-autoimmune Membership to DrFuhrman.com https://www.drfuhrman.com/membership

“I really care a lot about what the student wants to get out of our time together: finding a nice, healthy, balanced phonation that they identify with, that they feel is their true sound, not something I'm forcing them to sound like. More than anything I want my students to feel confident and empowered in making their own voice sound out loud. I just want people to feel joyful and confident participating in the creation of art with their voice.”Mandy Matthews is an active Brooklyn based cross-genre singer and teacher. She performs regularly in musical theater cabaret nights, pop and jazz a cappella small groups, and sings with multiple choirs including The Marble Choir (NYC), The Young New Yorker's Chorus, and The Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers. Throughout her undergrad and master's studies, she appeared regularly in operatic, cabaret, and musical productions. ​Mandy has music directed multiple youth music theater productions around the country, served as a high school choral director, maintained a private voice, piano, and theory studio since 2016, and has guest taught at various academies, universities, and conservatories. In 2023, she co-founded Berklee College of Music/Boston Conservatory's first ever student chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She graduated with her masters of music in vocal pedagogy from The Boston Conservatory in 2024, and a bachelors in voice performance from Northern Arizona University in 2018.To get in touch with Mandy, you can visit her website, mandymatthews.com,  find her on Instagram (@mandymatthews_voice), or email her at outloudmusiclessons@gmail.com.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

In this remastered episode I am talking to Dr. Linda Backman about her book 'Souls on Earth: Exploring Interplanetary Past Lives'. In this "groundbreaking" book, a past-life regression therapist "offers credible evidence of evolved interplanetary souls incarnate in human bodies" (Larry Dossey, MD, author of One Mind). In her work as a regression hypnotherapist, Dr. Linda Backman frequently meets with individuals who have had past lives on planets and realms beyond Earth. These individuals—called interplanetary souls—have agreed to come to Earth to help support the evolution of the planet as well as to develop themselves and learn lessons for spiritual advancement. In Souls on Earth, Dr. Backman shares her fascinating work with interplanetary souls. This book explores the characteristics of interplanetary souls so that if you are one, you will be able to understand more about your life purpose and cope with the special challenges that come with an incarnation on Earth. Learn how to identify IP souls and discover how they can assist humanity's evolution. Explore ways to support yourself or loved ones who may be IP souls. For many people struggling with difficult lessons or trying to find meaning, this book opens the door to new understandings and the potential for peace. Bio Dr. Linda Backman, licensed psychologist and regression therapist, has been in private practice for 47 years. Since 1993, Dr. Backman has guided innumerable individuals in regression hypnotherapy to access their past and between lives/higher self. In this way, she assists people to more fully recognize their Soul Essence Psychology, combining our current life experiences with who we are as a soul throughout our many lifetimes and as an immortal soul. Regression hypnotherapy allows the client to understand their Soul Design of past lives, soul origin, soul and life mission, soul progress, soul relationships, and more. Dr. Backman's work, includes guiding soul regressions, speaking and writing, as well as training others in soul regression hypnotherapy both in the US and abroad. Dr. Backman has a profound commitment to deepening and heightening individual spiritual progress, as well as fostering a more universal understanding and awareness of the path of soul development, leading to greater wisdom and acceptance among all people and cultures worldwide. Linda studied and co-taught with Dr. Michael Newton, author of the seminal books on Life Between Lives regression therapy, and was a co-creative, founding member of the Society for Spiritual Regression Board (now The Newton Institute). In 1997, Dr. Backman and her husband, Dr. Earl Backman, established The Ravenheart Center (www.RavenHeartCenter.com), a Mystery School in Boulder, Colorado, dedicated to guiding individuals to discover their soul path. Dr. Backman is the author of Bringing Your Soul to Light: Healing Through Past Lives and the Time Between, published by Llewellyn Worldwide (2009); The Evolving Soul: Spiritual Healing Through Past Life Exploration (Llewellyn 2014); Souls on Earth: Exploring Interplanetary Past Lives (Llewellyn 2018); Soul Design: A Regressionist's Guide to Past Lives, Origins, and Purpose (Llewellyn 2025); and a frequent guest on numerous programs, such as Coast to Coast, Gaia TV, James Van Praagh and others. Linda has earned academic degrees from the University of Oregon, University of North Carolina, and Northern Arizona University. https://www.ravenheartcenter.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Souls-Earth-Exploring-Interplanetary-Lives-ebook/dp/B075W1S6FC https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does truly culturally responsive autism support look like—and who should lead it? In this episode, Ben speaks with Dr. Davis Henderson, Dr. Candi Running Bear, and Dr. Olivia Lindly about their work adapting the Parents Taking Action program for Diné (Navajo) families. Together, they unpack how geography, language, family structure, and cultural values shape access to autism services—and how their team is working alongside communities to close those gaps. From telehealth delivery across vast rural regions to adapting AAC tools in Indigenous languages, this conversation highlights what it really takes to move beyond “one-size-fits-all” care. The team also shares their innovative next step: empowering parents to train educators—flipping the traditional model of expertise on its head. What You'll Learn Why autism awareness and services remain limited in many Indigenous communities How the Diné Parents Taking Action program was culturally adapted The role of community advisory boards in ethical, effective research How telehealth unexpectedly improved access and connection Why AAC must be culturally and linguistically responsive The importance of extended family systems in caregiving How parents are being empowered to train educators What culturally responsive autism assessment still gets wrong—and how to improve it Key Topics & Highlights Adapting evidence-based interventions for Indigenous communities Barriers: rural geography, transportation, internet, and systemic gaps Language access—including the need for autism terminology in Navajo Cultural values like Hózhó and their role in care AAC innovation: from iPads to paper-based systems in low-resource settings Community connection as an intervention outcome Expanding work to Hopi and other Indigenous communities Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XWkC-7l19is Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop) BACB: 1.0 Ethics IBAO:  1.0 Cultural QABA: 1.0 Ethics CBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity  Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak   About the Guests Dr. Davis Henderson – Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University. Navajo researcher focused on communication disorders and culturally responsive care. https://directory.nau.edu/?person=dh929 Dr. Candi Running Bear – Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico. Former special education teacher with deep experience in early childhood education on the Navajo Nation. https://coehs.unm.edu/faculty-staff/profiles/running-bear-candi.html Dr. Olivia Lindly – Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University. Public health researcher focused on maternal and child health and autism services. https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-lindly-phd-mph-3323306/ https://directory.nau.edu/?person=ojl28   Research Discussed: Lindly OJ, Running Bear CL, Henderson DE, Lopez K, Nozadi SS, Vining C, Bia S, Hill E and Leaf A (2023). Adaptation of the Parents Taking Action program for Diné (Navajo) parents of children with autism. Front. Educ. 8:1197197. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1197197 Lindly, O., Running Bear, C., Henderson, D. E., Kirby, B. R., Begay, V., Shui, A., Dababnah, S., & Magaña, S. M. (2025). Pilot study of a strengths-based education program for Diné (Navajo) families of autistic children: Feasibility, fidelity, acceptability, and initial outcomes. Research in Autism, 127, 202658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202658 Related Episodes: https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-37-the-realities-of-autism-in-first-nations-communities-in-canada-with-grant-bruno-phd-candidate/ https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-147-culturally-responsive-care-in-indigenous-communities-with-dr-jaxcy-turietta/ https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/behavior-analysis-and-indigenous-ways-of-being-with-leslie-peters

Recent data suggests that more than half of nonprofit professionals are considering leaving their jobs — and those numbers climb even higher for frontline fundraisers. In today's episode, Sadé Dozan from Borealis Philanthropy joins Russ Phaneuf to discuss the "invisible labor" that might be burning you out faster than your actual workload. Tune in to learn how your lived experience can be a powerful asset instead of "baggage," ways to set internal boundaries to protect your emotional capacity when the work feels deeply personal, and why leadership needs to support a fundraiser's whole identity to finally break the cycle of employee turnover. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources [NPFX] Authentic, Ethical, and Effective Messaging — From Theory to Practice (Bridge Conference Q&A) https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/authentic-ethical-and-effective-messaging-from-theory-to-practice [NPFX] Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Getting Started the Smart Way https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/peer-to-peer-fundraising-getting-started-the-smart-way [NPFX] Improve Donor Retention and Engagement with P2P Fundraising https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/improve-donor-retention-and-engagement-with-p2p-fundraising Guest Sadé Dozan is a philanthropic advisor and culturist, whose work sits at the intersection of wealth, care, culture, and power. She serves as Vice President of Advancement at Borealis Philanthropy, leading organization-wide fundraising and communications strategy during a period of profound sector transition. She is also the Founder of Melanate., a movement infrastructure initiative cultivating leadership, narrative power, and resource fluency among Black women and gender-expansive people working in wealth and philanthropy. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sade-dozan-cap%C2%AE-cfre-9a496665/ https://borealisphilanthropy.org/ https://www.melanate.org/ Host Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement

