Podcasts about oklahoma state university

Before the Big Leagues Before the sports radio career, before the opinions, and before the legend of Jim Traber, there was a kid with a glove and a dream. In Part 1 of Jim’s baseball journey, Julie and Jim take you back to the beginning—from Little League and high school ball in Columbia MD to the life-changing decision to attend Oklahoma State. Hear the stories, the struggles, the turning points, and the people who helped shape the path to becoming a Big LeaguerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cattle Market Update Weed Control After Wheat Harvest Faces in Agriculture: Chelsea Good   00:01:05 – Cattle Market Update: The show kicks off with Oklahoma State University livestock economist Derrell Peel as he chats about the cattle market and continued impacting factors.  derrell.peel@okstate.edu    00:12:05 – Weed Control After Wheat Harvest: K-State's Sarah Ganske and Jeanne Falk Jones keep today's show rolling as they discuss reminders for controlling weeds after wheat harvest and is crucial to take into consideration. Controlling Weeds After Wheat Harvest eUpdate.agronomy.ksu.edu Chemical Weed Control Guide   00:23:05  – Faces in Agriculture: Chelsea Good: Chelsea Good from Johnson County ends the show explaining her involvement in agriculture and what she is excited for in the dairy industry for this segment of Faces in Agriculture.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

On this episode I chatted with Master Photographer and artist Heather Beadles about her unique business. Heather started her journey to portraiture long before she picked up a camera. Being the fourth generation Oklahoman to grow up on her family's 1889 Land Run Farm, family legacy is a integral part of her heritage. With a passion to encourage marriages and families, she studied Family Relations and Child Development at Oklahoma State University. After receiving a Master's Degree in Counseling she went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. It was about that time that she was given her first “real” camera and the love of capturing faces and stories was born. For over 15 years Heather has been honing her artistic skills in composition, posing, lighting and color harmony. Over time her portraits have evolved from photographs into hand-painted portrait art. By blending the crafts of photography and brush painting, subjects are no longer stuck with an artist's “interpretation” of how they look, and as a result her embellished mixed media portrait paintings have become highly desired by her clients. https://www.beadlesportraits.com/ Huge thank you to our sponsors. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum telling Oklahoma's story through its people since 1927. For more information go to www.oklahomahof.com and for daily updates go to www.instagram.com/oklahomahof  The Chickasaw Nation is economically strong, culturally vibrant and full of energetic people dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage. www.chickasaw.net Dog House OKC - When it comes to furry four-legged care, our 24/7 supervised cage free play and overnight boarding services make The Dog House OKC in Oklahoma City the best place to be, at least, when they're not in their own backyard. With over 6,000 square feet of combined indoor/outdoor play areas our dog daycare enriches spirit, increases social skills, builds confidence, and offers hours of exercise and stimulation for your dog http://www.thedoghouseokc.com Metro Ford of OKC is proudly serving Oklahoma City with vehicles you can rely on and service you can trust. It's also why they're Oklahoma's Number One Performance Dealership. Shop the inventory today at metrofordofokc.com where the difference is Real. #thisisoklahoma

At what point does the high price of beef begin to limit consumer purchases at the grocery store? Dr. Derrell Peel, a livestock market economist at Oklahoma State University, spoke on that topic during the recent U.S. Meat Export Federation spring meeting in Oklahoma City. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Kyre Larrabee is shaping the next generation of veterinarians as an Assistant Professor of Veterinary Practice at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Texas Tech University. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Kyre was a member of the OSU rodeo team before continuing her education there to earn her veterinary degree.Her teaching centers on clinical and professional skills across both small and large animal medicine, with a strong emphasis on client communication. Kyre's professional interests include wound management, small animal surgery and dermatology, equine sports medicine, and compassionate end-of-life care for companion animals.In this episode, we also dive into the role of volunteer leadership and the profound impact it has had on Kyre's personal and professional journey.

Fred Minnick is one of the most knowledgeable people in America when it comes to whiskey. Born and raised in the small town of Jones, Oklahoma, he developed an early interest in shooting, fishing, and messing around in the great outdoors. Inspired by his grandfather's military service, he enlisted in the National Guard while attending Oklahoma State University, eventually serving as an Army photojournalist in Iraq in 2004. The constant danger and random violence of being in a war zone, as well as the experience of losing friends and comrades, caused him to struggle with PTSD and depression after returning home. Now, in his new book, Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man's Life, Fred tells the very personal story about how he clawed his way back from the brink of self-destruction. He chronicles his discovery of a hidden talent for tasting the complex flavors of wine and whiskey, and he shares how his obsession with the story of Old Crow bourbon—and its mysterious founder—gave him a new sense of purpose. Sid also talks to Fred about the crucial role his wife played in his recovery, the best bourbon he's ever tasted, and his top recommendations for a Kentucky bourbon tour. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacie Hoyt is the head women's basketball coach at Oklahoma State University. In four seasons with the Cowgirls, she has already established herself as one of the best coaches in the Big 12 — leading OSU to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons, including a 25-win campaign in 2024-25 that ranks among the best seasons in program history. In 2025-26 she secured the program's first NCAA Tournament win under her leadership, finishing the season 24-10. She was named a WBCA National Coach of the Year finalist and has earned a contract extension through 2030. Entering her fifth season, Hoyt signed the top-ranked transfer class in the country and shows no signs of slowing down.Download my FREE Coaching Beyond the Scoreboard E-book www.djhillier.com/coach Download my FREE 60 minute Mindset Masterclass at www.djhillier.com/masterclassDownload my FREE top 40 book list written by Mindset Advantage guests: www.djhillier.com/40booksSubscribe to our NEW YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MindsetAdvantagePurchase a copy of my book: https://a.co/d/bGok9UdFollow me on Instagram: @deejayhillierConnect with me on my website: www.djhillier.com

Cattle Port Facilities and Trade Chinch Bugs in Kansas Dairy Checkoff Program   00:01:05 – Cattle Port Facilities and Trade: Beginning the show is a cattle market update from Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock economist, discussing his recent visit to New Mexico, what their port facilities for cattle look like and trade with other countries.    00:12:05 – Chinch Bugs in Kansas: Jeff Whitworth, K-State crop entomologist, keeps the show rolling as he chats about chinch bugs and what crops he is concerned about because of the pest. entomology.ksu.edu  Crop Insects in Kansas   00:23:05  – Dairy Checkoff Program: K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk ends the show explaining how the mandatory, USDA-supervised Dairy Checkoff Program benefits Kansas dairy producers and consumers.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Arlan Suderman is the Chief Commodities Economist for StoneX Group and he helps us wrap up the week's market action and share risk management options. Derrell Peel holds the Charles Breedlove Professorship of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University. He helps analyze the Cattle on Feed Report released today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spine specialist, Dr. Casey Johnston shares an interesting case of a 58 y.o. triathlete with severe back and leg pain. Dr. Casey Johnston, D.C. is the owner and Clinical Director for Desert Springs Chiropractic. He has been in full time private practice since 2001. He is an alumnus of Oklahoma State University and Texas Chiropractic College. Prior to his work at DSCC, he worked as the Lead Chiropractor for multi clinic medical organization in Houston, Texas. During his tenure he trained and established chiropractic and rehabilitation protocols for the Chiropractic, Physical Medicine and Physical Therapy Departments for the various clinics. Dedicated to continually offering the most cutting-edge care, Dr. Johnston consistently trains in new and advanced techniques. Using the most advanced research, Desert Springs offers a dynamic system for assessing and reassessing each patient as an individual. Designing individualized care for each person and their individual needs is our number one priority. Taking time to fully understand each patient's unique situation has often provided success in complicated cases when medicine, physical therapy, surgery and even other chiropractors have been unable to help. Dr. Johnston and our staff use Gonstead Chiropractic corrective adjustments, coupled with Titleist Performance Institute (analysis, strength and conditioning) rehab protocols to build an individualized and effective plan of action for our patients. Dr. Johnston employs both hands-on and/or low force mechanical adjusting techniques depending on the individual patients needs and requests. Dr. J, as he is often called, has significant experience with over 18 years working with injuries to the spinal discs (herniations, bulges, degenerative discs, sciatica, etc.). After injuring his own L5/S1 disc, he developed protocols to help others recover based on his personal experience and success. He often employs Cox Flexion/Distraction (using the Cox 8 table/instrument), decompression, ELDOA and the McKenzie method for disc conditions. Often, we work in combination with primary care physicians, pain management doctors and/or surgeons to achieve the best results for our patients. Resources: Dr. Johnston's webpage Episode 132 Dr. Casey Johnston – Recurrent Back Pain Find a Cox Certified Doctor The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical

Vietnam-era U.S. Marine Corps veteran Rusty Fleming was born and raised in Oklahoma City. Following high school graduation, he attended Cameron Junior College on a basketball scholarship but returned shortly to Oklahoma City and started a career with the Bell System in 1964.The draft came calling in January of 1966, and he joined the Marines for two years, deployed to Vietnam in March 1967, and served in an artillery unit. He returned in March 1968, during the Tet Offensive.Rusty resumed his career with the Bell System, which resulted in a transfer to Tulsa and the introduction to Grand Lake, which proved to be a life-changing experience. He left Bell System in 1981, moved to the lake, and actively supported Grand Lake initiatives.In 1988, he established the Grand River Chronicle newspaper. He backed mandated lake level targets, highlighted FERC's lake management role, advocated Shoreline Management and water quality projects, and participated in multiple lake groups.In his oral history, Rusty talks about his Vietnam service, his newspaper, his radio show, and Oklahoma State University on the podcast and website Voices of Oklahoma.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to truly prepare a professional to work in Tribal finance and governance? For Lindsey Ray, Senior Tribal Programs Manager at Oklahoma State University, the answer started with a needs assessment, a gap in the market, and a partnership that grew into something much bigger than anyone expected. In this episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally sits down with Lindsey to explore the origin and evolution of OSU's Introductory Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate — a program that has now reached participants from 258 Tribes and enterprises across 32 states. Lindsey shares how the program grew from a hand-selected pilot cohort of 20 Oklahoma Tribal professionals in 2018 to a nationally recognized resource offered in both in-person and online formats, and how REDW became a core partner in developing and facilitating nearly a third of its sessions.The conversation goes beyond program logistics to ask a harder question: why do traditional accounting and MBA programs leave so many professionals underprepared for the realities of Tribal finance? Lindsey's answer — that Tribal finance is tied to sovereignty, governance, federal regulations, and long-term economic development in ways that mainstream curricula simply don't address — is the heart of why this certificate exists. Whether you're an entry-level accounting professional, an elected Tribal leader, or a CIO realizing that financial literacy gaps are showing up in your meetings, this episode makes a compelling case for education that's built specifically for Indian Country.Chapters·        01:06 - Why the OSU Program Keeps Coming Up Across Indian Country·        01:36 - The Origin: A Needs Assessment, a Training Gap, and NAFOA·        02:58 - From Oklahoma Pilot to National Program·        05:41 - Online vs. In-Person: What Each Format Offers·        10:01 - Who Should Attend — and Who's Actually Showing Up·        13:52 - Why Traditional Programs Fall Short for Tribal Finance·        16:09 - The Intentional Mix of Faculty, Practitioners, and Legal Experts·        18:32 - How Participants Stay Connected After the Program Ends·        20:25 - The Real Impact of Earning a Certificate Does your Tribal organization need advisors who bring hands-on Tribal finance experience to every engagement? Connect with REDW's National Tribal Practice to learn how our team supports Tribal governments and enterprises with training, advisory, and financial services tailored to your nation's unique needs.REDW Advisors and CPAs is proud to bring you the Insight in Indian Country Podcast, covering important advisory, accounting, and finance topics that impact Tribal Nations and business affairs. Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan MailLIVE at the International Association of Arson Investigators ITC 2026, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with fire investigator Nicole Brewer for one of the podcast's most insightful conversations yet. Nicole shares her journey from firefighter to fire investigator, her transition from public to private sector investigations, and how advanced education through Eastern Kentucky University and Oklahoma State University shaped her approach to forensic fire analysis. The discussion dives deep into scientific methodology, courtroom testimony, cognitive bias in fire investigations, and practical strategies investigators can use to strengthen their origin and cause determinations.The episode also explores the growing role of cognitive bias awareness in forensic science and how fire investigators can minimize unconscious influence during investigations. Nicole introduces her “Bias Minimization Worksheet” and explains how techniques like linear sequential unmasking and structured hypothesis testing can improve investigative reliability, courtroom confidence, and case defensibility. From real trial experiences and grand jury testimony to SAW (Scientific Advisory Workgroup) case reviews, this episode delivers valuable insight for both new and seasoned investigators looking to sharpen their methodology and elevate their professionalism in the field.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocusfire_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast

The Voting Rights Act, or VRA, is viewed as the most important piece of legislation advancing civil rights in the 1960s. Passed in 1965, it was intended to redress the dis-empowerment of African Americans whose voting rights had been restricted due to several states legislation, ranging from poll taxes to literacy tests and other restrictions on voting. Throughout the Roberts Court, the VRA has been restricted and its protections stripped away. In 2026, perhaps the last of these provisions have been overturned, in a decision in the case Louisiana v Callais. On todays show, we will explore this decision and the impact it has on drawing Congressional districts, in an era of particularly aggressive gerrymandering. [ dur: 58mins. ] Eric J. Segall, Ashe Family Chair Professor of Law and the Executive Director of Emmet J. Bondurant Center for Constitutional Law, Practice and Democracy at Georgia State University. He is the author of Originalism as Faith and Supreme Myths: Why the Supreme Court Is Not a Court and Its Justices Are Not Judges. Seth C. McKee is a Professor of Political Science at Oklahoma State University. He is the author of The Dynamics of Southern Politics: Causes and Consequences and coauthor of Rural Republican Realignment in the Modern South: The Untold Story with MV Hood. Christian Grose is a Professor of Political Science & Public Policy and the Academic Director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy at the University of Southern California. He is the author of Independent Redistricting Commissions Increase Voter Perceptions of Fairness and co-author of Local Election Administrators in the United States: The Frontline of Democracy. This program is produced by Doug Becker, Ankine Aghassian, Maria Armoudian, Anna Lapin and Sudd Dongre. Politics and Activism, Elections, Redistricting, Voting Rights, Congress, Courts, Democrats, Republicans

Liz Dueck is a Nature Artist, Art Educator, Trail Guide, and the co-curator of “Along the Cimarron”. She primarily works in oil painting, charcoal and natural materials. Her creative practices are all based on exploration and connection. Along with displaying her work in galleries and curating exhibitions, she regularly leads Art Hikes in the Tulsa and Sand Springs area. Dueck's passion lies in interchangeably connecting art, nature and people together.Dueck graduated with a BFA in Studio Art, a Teaching Certification in Art and a minor in Art History from Oklahoma State University in 2017. She worked for OSU's Art Department in her time there as a student as well as upon graduation as the Education Coordinator of the Prairie Arts Center. She now teaches art at the Tulsa Boys' Home, volunteers as a Trail Guide at the Keystone Ancient Forest leading monthly Art Hikes and resides in the forests of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. To connect with Liz, visithttps://www.lizdueck.com/https://www.instagram.com/lizdueckart/

Dr. Shannon Ferrell, an agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University, said with cattle markets strong, now is a great time to think about succession planning. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cattle Market, Beef Production and Weather Impacts Knowing How to Identify Snakes Bovine Theileriosis   00:01:05 – Cattle Market, Beef Production and Weather Impacts: Beginning today's show is Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock economist, as he talks about the cattle market, global beef production and the impact weather has or could have on the industry. Oklahoma State University Extension Beef   00:12:05 – Knowing How to Identify Snakes: Drew Ricketts, K-State wildlife specialist, keeps the show rolling as he shares his annual reminders of snakes in Kansas and how people should handle encounters. Wildlife.K-State.edu   00:23:05 – Bovine Theileriosis: K-State livestock entomologist Cassandra Olds ends the show talking about bovine theileriosis. We also hear from Rod Bain and David Gruchot they discuss invasive pests and diseases.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

