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Loss is something we all experience and I think if you ask the average person about loss, you may get an answer about missing someone who was very special to them, and is no longer here, but loss can take on so much more meaning; it can be loss of an opportunity, loss of an existing relationship, because that relationship has shifted or no longer exists in its original construct; it can be loss of abilities or faculties, Loss simply means no longer having something or having less of it than before; Oftentimes, we need to process that loss and hopefully with time, the pain or the sadness lessens and sometimes, the process of a loss turns into action to prevent further losses. When you meet my guest today, loss took on an incredible meaning in his life; potential and actual loss of nature and natural habitats that forced indigenous people and animals to find other ways to survive, loss of preserving indigenous peoples' villages, loss of clean water for some, loss of environments that had been functioning well for generations, but due to deforestation and frankly greed or ignorance, those places are no longer what they once had been. Imagine being a little boy where your playground is the curiosity of cultures and environments and where your day's goal is to explore every indigenous reptile, spider, and furry animal that comes across your path. My guest today was fortunate enough to have a mother as a travel agent planning exotic vacations, and a father who had a huge number of airline miles, giving my guest and his sister the opportunity to travel to less known places that set the stage for his future professional and, I think, personal journey. Some people are driven by threats - my guest is driven by the threat of loss of the most amazing ecosystems in our global environment; initially wishing to raise awareness about tropical rainforests by publishing his book on line, he established Mongabay in 1999 - the name is also an iteration of a place he loves in Madagascar which he can share with you in a moment. Mongabay has been going strong since its inception in 1999 as a vehicle to raise awareness of and interest in wildlife and wild lands; 25 years later, it has continued to gather momentum and has evolved from a website hosting his book, specific to rainforests with the aim of raising awareness to spark action in preserving these amazing ecosystems, to a comprehensive platform covering a wide range of environmental topics far beyond tropical forests. Mongabay is a nonprofit media platform with more than 90 staff across five bureaus and a network of approximately 1,000 correspondents in 80 countries, producing original reporting in five languages, and is read by millions of people a month. Mongabay pursues stories ranging from conventional news articles to deeply-reported investigative projects. One key goal of Mongabay is to increase transparency through targeted journalism which then influences change by driving greater accountability and supporting an enabling environment for a wide range of actors, from nongovernmental organizations to local communities to green entrepreneurs to take action. I'd call this driven, initially driven by loss and now driven by the impact Mongabay has surely had. Mongabay draws its inspiration from a global moral code and truly honors nature. Words cannot express my personal awe for Rhett Butler, founder of Mongabay - Rhett and his global team have forced the revision of laws to protect these environments and manage the global greed for resources that frankly belong to the indigenous people who could then have a sustainable existence by benefitting from these resources. For more information, please check out their website: www.mongabay.org
Oftentimes we choose to love others because it's “what a good Christian should do.” And that's not bad, but as we mature spiritually, we can take a deeper look at what perspective Jesus modeled for us. When we take opportunities in our community to volunteer we become a part of the fabric of the city. It becomes ours. And, as outlined in Jeremiah 29:7, “…if it prospers, you too will prosper.” This is an encouragement to be involved in the city we live in and to be a difference maker where and when we can.
In this week's episode, Candy shares the two critical aspects of following Jesus - willingness and obedience. Looking at the miracle of Lazarus, our faith is challenged by the question: are we willing to trust Him only if He does "it" the way I think He should? Oftentimes, we are willing, but lack the action of stepping out in complete faith and obedience. The life of a believer requires we take Him at His Word, even when it doesn't look how we want or expect or when He doesn't do it the way we think He should. Listen and join us as we seek to live fully surrendered - to be both willing and obedient!
Oftentimes when people see foolishness, God sees faith. Join us for part 9 of ‘Disciple' as Pastor Bryan shares with us three steps of faith. What step is God asking you to take in faith?Support the show
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Many individuals choose to rent properties, whether it be for their personal residences or business premises. While this may initially appear cost-effective, it can have detrimental long-term financial implications. Essentially, you are indirectly paying a mortgage. It is time to break free from this cycle and invest in your own residential or commercial property. This show is designed to guide and empower you in strategizing and actualizing Your Real Estate Life. Discover a wealth of knowledge on real estate – whether you're just beginning, advancing, or expanding your portfolio. This radio program dives deep into the toughest questions, covering lending programs, interest rates, financial literacy, economic trends, and more. Equip yourself with the insights to become an informed decision-maker when it comes to your most valuable assets. Join us on the forefront of property ownership and unlock your potential. Maximize your financial decisions by adopting the right approach when entering a 30-year loan and purchasing property. Learn how to convert debt into wealth efficiently, without compromising your lifestyle, resorting to refinancing, or jeopardizing your well-being. Uncover smart strategies to reduce unnecessary payments to lenders and responsibly eliminate debt. You deserve the best in life; don't compromise your safety for real estate victories. This radio program serves as your guide to identifying red flags that plague the market. Carelessness could lead to unmanageable loans or crippling interest rates. Equip yourself with the knowledge, tools, and resources to navigate the unpredictable waters of property acquisition. By being well-educated about the industry, you can protect yourself from exploitation. This show ensures that you have everything you need to thrive. Meet Michael A. Harris, your radio host with more than 38 years of lending experience. He is the President and CEO at the United Mortgage Corporation of America, a direct lending mortgage banking company operating and originating loans in California, Colorado, Montana, Texas, and Washington. Michael is passionate about helping others achieve financial comfort within their own homes. He tirelessly serves clients by eliminating years of mortgage interest. As a Senior Director and Certified Field Trainer at United Financial Freedom, Michael has found a calling guiding families towards a debt-free life. In this radio program, Michael imparts invaluable advice, financial insights, and practical resources for effectively managing your loans and transforming debt into wealth. While he may not have authored the lending programs you're currently enrolled in, his objective is to enlighten you on proper repayment strategies. And though he is not a certified public accountant, attorney, estate planner, or realtor, he can connect you with top-notch professionals through his extensive business network, ensuring you receive the best possible assistance. The economy is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape. Oftentimes, you'll encounter numerous external factors beyond your control or be faced with challenging questions that put your knowledge to the test. However, amidst these challenges, there are still opportunities to secure your real estate future. Start saving time and money today on your purchase or refinance with the perfect interest rate and plan for you and your family. Discover how to navigate the confusing loan selection and acquisition process to meet your unique needs. Break free from the grip of your landlord and start building equity through home ownership of your own. When it comes to finding your dream neighborhood and elevating your financial status, it is crucial to have all the support you can get. Find it all in this enlightening radio program right now. Investment loans in the following additional states except: ND, NV, SD, and VT.
Hello to you listening in Union County, Ohio!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Thoughts on Thursday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Oftentimes we're stuck solving a problem because we just don't know where to begin. I have an idea. 4 problem-solving words: Result + Reach + Resistance + Resources.Result: Start at the end of the story. What result do you want to get by solving this problem? What's the goal here?Reach: What are you reaching for that solving this problem will get you? What's beyond the problem?Resistance: How are you standing in your own way? What is holding you back from solving the problem? Resources: Start by being your own best resource. Then ask who and what other resources you can draw on to help you solve the problem. Practical Tip: When you start doubting yourself, remember how far you've come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome. Now, put those 4 problem-solving words to use and solve what's in front of you. You're always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe, share a 5-star rating + nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time!Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:✓ Check out What I Offer,✓ Arrange your free Story Start-up Session,✓ Stay current with Diane as “Wyzga on Words” on Substack, LinkedIn, and now Pandora Radio Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.
Everyone, Sheevaun Moran here, and your quantum leap, your leap, your next step, your breakthrough comes in a couple weird ways. The other day I was having a conversation with two particular clients and the limitation that they saw of where they were, they couldn't see how it was possible to get to this exponential level of growth in their income. We'd help them grow by 30 % over the year before, and that's a huge growth opportunity for their company. And what I challenged him with and the other client I'll talk about in a second, is to really just let me play with the idea that what he believes has been and where the team is now and where they're stuck is the place that doesn't have to be the reality of where he's going. So basically he's stuck in everything that he knows about his business that he's had for over 15 years in that place of this is only as much as I can see. This is only as much as I can even allow and that traps a lot of people. The need to see it and need to see it and a pipeline need to see it as a reality, need to see it, you know, metrically, is going to trap you in the idea that you cannot do something exponentially beyond what you've been able to see and /or experience. And the funny thing is, is the business we've helped him grow by 30%, this little chunk of exponentialism that I was suggesting was maybe another 2 % growth. And the really fascinating thing about that is it felt and appeared to him as if it was 1,000 % growth and it can feel like that. When you're in the midst of the need to get somewhere and the need to have that new much bigger result, you can get trapped in the thinking of what was and only what you can conceive or perceive. And so we took him through these exercises and at the end he said, "Oh, I can breathe better. I can actually imagine that the pathway that you've given is possible. And then, you know, we put some action steps in place so that would start to become the reality. And to be determined, to be continued, I can't wait to share that report with you. So maybe you're stuck in that same place. Oftentimes people are stuck in that same place and they can't see how one they can spend in order to get to that next giant leap result that they need or want. They can only see where they are, where they are, and how far they have been able to come. And there is a topping out place. Often there is a very solid topping out place that happens with folks. I know it's happened to me and that topping out place requires you to be very, very different collaborative connective and getting mentorship and getting somebody who has done this before you to take you and guide you through this process. And so the idea today for you is where are you stuck? Where are you continuing to tap out, top out, hit that hit that top level because that's where the opportunity for growth and exponentialism is really possible. My name is Sheevaun Moran that's what I do to help folks. You can reach me at SheevaunMoran .com S -H -E -E -V -A -U -N -M -O -R -A -N .com and there are cool things on there if you go to the About page you can send a little information and we can actually have a chat. Go there, let's find out how to get you unstuck and rockin' your quantum results. See you soon. ❤️ FOLLOW ME/GET IN TOUCH ❤️ Email: Questions? Shoot me an email at author@sheevaunmoran.com LinkedIn: Connect with me X/Twitter: Follow me on X Facebook/Meta: Follow me on Facebook TikTok: Check out my TikTok ——WHERE I HOST MY SITE AND COURSES—— Get a free 15-day trial with Success Beyond Reason Explore my books and audios: Guided Meditations, Books by HTTP://Sheevaun Moran.com, and Energetic Solutions About Sheevaun Moran: Sheevaun Moran is a beacon of guidance and support with over 20 years of experience. She combines personal growth with professional achievement, offering unique insights and practical solutions. Through her work with Energetic Solutions, Energy Mastery, and the charity Create a Bright Life, Sheevaun ensures clarity, purpose, and joy on your path to success. Explore the podcast 349 episodes Driving for Your Success Sheevaun Moran
Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are talking about the importance of intimacy. The past two days we have defined intimacy as when people get really close, and also when we choose to be close to God. We also defined intimacy as in-to-me-see—allowing someone to see your heart and grow in love.Another type of intimacy the Bible talks about is among a group of people, a community. Just like intimacy has its own meaning inside the word, so does community … common unity … community. A group of people can get very close to one another. Oftentimes, this may revolve around some issue, something positive or negative, that the group has in common. Yet, most of the time, as the closeness grows, the focus of the relationships no longer are about the original thing that drew them together. Now, the community is simply unified in their hearts.Listen to Acts 2:42-47 …All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (NLT)What was this group's common thread? A relationship with Christ.What did this create among them? They all acted like Jesus, individually and as a community.What happened as a result of the community's unity? More people wanted to be a part.Listen once again to The Message Bible's version …Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.Have you experienced this kind of unity among a community?Maybe you are experiencing this right now?Or maybe you desperately need this in your life?If you have it, thank God and pray for your friends in the community. If you don't, ask God to help you find your community … people in love with Jesus who understand intimacy with Him and others.In our prayer time today, as I just stated, if you have a community, take a moment to lift them up. If you don't, ask God now to show you where and how to find yours. … As above, so below.”
We all have a story to tell. There is always someone somewhere who needs to hear that story. Oftentimes we discount these two things and stay silent. My guest today is Samuel Chambers who speaks up about this journey through storytelling in the creative industry, how collaborations played a huge role and where he finds inspiration to keep going even in the dark times. Get your copy of my BOOK How to Collaborate Collaborate with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-fox... Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxtalksbus... Visit me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoxTalksBusi... Explore all my offers on the website: https://foxtalksbusiness.com/ Put the face to the voice on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK0pntB9ibjKLCR4TkdX4IQ
With the digital marketing world changing so fast, how can you keep up? Sunny Dublick shares her recommendations for effective marketing in 2025 and how your company can innovate to stay ahead of the curve. Sunny is an award-winning marketing specialist and founder of Sunny Dublick Marketing. Sunny has spent over 15 years in the marketing and advertising industry, working with high-profile clients such as the Philadelphia 76ers and HanesBrands, as well as small and medium-sized businesses spanning the hospitality, retail, and professional services industries. After nine years working for various advertising agencies and corporate marketing departments, Sunny set out on her own, forming Sunny Dublick Marketing to provide transparent and effective marketing solutions to businesses nationwide. Her strategies are designed to inspire creativity and enable clients to grow the best, most authentic version of their brand. The Future of AI in Marketing The digital marketing landscape is constantly shifting. Instead of fighting to stay ahead of the curve and keep up with rapidly changing technology, Sunny recommends slowing down. If you decide to incorporate something new, be intentional. Act from a place of purpose instead of fear of the future. At one point, no one knew how to post on Facebook or run Google ads. There were a lot of unknowns–but business owners and marketers figured it out over time. The same will be true for AI and these new technologies. The important part is to stay open and be willing to try new things. If you want to incorporate AI into your marketing, Sunny recommends using it to kickstart ideas rather than write all of your content. It can be helpful for a first draft, so you're not staring at a blank page, but it still needs a human touch. No one wants to read a blog post written entirely by AI. The Importance of Innovation The role of marketing in your organization goes beyond generating new leads. Your marketing team can also problem-solve across departments, inspire new offers, and overcome sales objections. Instead of assuming there's a marketing problem when leads slow down, Sunny recommends starting at the source. Are your offerings still what your customers want? Is there room for innovation and growth? Has the market evolved? Separating marketing from branding, sales, and finance doesn't serve your organization. This is why more and more companies are shifting away from Chief Marketing Officers to Chief Growth Officers or Brand Officers, to bridge different functions. Enjoy this episode with Sunny Dublick… Soundbytes 11:11-11:32 “People are looking forward to like, Metaverse and web 3.0 and how do we stay ahead of that? There's always been, for a really long time, a question mark of where things are going. And the worst thing that you can do, from a marketing perspective is just running after that shiny object and being like, I have to do this too, right?” 23:20-23:42 “Oftentimes companies will work with a marketing company and they'll have a fancy new logo, some pretty pictures on a website, and they're like, cool, we're done, right? That's what I call lipstick-on-a-pig marketing. You made it pretty. But at the end of the day, your offering is something that can and should change over time.” Quotes “The beautiful thing about marketing, especially digital marketing, is so much of what you need to know is available to be self-taught.” “The worst thing that you can do from a marketing perspective is run after that shiny object.” “The nature of marketing is one in which you always have to be agile, and you always have to be willing and able to try new things.” “Now we can write six posts a day automatically, but just because you can doesn't mean you should.” “Marketing can and should be something that bridges a lot of different functions within an organization, and you're only getting a tiny piece of it if you're keeping them pigeon-holed into these are the people that put up my social media posts and run some ads for me.” Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Website: http://sunnydublick.com Connect with Sunny Dublick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnydublick/ Connect with brandiD Download our free guide to learn 16 crucial website updates that attract more leads and convert visitors into clients: https://thebrandid.com/website-tweaks/ Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form
Oftentimes we think that studying or following Buddhist teachings requires us to fit a certain mold or behave in a particular way. But this is not about a rigid practice and one size fits all. In this talk Mary reflects on how we're invited to live with righteous intention, grounded in love and wisdom. As Larry Ward says, we have "an evenness of heart and mind". Let the path be messy, love yourself and others, as you move toward liberation and the liberation of all beings.Recorded Feb. 20, 2025 in the virtual worldSend me a text with any questions or comments!Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.
One Why Beats a Thousand Whats - Agile Sales & Marketing Market research is like archeology. It helps understand the past but tells us little about the future. It gives us many ‘whats' but few ‘whys'. Of course, market research isn't useless. But it can only go so far. Consumer research includes surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, joint shopping trips, and other methods. The results are usually used only by marketers, and that's a mistake. Oftentimes they use them rather mechanically — for pricing decisions or advertising campaigns. How to connect with AgileDad: - [website] https://www.agiledad.com/ - [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/ - [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/ - [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
S6 E1: Facing FearsThis may be one of the most important episodes we have recorded thus far in thinking about how facing fears can often be the impetus for creating positive change in one's life. In this episode Alexis & Jerry have a nuanced conversation about facing fears through exposure.Oftentimes fear can keep us stuck in repeated behaviors, more comfortable situations, or even hinder our willingness to create positive change. When we turn toward, rather than against our fears, we can often uncover opportunities and options we may have never imagined.This episode traverses the intricacies of exposure therapy, neuro-developmental implications of avoiding that which we fear, motivations for change, and so much more. Alexis even opens up about a fear she faced with Dr. Reid walking her through a mock therapy session. He also pulls the curtain back to narrate some of his decisions in the process to share example perspectives from a psychologist helping a patient through an exposure to fear.After listening, you may walk away with a new appreciation for fear, what it may teach us, and what we can do to face it with guidance and support.Be curious. Be Open. Be well.The ReidConnect-Ed Podcast is hosted by Siblings Alexis Reid and Dr. Gerald Reid, produced by and original music is written and recorded by Gerald Reid.*Please note that different practitioners may have different opinions- this is our perspective and is intended to educate you on what may be possible.Follow us on Instagram @ReidConnectEdPodcast and Twitter @ReidConnectEdShow notes & Transcripts: https://reidconnect.com/reid-connect-ed-podcastReid, Gerald and Reid, Alexis (Hosts). (2025, February 25). A Facing Fears (Season 6, Episode 1) [Audio podcast episode]. In The Reid Connect-Ed Podcast. LINK
Oftentimes, we struggle with where we are and feel like it's too late to finish what God started. We let our age, time, or even the details convince us that God's plan has expired. But if you're feeling like you've waited too long to start, continue, or begin again, don't lose hope. In today's episode, I'Wanna encourages you to push through—because it's not too late!
Read Online“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35–36It is certainly difficult to be “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” But doing so is exactly what our Lord commanded us to do. And His command is not a command in the sense of being a burden. On the contrary, it's a command that frees us from the ingratitude and wickedness we encounter.Oftentimes, when we encounter ingratitude from another, or any other form of wickedness, we tend to react in kind. Our fallen human nature lures us into cruelty when faced with cruelty. We criticize, condemn, attack and get angry. But Jesus is very clear that this is not how the “Most High” acts toward the wicked. And it is not how He acts toward us. In the end, the wicked who fail to repent will endure the consequences of their rejection of God's mercy. But until that final judgment, hope of conversion must always be present. And for that reason, we must never give up on another, no matter how difficult. Kindness shown to everyone, in every circumstance, goes to the heart of the mission we have received as children of God.Think about the person in your life who seems unworthy of your kindness and generosity. Why are they undeserving? Are they truly undeserving? The truth, according to our Lord's teaching, is that these are not questions we should even ask ourselves. Instead, we must fully commit ourselves to loving everyone who appears to be our enemy, and do good to them and to everyone whom we encounter. Though this is difficult, it won't be if we understand the goodness that God has shown to us.God has shone us perfect goodness, not because He expected anything back, but simply because He has willed to love us. If we want to be children of God the Most High, then we must reciprocate the love given to us. That's the nature of God's love. It cannot be contained. It cannot be selfishly received without also allowing it to pour forth from our lives. When we understand this, we will understand the reason Jesus instructed us to be “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” It is simply because this is how God has treated us. Reflect, today, upon the unlimited love God has for you. It is beyond what you could ever comprehend. Reflect, also, upon the great benefit there is in opening yourself to God's perfect love, kindness, generosity and mercy. The benefit is that you are able to be filled with that which you receive. And as you receive this love of God, it necessarily overflows into the lives of everyone you encounter, the good and the wicked. Everyone must always be offered this love. Do not hesitate, for God does not hesitate with you. Most merciful Lord, You bestow Your abundant goodness upon all people, the good and bad alike. You never cease offering Your love and mercy. May I always be counted among those who fully open themselves to Your grace, and may I always offer this same depth of love to all. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Matthias Grünewald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Everyone lives forever. But what happens and how does it happen? For many years, people had lost curiosity about the study of these questions because the world was so comfortable. And then World Wars I and II occurred, shattering people's confidence and security in the things the world had to offer. Everything was uncertain, and thus, interest in studying these topics was revived. In this sermon titled “Death and Immortality,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses death as a fruitful means of evangelism because it forces people to face questions of eternal importance. Oftentimes, the Lord used the fear of death to prompt people to examine their hearts. Death is not the end of existence, but simply the separation of the body from the soul. Death exists simply because sin entered the world— it is a natural consequence of disobeying God. Even though Christians are saved from eternal death of the soul, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains why Christians still suffer and die. Even though they experience death, believers can have a vastly different outlook on it because they have been saved from eternal death through faith in Jesus Christ.