Karen B. London, Ph.D. is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in canine play and in the evaluation and treatment of serious behavior problems in domestic dogs, including aggression. She began working with dogs in 1997, and has spent years working with clients in one-on-one consultations in addition to teaching group training classes, and giving seminars about canine ethology for trainers, veterinary and shelter staff, and the public.She received her B.S. in Biology from UCLA and her Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied the defensive behavior of neotropical social wasps, and a nesting association between two species of wasps. Her research and scholarly publications cover such diverse topics as interactions between species that live together, defensive and aggressivebehavior, evolution of social behavior, communication within and between species, learning, and parental investment.Karen is an award-winning author of eight books on dog training and behavior, five of them co-authored with her mentor, Patricia B. McConnell, PhD. Her most personal book is Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer's World View Can Improve Your Life. She writes the animal column, called The London Zoo, for the Arizona Daily Sun, wrote the behavior and training columns for many years for The Bark Magazine, and blogs for Kinship.com. Her most recent book is My Dog's Mystery Adventure: And Other Stories from a Canine Behaviorist and Dog Trainer.Karen lives with her husband in Flagstaff, Arizona, where they raised their two sons. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University, where she has taught tropical field courses in Nicaragua and Costa Rica called “Tropical Forest Ecology and Conservation” and a class for freshman about the importance of insects to society called “Sex, Bugs, and Rock ‘n' Roll”.Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests. Here are the links to Karen B. London PhD. Books and Socials:https://www.dogwise.com/my-dog-s-mystery-adventure-and-other-stories-from-a-canine-behaviorist-and-dog-trainer/?srsltid=AfmBOoqfZ8acpo9-nLliZAgDfQ4eFmypWuxPwitdRmvE_qjWY1mn_F82https://www.dogwise.com/treat-everyone-like-a-dog-how-a-dog-trainers-world-view-can-improve-your-life/?srsltid=AfmBOoqq1YqJ-iTsXcoK7BZFylwMq-I3o0pbYrPj3Kx2uy2L3JtbJc1lhttps://www.amazon.com/Cows-Ants-Termites-Revealing-Newspaper/dp/1952960029/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0https://www.instagram.com/karen.london.dog.behavior/Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at susan@enlightenedpetbehavior.com. Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.comIf you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support!

Alex Sloan (he/they), is a Transracial, Transgender and Nonbinary human, adopted from La Chorrera, Panama. He was adopted as an infant by a single white woman, who adopted another child from Panama 7 years prior, (who he later found out was his biological cousin through DNA testing). After his adoption was finalized at six months old, Alex was then moved overseas with his adoptive family to Okinawa, Japan, until 2006, when his family PCS'd (Permanent Change of Station) moved to an American Air Force base in Aviano, Italy. Alex was in Italy until he graduated High School and was accepted to Northern Arizona University, in 2012. Alex graduated and obtained a Bachelors degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology and Sociology. Alex moved to Portland, OR, in 2023, for new opportunities a safer environment for his queerness, and outside the heat of Arizona!. Alex currently works at a non-profit, as a Case Manager Supervisor, providing case management services to adults who experience Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Alex is excited to continue to be involved in the adoptee community and share his story. https://www.bipocadoptees.orgMusic by Corey Quinn

When resource‑strapped nonprofits lean too heavily on AI to generate appeals and donor communications, they risk trading away long‑term donor trust for short‑term efficiency. In today's episode, Russ Phaneuf and narrative strategist Josh Gryniewicz explore best practices for using AI in fundraising while avoiding ethical pitfalls. Tune in to learn how to set practical guardrails around AI use, update storytelling practices to respect your constituents, avoid "AI sameness" that weakens your messaging, and operationalize "the human touch" so your fundraising remains both effective and trustworthy. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources [NPFX] How a $10M Mindset Can Break the "Who You Know" Funding Barrier https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/how-a-10m-mindset-can-break-the-who-you-know-funding-barrier [NPFX] Leveraging AI as Your Nonprofit Thought Partner https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/leveraging-ai-as-your-nonprofit-thought-partner [NPFX] AI Tools for Grant Writing, Prospecting, and More https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/ai-tools-for-grant-writing-prospecting-and-more Guest Josh Gryniewicz is the founder and Chief Narrative Strategist at Odd Duck, a storytelling-for-social-change creative consultancy focused on impact-driven organizations. Josh is the co-author of the award-winning national bestseller, Interrupting Violence. For over a decade, he has worked in nonprofit communication. In 2018, he founded Odd Duck to combine his passions for storytelling and social change. The agency's Navigating Misinformation for Community Health framework has been shared with over a thousand community health organizations. Odd Duck has worked with nearly a hundred change-making organizations and advised hundreds more, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the White House. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgryniewicz/ https://oddduck.io/ https://www.interruptingviolence.com/ Host Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is one of the first tribes to pass a moratorium against the construction of hyperscale data centers. The nearby Muscogee Nation also turned down an opportunity to build a data center after Muscogee citizens spoke out in force against the plan. Large tech companies are stepping up the pressure to build hyperscale data centers to house the processing power for data storage and generative AI. The federal government is providing incentives for tribes to get involved in this part of the tech boom. It is part of the Trump administration's push to unleash American technological power, but such facilities typically require a lot of power and water. Native environmentalists warn data center companies are only looking to take advantage of tribes' sovereignty and resources. GUESTS Cheyenne McNeill (Coharie), editorial fellow at Mother Jones Jordan Harmon (Muscogee), policy specialist at Indigenous Environmental Network Ashley Leitka (Absentee Shawnee Tribe and Oglala Lakota), co-director of the sovereignty and self-determination department for Honor The Earth Dr. Karen Jarratt Snider (Choctaw), professor of applied Indigenous studies at Northern Arizona University

Billionaire activist investor Bill Ackman is making a play for Taylor Swift's record label in a deal that Reuters values at around $64 billion. Ackman wants his investment firm, Pershing Square Capital Management, to take over Universal Music Group. This morning, we'll dig into the news. Then, we continue our trip along Route 66 and visit Northern Arizona University, which has designated this academic year the “Year of AI Empowerment.”

Billionaire activist investor Bill Ackman is making a play for Taylor Swift's record label in a deal that Reuters values at around $64 billion. Ackman wants his investment firm, Pershing Square Capital Management, to take over Universal Music Group. This morning, we'll dig into the news. Then, we continue our trip along Route 66 and visit Northern Arizona University, which has designated this academic year the “Year of AI Empowerment.”

Dr. Larry Stevens is the curator of ecology at the Museum of Northern Arizona and the director of Springs Stewardship Institute (SSI). He received his Ph.D in zoology from Northern Arizona University in 1989, and served as the ecologist for Grand Canyon National Park from 1989 to 1994. Well-respected in the field of ecology, Dr. […] Read full article: Episode 171: The Hidden Universe of Springs with Larry Stevens