In this episode of the Crop Doctors' Podcast, Brian Arnall from Oklahoma State University joins Tom and Jason to share his firsthand experience evaluating biological products in production agriculture. The conversation dives into just how many products Brian has tested over the years, the wide range of formulations and claims on the market, and the challenges of separating hype from proven performance. They also discuss whether these products can—or should—play a role in real-world farming systems, offering practical insight for growers trying to make informed decisions. Check out Brian's blog at www.osunpk.com and podcast at www.reddirtagronomy.com   https://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation  

A giant EV factory can feel like a town's future on opening day and like a crater on closing day. We sit down with Sunderesh Heragu, professor at Oklahoma State University and President of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, to unpack what really happens when EV manufacturing plants, battery factories, or assembly projects get paused midstream. We talk about why EV production is built differently than internal combustion, and why that difference can make a restart or a quick replacement tenant harder than people expect.We also zoom out to the forces driving these decisions: gasoline prices, inflation, disposable income, and the uncertainty that freezes investment when executives can't get a clean read on demand. Then we widen the lens even more, looking at global EV growth and the competitive pressure from overseas makers like BYD. Trade relationships, tariffs, and supply chain redesigns all show up in the background, shaping where the next wave of production could land and who might buy up idle North American capacity.From there, the conversation turns local and personal. When a plant closes, it's not just a building problem. It's job loss, struggling mom-and-pop stores, and cities left holding the bag after tax abatements and infrastructure bets. We kick around realistic reuse ideas like warehouses and data centers, while being honest about the employment gap, and we also touch on hybrids as a practical path when charging infrastructure isn't ready.If you care about the future of EV jobs, the rust belt economy, and what comes next for these mega-sites, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who follows the auto industry, and leave us a review with your take on what communities should demand when the next factory deal gets signed.Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!The Lupe' Tortilla RestaurantsLupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas Gulf Coast Auto ShieldPaint protection, tint, and more!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.----  ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?     In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!  Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.-----   -----Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltimehttps://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTimeFor more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at info@inwheeltime.com

Two young women were told the system would handle it. It didn't. So they hired attorneys, filed motions, and forced a Payne County judge to order something that almost never happens — an evidentiary hearing where the DA's office has to explain, under oath, how a plea deal was negotiated. Jesse Butler pleaded no contest to multiple felony sexual assault and strangulation charges involving two Stillwater High School students. He originally faced up to 78 years. He was granted youthful offender status and sentenced to community service, counseling, and check-ins. No prison time. His father's ties to Oklahoma State University and the Stillwater school district have raised questions from the beginning — questions that intensified when the special judge who granted youthful offender status turned out to have her own OSU connections. The victims' attorney, Rachel Bussett, filed a constitutional challenge under Marsy's Law arguing the plea should be voided entirely because the victims were shut out of the process. The state tried to dismiss it. The judge said no. A federal lawsuit has since named the school district, city officials, Butler's parents, the school principal, and a school resource officer — painting a picture of institutional failure and alleged intimidation. Another Stillwater teen facing similar charges is being treated completely differently by the same prosecutor's office. Butler turns 19 in August. After that, the window for accountability may close permanently. The April 13 hearing is where we find out whether the people who made this deal can defend it when the questions come under oath instead of behind closed doors.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#JesseButler #StillwaterOK #MarsysLaw #PayneCounty #VictimRights #YouthfulOffender #RachelBussett #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #SystemFailed

Crystal Clear connects the dots between DARPA's neural interface program and China's brain research initiative and arrives at a theory that's structurally identical to the COVID gain-of-function mess: two governments in bed together, both too exposed to snitch.Yes, DARPA is involved. No, they're not the Bond villain. They're the co-conspirator who showed up to the heist in a government-issued sedan and now can't leave because their partner has the keys. The U.S. gets manufacturing capabilities and a population base that would never clear a domestic ethics board. China gets American simulation tools and institutional prestige. Everybody wins except, you know, the people.Also discussed: why the CDC study looks less like an investigation and more like a cleanup crew with a clipboard, what happened to the military forensic lab that touched the samples (spoiler: gone), why the lead investigator landed at the BRAIN Initiative afterward, and what 12,000 names in a filing cabinet at Oklahoma State University might actually document.Crystal Clear also has a message for the community: stop pointing fingers in a 180-degree radius. It's not everybody. It's specific people, specific programs, specific patents and payments. Bring your skepticism, bring your faith, bring your contradictions — but leave the Illuminati at the door.Closes with a live update on open records request No. 26-100, filed under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Their response so far: “it will take some time.” Dot dot dot.Tags/Keywords: DARPA, brain-computer interface, Morgellons, neural biosensor, Profusa, BRAIN Initiative, gain of function, Wuhan, CDC unexplained dermopathy, AFIP, Oklahoma State University, open records, biosensor patents, U.S.-China collaboration, Crystal Clear, More Morgellons

Crystal Clear wraps Season 18 with the most comprehensive episode in the show's history, connecting the CDC Morgellons study to parallel Chinese and American brain-computer interface programs, DARPA-funded implantable biosensors with Chinese investors, and a technology supply chain that traces back to 2001. Featuring timestamped podcast analytics showing coordinated Chinese surveillance from three brain research cities, the real explanation for the drug-use correlation in Morgellons patients, and a new framework for understanding what Morgellons actually is — not a bioweapon, not a disease, but an installation platform for neural biosensor technology in a bilateral brain-machine interface arms race.The CDC Morgellons study running concurrently with China's first Brain Project 2008-2011. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology shutdown. Michelle Pearson's transfer from lead CDC investigator to BRAIN Initiative chief of staff. The US BRAIN Initiative as a response to China's earlier program. The China Brain Project's “one body two wings” framework connecting cognition research to brain-inspired AI.DARPA funding Profusa implantable biosensors while Chinese investors Qihoo 360 and Tasly Pharmaceutical Group sit on the same cap table. Ben Hwang as CEO. The Ansoft to Ansys to Synopsys acquisition chain and its role as the global standard simulation platform for implantable antenna design, wireless power transfer to medical implants, and biosensor development. China's SAMR regulatory jurisdiction over the $35 billion Synopsys-Ansys deal.Morgellons as a prediction error loop — engineered materials designed to be almost-but-not-quite recognizable, continuously triggering mismatch negativity, P300, and N400 neurological responses. The brain's error correction process as the most valuable training dataset for artificial general intelligence. Why the ambiguity of Morgellons materials is a design feature not a coincidence.The drug supply chain as delivery mechanism. Chinese control of precursor chemicals for fentanyl and methamphetamine. Chinese manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients for prescribed psychotropics. Insufflation and smoking as direct routes to neural tissue. Blood-brain barrier permeability from stimulant use. The CDC documenting the delivery route and calling it a risk factor.Timestamped podcast analytics showing a Chinese listener surge from 0.2% to 15% within days of filing an open records request to Oklahoma State University. Listeners concentrated in Harbin, Xiamen, and Lanzhou — three cities with active roles in China's brain research and defense infrastructure. Web browser access patterns. The audience disappearing within days of the callout episode. Jenny Chan's unsolicited email to a private address during the same window.The bilateral collaboration framework — American and Chinese institutions as co-conspirators in a classified neural interface program, with the cover-up protecting the partnership rather than either government individually. The 12,000 person patient registry at OSU as a deployment map. The open records request filed February 23, 2026 — still unanswered.References & Sources:CDC Kaiser Permanente Morgellons Study 2012 — “Clinical, Epidemiologic, Histopathologic and Molecular Features of an Unexplained Dermopathy”China Brain Project 2008-2011 — Atlantis Press proceedingsChina Brain Project 2016-2030 — Neuron journal, Poo et al.Profusa Series C filing August 2018 — PR NewswireAnsys HFSS implantable antenna simulation — Ozen Engineering white papersSynopsys-Ansys acquisition July 2025 — SEC filingsLuis Elizondo, Imminent (2025)Listen: Available wherever you get your podcastsContact: moremorgellons.comSupport the show: Follow, subscribe, rate, review, comment!!!

Crystal Clear opens with testimony from Elsa Johnson, a Stanford junior and Editor-in-Chief of the Stanford Review, who describes being targeted by a suspected Chinese Ministry of State Security operative while conducting research at the Hoover Institution — including social media contact from a fake Stanford affiliate, a paid trip offer to Shanghai, pressure to move communications to WeChat, and subsequent FBI confirmation of physical surveillance on campus.Crystal picks up the thread as a fellow subject of monitoring and reintroduces the forensic triple filter framework: timing window, rarity baseline, and independent system convergence. She then walks through five data pulls from her podcast hosting analytics — not interpretations, numbers.The baseline: In 5+ years of show history, China represented 0.2% of total Spotify plays. Japan, 0.11%. English-speaking countries dominated. Normal. Then on February 23, 2026, she filed an open records request to Oklahoma State University targeting the 12,000-person Morgellons patient registry, research agreements, and Randy Wymore's federal correspondence. Within days — not weeks — China surged to 15% of her audience (country #2 worldwide), Japan to 11.67% (#3). Listeners concentrated in three cities: Harbin, Xi'amen, and Lanzhou. Web browser listening quadrupled from 8% to 32%. The spike held for roughly 45 days, then collapsed within four days of the Hello Harbin episode airing — at which point Jenny Chan also went silent after her last reply.Crystal addresses the VPN counterargument head-on: even if individual access is easy, the simultaneous disappearance of 100% of the Chinese audience within days of the call-out episode is the part VPN logic can't explain. She notes the spike wasn't triggered by her China coverage in Season 5 — it was triggered by a request about American research infrastructure. Whoever was listening was monitoring the Morgellons research pipeline, not her foreign policy commentary.The episode closes with Crystal revisiting her own Season 1 clip from 2020, letting the audience hear how far the investigation has traveled from early speculation to primary-source methodology — and why the lane between closed-mindedness and credulity is the only road that leads anywhere.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Ryan Goodman grew up on a cattle ranch in Arkansas, studied beef cattle science at Oklahoma State University, and now manages WSU's beef cattle research program as Beef Cattle Operations Manager in Pullman, Washington, where he also teaches hands-on lab courses to the next generation of pre-veterinary students. Online, he goes by @BeefRunner. He also runs a lot of 100-mile races. In this conversation, Zoë and Brendan talk with Ryan about what six weeks of calving season: sleepless, high-stakes, completely indifferent to your training plan, taught him about finishing a hundred-miler, and why "one thing at a time" works as well in the Crazy Mountains of Montana as it does on a ranch at 2 a.m. They get into the complicated but more negotiable than you'd think relationship between ranchers and trail runners, the farm-versus-ranch distinction (I-35 is the line, roughly), why the heifers following you on BLM trail are curious not threatening, and Red Dirt music as the ultrarunning soundtrack you didn't know you needed. Also: cow tipping, the correct post-ultra meal, and whether Pullman counts as a town. This week's featured race is Mujeres and Marigolds, a women's only event with a 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k, and 100k relay! Thanks to TrailCon for supporting the podcast. Register now to attend!

At the Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference, we visit with Jennifer Patterson, Payne County Extension ag educator, about how local agricultural programming comes together and why it still matters for Oklahoma producers. From cattle markets and forage fertility to weed control and producer education, Jennifer explains how Extension listens first, then builds programs around the issues producers are actually facing. This episode also offers a closer look at the day-to-day reality of county Extension work. Jennifer talks about moving from Adair and Sequoyah counties to Payne County, learning a new region, working across diverse audiences, and helping connect rural communities to research-based answers. It is a conversation about service, problem-solving, and the people helping keep agriculture informed and connected. Top 10 takeaways Extension succeeds by listening first. Jennifer makes clear that the best programs start with the real questions producers are already asking. Local conferences still matter. The Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference works because it gives producers face-to-face access to timely, practical information. County Extension work is highly local. Even within Oklahoma, the needs in Payne County differ from those in Adair and Sequoyah counties. Producer concerns drive programming. Topics like cattle markets, forage quality, fertility, and weed control shaped this event because they are the issues producers are dealing with now. Extension serves more than one audience. In Payne County, educators may help cow-calf producers, stocker operators, homesteaders, gardeners, and commercial horticulture clients all in the same week. Relationships are a major part of Extension. Whether it is with producers, community partners, or state specialists, trust helps turn questions into solutions. Hands-on programs have lasting value. Jennifer's enthusiasm for pasture tours and the Hoof to Hook program shows how effective experiential learning can be. Youth livestock education can go beyond showing. The feedout program connects young people to cattle production, carcass outcomes, and management decisions from start to finish. Extension careers are rewarding but unpredictable. Jennifer describes the work as diverse, meaningful, and never the same two days in a row. Extension is still underused in many communities. One of the strongest themes in the episode is that many people do not fully realize how much help is available through their county office. Detailed Timestamped Rundown 00:03–00:58 Dave opens Episode 512 and introduces the conversation from the Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference, emphasizing Extension's role in helping producers navigate real-world agricultural challenges.00:58–01:31 The team introduces the show and transitions into the live conversation recorded February 13, 2026, in Stillwater.01:31–02:15 Jennifer Patterson joins the podcast and is introduced as the organizer of the conference and Payne County Extension ag educator.02:16–03:10 Jennifer explains that she has been in Payne County about a year and a half and describes the conference as a regional, multi-county event designed around current producer concerns.03:12–04:18 The group discusses the speaker lineup, including the range of topics covered and the importance of making educational sessions approachable and interactive.04:18–06:11 Jennifer highlights the value of speakers like Derrell Peel and Megan Roth, especially with ongoing interest in cattle markets, herd rebuilding, and bull selection.06:12–08:11 Brian asks Jennifer about moving from Adair and Sequoyah counties to Payne County. She explains differences in rainfall, forage systems, native grasses, weed pressure, and local production conditions.08:11–09:23 Jennifer reflects on the pace of the Payne County office and the strong local engagement she has seen from producers and community members.09:23–10:59 The discussion turns to public awareness of Extension. Jennifer explains that many people still do not fully understand what Extension offers beyond 4-H.10:59–12:23 Josh and Brian talk about the unique mix of audiences in Payne County, where rural agricultural issues overlap with homeowner and horticulture questions in Stillwater.12:23–15:18 Jennifer describes how educators often work together across agriculture, horticulture, and homesteading topics because clientele frequently have questions that cross categories.15:19–17:12 The group discusses the need to know your audience. Jennifer explains that successful Extension programming depends on adapting the message to the people in the room.17:12–20:08 Josh raises the idea that Payne County might be viewed differently because it is home to the university. Jennifer says some local clients already know campus specialists, which can be helpful but also intimidating.20:08–22:17 Jennifer talks about future programming, including pasture tours, outdoor educational opportunities, pesticide meetings, and possible sheep and goat field days.22:17–24:32 She describes the Hoof to Hook youth steer feedout program, explaining how it walks students and families through feeding, management, education, and carcass evaluation.24:32–25:08 Dave highlights the long-term value of that experience for young cattle producers and the way it connects management decisions to carcass outcomes.25:08–26:22 Brian asks about the most common questions Jennifer gets in the office. She points to weed identification, weed control, forage analysis, and declining warm-season forage performance.26:22–27:42 Dave asks how conference topics are selected. Jennifer says program planning comes from producer conversations, monthly reporting, neighboring county collaboration, and local partner input.27:42–30:19 Josh asks how to get young people interested in Extension careers. Jennifer says the variety, freedom, and service-oriented nature of the work make it rewarding and unique.30:19–32:22 The group discusses the challenge of Extension's unpredictable workload. Jennifer explains how mentors and stronger communication networks helped her adapt to the pace of the job.32:22–33:43 Brian asks how state specialists can better connect with county educators. Jennifer says approachability and relationship-building matter so county staff feel comfortable reaching out.33:43–End The episode wraps with thanks to Jennifer Patterson and a reminder to visit the Red Dirt Agronomy website for more information and resources. RedDirtAgronomy.com