Everyone lives forever. But what happens and how does it happen? For many years, people had lost curiosity about the study of these questions because the world was so comfortable. And then World Wars I and II occurred, shattering people's confidence and security in the things the world had to offer. Everything was uncertain, and thus, interest in studying these topics was revived. In this sermon titled “Death and Immortality,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses death as a fruitful means of evangelism because it forces people to face questions of eternal importance. Oftentimes, the Lord used the fear of death to prompt people to examine their hearts. Death is not the end of existence, but simply the separation of the body from the soul. Death exists simply because sin entered the world— it is a natural consequence of disobeying God. Even though Christians are saved from eternal death of the soul, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains why Christians still suffer and die. Even though they experience death, believers can have a vastly different outlook on it because they have been saved from eternal death through faith in Jesus Christ. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29
Oftentimes people just aren't fully informed. They're different types of people, and their motives may be different. And oftentimes, when people get a hold of a Śrī Īśopaniṣad, for instance, and they read it, and then they say, "Oh, okay, I'll worship Kṛṣṇa," or we have experience in presenting Kṛṣṇa consciousness in a systematic way to people, and it's often, or always, a conundrum when to bring up the point that God's a person. In fact, in any presentation anywhere, there's always a reticence to cross that bridge. But we have found that people are often more ready than one might think. And it's a relief, actually, to find somebody finally comes out and says it: "God's a person, by the way." And I remember, back in the good old days, when I first got a Back to Godhead magazine, I had read so many books that had this impersonal conception, because that's what was available in my library and in my parents' house and wherever I could get my hands on. And there were directives to offer prayers, and then in the same paragraph, there were descriptions of how "we're God, we just haven't realized it yet." And that was a conundrum for me, because I thought, "Am I praying to myself?" I thought, "Maybe it'll work out. I'll figure it out later." But when I read the Back to Godhead magazine, the revelation came when I was looking at an advertisement for the Śrī Īśopaniṣad, and it said, "The ancient Vedic literatures say, actually, the Supreme Absolute Truth is a Person." And I looked, and there was actually a picture of a person there. And I thought, "Oh, my God, somebody finally came out and said it!" I found it to be a great relief that someone had the strength of purpose to just say, "God's a person." And I got rather excited about it. I wanted to read that book right away and find out, "Well, how is He a person?" And most people are, I believe, at least the ones I've come in contact with, are innocent. They've been given partial information or misinformation, and sometimes it takes a while to sort that out, but it's a much, actually easier concept to accept, that God's a person, than it is with all the workarounds that you have to do for "He's not a person." (excerpt from the talk) ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
In this episode, Pastor Cindy shares a message about boldly and faithfully standing on the promises of God. How many times have we heard the word of the Lord, believed it was for us, and then allowed circumstances, others' opinions or just lack of faith to keep us from moving forward? Oftentimes, we seem to forget the promises that were given to us. Pastor Cindy believes the time is now to regain our momentum. At the end of this episode, she leads us into an activation that is designed to empty out any lies or faulty mindsets and clear the slate for a new excitement for God's promises. It's time we remember God's promises and allow our faith to build around the freedom-producing truth that they bring. They are for you! Scripture reference: Ezra 1:1, Ezra 2, Jeremiah 29:10-13, Haggai 2:3-4, 1 Cor 1:20-22, Deut 28 Order your copy of Cindy's new book, NEW MOVES OF GOD Check out Cindy's TV show, CINDY STEWART LIVE. You can register for the 6-week, self paced e-course at COMPELLED TO CHANGE. Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindy@cindy-stewart.com. She'd love to hear from you. Pastor Cindy's Website Pastor Cindy's Facebook Pastor Cindy's Instagram Gathering Website Gathering Facebook Check out the other shows from KB PODCAST PRODUCTIONS: THE KINGDOM BRINGER PODCAST with Darin Eubanks Next Level Podcast with Michael McIntyre Super-Natural Living with Beth Packard KINGDOM MASTER MIND PODCAST with Ann McDonald Podcast music from HOOKSOUNDS.COM
Cybersecurity isn't just a concern for large corporations. It's vital for businesses of all sizes. It's essential for companies to know how to protect sensitive data, restore from backups, and regularly test their systems with internal pen tests to keep their teams safe. Today's guest is Bryce Austin. Bryce is the CEO of TCE Strategy, a cybersecurity advisory firm. They provide vulnerability scans, penetration tests, fractional CISO services, and incident response services. He is also a professional speaker on ransomware. Bryce is the fractional CISO to many companies, including one on the S&P 500. We talk about the key aspects of cybersecurity for businesses, and how to be proactive with patching, training and strong password management. He shares his experiences with major cyber incidents including ransomware, phishing and the Target breach, and how defense in depth, backups and financial controls are key. Bryce also mentioned the use of password managers, regular vulnerability scanning and external monitoring to increase cyber resilience. We share practical tips for all businesses to protect against ever changing cyber threats. Show Notes: [00:59] Bryce started TCE Strategy in 2016. It's their goal to keep their clients one step ahead of cybercriminal risk. [01:32] He has a degree in chemistry. Technology was just for fun. He ended up working in the payroll space which was ripe for cyber security concerns. [03:00] He was really pushing cybersecurity and then their company was purchased by Wells Fargo. It ended up being amazing training for starting his own cybersecurity business. [05:24] Bryce shares how he was affected by the Target security breach. He ended up unemployed and was deeply affected by food stamp requirements for his family. [07:34] He wanted to make sure he would never go through this again and started his company. [08:19] His public speaking began in 2011. [09:17] He was indirectly affected by the Target breach, and he also shares his indirect personal one. [12:59] Bryce was actually spearfished in 2018. [14:36] Incident response is when something happens from a cybersecurity standpoint and damage has occurred. Oftentimes data is encrypted. This is a ransomware attack. [17:18] Bryce tells the story about how a hotel was hacked and a large payment was able to be intercepted. [18:31] Phishing attacks are where someone clicks on a bad link. [20:38] His biggest Christmas gift was none of his clients getting hacked. [21:05] They also had a ransom demand where they had to pay a million dollars. [23:02] If they would have been looking harder this wouldn't have happened. [26:26] Issues with hooking up to the Internet and having default passwords. [28:07] Why it's impractical to make ransomware illegal. [31:12] Even criminals have a reputation to uphold and usually hand over the encryption key. [33:56] Bryce talks about some of the preventative things that people can do. [34:47] Be proactive and have diligent patching. [35:37] Don't use the same passwords over and over. Use a password keeper. [36:54] Have offline backups. [38:09] Follow all processes and procedures when moving money. Use unique passwords. [39:27] It's important to encrypt your backups. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Bryce Austin (612) 730-9897. Bryce Austin on LinkedIn
It’s possible that “staying positive” could be keeping you stuck. In today’s episode, I use the analogy of writing a book (first draft first, second draft second) to talk about how we naturally grow and develop as people. A first draft is inevitably messy and chaotic, raw and guttural. The second draft is cleaner and holds more clarity. But there’s no getting to the second draft without the first draft. Oftentimes, in life, we try to get to the “second draft” before we ever write the horrible first draft. We would like to skip to the healing, the moral, the integration, the clarity, the understanding. But there’s no such thing. If you’re in the messy first draft of your story, maybe it’s time to own that fact and tell the raw, harsh, guttural truth. Could telling a more raw and guttural version of the story actually help you access the second draft you’re reaching for? Host: Ally Fallon // @allyfallon // allisonfallon.comFollow Ally on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allyfallon/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever heard the saying “actions speak louder than words?” Oftentimes how we react speaks even louder than our words and actions. Tune in this week as we continue the Series, “The Power of Words.” We dive into the Book of Matthew and hear how we as Christians are to respond and react in difficult situations. How we speak, act and react shows who we trust and lean on most.
Oftentimes, our soul is the last thing we think of when we think about taking care of ourselves. We will get physically and mentally healthy, but our soul is left neglected. In this episode, Pastors Gina Robinson and Lauren Kennedy continue the conversation on the importance of caring for your soul.Register for Day of Renewal on March 29, 2025.https://opendoorchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2568532
Read Online“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” Mark 8:2–3Jesus' primary mission was a spiritual one. He came to set us free from the effects of sin so that we could enter the glories of Heaven for all eternity. His life, death and resurrection destroyed death itself and opened the way for all who turn to Him to be saved. But Jesus' love for the people was so complete that He was also attentive to their physical needs.First of all, ponder the first line of this statement of our Lord above: “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd…” Jesus' divine love was intertwined with His humanity. He loved the entire person, body and soul. In this Gospel story, the people were with Him for three days and they were hungry, but they were showing no signs of leaving. They had become so amazed by our Lord that they didn't want to leave. Jesus pointed out that their hunger was serious. If He sent them away, He feared that they would “collapse on the way.” Thus, these facts are the basis for His miracle.One lesson we can learn from this story is that of our priorities in life. Oftentimes, we may tend to have our priorities reversed. Of course, taking care of the necessities of life is important. We need food, shelter, clothing and the like. We need to care for our families and provide for their basic needs. But too often we elevate these basic necessities in life over our spiritual need to love and serve Christ, as if the two were opposed to each other. But that's not the case.In this Gospel, the people who were with Jesus chose to put their faith first. They chose to remain with Jesus despite the fact that they did not have food to eat. Perhaps some people had left a day or two earlier, deciding that the necessity of food took precedence. But those who may have done this missed out on the incredible gift of this miracle in which the entire crowd was fed to the point of being completely satisfied. Of course, our Lord does not want us to be irresponsible, especially if we have a duty to care for others. But this story does tell us that our spiritual need to be fed by the Word of God should always be our greatest concern. When we put Christ first, all other needs are met in accord with His providence. Reflect, today, upon your own priorities in life. What's more important to you? Your next good meal? Or your life of faith? Though these do not have to be opposed to each other, it's important to always put your love of God first in life. Ponder this vast crowd of people who spent three days with Jesus in the wilderness without food and try to see yourself with them. Make their choice to remain with Jesus your choice also, so that your love of God becomes the primary focus of your life. My providential Lord, You know my every need and are concerned for every aspect of my life. Help me to trust You so completely that I always put my love of You as my first priority in life. I do believe that if I can keep You and Your will as the most important part of my life, all other necessities in life will fall in place. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Francisco Herrera the Elder, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Oftentimes, a small business runs into difficulties when trying to compete with bigger companies. Our next guest says there could be several solutions, including one he calls a business health check.
I Am Part of Something (Identity Series)1 Corinthians 12:26 “ If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.”I am listening to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) podcast with Father Mike this year. The last two years, I did the Bible in a Year, and this year, when he started this one, I thought it would be a good one to listen to. The Catechism is basically a rule book for the Catholic Church, and I am definitely a rule follower. Also, I have a lot of friends who are not Catholic, and they wonder why we do a lot of the things we do or why we believe a lot of the things we believe. I don't want to have to say that is a good question; I have no idea. I love to learn why we believe what we believe. I did not really expect it to be too interesting. I mean, if you read the terms and conditions booklets of any of your appliances, you wouldn't think that was interesting reading. However, I was wrong; I love listening to the CCC. It's not just a list of rules. It explains exactly what we believe and why we believe it. I am learning so much from it. It really is beautiful. I came across this verse the other day when listening to the CCC and knew I wanted to share it with you. I am sure I have heard this verse before. I agree with this statement. If one person in your family is suffering, you all suffer together. If one person is honored, you all rejoice together. This makes sense. I can see how this is true. Think about a time when someone in your family was suffering. Did your whole family suffer with them? What about when they were honored? Did the whole family rejoice? I know this is how our family works. Not too long ago, my sister sent a text message that her son was accepted into one of the top High Schools in the United States, and we all rejoiced with her. Another sister found out she was having medical problems, and we all suffered with her. I am sure you will be able to think of many examples in your own family as well. I learned from listening to the CCC that we are all part of the communion of saints. We are all members of the body of Christ. We are members of the communion of saints, and that means that what we do is for everyone; it's not just for us. The CCC says, “In this solidarity with all men, whether living or dead, founded on the communion of saints, the least of our acts done in charity redounds to the profit of all.” Whenever we do something good, it is not just for our grace; it's not just for our good; it is for the good of the whole communion of saints, for the whole body of Christ. Father Mike put it like this: “Every good thing we do, even the smallest thing, is for the community. If you're homebound right now, if you do nothing in the sense that the world would say that's productive or that's important, if you simply unite your prayers and your heart to Jesus and your suffering to Jesus, that doesn't just help you and purify your heart; it helps the entire body. If you just offer that suffering up in love and say, “Jesus, use the suffering, take my suffering and use my suffering, that doesn't just make you holy or sanctify you; it helps everyone. There is no such thing as private virtue or grace. It belongs to all of us. This was really inspiring for me to hear. What are your thoughts on it? The reason I think it is so inspiring is twofold, I think. First, it lets me know that I am part of something bigger than myself. I am part of a community we all are. Sometimes, the world can feel like a scary and lonely place. Knowing we are part of a communion of saints can help us feel less alone. The second part of it is that it helps me see that what I do matters. It matters if I pray because my prayers, as small as they may be, are building up the whole body. My good deeds are not just my good deeds. They help everyone. It makes me realize I am not just part of a community, but I also have a responsibility to do my share in that community.As inspiring as I thought this first part was, the CCC goes on to say in the very next line something that is pretty convicting. It is something that really makes you think. It says, “Every sin harms this communion.” This is not as inspiring, and yet it makes you stop and think. It makes sense. If we are part of a communion of saints, and every good thing we do builds up this communion, then it would make sense that every bad thing we do tears down the communion of saints. It makes sense, and yet it is not really something we want to think about. We like to think about how much our good deeds help everyone else out because it makes us feel good, and yet thinking about how our sins affect others is not something that makes us feel good. Father Mike said there is no such thing as private sin. There is personal sin, sin that I have done on my own, but there is no such thing as private sin because our sin belongs to everyone. In the same way that our good deeds build up the church, our sins tear down the church. Our sins weaken the entire communion of saints. Wow, that seems like a lot of pressure. I think it does us good to know this information, though. I think knowledge can be powerful at times. I feel as if knowing that every good thing I do doesn't just purify my heart but helps to purify everyone's hearts will encourage me to do more good things. I also feel as though knowing my sin isn't just my sin but that it affects the entire community may encourage me to sin less or at least try harder. It's an interesting fact I have been learning over these last few years about people. Oftentimes, we will show up for others in a way we won't for ourselves. For example, you say you will work out each day, but then you hit snooze and don't get up. However, if you set a time to meet someone at the gym, you will show up more consistently because you don't want to let the other person down. I am not sure why we do this, but we do. Knowing this about people, I think the information above could help us. If we can't manage to sin less for ourselves, maybe knowing that our sins are affecting others will be just the thing we need to motivate us to try to sin less. Also, if we are struggling to pray or do acts of service, maybe knowing others benefit from our good work will be just the motivation we need. How about you? Does knowing this information change anything for you?Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, help us to spend some time thinking about this concept today. All of our good deeds build up the whole body of Christ, and all of our sins damage the body of Christ. We can either see that as a lot of pressure, or we can see it as the motivation we need to try and live a good life. We can think of this every time we do something kind or something to build our faith. We can also remind ourselves before we sin that it is not just us we have to worry about; we are part of something bigger. Also, Lord, help those who struggle with feeling alone know that they are not alone; they are part of the communion of saints. We are never alone. Lord, we thank you, and we love you. You are truly amazing. We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name. Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to spending time with you again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in August 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Watch and see the great things I will do for each of you, my children. I love you. I bore you in love, perfect love, love that is unchanging, non-negotiable love. I care not what anyone else condemns you for or judges you.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
Read OnlineThey were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37This line is the conclusion to the story of Jesus healing a deaf man who also had a speech impediment. The man was brought to Jesus, Jesus took him off by himself, cried out “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”), and the man was cured. And though this was an incredible gift to this man and an act of great mercy toward him, it also reveals that God wants to use us to draw others to Himself.On a natural level, we all lack the ability to hear the voice of God when He speaks. We need the gift of grace for this. As a result, on a natural level, we are also incapable of speaking the many truths that God wants us to speak. This story teaches us that God also desires to heal our ears so as to hear His gentle voice and to loosen our tongues so that we can become His mouthpiece.But this story is not only about God speaking to each one of us; it also reveals our duty to bring others to Christ who do not know Him. The friends of this man brought him to Jesus. And Jesus took the man off by himself. This gives us insight into how we help others to come to know our Lord's voice. Oftentimes when we want to share the Gospel with another, we tend to talk to them and try to rationally convince them to turn their lives to Christ. And though this can bear good fruit at times, the real goal we must have is to help them to go off with our Lord by themselves for a while so that Jesus can do the healing.If your ears have truly been opened by our Lord, then your tongue will also be loosened. And only if your tongue is loosened will God be able to draw others to Himself through you. Otherwise your act of evangelizing will only be based on your effort alone. Therefore, if you have people in your life who do not appear to be listening to the voice of God and following His holy will, then first and foremost commit yourself to listening to our Lord yourself. Let your ears hear Him. And when you do hear Him, it will be His voice that, in turn, speaks through you in the way He desires to reach out to others.Reflect, today, upon this Gospel scene. Ponder, especially, the friends of this man as they are inspired to bring him to Jesus. Ask our Lord to use you in a similar way. Prayerfully ponder those in your life whom God wants to call to Himself through your mediation and place yourself at the service of our Lord so that His voice can speak through you in the way He chooses.My good Jesus, please open my ears to hear all that You wish to say to me and please loosen my tongue so that I will become a mouthpiece of Your holy word to others. I offer myself to You for Your glory and pray that You will use me in accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I fully trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Image via Wikimedia Commons
In our fast-paced, independent, result-oriented society, we seem to grow frustrated if something doesn't happen instantaneously as we desire. Oftentimes, the change we seek in multiple areas of our lives is much slower than we ever desire it to be.
How would you rate Super Bowl 59? Is it what you thought would happen or were their shocking things that left you scratching your head? The halftime show, did it hold your attention or was this or the pre 30 crowd? It seems to me that this game has become such a spectacle. Is it possible to get too big and people will lose interest? I am not certain but I can tell you that we are going to look at the whole event in its entirety on this episode.....let's finish up talking about the 2024 NFL season with a bang unlike the Super Bowl :) When did you know this game was gonna be lopsided? Did focusing on Saquon cause the rest of Kansas City's team to be left behind? Was Jalen Hurts really the MVP? What happened to Patrick Mahomes and the creativity of the KC offense? After the season Saquon Barclay had, should the Eagles have made it a priority to get him in the endzone? There did not seem to be any questionable calls, does this further solidify the fact that the officials may have had their hands into the Chiefs season a bit too much. I think the obvious MVP was the OL and DL of the Eagles. Oftentimes we do not give enough credit to those guys or their coaches. Expand on that statement. WIll the Eagles repeat after watching them on Sunday or could different contenders surface and change the landscape again of the NFL. Kendrick Lamar? Your menu? 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Oftentimes, in the marketing process, horse business owners will jump right to the sale.From in-person conversations at events and expos to social media posts, ads, and more, the big question becomes, why aren't people buying?That's what marketing is, right? Getting sales? Yes, and so much more. The purchase is just one piece of the larger puzzle for your customers. If you want to build a sustainable equine business, you must remember there's an entire journey customers will go through as they work with you. In this episode, you'll learn:
"Oftentimes, the people in our circles aren't the market we need to sell to—unless we're dealing in essentials like food, water, or transportation. As a small business owner, it's important to recognize this early and focus on reaching the right audience through strategic marketing, rather than wasting energy on the wrong crowd" — Bernard Kelvin Clive
Going through a bunch of really difficult things all at once? Oftentimes when we find ourselves in a back-to-back set of challenges, it's easy to give up...but don't. Join us as Joyce, Ginger, Erin, and our friend Holly Wagner share some lessons they've learned that will help you endure the hard times to see the beauty that shines on the other side.
Going through a bunch of really difficult things all at once? Oftentimes when we find ourselves in a back-to-back set of challenges, it's easy to give up...but don't. Join us as Joyce, Ginger, Erin, and our friend Holly Wagner share some lessons they've learned that will help you endure the hard times to see the beauty that shines on the other side.