The 2026 Hunter Conference in Atlanta Georgia was a major success! So many hospitality professionals and industry leaders converged to share insights, best practices, challenges, and strategies for the future.  The Suite Spot had the opportunity to attend the industry event and interview some of the best and brightest that hospitality has to offer. Tune in to this special episode to hear from executives, brand leaders, presidents, and more from some of the biggest brands in the hospitality industry.  Ryan Embree: Welcome to Suite Spot, where hoteliers check in, and we check out what’s trending in hotel marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Hello everyone. Ryan Embree here with the Suite Spot. Fresh Off the highly anticipated 2026 Hunter Conference, which certainly didn’t just fit the bill. Exceeded expectations. What an incredible event, what an amazing couple days in Atlanta, Georgia at the New and iconic Signia Hilton, Atlanta. There were powerhouse panels and education, incredible networking, truly defined. Their theme was The Home of Hospitality. Certainly hit that over that next those couple days there in Atlanta, Georgia, we had the privilege of covering the event. We have some exclusive interviews to bring you, which I’m so excited to share with you on this very episode today. We visited with our friends over at Newport Hospitality. We celebrated a milestone with Hospitality America. We checked in on the development side at PM Hotel Group and sat down with the brain leader of Graduate by Hilton to talk about that exciting brand and everything that they have cooking over there. Who also knows how to throw an incredible party, which they did in tandem with the Hunter Conference, with a ludicrous concert that capped off. And just, again, an amazing couple days in Atlanta, Georgia. We’re so excited to bring you these interviews, and we’re gonna be bringing it all to you here on the sweet spot. Thanks for tuning in. Speaker 2: Hello everyone. Ryan Embree here with the Suite Spot Live on location 2026 Hunter Conference. Excited to welcome in, Wayne West, the third president of Newport Hospitality Group. Wayne, thank you so much for taking some time. Wayne West III: It is a pleasure to be with you. It’s a pleasure to be here. Ryan Embree: Yeah, excited to be here. It’s a sleepy cold morning right now, but we’re warming things up here in Atlanta at the Hunter Conference. Tell us a little bit about your experience and, what do you think about the new location, the new digs? Wayne West III: The new location is great. We’ve been downtown at the Marriott for so many years. I think this is new. It’s fresh, it’s invigorating. It truly is. One of my favorite conferences. I mentioned to you, the Hunter Conference is a relationship kind of conference where you get to sit down and spend time with people one-on-one, whether it’s your brand, whether it’s other owners, whether it’s my peer group. So I enjoy this one a lot. Ryan Embree: I mean, it’s great because I think one of the things, you get a bunch of hospitality people in the same, in the same room. You start talking about some of the challenges that are starting to arise. And right now we got some headwinds, profit profitability, hotel margins, very slim, rising construction costs, operational costs. But you have a philosophy, control what you can control. How do you bring that philosophy to Newport Hospitality Group as we usher in 2026? Wayne West III: Number one, I have really good people. My colleagues are strong at my, my, my corporate level as well as the property level. You know, for many, many years the industry was, had a vibrant ability to drive RevPAR, and it seemed like it was increasing three to 5% every year that slowed down. We continue to push that where there’s opportunities, but what I think we do best and my operational team does best is control the big things. Control, cost, control your labor. We spend a great deal of time working on that every single day. We work with the leaders at the properties to make sure that we’ve got the appropriate, uh, levels of payroll and the appropriate levels of resources to the levels of business at the time. So I, I, I think a great deal. We’ve always spent time on that. But it’s even more and more important as your RevPAR may not be increasing as quickly as payrolls are. Ryan Embree: Yeah, absolutely. Operational efficiency, really, really key. Try to look for every inch that you can get right now. We had the opportunity to meet up with your COO Brendan McCoy at the Hospitality Show out there in Denver. He was talking about the growth of, of Newport Hospitality Group and was really focused in on talking about strategic growth with the right partners. What does the right partner mean to you? And you see opportunity out there. Wayne West III: I do see opportunity. We’ve recently taken over a hotel with the perfect partner, has a few hotels, but her focus wants to be on development. She is aligned with us culturally. She has the right kind of hotel. She maintains it well, but she thinks she can make more money developing the next hotel and is leaving operations to us. So the first thing we wanna do, we wanna make sure that we align philosophically with her vision, anyone’s vision of the hotel and how it’s gonna be operated, how we’re gonna treat the guest, the employees, and how we protect her asset and grow it and make it more profitable. But I think that’s the key thing, is aligning with a partner that aligns with your vision. Ryan Embree: Yeah. And that alignment is really can be found in rooms like this, right. At a Hunter Conference, when you’re networking, you’re having conversations over that because it is key, that alignment, making sure that you and the owner are kind of hand in hand, especially in a time where it’s a little bit challenging, looking for operational efficiency. A lot of people, subject matter topics talk about AI and technology, right. Trying to fill those gaps. Talk to me a little bit about the philosophy and how you approach AI and technology. Is it more about the guest experience or employee empowerment? Wayne West III: Let’s be honest, AI has been around a long time. If you go back to revenue management 25 years ago, instead of, you know, we started leaning into computers to do some of the analysis for us. So I think this matured over the year and it continues to evolve. And I think it’s evolved expeditiously over the last few years, right? We first used ChatGTP to help us write sentences, and now we’re analyzing data. I think we’ll continue to evaluate how to make us more efficient, but really more effective with the data. I think we need to make sure we’re not consumed by the data and ask AI to help us with the right questions and get the right data to make quicker decisions and better decisions. So I think we’re testing it today, all the different kinds of AI out there. We’re testing it in all the disciplines. We’re testing it in HR, we’re testing it in operations. We’re testing it in sales and marketing. We’re testing it in HR. So I think when you apply it to those and then see what bubbles up and see how, how, what best results you get. But let’s not be consumed by it. Ryan Embree: Yeah, absolutely. Wayne West III: Because you gotta take care of the guests first. Ryan Embree: 100%. And I think, you add those things up, you add those little gains up, that’s, and, and kind of take a step back and look. Now you become more operationally efficient. You control what you can control what you said, and hopefully improved your business there. But that’s great perspective to look back. ’cause you’re right, technology is no stranger to our industry. It’s been there just been maybe in a little bit different path. Wayne West III: We called it it something different. Truly it is intelligence that helps make us better. Ryan Embree: Yeah. Use it correctly. Love it. So, another thing we like to try to do at these conferences is look into a crystal ball. Try to predict the future, right? Everybody’s telling you what’s next, three, six months and down the line. What’s your vision? Maybe let’s start wide at the hospitality industry and then maybe you can dial it down from Newport Hospitality. Wayne West III: Again, I think I said it early, you know, we’ve been spoiled by the ability to grow our rates every year substantially. That’s slowing down. So we’ve gotta be smarter. I think a big opportunity is food and beverage globally from the, in, from an industry standpoint, I think doing food and beverage right drives preference to your hotel. I came up in the food and beverage world, and I think when select service hotels came along, we, we weren’t as good at food and beverage as we were 20 years ago. And we’ve let outside restaurants and bars wildly successful take a piece of our, our business. So I think we can do better if we would concentrate a little more on food and beverage, finding out what the guest really wants, needs and desires are when he checks into your hotel, and that that guest will come back. It will drive preference and it’ll drive RevPAR. So I wanna concentrate on that a bit. Ryan Embree: Great differentiator there for guests. Also attracting locals. If it’s a nice restaurant, you know, it’s your hotel restaurant isn’t of that of the same 40 years ago. Right? So, um, what about Newport Hospitality Group? Will you see the vision there? Wayne West III: We’ve got a couple letters of intent out today. Great brands, great owners. Two, were buying into one or actually purchasing a hotel. It’s the right hotel in the right location at the right time. We think we add some value by some additional sales and marketing that Whitney will do with her team. Whitney and Kirsten will do, whether it’s digitally or whether it’s just a different way of looking at our guests and attracting the guests. So we’re trying to find the major brands in our niche markets. Maybe we’re not in Washington DC but we’re in Frederick, we’re not in Jacksonville downtown, we’re in Jackson, the beach of Jacksonville. So we do really well in the secondary markets. We know, well, we’re in the south, we’re in the Northeast corridor all the way down from, you know, from Brooklyn, New York to Orlando, Florida. So we’re looking for that sweet spot, but I think many, as many companies are today. But we’re trying to identify that one that we can either reposition through some capital or reposition, because we’re just gonna take a different view of, uh, the revenue side of it. Ryan Embree: Well really appreciate you taking some time and stopping by Wayne. So thank you so much for having being on the Suite Spot with us. Wayne West III: Good to be with you, Ryan. Nice to meet you. Thank you very much. Ryan Embree: We’ll talk to you next time. Ryan Embree: Hello everyone. Ryan Embree here with the Suite Spot. Live at the 2026 Hunter Conference here with Ben Campbell, CEO and President of Hospitality America. Ben, thanks so much for taking some time to speak with us today. Ben Campbell: Absolutely. I appreciate the time, Ryan. Ryan Embree: It’s a cold, sleepy Atlanta morning. Very cold outside. But the, it’s warm and hot energy in here. We got some panels, we got some networking going on. There was some great activations and programmings last night. First time here at the Signia Atlanta. You’ve been to Hunter a couple times. What does a successful hunter look like to you and what do you think about the new location? Ben Campbell: I love the new location. I love the marquee. I love the historic nature of it. And, and we all got used to, to the marquee and then the multi-level there. Um, here, I got here early just to figure out where everything was, uh, this time to know where I was going. But, um, what a hunter success, success looks like for us is really extending relationships, making new relationships, and then getting outside of our echo chambers of our companies or our hotels and talking to other people and seeing what they’re seeing, what’s happening with the industry, what are people looking to invest in, where do they think it’s going? You know, got to listen to Chris Nassetta, uh, CEO of Hilton yesterday and provided us with some, his insight and, which was great takeaways that we’ll be able to take back to our company and make decisions. Ryan Embree: Some really cool announcements you typically get at these shows feels like a new brand’s popping up every single day in hospitality, but it is, you’re absolutely right there, I mean, you get a bunch of hospitality people from different markets in the same room, and all of a sudden those challenges start to arise and bubble up a little bit and maybe some innovative solutions outta that. But 2026, obviously a massive year for Hospitality America, 30 years. Congratulations to that. When you hear that, Ben, you know, as CEO and President, what does that milestone and chapter mean to you? Ben Campbell: Me, personally, first, it’s an honor that I’m able to be the CEO of a 30 year company and take it into the next 30 years. When I look back, it’s really about, legacy and consistency. And so for a company to get to 30 years and, and we have some contracts, we have two contracts that are 30 year contracts for us and clients. And so, you know, it’s a lot of work to, to maintain that. But it’s also a real testament to our founder Chris Cargon. It is the legacy that he has left behind and that he has poured into this company that now I have the honor and the rest of our team and, and employees have the honor of taking that into the next level. Ryan Embree: It’s so cool to hear that, to hang your hat on a story of three decades worth and to usher in this new, this next 30 years first. So congratulations there. Obviously lots change in hospitality in 30 years. I’d say lots change in the last five. And we might be at a inflection point here with everything around AI and technology, which we’re gonna speak to in a second. But what do you attribute to that longevity and success of Hospitality America and this company? Ben Campbell: We boil it down to three different things. So we have what we call the HA Promises. We have three stakeholders that every single day we wake up and we say, are we delivering the promise to our owners, to our team members, and to our guests? So everything that we do, we boil it down into those three pillars and say that every guest comes to our hotels and we have, we’re making promises to them that we have to deliver. Same with our team members, and definitely to our, our owners. And so I think it’s through that lens that we’ve been able to have a 30 year career and knowing that really we’re here to service the guests and we’re also here to service our clients, which is our owners, and deliver on those, perform, deliver the metrics and the performance that they expect and that ultimately we said that we would do and that we are delivering on. So, that’s why I say it’s really the consistency of the company. Also I think, you know, we’ve been scaling at, at a good rate, but it’s been very strategic in how we do it. And so we have 30 year relationships. I don’t want to take on anything that’s gonna put that in jeopardy. Swo we’re very selective on who we bring in and knowing that, okay, I can be very successful with this for this owner, and we’re building a great relationship. Ryan Embree: Yeah. We’re hearing that right now, more and more, not just looking for growth, but that strategic growth for the right partners. So key right now, especially in a challenging environment where margins, profitability hard to come by right now. But another place that Hospitality America has received some recognition recently is around its people, uh, which is, you know, the USA today recognized as top workplace for two consecutive years and top workplace for frontline workers. I think, you know, you come to a conference like this, obviously the big notes are about the AI technology, but how have you invested in people and seen those dividends pay off? Ben Campbell: Yeah. When I came under leadership of the company in 2022, that was a big focus of mine because we were having to rescale the company and really look at the industry and everybody was fighting for the same talent in the same talent pool. And so, like, again, the legacy of Chris Cargan, we said, we need to really define what that looks like objectively on who we’re bringing into the company. And so we boiled that down to our core values, which is outlined as a, uh, acronym P.E.A.C.H. Passion, excellence, adaptability, community, and humble. And so when we seek that talent, they know what they can expect from us, and we can tell them, this is what we expect from you. And when doing that, we’re holding everybody accountable. And so everybody, then we can say, okay, this is who we are. Peach. What we do is the HA promises. Ryan Embree: So everybody can strive to meet those metrics for the owner, each other as the team members and and our guests. And by holding that accountability training toward that accountability, and then everybody’s on the same page, that’s really what I think gives us the recognition. Last year when we did that survey for USA today. Really proud to say that 90% of our 850 employees responded to the survey. So just getting that type of engagement of completing the survey was a big win for us. We might have some exciting news come out by the time that this podcast dropped. Ryan Embree: Alright, well, we’re excited to hear about it, Ben. And congratulations to you and your team again. The conversations that I’ve had with industry leaders, those strong management companies have that kind of north star that you’re talking about. It looks like you have those two and those that, that culture that you’ve created over there, obviously the 30 years incredible milestone. Typically a time for reflection in looking at the legacy in the past, but also looking towards the future. That’s what you typically do on those big anniversaries. So what is the vision for the future of Hospitality America look like for you, Ben? Ben Campbell: Vision for us is still growth. Um, there’s a lot of opportunity out there. Uh, again, I think that, you know, how we do that is, is maybe a little different than we have. Um, we have two great relationships. Like I said, today we operate for five different ownership groups. We will expand some of that, uh, but we’ll also look at expanding through acquisitions. We, we’ve historically grown through development through our partnerships. Um, and so there might be a lot more acquisitions. I think right now when you look at the industry and the values of these assets, you know, the replacement costs, a lot of times you can get into an acquisition that much less than it would be to, to replace that. So I think a lot of that is what we’re hearing at Hunter as well. Um, a lot of owners are feeling that we are feeling that as well. Um, and so there’s some great assets that are coming onto the marketplace that I think three or four years ago wouldn’t, back to your question on what we see for the industry. I think the, you know, we, yesterday you heard Christmas set us say that bifurcation of the cake shape economy is gonna be coming together. I agree with that. I don’t think it’s gonna stay that way forever. Um, I think that the top end has just had a lot more cash reserves that they could bleed off over time. Yeah. The middle market is generally where we’ve, uh, been really, really well. And the Hampton ends, the Fairfield ends the, um, and then higher up we do tapestries and we have a motto and tribute and things of that nature. I think that’s where the industry is going. From an experience side, yes, they want a curated experience and a very intentional experience, but also they want to know what they’re gonna get to. So I think that’s where we are right now. We’re kind of feeling those effects of, okay, we’re, you know, we’re curating the experience, but it may not be taken to that next level. And I think that’s where we need to continue to elevate and continue to spend our dollars to ensure that when the guests show up at the Signia or one of our hotels, like a tapestry or the motto of Bentonville, they walk in and they’re blown away that by the experience because they can tell every single detail is thought through. Ryan Embree: Yeah. It’s very cool to see the experiential travel really blow up right now. Guests loving that, but looking for that consistency, like you said, every guest wants that unique experience, but they do want it at a consistent level too, of, of meeting or matching their guest expectations. So Ben, thanks for taking some time, uh, to speak with us. Congratulations on all the milestones and we’re gonna look, uh, for that news that you were sharing. Ben Campbell: I appreciate it. Ryan Embree: Thank you so much. And, uh, we’ll talk to you next time on the Sweet Spot. Ryan Embree: Hello everyone. Ryan Embry here with the Suite Spot live on location at the Hunter Conference 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia, here with Paul Sacco, Chief Growth and Development Officer at PM Hotel Group. Paul, thank you for taking some time. Paul Sacco: Thanks for having me. Ryan Embree: Excited to talk about this. We’re the new venue. Uh, you visited the Hunter Conference before. How does this compare and, and what does success really look like for you when you leave Atlanta here? Paul Sacco: Yeah, I think it’s been a great conference. Perhaps a little hiccup with some of the weather Sure. And people getting in. But I think Teague and League and the team at Hunter have done a great job, really producing a terrific conference. And it’s really well attended now. So we’ve had great experience so far in terms of what does a good conference look like? To me, it’s all about connections. So it’s all about making sure that when you come to a conference like this, sure you have meetings