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Tonight on Glick's House of Music, we're sitting down with Thistle & Oak for a conversation about the music,the stories, and the road behind their unique bend of Americana, folk, and alt-rock LIVE right here on The Nonsensical Network Your unofficial backstage pass to real musicFOLLOW US EVERYWHERE bio.link/nonsensicalnetworkSUPPORT THE SHOWS CASHAPP $glickglick13
Regardless of how my tenure ended, I am grateful to Hearts of Oak management for the opportunity to contribute my expertise to the club. — Didi Dramani, Former Hearts of Oak Coach
In this inspiring interview, Dan Steiner joins Hearts of Oak to share how he left a successful career as a trucking executive after encountering Jesus Christ and felt called to confront abortion as both a moral and spiritual crisis. He explains the remarkable growth of Preborn, which began as a single pregnancy clinic in Indiana and has become the largest pro-life organization in the world. Through free ultrasounds, practical support (maternity clothes, baby supplies, housing, and medical care), and compassionate counseling, Preborn has helped save over 80,000 babies in a single year. Steiner emphasizes that Preborn's mission pairs life-saving work with sharing the gospel, helping women and their children find not only physical rescue but eternal hope in Christ. He also discusses the shift in the abortion industry toward online chemical abortions and how Preborn has adapted with digital outreach, phone counseling, and telehealth to reach women earlier. A powerful conversation about faith, obedience, compassion, and the vital role of the church in standing for truth. "LORD, WHAT CAN I DO?" This is what PreBorn! Founder, Dan Steiner, asked himself as he thought of the 800,000 babies being slaughtered each week at the hands of abortionists. This issue of abortion is the DEFINING issue of OUR generation. You are NOT powerless in the mission to save the lives of babies at risk for abortion. You are a KEY instrument in the power source God desires to use to SAVE BABIES and SAVE SOULS. Just as God called Dan Steiner, PreBorn!'s Founder, to save babies and save souls… you are being called. Connect with and support PreBorn...
Installez-vous confortablement au fond de votre lit, remontez la couette jusqu'au menton et fermez les yeuxL'histoireMy girlfriend is the creator of the universe, par sarcasonomiconMerci à tous les auteurs, n'hésitez pas vous aussi, à envoyer vos histoires sur hello@avantdallerdormir.frMerci également à Oak, Dan, UnDixgo et Kurt pour la narration !Rejoignez-nousDiscordInstagram | FacebookYouTube | TwitchTwitterNotre siteNotre répondeur : 0749252790Soutenez-nousSur Patreon. Un remerciement à nos nouveaux patrons : Kasumi, Marie, Julie, Agathe, Raphaël, Simon
Anni Cyrus returns to Hearts of Oak to examine the current state of the U.S.-Iran conflict. She explains how policy decisions redirected a war that could have concluded earlier, allowing the Iranian regime and IRGC to recover despite significant damage. The conversation compares the Israeli and American approaches to the threat posed by Iran and its proxies, discusses the limited public understanding of the regime's actions, and details the internet blackout inside Iran along with the use of VPNs and Starlink to maintain information flow. Anni also describes the severe economic hardship facing ordinary Iranians, widespread poverty, and the public's cautious readiness to return to the streets. The episode closes with an assessment of possible negotiations involving President Trump, Netanyahu, and Iran. Aynaz “Anni” Cyrus, born in 1983 into an Islamic family in Iran post-Islamic Revolution, rejected Islam at age nine when declared an adult woman under Sharia. She endured legal abuses and a violent forced marriage. At 15, she escaped Iran, facing a death sentence by stoning. Granted asylum in Turkey, she became a U.S. citizen in 2010. Since 2011, Aynaz has produced “The Glazov Gang” with Dr. Jamie Glazov and appeared in media affiliated with The David Horowitz Freedom Center, Jihad Watch, and others. Chapters gettr.com/user/AnniCyrus
Looking for the absolute best fantasy baseball waiver wire advice, the latest fantasy baseball trade targets, and updated fantasy baseball rankings? We break down why Jarren Duran is highlighting our latest rankings risers, analyze the underlying metrics making Jackson Chourio an elite buy-low trade target, and pinpoint exactly who you need to target before your league mates catch on. Week 11 Market Analytics & Player Teardowns The fantasy baseball landscape is shifting rapidly as we head into Week 11, requiring managers to separate real skill growth from temporary statistical anomalies. A prime example is Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, who highlights our latest rankings risers due to underlying pace metrics that suggest a potential 30-30 campaign. Despite an elevated 29% strikeout rate, Duran has locked down the everyday leadoff spot, making his volume-heavy profile incredibly valuable. When evaluating risers like Duran or Bryan Reynolds, analyzing baseline shifts rather than riding unsustainable BABIP waves is essential to sustaining success. The trade market presents distinct buy-low windows that demand immediate action. Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio remains an elite buy-low target; his underlying barrel rates and hard-hit metrics have been teasing a massive breakout, and his recent multi-homer explosion during the series sweep shows that the acquisition window is closing incredibly fast. Similarly, Oakland's Tyler Soderstrom is showing immense growth, dropping his strikeout rate from a concerning 30% down to a highly manageable 18%. Combined with a rising launch angle at a highly favorable Sutter Health Park hitting environment, his bat is primed for a massive second-half surge. On the flip side, identifying optimal sell-high timelines is just as crucial for long-term roster construction. Christian Yelich continues to provide solid surface counting stats, but his underlying metrics paint an incredibly alarming picture. Yelich's launch angle sits at a low two degrees, paired with a meager 6% barrel rate and a career-worst average exit velocity of 88 mph. With his strikeout rate jumping nearly 30% alongside chronic back discomfort, savvy managers should trade the veteran asset now to maximize return value before rest-of-season regression fully hits. Conversely, pitching depth remains highly volatile, as highlighted by the dramatic roster shifts across standard leagues. For those looking to fill open roster spots, looking toward efficient arms like Detroit's Troy Melton or checking the underlying predictive metrics of high-upside young arms like Chase Burns provides a strategic roadmap for stabilizing team ERAs and WHIPs without burning waiver priority on low-floor assets. Timestamps 0:00 - Week 11 Waivers, Rankings & Trade Targets 2:15 - Shane Baz (SP, BAL) 7:35 - Zack Littell (SP, WAS) 12:25 - Sam Antonacci (2B/3B/OF, CWS) 16:55 - Jung Hoo Lee (OF, SF) 19:11 - Troy Melton (SP, DET) 21:35 - Brayan Bello (SP, BOS) 28:33 - Gregory Soto (RP, PIT) 32:35 - Daylen Lile (OF, WAS) 36:18 - FanDuel Win Totals: Cristopher Sanchez Cy Young Odds 42:05 - Jarren Duran (OF, BOS) 45:10 - Bryan Reynolds (OF, PIT) 46:10 - Carson Benge (OF, NYM) 49:06 - Chase Burns (SP, CIN) 49:15 - Kyle Harrison (SP, MIL) 50:39 - Louie Varland (SP/RP, TOR) 54:45 - Kyle Tucker (OF, LAD) 56:04 - Brice Turang (2B, MIL) 59:50 - Austin Riley (3B, ATL) 1:02:55 - Spencer Strider (SP, ATL) 1:03:56 - Landen Roupp (RP, SF) 1:05:17 - Framber Valdez (SP, DET) 1:08:30 - Jackson Chourio (OF, MIL) 1:10:45 - Tyler Soderstrom (C/1B, OAK) 1:12:15 - Dillon Dingler (C, DET) 1:14:30 - Christian Yelich (OF, MIL) 1:16:03 - Emerson Hancock (SP, SEA) 1:18:00 - Michael McGreevy (SP, STL) Dominate your leagues and unlock our premium Discord, advanced tools, and daily projections by checking out the Fantasy Six Pack All-Access Plans. Use the promo code F6PPODS to save 15% on your membership! This episode is proudly presented by @FanDuel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Richard Yi of Brooklyn Cider House isn't interested in making cider that appeals to everyone. He's interested in making cider with personality and if you've ever enjoyed hearing a cider maker tell the story behind the glass, you're going to enjoy this conversation. In this epiosde, you'll hear how a young man who once imagined a future in engineering found his way into the family cider business. Richard shares the influence of his father, Peter Yi, the evolution of Brooklyn Cider House, and why embracing the unpredictability of fermentation has become central to his philosophy. Along the way, we discuss: • Growing into a family cider legacy • The transition from engineering to fermentation • Why cider doesn't need to taste the same every year • Orchard expression and vintage variation • The role of trust in fermentation • Brooklyn Cider House's approach to craft and authenticity • Building a cider culture that values difference over uniformity Whether you're a cider maker, orchardist, or simply someone who enjoys discovering what makes a cider unique, Richard offers thoughtful insights into the balance between tradition, experimentation, and family. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Cider With Personality: Richard Yi's Approach to Craft Cider 01:34 Ciderville Standards Update 03:19 French Cider Tour 2026 Preview 04:50 Meet Richard Yi of Brooklyn Cider House 05:44 Family Roots, Wine, and the Path to Cider 07:23 Richard's Food Pairing Philosophy 09:31 Working Inside Brooklyn Cider House 10:43 Succession Planning and Learning the Craft 14:23 Building the New Paltz Farm and Orchard 17:28 Creating a Destination Tasting Room 18:27 Pizza, Barbecue, and Growing Crowds 21:10 Events and Community Building 23:15 Celebrating Korean Culture Through Cider 25:21 Craft Cider Versus Commodity Production 26:05 Native Yeast Fermentation and Cider Making 30:03 Wild Fermentation Versus Cultured Yeast 30:44 Small-Batch Ciders and Limited Releases 31:25 The Story Behind Nomad Cider 33:19 Nomad Cider Tasting Notes 35:24 Apples, Oak, and Barrel Aging 37:37 Sherry Cask-Aged Cider Explained 39:28 Lopez de Heredia and Winemaking Influence 42:15 Dance: A Basque-Inspired Fruit Co-Ferment 43:58 Dance Cider Tasting Notes and Technique 48:31 Innovation, Growth, and Consumer Trends 49:56 The Legacy of Peter Yi 51:17 Tandem Ciders Joins the CiderGoingUP Campaign 53:21 Cider Chat Summer Schedule and What's Next Mentions in this Cider Chat Tandem Cider in Michigan joing the #ciderGoingUp campaign 2026 French Cider Tour Ganzenhof Cider – Belgium eCiderNews Find the full show notes for Episode 506 at CiderChat.com Direct Link at: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/506-richard-yi/ Listen to wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's coming next in Ciderville. Prefer to watch? Find Cider Chat on YouTube for more cider stories, orchard adventures, and global cider culture.