Dr. Chris Holsinger shares the new guideline from ASCO on transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. He reviews the evidence-based recommendations on baseline assessment, the role of TORS in HPV-positive and HPV-negative disease and in the salvage/recurrent setting, which patients are eligible or ineligible for TORS, and the role of adjuvant therapy. He discusses the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and shared decision-making between patients and their clinicians. Read the full guideline, “Transoral Robotic Surgery in the Multidisciplinary Care of Patients with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: ASCO Guideline.” TRANSCRIPT This guideline, clinical tools, and resources are available at asco.org. Read the full text of the guideline and review authors' disclosures of potential conflicts of interest in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Brittany Harvey: Hello and welcome to the ASCO Guidelines podcast, one of ASCO's podcasts, delivering timely information to keep you up to date on the latest changes, challenges and advances in oncology. You can find all the shows, including this one at asco.org/podcasts. My name is Brittany Harvey and today I'm interviewing Dr. Chris Holsinger from Stanford University, lead author on “Transoral Robotic Surgery in the Multidisciplinary Care of Patients with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: ASCO Guideline.” Thank you for being here today, Dr. Holsinger. Dr. Chris Holsinger: Thanks, Brittany. We've been working together for years on these guidelines and what a pleasure to get to meet you at least virtually today. Brittany Harvey: Yes, it's great to have you on. And then just before we discuss this guideline, I'd like to note that ASCO takes great care in the development of its guidelines and ensuring that the ASCO conflict of interest policy is followed for each guideline. The disclosures of potential conflicts of interest for the guideline panel, including Dr. Holsinger, who has joined us here today, are available online with the publication of the guideline in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, which is linked in the show notes. So let's jump into this important guideline. Dr. Holsinger, to start us off, can you provide an overview of both the scope and purpose of this guideline? Dr. Chris Holsinger: Absolutely. And again, thanks for the opportunity to be here, Brittany. I appreciate the invitation to participate in the ASCO Guidelines and to work with the great people on this paper that's now out there. I think it's a really important guideline to be published because it really talks about surgery, specifically transoral robotic surgery, a minimally invasive technique, as a new way to treat head and neck cancer. Why that's so important is that what is now known as head and neck cancer is completely different than what we saw even 25 years ago. Around the turn of the century, some really thoughtful epidemiologists working at Hopkins and UW in Seattle started to see this connection between the human papillomavirus and head and neck cancer. And since then we've seen this precipitous rise in the number of throat cancers specifically due to HPV. The results from the American Cancer Society showed last year that head neck cancer, in particular these cancers of the oropharynx, actually were one of the few cancers that still had an increasing incidence, I think it was around 2.5% per year. And other studies have shown that almost 50% of the cases we're seeing across the United States now are actually HPV-mediated throat cancers. That's bad news because we're seeing this rise in cases, but it's good news in the sense that this is a cancer that is highly curable and I think opens up a lot of different treatment avenues that we didn't have a couple of decades ago. And when patients are facing a mortality risk that's two or three times lower than the formerly HPV-negative smoking-driven cancers, it really behooves us as clinicians, as oncologists to think about treatment selection in a completely different way. And for years, the only function-sparing option, surgery certainly was not, was radiation therapy with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy. In 2009, the FDA approved the use of surgical robotics using a transoral approach, a minimally invasive approach to resect the primary tumors and to perform neck dissection. And so now when patients walk in the door, they not only have this gold standard option in the path of radiation therapy with chemo, but also frontline surgery. And with some recent publications, especially the ECOG 3311 study, there's some really good evidence that for HPV-mediated throat cancers, we can actually de-escalate the intensity of adjuvant therapy when we start with surgery first. So who we choose that option for, which patients want that option - these are all really important new questions that we try to grapple with in these guidelines. Brittany Harvey: That background is really key for setting the stage for what we're about to talk about today. And so next I'd like to review the key recommendations across the clinical questions that the panel addressed. So you just talked about the importance of treatment selection. So to start that off, first, what is recommended for baseline assessment for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who are being considered for transoral robotic surgery? Dr. Chris Holsinger: So I think here we tried in the guidelines to really standardize the workup and approach of this disease, in general, but with a strong focus on who might be a good surgical candidate. As I mentioned in the introduction, I mean, this is a disease that is very new. Our workup is in flux. And so what we tried to do, especially in items 1.2 and 1.3, is to really standardize and confirm that the tumor that we're dealing with, which oftentimes presents in a metastatic lymph node, is in fact associated with the human papillomavirus. So how biopsy is done, how high risk HPV testing is performed, whether you're doing that with an in situ hybridization, a DNA based study, or a p16 immunohistochemical study. And we try to tackle these issues first to really make sure that the patient population we're considering is actually indeed eligible for this kind of treatment de-escalation with surgery. Brittany Harvey: Understood. So it's important to consider which patients could be eligible for TORS upfront. So what is the role of TORS in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma? Dr. Chris Holsinger: Yeah, exactly. So I think first of all, surgery is ideally suited, and the robot is FDA approved for early-stage cancers - T1 and T2 cancers that are amenable to a minimally invasive approach. And we really try to emphasize, especially in our patient selection section of the guideline, who is really an ideal candidate for this. It's not just the T1 and T2 tumor. It's a tumor that is lateralized so that we can maybe consider managing the neck concurrently just on the side of the tumor, rather than doing bilateral neck dissection for most patients. Which patients might get the best functional outcome is a really critical component of this. And in fact, that actually goes back to a guideline that we didn't have time to chat about earlier, which is that we think every head neck cancer patient, whether or not they're being considered for transoral robotic surgery or frontline radiation therapy with cisplatin, every patient should have a pre-treatment assessment by a speech and swallowing expert. They're called different names across the country: speech language pathologists, speech pathologists, etc. But having a really good functional assessment of the patient's ability to swallow before treatment selection is really critical. And why that's important with frontline surgery is that there's a period of about one or two weeks after which that patient really needs intensive rehabilitation. And so for every patient being considered by TORS, we want to work really hand in hand with that speech pathologist to do pre-habilitation and then immediate post-operative rehab and then long longitudinal rehabilitation so that if radiation is needed down the road in a month, that patient just hopefully sails through this de-escalated treatment that we're offering. Brittany Harvey: Great. I appreciate you describing which patients can be considered for transoral robotic surgery. So beyond that, which patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma aren't really good candidates for TORS? Dr. Chris Holsinger: We talked about that sort of ideal patient, but you know, we're not always living in an ideal world. And so I think it's important, and I'm really happy about the multidisciplinary discussions that led to these final guidelines because I think it helped engage radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and surgeons around who's maybe not a good candidate for this because radiation therapy, with or without cisplatin chemotherapy, remains a good option for many of these patients. But I think the consensus, especially among the surgeons in this group, were that patients with tumors were more endophytic - that's the old fashioned oncology and surgical oncology term that refers to tumors that seem to not be as evident on the surface and have more of an infiltrative deep growth pattern - these are not ideal tumors. Whereas an exophytic tumor that's growing upwards, that's more readily seen on flexible endoscopy during a routine clinic assessment, or frankly, better seen on imaging, those exophytic tumors are better suited to a surgical approach because the surgeon has a better chance when he or she sees the tumor to get a good margin. When we can appreciate not just the surface mucosal margins that need to be taken, but also have a better chance to appreciate their depth. And with those infiltrative tumors, it's much harder to really understand how to get that deep margin, which in many cases is always the hardest. And so that's a long way to say that surgical decision making, patient selection is really critical when it comes to offering TORS as a multidisciplinary group. And then there are a few other things that we can quickly talk about before we move on to discussing adjuvant therapy. But I think there are some relative contraindications to patients who might have tumors arising in a palatine tonsil or tonsillar pillar, but which might grow significantly into the soft palate, such that a major palatal resection would be needed to get a good margin. For T1 and T2 tumors, we're not sure that that is an ideal candidate. And the other relative contraindication, but it's a hard and fast contraindication in my personal practice, is patients with extensive nodal disease. I think a patient who has preoperative extranodal extension, matted nodes, clinically and on MRI, you know pre-op they're going to need intensive post operative concurrent chemoradiation post-op that's maybe not the best patient for TORS, although there are some select cases where that that might make sense. But that's a quick overview of patient selection for TORS, Brittany. Hopefully, that's helpful. Brittany Harvey: That's definitely helpful. I think it's really important to consider not only who is eligible, but who isn't eligible for this de-escalation of treatment, and I appreciate you clarifying some of that. So then you've just also mentioned adjuvant therapy along with multidisciplinary discussion. So what is recommended regarding adjuvant therapy for patients who have resected HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma? Dr. Chris Holsinger: Definitely. And I think the post-operative discussion has to begin with great pre-op planning. And pre-op planning is really anchored in a really robust multidisciplinary team. So, we spoke earlier about the critical importance of getting speech language pathology involved initially, but they're part of a much larger team that includes not just a surgeon, but medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist and a dental oncologist - all of these specialties, and I could think of several others if we had time to chat further - this should also be really engaged in the care of these patients. But great decision making regarding adjuvant therapy really begins with a robust multidisciplinary consultation pre-op and we try to emphasize that in the guidelines. But just to return and answer your question very directly, I think adjuvant therapy is really the critical piece in getting that great functional outcome for a patient with HPV-mediated throat cancer. And I think traditionally patients who have a variety of different risks, based on a large study done again by the ECOG group, ECOG 3311, we showed that by stratifying patients based on their surgical pathology rather than on an estimate of disease extent, we can better stratify adjuvant therapy. And so the low risk patient is a patient with good margins and of course, good margin, we could spend another two hours discussing that. But good margins are greater than at least 1 to 3 millimeters superficially and a clear deep margin. Patients with lymph node metastases that are less than 3 cm and a single lymph node can sometimes be observed but most patients don't fall into that low risk category. Most patients fall into an intermediate risk where the margin is good and it's clear, but it might be close. That depends if you're talking about the superficial mucosal margin or the deep. But more often than not, we spend a lot of time considering the extent of lymph node involvement as it pertains to how adjuvant therapy is delivered. And I think for patients with less than 4 lymph nodes traditionally without extranodal extension, radiation therapy will suffice for adjuvant therapy after TORS. And the question of dose then comes up. Are we talking 50 Gray, the experimental arm that showed real promise in the ECOG 3311 trial, or 60 Gray or more traditional dose? And that is a topic definitely for another podcast, which we should do with a radiation oncologist online. I don't want to get into the weeds with that, but I refer you to our guidelines and Bob Ferris and Barbara Burtness' paper from JCO in 2021 for further details about that. But then for patients with positive margins with more than four lymph nodes, but especially patients with extranodal extension, the role of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is really absolutely critical. Because these patients and while they only accounted for around 20% to 30% of patients that we're seeing in this new era of TORS, they're the ones that we're really focusing on how can we do better because their overall survival is still good, it's 90%, but it's not as good as the patients we're seeing with a low and intermediate risk. So that's a brief overview there. Brittany Harvey: I appreciate that overview. And yes, we'll refer listeners to the full guideline, which is linked in the show notes of this episode to learn more about the intricacies of the radiation therapy that you mentioned. So then we've talked a lot about patients with HPV-positive disease, but what is the role of TORS in patients with HPV-negative disease? Dr. Chris Holsinger: I think TORS still has a role for these patients. Our colleague in India, Surender Dabas, has a really nice series that shows that for HPV-negative patients, this is a way for early stage cancers to potentially escalate the intensity of treatment for a disease that does worse than this new HPV-positive we're seeing in the US. So I think there's a good signal there. I think more study needs to be done and I think those studies, in fact, are underway in India and other countries. I hope that we can, as an oncology community here in the United States, also tackle this disease, which is still a significant part of the disease we face in head and neck oncology. Brittany Harvey: Yes, we'll look forward to more data coming out for HPV-negative disease. So then, the last clinical question that the guideline panel addressed: What is the role of TORS in the salvage or recurrent setting? Dr. Chris Holsinger: So we wrap up the guidelines tackling this topic. It's definitely something for the experienced TORS surgeon in consultation with that multidisciplinary team. Oftentimes, we are still seeing many patients who need salvage surgery and I think, while TORS alone could be a really effective treatment option, TORS with a microvascular reconstruction is oftentimes what is needed for these patients who, with recurrence, do often present with an RT 2, 3, 4 tumor. In my own practice, I found that using TORS as a way to minimize the superficial mucosal extent and then delivering that tumor through a traditional lateral pharyngotomy, then neck dissection and then having a microvascular flap inset done after that really provides the best possible chance for good long term function and of course control of the tumor. Here, I definitely refer the listener to some great work done out of the Royal Marsden with Vin Paleri, who we're happy to have on our TORS guideline panel for his RECUT study that really grapples in some detail with these very issues. Brittany Harvey: Excellent. And so we've covered a lot of the recommendations here that were made by the panel and you've touched a little bit about how this changes things for clinicians in practice. But what should clinicians know as they implement these new recommendations? Dr. Chris Holsinger: One thing as we close, I hope that in the future we can really start to grapple with this concept of patient selection. I think these guidelines help establish that TORS is a great oncologic option with - really the only option for treatment de-escalation in the here and now. Radiation therapy and cisplatin concurrent chemotherapy is going to be an option that is such an important choice for patients. And I think where I hope the field goes in the future is figuring out which patient wants one of these options. And I think certain patients really want that tumor taken out and others just the idea of surgery is not something that makes sense for them. How we in the context of a multidisciplinary team, really engage that patient, elicit their treatment preferences and then through considering treatment eligibility criteria that we've spelled out here for surgery and can be spelled out for chemo RT, bringing all that together in a formal shared decision making process is really where I hope the field will be going in the next few years. And hopefully these guidelines help to pave the way there. Brittany Harvey: Definitely the aspect of care by a multidisciplinary team and talking with patients to go through shared decision making is key to implementing these guidelines. So then, in that same vein, what do these recommendations mean for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma? Dr. Chris Holsinger: I think the central take home message for patients should be that especially if you have a T1 and T2 tumor, it's really important to have that consultation with a surgeon who knows how to do TORS and has a busy practice, but then also having an honest discussion up front about what the functional outcomes would be both with surgery and also chemo RT. And I think just knowing all those different options, that multidisciplinary treatment selection process is going to be that much more robust. And I think more right decisions will get made and we'll see less decisional regret down the road, which I think is a long term goal of our field. Brittany Harvey: Absolutely. That discussion of preferences is key. So then to wrap us up, you touched on this a little bit earlier in talking about ongoing research and data, particularly in the field of HPV-negative disease, but what are the outstanding questions regarding TORS in this patient population? Dr. Chris Holsinger: Yeah, I think that in addition to this work around shared decision making, I really hope that we'll embrace shared decision making in the context of future clinical trial. I think where we are now is you have surgeons saying, “Hey, TORS and 50 gray is a great option. Why aren't we doing that?” And then our colleagues, perhaps across the aisle, if I can use a political metaphor, are saying, “Well, where's the comparative data? Can we even do a randomized clinical trial between surgery and radiation?” Well, Christian Simon in Lausanne in Switzerland is trying to do this in a small pilot study being led by the EORTC, and I would encourage American investigators to consider something analogous. But I think how we solve this question of I think treatment choice is going to be pivotal for any such trial to ever be done. And then finally, I think, how will the changing treatment landscape around immunotherapy change this? There's some really provocative data that dates back to 1996 in a JCO paper from Ollivier Laccourreye and the University of Paris experience that showed induction chemotherapy followed by function preserving surgery in the larynx was a really powerful strategy for organ preservation, and that has never been followed up in the United States. And so especially with the upcoming presentation of KEYNOTE-689, will we be doing neoadjuvant approaches for patients and then following them by minimally invasive surgery or lower dose radiation? I think these are going to be some exciting new areas of study and I can't wait to see how this might evolve so we can refine the treatment - still get those great outcomes, but reduce those late toxicity. Brittany Harvey: Yes. We'll look forward to this ongoing research to continue to move the field forward. So, Dr. Holsinger, I want to thank you so much for your time to develop this important guideline. It's been great to have you on the podcast to discuss it today. Dr. Chris Holsinger: Well, thanks a lot Brittany. It's nice to finally meet you. Brittany Harvey: Likewise. And thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in to the ASCO Guidelines podcast. To read the full guideline, go to www.asco.org/head-neck-cancer-guidelines. You can also find many of our guidelines and interactive resources in the free ASCO Guidelines app, which is available in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. If you have enjoyed what you've heard today, please rate and review the podcast and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement.
In this new episode titled "Is Slow Business More Humane," we discover the world of slow business with Andy Mort, a Slow Business Coach, songwriter, and sound artist. This conversation challenges the prevalent "faster, more efficient" mentality in today's business world, offering a refreshing perspective on how entrepreneurs can incorporate spaciousness and human connection into their work. It's the first of a series ‘Sarah & Friends discussing Business Like We're Human topics' So in this first episode of the series of ‘Sarah & Friends discussing Business Like We're Human topics' we discussed: How Andy became a Slow Business Coach The relationship between inner peace, slowness, and its impact on clients and the community. The connection between spaciousness, innovation, and creativity in business. The contrast between the slow approach and the prevalent "faster, more efficient" mentality in business. The importance of human connection in business interactions, especially in the context of sales and client relationships. Practical first steps for entrepreneurs to incorporate more spaciousness in their life and business. and so much more -- Is Slow Business More Humane? 1 00:00:01.830 --> 00:00:07.590 Sarah Santacroce: Andy. It's so good to see you again and have you on the humane marketing podcast welcome back. 2 00:00:07.590 --> 00:00:12.940 Andy Mort: Thank you so much. It is lovely to be with you again, Sarah. I love talking to you so. 3 00:00:12.940 --> 00:00:13.320 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah. 4 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:14.399 Andy Mort: About this? Yeah. 5 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:24.780 Sarah Santacroce: We always have great and deep conversations, and so I couldn't think of a better person than you to talk about this concept of 6 00:00:24.930 --> 00:00:33.970 Sarah Santacroce: slowing things down, and the question whether a slow business is a humane business and what all of that involves. So 7 00:00:34.290 --> 00:00:52.720 Sarah Santacroce: it's good to have you here. Why don't you explain a little bit how you got into this concept of being a slow business coach? It's been a few years now. And yeah, how has this evolved for you? And how does it 8 00:00:52.930 --> 00:00:59.850 Sarah Santacroce: feel in in your business? And how do people react to it? So explain it a little bit. 9 00:00:59.850 --> 00:01:03.999 Andy Mort: Yeah, yeah, sure. I mean, it's something that I didn't 10 00:01:04.129 --> 00:01:10.419 Andy Mort: necessarily set out to to do or to be. It's just something that has evolved really 11 00:01:11.190 --> 00:01:14.769 Andy Mort: over time of like working with people. And I've always worked with 12 00:01:15.230 --> 00:01:20.740 Andy Mort: introverted and highly sensitive people. So those who. 13 00:01:21.570 --> 00:01:28.660 Andy Mort: I guess, find the the pace of modern life, maybe a bit overstimulating at times. 14 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:33.769 Andy Mort: And so there's been like this necessity of of slowness 15 00:01:34.390 --> 00:01:38.709 Andy Mort: for the sake of people's nervous systems. And you know, just being able to 16 00:01:39.370 --> 00:01:43.999 Andy Mort: focus and get clear on. You know what's important and what isn't, and all of that kind of thing. 17 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:50.250 Andy Mort: But also there's been this, I guess increasing awareness in me that this is really 18 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:53.650 Andy Mort: bad for all of us, and this whole mentality of. 19 00:01:53.800 --> 00:02:00.690 Andy Mort: you know, move fast and break things which has come from this sort of tech world and 20 00:02:01.290 --> 00:02:08.120 Andy Mort: has a is an appropriate tool in many situations in that world. But it, it seems to have 21 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:16.460 Andy Mort: kind of permeated everything. And so there's this very reactive energy that I just feel in the world 22 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:25.229 Andy Mort: around me. And that kind of comes into me. And it's in people. And this needs to be productive. And all of these words that you know you 23 00:02:25.490 --> 00:02:31.149 Andy Mort: obviously use a lot. And you're sort of rebelling against in many ways in what you do. 24 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:40.479 Andy Mort: yeah. And so I guess what I do is is help people identify, you know. Where is that energy 25 00:02:40.580 --> 00:02:45.230 Andy Mort: taking me away from what I want to be doing and who I am, and 26 00:02:45.550 --> 00:02:52.050 Andy Mort: the impact that I might want to have with my work or in my family in my relationship. 