scheduled for deal advancement on projects, you’re working on relationship building on some of the new relationships that you are building upon. And that that’s structured, but also that you leave plenty of time to walk the floor because inevitably you’re running into people that you share common stories with, you’re connecting with maybe there’s some things to do with, and it’s just great ’cause our business and our industry is really all about connections. Ryan Embree: That’s how, that’s where it’s built. It’s a big little world hospitality run into a lot of people. And when you get a lot of hospitality people in one place, they’re gonna start sharing best practices and maybe some of the challenges that they’re having right now. Absolutely. Especially with margins, uh, profits, people are looking out for that edge to figure out what’s next. Where do you think there’s opportunity when you kind of see the landscape right now? Is it a particular region, a segment that you like? Paul Sacco: Yeah, so we operate in full service and toward luxury segment as well as select service and then independent and boutique. And we all hear a lot right now about luxury and leisure leading the way. And we hear a lot about mid-scale extended stay and extended stay generally leading the way. And we’re in those categories. I also think there’s really good opportunity if you are thoughtful about the, the possibilities thoughtful about the deal in urban markets, on core branded hotels. I think there’s still some really good opportunity. You have to be thoughtful about your basis and about what the demand drivers are. But I think there’s some future opportunity in the near term there. I think there will be transactions that start to happen more. We’re starting to see some more pip pressure now from the brands. We’re starting to see some more lender pressure. I think the period of extend and pretend is perhaps coming to an end. Yeah. And there’ll be some transactions that occur out of that. We’re seeing more marketed deals as well come across. And I think that’s been across segments. Fortunately for us, we’re really focused in on each of those three segments as a company and we can capitalize on the right opportunities. Ryan Embree: And that’s where those strong connections come in to make those deals move across the finish line at the end of the, the day. Absolutely. Now PM Hotel Group, you talked a little bit about it, but it’s a competitive landscape out there. Where do you find opportunity to differentiate yourself from other management companies? Paul Sacco: So it is a competitive environment for sure. We’re a top 15 management company now. We do not have any particular goal or pressure to be a certain number of hotels. That’s really meaningful on two fronts. One, it means we can grow smart and do deals that make sense for our company, deals that make sense for the owner in terms of using our operation makes sense for our team. And secondly, it’s really important because it, it allows us to remain accessible to ownership at the highest levels of our company. So we always say that if there’s ever a time where an owner can’t call me or Joseph our president or others in our company and get a response that day, then we’ve grown too big. And that’s really important to us. And since we’re an independently owned company and we’re not private equity owned, we’re not public, we don’t have any of those quarterly quote unquote nug pressures to grow. We can be really thoughtful and strategic about the deals that we do and the owners with whom we’re working and remain accessible to them. Ryan Embree: Well it puts you also in opportunity to kind of maybe be first in line when a new developer or owner wants to go a certain route. You’ve got kind of the story to tell them and and share with them. Paul Sacco: We hear it a lot in reality. We are of the size and scope that our senior team remains very accessible to ownership groups, to asset management groups, et cetera, based on the size and nature of our company. I think there are some others who can say that as well. And there’s some others who are a lot larger and it just maybe just makes it more difficult to do that as effectively. Ryan Embree: Definitely. Now another topic on everybody’s bingo card here. Conferences like this is AI and technology, right? So what’s the philosophy over at PM Hotel Group? Are you guys using anything on the development side and how do you utilizing it? Paul Sacco: Yeah, I think there are some really good tools within ai, even just using ChatGPT and Gemini in order to do market research, really market assessment tools. And that’s a great way to get highlight overview of what’s happening in a market if you’re looking at a new deal, if you’re traveling to a market, a good way to gain sort of initial information and a feeling for what’s happening in a market from a development perspective. Now we tend to dive in deep and back all that up as we advance with some really good formats like CoStar and some others that are out there that help us really assess a deal and assess our business. So on the development front, I think that’s how we’re approaching things on the operating front. I think AI will continue to evolve in a way that it helps, makes operations more efficient, whereby there can be data assessment on check-ins and checkouts, which can help with labor and staffing needs and assessing those types of things. And then of course, on the commercial side, really harnessing the way that people are doing intent-based searches now. Because people will go into ChatGPT or Gemini and they’ll put in an intent-based search. We find a lot that our independent and boutique hotels come up in those searches. But how do you capitalize upon that and how do you harness that in a way to turn it into reservations? Ryan Embree: Absolutely. Everyone looking for that edge right now, right? Like I said, to combat those margins right now, which are challenging in your position, you’re always looking for the next opportunity, the next deal. What’s your vision for PM Hotel Group as you grow into the back half of the 2020s? Paul Sacco: So again, we’re a privately owned company and we grow very strategically. We’re not under any certain pressure, again to have a certain quote unquote nug. So that’s been very effective for us and we’ve been really thoughtful about the owners that we’re doing deals with, the types of deals that we can operate. Effectively key for us is that we’ve done a couple of small strategic partnerships, siteline a year or so ago, modus by PM Hotel Group before that. And the combination of that has put us into all these different segments that we just discussed. But it’s put our reach from Hawaii to California to the mountain states, all the way to the East Coast with different types of products. So we can really capitalize on that and harness the fact that we have coverage and reach in a lot of different markets and market knowledge. So I think for us it’s just about growing smart. It’s about putting a lot of effort behind commercial and technology. We’re, we’re making a lot of investments in that space right now so that we are out ahead of AI advancement and technology advancement. And we’re even in a sort of muted RevPAR growth environment now we’re focused on RPI. And we’re focused on TRevPAR and making sure that operationally and top line wise, we’re getting more than our fair share. Ryan Embree: Awesome. Well, Paul, congratulations to you and your team. We’ll continue to keep a close eye and we’ll let you get back in there. And for all the good stuff, the Hunter Conference has to offer. Paul Sacco: Thank you. Ryan Embree: Thanks Paul. Ryan Embree: All righty. Hello everyone. Ryan Embree here with the Suite Spot live on location at the 2026 Hunter Conference here with Parker, Graduate by Hilton Brand Leader. So excited. I love this brand, it’s very exciting. But before we get talking about your brand, talk to us a little bit about your brand, where you came from and your history here in hospitality. Parker Henderson: It’s fun. Actually. We’re here in Atlanta. This is where I was born and raised. My parents met working for Delta Airlines, so I grew up traveling. Dad worked for Delta for 32 years. And so grew up traveling. And when I got to college, I knew that was something I wanted to major in. Went to Appalachian State University, majored in hospitality tourism management. Worked at the front desk of Comfort Suites when I was in Boone, North Carolina. And then did my internship. And I had a great professor who I was like, I’ll just do my internship and here I’m at already at the hotel. No big deal. He was like, no, you need to go somewhere. You need to do something. And so, Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, they were interested in me. So I did my internship. There happened to be the 99 US Open, everything went really well there. Came back as a manager in development and I was with ClubCorp, who owned Pinehurst for about five years. They moved me to a location in Austin, Texas. Stayed there for a while. Resort Company wasn’t really growing. And meanwhile this beautiful 31 story Hilton was being built in downtown Austin. And I remember seeing that and it’s like, I want that. And I was always in front office operations, so I was able to join the Hilton Austin as assistant director of front office. And that was in November of 2003. And I’ve been with Hilton ever since on property roles for about a decade in San Diego, Baltimore, Orlando. And then joined the corporate front office team in 2012 where I focused on front office operations, efficient use of our property management systems, which are proprietary to Hilton, and then was able to work and get exposed to the brand side and then joined Embassy Suites brand in 2021 and just love that world. Also during the pandemic, my pandemic fun was getting my master’s in hospitality from Virginia Tech. They had a campus in the DMV area up in DC and fall of 2020, I became an adjunct professor in that program. So continuing to do that, I’ve always believed in the power of that intersection of hospitality and education. So when Graduate came through in 2024, I was the first one to raise my hand saying, okay, I’ve got the brand experience, I’ve got the university passion. And so it’s been a great experience since then. Ryan Embree: That’s so cool, Parker. And you know, we were talking about this, I’d love to hear those stories of people that went to school for hospitality and now look at you, you’re on the other side of the desk, you’re, you’re the teacher and, and you know, influencing the next generation of hoteliers, which is so cool. So obviously college and universities have, I’m sure you don’t get tired of talking about those never, especially in your position. But for those who maybe aren’t as familiar with Graduate, talk to us a little bit about that brand, maybe a little bit of a story as well. Parker Henderson: Absolutely. So Graduate Hotels was created in 2014 by AJ Capital. They found that there was great opportunity to have upper upscale position, lodging, bespoke design in these hotel, in these university markets. And it’s been a great success. They started with just one or two properties. They grew to 34-35 properties and then Hilton acquired them in spring of 2024. Since then, they’ve all come into the Hilton ecosystem, 35 assets total currently. And so they’re live with Hilton Honor, they’re live with all of the team member perks with Go Hilton and everything that you expect. But also they’re tied into all the benefits of being Hilton, Hilton Worldwide Sales, Hilton Supply Management, Hilton University, all the training programs. And so the hotels have done a great job of kind of onboarding, keeping the authenticity that makes graduate special while using the engine and all the power that comes with the distribution network of Hilton. Ryan Embree: It’s so cool to hear. And you know, when I think about people and their universities and their colleges, passion is the first word that comes up. And to marry that with your brand and people are also passionate about travel. That’s such an exciting, probably space to be in. And the fact that you, that you get to talk about, these projects and here we are in Atlanta, a very cold unseasonably cold day here in March. But you know, we’re at the Hunter Conference talking to investors, owners, developers. You’re having these conversations. What do owners and developers get excited about when you’re having conversations about your brand? Parker Henderson: The passion, like you said, there’s such storytelling and such a passion to tell a story either about some where somebody lives currently, where their alma mater is, or maybe if they didn’t go to college or university where they were in that youthful optimism phase of kind of the late teens, early twenties, where you really don’t know where your path is and it’s just kind of starting and being able to bottle that up and put that into a project. That’s what gets people excited. The fun part is that the product is so special, it’s so bespoke at each university, at each college town, but they perform wonderfully. We, we have above market performance and revenue and occupancy and we continue to capitalize on those high impact times, home football games, move-ins, graduation, all of that type of stuff. But also with the Hilton system, we’ve been able to expose them to so much different areas of business, whereas they may have had to rely on online travel agencies In the past a lot we’ve been able to kind of broaden that to introduce more business travel. We’ve been able to work with Hilton Worldwide Sales, get more groups, meetings and events into the hotels. The average Graduate hotel is 167 keys and about 4,000 square feet of meeting space. Now with the 35 hotels, that varies greatly. Some are small as 70 keys. Some are as big as 304 keys. Some have zero meeting space. We’ve got one with over 23,000 square feet of meeting space. So there’s a lot of variety there. But all of them can play into the different mix of business that Hilton Worldwide Sales promotes. Ryan Embree: Well, it’s incredible ’cause you know, none of these properties are the same because probably none of these universities are the same. None of these markets are the same. So I’m sure it’s a passion project again, but also creating these memorable experiences around those really cool times and being able to tie your brand in there definitely means something special. Now you have a couple projects, special projects that you’re working on right now. Talk to us a little bit about those and, and maybe that differentiation between them. Parker Henderson: Sure. With the development side, as soon as Graduate came into Hilton became a brand that we were able to franchise. So we have been working with our development committee, that’s why we’re here at Hunter Investment Conference. But we’ve got about 60 different deals in various forms of negotiation. We’ve got a number of deals signed that we’re excited to work on. I’ll highlight kind of four ’cause I feel like they tell a good story. We’ve got Flagstaff, Arizona, that’s gonna be by Northern Arizona University, brand new build, new to Hilton owner. Very exciting project that’s gonna do some amazing storytelling about Route 66, about Northern Arizona University and just the Flagstaff community. You’ve got Boulderado, a historic, a hundred and something year old asset in downtown Boulder, right by UC Boulder. This is gonna become a graduate by Hilton Hotel. This is funded by AJ Capital. They own that. So that’s showing continued interest in the founder of the brand into Graduate by Hilton, which is something that means a lot to me. It means that we’re protecting the brand in, in meaningful ways. We’ve got Graduate Laramie that’ll come online by the University of Wyoming. This is an existing Hilton Garden Inn that’s reaching the end of its term with that project. And we’ll transition and go through a painstaking renovation to tell the cowboy story of the University of Wyoming. And that’ll open as Graduate Laramie. And then in New York, we’ve got Graduate Syracuse. This is actually owned by Syracuse University. This is the institution building something, 200 keys from the ground up. It’s gonna be absolutely spectacular there. Ryan Embree: I can talk to you about each one of these projects and which makes them so unique and, and that’s again the cool part, probably why both the owners and developers love it. Guests love it as well. But let’s get to know you in the portfolio a little bit more intimately. So let’s talk about maybe one of your favorite views on one of your properties. Parker Henderson: There’s a lot. So Graduate East Lansing, east Lansing, Michigan, Michigan State University, if you look out any of their front side windows, you’re looking right into kind of the arboretum of Michigan State University. It is gorgeous rooftop of graduate Auburn, Alabama. If you stand at the War Eagle Supper Club on the roof of Graduate Auburn, you’re looking directly towards the scoreboard and the stadium at Auburn University. Yeah, it’s fantastic. Gosh, there’s so many different ones. I could, like literally, even in Princeton, you’re looking down the street, down Nassau Street towards the gates of Princeton. You’re the fun part about these properties. And I’ve been able to go to all 35 locations both in the UK and the US. And the great thing about them is the location. Most all of them are at the intersection of Maine and Maine. They’re all walkable to campus, no further than about a mile away from the university they are next to and surrounded by the most popular restaurants, bars, shopping, points of interest, the museums, whatever it may be, they’re in the heart of it. All Ryan Embree: Such tradition rich places and spaces that these properties are located in tells a an amazing story. And sure, your guests get to be a part of it, which is really cool. What about signature dish maybe or a local tradition or something like that? Parker Henderson: So all of our restaurant, or excuse me, all of our hotels have a breakfast. Usually that’s kind of a cafe with a barista led concept. Many of those go by the name of Poindexter Coffee. So we have about half the brand that have a Poindexter coffee. Those are phenomenal in themselves. Then in the evenings we require hotels to have bar and dinner at all their locations. One traditional dish may sound basic, but it’s so good. We do a really great smash burger in fries, and that’s something you can find at almost all of our locations. Just a really good smash burger. Ryan Embree: Very cool. Well, you know, and I didn’t prep you for this one, but what about if there’s, is there anything, I mean, because obviously colleges and universities that they’re, they have a lot of, sometimes quirky traditions that, that are in the area. Are there any hotels or properties that have any of these local traditions or anything like that? Ryan Embree: Well, the storytelling, storytelling is one of our values at graduate and all of our hotels portray storytelling. We use maximalist design, we use layering of story upon story, but I think one of my favorite ones I was speaking about graduate Princeton, their headboard, if you’ve ever looked at a picture of graduate Princeton, their headboard looked like these hand carved canes and they’ve got like etchings in ’em and all different kinds of things. And I remember asking the general manager, Michael, it’s like, what is this? Why does it look like hockey sticks above my bed? He’s like, well, back in the 1860s, students used to hand carve their own canes and walk around campus and around the 1860s the upperclassmen decided, nope, the freshmen shouldn’t be allowed to carry those. So they would like beat them with their sticks and, you know, not allow the freshmen to carry them around here. So now that does not continue, but it’s now kind of an intramural fall sports festival every fall for called the Canes Prix. So it’s one of those traditions and one of those stories that you walk in and any Princeton student or alum would get that immediately. Yeah. But from somebody who went to Appalachian State would never have heard of that, it would never have known that tradition if it wasn’t for that quirky headboard. Ryan Embree: And there’s that special connection with the guest that is, that knows that, but also the guests that maybe not like, well, what I’m learning about right now, love that tradition. Like that’s very, that’s some cool history, you know, associated with the property in the university. So obviously a lot of growth. You just talked about the pipeline for this brand, but what’s as brand leader, what’s your kind of vision for the next, you know, three to five years for for Graduate by Hilton? Parker Henderson: Absolutely. We’re looking at kind of making sure that everything within the hotels we’re optimizing as much as possible. So I always love to base everything we do on our values. Our motto at Graduate is we are all students. Our values underneath that is what is fearless hospitality? We’re curious. We’re unapologetically unique and we’re storytellers. And so with that just kind of capitalizing on that and moving that into just grow within the next few years we’ll have several new openings. We’ll have more announcements to share on that. Ryan Embree: Awesome. Well, we’re excited. We’re gonna keep a close eye on the graduate story and yeah, we’re excited to thank you for stopping by and talking to us. Parker Henderson: Absolutely. Thank you for having me. Ryan Embree: To join our loyalty program, be sure to subscribe and give us a five star rating on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Travel Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with Cover Art by Bary Gordon. I’m your host Ryan Embree, and we hope you enjoyed your stay.