Is it officially time to rage drop Tanner Bibee after another blowout, or do the metrics suggest a major bounce-back is coming? Episode Summary Joe Bond and AJ Applegarth break down the top waiver wire adds, brutal drops, and key rankings movers for Week 10 of the fantasy baseball season. The crew details why pitchers like Shota Imanaga and Nolan McLean are sliding down the rankings, and explains why struggling stars like Bo Bichette represent key buy-low opportunities rather than panic drops. Week 10 Fantasy Baseball Advanced Analytics & Strategic Breakdown The fantasy baseball landscape is shifting rapidly as we head into Week 10, requiring managers to separate raw surface statistics from true predictive indicators. The focal point of this week's analysis centers on Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee, whose disastrous outing against the Washington Nationals exposed massive vulnerabilities. Surrendering seven earned runs and an astounding five home runs over just three innings of work on Memorial Day sent shockwaves through fantasy rosters. Looking into his broader trajectory, a disturbing multi-year pattern emerges. Bibee's surface ERA has progressively climbed from 2.98 to 3.47, then to 4.24, and now sits at 4.57 for the season. Coupled with a 4.16 SIERA and a strikeout rate dropping below one punchout per inning, Bibee can no longer be viewed as an un-droppable asset. His underlying numbers indicate he has transitioned into a volatile, matchup-dependent option rather than a reliable rotation anchor. Pitching volatility dominates the landscape this week, highlighted by prominent rankings fallers Shota Imanaga and Nolan McLean. While some fantasy managers might react with panic to their downward slide in the rankings, it is crucial to analyze the shift structurally rather than assuming true skill regression. Shota Imanaga's dip reflects an expected correction after an incredibly hot stretch, making it an adjustment based on stabilizing underlying metrics. Meanwhile, Nolan McLean's slide serves as a reminder of how quickly pitching depth charts and small-sample performance can fluctuate in standard rankings models. Separating these structural rankings adjustments from complete profile collapses is what allows sharp managers to maximize their pitching rotations while others panic-drop viable assets. Conversely, the advanced data reveals lucrative buy-low windows for targets experiencing acute misfortune. Oakland Athletics slugger Brent Rooker stands out as a prime trade target despite a freezing cold spell that dragged his batting average down to .189 with a 52:17 strikeout-to-walk ratio. While his standard Savant page flashes concerning blue metrics, Rooker boasts a consistent multi-year track record of crossing the 30-home-run threshold. In an era where league-wide batting averages are depressed, maintaining a true 30-homer profile provides massive utility, making him an ideal target while his market value is rock bottom. Similarly, managers must remain disciplined with elite foundational bats like Freddie Freeman and Bo Bichette. Freeman's minor dip in the rankings represents a normal structural variation rather than a fundamental degradation of his elite plate discipline. Bo Bichette is another prime example of why surface-level struggles should not trigger a panic drop. While he appears as a "Homer Pick Drop" focus on the show due to recent visual adjustments and shifting team dynamics, his long-term track record remains undeniable. Bichette is not a true skills-based rankings faller to cut loose; instead, the underlying metrics suggest he remains an elite bounce-back candidate. Treating his depressed batting average as a structural buying window rather than a permanent anchor allows you to secure an elite infielder before his inevitable positive statistical correction occurs. On the waiver wire front, uncovering values requires a sharp focus on expected metrics and situational deployment. Washington Nationals starter Cade Cavalli has emerged as a high-priority addition, exhibiting elite command over his last three starts spanning 19.3 innings. Cavalli has posted a stellar 2.79 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a spectacular 2.44 SIERA alongside 24 strikeouts—highlighted by consecutive 10-strikeout performances against Atlanta and the Mets. Backed by a highly potent Nationals offense, his run support floor remains high. Meanwhile, deep-league infielder options like Chase Meidroth of the Chicago White Sox and Blaze Alexander of the Baltimore Orioles offer flexible, multi-position eligibility. Meidroth benefits from hitting near the top of a White Sox lineup that unexpectedly ranks as the eighth-best offense by wRC+. Alexander provides elite short-term streaming upside, slashing .344 with a .913 OPS since mid-May, offering short-term category boosts while navigating structural gaps in the fantasy infield. Episode Chapters & Timestamps 0:00 - Week 10 Overview & Strategy 3:30 - Homer Pick: Blaze Alexander (2B/3B/SS/OF, BAL) Analysis 10:13 - Waiver Wire Add: Chase Meidroth (2B/3B/SS, CWS) Profile 14:48 - Waiver Wire Add: Cade Cavalli (SP, WAS) Statcast Breakdown 18:06 - Rage Drop of the Wk: Tanner Bibee (SP, CLE) Deep Dive 24:25 - Waiver Wire Drop: Devin Williams (RP, NYM) Closer Volatility 28:57 - Waiver Wire Drop: Brent Rooker (DH/OF, ATH) Valuation 36:05 - Homer Pick: Bo Bichette (SS/3B, NYM) Outlook 41:14 - FanDuel Presents: MLB Season Win Totals & Odds 48:50 - Rankings Review: Week 10 Risers & Fallers 48:50 - Rankings Riser: CJ Abrams (SS, WSH) 50:27 - Rankings Riser: Yandy Diaz (1B, TB) 51:37 - Rankings Riser: Casey Schmitt (1B/3B, SF) 53:30 - Rankings Riser: Ketel Marte (2B, ARI) 55:49 - Rankings Riser: Payton Tolle (SP, BOS) 57:34 - Rankings Riser: Shane Baz (SP, BAL) 59:16 - Rankings Riser: Gerrit Cole (SP, NYY) 1:00:12 - Rankings Faller: Freddie Freeman (1B, LAD) 1:01:38 - Rankings Faller: Taylor Ward (OF, BAL) 1:02:06 - Rankings Faller: Tyler Soderstrom (1B/DH, ATH) 1:03:34 - Rankings Faller: Vinnie Pasquantino (1B, KC) 1:04:14 - Rankings Faller: Nolan McLean (SP, NYM) 1:07:00 - Rankings Faller: Shota Imanaga (SP, CHC) 1:07:40 - Rankings Faller: Sandy Alcantara (SP, MIA) 1:09:34 - Rankings Faller: Jack Perkins (P, OAK) 1:17:40 - Buy Low Trade Target: Nico Hoerner (2B, CHC) 1:18:45 - Buy Low Trade Target: Brent Rooker (DH/OF, ATH) 1:21:16 - Sell High Trade Target: Brandon Lowe (2B, TB) 1:23:24 - Sell High Trade Target: Spencer Arrighetti (SP, HOU) The F6P Hour is proudly presented by FanDuel! Whether you are tracking daily fantasy slates, player props, or MLB season win totals, FanDuel has you covered as the premier sportsbook partner of Fantasy Six Pack. Ready to dominate your fantasy baseball leagues with the most accurate projections, custom cheat sheets, and premium tools in the industry? Gain full access to the Fantasy Six Pack Daily Lineup Tool and rankings today. Head over to https://fantasysixpack.net/plans and use the exclusive promocode F6PPODS at checkout to save 15% on your membership plan! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
For 11 years, she navigated village forestry Jennifer Zwarich has had a thing for trees for a long time. "I've always been a tree person, although I'm not a tree hugger, exactly," she said. "I was a tree climber as a kid and trees always made me feel small in a good way." On Arbor Day (April 25), Zwarich stepped down as chair of the Cold Spring Tree Advisory Board, a role she took on before the panel was created 11 years ago. In 2012, a handful of volunteers formed the Shady Lane Campaign to tend to village-owned trees. A year later, the Village Board appointed an ad hoc committee to investigate whether a tree board and local tree law were needed. When Zwarich wrote Mary Saari, then the village clerk, to volunteer, Saari replied, "Would you like to chair the committee?" Zwarich soon learned that even tree care can become political. What was supposed to be four quick meetings and a recommendation to the Village Board became much more. A session at Butterfield library drew a passionate crowd. Some vehemently opposed forming a committee. "It was baffling to me," Zwarich recalled. A subsequent meeting at Village Hall also got boisterous. "About 30 people fought for almost an hour over whether to call it a board, a committee or a commission," Zwarich said. (She says now that "board" was the right choice because it carries weight and helped her secure nearly $100,000 in grants.) Looking back, she feels some who opposed the committee felt it would be another layer of government, taking money from the budget. There was also concern that a tree law could infringe on private property rights, although the board only deals with village-owned trees. After the dust settled in 2015, the board added "Chapter 122: Trees" to the Village Code, and a Tree Advisory Board was established, with Zwarich as chair. An initial survey found the village owned about 500 trees, she said. "Our goal was to plant many more trees than we were losing," she said. Since the board was created, volunteers and Highway Department staff have planted about 230 trees, and 592 have been inventoried by species (72) and condition. Zwarich said that while residents seem to love them or hate them, the Main Street tree pits were her favorite project. "They have improved the health of a lot of trees," she said, although some need weeding. She views that as "an invitation for volunteer-minded people and businesses to get involved." Village-Owned Trees Norway maple (50)* Callery pear (48) Black oak (32) Red maple (32) Honey locust (30) Zelkova (22) Cherry (21) Serviceberry (20) Black gum (19) Oak (16) Pin oak (16) Black locust (15)* Sugar maple (15) Plum (14) Gingko (13) Linden (13) Japanese tree (12) Silver maple (11) Sweetgum (11) Eastern red (10) London (10) *New York invasive species Urban forestry can be challenging. "The sidewalk strip is not a place for trees; they're growing in awful conditions most of the time and getting peed on," she said. In addition, many side streets lack tree cover because there's no space to plant on village property. "The oldest trees are all on private property, where they have more rooting space," she said. Zwarich noted that in some places, such as Rhinebeck, the municipality donates and maintains trees near sidewalks that are on private property. "I don't know if it would fly here, but that's the next frontier," she said. She believes most people know trees are good for the environment, giving off oxygen, taking in carbon dioxide and reducing pollution. But she said the economic benefits are overlooked. "Shading your house can reduce your summer electrical bill, and the increase in property values by having trees around your house or in your neighborhood is huge." She said that when the tree committee was created, the village forest lacked diversity, including an overabundance of Norway maples, which grow fast. "They ended up being a real problem," Zwarich said. "They're weak-wooded and brittle and shed branches during storms," creating ...
Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome back two familiar faces to the corner of Rick House in Frankfort: Diane Strong, the driving force behind the Bourbon on the Banks Festival, and Bo Cumberland, the festival's videographer and distillery film maker. Together they settle in for a relaxed preview of the 2026 Bourbon on the Banks Festival — now in its seventh year — touching on new events, expanded programming, sold-out tickets, and the evolution of the single barrel program that has become one of the festival's most celebrated features. On the Tasting Mat: - James E. Pepper 1776 Single Barrel Bourbon (Bourbon on the Banks 2025 Pick): A barrel selected the prior year by Jim, Todd, and Bo at James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington. Clocking in at 109.4 proof, this single barrel pours with rich aromas of cherry cola, leather, and a subtle barrel funk. The palate delivers a lush butterscotch sweetness — evoking Werther's Original hard candies — balanced by a satisfying peppery bite on the mid-palate. The finish is long, warm, and refuses to fade. A confidently balanced cask-strength pick available at the festival for around $60–65. *(00:01:54)* - Jeptha Creed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Reserve (Bourbon on the Banks 2025 Pick): A four-grain bourbon — built on the distillery's heirloom Bloody Butcher corn alongside wheat, malted barley, and rye — bottled at 119.52 proof from Warehouse B after seven years and one month of aging. The nose opens with intriguing complexity, revealing sweet cinnamon, a whisper of root beer, and a hint of fresh strawberry. The palate is full-powered and richly flavored, landing on buttered cinnamon pancakes with a wave of deep caramel. A distinctive expression that showcases just how compelling Jeptha Creed's long-aged releases have become. *(00:20:05)* On the Tasting Mat: Beyond the pours, the crew digs deep into everything Bourbon on the Banks 2026 has to offer: a sold-out Bourbon Bell River Tour with Ingram Distillery, the returning Whiskey Thief Kickoff Party (barrel burning included), a free family-friendly Friday night on the lawn with circus performers and a mermaid, the Culinary Bourbon Geek class with Peggy Noe Stevens now pushed to 2 p.m., a Friday VIP Reception and Auction sponsored by Larkin Bourbon, a Saturday morning brunch at Cypress and Oak, expanded single barrel picks from eleven distilleries including Angel's Envy, Pursuit Spirits, Jeptha Creed, Jackson Purchase, Boondocks, and others, and an after-party headlined by Creekwater with bluegrass openers Hancock and Schaus. Twilight tickets for the October 3rd main event are still available at bourbononthebanks.org. Be sure to visit thebourbonroad.com
Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, & Infertility Stories
Have you ever felt like you had to stand as strong as an oak tree in the midst of your grief? In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are taking our community global! We are joined by the incredible Bertha Mowelle, joining us all the way from Berlin. Known to many as "The Oak of Justice," Bertha is a fierce advocate and a pillar of strength who is deeply rooted in building and uplifting a powerful community of women. In our conversation, Bertha opens up about her complex and deeply personal journey to motherhood. She holds nothing back as we discuss the many challenges and heavy obstacles she had to overcome to find her footing again after loss. One of the most beautiful and relatable moments in this episode is when Bertha shares the specific resource that helped her heal. It wasn't a clinical textbook or a step-by-step guide. Instead, it was the raw, vulnerable testimony of another woman grieving the loss of her husband. Hearing another sister speak her truth gave Bertha the courage to finally "step out," break her own silence, and walk into her purpose. In this episode, we discuss: Bertha's journey to motherhood and overcoming profound challenges. What it means to be an "Oak of Justice" in your community. The life-changing power of hearing another woman's testimony. How shared grief can give us the courage to step out of the shadows.
The Bay closed. Frank and Oak shuttered. Insolvencies have been climbing for years and the narrative everyone's repeating is that retail is in trouble. David Lui has a different read. Retail isn't dying. The operating model is. And the brands going under aren't the ones customers stopped loving, they're the ones whose people, product, and place stopped working.As CEO of Kit & Ace and co-founder of Unity Brands, David is doing almost the exact opposite of what you'd expect. He's buying beloved Canadian brands that almost didn't make it, and he's opening stores.In this episode, Marc and V sit down with David, a former colleague from their Canadian Tire days, to unpack what changes when a marketer crosses over to the P&L seat. We get into why every store opening is a bigger marketing spend than any ad campaign, the P's most marketers consistently underrate, what David learned scaling Korite into China through live-streaming when North America wasn't ready for it, why he calls his stores billboards, and the metric he ignored as a CMO that he refuses to take his eyes off as a CEO.If you've ever defended a budget, sat through a quarterly review, or wondered why a brand you loved quietly disappeared, this one's for you.Timestamps00:00 Cold open and intro: the Canadian retail paradox03:34 David's origin: Hong Kong factories and a counselor who got it wrong10:25 Canadian Tire days and the move to Mark's15:11 Selling Korite in China: live-streaming before North America was ready19:51 Kit & Ace's origin story and the DNA Unity Brands kept22:32 Building the Unity Brands portfolio: Tilley, Mastermind, and operational synergy28:02 From marketer to operator: the P&L reframe30:23 Why every store opening is the single largest marketing spend33:08 The P's marketers underrate: people and place35:06 The metric David ignored as a CMO and refuses to lose as a CEO40:34 Premium positioning and why fast fashion is fading43:36 What the next Canadian challenger brand has to get right46:24 Where Canadian retail is headedAbout DavidDavid Lui, CEO, Kit & Ace; Co-founder, Unity BrandsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidymlui/Kit & Ace: kitandace.comTilley: tilley.comMastermind Toys: mastermindtoys.com
US Congressman Keith Self (R-TX) joins Hearts of Oak. A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and former Green Beret, Self served 25 years in the military before becoming Collin County Judge in Texas for 12 years. Now representing Texas's 3rd Congressional District, he discusses his background and key concerns including the national debt, deficit spending, and U.S. credibility abroad. Self also details the formation of the Sharia Free America Caucus, which he co-founded with Rep. Chip Roy, its current membership, and efforts to address related issues at the federal and state levels. The conversation covers education of colleagues and the public, the importance of local and state action, and the role of community leaders. Congressman Keith Self is the Republican U.S. Representative for Texas's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Plano and McKinney. A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and former Green Beret, he served 25 years on active duty, including assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, Special Forces, the Pentagon, NATO headquarters, U.S. European Command, and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Prior to Congress, Self served three terms as Collin County Judge, the chief executive officer of one of the nation's fastest-growing counties. He is a co-founder of the Sharia Free America Caucus and serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Connect with Keith... X @RepKeithSelf https://x.com/RepKeithSelf WEBSITE https://keithself.house.gov/ Connect with Hearts of Oak...
Installez-vous confortablement au fond de votre lit, remontez la couette jusqu'au menton et fermez les yeuxLes histoiresMy boyfriend swears we're poly. But the other girl isn't… real?, par EclosionK2My wife's calendar has appointments she doesn't remember making, par PharmakogeneticNightmareMy Dad Told Me To Never Pop The Hoods Of Our Cars. Now I Know Why, par Expensive PieMerci à tous les auteurs, n'hésitez pas vous aussi, à envoyer vos histoires sur hello@avantdallerdormir.frMerci également à Oak, Vanyll et Neeghal pour la narration !Rejoignez-nousDiscordInstagram | FacebookYouTube | TwitchTwitterNotre siteNotre répondeur : 0749252790Soutenez-nousSur Patreon. Un remerciement à nos nouveaux patrons : Marco, Vanessa, Lilian, Matthieu, Iris, Manuela, Hadès, Fabienne, benoit, Marion, Phébée, Hugo, Douglas, Agathe, Tokki, Jordan, Maëva, Tieg'O 20éme sur LinkedInEn nous mettant une note sur SensCritique, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, ou Podcast AddictL'équipe
Alan Miller discussed rising antisemitic language in the UK, arguing that some criticism of Israel is being mixed with broader anti-Jewish and conspiracy rhetoric. He also said policing and free speech are being handled inconsistently, creating distrust in the justice system. He spoke against digital ID, citing concerns about surveillance, data breaches, and pressure toward biometric verification. He also said public frustration is growing and urged people to stay engaged and vote. TOGETHER DECLARATION Organisations, business groups, campaigners and professionals: Read and sign here https://togetherdeclaration.org/ OPEN FOR ALL CHARTER For all licensed premises and events: Read and sign the charter here https://www.openforall.co.uk/ Connect with Hearts of Oak...
"Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak." (William Congreve)It is often said that music is healing, but what are some ways that this truism plays out in practice? Jon Batiste recently collaborated with Joanne Loewy of Mount Sinai on a study that advances “social music” as a prescription for better health outcomes. That's just one angle. This hour, guest host Mona Seghatoleslami talks about the benefits of music on healing and health, particularly mental health, in our community and world. We discuss music therapy and expressive arts with Jennifer Philips, a board-certified music therapist and neurologic music therapist, specializing in early intervention, elder care, and neurorehabilitation. She is also chair of the Expressive Arts Department at the Hochstein School. Annika Bentley shares her experiences as a classical choral musician and singer/songwriter, focusing on the upcoming Mount Hope World Singers concerts, "Bright Threads." The program reinterprets historical and cultural examples of music used for healing, and centers on themes of shared humanity and restorative connection. We also talk with Gaelen McCormick, director of the Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center, who dives into the work that she and her colleagues are doing at the intersections of music and medicine. In studio: Jennifer R. Phillips, MT-BC, board-certified music therapist and department chair of Expressive Arts and Music FUNdamentals at The Hochstein School Annika Bentley, artistic director of Mount Hope World Singers Gaelen McCormick, director of Eastman Performing Arts Medicine at the University of Rochester This story is reported from WXXI's Inclusion Desk.---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.
On this day, 22 May 1992 the Royal Oak Mines company locked out members of the Canadian Association of Smelter and Allied Workers (CASAW) union at its Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Canada. CASAW members had been due to go on strike the following day after rejecting a contract which would tie their pay to fluctuations in the price of gold.Management swiftly escalated tensions by hiring scab replacement workers, which had not been done in a mining dispute in Canada in over 50 years. The company brought scabs in from across Canada, sometimes using helicopters to bring them across picket lines. The company also hired Pinkerton private detectives and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to intimidate strikers.Strikers fought back by throwing rocks at mine buildings, and on one occasion raiding the premises and breaking windows, for which Royal Oak sacked 38 strikers. As time dragged on, a handful of CASAW members began to cross picket lines and return to work themselves.On September 18, a bomb exploded in the mine next to a rail line, killing nine scabs. After a 13 month criminal investigation, it transpired that the bomb was planted by a striking CASAW member, Roger Warren, who confessed to the crime but stated his intention was to scare the scabs and embarrass the company.The Canada Labor Relations Board then ordered an end to the strike and lockout in November 1993, and CASAW members voted overwhelmingly to accept a contract very similar to the one they had previously rejected. 130 of the strikers then returned to work at the mine.Warren was later imprisoned, until being granted April in 2014. Two other strikers were imprisoned for other acts of sabotage at the mine for sentences of 2 1/2 and three years respectively.More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/7869/giant-mine-lockoutOur work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.See all of our anniversaries each day, alongside sources and maps on the On This Day section of our Stories app: stories.workingclasshistory.com/date/todayBrowse all Stories by Date here on the Date index: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/dateCheck out our Map of historical Stories: https://map.workingclasshistory.comCheck out books, posters, clothing and more in our online store, here: https://shop.workingclasshistory.comIf you enjoy this podcast, make sure to check out our flagship longform podcast, Working Class History
Ezra Levant returns to discuss the revocation of his UK Electronic Travel Authorisation without notice or explanation. Attempting to attend Tommy Robinson's May 16 London rally, he applied for an expedited visa but had still not received a decision after 12 days. Levant reflects on his many visits to the UK over the past decade, his journalism and support for Tommy Robinson, concerns around free speech and policing, and the role of public demonstrations in Britain. Ezra Levant is the founder and owner of Rebel News and the host of The Ezra Levant Show. He is the author of multiple best-selling books, including Ethical Oil, The Libranos, China Virus, and most recently, Trudeau's Secret Plan. Connect with Ezra and Rebel News... X @ezralevant https://x.com/ezralevant @RebelNewsOnline https://x.com/RebelNewsOnline WEBSITE https://www.rebelnews.com/ Connect with Hearts of Oak. . .
Hello to you listening in Canberra, Australia! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. Here on Whidbey Island our Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship is home to prairie, savanna and forest with over 50 species of rare native grasses and flowers including camas. Native across the Pacific Northwest, the stunning violet-blue flowers of camas historically lit up prairies, marshes, and oak savannahs. Camas once dominated open clearings carefully tended by First Nations people to maintain optimal growing conditions. Camas bulbs were dug in the fall and pit roasted to release simple sweet caramelized sugars, providing a staple food for thousands of years. In the early spring there are no camas flowers to be seen. Do the camas exist? Indeed they do but they have not yet manifested. The bulbs are lying in wait for the right blend of sun and warmth and rain to bloom. Practical Tip: We tend to think in terms of something existing or not existing; but that is not reality. When we pay careful attention we discover that what we're waiting for is there, hidden, for when the time is right to manifest. And it will because what we're waiting for is waiting for us. Guaranteed! You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.
Welcome to the second of three episodes in a series about learning from the land at Oak Island, a very special place near Portland, Oregon. In this episode, I share an experience I had with the Oak trees in this place and what they wanted us to know about the memories of their kind that we carry in our bones and blood. Resources Mentioned: * Eagle Creek: https://awildnewwork.com/eagle-creek * Composting Capitalism: https://awildnewwork.com/composting-capitalism * Campaign for Silver Creek Canyon Feasibility Study: https://awildnewwork.com/land * Sign up for my email newsletter here: https://awildnewwork.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=18d7c429e40852ccec908bfdb&id=feab73805d If you enjoyed this episode, please help get it to others by subscribing, rating the show, or sharing it with a friend! You can support the show as an Eagle Creek member at https://awildnewwork.com/eagle-creek, and I also welcome your smaller or one-time contributions via buymeacoffee.com/meganleatherman. Intro music by Kevin MacLeod, via #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/browse/artist/kevin-macleod
In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. 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
In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/lgbtq-studies
In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications
In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness
In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture
AI is changing more than workflows — it is changing what teams are, how leaders lead, and what kinds of people businesses need next. In this episode, Ryan Alford talks with Veronica Shelton, co-founder of Oak Theory, about accessibility, inclusive design, neurodivergent thinking, leadership without ego, and why curiosity is often the trait that separates good founders from great ones. They also go deep on the practical side of AI adoption: how roles are blending, how companies can stay lean without losing humanity, and why resisting change is no longer a viable option. Ryan connects with Veronica especially around founder leadership, team evolution, and the challenge of helping people adapt to a world where AI is becoming part of nearly every role. The result is a smart, current conversation for anyone building a company, managing creative work, or trying to understand where modern work is actually headed. Topics Covered Veronica Shelton's path into product design and creative tech Why curiosity drives real success Accessibility, psychology, and better digital experiences The human implications of AI at work How Oak Theory is evolving team roles with AI Why leaders need to drop ego and tell the truth Ryan Alford and Veronica Shelton on what adaptation really looks like Links Oak Theory: oaktheory.co Under the Oak: undertheoak.co Veronica Shelton on LinkedIn: LinkedIn profile for Oak Theory co-founder Veronica Shelton. Right About Now / Ryan Alford: ryanisright.com
Recorded in the Patriot Mobile Studios in the USA, Glenn Story, co-founder and president of Patriot Mobile, joins Hearts of Oak to discuss the company's origins and growth. He recounts how the idea for the business began 13 years ago on a Texas football field and explains the decision to rebrand as America's only Christian conservative cell phone company. Glenn shares his finance background in New York, the challenges of building a wireless carrier, the rebranding's impact on growth, and the company's four core pillars: pro-life, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and support for veterans. He also talks about running the business according to biblical principles, forming partnerships with churches, and using everyday mobile service as a way to support aligned values and defend freedoms. Glenn Story is the co-founder and president of Patriot Mobile, America's only Christian conservative wireless carrier. A trained accountant and CPA, he built his early career in New York, advancing through senior finance roles—including accounting manager, controller, vice president of finance, and Chief Accounting Officer—for subscription-based companies.After relocating to Texas, Glenn co-founded Patriot Mobile in 2013 following a conversation on a youth football field. The company faced significant early challenges but grew rapidly after rebranding to more explicitly reflect its faith-based mission. Glenn leads the business according to biblical principles and centers it around four core pillars: the sanctity of life, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and support for veterans.Together with his wife Jenny, he views Patriot Mobile not simply as a mobile service provider, but as a mission-driven company committed to glorifying God and defending God-given rights and freedoms. Connect with Glenn and Patriot Mobile...