27 00:02:52.310 --> 00:02:59.669 Andy Mort: whatever it might be. And then to yeah, put into practice ways of 28 00:03:02.330 --> 00:03:06.270 Andy Mort: yeah, slowing, slowing down and making space 29 00:03:06.660 --> 00:03:08.639 Andy Mort: for the important things, and to 30 00:03:08.930 --> 00:03:20.069 Andy Mort: make space to do the things that matter more slowly as well. And this, yeah, this twist on the old productivity thing of like do more in less time. I think I love the idea of 31 00:03:21.230 --> 00:03:26.469 Andy Mort: doing doing less more slowly, because it allows you to go 32 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:28.559 Andy Mort: deep. And it allows you to. 33 00:03:28.970 --> 00:03:30.519 Andy Mort: Yeah, get into the 34 00:03:30.870 --> 00:03:35.650 Andy Mort: the depths of it and the richness of it, and to do what what you feel 35 00:03:35.880 --> 00:03:38.300 Andy Mort: is important and that kind of thing. So. 36 00:03:38.690 --> 00:03:45.220 Andy Mort: Yes. So I have a community that yeah, my haven community is the real hub of of what I do. 37 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:48.900 Andy Mort: So yeah, kind of coaching and group. 38 00:03:49.440 --> 00:03:55.899 Andy Mort: I'd say workshops. It's not really workshops. It's more sort of spaces to gather and to explore together. 39 00:03:56.230 --> 00:04:00.200 Andy Mort: And yeah, everything kind of flows out from there. 40 00:04:01.200 --> 00:04:25.200 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, that's so good to hear, because it it means already that you're not just. You know, the crazy one who came up with this term, and people are like, what is he smoking? It really shows. No, there's people who resonate with that. And and you know they want to be in community with others that want to look at business more slowly. And 41 00:04:25.290 --> 00:04:31.209 Sarah Santacroce: I love what you said. It's it's not just slowing things down, but doing less 42 00:04:31.410 --> 00:04:49.130 Sarah Santacroce: and doing those things even more slowly. So it's really the doing. Less part, I guess, has to do with creating the spaciousness for other things as well. And that's kind of what I talk about in the business. Like we're human book. It's it's not just this. 43 00:04:49.960 --> 00:05:05.079 Sarah Santacroce: you know, creating spaciousness to then like back in the days, you know, the 4 h work week kind of approach where? Where? You then, just, you know, spend your money by sitting on a beach somewhere in the Philippines. 44 00:05:05.080 --> 00:05:23.559 Sarah Santacroce: It really is creating spaciousness to be more human, to have the time to reconnect with humans or with nature, or to become an activist, or, you know, like spaciousness outside of your business, so that 45 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:28.559 Sarah Santacroce: you can do the things a human wants to do and and find that 46 00:05:28.710 --> 00:05:39.420 Sarah Santacroce: I think almost like if we don't create that spaciousness, we don't remember what as humans, we could also do instead of just working. 47 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:39.960 Andy Mort: Yeah. 48 00:05:39.960 --> 00:05:41.469 Sarah Santacroce: What does that bring up for you. 49 00:05:41.470 --> 00:05:44.960 Andy Mort: I mean, and I and I think what you 50 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:59.559 Andy Mort: emphasize and do so well as well is is integrating that spaciousness and slowness into the into the model of how you do business. And I think that feels like you think about the 4 h work week. There's almost this separation. 51 00:06:00.675 --> 00:06:03.560 Andy Mort: Between the work you 52 00:06:03.810 --> 00:06:08.989 Andy Mort: like. Plough everything into this part of your life, so that then you can do this over here. 53 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:09.970 Sarah Santacroce: Right. 54 00:06:09.970 --> 00:06:10.770 Andy Mort: And 55 00:06:10.910 --> 00:06:16.900 Andy Mort: while I think you know you, you obviously want space around work and not to be working all the time. 56 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:22.559 Andy Mort: Actually, there's something that you can bring into the work that you do do, and the business that you're building 57 00:06:22.810 --> 00:06:32.619 Andy Mort: that puts that spaciousness and the the approach of slowness and marketing like you're human into that thing itself as well. So that 58 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:38.139 Andy Mort: there's a yeah, you're bringing the whole of you to the whole of what you do. 59 00:06:38.340 --> 00:06:41.300 Andy Mort: And so, yeah, that kind of when you were just saying that 60 00:06:42.010 --> 00:06:48.180 Andy Mort: kind of brought that up for me and and them the modelling of a different way of 61 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:52.750 Andy Mort: doing the business itself, and thinking about business, and thinking about what 62 00:06:53.460 --> 00:07:10.019 Andy Mort: what your business is enabling, both in terms of what you're maybe producing, or the service that you're offering, but also in the lives and the model that you're setting, and the example that you're setting to those who do business with you, and how that can become a contagious thing that 63 00:07:10.410 --> 00:07:14.340 Andy Mort: that spreads. And yeah, that sense of 64 00:07:15.110 --> 00:07:22.939 Andy Mort: of slowness or spaciousness or stillness that people might take away from an encounter with you. 65 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:23.920 Sarah Santacroce: Hmm. 66 00:07:24.050 --> 00:07:39.149 Andy Mort: Then goes out into the world. And I think, as I was saying before, there's like that other energy that I feel very strongly at the moment where that sort of hustle grind culture like, and the 4 h work week, you know, do things. Really, it doesn't matter what you do, but just make money so that you can 67 00:07:39.330 --> 00:07:42.190 Andy Mort: then go off and do your own thing, or whatever 68 00:07:42.450 --> 00:07:46.950 Andy Mort: like that. That's a very palpable stress energy that 69 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:52.700 Andy Mort: I think also is contagious, and spreads and leaves us feeling a bit. 70 00:07:54.260 --> 00:07:56.789 Andy Mort: I don't know. Pulled in all sorts of different directions. 71 00:07:57.070 --> 00:08:00.589 Andy Mort: overwhelmed, burning out all of those things. 72 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:02.000 Andy Mort: Yeah. 73 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:08.270 Sarah Santacroce: I think it's kind of part of the old business model where we are working ourselves. 74 00:08:09.150 --> 00:08:26.500 Sarah Santacroce: you know, to exhaustion, and we were working so hard, and we. And then we hear this idea of working less. And so we squeeze even more into maybe less time. And then, obviously, we're so exhausted that we then need 75 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:44.709 Sarah Santacroce: that rest. But that's not what to me a business like we're human. Looks like it is like you said so. Well, building the slowness and the spaciousness into the business, so that I don't feel exhausted. And then. 76 00:08:44.890 --> 00:09:12.099 Sarah Santacroce: you know, just need to lie on the beach. I still want to be able to have the energy to use my time, that I created the space that I created for for other things, whether it be yes, to, you know, refill my own battery by being in nature, but also by giving back. I think that to me is an important part. Is 77 00:09:13.790 --> 00:09:21.190 Sarah Santacroce: we talked just before we started to recording. And and I said, like business as usual is. 78 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:43.919 Sarah Santacroce: I'm so tired of that concept because it really is the time where business should not be as usual anymore. And we do have, you know, kind of this responsibility also as entrepreneurs to yeah, to find solutions to come up with creative ideas on how we can. 79 00:09:44.270 --> 00:09:53.710 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, make this world a better place for lack of better words. But that that's really what this is about. So I think. 80 00:09:53.900 --> 00:10:02.840 Sarah Santacroce: would you agree that the innovation and the creativity also needs that space? 81 00:10:02.990 --> 00:10:06.830 Sarah Santacroce: What have you seen with your community? What. 82 00:10:06.830 --> 00:10:12.990 Andy Mort: Yeah, absolutely. And I love making space for collaborative 83 00:10:13.250 --> 00:10:16.150 Andy Mort: innovation and creativity as well. And 84 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:19.870 Andy Mort: seeing what emerges. So one of the things that we do is 85 00:10:20.030 --> 00:10:25.829 Andy Mort: what I call a phrase maze where we just take we have a monthly theme. 86 00:10:26.020 --> 00:10:31.399 Andy Mort: So this month we're recording this in February. Our monthly theme is confidence. It's a very, very broad 87 00:10:31.520 --> 00:10:35.270 Andy Mort: theme. And then can I break that down into 88 00:10:35.490 --> 00:10:42.319 Andy Mort: you know what? What are some phrases or idioms, or quotes or ideas associated with confidence that come to mind. 89 00:10:42.770 --> 00:10:49.610 Andy Mort: and then kind of take them, break them down a bit, try and play with them and talk about, you know. 90 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:54.569 Andy Mort: Okay, what does that bring up for you that's going on in your life at the moment. And 91 00:10:55.390 --> 00:10:57.199 Andy Mort: those kinds of things. 92 00:10:57.670 --> 00:11:04.640 Andy Mort: And then how can we maybe play with this creatively? Is there a is there a poem in this? Is there some kind of 93 00:11:05.030 --> 00:11:08.749 Andy Mort: painting, or a song, or whatever that you could just 94 00:11:09.010 --> 00:11:14.230 Andy Mort: have a go with the yeah playing with experimenting with, and 95 00:11:14.770 --> 00:11:21.370 Andy Mort: both in the discussions that we have, and then the sort of follow up creative expression. 96 00:11:21.950 --> 00:11:24.310 Andy Mort: You just see things that you would never be able to 97 00:11:24.610 --> 00:11:31.649 Andy Mort: imagine coming up from the outset. And I love this sort of experimental approach to life in general, but like 98 00:11:31.970 --> 00:11:38.400 Andy Mort: trusting, trusting the hive, trusting the collaborative potential. 99 00:11:38.650 --> 00:11:44.150 Andy Mort: the and when you talk about, you know, solutions to issues and the importance of business 100 00:11:44.350 --> 00:11:52.930 Andy Mort: being involved in looking at the the wider picture of how the world is right now, and thinking, you know, what role do we play in 101 00:11:53.810 --> 00:11:56.750 Andy Mort: changing the direction that we're maybe moving in or 102 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:59.360 Andy Mort: creating a better future, or whatever it is. 103 00:12:00.415 --> 00:12:05.030 Andy Mort: Actually, I think, collaboration working with 104 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:15.319 Andy Mort: one another as partners, whatever that looks like, whether that's a business partnership or just socially doing stuff together 105 00:12:15.670 --> 00:12:20.640 Andy Mort: with a within values and with a vision, or whatever it is 106 00:12:21.170 --> 00:12:27.330 Andy Mort: that's so important. And again that turns business as usual on its head, because. 107 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:35.409 Andy Mort: you know, seeing it won't mention who it is. But like the there's something going on at the moment that I'm looking into that 108 00:12:35.810 --> 00:12:42.010 Andy Mort: is a. It's this extraction that business people have to see 109 00:12:42.400 --> 00:12:53.360 Andy Mort: like the old way is seeing opportunities, being opportunistic and thinking, how can I capitalize on that and turn it back to me and make money from it? 110 00:12:54.118 --> 00:12:56.510 Andy Mort: Rather than how can I 111 00:12:56.870 --> 00:13:03.950 Andy Mort: be part of this movement. How can I, you know, contribute to this? What what does it need from me in order for this thing that I 112 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:09.199 Andy Mort: connect with and believe in? Maybe it's an idea, or like a social movement, or whatever. 113 00:13:09.850 --> 00:13:13.749 Andy Mort: Yeah, what role can I take in that? That 114 00:13:14.050 --> 00:13:18.239 Andy Mort: makes me part of it rather than makes me possess it. 115 00:13:18.590 --> 00:13:25.070 Andy Mort: And I think that it's yeah, really important to start seeing business 116 00:13:25.430 --> 00:13:28.249 Andy Mort: through that eye through those eyes as well. 117 00:13:29.030 --> 00:13:30.040 Andy Mort: Yeah, if that. 118 00:13:30.400 --> 00:13:42.499 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, I'm so glad you brought up collaboration. And and this movement from we me to we that I mentioned in the in the book as well is kind of like. 119 00:13:43.610 --> 00:13:52.150 Sarah Santacroce: it's so aligned with slowing things down, because in order to collaborate, you do need to 120 00:13:52.460 --> 00:14:12.939 Sarah Santacroce: slow things down and actually let relationships develop right? Because the old way. And I'm definitely raising my hand here. The old way was affiliate marketing. That was like the big thing. And it was like, Oh, we are collaborating, but we weren't really collaborating, because we were just trying to 121 00:14:13.090 --> 00:14:29.440 Sarah Santacroce: tap into each other's reach to get more money for each of us, right? And and yeah, that's just that's just not human humane, whatever ethical even be. 122 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:32.100 Sarah Santacroce: So in order to actually. 123 00:14:32.870 --> 00:14:41.870 Sarah Santacroce: yeah, create and nurture these relationships. Well, you need time. You, you know, an email exchange is not going to create 124 00:14:41.870 --> 00:15:05.360 Sarah Santacroce: relationship trust, based relationship. You need to invest the time in it. So that's another thing that is part of the business. But if you don't have the spaciousness to invest there, then it will always be transactional, and you will not actually be able to. 125 00:15:05.370 --> 00:15:06.310 Sarah Santacroce: you know. 126 00:15:06.350 --> 00:15:12.900 Sarah Santacroce: collaborate or create a movement or create the community because you don't have the time. You're always short on time. And you're always 127 00:15:12.950 --> 00:15:18.650 Sarah Santacroce: yeah struggling to create more transactions. Really. 128 00:15:18.900 --> 00:15:23.110 Andy Mort: I think it's such a good point. Yeah, that transactional. 129 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:30.630 Andy Mort: because it is yet that affiliate model or the you work with people to combine 130 00:15:30.750 --> 00:15:34.540 Andy Mort: audiences or whatever it is. But yeah, ultimately, it's a 131 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:37.950 Andy Mort: I'll scratch your back. You scratch my back. And yeah. 132 00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:46.170 Andy Mort: you don't have time, as you say, for like relationships. And you know, anything really 133 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:50.990 Andy Mort: valuable at a human level in life takes time. 134 00:15:51.410 --> 00:15:57.700 Andy Mort: and it takes a lot of that liminal in between space that 135 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:10.340 Andy Mort: is not controlled in the sense of being outcome, oriented or like. We've got to achieve this in the time that we are together. It's like, actually, you think about the most meaningful friendships 136 00:16:10.450 --> 00:16:14.979 Andy Mort: they're full of just time with and just time being. 137 00:16:15.140 --> 00:16:21.219 Andy Mort: And again, like some of these gatherings that we have. 138 00:16:22.470 --> 00:16:27.050 Andy Mort: it's and it takes a huge amount of I guess 139 00:16:27.350 --> 00:16:39.969 Andy Mort: faith in the process, or just allowing almost surrender. Just allowing things. Okay. Whatever is going to come out of this is going to come out of it, and I can't contrive it or control it from the outset. But I can trust that 140 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:41.020 Andy Mort: hike. 141 00:16:41.130 --> 00:16:46.740 Andy Mort: Whatever will be will be here, and where. The more I've experienced doing that. 142 00:16:47.030 --> 00:16:49.540 Andy Mort: the more surprised I've been, and the more 143 00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:52.789 Andy Mort: like interesting things have come out of 144 00:16:53.660 --> 00:16:59.940 Andy Mort: gatherings, or, you know, conversations, or whatever. It is really difficult to 145 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:07.050 Andy Mort: to remember that like you're like, right, need an agenda need a structure. And and it's like. Yes, structure can help with 146 00:17:07.369 --> 00:17:11.249 Andy Mort: keeping things going to a certain degree. But it's like you need to know where 147 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:17.089 Andy Mort: planning becomes over planning, and it actually suffocates what might come out of it. 148 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:23.019 Sarah Santacroce: I talk about this new business intimacy, and that 149 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:44.519 Sarah Santacroce: is that exactly what you're talking about is like, usually in business. We have this way of being, which is very task oriented like, even if we do collaborate. There's, you know, a way to collaborate the old way, which is like, Okay, here's the agenda. Here's what we need to do. It's all about the doing right instead of 150 00:17:44.590 --> 00:17:59.979 Sarah Santacroce: yeah, allowing the time to just be and get to know each other. And and and yeah, that takes courage. I think that's the word came up when you were speaking. I'm like it takes a lot of courage to. 151 00:18:00.390 --> 00:18:08.230 Sarah Santacroce: you know. Bring this new business intimacy where we're all wired to think. Well, business should be this way. 152 00:18:08.430 --> 00:18:30.530 Sarah Santacroce: Business should be transactional. Business should be professional business should be, you know, a certain way. And so all of a sudden, we come along. And we're like, we're, you know, gonna do things slowly and more relationship based. And and it's just like people are like, what what's going on here. But I think. 153 00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:51.979 Sarah Santacroce: I think, yeah, that's to me. That's that's a business like, we're human. That is like, we're actually being humans in our business. And it's also more humane to us, because then our business is just an extension of who we are, and as solopreneurs. Isn't that, isn't that what we want right. 154 00:18:51.980 --> 00:19:00.489 Andy Mort: So, and it speaks to. I always remember something that you said in the workshop that we did a while back, which was 155 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:04.339 Andy Mort: just because it works. It doesn't mean it works for you. 156 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:08.120 Andy Mort: And I think that's something important 157 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:16.709 Andy Mort: when maybe having conversations with people about like, why would you? Why would you set up your business like this? Or why would you approach your business like this? Because actually. 158 00:19:17.050 --> 00:19:22.989 Andy Mort: business as usual, or these old ways still work to some degree. Or there are these things that work 159 00:19:24.010 --> 00:19:32.409 Andy Mort: and actually putting in that bit. But it doesn't work for me. There's something about that that. Yeah, it doesn't fit who I am, or what I believe 160 00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:37.669 Andy Mort: a business should contribute or should be doing in the world. 161 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:41.469 Andy Mort: And so I love that little. It's a 162 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:46.169 Andy Mort: an invitation to gentle rebelliousness. I think I see it as because. 163 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:48.429 Andy Mort: yeah, it allows you to put yourself 164 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:58.259 Andy Mort: and your own beliefs and your values and the things that matter to you at the heart of your business rather than being like. What are these strategies and tactics that everyone else is doing 165 00:19:58.370 --> 00:20:07.829 Andy Mort: that do maybe make a lot of money, or they make bring quick results, or whatever. So. But how do I feel, or how would I feel if I 166 00:20:08.260 --> 00:20:10.630 Andy Mort: achieved that in that way. And it's like. 167 00:20:10.630 --> 00:20:11.450 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah. 168 00:20:11.450 --> 00:20:20.849 Andy Mort: And from past experience I feel a bit icky, and I feel a bit like Oh, that didn't doesn't feel good to have done it like that. 169 00:20:20.990 --> 00:20:26.139 Andy Mort: So what? What would feel good to me? And you know, to me and to lots of people. 170 00:20:26.310 --> 00:20:32.230 Andy Mort: that kind of the slowness, the relational yeah, that spaciousness. Actually. 171 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:36.350 Andy Mort: how can you make a business work with that at the heart of it? Is the question. 172 00:20:37.145 --> 00:20:37.940 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah. 173 00:20:38.530 --> 00:20:59.679 Sarah Santacroce: And to me, like the the 1st 2 books, marketing, like, we're, human and selling, like, we're human were very much about our ideal clients and bringing this, you know, gentleness and humane approach and ethical approach to our ideal clients. And business like we're human, is going to be more about 174 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:24.869 Sarah Santacroce: us being in this business and and, like you said yes, finding out what works for us right, and feeling humane, and not exhausted and overwhelmed in our business so that we can actually do our life's work. And I used the peace sign as kind of part of the journey, because the idea is really to 175 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:44.819 Sarah Santacroce: find your inner peace so that you can then bring change to the outer world. How do you see the relationship between inner peace and and you know, slowness. What have you seen from from your community, from your clients? 176 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:47.880 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, is this part of the journey. 177 00:21:49.350 --> 00:21:51.410 Andy Mort: That's a great question. Yeah, 178 00:21:53.650 --> 00:21:57.279 Andy Mort: yeah. And I guess I like, I'd like to think in. 179 00:21:58.170 --> 00:22:01.800 Andy Mort: I guess spirals and circles rather than 180 00:22:02.280 --> 00:22:07.000 Andy Mort: straight lines, and so that when you talk about the here, the journey. 181 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:13.020 Andy Mort: it's a kind of coming coming back round and like what you know what comes first, st the inner peace or the slowness. 182 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:22.480 Andy Mort: It's all a mix, and it's all kind of yeah. You're experimenting with things that bring you. 183 00:22:23.410 --> 00:22:30.813 Andy Mort: I suppose, bring you to a place of how we're defining inner peace, maybe integrity. 184 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:41.000 Andy Mort: a sense of satisfaction with how, how I am doing things or what I 185 00:22:41.190 --> 00:22:45.370 Andy Mort: have let go, and I think that's a big part of the equation is 186 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:48.299 Andy Mort: being at peace with the things that you 187 00:22:48.450 --> 00:22:56.490 Andy Mort: don't have the capacity or the time or the energy to do, and almost actively letting those things go. 188 00:22:56.790 --> 00:23:01.200 Andy Mort: because obviously slowing down requires, they said 189 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:09.569 Andy Mort: admission, or this acknowledgement that I can't do everything you know, and there are loads and loads of things that I would love to be able to do. It's not just. 190 00:23:10.560 --> 00:23:20.009 Andy Mort: you know, pressures that other people are putting on me that oh, you need to do this. You should do that. It's like, no, there's loads of things in life that I would absolutely love to have a go at. 191 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:26.899 Andy Mort: But I can't. You know I'm a finite human being. And so really, coming to a place of peace 192 00:23:27.260 --> 00:23:39.010 Andy Mort: with that is important. And yeah, I think there's a there's a a point of. 193 00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:44.010 Andy Mort: I guess calmness and satisfaction in 194 00:23:45.890 --> 00:23:50.710 Andy Mort: again the gentle rebelliousness of letting go of things and of saying. 195 00:23:50.830 --> 00:23:53.799 Andy Mort: Do you know what these are? The? These are the things that matter. 