This week Erica talks to Matt Sandoval, M.Ed., M.S.W., LMSW, about his work as the CEO of Free Arts Arizona. They talk about how his background in social work helps create an honest place for social justice in in his organization, the effects of politics for organizations in purple states, and how his experiences influence his choices.  Bio:Matt Sandoval, M.Ed., M.S.W., LMSW, is a widely sought after speaker, workshop facilitator, and mental health clinician. He holds a master's degree in education from Northern Arizona University, as well as a master's degree in social work from Arizona State University.  He is the CEO of Free Arts Arizona. About Free Arts: Through talented staff and volunteers, Free Arts transforms trauma into resilience through the arts by creating meaningful mentoring relationships. We serve children, teens, young adults, and families who have experienced abuse, neglect, and homelessness. We apply a simple relational formula, Art + Mentors = Resilience. We serve Arizona and provide thought leadership to child welfare, arts and culture, mentoring, and nonprofit spaces. We serve with an understanding of social justice, trauma-informed care, and equity commitments that recognize that care for each other and our environment is a loving act of self-care.  Reach Matt at www.freeartsaz.org  or via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-sandoval-94765b5/Follow Free Arts Arizona on IG at @freeartsaz For social media sharing, contact me or Barry at bhalvorson@freeartsaz.org I have attached his headshot down below as well!