From “third outside” to college commit, Ava Ketelsen shows what happens when you refuse to coast, outwork everyone in the weight room, and turn setbacks into fuel. Welcome to Oak Performance Radio, where we talk about what it really takes to perform at a high level. The show looks at training, preparation, and decision-making through real athletes, coaches, and experiences, on and off the field.Episode Highlights In today's episode, Adam Lane sits down with VC United outside hitter and Upper Iowa commit Ava Ketelsen to walk through how she went from a late-arriving small-club athlete to one of the hardest-working players in the gym. They talk about her rough start at a bigger club, the mindset that kept her from quitting, and why serious volleyball players can't afford to treat the weight room like an option.Episode Outline Ava's move from a small hometown club to VC United and Oak PerformanceEarly struggles with playing time and position change to outside hitterHow she used the weight room and training to change her role on the courtMindset: not quitting, using setbacks as fuel, and leading by exampleThe impact of facilities, coaching, and culture on her growthPreparing for college volleyball at Upper Iowa, and what she wants to be known for.Episode Chapters00:00 Intro & who is Ava Ketelsen01:04 From small club to VC United02:30 First impressions of Oak & feeling intimidated03:26 Early setbacks and limited playing time04:48 Mindset after a disappointing first tournament06:32 Discovering the weight room and real training08:00 Position change to outside hitter10:42 Breakthrough tournament in Kentucky12:29 Connecting hard lifting to on-court performance14:07 Coming from a bare-bones club to top facilities18:09 Year two at VC: team culture and coaching19:53 Leading by example for younger athletes21:01 Goals for college and what she wants to be known for22:14 Regrets and wishing she started sooner25:23 Confidence, body image, and loving the work27:19 Not quitting when it would've been easy28:16 Outro & where to follow AvaAction Taken Adam commits to helping Ava prepare for Upper Iowa so she arrives ready to compete. Conclusion Ava's story is not about being the most naturally gifted athlete in the gym. It is about showing up late to the party, getting punched in the mouth early with limited playing time, and choosing to double down instead of checking out. From driving 80 minutes each way to embracing heavy training, to chasing a bigger role on the court, her journey shows what it looks like when work ethic and opportunity meet. CTA Subscribe to Oak Performance Radio and share this episode with an athlete or parent who needs a real-world example of how training and mindset can change a career. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakperformancelabInstagram: @oakperformanceConnect with Ava:@avaketelsenThank you for listening and investing in what true performance demands. Keep training with intent, look for the hard path, and let your effort be the thing people remember most. SEO Keywords volleyball training, club volleyball, VC United, Oak Performance, weight room for volleyball, Upper Iowa volleyball, athlete mindset, female athlete strength training, vertical jump training, volleyball recruiting, overcoming setbacks in sports, high school volleyball, college volleyball commit, strength and conditioning, youth sports performance, Adam Lane, Ava Ketelsen, working hard in the gym, athletic development, mental toughness
Bill Federer - From Mecca to Medina to Global Expansion: The Untold History Still Shaping Our World An honour to have Bill Federer with us to examine Christianity's influence on America's founding, focusing on the covenantal ideas drawn from ancient Israel's pre-monarchical period and the English Commonwealth experiment. Bill traces the life of Muhammad, his transition from religious leader in Mecca to political and military leader in Medina, the early spread of Islam, and the strategies of the Muslim Brotherhood. The conversation addresses the historical merging of faith and political authority and its relevance to modern Western societies. Bill Federer is a nationally known speaker, best-selling author, and president of American Minute, Inc., a publishing company dedicated to researching America's noble heritage. He has written or contributed to over 30 books, and is a frequent guest on television, radio and podcasts. He produces the "How We Got Here" video series for TurningPointEd.com. His AMERICAN MINUTE feature is broadcast daily on radio and by the Internet. His Faith in History television airs on the TCT Network. Connect with Bill... X @BillFederer https://x.com/BillFederer WEBSITE https://americanminute.com/ BOOKS https://www.amazon.com/stores/William-J.-Federer/author/B001K7Z0KC?sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Connect with Hearts of Oak…
The Strange Saga of the Oak Island Money PitBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.
On 9 May 2001, 127 people died and dozens more were injured at the Accra Stadium in Ghana.It is Africa's worst football stadium tragedy. The disaster happened at the end of a match between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. Police fired tear gas after angry fans threw chairs onto the pitch. It caused a stampede. Herbert Mensah was the Asante Kotoko chairman at the time and speaks to Jen Dale about his recollections of that day.This programme contains distressing details.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by and curious about the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from how the Excel spreadsheet was developed, the creation of cartoon rabbit Miffy and how the sound barrier was broken.We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: the moment Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva, Haitian singer Emerante de Pradines' life and Omar Sharif's legendary movie entrance in Lawrence of Arabia.You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, like the invention of a stent which has saved lives around the world; the birth of the G7; and the meeting of Maldives' ministers underwater. We cover everything from World War Two and Cold War stories to Black History Month and our journeys into space.(Photo: Residents look at the empty Accra stadium after the stampede. Credit: Photo by Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images)
Universal just changed the game, but is it all sunshine and Stardust Racers? Manny and Shawn just got back from Epic Universe and they aren't holding back. From the absolute chaos of the Donkey Kong Mine Cart to the mind-blowing tech inside Dark Universe, we're breaking down what's a "Must-Do" and what's a "Hard Pass." Plus, find out why Monsters Unchained might be the best ride ever built—and why your hotel choice matters more than you think. Listen now and join the conversation!
Meh? A 2-2 draw on the east coast has us in a holding pattern, still encouraged by the quality of the play, but wary of the quality of results. Peter expresses some concern about the Oak-ness Monster tie-in. Jon drinks Decoy.
A very large Oak was uprooted by the wind, and thrown across a stream. It fell among some Reeds, which it thus addressed: "I wonder how you, who are so light and weak, are not entirely crushed by these strong winds.” They replied,... #story AcreSoft Story Classic https://acresoft.contactin.bio Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.James 4:10 BSB
Dizziness, vertigo, and feeling off balance can be some of the most disabling symptoms of vestibular migraine, but is vestibular therapy the right solution? In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien sits down with physical therapist Madison Oak, PT, DPT (aka The Vertigo Doctor) to break down what vestibular rehabilitation therapy actually is, who it was designed for, and how it may fit into treating vestibular migraine. Oak also shares insights from both research and clinical experience, what progress looks like, and why vestibular therapy can be helpful for some people, if the timing is right. Read the transcript at: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/pod... *The contents of this podcast are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD and the speaker do not recommend or endorse any specific course of treatment, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.
In this volume of Strange Mysteries, Steve Stockton explores ten accounts that defy conventional logic. We journey from the "ghost island" of Hy-Brasil to the silent, radio-dead heart of the Mexican desert. We'll examine the startling 2026 findings on Martian organics, the bizarre "space pancakes" of Eagle River, and the mechanical, plant-like entities that once stalked a Florida citrus grove.These stories aren't just folklore—they are the physical ripples left behind by the unexplained. Whether it's an ancient satellite orbiting our poles or a modern airliner that effectively became invisible to the world, tonight we look at the facts that remain when the skeptics have gone home.The kettle is hot. The door is locked. Let's begin.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.
Rabbi Pesach Wolicki - Shared Destiny: The Interwoven Narratives of Jewish and Christian Support for Israel Rabbi Pesach Wolicki joins us to discuss his background growing up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Canada and his move to Israel, where he advocated for families of missing soldiers. He describes his first encounters with Christian Zionists, the development of his work building relations between Jewish and Christian communities, and the biblical understanding of the modern State of Israel as the fulfillment of long-standing prophecies. We also address differences between religious and secular Jewish communities in Israel and the diaspora, and examines replacement theology. Rabbi Pesach Wolicki is an Orthodox rabbi, author, and Executive Director of Israel 365 Action. Born in the United States and raised in Canada as the son of a rabbi, he moved to Israel in the early 1990s. He began his public work advocating for families of Israeli soldiers missing in action from conflicts in Lebanon and has since become a leading voice in Jewish-Christian relations. A former synagogue rabbi and dean of a yeshiva, he now lectures widely at Christian institutions and co-hosts the Shoulder to Shoulder podcast with Pastor Doug Reed. Connect with Pesach...
In this sixth volume of Strange Mysteries, we delve into ten of the most baffling and diverse enigmas from across history and the cosmos. From the eerie woods of the UK to the far reaches of intergalactic space, this episode explores accounts that defy conventional explanation.Featured Stories:The Cannock Chase Glimmering Man: An investigation into the "invisible" rippling entities sighted in Staffordshire.The Kentucky Meat Shower: The bizarre 1876 incident where red meat fell from a clear sky.The 1952 Washington D.C. UFO Flap: When radar-tracked objects swarmed the U.S. Capitol.The Oak Island Money Pit: A centuries-long treasure hunt plagued by complex flood tunnels.The Panama ET: The 2009 discovery of a hairless, alien-like creature in Cerro Azul.The L-8 Ghost Blimp: The mystery of a Navy blimp that returned to shore without its pilots.The Great Attractor: A massive gravitational anomaly pulling the Milky Way across space.Gef the Talking Mongoose: The "extra-extra clever" entity of the Isle of Man.The Miracle of the Gulls: How a massive flock of birds saved the 1848 Mormon harvest.The San Antonio Ghost Tracks: The legend of unseen hands pushing cars over haunted tracks.Join us as we peel back the layers of these incredible stories. Are they mere coincidences, urban legends, or something truly beyond our understanding?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.
Pastor Steve Maile joins us to discuss his recent arrest while street preaching in Watford. The 66-year-old New Zealand-born pastor, who has been engaged in evangelism for 45 years and was mentored by Reinhard Bonnke, recounts the incident and reflects on his background, his conversion in Auckland in 1979, and his longstanding practice of public gospel ministry. He also addresses freedom of expression and the importance of active Christian witness in public spaces. Steve Maile is an Apostolic Evangelist and Pastor with over 45 years experience ministering the Gospel and equipping believers. Whether it has been through large evangelistic missions, conferences, street outreaches, or one-to-one, Steve's infectious passion for the Lord has enabled him to win many thousands to Christ in over fifty nations. He is a gifted singer and communicator whose infectious passion for Christ reaches people from all walks of life, with accompanying signs and wonders. He became a Christian in Auckland, New Zealand in 1979 and was trained for the ministry by his pastor, Dr Kevin Dyson - a prestigious Bible teacher and author. Shortly after his training, Steve left a promising career as a head Chef to become a full time minister, preaching the Gospel worldwide, including ministering in Africa with Reinhard Bonnke from Christ for All Nation. Connect with Steve... FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/steve.maile.3/ https://www.facebook.com/EvangelistSteveMaile/
#275: Chris and Kevin dig into how they're actually using AI tools in their daily lives right now. They explore real-world AI use cases, the tradeoffs of sharing personal data, the collapse of trust online, and what all of this means for jobs, creativity, and human connection. Kevin Rose is the host of Diggnation and a partner at True Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that has invested over $4 billion in a portfolio of over 400+ founders. Kevin previously founded Zero and Oak, and was a partner at Google Ventures. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/using-ai-tools-today-kevin-rose Partner Deals Aura Frames: $25 off the Carver Mat with code ALLTHEHACKS NetSuite: Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance Quince: Affordable luxury essentials with free shipping + 365 day returns Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent Mercury: Help your business grow with simplified finances For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Kevin Rose: Diggnation | Newsletter AI Tools & Platforms Claude OpenClaw ChatGPT Google Gemini ElevenLabs Vercel Japan Travel Craig Mod's Blog Park Hyatt Tokyo KidZania Tokyo Articles & Pop Culture Leica and Content Authenticity Initiative All-In Podcast episode with Travis Kalanick The Pitt Joker Greeting ATH Podcast Newsletter Gift Card Site Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (01:07) Are We Actually Saving Time with AI—or Just Wasting It Faster? (10:03) The Real Risks of Sharing Your Data with AI Tools (21:18) Why It's Never Been Easier to Build and Create (28:12) Has AI Content Already Gone Too Far? (37:37) How AI Is Reshaping Human Interaction (40:43) The Growing Need to Verify What's Real (46:33) Investing in a World Being Disrupted by AI (51:44) Where Jobs Are Headed in the AI Era (55:02) What Happens to Art When Anyone Can Create? (56:47) Tips for Planning a Trip to Japan Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oak trees are an important resource for birds finding insects to feed their young. It takes thousands of caterpillars from an oak tree to raise a single nest of baby birds. By planting an oak species native to your area, you can help ensure that birds are able to raise their young successfully. Homegrown National Park® is a grassroots call-to-action to regenerate diversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks. Learn how to plant native and get on the HNP map here. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Rowdies earned a draw after a very hard battle against OAK. While the players...