Demand and Questions in the Cattle Market KARL Program Travels to Brazil Pros and Cons of Turkey Vultures   00:01:05 – Demand and Questions in the Cattle Market: A cattle market update from Oklahoma State University livestock economist, Derrell Peel, begins the show as he talks about the mixture in the futures, cash and boxed beef market. He also comments on questions he is frequently asked.   00:12:05 – KARL Program Travels to Brazil: Continuing the show are four Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program participants, Trevor Pederson, Ryan Gilliland, Lisa Schemm and Janae McKinney, as they share about their current international tour in Brazil. Karlprogram.com   00:23:05 – Pros and Cons of Turkey Vultures: Drew Ricketts, K-State wildlife specialist, ends today's show as he discusses benefits and issues turkey vultures can cause.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

>>Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy to lower your handicap FAST Kevin Dougherty is a professional golfer from Murrieta, California, who turned pro in 2014 after playing collegiate golf at Oklahoma State University. Some of his teammates at OSU included Wyndham Clark and Taylor Gooch.   Kevin achieved a significant milestone by earning his first PGA Tour card, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Known for his perseverance, commitment to fitness and dedication to the sport, Kevin continues to work on his game and will inspire you to think big in 2025.  When you listen to this episode, you will learn: How he became a top driver in pro golf. His experience working with a sports psychologist. Why the putting green is so important before the round. How a mini driver can help faster swinging players off the tee. His unique strategy to hit fades and draws with driver off the tee. How a routine helps him stay present and play best in high pressure situations. And a lot more. WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: The FASTEST way to play consistent golf and lower your handicap.  Practice Like a Pro With Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula: 100 Practice plans and a 90-minute masterclass to practice like a pro.   Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube

Crystal is taking you all the way back. Before the foundation, before the name, before the RadioShack microscope origin story that never made sense anyway. Back to May 2001 — a home ISP page, a plea from a man named Wei-Nong Fu in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, asking the internet for help with his wife's mystery illness. Sounds desperate. Sounds innocent. Except Fu is an electromagnetic field simulation engineer at ANSOFT Corporation, the company whose software models how EM fields behave inside complex structures. Including, theoretically, biological ones. Nowadays, he just happens to be an expert in implantable biosensors, back in China working as a professor. But in 2001, he recommends a specific microscope — the Bradford BVPM — to diagnose what he says is an unknown pathogen. That microscope was built by Robert W. Bradford, a man with no science degree who was later convicted of conspiracy, mail fraud, and whose unregulated drugs literally killed a patient. Bradford manufactured a Lyme epidemic to sell his product. His microscope is the diagnostic foundation of the earliest documented cases. And Fu's Shanghai case studies? Linked on the Morgellons Research Foundation website within weeks of its registration. The Shanghai Cases weren't discovered by the stay at home mom who ran the MRF. They were baked into the infrastructure at launch.We trace the geographic cluster — Canonsburg, Pennsylvania (population: about 9,000, also home to ANSYS, the company that acquired ANSOFT for $832 million), Bethel Park right next door, the MRF registered in the same tiny corridor. We look at Mary Lato's actual records versus the origin story. No licensure. No employment history. Research-grade fluorescence micrographs on the website that were absolutely not produced by a toy radioshack microscope. A domain registrant whose initials match a young man living in her household. A national letter-writing campaign that reached Obama, McCain, Clinton, and Feinstein — coordinated by a woman with no verifiable professional background. Three founding couples, none seemingly sharing a last name, in a condition where the statistical reality is that men leave at seven times the normal rate when women get seriously ill. Three for three devoted husbands isn't a love story. It's a casting pattern.We also talk about what this means for you — right now, today. Crystal Clear makes the case that this has never behaved like a disease and the path forward isn't medical, it's political. The CDC found silica, polyethylene glycol, and cellulose together in samples and called them contaminants without further study. Contaminants or components — that question remains open. Havana Syndrome got the same playbook the morgies got: deny, diagnose delusions, dismiss. If they wouldn't protect their own CIA officers, they're not coming for us voluntarily. But pressure works. It always has. Ask Upton Sinclair. Ask the rats no longer ground up in your hamburger.Speaking of pressure — Oklahoma State University received the MRF's assets when it dissolved, including possibly a patient registry of approximately 12,000 self-reports. Crystal Clear filed an open records request 31 days ago. OSU has not responded. The portal won't even publish the request. If you'd like to know what happened to your data — data you submitted, about your body, your experience — you might consider asking. Politely. Persistently. Because twenty years and two posters is not an answer.New episodes drop regularly. Share the show. Tell someone. We're not done pushing. Leave Crystal a message or VM atMoremorgellons.com | FOIA count: 49 and climbing

Well folks, 60 Minutes just confirmed that a classified U.S. intelligence mission recovered an actual directed-energy weapon — concealable, portable, silent, programmable, remote-operated, penetrates walls — and they tested it on animals in a military lab for over a year. It does what the victims said it does. So that's fun.Remember when these diplomats and spies with top-secret clearances and zero psychiatric history were told they were delusional? The FBI's early assessment was “mass hysteria.” The 2023 intelligence community report — still officially standing — says it's “very unlikely” a foreign adversary was responsible. There is now a weapon in a lab that says otherwise. Whoopsie.A former CIA officer in the Anomalous Health Incidents unit — speaking publicly for the first time — describes being told the goal was to prove it was psychosomatic and environmental. He watched a senior AHI officer mock victims by simulating a stroke at a unit happy hour. That's your tax dollars funding workplace comedy about brain injuries. Incredible.Now here's where it gets interesting for us. MKUltra didn't pick subjects randomly. CIA started with their own people — hi Frank Olson — then military subjects at Edgewood Arsenal, then systematically pivoted to populations whose testimony would be automatically discredited. Psychiatric patients. Prisoners. Addicts at the Lexington Narcotic Farm. Sex workers at Operation Midnight Climax. The selection logic wasn't random. It was about deniability.Map that onto our population. Four hundred episodes of testimony. People institutionalized as adolescents. Boarding school kids. People flagged through giftedness testing — programs that sometimes trace back to federal or military funding pipelines. Musicians — internationally traveling, high sensory sensitivity, unusual venue-exposure profiles. Joni Mitchell talked about this and got demolished. Charles Holman, musician, MRF-connected, dead. Roy Houchin, musician, MRF board. Barbara Mandrell, musician. That's not random. That's a selection signature.And “delusional parasitosis” does to this population exactly what “delusional” did to those intelligence officers. It's both the effect and the cover. Self-sealing.The CDC's 2012 Kaiser Permanente study did the same thing as the 2023 intelligence assessment: produce an official finding, foreclose inquiry, move on. Same playbook, different decade, different agency.Now — the archive we've built here is the only dataset that isn't compromised or locked in a university vault. Speaking of which: Oklahoma State University, the MRF patient registry of 12,000 families is still missing. Open records request 26-100, filed February 23rd. No substantive response. If you donated data, money, or samples to the Morgellons Research Foundation or Randy Wymore at OSU, maybe give them a call.And speaking of foreign actors — next episode we're opening the Shanghai thread. Early Wayback captures of morgellons.org linked to a personal site documenting roughly ten cases in Shanghai, built by the husband of a woman with initials H.L. He worked at Ansoft Corporation — a Pittsburgh electromagnetic field simulation software company with offices in China — and used his Ansoft work email. They reportedly funded research at Fudan University into her case. Pittsburgh to Shanghai to Fudan. We're going to verify every piece of it transparently.The government closed their investigation. We didn't. Stay tuned.

Taylor May is the Founder & CEO of SecurityVIP (SVIP), a research firm dedicated to bridging the gap between manufacturers and end users in the security industry. With more than 12 years of experience in the security industry, Taylor specializes in emerging technologies and is recognized for building strong, lasting end user relationships. His leadership and impact have earned him recognition as an IFSEC Global Security Influencer, an Honored Listee in Marquis Who's Who in America, and a Top 40 Global Thought Leader by the Life Safety Alliance. Taylor holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University, where he also competed as a Defensive End on the 2011 Big 12 Championship Football Team. He later earned his MBA from the University of Dallas. Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-may-mba-55b40a84/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/svip-enterprises https://www.svip.news/ If you're enjoying Entrepreneur's Enigma, please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you're getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. →  https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans. Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Want to learn from a 15 year veteran? Check out the Podcast Mastery Community:https://www.skool.com/podcast-mastery-community-6116/about Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Leave The Show A Voicemail: https://podcastfeedback.com/entrepreneursenigma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Episode 77 of the Consortium Podcast, an academic audio blog of Kepler Education. In this episode, Carrie Eben discusses what it means to be a good teacher. She dives into just a few of the ten pedagogical principles found in her and Dr. Christopher Perrin's new book The Good Teacher. Learn more about the principles here. As a Master Teacher at the CiRCE Institute, Carrie invites homeschool teachers, brick-and-mortar teachers, and even just life-long learners to explore what it means to be a truly good teacher. Visit her website here. Carrie Eben's current most recommended book: Reaching Out: The Three Movements of The Spiritual Life by Henri Nouwen Kepler's Consortiums provide resources and regional connections for Christian families, teachers, and educational organizations to expand the reach of classical education and foster human flourishing for generations to come. For over twenty-six years, Carrie Eben has championed classical education in both the private school classroom and homeschool arenas. She currently serves as founding board member at Sager Classical Academy in Siloam Springs, AR and is a Head Mentor for the CiRCE Institute Master Teacher Apprenticeship for the Ozark Mountain region. As a consultant, she develops and delivers customized workshops and mentorship for administrators, teachers, and parents in both classical school and homeschool settings. Carrie holds a BSE in Intermediate Education, a MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University and is currently a PhD (ABD) candidate in the Great Books Humanities program at Faulkner University. She is co-author of The Good Teacher: Ten Pedagogical Principles That Will Transform Your Teaching with Dr. Christopher Perrin. She loves to sing, read, horseback ride, and provide hospitable places for transformative conversations in her home.

Both morgellons.org and morgellons.com were registered March 14, 2002. The registrant was not Mary Leitao or her husband Edward Leitao (an internist who died suddenly two years later and whose name appears in no subsequent MRF publication, board filing, press release, or congressional testimony). The registrant is listed as “dkornsin” (K-O-R-N-S-I-N), with an associated email address of dkornsin@hotmail.com. No Kornsin appears in Pennsylvania nonprofit records or Pennsylvania public address records from this period.A user named “D. Kornsin” appears on BlackHatWorld, a black hat SEO forum, with a join date of January 2011 — resurfacing a decade later asking about domain resale value. The email cluster associated with the WHOIS data connects to Chinese software distribution infrastructure, specifically the 2345.com ecosystem — a major Chinese tech platform known in malware analysis circles for grey-zone adware distribution behind deliberately obscure registrant contacts. An associated email address, ch3web@hotmail.com, also traces into that infrastructure.The domain was made private in October 2017 — six years after the MRF officially dissolved. Someone was still maintaining it then, and someone is still maintaining it today.The MRF Patient Registry and DissolutionThe MRF dissolution announcement, dated February 15, 2012, stated the organization was no longer active and not accepting registrations or donations. Remaining funds were donated to the Oklahoma State University Foundation to support Morgellons disease research. The dissolution was filed using IRS Form 990-N, the minimum possible instrument, available only when gross receipts fall below $50,000. No program descriptions, no asset disposition schedule, no documentation of what happened to organizational property.The patient registry — containing self-reported onset dates, locations, symptom profiles, occupational information, and geographic clustering data from over 12,000 families across all 50 states and at least 15 countries — has no documented public disposition. Its transfer to OSU, if it occurred, left no public trace.Historical Source Material: Mick West / Morgellons WatchThe episode references a 2007 post from Mick West's Morgellons Watch site with 101 comments, and reads from a post by a commenter identified as “Nissi,” who described receiving 177 viruses from Morgellons-related websites, identified by her husband — the owner of a communications company who had previously been recruited by the FBI. Full coverage of Mick West's role is flagged for a dedicated future episode.Andrew Huff / EcoHealth Alliance ConnectionThe episode references prior season coverage of Andrew Huff's FOIA request and his allegation that Peter Daszak, head of EcoHealth Alliance (the organization involved in gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology), told Huff he had been working with the CIA since 2015. Huff later retracted the FOIA request after reporting organized harassment by the U.S. government.An open records request has been filed with Oklahoma State University (request 26-100) seeking documentation related to research agreements, contracts, MOUs, and CRADAs connected to Morgellons research — including any records related to the patient registry transfer. Response pending.Names and Entities for the RecordMary Leitao, Edward Leitao, dkornsin, dkornsin@hotmail.com, ch3web@hotmail.com, 2345.com, BlackHatWorld, William T. Harvey, Virginia Savely, Greg Smith, Charles Holman, Kenneth Cowles, Cindy Casey, Mick West, Morgellons Watch, Morgellons Research Foundation, MRF, morgellons.org, morgellons.com, IRS Form 990-N, Oklahoma State University, Randy Wymore, Sherry Taylor, Andrew Huff, Peter Daszak, EcoHealth Alliance, Wuhan Institute of Virology, CIA, FBI, NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Office of Naval Research, Journal of Medical Case Reports. https://youtube.com/shorts/gwHOQ477KXo?si=KvELgLokZpBComMJ

What actually works in wheat weed control when the old spray plan starts slipping? In this episode of Red Dirt Agronomy, Dave Deken, Brian Arnall, and Josh Lofton sit down with Liberty Galvin at AgriFest in Enid to talk through the real-world decisions that separate a clean wheat field from a frustrating one. The conversation covers pre-emergent herbicides, burndown programs, delayed planting, competitive wheat canopies, and why one weed-control strategy rarely fits every field. Liberty also breaks down why producers need to think beyond chemistry alone. From no-till residue and seedbank behavior to variety selection, tillage timing, and even the role of fire and chaff lining, this episode is packed with practical ideas for Oklahoma wheat producers facing ryegrass, brome, cheat, and other tough weed problems. It is a sharp, funny, highly useful discussion about managing weeds with better timing, better systems, and fewer assumptions. Top 10 takeaways Wheat weed control has to be system-specific now; one standard program no longer fits every field. Delayed planting can be a real weed-control tool because it lets producers target the first flush before or near planting. Variety selection and crop competition deserve more attention as weed-management tools, not just yield tools. A dense, fast-closing wheat canopy can suppress weed emergence and make herbicides work in a friendlier environment. In heavy-residue no-till systems, burndown programs may sometimes outperform soil-applied pre-emergent products because of poor soil contact. Bare ground at green-up is not always a disadvantage; it can create an opening for spring residual herbicides. Herbicide timing and rotating modes of action matter as much as product choice when resistance is in play. Weed seedbanks behave differently by species; many grasses are shorter-lived than broadleaf weeds, which can persist much longer. Occasional strategic tillage may have value in long-term resistance management, but timing, moisture, and erosion risk all matter. Fire and chaff lining are not silver bullets, but they may become useful post-harvest tools in integrated weed-management systems. Detailed Timestamped Rundown00:00–01:34 — Dave opens Episode 509 and frames the show around a question many wheat producers are asking: what do you do when the old reliable spray program is not getting the job done anymore?01:34–03:03 — The crew records live from AgriFest in Enid, with a quick round of banter before introducing Liberty Galvin and setting up the conversation around current wheat weed-control challenges.03:03–05:06 — Liberty gives an update on building her program at OSU and describes her “spaghetti plate method” of trying multiple ideas until a clearer research direction starts to form.05:06–06:06 — She explains a pre-emergent herbicide study funded by the Wheat Commission, including trials at Lahoma, Perkins, and Chickasha, and how dramatically different those environments behaved.06:06–07:15 — Liberty shifts to a cultural weed-control and IPM study, comparing multiple systems, including variety selection, to see which wheat types compete best against weeds.07:15–09:28 — The discussion turns to delayed planting. Liberty explains how cooler temperatures and moisture patterns affect winter weed emergence, and why delaying planting can help knock out the first flush.09:28–11:02 — Josh and Brian push on the tradeoffs: smaller, later wheat may conserve resources for spring, but more open soil can also invite weed emergence.11:02–15:13 — The group digs into species-specific weed behavior, especially Italian ryegrass, and talks through spring residual opportunities, bare ground at green-up, and mixing herbicide timings and modes of action.15:13–17:34 — Economics enter the picture. Liberty points out how hard it is to recommend multiple passes in a $4 wheat market, while Brian argues that badly infested fields can still justify stronger programs.17:34–20:21 — They compare delayed planting, tillage, roundup burndown, and no-till systems, with Liberty sharing observations that residue-heavy no-till fields may not always favor soil-applied pre products.20:21–24:23 — The conversation moves into tillage in long-term no-till, including when precision tillage might help, how moisture affects the operation, and how occasional soil inversion could influence resistant weed problems.24:23–28:01 — Dave asks how long weed seeds persist. Liberty gives a great primer on seedbanks, explaining why many grasses tend to have shorter dormancy while some broadleaf seeds can remain viable for years or even decades.28:01–31:44 — Josh shares a story about deep flipping fields and unexpectedly bringing crabgrass back. That leads into a broader point from Liberty: selection pressure drives weed problems, so no single tactic can carry the whole load.31:44–35:14 — Josh asks Liberty to explain her identity as a weed ecologist rather than a purely herbicide-focused weed scientist. She lays out why understanding weed biology helps producers exploit weak points with smarter management.35:14–39:11 — The crew tackles the myth that healthy soil alone eliminates weeds, then pivots into fire as a weed-management tool, including controlled burns, chaff lining, and research showing seed destruction under the right conditions.39:11–42:31 — They explore what fire can and cannot do, how residue burns sometimes create cleaner zones, and why chaff lining could eventually reduce sprayed acres by concentrating weed pressure into narrow strips.42:31–45:56 — The show closes with a plug for Winter Crop School, more Oklahoma burn-talk humor, and a final thank-you to Liberty for a practical and entertaining conversation. RedDirtAgronomy.com