Impostor phenomena can deter college students, especially students from historically underrepresented groups, from pursuing majors in STEM disciplines. In this episode, Sara Kien joins us to discuss strategies that can reduce imposter phenomena and reduce equity gaps in student success. Sara is an Associate Teaching Professor at Northern Arizona University. She has a PhD in cognitive psychology and recently completed a masters degree in information and data science. Sara is an award winning educator with over 20 years of experience and the author of Data Science and AI in Psychology, an interactive eTextbook on data science, big data, and machine learning in psychology. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

In this episode Michael speaks with Duan Biggs, Associate Professor and Olajos Goslow Chair at Northern Arizona University. They discuss Duan's extensive work and engagement in management and global policy in the governance of wildlife trade, and in a community and rights-based response to the Illegal Wildlife Trade. Based on his extensive experience, Duan describes how managing wildlife trade, and tackling illegal trade towards sustainable conservation outcomes requires alignment with the late Nobel Laureate Lin Ostrom's principles of good sustainable governance. The principles of those affected by policies and rules needing to be key participants in their formulation and fair and legitimate distribution of costs and benefits from policies being particularly important. Duan highlights that legitimate and strong enforcement is key ingredient in managing wildlife trade and curbing illegal wildlife trade, but needs to be accompanied by strong deeply participatory governance systems. In this episode we also discuss how the governance challenges in the Convention of Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), are echoed in other domains of global governance and the backlash and political and governance challenges in the US. Resources and references: Duan Biggs' Lab website: https://www.resilientconservation.org/ Biggs, D., Holden, M. H., Braczkowski, A., Cook, C. N., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Phelps, J., Scholes, R. J., Smith, R. J., Underwood, F. M., Adams, V. M., Allan, J., Brink, H., Cooney, R., Gao, Y., Hutton, J., Macdonald-Madden, E., Maron, M., Redford, K. H., Sutherland, W. J., & Possingham, H. P. (2017). Breaking the deadlock on ivory. Science, 358(6369), 1378–1381. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aan5215   Biggs, D., Peel, A. J., Astaras, C., Braczkowski, A., Cheung, H., Choi, C.-Y., Orume, R. D., Cáceres-Escobar, H., Phelps, J., Plowright, R. K., Rooyen, J., Velden, J., & McCallum, H. (2023). Governance principles for the wildlife trade to reduce spillover and pandemic risk. CABI One Health, 2023, ohcs202300013. https://doi.org/10.1079/cabionehealth.2023.0013   Cheung, H., Challender, D. W. S., Anagnostou, M., Braczkowski, A. R., Marco, M. D., Hinsley, A., Kubo, T., Possingham, H. P., Song, A. Y., Takashina, N., Wang, Y., & Biggs, D. (2025). Protect the Integrity of CITES: Lessons From Japan's IWC Withdrawal to Keep Polarization From Tearing CITES Apart. Conservation Letters, 18(2), e13099. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13099   Gaillard, C., Keany, J. M., Diehl, J. L., Ranjan, P., & Biggs, D. (2024). Mobile apps for 30×30 equity. Nature Sustainability, 7(6), 683–684. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01309-7

In an environment where many donors are overwhelmed by urgent appeals and global crises, it's easy for even the most generous supporters to disengage. However, successful organizations realize they don't need to "scream louder" to get attention; they simply need to be clearer, more human, and more intentional about their asks. In today's episode, Russ Phaneuf sits down with Jack Padovano, Board Chair of PC Project, to discuss how prioritizing relationship-first fundraising helped this small nonprofit achieve their most successful campaign ever. You'll learn how to leverage peer-to-peer outreach to turn supporters into brave advocates, why a "strategy-first" mindset simplifies fundraising, and how to enroll donors as true partners in your mission. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources [NPFX] Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Getting Started the Smart Way https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/peer-to-peer-fundraising-getting-started-the-smart-way [NPFX] Improve Donor Retention and Engagement with P2P Fundraising https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/improve-donor-retention-and-engagement-with-p2p-fundraising Guest Jack Padovano, board chair for PC Project, is an advancement and marketing strategist with over four decades of experience helping nonprofit organizations and mission-driven institutions strengthen fundraising programs and deepen donor engagement. He specializes in translating complex missions into compelling, results-driven campaigns that build lasting relationships with supporters and advance organizational priorities. Earlier in his career, Jack held senior marketing leadership roles in the direct-to-consumer sector, including positions with Sara Lee and Wolferman's, where he developed expertise in multichannel marketing, membership growth, and strategic communications. Jack also serves as a trusted advisor in nonprofit governance and strategic planning, guiding organizations on messaging, mission expansion, and long-term sustainability. Known for combining data-informed strategies with persuasive storytelling, he helps advancement teams create programs that engage donors, inspire action, and generate measurable impact. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-padovano-48bb4862/ https://www.pachyonychia.org/ Host Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement

Send a textWelcome everyone, to the conclusion of my interview with Professor and El Paso County Sheriff's Department Investigator Jennifer Bucholtz. Jennifer Bucholtz is a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent, and a decorated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University, a master's degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a master's degree in forensic science from National University. Ms. Bucholtz has an extensive background in U.S. military and Department of Defense counterintelligence operations. Ms. Bucholtz is currently an adjunct faculty member at AMU and teaches courses in criminal justice and forensic sciences. Additionally, she is a cold case investigator for her local sheriff's office, host of AMU's investigative podcast “Break The Case,” and founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Break The Case. Please enjoy this eye-opening and fascinating interview with someone who has done so many incredible things and continues to serve her community.  In today's episode, we discuss:·      Meeting Lt. Joe Kenda. ·      Why is she so interested in cold cases?·      The Steven Avery case.·      The Rebecca Gould murder. Was her killer a serial killer? All the missteps of the original detectives and how she overcame those errors. ·      Why does she still communicate with her murderer?·      Her company, Break The Case.org.·      The Debbie Sue Williamson case.·      What is her criteria for taking a case?·      Forensic and investigative science has never been better. Why are clearances not keeping up with the science? ·      What's in the future of cold cases? DNA keeps getting better, and perhaps using AI as a tool, not a replacement for humans. All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.Visit Break the Case!Visit the Cops & Writers Website!Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!My first week as a rookie cop, I had to decide whether to pull the trigger on a man running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.That was my introduction to policing in Milwaukee.From Wall Street Journal-featured author Patrick O'Donnell comes a memoir of rookie years on Milwaukee's streets.Support the show

Punk Anarchism: An Anti-Politics of Resistance (Bloomsbury, 2026) is a radical critique of contemporary politics, offering an alternative framework rooted in anarchism, punk rock, dadaism, situationism and political nihilism. Arguing that traditional approaches to political change are ineffective in the face of the climate crisis and the failures of liberal institutions, the book advocates for rejecting the possibility of meaningful political change within the existing political system. Drawing on historical cultural movements like the Russian and Japanese nihilists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sean Parson calls for a politics of pure negation, centered on the destruction of the current social order, rather than its reform – advocating for a revolutionary politics that embraces resentment against the wealthy and rejects hierarchical power dynamics. Punk Anarchism asks: what if resistance were motivated by a sense of playfulness and enjoyment, rather than hope for a better future? Ultimately, Parson proposes an anti-theory of negation as a way to imagine political agency beyond traditional frameworks. Sean Parson is Professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University, USA. They are the author of Cooking Up a Revolution: Resistance to Gentrification (2019) and the co-editor of four edited books includingRepresentations of Political Resistance and Emancipation in Science Fiction (2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Punk Anarchism: An Anti-Politics of Resistance (Bloomsbury, 2026) is a radical critique of contemporary politics, offering an alternative framework rooted in anarchism, punk rock, dadaism, situationism and political nihilism. Arguing that traditional approaches to political change are ineffective in the face of the climate crisis and the failures of liberal institutions, the book advocates for rejecting the possibility of meaningful political change within the existing political system. Drawing on historical cultural movements like the Russian and Japanese nihilists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sean Parson calls for a politics of pure negation, centered on the destruction of the current social order, rather than its reform – advocating for a revolutionary politics that embraces resentment against the wealthy and rejects hierarchical power dynamics. Punk Anarchism asks: what if resistance were motivated by a sense of playfulness and enjoyment, rather than hope for a better future? Ultimately, Parson proposes an anti-theory of negation as a way to imagine political agency beyond traditional frameworks. Sean Parson is Professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University, USA. They are the author of Cooking Up a Revolution: Resistance to Gentrification (2019) and the co-editor of four edited books includingRepresentations of Political Resistance and Emancipation in Science Fiction (2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Punk Anarchism: An Anti-Politics of Resistance (Bloomsbury, 2026) is a radical critique of contemporary politics, offering an alternative framework rooted in anarchism, punk rock, dadaism, situationism and political nihilism. Arguing that traditional approaches to political change are ineffective in the face of the climate crisis and the failures of liberal institutions, the book advocates for rejecting the possibility of meaningful political change within the existing political system. Drawing on historical cultural movements like the Russian and Japanese nihilists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sean Parson calls for a politics of pure negation, centered on the destruction of the current social order, rather than its reform – advocating for a revolutionary politics that embraces resentment against the wealthy and rejects hierarchical power dynamics. Punk Anarchism asks: what if resistance were motivated by a sense of playfulness and enjoyment, rather than hope for a better future? Ultimately, Parson proposes an anti-theory of negation as a way to imagine political agency beyond traditional frameworks. Sean Parson is Professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University, USA. They are the author of Cooking Up a Revolution: Resistance to Gentrification (2019) and the co-editor of four edited books includingRepresentations of Political Resistance and Emancipation in Science Fiction (2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Punk Anarchism: An Anti-Politics of Resistance (Bloomsbury, 2026) is a radical critique of contemporary politics, offering an alternative framework rooted in anarchism, punk rock, dadaism, situationism and political nihilism. Arguing that traditional approaches to political change are ineffective in the face of the climate crisis and the failures of liberal institutions, the book advocates for rejecting the possibility of meaningful political change within the existing political system. Drawing on historical cultural movements like the Russian and Japanese nihilists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sean Parson calls for a politics of pure negation, centered on the destruction of the current social order, rather than its reform – advocating for a revolutionary politics that embraces resentment against the wealthy and rejects hierarchical power dynamics. Punk Anarchism asks: what if resistance were motivated by a sense of playfulness and enjoyment, rather than hope for a better future? Ultimately, Parson proposes an anti-theory of negation as a way to imagine political agency beyond traditional frameworks. Sean Parson is Professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University, USA. They are the author of Cooking Up a Revolution: Resistance to Gentrification (2019) and the co-editor of four edited books includingRepresentations of Political Resistance and Emancipation in Science Fiction (2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

Episode 192 is a conversation with James Dice and Brad Bonavida from Nexus Lab, as well as Dr. Steve Burrell from Northern Arizona University. In this episode of the Nexus Podcast, the Nexus Labs team breaks down the top stories relevant to energy managers, facility managers, IT/OT managers, and workplace managers.Find full show notes and episode transcript on The Nexus Podcast: Episode 192 webpage.Sign-up (or refer a friend!) to the Nexus Newsletter.Learn more about The Smart Building Strategist Course and the Nexus Courses Platform.Check out the Nexus Labs Marketplace.Learn more about Nexus Partnership Opportunities.

Send a textWelcome everyone to part one of my interview with Professor and El Paso County Sheriff's Department Investigator Jennifer Bucholtz. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!Jennifer Bucholtz is a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent and a decorated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University, a master's degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a master's degree in forensic science from National University. Ms. Bucholtz has an extensive background in U.S. military and Department of Defense counterintelligence operations. Ms. Bucholtz is currently an adjunct faculty member at AMU, teaching courses in criminal justice and forensic sciences. Additionally, she is a cold-case investigator for her local sheriff's office, host of AMU's investigative podcast “Break The Case,” and founder of the 501(c) (3) nonprofit, Break The Case.Please enjoy this eye opening, and fascinating interview with someone who has done so many incredible things and continues to serve her community.  In today's episode, we discuss:·      Jen's Childhood and influences. ·      Working as a corrections officer in a maximum-security prison.·      Her internship with the New York Medical Examiners' Office.·      Her first death case and autopsy.·      Joining the army and being a counterintelligence agent.·      What it was like interrogating enemies of the United States.·      Using science and intuition in her interrogations.·      Body language, micro-expressions, and other clues in interrogations.·      Her book, There is no GOAT.·      People in Afghanistan not knowing about 9/11 or Osama Bin Laden·      Post-military life and working as a contractor overseas.·      Working for the State Department, teaching Indonesian police.·      Being a college professor.·      Her interest in cold cases. All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.My first week as a rookie cop, I had to decide whether to pull the trigger on a man running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.That was my introduction to policing in Milwaukee.From Wall Street Journal-featured author Patrick O'Donnell comes a memoir of rookie years on Milwaukee's streets.Support the show

Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 6 is here! Something Something Something Winslow, Arizona Route 66's Steepest Climb Randy discussed his journey along Route 66, focusing on the steep climb from Ash Fork to Williams, which he described as the steepest on the route. He explained that modern vehicles easily navigate this challenging terrain, unlike the early 20th-century cars that struggled to ascend. Randy also mentioned encountering abandoned cars along the route, which he finds fascinating and takes pictures of, though he lacks the expertise to identify many of the makes and models. Automotive Industry Consolidation History The discussion focused on the history of the automotive industry, with Randy sharing that a Ford Model T cost $250 in 1926 (equivalent to $4,500 today) while a Packard cost $3,300, and that there were 1,800 different car companies in the United States in the 1920s, compared to just three major companies today (Ford, GM, and Stellantis). They discussed how the industry has undergone significant consolidation over time, with many companies failing during the Great Depression and World War II playing a crucial role in Jeep's survival. Bubba noted parallels between the automotive industry's history and the current AI landscape, where many companies may eventually be consolidated down to a few major players. Williams: Route 66 Gateway The discussion focused on the history and significance of Williams, Arizona, as a key stop along Route 66. Randy explained that Williams was the last town bypassed by Interstate 40, which was notable because they negotiated three distinct entrances and exits in exchange for being bypassed. They discussed the town's history as a gateway to the Grand Canyon, despite Route 66 not directly reaching the canyon, and highlighted the presence of the Grand Canyon Railway, which still operates train service from Williams to the Grand Canyon. The conversation also touched on the Harvey Hotels, which were prominent railroad stops with elegant dining and lodging, with La Posada in Winslow being one of the few remaining original Harvey houses. Flagstaff's Route 66 Resilience The discussion focused on the history and significance of Flagstaff, Arizona, as a key stop along Route 66. Randy explained how Flagstaff survived and thrived despite the construction of Interstate 40, attributing its success to the establishment of Northern Arizona University and the presence of the Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered. They discussed Flagstaff's unique dark sky ordinance requiring neon lights to be turned off 30 minutes after business hours, and Bubba shared a personal story about his son's astronomy class at NC State, where students can remotely control satellites to take pictures of celestial objects like galaxies Route 66: Winslow's Revival Journey The discussion focused on the history and development of towns along Route 66, particularly Winslow, which gained fame from the Eagles' song "Take It Easy." The town transformed from a ghost town to a popular tourist destination after building a park and statue on the corner referenced in the song. The conversation also covered Two Guns and Two Arrows, two nearby towns with different attractions, and mentioned that Route 66 passed through the Petrified Forest National Park before being rerouted. Route 66 Maintenance Challenges Randy discussed Route 66, highlighting its historical significance and the challenges in maintaining the original road for a national bike route. They explained that while some states have completed their sections, others like Arizona and New Mexico have not, making it dangerous for cyclists. Randy shared experiences driving through the Petrified Forest, describing its stunning rock formations and the transformation of the Painted Desert Inn into a visitor center. They noted that after Flagstaff, Route 66 becomes less maintained and less accessible, with many dead ends and issues with tribal land permissions. Route 66 Exploration and Challenges Randy shared his experience exploring Route 66 in Arizona, including visiting a 50,000-year-old crater and the town of Winslow, famous for the song "Take It Easy." They discussed the challenges of maintaining businesses along the less-traveled Route 66 compared to Interstate 40, noting the abundance of abandoned gas stations and trading posts. Randy highlighted the unique attractions in towns like Holbrook and Winslow, and mentioned plans to continue exploring Route 66 into New Mexico in the following week. Route 66 Podcast and Preservation Randy and Bubba discussed their ongoing Route 66 podcast and social media project, noting their growing Facebook following of 25,000 and plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign in mid-March. They explored the challenges of preserving Route 66, including the need to complete certain sections to enable a bike path, and shared their concerns about younger generations losing interest in road trips. Bubba suggested the idea of renting classic cars along Route 66 to enhance the travel experience, and both agreed on the importance of capturing nostalgia for future generations. They also discussed their use of AI, specifically Beth, to assist with their project and the potential for future developments in automated driving.   SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys?  Want to sponsor us?  Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions?   bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!

What if the next step in your career was simply saying "yes" to yourself? For many clinicians, the idea of starting a private practice feels like a "someday" dream. But for today's guest, "someday" arrived a lot sooner than she expected — and it completely changed her career.I'm thrilled to introduce you to Kara Nelson, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, mom, and the founder of Sahuarita Speech Spot, a private practice serving families in a rural-suburban community in Southern Arizona, just 20 miles north of the Mexico border.Kara specializes in gestalt language processing and neurodiversity-affirming therapy, supporting children from first words through early literacy. She has grown her practice beyond traditional speech therapy by adding reading tutoring, school contracts, and community partnerships, all while raising her family and figuring out how to scale a business without losing the heart of the work. She is a shining example of what happens when you combine clinical expertise with a leap of faith—and she's been a joy to watch grow from the very first steps of her journey all the way to where she is now.From working as a speech tech in the schools to building a thriving practice with a brick-and-mortar location and a growing team, Kara's story proves that private practice isn't just for the "type A" planners—it's for anyone willing to go all in.In this episode, Kara shares how she moved from feeling stuck in the school system to creating a practice that fits her life, her family, and her community.Kara Nelson has been working in the schools since 2007, starting as a speech language technician before earning her master's degree from Northern Arizona University. She spent over 15 years in educational settings before realizing she was ready for something different.A self-described "all or nothing" person, Kara didn't waffle when the idea of private practice took hold. She started small—mobile and part-time—while continuing to work in early intervention and the schools. But it wasn't long before her caseload grew, and so did her vision.Today, Kara runs a busy practice that offers both speech therapy and literacy support out of a permanent location. She's learned to leverage technology, streamline her systems, and even bring on a team member. And through it all, she's stayed grounded in her mission: helping kids communicate and connect.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How Kara transitioned from school-based work to private practice—and why she knew it was timeThe value of starting mobile to build momentum without the overheadThe unexpected doors that opened—like renting space in a churchHer advice for clinicians who are nervous about taking the leapKara's journey is a powerful reminder that you don't have to have every detail figured out before you start. You just have to begin. Whether it's gaining confidence to have parents in the room, posting on Facebook to find clients, or deciding to build walls in a leased space—each step builds on the last.Her story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can create a practice that grows with you—if you're willing to take the first step.Want to build a private practice that fits your life—whether you're type A, type B, or somewhere in between? The Start Your Private Practice Program can give you...

Send a textWhat if every student in your world language classroom was actively engaged, supported, and confident in using the target language?In this practical and inspiring conversation, Sally Barnes shares the powerful framework behind the 7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive World Language Classroom. Rooted in research on comprehensible input, student engagement, and low-stress output, Sally offers clear routines and strategies that work across levels, languages, and curricula—so teachers can build sustainable, proficiency-driven classrooms where everyone is doing everything.

As donor demographics shift and concerns regarding data-sharing practices grow, nonprofits are facing a significant challenge in maintaining the trust of an increasingly skeptical audience. Many leaders are now asking: How do we prove our impact with true transparency to earn long-term, continued support? In today's episode, host Russ Phaneuf welcomes Kyle Gardner, SVP of Development with Charity Navigator, to dig into the hard truths behind donor skepticism and discover where the greatest opportunities for rebuilding trust currently lie. Tune in to learn practical steps for auditing donor privacy policies, the benefits of "opt-down" email features, and strategies to create durable, repeatable stewardship. Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com. Additional Resources Charity Navigator Nonprofit Portal https://www.charitynavigator.org/portal M+R Benchmarks https://mrbenchmarks.com/ Guest Kyle Gardner, Senior Vice President of Development with Charity Navigator, leads his team in raising the resources needed to expand the breadth and depth of the organization's charity ratings and other giving resources. Before joining Charity Navigator in 2017, Kyle was in electoral politics, fundraising for candidates and political committees. Kyle has proudly held his CFRE accreditation since 2021. Kyle earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas. In his free time, Kyle enjoys spending quality time with his wife, three kids, two dogs, two cats, and five chickens, as well as rooting for his Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleconnergardner/ https://www.charitynavigator.org/ Host Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics. https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/ https://www.ipmadvancement.com/ Connect with NPFX LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/npfx/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/npfxpodcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/npfx_podcast/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ipmadvancement

College Native American Studies courses are engines for Native-led research in addition to serving as a welcoming academic home for Native students. As it is, Native students are already the most under-represented group on college campuses. Their numbers declined in the decade before the Covid pandemic. There are indications that the 2023 Supreme Court decision upending Affirmative Action and the Trump administration's focus on unraveling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are doing further damage to all minority enrollment. As the American Indian Studies Association convention gets underway, we'll assess the power and challenges of college programs focusing specifically on Native issues. GUESTS Dr. Souksavanh Keovorabouth (Diné), assistant professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Northern Arizona University and president of the American Indian Studies Association Mario Atencio (Diné), Native American Studies Ph.D candidate at the University of New Mexico Allison Shaddox (Cherokee), Native American Studies Ph.D. student at the University of New Mexico Kelly Nalani Beym (Diné), Ph.D. candidate in geography at the University of Kansas Break 1 Music: Manitou (song) The Delbert Anderson Trio (artist) MANITOU (album) Break 2 Music: Wahzhazhe (song) Scott George (artist) Killers of the Flower Moon Soundtrack (album)

Students can use AI tools to support or short-circuit their learning. In this episode, Tim Curry joins us to discuss how he uses AI tools to support students with diverse prior knowledge in a carefully curated framework.  Tim is a lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences at Northern Arizona University. He is developing AI applications for autism research and tribal health service while building Northern Arizona University's Applied Health Analytics program. He's also working on the completion of his PhD degree in health equity technology. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.