196 00:23:54.010 --> 00:23:58.830 Andy Mort: There's just a few sort of real keystone ideas or 197 00:23:59.070 --> 00:24:03.970 Andy Mort: things that are part of my business or part of my life that actually there my 198 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:08.640 Andy Mort: focus right now they're the things I'm committing to, and everything else can 199 00:24:09.110 --> 00:24:11.889 Andy Mort: can fall away. And and that's okay. 200 00:24:13.270 --> 00:24:15.270 Andy Mort: So yeah, I don't know if that answers that question. But. 201 00:24:15.270 --> 00:24:19.299 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, no, it totally doesn't. And 202 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:37.570 Sarah Santacroce: it made me think of the word busy. You know how this is such a common word that we kind of throw around like a batch of honor that is part of the business world. Oh, if I'm busy, that means I'm successful, or that's how it's perceived. 203 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:44.750 Sarah Santacroce: and so kind of making peace, making inner peace with this idea of 204 00:24:45.220 --> 00:25:10.500 Sarah Santacroce: maybe not wanting to be busy or wanting to be. What I start to say now is, I'm busy with life. And so that kind of, you know, can people can decide on their own? Well, what does that mean? Because if you're clearly, if you're saying I'm not busy. Well, people see that as something very bad, and they're like, Oh, no, I'm so sorry. 205 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:10.820 Andy Mort: Yeah. 206 00:25:10.820 --> 00:25:36.229 Sarah Santacroce: Oh, your business is falling apart. You're not busy. So just making peace with this busyness thing and saying, Well, I'm not busy, but I am very focused, and I have very much clarity around the things that I do want to invest my time in. And and so it's, it's yeah. It doesn't give, give you this 207 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:42.560 Sarah Santacroce: overwhelmed energy of that busyness does actually. So yeah. 208 00:25:42.560 --> 00:25:46.399 Andy Mort: Yeah, I love that. Yes, the words that we use are so 209 00:25:46.810 --> 00:25:50.050 Andy Mort: impactful, aren't they like? And yeah, I'm very aware of 210 00:25:50.280 --> 00:25:52.400 Andy Mort: someone says, how? How are things going? 211 00:25:52.710 --> 00:25:54.449 Andy Mort: So I'm busy. 212 00:25:54.450 --> 00:25:54.800 Sarah Santacroce: Okay. 213 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:56.290 Andy Mort: Why have I said that? 214 00:25:56.845 --> 00:25:58.919 Andy Mort: But yeah, and also the 215 00:25:59.950 --> 00:26:06.489 Andy Mort: the yeah, really focusing in on the things that you want to do in the way that you want to do them. So like, recently, I've been 216 00:26:06.890 --> 00:26:12.580 Andy Mort: doing a lot more kind of hands on, I guess, creative. 217 00:26:12.850 --> 00:26:16.059 Andy Mort: So I've been doing a lot of collaging which I want to 218 00:26:16.410 --> 00:26:21.590 Andy Mort: been using. We have like a community Zine, that I put out once a month, and so I've been doing that for that. 219 00:26:21.850 --> 00:26:26.810 Andy Mort: But I also want to do more of that, for, like blog posts. 220 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:29.869 Andy Mort: kind of featured images, and things that 221 00:26:30.410 --> 00:26:38.279 Andy Mort: until now, like constantly thinking like, oh, what? What's the most efficient way to to do that? Or like social media posts like? How can I 222 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:41.030 Andy Mort: do them quicker? And all of that kind of thing. 223 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:47.740 Andy Mort: And obviously, you know, generative AI is A is a big part of that question as well, or the conversation 224 00:26:48.130 --> 00:26:52.359 Andy Mort: there of like, how can you do things more efficiently and 225 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:56.210 Andy Mort: be more productive and get more out there? And all of that stuff? 226 00:26:56.370 --> 00:26:57.489 Andy Mort: And actually. 227 00:26:58.060 --> 00:27:06.829 Andy Mort: yeah, I'm kind of asking. That question of myself is that useful? Does that does doing more and doing it more quickly. 228 00:27:07.950 --> 00:27:13.919 Andy Mort: give me more satisfaction, or like a sense of connection to what it is that I'm doing 229 00:27:15.350 --> 00:27:21.290 Andy Mort: and if not, what do I want to do more? Slowly? Again coming back to that question. Actually, I want to 230 00:27:21.520 --> 00:27:26.419 Andy Mort: put some time, and my humanity into some of these things that 231 00:27:26.630 --> 00:27:30.250 Andy Mort: we're being promised. We can do quicker if we take our humanity out of it. 232 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:36.310 Andy Mort: And I really appreciate, you know, when you can tell that somebody has really put 233 00:27:36.710 --> 00:27:40.360 Andy Mort: themselves into a blog post or 234 00:27:40.560 --> 00:27:46.929 Andy Mort: even a social media post. It's like, Oh, I can see the human there, and I think it's becoming more and more obvious like. 235 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:53.629 Andy Mort: however, you know, AI is getting more advanced. But there's still something of the uncanny about it that 236 00:27:53.860 --> 00:28:01.190 Andy Mort: is often quite evident or identifiable. And so 237 00:28:01.350 --> 00:28:07.709 Andy Mort: I don't know. I just see there's this moment that we're entering now, where there's this 238 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:11.059 Andy Mort: call for more humanness, and there's a 239 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:22.469 Andy Mort: an appetite for it whether we're consciously aware of that appetite or not. We see people. And it's like, Oh, yeah, I want people I want. There's a human there. And 240 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:27.490 Andy Mort: I just find that, yeah, really attractive and compelling. 241 00:28:28.060 --> 00:28:28.780 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah. 242 00:28:28.990 --> 00:28:53.180 Sarah Santacroce: And I'm glad you brought up AI. That was going to be my last question as well like, How does that play into all of this slowness, where everything we see out there is more, quicker and more efficient and got to do more. Right? So yeah, I love how you brought that up. And then also the yeah, the need 243 00:28:53.700 --> 00:29:05.209 Sarah Santacroce: for the human connection. And I think that's what we're both doing in our communities. And I think that's really a big part of business like we're human to bring in. 244 00:29:05.670 --> 00:29:08.580 Sarah Santacroce: not just a humanness in text, because 245 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:23.700 Sarah Santacroce: again, that can be easily replaced by by AI, but the humanness in like real connection, even, you know. Obviously, it's going to be still using technology. So online. 246 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:38.089 Sarah Santacroce: But but also they're slowing things down. We recently started introducing meaningful questions in our meetups. So they're based on 247 00:29:38.090 --> 00:29:58.819 Sarah Santacroce: on a deck of cards by Thomas, whom I've interviewed recently, and they're called who cards. And so we pick 2 cards, and they have meaningful questions on them. And so we just have, you know, basically half an hour conversations. And these questions are not business questions. They're personal questions, right? 248 00:29:58.820 --> 00:30:08.149 Sarah Santacroce: But it allows the community members to yeah, to really get to know one another and to talk about their worldview and 249 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:13.450 Sarah Santacroce: and things like that, that matter in terms of building these 250 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:21.879 Sarah Santacroce: relationships, this new business intimacy. And and yeah, even if I think about 251 00:30:21.910 --> 00:30:51.089 Sarah Santacroce: you know how I used to sell my workshops or programs, and how I'm selling them now like before. It really was a transaction click here, and you know, buy now. And now I'm for the marketing, like we're human program. No, I am always wanting to talk to the person right? It's like this. This business intimacy is like, well, yes, it's a group program. But I want to, you know, get to meet you. And I think 252 00:30:51.090 --> 00:31:04.130 Sarah Santacroce: that kind of approach people will start to look for and see. Am I being heard and seen, or am I just, you know, a number. And people just want the money. 253 00:31:04.477 --> 00:31:05.519 Andy Mort: How have you? 254 00:31:06.090 --> 00:31:10.490 Andy Mort: How have you found that? Because I aware of a 255 00:31:11.310 --> 00:31:16.779 Andy Mort: again a conditioning that we have, you know, when someone wants a conversation, especially in a business context 256 00:31:16.890 --> 00:31:21.280 Andy Mort: like my, I'd go into sort of a they're going to want to 257 00:31:21.450 --> 00:31:24.490 Andy Mort: sell something to me, because I'm so used to 258 00:31:26.130 --> 00:31:45.969 Andy Mort: yeah, it's almost the whole persuasion or influence movement of like, you need to get on the phone and actually talk to someone so that you can force the sale. And so and obviously, that's not. It's the opposite of what you're doing, because it's like I want to connect. And I'm the same. I want to sort of yeah, reach out, have a human connection with people. 259 00:31:45.970 --> 00:31:46.490 Sarah Santacroce: Right. 260 00:31:47.330 --> 00:31:53.219 Andy Mort: And yeah, I wonder, have you experienced people's yeah sort of poised. 261 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:57.266 Sarah Santacroce: Actually inbound. So I'm not, you know, 262 00:31:58.110 --> 00:32:18.000 Sarah Santacroce: proposing this conversation, but it's it's an option on the sales page. So they know that is a conversation they they pretty much already decided. Yes, I want to join, but there's no way that you can just buy now. They have to sign up to talk to me, and then 263 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:46.420 Sarah Santacroce: I don't have to. I'm not selling anything because they've seen the program details. And they basically just want to find out, am IA good fit for this program? Oftentimes they just want to meet me, and, you know, have a conversation. And so that's what we do. We just have a conversation. And then sometimes it's about figuring out, how, how can we set up a humane payment plan? So it's very. 264 00:32:47.270 --> 00:32:54.989 Sarah Santacroce: I think it it really lowers or or it calms people's nervous systems because they know what to expect. 265 00:32:55.210 --> 00:33:17.470 Sarah Santacroce: and so giving them so much information upfront, and then just saying, hey? You want to talk about this. I know this is a great program. I've been running this for many years. Let's talk about it. If this is a good fit. So so that's usually how how it works. I know I see what you mean like by 266 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:41.780 Sarah Santacroce: imposing this conversation. I don't think people would. Yeah, they they would probably be like, no, she wants to sell me something. And unfortunately, yeah, that's the reputation that business has. Right? It's like, Oh, you're gonna pitch me your stuff? So so I think what would work in this case is 267 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:44.779 Sarah Santacroce: is picking a specific topic 268 00:33:45.460 --> 00:34:11.260 Sarah Santacroce: and say, how do you feel about what's happening in the world, or this specific thing like what we just addressed right at the beginning, before we started recording like, that would be a great topic to reach out to someone and say, Hey, what's your take on this? Have you seen this? And then just have a conversation? But then obviously not comments at the end, pitch your program, but just connect. 269 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:15.649 Andy Mort: Yeah, I love that idea. Yeah. And that sort of resonates with the 270 00:34:15.830 --> 00:34:19.349 Andy Mort: the who cards, as you're saying as well. And 271 00:34:19.710 --> 00:34:23.249 Andy Mort: the it's like exploring the prompts that we do where 272 00:34:24.090 --> 00:34:29.359 Andy Mort: actually they might feel irrelevant to business, or they might feel like 273 00:34:29.790 --> 00:34:43.749 Andy Mort: what a waste of time you're talking about something that's irrelevant to this thing that really matters. And it's like, actually, that thing will come up if it needs to come up. And these are like, you know, train tracks along which the conversation 274 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:46.840 Andy Mort: goes, and you'll see the things that are 275 00:34:47.100 --> 00:34:50.729 Andy Mort: in that environment around people as they start to talk. And then 276 00:34:51.030 --> 00:34:56.920 Andy Mort: you, you might explore that, and it might give rise to something completely unexpected. 277 00:34:57.100 --> 00:34:57.720 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah. 278 00:34:57.720 --> 00:35:00.470 Andy Mort: Saying earlier. So yeah, I really love that. 279 00:35:00.470 --> 00:35:25.059 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, one more thing I just thought of that I started doing is like, when I have an open workshop where I invite people outside of the community. I don't offer the recording for this workshop only to members, and so I do get some pushback every now and then for that, because people are just not used to it. 280 00:35:25.060 --> 00:35:33.340 Sarah Santacroce: You know they feel like, well, everybody else is offering a recording. Why aren't you? And and my answer is that I really. 281 00:35:33.670 --> 00:35:48.259 Sarah Santacroce: this is not just content. This is not just information. It really is part like, what I'm trying to show is the business like, we're human. So you're coming in as a human, and you participate. And 282 00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:56.710 Sarah Santacroce: and you know you get into breakout rooms and have conversations with peers about this topic. And and so. 283 00:35:57.110 --> 00:36:11.159 Sarah Santacroce: being in the in presence on Zoom is actually really important. I understand that in terms of you know, everybody's lives and time zones. Sometimes it doesn't work. 284 00:36:12.020 --> 00:36:19.060 Sarah Santacroce: But then you're really not like, just by getting the information you're not getting the actual message. 285 00:36:19.060 --> 00:36:19.410 Andy Mort: Yeah. 286 00:36:19.410 --> 00:36:21.960 Sarah Santacroce: Of that event or work. 287 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:32.589 Andy Mort: More to it, isn't there? Yes, which is, you can't put into words the difference. It's like so like with the Zine that I mentioned earlier, which is called coming to our senses. 288 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:35.419 Andy Mort: I've been doing. There's like a Pdf 289 00:36:36.210 --> 00:36:38.430 Andy Mort: visual version that I put out each month. 290 00:36:38.620 --> 00:36:45.450 Andy Mort: But I've also done audio and video versions. So I, you know, compose some music and then narrate what's. 291 00:36:45.990 --> 00:36:46.340 Sarah Santacroce: Content. 292 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:58.500 Andy Mort: From the Zine over the top, and it's usually about 40 min long. And so we have a session on Zoom together. At the end of the month where I just play that video. And we just sit together and watch it. 293 00:36:59.010 --> 00:37:01.979 Andy Mort: And yeah, people have mentioned, like 294 00:37:02.490 --> 00:37:07.150 Andy Mort: having watched previous ones just on the sort of Youtube video 295 00:37:07.350 --> 00:37:12.729 Andy Mort: and then coming to their 1st live session with it, like the difference 296 00:37:13.190 --> 00:37:21.460 Andy Mort: it makes being there with others watching it live, and whether it's sort of the fact, you're not being distracted by a million one other things. 297 00:37:22.410 --> 00:37:23.550 Andy Mort: Or it's 298 00:37:23.720 --> 00:37:28.369 Andy Mort: you're aware that you're in presence. The presence of other like. There are people all around the world 299 00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:31.290 Andy Mort: there, at that same time doing the same thing as you. 300 00:37:31.650 --> 00:37:38.130 Andy Mort: and or something else like. It's really difficult to PIN down exactly what it is, but 301 00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:45.970 Andy Mort: the meaning of it, and the way that it lands in people is so much more than if they're just watching a video on their own. 302 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:50.340 Andy Mort: she is speaks to, speaks to what you're saying there as well. Yeah. 303 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:57.259 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, yeah, good. I guess one of the 304 00:37:57.690 --> 00:38:01.820 Sarah Santacroce: final questions would be like, How how 305 00:38:03.070 --> 00:38:14.619 Sarah Santacroce: entrepreneurs who are listening to this. And they're like, yeah, I could definitely use some more spaciousness in in my life and business. What would be like a 1st step that you would 306 00:38:14.990 --> 00:38:22.670 Sarah Santacroce: tell them to something to look at in their business, or something to do or not do. Probably. 307 00:38:23.690 --> 00:38:26.309 Andy Mort: Yeah, 1st step. 308 00:38:28.750 --> 00:38:30.719 Andy Mort: I think. And he I mean, he's 309 00:38:30.870 --> 00:38:40.020 Andy Mort: say all the time, but sort of just allowing yourself to to notice what matters to you in what you do and what 310 00:38:41.070 --> 00:38:48.920 Andy Mort: brings you satisfaction? And I've been exploring this this word satisfaction with a coaching client over the past 311 00:38:49.830 --> 00:38:55.760 Andy Mort: sort of 6 months or so and different sources of satisfaction. 312 00:38:57.120 --> 00:39:00.140 Andy Mort: And yeah, really reflecting on. 313 00:39:00.660 --> 00:39:11.800 Andy Mort: you know what's the most satisfying thing to you about the way that you approach your business. What's the most satisfying thing to you to hear from a client? What's what is satisfying. 314 00:39:11.970 --> 00:39:14.509 Andy Mort: you know, at the end of a day like 315 00:39:14.850 --> 00:39:19.360 Andy Mort: what has happened in a satisfying day, or whatever it is like. Just 316 00:39:19.550 --> 00:39:22.450 Andy Mort: yeah. Thinking about those different levels of satisfaction. 317 00:39:22.620 --> 00:39:26.439 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah, and then, yeah, building a picture around that 318 00:39:27.100 --> 00:39:31.220 Sarah Santacroce: and then doing Murray condo on all the other things that. 319 00:39:31.220 --> 00:39:31.870 Andy Mort: Yeah. 320 00:39:31.870 --> 00:39:34.530 Sarah Santacroce: Doing, and are not satisfying right. 321 00:39:34.530 --> 00:39:39.659 Andy Mort: Yeah. And maybe yeah, because it's like the question of boundaries. It's 322 00:39:40.100 --> 00:39:47.409 Andy Mort: are you moving towards? If you move towards the things that are satisfying. Will the other things just fall away? Or 323 00:39:47.710 --> 00:39:49.440 Andy Mort: do you need to actively 324 00:39:49.830 --> 00:40:03.939 Andy Mort: extract certain things? It's most likely a mixture of both. But I think, yeah, for me. The first, st the starting point is moving towards the things that you know that matter most, and doing 325 00:40:04.260 --> 00:40:07.050 Andy Mort: things in the way that I want to do them. 326 00:40:07.210 --> 00:40:13.620 Andy Mort: And then, actually, those other things might naturally just, I'm no longer doing that interesting. 327 00:40:13.620 --> 00:40:16.184 Andy Mort: Okay, I don't need to bring it back. 328 00:40:17.295 --> 00:40:17.830 Andy Mort: Yeah. 329 00:40:18.270 --> 00:40:18.990 Sarah Santacroce: Great. 330 00:40:19.120 --> 00:40:30.080 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah. And then I mean, you're such a creative. You create your compose your own music and talking about collages and all of that so bringing more 331 00:40:30.300 --> 00:40:44.490 Sarah Santacroce: creativity, like just giving yourself permission to be more creative in your business. I think that comes with the that permission of letting go of the shoulds, you know, like we are 332 00:40:44.600 --> 00:40:52.580 Sarah Santacroce: like copying so much of what other people are telling us to do. But if you 333 00:40:52.720 --> 00:41:07.109 Sarah Santacroce: realize oh, but that is not actually satisfying than just going into this permission of well, what if I do it differently and more creatively? How would that? Yeah, give me more satisfaction? Right? 334 00:41:07.110 --> 00:41:10.030 Andy Mort: Definitely, yeah, and your creative voice. 335 00:41:10.470 --> 00:41:13.810 Andy Mort: Just allowing that to to bubble up and be part of 336 00:41:14.170 --> 00:41:21.410 Andy Mort: the way you express yourself through your business and humor as well. I think humor is a big part of that like. 337 00:41:21.410 --> 00:41:21.730 Sarah Santacroce: M. 338 00:41:21.730 --> 00:41:25.219 Andy Mort: Doing things that make you laugh, doing things that yeah, you. 339 00:41:25.220 --> 00:41:26.600 Sarah Santacroce: Yeah playfulness. 340 00:41:26.600 --> 00:41:29.489 Andy Mort: Play you playful? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. 341 00:41:29.710 --> 00:41:32.310 Andy Mort: Yeah. Because people connect to that absolutely. 342 00:41:33.880 --> 00:41:34.590 Sarah Santacroce: Lovely. 343 00:41:34.730 --> 00:41:41.629 Sarah Santacroce: so good to talk to you, Andy, please do share about your community, and where else people can find you. 344 00:41:41.890 --> 00:41:47.580 Andy Mort: Yeah, I mean, the best place is is the haven. So the hyphen haven.co 345 00:41:47.710 --> 00:41:51.049 Andy Mort: everything. I've kind of brought everything that I do 346 00:41:51.420 --> 00:41:54.340 Andy Mort: with this in respect to what I've been talking about today 347 00:41:54.460 --> 00:41:57.620 Andy Mort: under that banner. Now. So you, there's yeah a bunch of 348 00:41:57.930 --> 00:42:02.450 Andy Mort: free stuff there, you can join the community, join us for some live events and things and 349 00:42:03.290 --> 00:42:05.915 Andy Mort: get the podcast through there. 350 00:42:06.620 --> 00:42:17.459 Andy Mort: yeah, just head there. Thank you, Sarah, this is yeah, it's been such a delight to talk to you. And I love talking about these things in this way. So thank you for this 351 00:42:17.690 --> 00:42:19.419 Andy Mort: invitation. It's been lovely. 352 00:42:19.890 --> 00:42:33.060 Sarah Santacroce: Thank you. Yeah, thanks for the listeners who slowed down with us and are still listening. So thanks again, Andy, and we'll stay in touch and speak soon. 353 00:42:33.520 --> 00:42:35.070 Andy Mort: Thank you. Absolutely.
Oftentimes we can say to ourselves that we trust God when in fact we have trust issues. In this podcast you will learn what the trust issue is really about. Do I trust God with the process, with what He allows? Trust issues with God is really about me, myself, and I. Join me as we learn how to trust God in the hard stuff
Some conversations go as planned, and some go as needed. This one went as needed.On today's episode, we go deep with Executive Coach, Serial Entrepreneur, Sales Extraordinaire, and incredible human,Ian KoniakYes, Ian has achieved massive success in sales for over two decades.Yes, he was the #1 rep at Salesforce earning $750k+ per year on his W2.Yes, he then started his own coaching business, earning $1.5M in Year 1, $2.5M in Year 2, and blowing the roof off the business.But what Ian has also done - is transform his life inside out, and in this episode we explore how you can too.Ian is all those incredible things I mentioned above, and more importantly, he's a phenomenal husband, father, and faith-driven individual on a mission to help individuals live a joyous and fulfilling life in alignment with who they want to become.He's done the hard work, the
Throughout Scripture, we see people praying to God. Why do people pray? Oftentimes it's because of a need; sometimes it's a “last resort”. However, God wants us to talk with Him – that's what prayer really is – even though we are not telling Him things He doesn't already know. So what do our prayers accomplish? Listen as Pastor Kyle explains.
A lot of factors go into a decision of which job to take after leaving the military. Oftentimes, it may leaving a place that you like. That is the situation that confronted Dan Maurer. At least until it did not.
In this episode, Sr. Alicia Torres, Tanner Kalina, and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone (Archdiocese of San Francisco) discuss the Little Way of St. Thérèse.Oftentimes, we fall into the temptation of thinking that in order to live a life on mission we have to do something extraordinary. St. Thérèse is the official patroness of the missions, and she never left the confines of her convent. What wisdom from the Church! Her prayer and sacrifice allowed her to reach more souls than even the busiest and most traveled missionary.Mother Teresa (who appropriately took the name of St. Thérèse when she became a religious sister) taught us to “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.” This is the heart of a Eucharistic Missionary. If you enjoyed this conversation, please spend a minute and leave us a review and/or copy the link of this episode and share it with a friend!If you would like to watch today's conversation, please check out https://youtu.be/xE_uou1Erp0If you would like to check out SOLT Family Mission Experience, please check out: https://www.soltfme.org/You can also check out our new Lenten Devotional here (just in time for Lent!): https://store.eucharisticrevival.org/products/revival-a-lenten-devotional-for-eucharistic-renewalYou can find resources for the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival by visiting: www.eucharisticrevival.orgAnd, finally, a must-read for any Catholic is St. Thérèse's "Story of a Soul" which you can find here: https://www.icspublications.org/products/story-of-a-soul-the-autobiography-of-st-therese-of-lisieux?srsltid=AfmBOorEZjDARm102tr-qfx0du8bWZjiIeXqmDoG8jAgSmMHYY7hN05kAn NEC Podcasts original.