On this episode, Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy talk with Barbara "Bob" Allen, an LA-based journalist, trainer and consultant who founded CollegeJournalism.org in 2025. The site provides resources and news for journalism educators and student media advisers across the country. Allen is also the editor of the Student Press Report, a brand-new national news desk covering the state of the college press. The debut piece — "Cash-starved and censored, America's student press is in crisis" — lays out the financial and free-press challenges facing campus newsrooms. Allen also writes the weekly College Journalism Newsletter. Allen brings decades of experience mentoring student journalists. She was adviser to the student newspaper at Oklahoma State University and most recently served as director of college programming at the Poynter Institute in Florida. She holds a master's degree from the University of Missouri, home to both a campus paper — The Maneater — and the Columbia Missourian, a lab newspaper covering the city of Columbia. Allen has also led an ambitious project to map every college newspaper in the country, in collaboration with the University of Vermont's Center for Community News. That effort found more than 1,100 college newspapers, with 766 located in or adjacent to counties with little or no local news access. Dan's Quick Take stays close to home. The Huntington News, Northeastern's independent student newspaper, just celebrated its 100th anniversary. Ellen's Quick Take is about a three-bedroom, three-bath condo in Provincetown. The Local Journalism Project, a nonprofit that partners with the Provincetown Independent, raised money from more than 100 donors to buy the condo to house reporters. Ed Miller, editor and co-founder of the Indie, told Mike Blinder of Editor & Publisher that housing was a major barrier to attracting staff to his well-regarded newspaper on the Outer Cape.  

Many digital models use hard boundaries to simulate how materials change, but the real world is rarely that clean. Phase field modeling takes a more natural approach, capturing the gradual, messy transitions that actually occur. This makes it ideal for simulating things like crack growth or dendrite formation. Taylor sits down with Dr. Jake Bair, an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University to discuss how it works and the history behind it. Link of NISTs Phase Field Hub [HERE] This episode was Sponsored by California Nanotechnologies. Check out their upcoming SPS/FAST Experts Workshop in beautiful San Diego at the link. [HERE] This episode of the Materialism Podcast is sponsored by Momentum Transfer. Visit their website for more details about their measurement services. [LINK] The Materialism Podcast is sponsored by Materials Today, an Elsevier community dedicated to the creation and sharing of materials science knowledge and experience through their peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, educational webinars, and more. Thanks to Kolobyte and Alphabot for letting us use their music in the show! If you have questions or feedback please send us emails at materialism.podcast@gmail.com or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks, Andrew Falkowski, & Jared Duffy.