Kyla Dufresne built up Foxy Box from the dining room table to 24 locations by creating an experience and culture of comfort and trust. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is, well, it’s us, but we’re highlighting ads we’ve written and produced for our clients. So here’s one of those. [Wagmore Garage Doors Ad] Stephen Semple: Hey, it’s Stephen Semple here with the Empire Builders Podcast, and I’m here with Kyla Dufresne instead of David Young, which is always so much fun. So we’ve given Dave a little bit of time off. And so we’re going to be speaking about, instead of one of these big companies and going back in time, instead we’re going to be speaking to an entrepreneur that I met at the Canadian franchise show and we got chatting and I was looking at our business and this is going to be a great story. I’m so excited. And I want you to tell me the name of your business and how you came up with the name. Kyla Dufresne: Oh my gosh, you’re setting me up for big expectations for your listeners, so I better … So I’m Kyla. I’m the founder and CEO of Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bars. We are a hair removal concept that specializes in the art of the Brazilian. And I always say we’re not just a transaction for hair removal. We really are a movement to make people feel powerful and energized in their bodies. We have 24 locations open across four provinces here in Canada with our- Stephen Semple: Yeah, just I want us to think about this for a moment. 24 locations, and I’m going to say it. It’s an idea that if a lot of people were presented with the idea, I think they would go, “Really? Franchises?” And it’s like, “Yeah, really 24 franchises,” which is an awesome number. That’s not an easy number to get to. Kyla Dufresne: It’s not an easy number to get to. I think for us, a lot of it was, a lot of our success was timing as well, Stephen, because when I started this business, the hair removal concept was not a concept really in Canada. The US, they’ve got one big player called European Wax Center. They’ve been around for years and years and years, but this concept was a new thing here in Canada. So truly a big part of our success, one is, I mean, obviously our culture and our brand and the success of our franchisees, but it was also timing because we were one of the first hair removal concepts on the market here in Canada. So we really brought this business model to the market, so I think that was a big part of our growth to get to 25 locations within a five-year time span, truly. Stephen Semple: It’s been pretty quick when you think about … Because you started off with one location that was your location, correct? Kyla Dufresne: You got it. I started off actually, I don’t even know if you could call it a location. A house, that’s where I started it. In the dining room of my house where I had four roommates, there was a dining room area off of my kitchen. I set up a table there and a curtain and got to work building Foxy Box. I joked on when I was speaking with someone not long ago on their podcast that when I built Foxy Box, I always said, “Oh, come see me.” I always was Foxy Box. And so I would give my business cards, but it was my cell phone number on it and then Foxy Box was inside this little weird room in my house. And so I’d have people showing up thinking that they had just showed up at Fight Club and not Foxy Box. Like, “Where in the hell [inaudible 00:04:39].” Stephen Semple: Am I in some strange room in Amsterdam? What the heck’s going on here? Yeah. Kyla Dufresne: They were like, “What is this place?” But truly, those early days was what shaped and formed the culture that we have today because when I reflect back, that experience that I was giving to customers, I had to make people feel confident and comfortable enough to take their pants off in the dining room of my shared house to get a Brazilian wax. And how I did that was I incorporated humor. I would usually make a joke as soon as they got there about showing up at Fight Club and not Foxy Box or something to diffuse their energy of like, “Where the hell am I in this weird place?” I would connect with them, really build a relationship with them. So it wasn’t just like coming here and let’s remove your hair. It was building a connection with them. And not only did I never have anyone turn around and run out or say, “No, thank you,” I would have them leave and call five of their friends and go, “Oh my God, I just had the most amazing experience in this weird room and you got to go see Kyla.” And so it was those experiences that kind of helped shape the culture that we have today. And so I preached to my franchisees, “If I could build something successful in that weird room, you all have the most insanely cool four full walls of a branded space, deliver that customer experience inside those walls, you’re going to be wildly successful.” Stephen Semple: There’s a lot of power to being able to say to somebody, and power’s maybe the wrong word, but influence, empowering maybe more, to be able to say to somebody, “Look, I know this is going to work because I was able to make this work in this situation, and let’s face it, we can all agree that situation has distinct disadvantages to it.” So I know this is going to work because I’ve done this before. It’s interesting, I’m working with another entrepreneur and they’re struggling a little bit on some of their sales processes. And I was saying to them, I said, “You’ve got to go back on the phone, make those telephone calls, let’s get recordings of them, and let’s show people how you do it because what you do is successful. Let’s replicate.” I want to come back to your early days. What city was this in where you started? Kyla Dufresne: Victoria, BC is where Foxy Box came to fruition. Stephen Semple: Okay, so you’re in Victoria BC and you’re doing this out of this weird room in your house. How long was it until you were doing enough business that you set up a physical location? Kyla Dufresne: Stephen, my roommate- Stephen Semple: A separate physical location. Kyla Dufresne: Probably bringing maybe five strangers a week to the house before my roommates went, “Ky, you got to stop bringing strangers to the house. You got to think get out of here.” I found a little 10 by 10 room in the back of a jewelry store Downtown Johnson Street, which was like a shop- Stephen Semple: Hold on a second. Kyla Dufresne: Yes. Yeah. Stephen Semple: Not at the back of a nail salon or the back of a hair salon, the back of a jewelry store? Kyla Dufresne: That’s it. Yeah. And keep in mind though, Stephen, back then when you’re thinking about what my competitors were or where the market was, waxing, you could only find in the back of nail salons, which maybe didn’t have the most hygienic standards, or you were going to go to a high end spa and spend over $100 in a dimly lit room with someone who probably didn’t want to be in there with you. So that was the gap in the market that I was trying to fill, which we did fill. And so the room that I found was inside of a jewelry store, but the jewelry store was on Lower Johnson, which had the most foot traffic. I mean, it’s since seen a decline because there’s online shopping now, and this was 14 years ago that I found this space, so there was a ton of foot traffic. So it made sense for me. People were coming in and out of that store shopping and I had a sandwich board out front and I got … They were like, “Waxing. Oh my God, do you waxing here?” I got organically busy just by being in that location, which had all that foot traffic. Stephen Semple: So even though you’re at the back of the jewelry store, you were still able to have some sort of signage out where the foot traffic was. Kyla Dufresne: You got it. I had a sandwich- Stephen Semple: A sandwich board. Yeah. Kyla Dufresne: … board out on either side. And honestly, Stephen, I was there for maybe three or four months. Truly, I wasn’t there for very long before I knew I needed a space of my own. I started getting very busy. The jewelry store didn’t have the most accessible hours. They were like 10 to 6 and I was like probably 12 hour shifts or really more accessible. And so I needed things like a waiting room. I needed a place for my customers to go that I wasn’t have to like, “Oh, let me come unlock the front door for you.” And so from there, I found a second level space a few blocks over, closer to more where there was a lot of professional office workers around us. And I built out a two room space with a waiting room, and that’s where I really got to bring my brand and my vision to life, which looks nothing like how our brand looks today. My whole waiting room was red walls all around. I had a Nintendo console with an old TV so that, a lot of my customers were moms and so I’d encourage them like, “Bring your babies in and your kids and they can play Nintendo while I wax you and it’s safe up here. We’re second level and close the door or whatever.” But since incorporated that into our business model as well, we always position ourselves and pitch ourselves as, “We’re babysitters, we’re fur sitters.” We know that life is busy and so we want to be as accommodating as possible to our customers. So we allow them to bring their kids, bring their babies. Our receptionists double as babysitters. If you have a puppy that you’re like, “I can’t leave it in the car.” It’s a hot day, bring it in. Dogs can’t come into the treatment rooms, but we’ll hold them behind a desk for you. And we’ve got treats and snacks for them. And we really made a point of making sure that we’re accessible to people. Stephen Semple: Wow. That’s a very, very different positioning than frankly a lot of businesses would take. That’s really, really amazing. So you got that second level space and I’ve got a couple questions for you on that. One is, so now you’ve got a second level space, so it’s not the same foot traffic going by, but you’ve built some clientele, you’ve built a little bit of word of mouth. What did you do to promote that space? Kyla Dufresne: I love talking about this, grassroots marketing because back then- Stephen Semple: Perfect. Kyla Dufresne: … I had zero dollars for online spend. And I honestly didn’t even really see the benefit of online spend because I organically got so busy, but I was just so good at grassroots marketing. There’s a combination of things that helped me get busy. One is I was a bartender at the time and the bars that I worked at were very busy and so I used that as my marketing platform. Every single customer that came in, I’d give them a Foxy Box card as well so that they would wake up the next day with a business card in their pocket. I really leaned into my staff’s strengths and I encourage my franchise partners to do this or anyone that I’m mentoring is really when you can lean in and leverage your staff’s strengths, you’re doing two things. One, you’re getting them to market for you, and three, you’re building a community and a sense of family that they feel like they’re a part of something and they’re helping you build something. For me, one of my very first hires, she was a burlesque dancer and she worked at a spa that was a few blocks away from Foxy Box that I asked her if she wanted to pick up some shifts at my store. And one of the things that was really kind of brought her down was that the owner of that spa that she worked with really hated that she was a burlesque dancer. She went like, “Don’t talk about it in the store. It doesn’t align with us as a spa.” She wasn’t supportive of that. I leaned into that, Stephen. Stephen Semple: Yeah, yeah, I can see that. Kyla Dufresne: I was like, “Ooh, I have a [inaudible 00:12:29] burlesque dancer. This