Oftentimes, I hear from people wanting to book more brand photography that they think they need to go out and find brand photography clients. They believe their current followers aren't interested, so they need to look elsewhere for potential clients.I'm here to tell you that you don't need a huge or brand-new audience to succeed in selling brand photography. Instead, your first focus should be on how to convert the people who already follow you. There are already people in your audience who would make amazing brand photography clients! This episode walks you through what you can start doing to make that happen.01:19 Understanding Your Audience for Brand Photography03:41 Creating Engaging Content for Your Audience07:00 Positioning and Marketing Your Brand Photography09:05 The Importance of Client Experience and Referrals10:20 Building a Personal Brand for Your Business10:55 Exclusive Bonuses and RebrandCONNECT WITH MADDIE:InstagramWebsiteLINKSBooked Out Masterclass: Learn how to find and book brand photography clients so you can get your nights and weekends back! Sign up here to join me on February 5 at noon CST.Join Rebrand: Doors open February 5 to my 12-month branding program that takes you from a photographer-who-shoots-brand-photography to a Booked Out Brand Photographer in just 90 days. Bonuses include a 1:1 pricing profit call for the first 10 sign ups, and a ShowIt website template for the first 15 sign ups.Full show notes
Starlight Thursdays Episode 251, Welcome FOUTS to the series! We did a little interview to get better acquainted. How long have you been DJing? I began mixing in fall of 2023 and performed for others for the first time during New Years at the end of that year. Why did you get into it? My partner, kaPOWski, is a DJ. I have always been a music nerd, and watching over their shoulder I couldn't help but be intrigued. I have such a specific memory of a night that some friends and I spent up at Hyalite, where we dragged all of the sound equipment up to one of the forest service cabins. That is the first time I remember actually trying to mix. It was fast-paced and exciting and such an alluring combination of feeling the music and paying attention to the more technical aspects of the rhythms. I was hooked. Starting to DJ also felt like the natural next step as I consumed more live-mixed music at events and started being able to recognize artists by their sound. I couldn't not try it for myself. I feel so much more connected to tracks that I love when I get to mix them myself. What events have you played? I have mostly played at Burning Man and regional burns, with some local community events thrown in. It was an honor to be asked to play the first Sound Haven event in Helena this past November—the queer dance party initiative put together by Hnnh Beets, among others. Where do you live ? Bozeman, MT Where are you from originally? I was born in Maine and lived there until I was 14. I then lived in Miami, FL until I graduated high school. What inspires you to DJ? I spend a lot of time listening to sets by my favorite producers and DJs. Oftentimes this is background music for me, but I love that moment of becoming instantly aware when a track comes on that I connect with. The Shazam comes out and I add it to my giant playlist of tracks that I might download and play in the future. Going through this curated list, I love being able to vividly remember the first time I heard the song. When music moves me like that, I want to get my hands on it, connecting the waveform on the deck to the narrative structure of the track, feeling out where I can play with effects and make transitions. It is an intensely satisfying process for me from start to finish. What inspires you about electronic music culture? I am deeply inspired by the origins of this music. From Chicago's underground warehouse scene where pioneering black artists inspired by disco started mixing old standards and creating electronic tracks, house music has always been a refuge for those not accepted by mainstream society to come together and dance. Queer and black joy is inherently embedded in this culture. Initiatives like FEMME HOUSE and Beatport's 2020 Pride series continue to do the work to elevate voices that are unfortunately not yet centralized in the zeitgeist. Anytime I am on stage, I feel honored to be a tiny part of this work—to show up exactly the way that I am and to be able to move those listening along with me. What genres are in your mix? Mostly progressive house with a bit of techno and tech house thrown in. Can you tell us a few words about your mix? I really wanted to create a good work mix for my friends—something to bounce to at a desk during those long hours. I was able to work in some tracks that I love but struggle to play for a dance party with those long bridges. I really enjoy the combination of the melodic aspects of this set alongside driving beats and unexpected noise elements. Anything else you want us to know? I am continually uplifted by the acceptance and love I have found among the community of Montana DJs. I love how many of us are queer and femme and continuing to push the envelope in the way we show up. It has been so rewarding to learn and be encouraged by my peers on this journey! For more Fouts check out https://soundcloud.com/djfouts Come see her perform live b2b with her partner kaPOWski at Valid Times Day Feb14 - 2025
Epilepsy classification systems have evolved over the years, with improved categorization of seizure types and adoption of more widely accepted terminologies. A systematic approach to the classification of seizures and epilepsy is essential for the selection of appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment strategies. In this episode, Aaron Berkowitz, MD, FAAN, speaks with Roohi Katyal, MD, author of the article “Classification and Diagnosis of Epilepsy,” in the Continuum February 2025 Epilepsy issue. Dr. Berkowitz is a Continuum® Audio interviewer and a professor of neurology at the University of California San Francisco in the Department of Neurology and a neurohospitalist, general neurologist, and clinician educator at the San Francisco VA Medical Center at the San Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, California. Dr. Katyal is an assistant professor of neurology and codirector of adult epilepsy at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport in Shreveport, Louisiana. Additional Resources Read the article: Classification and Diagnosis of Epilepsy Subscribe to Continuum: shop.lww.com/Continuum Earn CME (available only to AAN members): continpub.com/AudioCME Continuum® Aloud (verbatim audio-book style recordings of articles available only to Continuum® subscribers): continpub.com/Aloud More about the American Academy of Neurology: aan.com Social Media facebook.com/continuumcme @ContinuumAAN Host: @AaronLBerkowitz Guest: @RoohiKatyal Full episode transcript available here Dr Jones: This is Dr Lyell Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Continuum, the premier topic-based neurology clinical review and CME journal from the American Academy of Neurology. Thank you for joining us on Continuum Audio, which features conversations with Continuum's guest editors and authors who are the leading experts in their fields. Subscribers to the Continuum Journal can read the full article or listen to verbatim recordings of the article and have access to exclusive interviews not featured on the podcast. Please visit the link in the episode notes for more information on the article, subscribing to the journal, and how to get CME. Dr Berkowitz: This is Dr Aaron Berkowitz, and today I'm interviewing Dr Roohi Katyal about her article on classification and diagnosis of epilepsy, which appears in the February 2025 Continuum issue on epilepsy. Welcome to the podcast, Dr Katyal, and could you please introduce yourself to our audience? Dr Katyal: Thank you for having me. I'm very excited to be here. I'm Dr Roohi Katyal. I currently work as Assistant Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Shreveport. Here I also direct our adult epilepsy division at LSU Health along with my colleague, Dr Hotait. Dr Berkowitz: Fantastic. Well, happy to have you here. Your article is comprehensive, it's practical, and it focused on explaining the most recent International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of epilepsy and importantly, how to apply it to provide patients with a precise diagnosis of epilepsy and the particular subtype of epilepsy to guide the patient's treatment. There are so many helpful tables and figures that demonstrate all of the concepts and how to apply them at the bedside. So, I encourage our listeners to have a look at your article, even consider maybe screenshotting some of these helpful tables onto their phone or printing them out for handy reference at the bedside and when teaching residents. Your article begins with the current definition of epilepsy. So, I want to ask you about that definition and make sure we're on the same page and understand what it is and what it means, and then talk through a sort of hypothetical patient scenario with you to see how we might apply these in clinical practice. You talked about, in your article, how the new definition of epilepsy from the ILAE allows for the diagnosis of epilepsy in three different scenarios. So, could you tell us what these scenarios are? Dr Katyal: So, epilepsy in general is a chronic condition where there is a recurrent predisposition to having seizures. As you mentioned, epilepsy can be diagnosed in one of three situations. One situation would be where an individual has had two or more unprovoked seizures separated by more than 24 hours. The second situation would be where somebody has had one unprovoked seizure and their risk of having recurrent seizures is high. And the third situation would be where somebody had---where the clinical features could be diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome. An example of that would be a young child presenting with absence seizures and their EEG showing 3 Hz characteristic generalized spike in with discharges. So that child could be diagnosed with childhood absence epilepsy. Dr Berkowitz: Perfect. Okay, so we have these three scenarios, and in two of those scenarios, we heard the word unprovoked. Just to make sure everyone's on the same page, let's unpack this word “unprovoked” a little bit. What does it mean for a seizure to be unprovoked versus provoked? Dr Katyal: So unprovoked would be where we don't have any underlying provoking features. So underlying provoking features are usually reversible causes of epilepsy. These would be underlying electrolyte abnormality, such as hyperglycemia being a common one which can be reversed. And these individuals usually do not need long-term treatment with anti-seizure medications. Dr Berkowitz: Fantastic. Tell me if I have this right, but when I'm teaching residents, I… did it provoked and unprovoked---there's a little confusing, right? Because we use those terms differently in common language than in this context. But a provoked seizure, the provoking factor has to be two things: acute and reversible. Because some people might say, well, the patient has a brain tumor. Didn't the brain tumor provoke the seizure? The brain tumor isn't acute and the brain tumor isn't reversible, so it would be an unprovoked seizure. I always found that confusing when I was learning it, so I try to remind learners I work with that provoked means acute and reversible, and unprovoked means it's not acute and not reversible. Do I have that right? Am I teaching that correctly? Dr Katyal: That's correct. Dr Berkowitz: Great. And then the other important point here. So, I think we were all familiar prior to this new guideline in 2017 that two unprovoked seizures more than twenty-four hours apart, that's epilepsy. That's pretty straightforward. But now, just like we can diagnose MS at the time of the first clinical attack with the right criteria predicting that patient is likely to have relapse, we can say the patient's had a single seizure and already at that time we think they have epilepsy if we think there's a high risk of recurrence, greater than or equal to sixty percent in this guideline, or an epilepsy syndrome. You told us what an epilepsy syndrome is; many of these are pediatric syndromes that we've studied for our boards. What hertz, spike, and wave goes with each one or what types of seizures. But what about this new idea that a person can have epilepsy after a single unprovoked seizure if the recurrence rate is greater than sixty percent? How would we know that the recurrence rate is going to be greater than sixty percent? Dr Katyal: Absolutely. So, the recurrence rate over sixty percent is projected to be over a ten year period. So, more than sixty percent frequency rate in the next ten years. And in general, we usually assess that with a comprehensive analysis and test. So, one part of the comprehensive analysis would be, a very important part would be a careful history taking from the patient. So, a careful history should usually include all the features leading up to the episodes of all the prodromal symptoms and warning signs. And ideally you also want to get an account from a witness who saw the episode as to what the episode itself looked like. And in terms of risk assessment and comprehensive analysis, this should be further supplemented with tests such as EEG, which is really a supportive test, as well as neuroimaging. If you have an individual with a prior history of, let's say, left hemispheric ischemic stroke and now they're presenting with new onset focal aware seizures with right arm clonic activity, this would be a good example to state that their risk of having future seizures is going to be high. Dr Berkowitz: Perfect. Yeah. So, if someone has a single seizure and has a lesion, as you said, most common in high-income countries would be a prior stroke or prior cerebrovascular event, prior head trauma, then we can presume that the risk is going to be high enough that we could call that epilepsy after the first unprovoked seizure. What if it's the first unprovoked seizure and the imaging is unremarkable? There's no explanatory lesion. How would we get to a diagnosis of epilepsy? How would we get to a risk of greater than sixty percent in a nonlesional unprovoked seizure? I should say, no lesion we can see on MRI. Dr Katyal: You know, in those situations an EEG can be very helpful. An EEG may not always show abnormalities, but when it does show abnormalities, it can help us distinguish between focal and generalized epilepsy types, it can help us make the diagnosis of epilepsy in certain cases, and it can also help us diagnose epilepsy syndromes in certain cases. Dr Berkowitz: Perfect. The teaching I remember from a resident that I'm passing on to my residents, so please let me know if it's correct, is that a routine EEG, a 20-minute EEG after a single unprovoked seizure, this sensitivity is not great, is that right? Around fifty percent is what I was told with a single EEG, is that right? Dr Katyal: Yeah, the sensitivity is not that great. Again, you know, it may not show abnormality in all the situations. It's truly just helpful when we do see abnormalities. And that's what I always tell my patients as well when I see them in clinic. It may be abnormal or it may be normal. But if it does show up normal, that does not rule out the diagnosis of epilepsy. Really have to put all the pieces together and come to that finally diagnosis. Dr Berkowitz: Perfect. Well, in that spirit of putting all the pieces together, let's walk through together a hypothetical case scenario of a 19-year-old patient who presents after a first event that is considered a possible seizure. First, how do you approach the history and exam in this scenario to try to determine if you think this was indeed an epileptic seizure? Dr Katyal: So, if I'm seeing them in the clinic or in the outpatient setting and they're hopefully presenting with somebody who's already seen the seizure itself, my first question usually is if they had any warning signs or any triggers leading up to the episode. A lot of times, you know, patients may not remember what happened during the episode, but they may remember if they felt anything different just before or the day prior, something different may have happened around that time. Yeah, so they may report that. Then a very important aspect of that would be talking to somebody who has seen the episode, a witness of the episode; and ideally somebody who has seen the onset of the episode as well, because that can give us very important clues as to how the event or the episode started and how it progressed. And then another very important question would be, for the individual who has experienced it, is how they felt after the episode ended. So, you can get some clues as to if they had a clear postictal state. Other important questions would be if they had any tongue biting or if they lost control of their bladder or all those during the episode. This, all those pieces can guide us as to if the seizure was epileptic, or the episode was epileptic or not. Dr Berkowitz: Fantastic. That's very helpful guidance. All right. So, let's say that based on the history, you're relatively convinced that this patient had a generalized tonic clonic seizure and after recovering from the event, you do a detailed neurologic exam. That's completely normal. What's your approach at this point to determining if you think the seizure was provoked or unprovoked, since that's, as you said, a key component of defining whether this patient simply had a seizure, or had a seizure and has epilepsy? Dr Katyal: The important findings would be from the laboratory test that may have been done at the time when the patient first presented with the seizure. So, we want to rule out features like hypoglycemia or other electrolyte abnormalities such as changes in sodium levels or big, big fluctuations there. We also want to rule out any other metabolic causes or other reasons such as alcohol withdrawal, which can be a provoking factor. Because these would be very important to rule out is if we find a provoking reason, then this individual may not need to be on long term anti-seizure medication. So very important to rule that out first. Dr Berkowitz: Great. So, let's say you get all of your labs and history and toxicology screen and no provoking factors there. We would obtain neuroimaging to see if there's either an acute provoking factor or some type of lesion as we discussed earlier. Let's say in this theoretical case, the labs are normal, the neuroimaging normal. There is no apparent provoking factor, there's no lesion. So, this patient has simply had a single unprovoked seizure. How do we go about now deciding if this patient has epilepsy? How do we try to get ourselves to either an above sixty percent risk and tell this patient they have epilepsy and probably need to be on a medicine, or they have a less than sixty percent risk and that becomes a little more tricky? And we'll talk about that more as well. Dr Katyal: For in a young patient, especially in a young patient as a nineteen year old as you present, one very important aspect if I get this history would be to ask them about absolutely prior history of similar episodes, which a lot of times they may not have had similar episodes. But then with this age group, you also want to ask about episodes of brief lapses in awareness or episodes of sudden jerking or myoclonic jerking episodes. Because if you have brief lapses of awareness, that could signify an absence seizure in this particular age group. And brief, sudden episodes of myoclonic jerking could be brief myoclonic seizures in this age group. And if we put together, just based on the clinical history, you could diagnose this patient with a very specific epileptic syndrome, which could be juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in the best case. Let's say if you ask about episodes of staring or relapses of awareness, that's not the case, and there's no history of myoclonic jerking episodes or myoclonic seizures, then the next step would be proceeding to more of our supplemental tests, which would be an EEG and neuroimaging. In all cases of new-onset seizure especially should have comprehensive assessment with EEG and neuroimaging to begin with, and we can supplement that with additional tests wherever we need, such as genetic testing and some other more advanced testing. Dr Berkowitz: That's very helpful. OK, so let's say this particular patient, you talk to them, you talk to their family, no prior history of any types of events like this. No concerns for spells that could---unlike absence, no concern for movements that could sound like myoclonus. So, as you said, we would be looking for those and we could get to part one of the definition. There is more than one spell, even though we're being consulted for one particular event. But let's say this was the only event, we think it's unprovoked, the neuroimaging is normal. So, you said we proceed to an EEG and as you mentioned earlier, if the EEG is abnormal, that's going to tell us if the risk is probably this more than sixty percent and the patient should probably be on a medicine. But common scenario, right, that the patient has an event, they have a full work up, we don't find anything. We're convinced it was a seizure. We get our routine EEG as we said, very good, an affirmative test, but not a perfectly sensitive test. And let's say this person's routine EEG turns out to be normal. So how would you discuss with the patient their risk of a future seizure and the considerations around whether to start an anti-seizure medicine if their work-up has been normal, they've had a single unprovoked seizure, and their EEG is unrevealing? Dr Katyal: And I'm assuming neuroimaging is normal as well in this case? Dr Berkowitz: Correct. Yeah. Dr Katyal: We have a normal EEG; we have normal neuroimaging as well. So, in this case, you know, it's more of a discussion with the patient. I tell them of that, you know, the risk of seizure may not be higher than sixty percent in this case with all the tests being normal so far and there's no other prior history of similar episodes. So, we have a discussion with them about the risks that can come with future seizures and decide where the medication should be started or not. Dr Berkowitz: And so how do you approach this discussion? The patient will say, Doctor Katyal, I had one seizure, it was very frightening. I got injured. You told me I can't drive for however many months. One cannot drive in that particular state. But I don't really like taking medicines. What is my risk and what do you think? Should I take a medicine? Dr Katyal: I'll tell you this because normally I would just have a direct conversation with them, discuss all the facts that we have. We go over the seizure one more time just to make sure we have not missed any similar episodes or any other episodes that may be concerning seizure, which ruled out all the provoking factors, any triggers that may be seen inseizures like this in a young age. And another thing would be to basically have a discussion with them, you know, these are the medication options that we can try. And if there is another seizure, you know, these are the these are the restrictions that would come with it. And it's a very individualized decision, to be honest. That, you know, not everyone may want to start the medication. And you'll also find that some patients who, you know, some individuals are like no, I want to go back to driving. I don't want to be in this situation again. I would like to try a medication and don't want to ever have a seizure. So, I think it's a very individualized decision and we have a discussion with the patient based on all of these tests. And I would definitely maintain follow-up with them to make sure that, you know, things have not changed and things have---no seizures have recurred in those cases. Dr Berkowitz: Yeah, great to hear your approach. And similar experience to you, right, where some patients say, I definitely don't want to take the medication, I'll roll the dice and I hope I don't have another seizure. And we say, we hope so also. As you said, let's keep a close eye. And certainly, if you have another seizure, it's going to be a lifelong seizure medicine at that point. And some patients who, as you said, say, wait, I can't drive for months. And if I don't take a medicine and I have a seizure in the last month, I would have to have another period of no driving. Maybe in that case, they would want to start a medicine. That said, we would present that either of these are reasonable options with risks and benefits and these are the medications we would offer and the possible side effects and risk of those, and make a joint decision with the patient. Dr Katyal: Absolutely correct. Mentioned it perfectly well that this is a very individualized decision and a joint decision that we make with the patient. Dr Berkowitz: Fantastic. Another topic you touch on in your article is the definition of resolved epilepsy. How is that defined in the guidelines? Dr Katyal: Yes. So, an epilepsy can be considered resolved if an individual has been seizure-free for at least ten years and has been off of IV seizure medications for at least five of those years. Another situation where epilepsy can be considered resolved would be if they have an age-defined epilepsy syndrome and now they are beyond the relevant age group for the syndrome. Dr Berkowitz: That's very helpful. So again, a very clear definition that's helpful in these guidelines. And yet, as I'm sure you experience your practice, as I do in mine, sometimes a little challenging to apply. So, continuing with our made-up hypothetical patient here, let's say at some point in the subsequent years, they have a second unprovoked seizure, still have a normal EEG but they do go on an anti-seizure medicine. And maybe four or five years later, they're seizure-free on a low dose of an anti-seizure medicine. And they say, you know, do I really still need this medicine? I'd really like to come off of it. What do you think? Is that safe? How do you talk about that with the patient? This definition of ten years and five years off medicine seems to be---and maybe unless someone's seeing a lot of children and young adults, a relatively uncommon scenario. It's we've had a first unprovoked seizure. We never figured out why. We don't really know why they had the seizure. We can't really gauge their subsequent risk. They're on medicines, they don't want to be on them and it's only been a few years, let's say three, four, or five years. How do you frame discussion with the patient? Dr Katyal: Yeah, so that's the definition of being resolved. But in terms of tapering off medications, we can usually consider tapering off medications earlier as well, especially if they've been seizure-free for two or more years. Then again, as we mentioned earlier, it would be a very individualized decision and discussion with the patient, that we could consider tapering off of medication. And we would also want to definitely discuss the risk of breakthrough seizures as we taper off and the risks or the lifestyle modifications that would come with it if they have another breakthrough seizure. So, all those things will go into careful concentration when we decide to taper off, because especially driving restriction may be a big, you know, hard stop for a lot of patients that, you know, now is not a time to taper off medication. So, all of these factors will go into consideration and we could consider tapering off earlier as well. Dr Berkowitz: That's very helpful. Yeah, as you said, when we're tapering off medications, if that's the direction the patient wants to go during that period, obviously we wouldn't want them to drive, or be up on a ladder, or swimming alone. You said that some patients might say, actually, I'll keep the medicine, whereas some might say, OK, I'll hold off on all these activities and hope that I can be off this medication. I remember epilepsy colleagues quoting to me at one point that all comers, when a patient's been seizure-free for two years, they estimate the risk of relapse, of having another seizure, somewhere around thirty to forty percent. In your expert opinion, is that about what you would