TRANSCRIPT Robertson: [00:00:00] Gissele: Hello and welcome to the Love and Compassion podcast with Gissele. We believe that love and compassion have the power to heal our lives and our world. Gissele: Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more amazing content. And if you’d like to support the podcast, please go to buy me a coffee.com/love and compassion. Today we’re talking about how to become a more compassionate civilization in light of the world’s most recent events. Robertson Work is a nonfiction author, social ecological activist, and former UNDP policy advisor on decentralized government, NYU Wagner, graduate School of Public Service, professor of Innovative Leadership and Institute of Cultural Affairs, country Director, conducting community organizational and leadership initiatives. Gissele: He has worked in over 50 countries for over 50 years and is founder of the Compassionate Civilization Collaborative. He has five published books and has [00:01:00] contributed to another 13. His most well-known book is a Compassionate Civilization. Every week he publishes an essay on Compassionate Conversations on Substack. Gissele: Please join me in welcoming Robertson work. Hi Robertson. Robertson: Hi Giselle. How are you? Gissele: I’m good. How about yourself? Robertson: I’m good, thank you. I here in the Southern United States. I’m glad you’re in wonderful Canada. Robertson: great admiration for your country. Gissele: Ah, thank you. Thank you. Gissele: I wanted to talk about your book. I got a copy of it and it was written in 2017, but as I was reading it, I really found myself listening to things that were almost prophetic that seemed to be happening right now. What compelled you to write Compassionate Civilizations at this moment in history. Robertson: Yes. Thank You you so much, and thank you for inviting me to talk with you today. Robertson: And I wanna say I’m so touched by the wonderful work of the Matri Center for Love [00:02:00] and Compassion. I have enjoyed looking at your website and listening to your podcast and hearing Pema Chodron speak about self-love. If it’s okay, I’d like to start with a few moments of mindful breathing Gissele: Yes, definitely. Robertson: okay. I invite everyone to become aware of your breathing, being aware of breathing in and breathing out. Breathing in the here and in the now. Breathing in love. Breathing in gratitude. I have arrived. I am home. I’m solid. I am free breathing in, breathing out here now. Robertson: Love [00:03:00] gratitude. Arrived home solid free. Okay. And to your question, after working in local communities and organizations around the world with the Institute of Cultural Affairs and doing program and policy work with UNDP and teaching grad school at NYU Wagner, I felt called to articulate a motivating vision for how to embody and catalyze a compassionate civilization. Robertson: So each of us can embody, even now, even here, we can embody and catalyze a compassionate civilization in this very present moment. We don’t have to wait, you know, 50 years, a hundred years, a thousand years. we can embody it in the here and the now. So I was increasingly aware of climate change, climate disasters, [00:04:00] the rise of oligarchic, fascism, and of course the UN’s sustainable development goals. Robertson: I also had been studying the engaged Buddhism of Thich Nhat Hahn for many years, and practicing mindfulness and compassionate action. As you know, compassion is action focused on relieving suffering in individual mindsets and behaviors, and collective cultures and systems. The word that com it means with, and compassion means suffering. Robertson: So compassion is to be with suffering and to relieve suffering in oneself and with others. So, I gave talks about a compassionate civilization in my NYU Wagner grad classes and in speeches in different countries. Then in 2013, I started a blog called The Compassionate Civilization. So in 2017, there was a [00:05:00] new US president who concerned me deeply and who’s now president again. Robertson: So a Compassionate Civilization was published in July of that year, as you mentioned, 2017. The book outlines our time of crisis and provides a vision, strategies and tactics of embodying and catalyzing a compassionate civilization, person by person, community by community. Moment by moment it it includes the movement of movements, mom that will do that. Robertson: Innovative leadership methods, global local citizen, and practices of care of self and others as mindful activists. So there’s a lot in it. Yeah. The Six strategies or arenas of transformation are environmental sustainability, gender equality, socioeconomic justice, participatory governance, cultural tolerance and peace, and non-violence, socio. Robertson: So since then [00:06:00] I’ve been promoting the Compassionate Civilization Collaborative, as you mentioned, to support a movement of movements. The mom, Gissele: thank you for that. I really appreciated that. And I really enjoyed the book as well. It’s so funny that, the majority of people see a world that doesn’t work and they want things to change, but they don’t do something necessarily to change it. When did compassion shift from a private virtue to a public mission for you? Robertson: Great question. Thank you. I think it began the private part began very early in my Christian upbringing. I was raised by loving parents to love others. You know, love of neighbor is the heart of Christianity. And understand that love is the ultimate reality. You know, that you know, as we say in Christianity, God is love. Robertson: So then when I went off to college at Oklahoma State University, I found myself being a campus activist. So I shifted to activism for civil rights. We were [00:07:00] demonstrating for women’s rights and for peace in Vietnam. As you know, the Vietnam War was raging. And after that, I attended Theological Seminary at Chicago Theological Seminary, but. Robertson: My calling happened when I was still in college, and it was in a weekend course, just a one weekend in Chicago. Some of us drove up and attended a course at, with the ecumenical Institute in the African-American ghetto in Chicago. And my whole life was changed in one weekend. I mean, I woke up that I could make a difference and I could help create a world that cared from everyone, you know? Robertson: And here I was. I was what? I was a junior in college. So then after that, I worked after college and grad school. I worked in that African American ghetto in Chicago with the Ecumenical Institute. And then in Malaysia, I was asked to go to Malaysia and my wife and I did [00:08:00] that, Robertson: And then. We were asked to work in South Korea, which we did. And then the work shifted from a religious to secular is we now call our work the Institute of Cultural Affairs. And from there we worked in Jamaica and then in Venezuela, and then back in the US in a little community in Oklahoma Robertson: And then I also worked in poor slums and villages. So then with the UNDP. I worked in around the world giving policy advice and starting projects and programs on decentralized governance to help countries decentralize from this capital to the provinces and the cities and towns and villages to decentralize decision making. Robertson: Then my engaged Buddhist studies particularly with Han and his teachers and practice awakened me to a calling to save all sentient beings. what [00:09:00] an outrageous calling, how can one person vow to save all sentient beings? But that’s what we do in that tradition of the being a BofA. Robertson: So through mindfulness and compassionate actions. So then I continue my journey by teaching at NYU Wagner with grad students from around the world. I love that so much. Then to the present as a consultant, speaker, author, and activist locally, nationally, and globally. So Gissele has been quite a journey, and here we are in this moment together, in this wild, crazy world. Gissele: Yeah, for sure, One of the things that I really loved about your book that you emphasize that we need to have a vision for the world that we wanna create. If we don’t have a vision, then we can’t create it, right? many of us are, focusing on anti, anti-oppressive, anti crime, anti this, anti that. Gissele: But we’re not really focusing on what sort of world do we wanna create? and I’ve had conversations with so many people, and when I ask the question, if people truly [00:10:00] believe. The human beings could be like loving and compassionate, and we could create a world that would be loving and compassionate for all many people say no. Gissele: And so I was wondering, like, did you always believe that civilization could be compassionate or did you grow into that conviction? Robertson: Great question. I definitely grew into it. Yeah. even as a child, I was awakened, you know, by the plight of African Americans in my country, in our little town in Oklahoma. Robertson: So I kind of began waking up. But I wasn’t sure, how much I or we could do about it. So I really grew into that conviction through my journey around the world working in over in 55 countries, it’s interesting the number of people your podcast goes to serving people and the planet. Robertson: So. Everywhere I worked Gissele, I was touched by the local people, that people care for each other, you know, in the slums and squatter settlements, in villages, in cities, the, the rich and the [00:11:00] poor. everywhere I went regardless of the culture, the language, the races, the issues the, the local people were caring. Robertson: So my understanding is that compassion is an action. It’s not just a feeling or a thought. It’s an action to relieve suffering in oneself and in others. but suffering is never entirely eliminated. You know, in Buddhism, the first noble truth is there is suffering, and it continues, but it can be relieved as best we can with through practices, through projects, through programs, and through policies. Robertson: So what has helped me is to see, again, a deep teaching in Buddhism that each person is influenced by negative emotions of greed, fear, hatred, and ignorance. And yet we can practice with these and to become aware of them and just, and to let them go, you know, and to practice evolving into loving kindness as [00:12:00] you, as you do in in your wonderful center. Robertson: Teaching more loving, kindness, trust and understanding. We can embrace inner being that we’re all part of everything. We’re all part of each other. You know, we’re part of the living earth. We’re part of humanity. I am part of you, you are part of me. And impermanence, you know, that there is no separate permanent self. Robertson: Everything comes and goes, and yet the mystery is there’s no birth and death. ’cause you and I. we’re part of, this journey for 13.8 billion years of the universe, and yet we can, in each moment, we can take an action that relieves our own suffering and in others. So, as you said, a vision is so, so important. Robertson: I’m so glad you touched on that, that a vision can give us a calling to see where we can go. It can motivate us, push us, drive us to do all that we can to realize it, you know, if I have a vision for my family. To care for my family. If [00:13:00] I have a vision for my country, if I have a vision for planet Earth, that can motivate me to do all I can do to make that really happen. Robertson: So right now there are so many challenges facing humanity, climate disasters. Oh my, I’m here in Swanno where we’ve had a terrible hurricane in 2024. We’re still recovering from it. Echo side, you know, where so many species are dying of plants and animals. It’s, it’s one of the great diebacks of in evolution on earth, oligarchic, fascism. Robertson: Right now, we’re in the midst of it in my country. I can’t believe it. You know, you’re, you’re on 81. I, I thought I was, gonna die and still live in a country that believed in democracy and freedom and justice. And so now here we, I have to face what can I do about oligarchic, fascism and social and racial and gender injustice. Robertson: Other challenges, warfare. And here we are in this crazy, monstrous war [00:14:00] in the Middle East. You know, what can we do? What can I unregulated? Artificial intelligence very deeply concerns me. we’ve gotta regulate artificial intelligence so it doesn’t hurt humans and the earth. Robertson: It doesn’t just take care of itself. So, you know, it’s easy Gissele to be despairing and to give up, you know, particularly at this moment. But actually at any time in our life, we’re always tempted to say, oh, well, things will be okay, or There’s nothing I can do, you know, but neither of those is true. Robertson: There are things we can do. We can stop and breathe and continue doing what we can where we are. with what we have and who we are. We do not have to be stopped by despair or by cynicism or by hopeism. We don’t. So thank you for that question about vision. I vision still wakes me up every day and calls me forward. Robertson: I’m sure it does. You as well. Gissele: Yeah. I [00:15:00] mean, without vision, it’s like you don’t have a map to where you’re going to, right.what’s our destination if we don’t have a vision? And so this is for me, why I loved your book so much. you are helping us give a vision Gissele: I mean, the alternative is what is the alternative? there’s my next question. What happens to a society that abandons compassion? Robertson: Exactly. Well, I sort of touched on it before. it falls into ignorance and into greed. Wanting more wealth, more power. for me for my tribe and, and falls into hatred, falls into fear, falls into violence, and that’s happening now, she said. Robertson: But I love what Thich Nhat Hahn reminds us of, of is that if there is no mud, there is no lotus. And that, that means is, you know, if there is no suffering, there can be no compassion . So without suffering and ignorance, there is no compassion or wisdom, because suffering calls us to relieve it. when I see [00:16:00] my wife or children in pain, I want to help them. Robertson: or when I see others, neighbors, you know, during the pandemic, our neighbors took food and water to each other. You know, after the hurricane, neighbors brought us water. suffering calls the best from us, it can, it can also call, call other things. But again, there’s no mud. Robertson: The lotus cannot grow. So we can continue the journey step by step and breath by breath. So that’s what I’d say for now. but that’s an important question. Gissele: you said some key things including that, people have a choice. They can choose to be compassionate, or they can choose to use that fear for something else, right. Gissele: But I often hear from people, well, you know, they want institutions to change. why are the institutions more, equitable, generous, compassionate and you know, like. I don’t know if we have a vision for what compassionate institutions look like, [00:17:00] what would compassion look like at that level? Robertson: Oh, that’s where those six areas you know, the compassion would look like practicing ecological regeneration or sometimes called environmental sustainability. You know, that we we’re part of the living Earth gazelle, We’re not separate from the earth . We breathe earth air, we drink earth water. Robertson: We you know, the earth. Hurricanes come. The earth. Floods come We are earthlings. I love that word, earthlings, and so, how do we help regenerate the earth as society? And that’s why, you know, legislation aware of climate change, you know, to reduce carbon emissions. Robertson: The Paris Accord, and that’s just one example, how do we have all laws for gender equality so that women receive the same salaries as men and have the same rights. as men, we gotta have the laws, the institutions you know, and the participatory democracy, that we have a constitution. Robertson: a constitution is a vision. of what we are all about. Why are, we’re [00:18:00] together as a country, so that we can each vote and express our views and our wishes, and that government is by foreign of the people. It is. So it’s, it’s critical, you know, that we vote and get out the vote again and again and again. Robertson: And to create those laws, those institutions they care for everyone. And the socioeconomic justice. we need the laws and institutions that give full rights to people of color to people of every culture and every religion, and every gender every transgender, every human being, every living being has rights. Robertson: That’s why the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is so important. I’m so grateful that it was created earlier in the last century in my country our country cannot go to war without congressional approval. Robertson: Aha. did that just not happen? Yes. But it’s in the Constitution. the law says that we must talk about it [00:19:00] first. We must send the diplomats. We must doeverything we can before we harm anyone. War is hell. there are other ways of dialogue and diplomacy. Robertson: we can do better. But again, it takes the laws and institutions. Gissele: thank you for that. I do think that we have some sort of sense in terms of what we find doesn’t work for us, right? these institutions don’t work, they’re based on separation, isolation, punishment, and we see that they don’t work. We see that, like inequality hurts everyone. Gissele: We see that all of these things that we’re doing have a negative impact, including war. And yet we don’t change. What do you think prevents societies from becoming more compassionate? Robertson: if we’re in a society that if harming people through terrible legislation and laws and policies that makes it hard for people then have to either rebel and then they can be you know, killed. Or they have to form movements peaceful movements like the [00:20:00] Civil Rights Movement in my country, you know, with Martin Luther King leading peace marches and our peaceful resistance, in Minneapolis, the peaceful resistance to ice, so what one big thing that’s, that makes people think they can’t be compassionate again, is the, larger society, you know, the institutional frameworks and legislations and laws and government practices. Robertson: But even then, as we’re seeing, you know, in Minneapolis and everywhere, and Canada is leading in so many ways, I think I, I’m so grateful for the leadership of your, your prime minister, calling the world thatwe must not let go of the international rules rules based international practices that we’ve had for the last 80 years, my whole life. Robertson: You know, we’ve had the, the UN and the international rules and now some powers want to throw those out, but no, no, we are gonna say no. we’re [00:21:00] surrounded by forces of wealth and power as we know. And however we can each do what we can to care for those near hand, far away, the least the last, and the last for ourselves, moment by moment. Robertson: Breath, breath by breath. And sometimes we, the people can change history and the powerful can choose compassion. And, we’ve changed history many times. We’ve created democracy. We, the people who have created civil right. Universal education and healthcare of the UN and much more. Robertson: you touched a moment ago on the pillars of a compassionate civilization. You know, there are 17 UN sustainable development goals, as you know, but I decided 17 was a big number, so I thought, why don’t we just have six? That’s why my book, it has six arenas of transformation for ease of memory and work. Robertson: and they are environmental sustainability, gender equality, socioeconomic justice, participatory governance, cultural tolerance, peace and nonviolence. So modern [00:22:00] societies can be prevented from being compassionate also by Negative emotions as we were talking about, of ignorance, greed, hatred, and violence. Robertson: Greed thinking, I need more wealth. I’m a billionaire, but I need another billion. You know, I’m the richest billionaire in the world, but I wanna buy the US government hatred, violence. So these all for me, all back into the Buddhist wisdom of the belief that I’m a separate self. Robertson: Therefore, all that’s important is my ego. Hell no, that’s wrong. You know, my ego is not separate. When I die, my ego’s gone. You know, all that’s gonna be left when I die, or my words and my actions, my actions will continue forever. my words will continue forever. May I, ego? No. So the, if I believe my ego is all there is, and I can be greedy and hateful and fearful and violent, but ego, unlimited pleasure and narcissism, fear of the other, ignorance of cause and effect, these don’t have to drive us. So [00:23:00] structures and policies based on negative emotions and the delusion of a separate self and harm for the earth. We don’t