is what I want you to do. I want you to get your group together. I want flash Mobs,” were I think back then, do you remember that? Stephen Semple: Yeah. Kyla Dufresne: People would put a song on and then there’d be a group of people break out into a dance. I went, “Listen, let’s do a flash mob with your burlesque dancers.” They all got together. They came up with a dance to the tune of Foxy Lady. “Ooh, Foxy Lady,” or you know that one? Stephen Semple: Yeah. Kyla Dufresne: And [inaudible 00:12:52] the nightclubs, because I had connections at all the nightclubs, I went, “Hey, listen, can I send this group in? Can the DJ play this song? And then I’ve got a team that’s going to clear the floor and do a dance.” And they went, “Absolutely.” So I would send her to the nightclubs, they’d go, DJ would play Foxy Lady. Her and her group would do this dance and then they would hand out Foxy Box coupons and merch. I’d have hats and coupons and things like that. And so that was like my grassroots marketing was getting out into the community with my team. Stephen Semple: Brilliant. Brilliant. Kyla Dufresne: One of the things that I did, I think naivety is bliss when you’re starting a business. The more you know, the more you can be hesitant or reserved to do initiatives. For me, I didn’t know that to go to universities, you’re supposed to buy a table there and I didn’t know that. And so I would literally, student week, September when all the students would come back, I would load up my car with all of my magicians. I would head to the university and we would give out pens and coupons, things that have our brand on it that they’re going to be using at their desk as well as your first free wax coupons. And we would just like every student that was there, we’d just, “Oh, here, come check us out. Here, come check us out.” Later, years later, I learned that you’re supposed to buy a table. [inaudible 00:14:03] $1,000 and you’re supposed to have a setup, but nobody caught us or a slap our hand, so that was great. But those were some of the early day marketing initiatives that we did. Dave Young: Stay tuned. We’re going to wrap up this story and tell you how to apply this lesson to your business right after this. [Using Stories To Sell] Dave Young: Let’s pick up our story where we left off and trust me you haven’t missed a thing. Stephen Semple: So I want to make a couple of comments about the early day marketing initiatives because I think this is really important. And it’s funny because right on my website, I say, “I don’t work with startups.” I won’t do marketing for startups. Now it’s not true. I have done marketing for a couple of startups, but the reason why I don’t is the biggest battle I have with startups is stop sitting at your desk behind your damn computer using ChatGPT to try to figure out what your market wants. And then you’re going to do some BS online thing and you never want to get out into the community and talk to people. Stop. Most business is one-on-one person to person. And even if you go out there and it fails, you’re going to learn what it is that they like and they don’t like. Do that initially. Do grassroots first. Start there. Because then the other thing is when you get that working and then you go to do more mass media approach, guess what you already know? You really and truly do know your customer. Kyla Dufresne: Yeah. I think I’ve heard this from so many big speakers is, people buy from people, period. Stephen Semple: They do. Kyla Dufresne: So absolutely. I coach franchisees on this as well is the importance of getting out into your community. My most successful, fastest profitability franchisees, two months before they opened, they were at every single networking event that they could be at with business cards and coupons before they even opened. Getting out into their community, getting into the hospital unions, the student unions, all of those places to get their name in front of people. Once you have that and you can get your face in front of your community, pair that with online ads and then when they need that service, they’re going to go, “Oh yeah, oh my God. Yeah, I’m going to support that business.” Stephen Semple: Yes. It’s now how you extend that. Kyla Dufresne: Yeah. Stephen Semple: It’s really interesting, I did a podcast on a company called HexClad. So they make cookware. The guy actually came from a cookware background. He worked for a different cookware company and basically he was like one of those carnival barkers who like when you’re going through Costco was selling stuff, right? And when he created his new product, the first thing he did is he said, “I’m going to go out and I’m going to sell this the way I used to sell stuff.” And the first thing he learned was his first pitch that he thought was going to work failed. And so they used that and then they finally found, “Oh, this is the way people connect with this product. This is actually the things they like about it. Okay, we can now market it.” Kyla Dufresne: Yeah, for sure. Stephen Semple: It’s that whole person to person thing that you really need to do in startup. But the other part that I really like that you did that I want to highlight here, use of entertainment. Entertainment is how we get the attention. It’s how we buy the time and the attention of a busy and distracted consumer. They don’t care about you. They don’t care about your product. They don’t care about any of that. You start to wrap it a little bit of entertainment, you now have their attention and you leaned into that. Kyla Dufresne: And times have changed. And so we’ve kind of pivoted with that as well. That entertainment, we do see a lot online, which is be active on your social media. You have to be. If you’re not, you’re going nowhere these days, truly. So being on TikTok, that’s been huge for us. One of our franchisees found us just from TikTok. We’re funny. We put content in front of people constantly. So we’ve kind of pivoted from that entertainment piece, we want to entertain our customers, but you’re absolutely right. You’ve got to be active on social media. Another thing, especially in my early days too, Stephen, I speak on this a lot, which is ensuring that you’re taking care of your community. That’s a huge piece of grassroots marketing. Early on, we used to do this thing called Friday features, and I would tag other business owners and give them a shout-out like, “Hey, my friend at this clothing store, here’s a little bio about her. We see you.” And then we would tag her Instagram. So then she’s sharing that and that helps build your social media as well. And it’s giving shout out to other local entrepreneurs. So that was a big piece that we wove into our early days of marketing. The other thing is that I inherently would just give back to my community, and I didn’t realize that that was creating brand buy-in or marketing, truly. One of my customers had a giant vet bill that she was like, “I have no idea how the I’m going to pay for this vet bill.” And I went, “Let me do a wax fundraiser for you. I’ll give five bucks from every Brazilian that I do on Saturday and you can have that to your vet bill just because I was like, that’s the right thing to do. Take care of this customer support team.” I just always did that. And now on a bigger scale, what we did is I created an event called Foxy Fest. I was inspired by Lilith Fair, this little music festival put on by all female performers, Sarah McLachlan and Jewel and what have you. And they would do a big charitable fundraiser. And I thought, “How freaking cool would that be if I could do something like Lilith Fair and give back to local charities?” So I launched an initiative called Foxy Fest six years ago now, I want to say. I reached out to a whole lineup of female singers, dancers, spoken word poets and asked them to volunteer their time on International Women’s Day to hold an event that would give back to a local charity. They all volunteered their time. The venue donated the venue to us. It was a nightclub, but also I had great connections, but they’re always happy to do that. And all of the ticket proceeds from that event, and we did a raffle and a fifty fifty, went to a local charity. So that was the birth of Foxy Fest. And now to this day six years later, we hold that event on International Women’s Day in 24 locations. Stephen Semple: Nice. Kyla Dufresne: It’s a lot of work. It’s a heavy lift to put on a live event, even though they’re the coolest and the most palpable and a great way, especially for smaller communities, to build that brand in the community by bringing everybody together in one room, it’s a lot of heavy work to put on an event. So some of the stores, if they’re in their early days or they don’t have the capacity to do that at the moment, they’ll do an in store raffle basket that raises money for local charities. But the point is we’re giving back to the communities that serve us. Stephen Semple: Nice. And you’re doing it in this really interesting way. But a couple of things I want to go in The Wayback Machine on because the other part that’s about entertainment is even the name of your business, Foxy Box. How’d you come up with the name Foxy Box? Because that’s a bold name. Kyla Dufresne: Yeah, I don’t even remember truly. I think I had five names written down, one with a beaver, one with … And I asked everybody, “Which one resonates with you?” And obviously Foxy Box was the obvious choice. Stephen Semple: But what I like, and I’m often telling customers about this is, look, you leaned into it. You leaned into what it is you do. You didn’t try to go, “Well, let’s talk about it in this mysterious way,” in which case no one fricking understands. It’s a bold name, it’s an entertaining name, it’s awesome. And I commend you for doing that. And even on the entertainment side, I’m going to go so far as to say, and I know you’re advertising and social media and things, but even if you were … Take this thought away. In future, if you were even to look to go into other media, entertainment is still the key to all of it. Whether it’s radio ad, whether it’s television ad, whether it’s billboard, entertainment is always the key, but you understand that. So you’ve got your store opened. What happened in the first year? You’ve got now that store, a second level, there’s the Nintendo, all those other things there. How’d the first year work out for you? Kyla Dufresne: First year was great. I mean, it was a lot of hard work. I always think that if I started the business now, I don’t know if I’d have the energy for it. I was [inaudible 00:23:13] with Foxy Box and- Stephen Semple: What age were you? Kyla Dufresne: [inaudible 00:23:15] when I started Foxy. Stephen Semple: Twenty … Okay. Kyla Dufresne: And no banks would give me a loan. So I used my bartending tips to fund my business until it was self-sustainable. And then I used those profits to build and expand into my next space. Stephen Semple: How long did that take before you were into your next space? Kyla Dufresne: I was probably up there for, I want to say maybe two years. Stephen Semple: Two years. Okay. Kyla Dufresne: Well, it feels like it was so long ago. Oh my God, maybe … Victoria Gordon Street has been there for, I want to say eight years and I started … Oh my God, you’re making me do some math here. So maybe I was up there … I might have been up at the second level for about four years, which would make sense because I did pivot. I opened up a second location, tried to expand and do all full services, and I burned that one down after about a year, not literally, but figuratively. So yeah, they were moving and shaking. Stephen Semple: So you had the location, then you opened