quote to a patient as well,. about a thirty to forty percent, all comers? Obviously not someone who's had a history of status epilepticus and has a lesion or a syndrome, but in the sort of common situation of some unprovoked seizures in an adult, we don't have a clear ideology. Is that thirty to forty percent figure, more or less, you would place the risk when you talk to the patient? Or? Dr Katyal: Yeah, absolutely, especially if the neuroimaging is completely normal, all their EE GS have been normal. They have been in this situation---you have a young patient with two seizures separated by so many years. After three or four years of being on the medication and, you know, the patient has been adhering. There are no more seizures. Thirty to forty percent seems reasonable, and this is what I usually tell them that the risk of, as we taper off medications, that risk is not zero but it's low. And around thirty percent is relatively where we would place the risk at. Dr Berkowitz: We've said in this theoretical case that the EEG is normal. But last question, I've heard some practitioners say that, well, let's say the patient did have an abnormal EEG early on. Not a syndrome, but had maybe a few focal spike wave discharges or sharps and that made you convinced that this patient had epilepsy. But still becomes seizure free for several years. I've heard of some practitioners repeating the EEG before tapering the anti-seizure medicines and I always wonder, would it change anything? It's a brief twenty-minute period. They still have one spike, but I tell them they can't come off. If the spikes are gone, it may be because of the medication, and maybe when I take them off they would have a spike. And how do you use---do you use or how do you use EEG in that decision of whether to taper a medicine? Dr Katyal: Yeah. In general, I would not always use an EEG for considering tapering off medication. Again, it's very individualized decision. I can give you a hypothetical example, but it's a fairly common one, is that if an individual with let's say focal seizures with impaired awareness, they live alone, they live by themselves. Oftentimes they'll say that, I'm not sure if I'm missing any seizures because nobody has seen them. I may or may not be losing awareness, but I'm not too certain. They have not had any definite seizures for history in the last couple of years and are now considering tapering off medication. So, this may be a situation where I may repeat an EEG, and perhaps even considering the longer EEG for them to understand their seizure burden before we decide to taper off medication. But in most situations, especially if we consider the hypothetical situation you had mentioned for the young patient who had to witness seizures separated by several years and then several years without any seizures, that may be a good example to consider tapering off medication, especially considering all the tests that had been normal before then. Dr Berkowitz: That's very helpful to hear. And of course, this is your expert opinion. As you said, no guidelines and different people practice in different ways, but helpful to hear how you approach this common and challenging scenario for practitioners. Well, I want to thank you again, Dr Katyal. This has been a great opportunity to pick your brain on a theoretical case, but one that I think presents a number of scenarios that a lot of us---myself as a general neurologist, as well as you and your colleagues as epileptologists, we all see in general practice patients with unprovoked seizures and a revealing workup, and how to approach this challenging scenario based on the guidelines and on your expert opinion. I learned a lot from your article. Encourage our readers again to take a look. A lot of very helpful tables, figures, and explanations, some of the concepts we've been discussing. So again, today I've been interviewing Dr Roohi Katyal about her article on classification and diagnosis of epilepsy, which appears in the most recent issue of Continuum on Epilepsy. Be sure to check out Continuum audio episodes from this and other issues. And thank you again so much to our listeners for joining us. Dr Katyal: Thank you for having me. Dr Monteith: This is Dr Teshamae Monteith, Associate Editor of Continuum Audio. If you've enjoyed this episode, you'll love the journal, which is full of in-depth and clinically relevant information important for neurology practitioners. Use this link in the episode notes to learn more and subscribe. AAN members, you can get CME for listening to this interview by completing the evaluation at continpub.com/audioCME. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we discussed reframing the mind to endure the trials past and ahead. Oftentimes, it can be easy to have certain expectations for our lives, but as followers of Jesus, we must let go of our expectations and embrace what’s ahead on the walk with Him. Through those trials, we can be confident that God is with us every step of the way and will guide us. We turned to James 1:2-8 to confirm that, and it tells us to “count it all joy” when faced with trials because it's a test of our faith and that we are not alone in it; God is our guidance. Our special guest, Melissa Huray, shared her reframing and deliverance process through her trial of alcohol addiction. Melissa is now an addiction counselor and speaker. She has also authored a couple of books, including “Radical Freedom: Breaking the Chains of Addiction for Good.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast. Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Professional real estate investor, author and host of “The Real Estate Guys” Radio Show, Robert Helms joins us to discuss the nuances of mid-term, short-term rentals, and hotel real estate investing. They highlight the impact of interest rates on single-family home affordability and the role of institutional investors. Mid-term rentals cater to travelers like traveling nurses and digital nomads, offering higher monthly rents. Short-term rentals face challenges due to oversupply, but can be profitable with strategic planning. Hotels offer consistent experiences, with key metrics like occupancy and ADR. Resources: Join Keith and other faculty experts at the Investor Summit at Sea, a unique networking and learning event for real estate investors. Let the event organizers know if you want to have dinner with Keith during the event. Show Notes: GetRichEducation.com/539 GRE Free Investment Coaching:GREmarketplace.com/Coach For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments. You get paid first: Text FAMILY to 66866 Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search “how to leave an Apple Podcasts review” For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— text ‘GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Automatically Transcribed With Otter.ai Keith Weinhold 0:01 welcome to GRE I'm your host, Keith Weinhold, surprising facts about the institutional ownership share of the rental market. Then learn from a great guest tonight about how the midterm and short term rental models work and hotel real estate investing. Then you are invited to join us both on the most special real estate event that I've ever been a part of, and I'm going to return to it today on get rich education. Since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being the flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors, and delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads of 188 world nations. He has a list show guests include top selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki. Get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast or visit get rich education.com Corey Coates 1:17 You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education. Keith Weinhold 1:33 Welcome to GRE from London, UK to London, Ontario and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith weinholden, you are inside this week's episode of Get rich education, where we aren't day trading, we are decade trading with gradual patient wealth accumulation through income properties, yet with a path that lets you live the good life of options and freedom when you're still young enough to enjoy it. Now, the shorter the period of time that your guest or your tenant stays at your place, the more that the word hospitality gets involved. Hospitality, that word has little to do with hospitals. It almost means the opposite. Hospitality means that you're now giving a warm reception to or entertaining guests or tenants. Well, that's something that you rarely do at a long term rental, but you do if you're a hotel real estate investor for sure, or maybe even a little in a short term rental, then you're in hospitality like valet parking, having a restaurant, a pool with a swim up bar, a gym, a concierge desk, or even having a lobby with travel desks of various tour companies. Right there. That's hospitality, and today as we discuss mid term rentals, then short term rentals, then hotel real estate investing, think about how the level of hospitality that you give increases as the duration of a guest or tenant stay decreases. Hospitality is one reason that long term rental rates for durations of, say, a year or more, well, they had the lowest daily rates and the least hospitality. And hotels with, say, a two night stay, have the highest daily rates and the most hospitality. This week's show is presented by ridge lending group and freedom family investments. I mean Ridge is where I get all of my investment property loans, and where I do all of my refinancings. And perhaps you should, too, because they specialize in working with investor borrowers there, so they know just what you need and what you don't Ridge lending group.com, and then freedom family investments, that's where you can make a private money loan and get a higher yield than you can with a high yield savings account. That's where I invest a share of my own liquid funds for a passive 8% return, 10% return. And now this is new. They've got offerings at 12% or more. You can learn more by texting family to 66866, next, we discuss mid term rentals, short term rentals and hotel real estate investing. This week, I'd like to welcome in a good long time real estate friend. He's been on the show here with you and I before. Besides being a deeply experienced real estate investor, he also hosts the terrific real estate guys radio show, which was a substantial influence on the launch of GRE more than 10 years ago. I mean, how many times have I suggested to you over the years that you give his show a listen? He also speaks with some of the best pipes in the industry. Hey, it's great to have back on the show this week, the incomparable Robert Helms. Robert Helms 5:07 Hey, Keith, so good to see you. Thanks for having me back. Keith Weinhold 5:11 Let me share with you. Robert is on a very short exclusive list of people that I credit for being where I am today, from how to host a professional show to being a Go Giver and Robert before we discuss mid and short term rentals in the long term rental world generally, just what's important to know in today's residential real estate market, you can take that anywhere you like. Robert Helms 5:38 Well, I think the big picture has been all about the loans and the interest rates, right? We saw rates go up, not only a lot, but quickly, and then kind of come back down a bit. Now they're headed back up, and that just has a big effect on single family homes, primarily to folks who are living in the homes, because they'll make that decision based on the affordability of their mortgage payment and the rest of the costs investors Well, you know, we think a little differently. We're not limited by a specific interest rate will pay? If I can make 9% would I pay 6% sure, if I can make 9% would I pay 7% well, I might, and so on. So I think that that's something to watch this year. For sure. There's lots of reasons to expect that we're not going to see interest rates get back down into the twos and threes and fours like we wish they would stay. Probably shouldn't happen in the first place, but you and I took advantage of it, and lots of your listeners did as well. But I think that's kind of a big picture thing. And then the other part of it is, you know, the inventory. So when people have this locked in effect, which really doesn't have anything to do with their needs or wants, they have a new job or they have another child and they want to move to a couple of notches up in a neighborhood, they don't want to get rid of their 3.12% loan and have to buy another property with 7% so we see less people moving, therefore less inventory, total inventory now somewhere just around 700,000 or below, and that's lower than it's been for the average of the last 10 years. For sure, I think that has an effect, less people are moving because of the interest rates. But at the same time, you know, there are houses that trade every single day. People do have to move. They have life situations and so forth. And then real estate investors, of course, we just look for opportunity. If we can make a spread and we can be in a property long term where the tenant pays down our mortgage and not us, well, then we're interested at almost any interest rate. Keith Weinhold 7:44 Yes, that interest rate lock in effect will persist another year. That continues to get diluted over time. Of course, though you and I both know that mortgage rates are still below their historic rate, but because of the recency bias, no one's really acting that way. By the way, the first ever rental property I bought had a six in three eights percent mortgage rate 20 years ago, and people were raving about what an incredibly low rate that was back then. But this constrains supply. And another thing that constrains available supply in today's market is more institutional players own rental property today we're talking about outfits like invitation homes and even the California State Teachers Retirement System. But one thing a lot of people don't seem to realize is that institutions like this own less than 1% of single family homes in the United States, and that's all institutions combined. And now if you just isolate that to single family rental properties, they still only own two to 3% so where we have this period of low supply and low affordability, you know, Robert, I think institutions, in a lot of these media headlines, they tend to get scapegoated or being a boogeyman. Oh, all these big players are buying up the homes, and that's why you can't buy one. But really, that's pretty overblown. So can you talk to us more about what the institutional entry into the real estate investing space has been like, which really picked up steam after the GFC about 15 years ago? Robert Helms 9:16 Yeah, it sure did. I think that folks who were managing big sums of money, and the institutional money comes from all kinds of places, real estate, Investment Trusts, insurance, pensions, funds, and then just big old companies that decide to raise money to go do something, and that money saw opportunity said, hey, you know what? This is a short term anomaly, all these prices that went down after 2008 and 2009 and when a lot of mom and pop investors were very hesitant to touch the third rail of buying more property after what they had just been through, these institutions are like that. Institutional money is not very emotional, right? It's just looking at the numbers at the same time where the nuances of institutional funds is that they also didn't have a ton of real estate experience, and so it was quite common for a couple of years that an institution would come in, and they would typically work through local brokers, and those brokers would know the market a bit. But if you could generalize, you would say that a lot of institutions overpaid. But here's the thing, when you overpay in the moment, you don't really notice that in the long term real estate investment that these guys did, it's interesting. I've been to a couple of conferences I go to almost every year that 10 years ago was mom and pop investors. And today it's a lot of suits, not too many ties. They don't send. Tend to wear ties, but a lot of suits, a lot of folks working for various levels of these funds, and they're looking at real estate as an asset class. Now I'm going to argue their real estate's not an asset class like any other, because every share of stock, every ounce of gold, every barrel of oil that anybody buys, is discretionary. You never have to invest in the stock market, in the bond market and cryptocurrency, but you cannot sit out the real estate market. From an economic perspective, I don't have to own real estate, but I'm going to have to interact financially. And so it really doesn't operate like other quote, unquote, asset classes, but I think the big folks did figure out is that there is stability in real estate. There's not the efficiency they would like, and that's a good thing for us. We like inefficiencies in the real estate market, but more and more we are seeing funds being put together, even today, to acquire property. But to your point, and it's an excellent one, you see the headlines and you see the name calling of these big, faceless, nameless corporations. They're buying up all the inventory. They're not it is a drop in the bucket compared to what mom and pops own and will continue to own Keith Weinhold 11:53 yes, and of course, I'm talking nationally. When I bring up those one two and 3% institutional share numbers, it's going to be lower in some areas, it tends to be a higher proportion of buying that the institutions do in Texas and also in a lot of southeastern markets, like Atlanta, Jacksonville, Charlotte and Tampa. Robert you have a good bit of knowledge and some involvement in the mid term rental market. We're talking about rentals of one to six months in duration. Here, can you talk to us about trends in the midterm rental market? Robert Helms 12:25 Yeah, it's a fascinating area. You know, back in the day, these would be referred to as corporate rentals, so a corporation might lease an apartment and furnish it, and then they would have different people stay there over the years, so the corporation would be responsible for the lease. I had some tenants like this many, many years ago, and it wouldn't be up to me. It'd be up to them who had the keys at the time. And a tenant might stay six or seven months. A tenant might make four or five weeks their stay. And so the idea was they needed a place for these contractors who would come in and work for a period of time to stay. But hotels were a lot more expensive. Well today you see even the folks who got involved in short term rentals making a decision to invest in people like traveling nurses who come and stay for four to six weeks, or these clients who will come in and work for two months in this location, two months in this location, two months in another location. And so they will simply stay in a short term rental type of property for a longer term. And you know, the most expensive things when it comes to real estate or turnover in vacancy. So if we can get the tenant to stay longer and pay a bit of a premium, these are often furnished units, and they don't have to worry about much. And we've had a few opportunities where what started out as a three week rental turned into a six month rental, because sometimes when they bring these folks on these companies, don't know exactly how long they're going to stay, and it's been a great kind of marketplace. There's a few folks that specialize in it. But my experience is that a lot of the people that have gravitated towards midterm rentals used to be in the short term rental business, thinking they'd rent for one or two nights, and lo and behold, they get a client that would stay for a month, and they'd say, Hey, this is pretty cool. Keith Weinhold 14:13 Some conversion rate there from short term rentals to these midterm rentals here, as Robert touched on, you do tend to get more monthly rent for a midterm rental than you do a conventional long term rental. You're going to have some experience for furnishing there. But Robert, you bring up a great point. You mentioned traveling nurses. And of course, here as real estate investors, we're often interested in who we're serving and what that demographic looks like. I also think of midterm rental clients or tenants as students in digital nomads, and oftentimes it's a person relocating where they just want to check out a place for a few months before they consider setting down roots in an area with a long term rental or buying their own place. So can you talk? More about the demographic that we're serving there, because oftentimes you want to follow their trends. Robert Helms 15:04 Yeah, very much. So, you know, today, I think there's a lot of folks that can work from a variety of locations. They do need some things, they need quiet they need a good internet connection, but they will come and go for weeks at a time. And I also think that you see more and more employers looking to contract labor. They have a job to get done. They're not sure they want to bring on a full time employee with all the cost of benefits and onboarding and all that. So they find somebody in the niche that comes in for six or eight or 12 weeks at a time, and they're the perfect candidate for short term rental. But we also see folks that are between gigs. So I might have a six week gig, and three weeks later I have another six week gig, and the three weeks in the middle, I want to go somewhere that's kind of fun to hang out. And so you do see those kind of rentals as well. Keith Weinhold 15:55 Are most long term property management companies open to managing midterm rentals? Robert Helms 16:02 Yeah, good question. There are certainly those that are, but I think we're starting to see a specialty on the aggregator side, folks that are reaching out specifically to the kinds of people who are candidates for midterm rentals from the tenant side and looking to accumulate inventory. So that's been kind of a neat thing to watch. So the focus of most property managers, they're hired by the owner of the property. Well, these groups are really their their salary gets paid for by the tenant, and they're able to negotiate on the behalf of some of these groups, you know, a better rate, better terms. They may negotiate some flexibility and the time for these folks that don't know exactly how long they're going to stay, it's an interesting new area of management, for sure. Keith Weinhold 16:52 Now, of course, we're concerned about a high occupancy rate in midterm rentals, just like we are any type of rental. What does one look for when it comes to advertising platforms. And this could be, you know, going beyond just a well known website. It might be, hey, if you have inroads with the local hospital system, oh, well, can you then funnel some of the traveling nurses, for example, into your midterm rental? Robert Helms 17:15 Yeah, most definitely, it is a specialty niche, for sure, if you're after a robust rental solution. You know, many people in midterm rentals, like in short term rentals, the vast majority of short term rental owners are not making a killing. They are. They're liquidating some cost of what they consider their second home. So the average short term rental landlord has just one property, and that's a property they bought, probably not as a rental. They brought it as a second home, and they're discovering that when they're not there, they can lease it out, and that pays for some of the costs. But there are obviously a few folks who have cracked the code and figured out which markets and where the best opportunity is, and what size units it takes to maintain a really healthy occupancy, and it's the same for this midterm rental. It's a different kind of tenant. It's mostly not families, so it's not larger units with lots of bedrooms. It's also mostly not your higher end rentals with views of the water or up near ski resorts, it's in the bigger towns where there is employment, and that employment triggers most of the midterm rental business. Keith Weinhold 18:29 You, as an investor owner, maybe your cash flow negative on your midterm rental or short term rental, however, you might be using it for a few weeks or months yourself and getting back more of the benefit that way you're listening to get rich education. We're talking with the host of the real estate guys radio show, Robert Helms, more when we come back, we discuss short term rentals, including, is there an air be in bust? I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, hey, you can get your mortgage loans at the same place where I get mine at Ridge lending group NMLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than any provider in the entire nation because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. You can start your pre qualification and chat with President Caeli Ridge personally, start now while it's on your mind at Ridge lendinggroup.com That's ridgelendinggroup.com. Oh geez, the initial average bank account pays less than 1% on your savings, so your bank is getting rich off of you. You've got to earn way more, or else you're losing your hard earned cash to inflation. Let the liquidity fund help you put your money to work. With minimum risk, your cash generates up to a 10% return and compounds year in and year out. Instead of earning less than 1% in your bank account, the minimum investment is. 25k you keep getting paid until you decide you want your money back. Their decade plus track record proves they've always paid their investors 100% in full and on time. And you know how I'd know, because I'm an investor in this myself, earn 10% like me and GRE listeners are text family to 66866, to learn about freedom. Family investments, liquidity fund on your journey to financial freedom through passive income. Text family to 66866 Kristen Tate 20:39 this is author, Kristen Tate, listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your Daydream. Keith Weinhold 20:54 Welcome back to get rich education. We're talking about midterm short term rentals and hotels and hospitality with a long time friend of the show here, Robert Helms and Robert a few years ago, there seemed to be this word airbn bust that was beginning to be associated with Airbnbs. A lot of the difficulty in that market. So tell us, what was that all about, and where are we now with industry trends in the short term rental market? Speaker 1 21:21 Yeah, great question, Keith. What I think happened is the allure of a short term rental, having a beautiful property that people would pay a premium on a nightly rate, sounded wonderful, and it was, and it worked for a lot of folks. But then what happened is, what happens people got the word, they got excited about it, and a lot of people started holding webinars, teaching classes, doing boot camps, and before you knew it, there was way more supply than there was demand. See, the hospitality industry is amazing. The hospitality industry employs 9% of all people in the world and accounts for nearly 9% of the GDP of our planet. Travel is a gigantic industry, and it's led by smart, big, storied institutions. So for folks to come and figure I'll just compete with them with my little apartment didn't necessarily turn out so well. So there was an airbn bust, and it is still lingering today. If you want to make a profit in short term rentals, you absolutely can, but you need to be super strategic. You need to think long and hard about where and what and why and how, because it's very specific. There are certain markets that short term rentals do very, very well, and there's a lot of markets, the majority of markets, where they don't. So as long as you're willing to study and take a look and be realistic and go kick the dirt a little bit, you certainly can get the upper hand. And the reason it's exciting is the average person who owns a short term rental is not professional in any way. They probably don't have too many other rental properties. It's not a big part of what they're paying attention to in their life. And they're simply trying to liquidate some of the costs of ownership. You know, I might rental here or rental there. And the way you can tell Home Away, VRBO, Airbnb, most of the hosts, the owners, make their calendars public, and so it's easy to tell how busy they are. It's