have to live that way. We don’t have to believe propaganda and misinformation and ignorance, and we can provide the education needed and the experience. Robertson: We don’t have to accept wealth hoarding. You know, why do we have billionaires? Why isn’t $999 million enough? Why doesn’t that go to care for everyone and to care for the earth? So again, we have to let go of wealth hoarding of power hoarding. Robertson: we don’t need all that wealth. We don’t need all that power. We can, we can care for each other. We can care for the earth. Gissele: There, there are so many amazing things that you said. I wanted to touch on two the first one is that I was having a conversation with an indigenous elder, and he said to me, you know, that greed is just a fear of lack, right? Gissele: And it really stopped me in my tracks because, when we see people hoarding stuff in their [00:24:00] house, we think, well, that’s abnormal. And yet we glorify the hoarding of wealth. But it isn’t any different than any sort of other mental health issue in terms of hoarding. And so that really got me to think about the role of fear. Gissele: And, if somebody’s trying to hoard money, it’s not getting to the root of the problem, issue. It’s never gonna be enough because they’re just throwing it into an empty hole. It’s a a billion Jillian, it’s never gonna be enough because it’s never truly addressing the problem. Gissele: But one of the things that you said as we were chatting is, that the wealthy, the elite, they can choose compassion, they can always choose it, which is an amazing insight. And yet I wonder, you know, in terms of people’s perspectives of compassion and power, do you think that the two go hand in hand or can they go hand in hand? Gissele: Because I think there might be some worries around, well, if I’m more compassionate, then I’m gonna be, taken advantage of, I’m gonna be, a mat. what is your [00:25:00] perspective? Robertson: Oh, I agree with everything you said and your question is so, so important. Thank you so much. Robertson: there are billionaires and then there are billionaires like Warren Buffet. Look, he’s given. Tens of billions of dollars away, hundreds of billions of dollars away, and other billionaires have done that. And then there are the billionaires, who think 350 billion isn’t enough. Robertson: You know, I need more. Well, that’s crazy. That is sick. That is sad that, that is a disease. And we have to help those people. I feel compassion for billionaires who think they need another 10 billion or another a hundred billion, or they need five more a hundred million dollars yachts, or they need another 15 $200 million houses around the world and that that is very sad. Robertson: And that they’re really suffering. They’re confused. Yeah. They forget what it means to be human. They’ve forgotten what it needs to be. An earthling that we’re just here for a moment. Gissele: Agree. Robertson: We’re just here for a moment, for a [00:26:00] breath, and we’re gone. Breathe in, we’re here, breathe out, we’re gone. And so we can stop. Robertson: We can become aware of that fear, as you said. We can take good care of that fear. I love the way Thich Nhat Hahn says. He says, hello, fear, welcome back. I’m gonna take good care of you. Fear. I’m gonna watch you take care of you. You’re gonna Evolve. ’cause everything is impermanent. Everything changes. So fear will change. Robertson: Fear can change. Fear always changes It evolves into Another emotion, another feeling, So let it go. Let it go. In the truth of impermanence. ’cause everything is impermanent. Fear is impermanent. So we also can remember the truth of inter being that I am part of what I fear, I am part of. Robertson: This current federal administration. You know, I’m part of the wealthy elite, and it is part of me. I fear of the US administration right now, but it is part of [00:27:00] me and I’m part of it. I fear climate change, but it is part of me. I’m part of it. I fear artificial intelligence , unregulated. I fear old age, but boys, I’m 81 and a half, it’s here. Robertson: So I’m gonna take care of it. I’m gonna say, Hey, old man, I’m gonna take care of you. And they’re all me. There’s no separation. I love Thich Nhat Hahn’s word. We enter are, we enter are now, how can I stop, become aware of fear, breathe in and out, and know the truth of inter being and impermanence and accept it. Robertson: Care for it. get out to vote, care for the self, write , speak, do what I can to care for what I can. My family, my neighbors, my city, my county, my country, my world. And everything changes. Everything passes away. Everything comes in and out of [00:28:00] being, what happened to the Roman Empire? Gissele: Mm, Robertson: what’s happening to the American Empire. Everything comes in and goes out like a breath, breathing in and breathing out. And then everything transforms into what is next? What is next? what is China going to bring? Ah, there is so much that we don’t know, Robertson: I love Thich Nhat Hahn’s teaching that. when we become aware of a negative emotion, we should Stop, breathe, smile. And then say, oh, welcome. Fear. Welcome back. Okay, I’m gonna take care of you. Okay, we’re in this together. Robertson: And then you just, you keep breathing in awareness and gratitude and things change. Your grandkid calls you, your baby calls you, your dog, your cat. You see the clouds, you see the earth, the sun. You see a star. You realize you’re an [00:29:00] animal. You know the word animal means breath. Robertson: We are animals. ’cause we breathe. We’re all breathing. So I love that. You know it. I love to say I am an animal. ’cause I, you know, we, human beings are often not, we’re not animals. We’re superior To animals, you know? Right. we are animals, that’s why we love our dogs and cats and we can love our, the purposes and the elephants and the tigers and the mountain lions and, and the cockroaches and the chickpeas and the cardinals we are all animals. Robertson: We’re all breathing. So I love that. Gissele: Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that was so beautiful. I felt that also, I really appreciated the practice too. In this time when we, like so many us are, are feeling so much fear and so much uncertainty and not knowing how things are gonna pan out, to just take a moment to breathe and reconnect to our true selves, I think is so, so fundamental. Gissele: And I hope that listeners are also doing it with us. you know, as I have [00:30:00] conversations with people around the world we talk a lot about, the way that the systems are set up, the institutions. Gissele: And it took a lot of hard work for me to realize that we are the institutions, just like you said, so the institutions are made up of people. And I was so glad to see that in your book, that you clearly say, you know, like it’s about people. It’s about us. It’s like we make up these institutions, you know? Gissele: And when I’ve looked at myself, I’ve asked myself, who do I wanna be? What do I really, truly wanna embody? And my greatest wish for this lifetime is to embody the highest level of love and to truly get to the point where I love people like brothers and sisters, that I care for them and that we care for one another. Gissele: And yet, there are times when I wanna act from that place, but the fear comes up, the not wanting or not trusting or believing when the fear comes up, how can compassion really help us change ourselves so that we can create a [00:31:00] different world? Robertson: What you said is so beautiful, and your question is so powerful. Thank you. Yes. And I’m gonna get personal here. we can do what we can, we can take care of ourselves, we can take care of others as we can, but we shouldn’t beat ourselves up when we can’t. You know? Robertson: So I, here I’m 80, I’m over 81, and I have issues with balance and walking, and I have some memory issues and some low energy issues. So I have to be kind to myself. I, so I’ve just decided that writing is my main way of caring for the world. That’s why I publish one or two essays a week on Substack, on Compassionate Conversations for 55 countries in 38 states. Robertson: And so I said, you know, I used to travel around the world all the time. Not anymore. I don’t even want like to travel around the county. Robertson: Anyway, I’m an elder , so I have to say , okay, elder, be kind to [00:32:00] yourself, but also do everything you can, write everything you can speak with Gazelle if you can. Robertson: I also have to decide who I’m gonna care for. I’ve decided I’m gonna care for my wife who just turned 70 and my two kids and my two grandkids, my daughter-in-law, my cousins and nieces and nephews, my neighbors here and North Carolina. Robertson: The vulnerable, you know, I give to nonprofits who help the hungry and the homeless to friends and to people around the world through my writings and teachings And so the other day I drove to get some some shrimp tacos for my wife and me for dinner. Robertson: And a lady came up and she had disheveled hair. And she just stood by my car and I put the window down a little and she said. can you drive me to Black Mountain? that’s not where we were. I was in another town. ‘ cause I’m out of my medicine. Robertson: She just, out of the blue said, stood there and said that. And I thought, [00:33:00] oh, oh, hmm. Oh, so, oh yes. So I, I wanted to say, but who are you? How are you? Do you live here? Do do you have any friends or family? Do you, you, can I give you some money? Do you have, but I was kind of, I was kind of struck dumb, you know? Robertson: I thought, oh, oh, what should I do? And so I said, oh, I’m so sorry I don’t live in Black Mountain. And she said, oh. And she just turned and walked away and she asked two other cars and they said no. And then she walked away. And then she walked away. I thought, oh, Rob, Rob, is she okay? Does she have a family? Robertson: Did she have a house? What if she doesn’t get her medicine? How can she walk to that town? Could you have driven her and delayed taking dinner home to your wife? And then I said, but I don’t know. And then I thought, oh, but she’s gone. And I then I said, okay, Rob. Okay, Rob, [00:34:00] you’ve lived 81 years. You’ve cared for people in the UN in 170 countries. Speaker 3: Yeah. Robertson: And you’ve been in 55 countries, you’re still writing every week, you’re taking care of your neighbors and family and friends. Don’t beat yourself up. Old guy. Don’t beat yourself up. But next time, you know what Rob, I’m gonna say, Hey, my dear one, are you okay? I don’t have any money, but I can I buy you? Robertson: We are here at the taco shop, Can I buy you dinner? I would, I’m gonna say that next time, Rob. I’m gonna say that. and then I also gazelle,I’m gonna support democratic socialist institutions. You know, some people are afraid of that word, democratic socialist. Robertson: But you know, the happiest countries in the world are democratic socialist countries. Finland is the world’s happiest country. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Iceland, those are in the top 10 [00:35:00] when they’ve, when there have been analysis of, if you, if you Google happiest countries in the world, Robertson: those Nordic countries come up every year. Why? They are democratic socialist countries. You pay high taxes and everybody gets free college. You know, free education, free college, free health everybody gets taken care of in a democratic socialist country in the Nordic countries and New York City. Robertson: I’m so proud that our new mayor in New York City Zoran Mai is a democratic socialist. He is there to help everybody, but particularly those who are hurting the poor, the hungry , the sick, or the people of color, women, the elderly, the children. I’m so proud of him and I write about him on my substack and I write him Robertson: I he’s one of my heroes just like Bernie Sanders is one of my heroes. And Alexandria Ocasio Cortes, a OC is one of my, my heroes, CA [00:36:00] Ooc. So, and you know, I used to never tell anybody I was a Democratic socialist ’cause I was afraid. I thought, oh, they’ll think I’m a socialist. Hell no. I am now proud to say I’m a democratic socialist. Robertson: I’m a Democrat. I vote the Democratic ticket, but I’m always looking for progressives, progressive Democrats, you know, democratic socialist Democrats. because, you know, our country can be more like Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Iceland New York City. New York City is showing us the way America can be like a New York City. Robertson: I’m so proud of New York City and I used to live in New York City so as an old person. I can only do what I can do. and I’m not saying, oh, I poor me. I can’t do anything. No, no. I’m not saying that. I’m saying I can do a hell of a lot as this 81-year-old, it’s amazing what I can do, but that is why I write and speak and care for my family, neighbors, friends, the poor. Robertson: [00:37:00] Donate to nonprofits for the homeless and the hungry vote. Get out the vote. So yes, that’s my story. Gazelle. Gissele: I totally relate. I mean, I’ve been in circumstances like that as well, where you wanna help. But the fear is like, what if a person kills you? What if they don’t really have medication? Gissele: What if you get hurt or they try to rob you or they have mental health problems? Mine goes to protection and it is very human of us to go there first. And so, so then we get stuck in that ping pong in that moment and then the moment passes and you’re like, you know, was it true? Could I have driven that person? Gissele: And that would’ve been something I wanted to do for sure. But in that moment, you are stuck in that, yo-yo, when the survival comes in. And so helping ourselves shift out of that survival mode, understanding and learning to have faith and trust. And for me that’s been a work in progress. Gissele: It really has been a work in [00:38:00] progress. The other thing I wanted to mention, which I think is so important that we need to touch on. It’s the whole concept of socialism. So I was born in South America before I came to Canada and so I remember lots of my family members talk about this, there’s many South American countries that got sold communism, as socialism we’re talking about approaches that instead of it being like a democratic socialism that you’re talking about, which is the government, make sure that people are taking care of and that the people are probably taxed and provided for what would happen in those countries was that. Gissele: Everything got taken away. People were rationed certain things, and, it was horrible. it was not good, but it was not socialism. And there was many governments that took the majority of the money, then spent it on themselves, left the country, took it themselves, and so especially the Latin American community is very much afraid of socialism because they think back to that, the [00:39:00] rationing of electricity, the rationing of food, the rationing of all of that stuff, it wasn’t provided openly. Gissele: It was, everybody gets less. And so you have these people with this history that then have come to the US and think they don’t want socialism. They think democracy means that people aren’t gonna take stuff away from them, but that’s not what it means either. ’cause I don’t even know if like in North America we have a true democracy. Robertson: so thinking about reframing of how we think or experience democratic socialism, that it doesn’t mean less for everybody and in everything controlled by the government. It means being provided for abundantly and, also having the citizens be taxed more, which means we are willing to share our money so that we can all live well, Beautiful. Beautiful. Oh, thank you. Hooray. Wonderful. What country are you? May I ask where you coming? Gissele: Yeah, of Robertson: course. Gissele: Peru, I Gissele: [00:40:00] Yeah. Robertson: Wonderful. I’ve been to Peru a few times. A wonderful, beautiful country. And I, I lived in Venezuela for five years. ‘ cause I love, I have many friends in Venezuela. Robertson: But anyway I agree with everything you just said. That’s why I said what I said that I now can, I can confess that I am a democratic socialist. And that’s not socialism. It’s a social democracy is what it’s called. Yeah. That’s what they call it in Finland and Denmark and so on. Robertson: They call it social democracy. It’s democracy. But it, as you say, it’s cares for everyone and for the earth. We have to always add and the earth, ’cause you know, all the other species and, and the other life forms and the ecosystems, the water, the soil, the air, the minerals the plants, the animals. Robertson: and we have the money, as you said. I mean, if I had $350 billion, think of what taxes I could pay if the tax rate was, you know, 30%. [00:41:00] And rather than nothing, some of these, some of these folks pay, Gissele: well, I think we have glorified that we all wanted that, right? Like we got sold this good that oh, we should all want to be as wealthy as possible, right? And so we normalize the hoarding of money. Not the hoarding of other stuff, right? Gissele: And so we have allowed that, which gets me to my, next point, you talk about the environmental impact as part of a compassionate society, which absolutely is necessary. Gissele: And as human beings, we can be so lazy. We want convenience. We want to, have our package the next day. We don’t wanna wait. are we willing to pay higher wages? Are we willing to wait? Longer for our packages, like, are we willing to, invest in our wardrobe instead of buying fast fashion? Gissele: We don’t do these things and these have environmental impacts, and it also have human impacts, and at the end, they have impact on us. What can we do to ensure that, that we address that [00:42:00] complacency so that we are creating a fair, affordable , and compassionate world. Robertson: So important. Thank you. Robertson: It’s, it’s a life and death question. So yes, we should always ask about ecological and social impacts and take actions accordingly. That’s why I recycle every day. You know, some people say, oh, recycling is stupid. What do they really do with this, with it? You know, are they, are they really careful when you, they pick it up? Robertson: but I recycle religiously every day That’s why I support climate and democracy through third act. There’s a group that Bill McKibbon has started here in the US called Third Act. It’s a group of elder activists, activists over 60 who are working on climate and democracy issues. Robertson: So I’m doing that. That’s why I vote and get it out to vote. And as I said, I vote for Democrats and Democratic socialists. That’s why I write and speak and vote for ecological regeneration for social justice, for peace, for [00:43:00] democratic governance. It’s so critical that we keep questioning our actions like. Robertson: Okay, why am I recycling? Is it really worth the time? You know, deciding about every item, where it goes, and then putting out it out carefully and rinsing it first. And is that really going to help the world? ’cause you also know we need systemic changes, because you can always say, oh, but what the individual does doesn’t matter. Robertson: We need laws, we need institutions of ecological regeneration, and we need laws on caring for the climate and stopping climate change. So you can talk yourself out of individual responsibility when you realize that we need laws and institutions that protect the environment. Robertson: But it’s both. It’s both. what each person does, because there are millions of us individuals. So if there are millions of us act responsibly, that has, is a huge impact. And then if we [00:44:00] also have responsible laws and institutions that care for the environment as well as all people, then that’s a double win. Robertson: So I agree with you. We have to keep asking that question over and over and making those decisions and they’re hard decisions. We have to decide. Gissele: Yeah, I’ve had to look at myself like one of the commitments I’ve made to myself is not buying fast fashion. And so, investing in pieces, even though sometimes I feel lack oh my God, spending that much money on this, you know? Gissele: Yeah. It all comes back to me. if I am not willing to pay a fair wage, that means that the next person doesn’t get a fair wage, which means they don’t wanna pay a fair wage and so on and so forth. And then it comes back to me, you know, my husband has a business and then, you get people that don’t also wanna pay a fair wage. Gissele: It’s all interconnected. And so we have to be willing, but that also goes to us addressing our fear, our fear of lack, that we’re not gonna have enough. All of those things. And the biggest fundamental [00:45:00] fear, and