up a second location. So you had two locations and that second location didn’t work out really well. Why did that second location not work out for you? Kyla Dufresne: Okay, here’s my Harvard education. Stephen Semple: Yep. Kyla Dufresne: When I started Foxy Box, I always had this other idea in the back of my head, I just came out the womb an entrepreneur and I’m a classic founder who has 10 billion creative ideas, but I always wanted to open a store called the Diva Den, which you can see I love alliteration and branding, but I wanted to have a full service salon, nails, lashes, hair, waxing, have everything. And so once Foxy Box was going so well, I had two people come and knock on my door, friends of mine from the beauty industry. They went, “Ky, we’re not happy where we’re at. We want to do nails somewhere else. Would you ever consider opening a nail salon because we love your brand?” And then I had a hairstylist friend come and say the same thing to me. I went, “You know what? Sure. Why don’t I open a whole service salon?” I found a space in Oak Bay, which is a very affluent community, a little bit of an older demographic, but a very affluent community here in Victoria. I found a space and then I thought in my head, Foxy Box is going to be way too bold for this community, so I pivoted and I rebranded, but I wanted to keep it because Foxy Box was so successful, I kind of wanted to piggyback on the success of it. So I was like, “How do I intertwine these?” So I called it Foxy Lady. I changed the color from a bold red to a nice teal. I kept the logo, but changed the name. And so it was Foxy Lady Beauty Bar instead of Foxy Box Wax Bar. What that did is created a whole lot of confusion. I had my signs up outside on the building and I had people texting me like, “Ky, there’s someone in Oak Bay using your logo.” And, “Oh, that’s me. Come and check us out. It’s a new brand concept. We’re offering all of these services.” We opened our doors, within four months, all of my nail techs went, “We’re going to go open our own business.” They all left. They took all their customers with them, and then I was stuck with a nail salon that I had no clue how to do. I’m self-proclaimed the best waxer in the world. I filmed our curriculum. I know how to train that, I know waxing inside and out. Nails, I don’t know nails. I don’t know hair. I don’t know. So anyhow, shortly after that, my hairstylist went, “I’m going to go open my own hair salon.” Okay, cool, now I’m stuck with a salon that I know nothing about. And so I hired nail technicians. They were putting out a poor product. I had no idea how to correct it. Thankfully, I was able to get out of my lease after a year, lost a bunch of money on that. Not a bunch. I’d say maybe 30,000, which was a shit ton for me back then. Stephen Semple: Yeah, for sure. Kyla Dufresne: I lost 30 grand in that venture, but I was able to get out of my lease, walked away from that, burned that idea to the ground. I went, “We do one thing and that’s hair removal because that’s what I know, and we just stuck to our model.” Stephen Semple: Oh, no, no. Dave Young: What? Stephen Semple: I was enjoying this episode. Dave Young: Don’t worry. Part two’s coming next week. Stephen Semple: It better. Dave Young: Thanks for listening to the podcast. Please share us, subscribe on your favorite podcast app and leave us a big fat, juicy five star rating and review at Apple Podcasts. And if you’d like to schedule your own 90-minute empire building session, you can do it at empirebuildingprogram.com.
#862 Is AI helping or hurting your creativity and intuition? In this insightful episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, we sit down with Hannah Ryu, co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative tech studio pushing boundaries in branding, UX/UI, and web development. Hannah shares her entrepreneurial journey from immigrant roots to agency ownership, the power of partnership, and how AI is transforming the way we work — both for better and for worse. We explore healthy ways to integrate AI into your workflow without sacrificing human insight, how intuition and analog practices are making a comeback, and why creativity and execution — not just automation — still win in business. This is a must-listen for founders navigating the fast-evolving world of entrepreneurship in the age of AI! (Original Air Date - 8/13/25) What we discuss with Hannah: + Hannah's journey to entrepreneurship + Building Oak Theory and Under the Oak + UX/UI explained through real-world examples + Impact of AI on creative industries + Healthy vs. harmful AI usage + Importance of intuition and analog practices + Benefits of business partnerships + Using AI for operations and proposals + Avoiding overdependence on tools + Seasonality of tech exploration in business Thank you, Hannah! Check out Oak Theory at OakTheory.co. Check out Under the Oak at UndertheOak.co. Watch the video podcast of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today I am joined by the founders of Park and Oak, Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto! Christina and Renee were brought together by design — and a touch of fate. After starting their respective careers in PR and marketing (Christina) and photography, baking, and content creation (Renee), the two joined creative forces to build what is now a nationally sought-after design brand. The pair's complementary yin-yang energies and multi-layered skill sets prove to be the foundation of everything they've created both in style and practice. Park & Oak's timeless, classic approach to design mixes styles, influences, and materials to create unique spaces that feel sophisticated, yet comfortable and welcoming — a true reflection of the brand's founders. In this episode we chat about how they met, why they decided to go into business with each other, how they built their design business, their cocktail lounge, partnerships & collaborations, where they see their business going, and so much more! Park and Oak Website Park and Oak Instagram Park and Oak Collected Website Park and Oak Collected Instagram The Parlour WebsiteThe Parlour Instagram
A series of devastating inquiries have documented how networks of men—primarily of Muslim Pakistani heritage—groomed, trafficked, and gang-raped thousands of children, mostly white girls, in English towns such as Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford for decades.Independent reviews found that local authorities downplayed allegations and failed to crack down on these crimes in large part out of fear of being accused of racism or Islamophobia.At the same time, dozens of sharia councils have emerged across the United Kingdom that run an informal legal system handling divorces, inheritances, and family disputes within Muslim communities. But they often leave women with virtually no rights and protections, especially if the marriage was not officially recognized by UK civil law in the first place.British converts from Islam to Christianity, such as Nissar Hussain, describe years of targeted harassment, demonization, and even brutal physical assaults simply for choosing to change their faith, an act branded as “apostasy.”Many are now asking: Have we witnessed the failures of the multiculturalism experiment in the United Kingdom? To what extent should immigrants be expected to integrate and assimilate into the cultural and civic norms, such as equal protection under the law and gender equality? How should police and other authorities enforce the laws impartially when cultural and religious sensitivities are involved?These questions are all coming to a head in the United Kingdom—and the cultural clashes there serve as a cautionary tale for America, says Peter McIlvenna, co-founder of Hearts of Oak.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Use MATTHEWCOX to get 55% off your first month at Scentbird https://sbird.co/4gkRfeG This month I received... Sandalwood in Oak by Scents of Wood https://sbird.co/3DaRSJ6 Milk Expressive by COMMODITY https://sbird.co/4fX5ruq Cacao Porcelana by Atelier Materi https://sbird.co/4f0fwWi Sudu Te by Perfumology https://sbird.co/4fWzxyc Ryan Magin Explains how to make money online....Some more legal than others. Ryans Links https://www.instagram.com/ryanmagin/ https://www.youtube.com/@ryan-magin/videos Use MATTHEW COX to get 55% off your first month at Scentbird Get 50% sitewide for a limited time. Just visit https://GhostBed.com/cox and use code COX at checkout. Do you want to be a guest? Fill out the form https://forms.gle/5H7FnhvMHKtUnq7k7 Send me an email here: insidetruecrime@gmail.com Do you extra clips and behind the scenes content? Subscribe to my Patreon: https://patreon.com/InsideTrueCrime
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you stop trying to be everything… and finally lean into what makes you different?In this episode of The Riley Black Project, we sit down with Jordan from Oak & Embers to talk about her journey from sewing business → laser artist → full-time creator building a brand rooted in custom, one-of-a-kind work.This isn't just a maker story… it's a masterclass in finding your lane, trusting your creativity, and building a business that actually fits your life.We dive into:• How she went from Glowforge beginner to full-time laser business owner• Why she refused to become a “cookie cutter” maker• The power of niching down and owning your style• Turning markets into networking opportunities (not just sales)• How custom signage became her most profitable lane• The mindset shift that changed everything in her business• Why you DON'T need to say yes to every project• Pricing, perfectionism, and learning to let go• The reality of feast-or-famine entrepreneurship• How growth doesn't always show up as money (at first)Plus… we get real about burnout, time freedom, and why working for yourself is both the dream AND the pressure cooker.If you're a maker, small business owner, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights that'll hit you right between the eyes (in a good way).Support the showIf you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProjectCheck out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlackWant more info on Aeon Lasers?? If so, show me some love by clicking on my partner link below and then hit the "Get Started" button! If you found my content helpful,and decided to call or DM instead, make sure to mention "Crystal Aguila" as the referral.
In this week's episode... Strange visions and altered property gives the group more questions as they get ready to meet up at Cave to find out what Oak was able to uncover about Lingersville.
In 1978, a team of Soviet geologists working deep in the Siberian taiga came across something they never expected to see: a house. As it turned out, they had stumbled on a family that had lived in complete isolation for decades – they weren't even aware of World War Two. Sophie Pinkham, author of the new book “The Oak and the Larch: A Forest History of Russia and Its Empires,” tells us the story of the Lykov family and what drove them into the forest. Check out Sophie's book about how Russia's vast forests have shaped its history and culture: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324036685 There's also Sophie's longread about the Lykovs in The Guardian, adapted from her book: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/22/forty-years-in-the-siberian-wilderness-the-old-believers-who-time-forgot We always want to hear from you! If you have a question or story for us, give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave a message, or send an email to hello@atlasobscura.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.