amazing to me. I'll look at a marketplace and look at a property and see that month after month after month they're at a six to 8% occupancy, which I wouldn't be excited about myself, but for someone who's got a second home and they don't mind having people stay there for a few nights, they'll pay a premium for that. They legitimately can carve down a lot of their expenses just by renting six or eight or 10% of the time. Keith Weinhold 23:58 Of course, the conventional guidance is before you buy a short term rental, you're really helping yourself out. If you have to fall back on turning that into a long term rental, it would cash flow. But of course, now you're really narrowing your criteria in what is going to work there. And Robert, when we talk about that demographic that we're serving, we touched on that in the midterm rentals. Who are we serving in short term rentals? I think conventionally, we think about vacationers and business travelers Robert Helms 24:24 it's both of those things. I think that originally, people were certainly inspired by the vacation traveler who wanted to have a little more privacy, maybe their own kitchen, maybe a little more space for the dollar. And we still see that for a family, especially a family with small kids, staying at a hotel, ordering room service, eating in the restaurant, all that adds up. And if instead you can go to the grocery store and make breakfast at home, right, you can save the costs. And so there is definitely that clientele, but you also have people in short term rental that are visiting family. They're not really on vacation. In there, just going to an area for a short period of time. We see people that criss cross the country staying in short term rentals, two nights here, three nights there. And so it does have kind of a wide variety. A lot of the markets are very seasonal. Though. There are markets like Branson, Missouri that does really good at some parts of the year and not as well as other parts of the year. Then, of course, there's year round markets. So back to if I'm thinking about it with an investor's hat on, I want to be a little more specific, in particular about what and where I buy. But if I have single family house as my second home, maybe it's in a ski area, maybe it's in a beach area, and it's fairly expensive to maintain. Well, then considering renting it out on a short term basis might help the overall cost of maintaining that property. Keith Weinhold 25:52 You know, my own personal experiences really started to get bad in short term rentals, when I would go stay in a place. And I think we've all seen those memes out there about, my gosh, I had to wash all the dishes and walk the owner's dog and still play some exorbitant cleaning fee. I think we've all kind of grappled with that at some point, but STRS are still a really viable investment for the majority of the operators. But yeah, Robert, most of my experiences in short term rentals recently, including showing up at a place where they had not done the turn. The cleaning person did not stop by. And, yeah, okay, they came over there properly. But it's like, you cannot unsee the mess that was left there before you were there. So I had a series of experiences lately that have actually steered me into staying in hotels more often. And hotels really fit my lifestyle pretty well. I like to work out at a gym. I like to have a gym on site. It's convenient to have a restaurant on site and so on. And you've been in the hospitality and hotel space serving that for a while. Why don't you talk to us about industry trends in hotels. Robert Helms 27:03 Yeah. So travelers, to a great degree, love consistency. They want to be able to rely on cleanliness, on amenities, the very things you mentioned for sure. And so hospitality has a wide range, right? There's the lower end airport hotel where nobody stays more than a night, and it doesn't have a lot of amenities, and then there's the beautiful resort properties and everything in between. But what the hotel industry has done a good job of is providing a consistent experience, and that's what people crave more than anything else. You know, we would call a short term rental more of a unique or boutique or co chair kind of experience, and you don't know what you're going to get. You don't have that consistency. Some folks don't mind that, but for the majority, especially of business travelers, they want to know what they're getting. I can remember years ago, my sister wanted to take us on a family vacation to Maui. It sounded like a good idea. And then she was the one tasked with finding us a place, and decided we would stay at the Ritz Carlton and I looked at the Ritz Carlton website and said, Ah, you know, this is not exactly where I would probably stay in a she's a chiropractor. She says, in order for me to take a week off work, I'm losing $10,000 of the business. I'm not staying in some cheap hotel. I want to stay in a luxury hotel. And we did it, and it was fabulous, and I would stay again. So the point is, if you want to be able to work out, if you want to be able to have 24 hour room service, if you want grab and go that you don't have to walk outside in the cold or the heat, then hotels make a lot of sense, and it's not an either or. They're just both elements in hospitality. I would consider a short term rental property, a hospitality property, and I would consider a 1200 room, four and a half star hotel hospitality property as well. Keith Weinhold 28:58 Sure. Of course, hotels aren't monolithic. There are so many different types. You might have a boutique hotel with a few dozen rooms to a large scale, something like you've been involved in. You've been in a large scale, ground up development for a hotel. And I don't know if you had a hope when you built your large hotel that a big chain like a Hilton or Marriott would buy it from you, or would brand it along with you. But that branding and that consistency of experience can be really important. That's something we especially associate with those larger hotels. So we have some of these things in mind. I mean, where does a new prospective hotel investor begin? Robert Helms 29:40 Yeah, it's pretty difficult to get started, because the properties are big and expensive and risky upfront. So there's a terminology we use the hotel business, which is stabilization. And stabilization is when a hotel gets to the point where it's doing about the occupancy and rate that you would expect. Respect it too long term, and that might be anywhere from two to four years. Well, in the first year, boy, there's hardly anybody there. We have a 300 plus room hotel, and the first night we were open, we had two guests and 160 employees. So you don't have to be a rocket surgeon to figure out that that math doesn't work very well. Nor did it for the first month or the first year. Today, I'm happy to say it works a lot better, but you have to have patience. Now, there's a couple of ways you can get involved. Certainly, a smaller a boutique hotel. I stayed in a hotel a couple months ago that only had eight rooms. It was marvelous. And I thought, boy, you know, probably an individual owns this, but most of the hotel properties are owned by groups or syndications, and so that's another way to get exposure to hospitality. There's some things to love about hospitality, and to me, one of the same things I love about single families is you can find professional management, like folks that really know what they're doing, and create that guest experience that was perfectly possible for someone to buy a single family home as a rental. Maybe it's in their own town, and they want to manage it themselves. And you know, maybe at first that's a good idea, so you can figure out the game you've chosen, but ultimately, you want to hand that off to a professional, in my opinion. And in hospitality, like in multifamily, you have to, you have to have somebody come in with chops to be able to take care of it. And then there's the nuance of franchise which there are hotels that are just independently owned and operated. And then there's franchise hotels. And just like buying a franchise business, you pay a little more, but you get a lot. You get all the systems and the service and the training and the marks, and many cases, you get a big, dynamic engine that brings leads and fills your heads in your beds, which is what the metric we're interested in, in hospitality. And so when we started with thinking about it might make sense, the market we were in had no branded hotels, and we thought, Well, should we be the first? And after doing a bunch of research, I came to the conclusion that, well, it's going to cost something, and there's going to be a benefit, but I don't see it the benefit outweighing the cost. And we decided not to and then, lo and behold, through a strange set of circumstances, today, we are a branded hotel, and I'm thrilled about it. In hindsight, it was the right thing to do, but do understand that most real estate investors that I know are not going to qualify. It's pretty difficult to get a franchisee agreement with one of these hotel brands. You have to have some wherewithal, some experience. They're going to look at your assets and your balance sheet. They're going to look at more than you can imagine to make sure that you're worth betting on, that they'll put their story name on the outside of your hotel. But it does bring up another point in hospitality, which is there's just multiple streams of income in hospitality. I saw a study last year that showed that in the upper resort markets, the fancier hotels and markets you might go to that the average person whatever they spend on their nightly rate in the hotel, they spend 80 to 85% of that per day on all the other things associated with their stay. Now, some of those are going to be off campus, but the more that you can provide to the guests you've already brought onto the property, the more profitable it can be, Keith Weinhold 33:25 from resort fees to valets and more. Yes, there certainly is plenty to add on there. Maybe the last thing in hotel investing is, if someone wants to get started, what should they even be looking at, as far as say, understanding some of the metrics, like rev Park. Can you give us a quick walk around that? Robert Helms 33:45 Yeah, so if you're used to investing in apartment buildings or single family houses, you've probably seen the basic income formula. You know how to calculate for loss to lease and maybe vacancy and those things. Well, there's just a few more intricacies when it comes to hospitality, but it's not that difficult if you just think that you're renting every night instead of every month or every year, and instead of having my turnover be one tenant every two years, it's one tenant every four days. There's just a lot more to pay attention to. And so the most important metrics in the hospitality industry are obviously occupancy, how many nights our rooms are occupied? And then ADR, which is average daily rate, and that is the rate for a particular unit type on average over some period of time, typically a year. And if you were to multiply occupancy times average daily rate, that gives you a revenue per available room or RevPAR. RevPAR can be affected, and it's the primary metric that we drive to in the two ways, you can increase occupancy to increase your RevPAR, but in many cases, you don't need to increase occupancy if. The market will allow you to raise your average daily rent. We've just gone through in the last year that our occupancy is down about 2% for the year, and our average daily rate is up more than 16% so the math works that follow me on this with slightly less wear and tear on the units our owners are making more money. So it is a balance. It's not like I want maximum occupancy. Well, not necessarily. Hardest thing to manage for any hotel is a sold out night. Sounds like a good idea, but you have no wiggle room, whereas when you've got even 3% vacancy and something goes wrong in the middle of the night with somebody's unit, you can get them moved somewhere down the hall, not somewhere across town. So I would say there are some really great resources. If someone's interested in hospitality. There's a big company called the hotel valuation systems, HVs, and they have a lot of great tutorial information available if you're really interested. Go to a conference, a hotel conference, and you'll pick up the lingo pretty quick and meet some of the folks that are in the business. It is, historically, one of the highest return properties, but also a lot of high costs, and again, expect some negative cash flow at the beginning. Keith Weinhold 36:18 Yeah. Well, it was great. And you brought up something that I had not thought about before, about how 100% occupancy could actually introduce problems in the hotel space. And of course, there are a number of other things to consider, surge pricing, high seasons, low seasons, an awful lot that we don't think about when we're renting out single family homes one year at a time. Well, Robert, that's been a great walk around talking about the institutional space, midterm rentals, short term rentals and hotels, and you and I have a great collaboration coming up together. Why don't you tell our audience about it? Robert Helms 36:55 Oh my gosh. I am so thrilled that you'll be joining us again for our 23rd annual Investor Summit at sea. This event we do once a year, and by its name, you can probably tell that the majority of it happens on a cruise ship. We spend two days in beautiful Miami at a great hotel, then we jump on a luxury cruise ship for seven days. On the days that we're at sea, it's workshops and seminars and panel discussions and round table lunch discussions and all kinds of fun. And on the sea day, on the land days, we go have a good time together. It's extraordinary. You've been with us before, and I'm super excited to have you back with us on faculty, and excited that we're going to get to brainstorm a little bit with a couple other podcasters. So some of the OGS are going to be on this particular summit. Keith Weinhold 37:43 Yes, it is June 20 to 29th this year, where we spend the first two days on land in Miami, and then we spend a week cruising to the Bahamas, St Thomas in St Martin. We're doing it on a beautiful ship, the celebrity beyond. So as one of the faculty members, you'll get to see me do a 50 to 60 minute presentation, a couple of lunch, round table discussions. I might be on a panel or two, and also host a table for dinner each night where participants like you rotate around at the tables, and that way you get to chat directly with most or all of the faculty members. That way. Yes, Robert, I was there in 2016 as an attendee. It's great to finally come back as a faculty member. I will be putting the second pepper on the necklace. Robert Helms 38:29 All right. Well, it's gonna be a ton of fun. And the great thing about it is we have people from all over the world that come and you get in these awesome conversations. You know, you go to a one day or two days seminar, and you get to connect with some people, but boy, and this week, you're going to have a chance to meet all kinds of folks. And the faculty is amazing. Our mutual friend Ken McElroy will be back with us for his 12th year. Peter Schiff's going to be back with us again. We've got the George gammon coming. Brian London, who runs the New Orleans investment conference that you and I usually rub shoulders at, and ton more, just a really great time. And if you're serious about collapsing time frames, you can get more done in nine days on the Investor Summit that you can probably get of two years of just haphazardly going to conferences and watching webinars and listening to podcasts Keith Weinhold 39:18 you will see what we mean if you attend, about putting a pepper on the necklace and what that is all about. I can tell you from attending in 2016 just one previous appearance there. It is the greatest real estate event that I have ever attended. It's really immersive. It's really fun. Of course, you get off on these ports, and there's a beach component to it as well. It's not a low cost event, but as I like to say, it's not cheap, but neither are you. Robert Helms 39:50 It is an investment, that's for sure. I think it's important that you approach it that way, right? As investors, we demand a return. On our investment, and you should do that on the summit. Don't just show up and have a party time. That'll be great. It'll be fun. But be strategic about who you want to meet, who you want to hang out with, and who you want to learn from. The faculty is like no other. We'll have at least 15 faculty members. There's a couple more that we're working on, whose names you would know, but we are not ready to announce yet, but it's going to be so much fun. Oftentimes, the best people you meet, you meet at dinner, or you meet at the beach, or you meet out on deck. So we'd love to have you join us and tell you what, if someone is listening to your show, Keith, and they would love to have dinner with you. All they have to do is let us know that when they register say, you know, I want a chance to have meal with Keith, and I think we can make that happen. Keith Weinhold 40:45 Oh, that's great. And, you know, Robert, it's rare. It's the type of event where, even though it's been nine years since I was there, you developed such a close kinship with the like minded attendees that, you know, I might see a some of it's a Facebook friend now, you know, Steve or Dave or something. And I'll always remember, oh yeah, I met Steve on real estate guys Investor Summit to see it's almost like a relationship you would have with, like, a long ago high school classmate, to be around each other for nine days and all these places. It just kind of brings this different element to it. You can learn more at Investorsummitatsea.com, and get registered there. You can see my smiling face in the faculty section along with the other faculty members. Remember, it's really about all the other people that you meet. You have any last thoughts about the terrific Investor Summit at Sea Robert? Robert Helms 41:36 I would just say that in life, we tend to regret the things that we don't do a lot more than the things that we do. So get on board. You'll have an amazing time. No matter how great we say it is. It's better than that. It's like summer camp for the affluent, summer camp. As a kid, you didn't want to go, you weren't sure, and by the end, you were lifelong buddies. It's like that. It's investing on steroids. The photo ops are amazing, and you'll meet super cool people, plus you'll get the hangout with Keith and I. So I would say join us for the 23rd annual investors Summit. Keith Weinhold 42:14 There's wisdom out there that says you should say no to more things in life, and in one tranche, that makes sense, and you also need to say yes to more things in life that fits the category. Here with the Great Investor Summit at Sea I really anticipated. It's one of my biggest events of the year. And Robert, it's been great having you back on the show. Robert Helms 42:35 Thanks so much, Keith, and appreciate your listeners. Listening in today. Don't quit your Daydream Keith Weinhold 42:42 Well, said. Next week on the show, we talk about how to streamline the operations at your rental properties. Is it better to own rental property with, say, two bathrooms rather than one, or is that just another faucet that can leak and shower that can leak and toilet that can clog, and the pros and cons of allowing your tenant to have a pet in your rental unit, it's those sort of operational things and more that we help you improve next week right here on The GRE podcast, it's interesting about investing in a hotel to such a large scale that you can court major franchise branding, like with Hilton, Marriott Wyndham or Hyatt, which Robert has successfully done. And I have visited that property of his with him in person, and it's amazing what he's done there. And you know something, I have rarely met an American, or any global resident that is averse to staying at a branded hotel. I mean, that only seems to be an attractant. Now in the US, some people, they used to dislike franchise restaurants. I even remember people saying, Hey, we don't need another chain restaurant in my town. But I've never seen people scorn chain hotels and today, I mean, in the here and now, people seem to want both franchise restaurants and hotels. I mean today, you're more likely to hear something like hey. When is our town getting a Chick fil A? Why don't we have one yet? And of course, there is plenty of opportunities in these shorter term stay spaces without ever attracting a branding deal, major thanks to the terrific Robert helms today for his keen insight on shorter term rental real estate. This event, June's investor summon at sea is such a good time, and Robert really knows how to host it and make sure you have a good time. After doing it for more than 20 years, it is a rich, immersive experience with people, places, learning and. And relationship building. It's the type of experience that you just can't get from an Instagram reel. It does draw attendees worldwide, although most attendees were from the US when I was there that one previous time. When you register, if you want to make sure that you get dinner with me, let them know, and we'll make it happen, because we know that you haven't heard enough of my voice every single week for more than a decade now, right? In my opinion, it is the crown jewel of world real estate investing events start at Investorsummitatsea.com until next week. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream. Speaker 45:46 Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively. Keith Weinhold 46:14 The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building. Get rich education.com
For most of us, feelings are messy. Oftentimes, we don't have words for what we're feeling, and we get stuck in a dark and painful place. Because emotions can be complicated, we have so many strategies to not feel what we feel. But this often leaves us with a sense of numbness. We feel confused and chopped up inside. Giving our feelings language is like turning on the lights. It's how we begin to wake up to wholeness, to beauty, and to our own hearts again. Learning to notice, name, and process what we're feeling is also a key vehicle for growing in self-awareness. That's what author and spiritual director Anjuli Paschall and I talk about today. Anjuli brings such profound depth, vulnerability, and wisdom to this conversation as we talk about how to name our emotions, process them, and find God's presence in them. Check out Anjuli's books Stay and Feel Get Faith & Feeling's weekly resource email Learn more about writing coaching Watch this episode on YouTube Grab a copy of my book Stop Saying I'm Fine Connect with me on my website Find me on Instagram @__taylorjoy__
Oftentimes our meditation goes unnoticed and unchecked resulting in allowing our meditation to be our own demise. In this episode, you will learn what meditation is, biblical concepts, and how to manage your meditation.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.” ~Luke 10:33 NLT Hi Neighbor, Welcome to another unplugged episode of Anchors of Encouragement. In our previous episodes, I began laying the foundation for my words this year, giving you breadcrumbs to a word jumble. Here's a hint: I'm going to reveal these words slowly. We'll dive deep into their meanings by breaking them into acronyms, like a little puzzle – a tribute to my Mom who loved word jumbles. Each episode will bring new insights and tools to help you navigate the year with faith and confidence. Don't miss out on the journey! Today's word begins with the letter, “C.” Oftentimes, the wounds in the adoption journey are not visible but they hurt nonetheless. In this episode, let's consider the story of the Good Samaritan and how to feel compassion and show mercy to adopted children and their parents. They need us to be neighbors who care deeply and offer support during their hardest times. Hope and Healing are on the way. Your Neighbor, Tim P.S. If this podcast uplifted you, please share it and be an anchor of encouragement for others. Leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. Here is a short video to show you how. Join our safe space for adoptive parents. Let's replace isolation with connection, loneliness with community, and anxiety with hope. You're never alone on this journey. Reach out to Tim: email tim@anchorsofencouragement.com
Scott Mawdesley wants to inspire dads to heal, grow closer to God, and build meaningful connections. Through leatherworking and contemplative practices, Scott has learned key insights about how to grow as a man and father. In this episode, he shares how those hobbies and intentional habits have helped him lead with purpose, wisdom, and a restful presence. Key Takeaways In leatherworking, it takes seven different tools to make one bracelet. The same is true in life: You need multiple imports to intentionally shape the life you want. If your reaction to a problem is bigger than the problem itself, there's a gap that needs healing. Start each year by asking your kids, “Is there one area that I could get better as a dad that would be meaningful to you?” On March 14, kick off a journey toward deeper spiritual friendship with National Joe with a Bro Day! Scott Mawdesley Scott Mawdesley is a social entrepreneur, author, and podcast host with over 33 years of ministry experience at several leading churches. He is the founder of Dads on Tap and the Spiritual Father Program Director at Man in the Mirror Ministries. Scott and his wife, Natalie, have been married for almost 24 years and have a son in college and a daughter in high school. Key Quotes 17:53 - "The most practical way for us to understand that there's a gap that we're unaware of or need to pay attention to is think back in the last two weeks of your life, whether it's with your wife or your kids or at work or in your community, wherever it might be. When was there a time when your reaction to the issue at hand was bigger than the issue at hand? If there was, you have a gap, whether you're aware of it or not. There are two steps to healing and a soul at rest. First one is revealed. So John revealed to me I had a gap, I began to explore that. What we often do is we often think revealed is enough. Reveal feels really good because, I've never knew this before, I never saw this. What we tend to do is go, okay, I'm good. The second step is healed. So, once it's revealed, there's a process necessary. For me, it happened be six years because there was quite a bit of trauma to get to a place of being healed. That one question is kind of what revealed that stuff to me. And then we took that healing journey." 41:37 - "Oftentimes there's the dream we have that I believe God's given us and then there's the reality of how we're actually living. What we often do as men is we often try to gut it out. What we say to ourselves is just try harder. But then we end up in the same patterns, the same issues. I lived in frustration for many years until, until the journey of, of healing took me to a place where I realized that those things I'm struggling with are just the symptom. No good doctor ever just deals with the symptoms, they figure out the underlying causes. What I realized was as I took my focus off of the symptoms, I began to dig into those underlying causes. What I discovered was that with the healing of brothers and with the healing of the Holy Spirit and with the healing of some mentors, I was able to live into the dream God had for me, by doing that deeper work in my life. And I would just say, dads, if there's something you're struggling with, you can't figure out how to get beyond, don't invest too much time trying to gut it out and figure it out on your own or just try harder." Links from Today's Conversation Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email awesome@dadawesome.org Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word “Dad” to (651) 370-8618 Dads On Tap A Dad's Bible Journey: The Torah by Scott D. Mawdesley Man in the Mirror — Spiritual Fathers Joe With a Bro Connect with dadAWESOME Make a Donation to dadAWESOME Join the dadAWESOME Prayer Team Receive weekly encouragement by texting "dad" to 651-370-8618