you mentioned death to me, is the ultimate Gissele: fear That we must overcome I think once we do, like, I think once we understand that we are not, this human vessel. Gissele: that we’re not just this bag of bones and live in so much constrained fear that perhaps we could. really open up ourselves to be willing to be more compassionate . What do you think? Robertson: Absolutely. I’m with you all the way. Yes. We fear death because we’re caught in that illusion of a separate permanent self. Robertson: You know, it’s all about me. Oh, this universe is all about me. The universe was created 13.8 billion years for me. Robertson: Yeah. But it’s all about me and particularly my ego, honoring my ego. Building up my ego, praising my ego being, you know, that’s why I wanna be rich and famous. Robertson: Fortunately, I never wanted to be rich or famous, but that’s another story. We’ll talk about that some other time. But everything and [00:46:00] everyone is impermanent. When I realized that truth and it, it came to me through engaged Buddhism, but you could, you could get that truth in many, many ways. Robertson: That everything and everyone is impermanent. we’re part of the ocean. But the waves don’t last forever, do they? But the ocean lasts forever. Robertson: So My atoms, are part of the 13.8 billion year old universe. my cells are part of the living earth. Yes, they remain When I die, you know, go back into the earth. back into the soil and the water and the air but My ego doesn’t remain. What, what remains, as I said before, are my actions. Robertson: Everything I did is still cause and effect. Cause and effect. Rippling out. Rippling out. Okay. Rob, what did you do? What did you say? did you help that, did you touch that? Did you say that? so my actions and words continue rippling forever. So Ty calls that, or in the Plum Village tradition of engaged Buddhism, it’s called my continuation. Robertson: Your actions and your words [00:47:00] are your continuation that last forever as your actions and words will continue through cause and effect touching reality forever. So when my ego does not remain so I can smile and let it go. I often think about my continuation. You know, I say, well, that’s why, maybe why I’m writing so much and speaking so much. Robertson: And caring for so many people every day, you know, caring to care for my wife and my children and grandchildren and friends and neighbors, and the v vulnerable and the hungry, and the homeless, and the, and my country, and my city, and my county, and my, and why do I write substack twice a week? Robertson: And containing reflections on ecological, societal, and individual challenges and practices. And so every, week I’m writing about practices of mindfulness and compassion. So I’m trying to be the teacher. I’m trying to send out words of mindfulness and compassion so that they will continue reverberating when I’m dust, Robertson: So [00:48:00] I’m reaching out. In my substack to just those 55 people in 55 countries, in 38 states, touching hearts and minds and even more on social media. every month I have like 86,000 views of my social media. Why do I do it? It’s not just about ego, you know? Robertson: Oh, Rob, be famous. No, Rob is not famous. I’m a nobody. I gotta keep giving and giving and giving, you know, another word, another action, so I can, care for people around me through personal care, donations, voting, volunteering workshops, I’m helping start a workshop in our neighborhood on environmental resilience through recycling, through group facilitation. Robertson: I’m trained in, facilitation. I’ve been trained my whole life to ask questions of groups so they can create their own plans and strategies and actions. that’s some of my answer. Robertson: I hope that makes some sense. Gissele: Thank you very much. I appreciated your answer and it made me really think you are one of our compassionate leaders, right? [00:49:00] You’re, you’re kind of carving the way and helping us reflect, ’cause I’ve seen some of your substack, I’ve seen like your postings. Gissele: That’s actually how I kind of reached out to you. ’cause I was so moved by the material that you were sharing, the willingness to be honest about what it takes to be compassionate and how hard it can be sometimes to look at ourselves honestly, because we can’t change unless we’re willing to look at ourselves. Gissele: All aspects of ourselves, like you said, we are the billionaires, we are the oligarchy, we are all of these people. The racism that voted that in the, the racism that continues to show the fear, all of that is us. And so from your perspective, what do compassionate leaders do differently? Robertson: Yes. Well, it great question. Robertson: what do compassionate leaders do differently? Well, he or she or they. Robertson: are empathic. I think it starts with empathy. What are like, what are you feeling? What are you thinking? Robertson: What are you, what’s happening in your life? So an empathic [00:50:00] leader listens to other people. They see where other people are hurting. They care. They ask questions and facilitate group discussions, enable group projects. They let go of self-importance, you know, that it’s not all about me. Robertson: They let go of narcissism. They let go of, the ego project. They help others be their greatness. They care for their body mind so that they can care for others. and they donate and vote and recycle and more and more and more and more. did you know in Denmark. In elementary school every week, children are taught empathy. Robertson: You know, they have courses on empathy, Robertson: when I was growing up, I,didn’t have courses in school on empathy in church school, you know, in my Sunday school at, in my church. I was taught to love my neighbor and to love everyone, and that God was love. But in school, in my elementary [00:51:00] school and junior high and high school, we didn’t talk about things like empathy and compassion. Gissele: Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. I did know about Denmark ’cause my daughter and I are co-writing a book on that particular topic. The need to continue to teach love and compassion in, Gissele: being a global citizen. Right? And, and I’m doing it with her perspective because she just graduated high school, so she has like the fresher perspective, whereas mine’s from like many moons ago. Gissele: We need to continuously educate ourselves about regulating our own emotions, having difficult conversations, hearing about the other, other, as ourselves. Because that’s, from my perspective, the only way that we’re gonna survive. a friend of mine said it the best that we were having a conversation and she does compassion in the prison system and she says, I can’t be well unless you are well. Gissele: My wellness depends on your wellness. And that just hit me in my heart, like, ugh. Not that I live it every day, Robertson, Gissele: every day I have to choose and some [00:52:00] days I fail, and other days I do good in terms of like be more loving and compassionate and truly helping the world. But it’s a choice. It’s a continual choice. So this goes to my biggest challenge that maybe you can help me with, which is, so I was having this conversation with my students. We were talking about how. In order to create a world that is loving and passionate for all, it has to include the all, even those who are most hurtful, and that is really difficult . Gissele: I’m just curious as to your thoughts on what starting point might be or what can help us look at those who do hurtful things and just horrible things and be able to say, I see God within you. I see your humanity. Even though it might be hard. Robertson: Yes, It is hard. several years ago when I would hear [00:53:00] leaders of my country speaking on the media, I would get so repulsed that I would turn it off but I began practicing. Robertson: I practiced a lot since those days and I realized, you know. People who hurt, other people are hurting themselves. they’re actually hurting. they’re suffering. People who hurt others have their own suffering of, they’re confused. they’ve forgotten what it means to be human. Robertson: They’re, full of, greed, of their own fears, all about me. Maybe they’re filled with hatred they become violent. they’re suffering. I still find it very difficult to read or listen to certain people. Robertson: But what I do is I stop and I breathe and I smile and I say, okay. Robertson: I care. I’m concerned about you. I don’t know what I can do, but I am gonna do everything I can to care for the people, being hurt, you know, like my fellow activists in [00:54:00] Minneapolis are doing, or elsewhere, we could mention many places around the world where people are risking their own lives. Robertson: You know, in Minneapolis, two activists were killed, Ms. Good Renee Good, and Alex Pretty were killed because they went beyond their fear, you know? they got out there in the street because the migrants were being hurt and they got killed. Robertson: So, you know, At some point you have to come to terms with your own death, I don’t know if I have a, a minute to go or 20 years, I still have to let go. And so how do I care for my wife, my family, my friends, my neighbors my country, the vulnerable, the homeless, the hungry, and, as you said, for the wealthy and powerful who are hurting others, you know, starting wars attacking migrants, killing activists. Robertson: It’s hard. You know? So I have to say, I love the story of [00:55:00] when during the Vietnamese war Thich Nhat Hahn and his monks. They did not take sides. They did not say we’re on the side of the Vietnamese or the us. They did not take a side in the war. This is hard for me ’cause I, I usually take sides. Robertson: The practice was, okay, we’re not going to support we’re Vietnamese or the us. Were going to care for everyone. So they just went out caring for people who were getting hurt and during the war, people who were hungry, people who needed food, people who were bleeding, Robertson: So they decided their role was to care for those who were hurt not to attack. To say, I’m for the blue and I’m against the red. They said, I’m just gonna, care . Like, the activists in Minnesota, They’re, they’re not attacking ice, they’re singing to ice. Robertson: And so yes, we have to acknowledge our own anger. [00:56:00] I’m angry with these politicians. sometimes I want, to hate them, but I have to say, I do not hate you, my friend. You are confused. You’re so confused. You’re hurting others. So you’re so hurtful. Robertson: You don’t realize how you’re hurting others. But, I’ve got to try to stop you from hurting others. I’ve got to try to help those who are hurt and maybe I’m gonna get hurt, you know, because in the civil rights movement, if you’re out there doing on a peace march, you might get beaten up. Robertson: as I said, I’ve lived in villages, poor villages, and. Urban slums in several countries. And some people could say, well, that’s stupid. You could get hurt. You know, you could, you could as a white person living in a African American slum or in a Korean village or in a Venezuelan village, Robertson: So, you know, I say, was I stupid? Was I risking and I was with my wife and children? Was I risking the lives of my wife and children by living in slums and, and villages? Yes. Was I stupid? I mean, [00:57:00] no, I wasn’t stupid, but I was risking our lives. But I somehow, I was, called I wanted to do it. I said, okay. Robertson: but my point is it’s risky, you know? And you have to keep working with yourself. That’s why I love the word practice. Robertson: You know, in Buddhism we keep practicing, and I love your, the teaching of that you have on your website of Pema Chodron, you know, on self-love. You know, you have to keep practicing. How do I love myself? Say, okay, I’m afraid and I’m just this little white person, but or I’m this little old white person, but I’m gonna do everything I can and be everything I can. Robertson: I really appreciated the story of Han not choosing sides. I mean, you’re right. If we are going to see each other’s brothers and sisters and is is one global family, we can’t pick a side over the other, even though we so want to. Gissele: And, and I’m with you. when I think that there’s a [00:58:00] unfairness, when there’s people that are vulnerable or suffering, I’m more likely to pick to the side that is like, oh, that person is suffering. They’re the victim. But what you said is spot on. People that truly lovewho have love in their heart, like when you were raised with love. Gissele: You had love to give others because your cup was full. So it overflowed to want to help others, to want to love others. People that are hurting, that don’t have love in their hearts are those that hurt other people. Robertson: Mm-hmm. Gissele: They must because they must be so separated from their own humanity. Robertson: Yes, yes, yes. Gissele: And yet things are changing. You mentioned Minnesota, and I wanted to mention that I love that they’re doing the singing chants, and they’re not making them wrong. they’re singing chants like you can change your mind. You don’t have to be wrong. You don’t have to experience shame and guilt for the choice you’ve made. You can always change your mind. And in your book, you talk a lot about movements. Do you wanna [00:59:00] share a little bit about the power of movements and helping us create a compassionate civilization? Robertson: Oh, yes. Thank you. I’m, I’m a big movement fan. it started in college with the Civil Rights Movement. I realized, wow, you know, if a lot of people get together and do something together, it can make a difference. Like the Civil Rights movement. Gissele: Yeah. Robertson: And the women’s movement and peace movement. Robertson: And like in Vietnam, the peace movement, we could really make a difference if we get out in March. I think that being an individual or part of an organization that is part of a movement can be a powerful force. And so I focus in my life and that, that book on the six movements that I’ve mentioned, and those movements can work together. Robertson: And when they work together, they become a movement of movements. They become mom. Hmm. I like that because I I’m a feminist and I think that we need so [01:00:00] desperately we need more feminine energy inhumanity and in civilization. Robertson: So I’m a unapologetic feminist. And so that’s why I like that the movement of movements, the acronym is Mom, you know, and so it’s the Moms of the World will lead us like you. And so they’re the movements of ecological regeneration, socioeconomic justice, I’m repeating gender equality, participatory governance, cultural tolerance, peace and non-violence. Robertson: And you know, we also have the Gay Rights Movement, the democracy movement. there’s so many movements that it made a huge difference. So. I began saying that I, after writing the book, I said, okay,now my work is the work of the Compassionate Civilization Collaborative. Robertson: And I decided I wouldn’t make an organization, I it, wouldn’t have a website, I wouldn’t register it. I wouldn’t raise money for it. It would just be anybody and everybody [01:01:00] who was part of the movement of movements who was working to create a compassionate civilization. Robertson: So that’s what I did. And that’s where I am. I’m this old guy in my home. I don’t get out a lot. I don’t drive a lot. I just drive to nearby town. I have a car, but I don’t use it a lot. I don’t like to walk up and down hills. Robertson: IAnd sometimes I can’t remember things and I say, Hey, but look, you have so many friends all over the world and you can keep encouraging through your writing. So that’s why I keep writing, you know, it is for the movement of movements. Robertson: I guess that’s why I write. here’s something I want to share, something I thought or felt or something that I wrote about. And maybe it will touch you. Maybe it’ll encourage you. Maybe we’ll help you in your life. Robertson: I live in a homeowners association neighborhood. It’s a neighborhood that has a homeowners association. We’re 34 families and we have straight families, gay families. we have white families and non-white families. [01:02:00] We have Democrats, Republicans and Socialists. Robertson: We have Christians and Buddhists and Hindus. And so what I do, I say, Hey, we’re all neighbors. We all helped each other during the pandemic. We all helped each other after the hurricane. It doesn’t matter what our politics are or our religion or our sexuality, we’re all human beings. Robertson: We’re all gonna die. we all want love. We all want happiness. And We can be good neighbors. We don’t have to have ideology, you know, we don’t have to quote the Bible, we don’t have to quote Buddha. We can just be good neighbors. So we’re gonna have a workshop this spring And so we’re all going to get together down the street in this big room, in the fire station, and we’re gonna have a two hour workshop. And will it help? I don’t know. Will it make us better neighbors? I don’t know. Why am I doing it? I’m driven to do it. I’ve done workshops all over the world and I wanna do a workshop in my neighborhood. Robertson: I’ve done workshops with the un, I’ve done [01:03:00] workshops with governments, with cities So I love to facilitate. I love getting people together to solve problems together to listen to each other, respect each other, to honor each other. Gissele: so I’m just gonna ask you a couple more questions. But I’m just gonna make a comment right now about what you said because I think it’s so important. Gissele: Number one is I love that your neighborhood is a microcosm of what our world could be like . The fact that people got together to help and make sure that people were taken care of. If we could amplify that, that could be our world. I think that’s such a beautiful thing. Gissele: And the other thing that I think is really fundamental is that even through your life, you are showing us that some people are going to go pickett. And that’s okay. Some people are gonna write blogs to help us, and that’s okay. Some people are gonna do podcasts, and that’s okay. There are things that people can do that don’t have to look exactly the same. Gissele: Some people are going to have more courage, and they’re going to put their bodies in front and potentially get hurt. Other people, maybe they can’t do [01:04:00] that. So there are many different ways to help. The other thing that you said that was really, really key is the importance of moms . And that was one of the things that really touched me about your book, the acronym. Gissele: I was like, oh my God, I so resonate with this. Because I do feel that we need more feminine energy. We really kind of really squash the feminine energy. But the truth of the matter is we need more because fundamentally, nurturance is a mother energy is a feminine energy. Gissele: Compassion’s a feminine energy. Yes, yes, yes, Robertson: yes, yes, Gissele: so if I can share my story. Last night I was at hockey game. My son was playing hockey. Robertson: Mm-hmm. Gissele: And our team they don’t like to fight. Gissele: We play our game and we have fun and we’re good. And so the previous teams that were there, it was under Youth 15, most of the game was the kids fighting. And taking penalties. And so the game ends, the people come off the ice and two men that are starting to get like into a fight [01:05:00] now, woman got in front of them. Gissele: Wow. and said, we all signed a form that said, this is just a game. Remember who this is for? even though she was elevated, she totally stopped that fight between two men that we were not small. And So it was, it was really interesting. Robertson: Wonderful. Gissele: it was a woman who actually stopped a fight Gissele: It’s the feminine power. And that doesn’t mean, and I wanna make this clear, that doesn’t mean that men have to be discarded or have to be treated the same way that women are treated. ’cause I think that’s a big fear. That’s a big fear that some white males have. It’s no, you don’t have to be less than, Robertson: right. Robertson: We need Gissele: to uplift the feminine energy. So there’s a balance. ’cause right now we’re not balanced. Robertson: Exactly. Exactly. Oh, boy. Am I with you there? there’s a whole section in my book, as you noticed on gender equality I’m gonna read a tribute to Mothers I. Robertson: Tribute to Mothers Giving Birth to New Life, nurturing, [01:06:00] sustaining, guiding, releasing, launching, affirming Love. Be getting Love a flow onwards. Mother Earth, mother Tree, mother Tiger, mother Eve. My grandmother’s Sally and Arie, my mother, Mary Elizabeth, my children’s mother, Mary, my grandchildren’s mother, Jennifer, my grandchildren’s grandmothe

What does courage look like under fire? In captivity? In command? In service? This edition of Long Blue Leadership was recorded on location at the U.S. Air Force Academy's 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. We've explored these questions with our guests and captured the conversations for you. Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist for the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation, hosts this special episode featuring voices shaped by combat, crises and lifelong service. Their message to cadets is clear: Leadership is earned through character, and character is forged in hard moments. - Seg. 1: Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and NCLS cadet director, respectively, set the stage for this year's NCLS and for the podcast. - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel "DT" Del Toro on courage in times of crisis. - Seg. 3: Task Force Hope developer and facilitator Maj. Tara Holmes on preparing future leaders to handle crisis before it happens. - Seg. 4: Former POW Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. - Seg. 5: Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb on how character breeds courage. All of our guest's lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service.     CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org   Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org      ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS:  - Host, Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist, United States Air Force Academy Association and Foundation  - Seg. 1: C1C Jaime Snyder, NCLS Cadet Director; Lt. Col. Mark George, NCLS Officer  - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sargent Israel Del Toro  - Seg. 3: Maj. Tara Holmes, Task Force Hope  - Seg. 4: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64  - Seg. 5: Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb   Ted Robertson 0:00 Welcome to Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd annual National Character and Leadership Symposium. I'm Ted Robertson, multimedia and podcast specialist for the Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, coming to you from Polaris Hall located here at the United States Air Force Academy. This year's symposium centers on the theme Courage to Lead in the Profession of Arms: Combat and Crisis-tested Character, where attendees and cadets will explore how courage in all its forms shapes leaders when uncertainty, fear and consequence are real. Our coverage will start with the Center for Character and Leadership Development's Lt. Col. Mark George and NCLS director, Cadet 1st Class Jaime Snyder. They'll set the stage not only for NCLS, but for today's coverage. Then we'll talk with four key leaders speaking at the symposium, including Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Torro on keeping courageous during times of crisis. We'll also talk with Task Force Hope developer and facilitator, Maj. Tara Holmes, on preparing leaders to handle crisis before it happens. Then, former POW, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier, USAFA Class of '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. And finally, Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb, on how character breeds courage. All of our guests' lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service. So I want to bring in our first two guests to help, as I said, frame the discussion today. We're going to dig in to learn what this is all about and sort of the “why” behind it. Cadet Jaime Snyder, 2026 NCLS director. Cadet Snyder, you've helped lead the organizing of the National Character and Leadership Symposium — 33rd year for this, as you know, and part of that work, you've trained cadets and permanent party. I'm going to ask you to explain permanent party, all of which helps strengthen your own public speaking and leadership communication skills. You want to kind of expound on that a bit? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:20 Yes, sir. So a part of my role being in NCLS is to, one, provide the guidance, the support and resources on the cadet side to succeed. But what really makes NCLS special is that we integrate permanent party with cadets. So oftentimes me, in supporting and training permanent party, is giving them cadet perspective, because while they're over here and the Center for Character and Leadership Development, we're over there in the Cadet Wing, and I can be the mediator between both parties. Ted Robertson 2:46 Let's talk a little bit about permanent party. What does that term mean? Who does that describe? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:52 Oh yes. Permanent party describes the civilian and military faculty that works in the Center for Character and Leadership Development that assists with the execution of NCLS — the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Ted Robertson 3:05 How big is the team behind this event every year? C1C Jaime Snyder 3:08 It's kind of complex where we'll get search cadets. We'll get a large number of volunteers, approximately around 300 from the Cadet Wing. Internal staff consists of 50 cadets who work it throughout the entire year, and around 50 staff members who are permanent party who work in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. Ted Robertson 3:29 I want to bring in next Lt. Col. Mark George, who is the experiential and training division chief and NCLS program director, the very fortunate man that gets to work for some incredibly talented cadets. Col. Mark George 3:43 That is absolutely true. Thanks to for having us on. Cadet Snyder has done an outstanding job leading this team. I came into this a little bit late. You know, we've had some reorganization here at the Academy, and after some shuffling, I got the honor and the privilege to take over NCLS while the planning was well underway. So my job was to just make sure this train kept rolling, that people had the resources that they needed, the top cover they needed. And as Jamie said, he was training me as a permanent party member to make sure that I had the cadet perspective. And then, you know, we were moving this ball forward as we got to this event. Ted Robertson 4:23 So coming up in the podcast we'll get to the sort of “why” and what's at the core of NCLS. Colonel, let's start with you. What is National Character and Leadership Symposium designed to do for cadets?   Col. Mark George 4:38 Sure. The National Character and Leadership Symposium — NCLS — is designed to bring exemplars that embody the core values and the traits that we want cadets to have when they become leaders on Day 1 and inspire them to a lifetime of service.   Ted Robertson 4:57 Cadet Snyder?   C1C Jaime Snyder 4:59 We definitely see at USAFA, there is a clear correlation with NCLS and character development. One thing we want cadets to get out of NCLS is to further develop leaders of character who are going to join the fight in the Air Force and Space Force, and that's why I see the epitome of NCLS as it's an opportunity to hear people's perspectives as well as learn from it and apply it to their daily lives. Ted Robertson 5:24 Gentlemen, this year's theme focuses on the courage to lead in the profession of arms. Cadet Snyder, we'll start with you. How did that theme come together, and why is it especially relevant for cadets right now? C1C Jaime Snyder 5:40 With our current structure at USAFA, we've had some implement of change. We recognize that the future war conflict is more prevalent than ever, and that it's important for the cadets to understand that we're changing the way we approach training, as well as what we're learning in curriculum. So this NCLS was an incredible opportunity to discuss courage when leading in the profession of arms, but furthermore, courage and crises-tested character. Which is what we're trying to further push along with what we do in training as well as what we teach in leadership. Ted Robertson 6:15 You make good decisions when your character is strong. You make those decisions with integrity when your character is intact and it's strong. Would you agree with that, Colonel? Col. Mark George 6:25 Absolutely. And I think Cadet Snyder hit the nail on the head that we really want the cadets to understand that the environments that they're stepping into are going to require that courage to do hard things. In my day, like we didn't necessarily think about the fight in that way. You know, we were kind of stovepiped in. And these cadets, whatever environment they may be stepping into, the next conflict is going to require a lot, a high demand of them, and their character is their foundation for that. Ted Robertson 6:59 One of the things you can say about this event is that it brings together voices from combat, crisis, athletics, academia and industry. How intentional is that mix, Cadet Snyder, and what do cadets gain from hearing such different perspectives on leadership and character? C1C Jaime Snyder 7:18 I think by hearing different perspectives, you get to see how universal courage is. When we say courage, it's not just one thing, it's also moral, social, spiritual. And by looking at different versions of courage, you can understand that there's different ways to actually apply courage. Understanding that courage is not the absence of fear, also knowing that courage is not simply being a confident individual. That it's more complex than you may define courage, and so you can then apply it that way — by looking at different perspectives. Ted Robertson 7:53 Colonel, I'll address this one to you as well. Col. Mark George 7:56 Sure. Courage — we're talking about courage here, and there's a heavy focus on the combat side with this year's speakers. The thing that sticks out to me is that courage always involves a decision to do the hard thing. And that's what all of our speakers brought this year. They're showing how in different environments, whether it's in a prison cell in Hanoi or up on the Space Station or — there's a hard decision and the right thing is sometimes pretty obvious, but it doesn't mean it's easy. It does not mean it's easy to do. And so courage always involves a decision to do the right thing. Ted Robertson 8:39 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 8:40 What he said I find to be very true — understanding that courage is not simply doing something physical, but also in a leadership role, especially — we're talking to cadets who are going to soon be commissioned officers. It's important to know that you need to make the right decision on and off the battlefield. Ted Robertson 8:58 So from your perspective as a cadet — and this one is just for you, Cadet Snyder — what does it mean to help shape an event like NCLS while you're still developing as a leader yourself? C1C Jaime Snyder 9:10 What I've seen through NCLS is taking the time to relax. Don't focus on the future and focus where you're at right now, and that's character development. So don't let the pursuit of tomorrow diminish the joy today. We all have this aspiration to graduate, throw our hats in the air, Thunderbirds fly over. But right now it's important to focus on character development as that's going to be important as future officers. Ted Robertson 9:35 That makes 1,000% very clear sense. But I do want to ask you, less than 100 days from the day you toss your hat — you're giving me a big smile right now — talk about how that feels right now for you. C1C Jaime Snyder 9:47 It's incredible, and a part of it is less daunting, because I can say this institution has really prepared me to commission, and so it's more liberating than daunting for me. Ted Robertson 9:58 Col. George, I'm going to direct this one straight to you, and this is an ask of you from the leadership perspective: How do we events Like NCLS fit into the broader effort to intentionally develop leaders of character here at the Academy. Col. Mark George 10:14 So I get the honor of leading the experiential and training division in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. So we're all about creating experiences and those opportunities for cadets to have different types of environments where they'll learn about character. And right now, NCLS is an opportunity to listen to where people's character was tested, how they overcame it. And then we also have different events that we try to put the cadets in where we'll actually test their character. And that could be on the challenge tower, it could be through our character labs where we're having discussions. NCLS is a huge part of that, because the planning cycle is so long. Ted Robertson 10:59 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 11:00 Yes, sir. One thing I wanted to add on to that is with NCLS, one thing that makes this event the most unique experience that I've had is the fact that we get to engage in meaningful dialog. This isn't a brief. This is an experience for everyone who attends. I've had the opportunity to talk to Col. George's son, who aspires to possibly come to the Air Force Academy. So I don't want to say this is just for cadets, but it's also a promotion tool. And understand that what we do at NCLS is very important. And anyone who wants to attend can come and see what we're doing and how important it is.   Col. Mark George 11:33 I want to thank you for that, by the way. He looks up to you, and that meant a lot.   Ted Robertson 11:37 That's pretty visionary stuff. That's touching the next generation. That's fantastic. All right, this is for you both. When cadets look back on NCLS years from now, what do you hope they're going to remember feeling or being challenged to do differently?   C1C Jaime Snyder 11:56 There is a very strong human component to NCLS, and with that, there's a human experience. Understanding that we're getting speakers and we'll see their bios that they're incredible. They have incredible stories of making the right decision when tensions were high, and getting to hear their stories and understand that they ultimately were no different than we are. Some of them were Air Force Academy graduates. Some graduated from the Naval Academy, West Point, other colleges, but they were young, 20-year-old people like we were as cadets. And so getting to understand where they're coming from, human experience is vital to NCLS, and how do we grow and understand where they're coming from? Ted Robertson 12:38 Col. George? Col. Mark George 12:39 Yeah, I think what I would want the cadets to remember is how these speakers made them feel. You're right, you won't remember every nugget of wisdom that was said. I just had the opportunity to talk with Gen. Scott Miller, and he was an incredible leader. And I feel like everything he was saying was gold. I wish I'd been able to write it down. But he really makes you feel like you understand just how important your role is going to be as a young leader. And when you come away as second lieutenants from this place, you've had incredible opportunities and now you're stepping out in the real world. I would think I want the cadets to remember that like, “Hey, what I do matters, and how I lead is very important to getting this mission done.”   Ted Robertson 13:24 Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and cadet in charge of the 33rd NCLS. Congratulations on the event. Well done, and thank you for spending time here with us on the podcast today. Hearing from both the cadet perspective and the senior leadership behind NCLS makes one thing very clear: This symposium is intentionally designed not just to inspire but to prepare future leaders for moments when character will be tested. And that brings me to my first featured guest, a man whose life story embodies what combat and crisis-tested character truly means. Israel “DT” Del Toro, welcome to the podcast. It's an honor to be with you here at the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Toro 14:18 Thank you, Ted. Thanks for having me. Good to see you again.   Ted Robertson 14:21 Yes, it's not the first time we've gotten to spend some time together. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:24 It's always great to talk to people, try and spread the word of the whole spark and the promise of my dad. Ted Robertson 14:30 The spark and the promises are the two things that really stood out to me about that interview — your heart and your soul man, from a very, very early age. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:39 You know, losing my dad at 12, and then a year and a half later, losing my mom to a drunk driver, and being the oldest, you know, having to now kind of step up to be, like, the parent figure to my younger siblings. It was challenging.   Ted Robertson 14:55 Out of all of that, you wound up as a retired — you are currently a retired senior master sergeant. You took responsibility for your siblings, as you say, after you were orphaned as a teenager, and ultimately in the service combat-wounded airmen, and you survived catastrophic injuries against incredible odds, and that did not keep you down. One of the things that you did was you became an Invictus Games gold medalist. You're now a national speaker, and you talk a lot about resilience and purpose.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:27 Yes, sir. Yeah, Invictus, I won gold in shot put. It was pretty awesome. You know, everyone was just going nuts. Ted Robertson 15:37 You kind of make me feel like that was a soul-feeding, motivating time for you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:42 It was. At that time, I was probably one of the senior guys, kind of. Obviously, I was one of the senior guys, wounded guys on the team, and so a lot of people looked up to me. And sometimes I wish — people would say, “Man, it's great. You're such trailblazer.” You're sometimes like, “Man, I just want to be one of the guys. I just, I just want to be No. 10.” You know, everything's all done, and no one's focusing everything on me. But it's a burden that I'm willing to carry on to try and continue to help people.   Ted Robertson 16:19 I want to linger here in your background a bit, because it's more than just impressive. I think impressive is pretty trite to describe what your background is. Let's start with before the Air Force and before combat, and just how your life demanded responsibility at such a young age. And what I want to ask is, how did stepping up for your family shape the leader that you became? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 16:40 Well, I contribute that totally to my dad. I truly do. My dad was there. My dad, you know, I went everywhere with my dad. My dad — you know, he came from Mexico to this country, and he gave up a lot. You know, my family in Mexico is very wealthy, their ranchers and all that. He came here with nothing. And he always used to tell me, he's like, “Don't ever be envious of someone that's successful. Learn from them. Ask them questions.” He also used to tell me, “If you don't succeed, it's no one else's fault by yourself. Don't blame where you came from, where you grew up from, the situation. It is only your fault.” So my dad always had told me these little lessons and obviously the last lesson he gave me the night before he passed: Always take care of your family. And that just stayed with me, that kind of continued to shape me all throughout my life, all through my journey, at a young age to teenager to young adult to the military and to now, to this day, that really guided me to who I am. Now, it's like, I always hear people say, “Oh, man, I don't know if I can do it.” I was like, “Yeah, you can. You Just never know. You weren't ever put in that situation” I always believe — you always hear the fight or flight. “What are you gonna do?” I just fight, and I continue to fight. I just don't see the flight in me. And, you know, being the promise of take care of your family. Yes, I tell people, that originated with my family — my brothers and sisters. But throughout time it has evolved to now anyone I see that's having a hard time that needs maybe to hear a story or read a book or hear a journey to help them find that spark, because I see them now as my family. I see that as my family, as my mission now.   Ted Robertson 18:50 Let's stay with spark for a minute. It's just one of my favorite things that you've ever talked about. You're down, you've been badly burned, you're worried about whether you're going to survive, and a medic is helping you out, and he does something for you. He says something to you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 19:07 Yeah, you know, the medic — I always like to say, you know, yes, I'm Air Force. Those guys were Army, and we bust each other's chops. But, we're all brothers and sisters, and we're down range, you know? We take care of each other, we tell stories, we talk about our family. So these guys knew what had happened in my past with my family. So when I'm, you know, laying there, after I coordinate getting air, and I started the adrenaline going down, I started getting scared. I was having a hard time breathing, and I just wanted to lay down and sleep. The medic came and reminded me, “DT, remember what you promised your son, that you'll never let him grow without his dad. Fight for your son. You got to fight for your son.” And he's just making me yell it. You use anything you can to keep your guy motivated, to help that spark go, keep going. And that's what he did. He found that spark to keep me going, to keep me fighting until that medevac came and to get me on that helicopter, to the FOB, to the hospital, and then to eventually San Antonio. Ted Robertson 20:24 After that injury, that's when the fight shifted. You had to get off the battlefield. You had to get that out of your head. You had to start battling for your recovery. So what did courage look like when progress seemed like it was slow and at one point nothing was guaranteed? Israel Del Toro 20:46 Yeah, it, you know, when he had a shift from now being on the battlefield to now a different kind of battle and your recovery, your way of life — it's difficult because you have people telling you this is what your life's going to be. You know, being told that you're never going to walk again. You got to be in a hospital for another year and a half, respirator for the rest of your life and your military career is pretty much over. You know, I like to say there's two choices again: Who you're going to be? Are you going to take the easy path, which is, I'm going to sit in a chair, accept what they say, hate life, you know, curse the world. Are you going to take the hard path where I want to fight? I'm going to show you I can do this. I'm going to prove that I still have value, and I want to come out of this ahead and show not only my son but the rest of the world. You stay positive, you find that spark, you will come out ahead. Ted Robertson 21:48 All right, last question on your background, because we're going to roll all this into why you're here and what messages you want to share with the cadets and the attendees that are here. You did something I don't think most human beings would even think about after that ordeal that you had been through all those years, everything. You reenlisted, and it wasn't just a medical milestone. It wasn't because you could, it was a conscious decision. So what internal commitment had to come first for you to make that decision. Israel Del Toro 22:22 You know, I guess it was, for me it was I loved my job. I knew I could teach, I could be prepare these next guys to [be] the next generation operators. Ted Robertson 22:38 You've never stopped being committed. You've never stopped. So it brings you to NCLS. This is the 33rd year for NCLS, and when you speak to cadets here, what message do you want them to take away with them? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 22:53 I guess my message more is about that when you're in the military, no matter whatever happens to you, you still have a role to play. Even when I got hurt, did I miss being with my teammates? Yes, but now refocusing, OK, I'm here in this hospital, and I see all these wounded guys here as I guess I'm wounded also, but in my head is like I was still NCO in the Air Force. I still have a job to do. Yes, I'm hurt, I'm wounded, but the job of a leader is, no matter where you're at, is you try and take care of your troops. You try and make things better for them, even if you never see any of the benefits — that is your role. And so that's kind of what I want to leave with these guys that, you know, you're going to always have  challenges throughout your career, but you've always got to remember it's not about you, it's about the guys under you to take care of you. You know, I had a group of cadets yesterday and they were just asking me about leadership. So you know what? The best way to be a great leader is to earn the respect of yourtroops. If you demand it, you're not a leader, but when you earned the respect and they'll die for you, that is the greatest feeling. You know, I gave an example of one of the best moments I had after my injury, is after I got hurt, they sent my replacement, and he comes in and obviously introduce him to the scout team, to the Army company, individuals in leadership, and then the SF team, and all these guys I'm supporting. And the guy comes in like, “Hey, I'm here to replace DT.” And all of them, “You can't replace DT.” And I told that was the best moment that that's the best moment of respect, because I had Army guys saying, “He's our guy.” And that's the thing I told them, it's like, when you get to that moment when your guys say, “Nah, he's our guy,” I was like, “He can't replace him.” That is where you've truly earned the respect of your troops.   Ted Robertson 25:21 Israel, the only word that I can pull out of myself right now for your journey to describe it as “remarkable,” and you continue to give of yourself, and that's a wonderful thing. Your opportunity for a couple of final thoughts here, before we close out.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 25:38 Final thoughts, man, putting me on the spot, aren't you. I guess my final thoughts would be, you can't do it on your own. I'm not here right now, because I did it my own. I did it. I'm never gonna say that I did. I had friends, I had family, I had my wife that were by my side all throughout my journey to medical individuals. And I had those dark times, and I'm going down that spot, that rabbit hole, they were there to pull me out of it. So I think it's like, you know, don't try and do it on your own. We all need help. You know, the goal is, don't be prideful. There's a reason pride is one of the seven deadly sins. But, you know, ask for help, ask for advice. It's not going to hurt you. If anything, it will make you stronger and better. That's parting thoughts for the individuals listening to this. Ted Robertson 26:53 Perfect. Israel “DT” Del Toro, what a privilege to sit with you again. Want to say thank you from all of us for your service and continuing to lead by the example, which is a very rich and broad and deep example. Your story reminds us, and should remind us, that courage doesn't end with just survival. It always continues in service to others. Israel, thank you for being here.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 27:18 Thanks, Ted. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me again.   Ted Robertson 27:21 Israel's story reminds us that crisis and moral injury don't always arrive on a schedule, and that leaders are often expected to navigate those moments without ever having been taught how. That's where our next conversation takes us: into the intentional work of preparing leaders before crisis arrives. Maj. Tara Holmes, welcome to the podcast. It's great to have you with us as part of the National Character and Leadership Symposium.   Maj. Tara Holmes  27:46 Thanks for having me; glad to be here.   Ted Robertson 27:48 You are currently deputy chief of staff here at Headquarters USAFA. You are formerly chief of cadet development for CCLD, the Center for Character and Leadership development. By way of background, you flew.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:01 So I am a B-52 electronic warfare officer by trade, and then moved over into white jets. So instructed in the in the T-1 and I've kind of been in education and training for, I'd say, since about 2017.   Ted Robertson  28:19 You also hold a Doctorate in Business and Management, and you are an AETC master instructor. I will let you explain AETC.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:27 Air Education Training Command, that's one of the that's our majcom that's responsible for education and training, and they have a pathway to become a master instructor. So I finished the qualifications for that while I was in white jets and working over at Squadron Officer School.   Ted Robertson  28:46 So let's talk about your work with Task Force Hope. We'll talk about what Task Force Hope is, but you are and have been a developer and facilitator of Task Force Hope, which is a crisis and moral injury leadership workshop.   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:01 Task Force Hope is about providing immediately useful tools to our workshop participants to prepare them to lead through crisis, whether that is no-kidding combat related, or whether that's crisis on the home front, going through stuff in life that's really hard. We work through a series of key concepts and exercises, through storytelling and participant engagement that hopefully provides our participants some self-awareness and some tools to recover as it deals with their relationships.   Ted Robertson  29:39 We talked about this. There's a lot of nuance in what you're teaching these people. There's discernment in it. Who should you talk to, who you should trust with information that you want to share? Because ultimately, some of this becomes a pressure release valve, right?   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:52 Yeah, so one of the key concepts that we talk about is worthiness, right? I think often people feel pressure to not share what they're going through because they don't think their problems are worthy of attention, whether theirs or someone else's. That's one thing that we spend a lot of time on. And like you said, you know, who to who to share with, and at what level, some people are more free with sharing than others, and that's OK. So we work through some frameworks that help illustrate how people can kind of work through those levels, or gain some self-awareness and some clarity around where they fall. Something that is a, you know, deep seated secret for you, maybe something that somebody else is willing to openly share, they just don't see it as that big of a deal. So it's definitely about self-awareness and learning some tools to help relieve some of the pressure and drain on our batteries, as it were, that comes from holding these things in.   Ted Robertson  30:52 People who are attending the workshop are going to learn some things that they may not realize are draining their batteries. You're teaching them to discern what those are, and to be careful to try to avoid those. It sounds like an example to me of things that we don't realize we do, that drains us, right, instead of energizes us.   Maj. Tara Holmes  31:10 So we use the kind of metaphor of a smartphone, right? So there are things that drain us, that are big, that we're taking a lot of energy to conceal the hard things that we're dealing with in our life. But then there's, like, the pesky background apps, there's the things that are always running in the background of our lives that drain our energy without us really even noticing it. You know, so for me as an officer, but also as a mom and a spouse, some of the things that are always draining my batteries are my to-do list, the laundry app, maybe social media apps. Sometimes I've probably spend way too much time reading the news these days. That's kind of always on for me. We have these big things that are draining our batteries, but then we have these like small things that are constantly going on, right? So Task Force Hope is about recognizing what those things are for us and then making a commitment to ourselves to make this space and time to recover.   Ted Robertson  32:09 So that brings us to a really unique place. You kind of function at the intersection of character, leadership and development pretty much every day. So how do you define character when you're responsible for shaping it across an entire Cadet Wing.   Maj. Tara Holmes  32:24 To me, character is the essence of who they are. It is how you show up day after day. It's the habits that you have. That's why, when you do something out of character, people are able to say that. You know, we talk about building character strengths as building blocks towards certain virtues. And virtues is really excellence of character. So it's easy to talk about how to be an excellent athlete, or how to be an excellent academic, right? And that's one of our core values, is being excellent. Well, how do you have excellent character? It's really about leveraging your character strengths in a way that can lead you to be more virtuous, and that's the goal.   Ted Robertson  33:05 You've served, both operationally and as an instructor. Tell me how those things shape the way you think about preparing leaders not just to perform but to endure.   Maj. Tara Holmes  33:19 What comes to mind is the importance of training and building those habits. We're, you know, in the previous question, we talked about it in terms of character. You know, you can, you can use any kind of training. It's about building readiness, right? And being able to build those habits so that when you are faced with a challenge, you have a way to work through the challenge, right? That really came out for me, both operationally and as an instructor. So operationally, you rely on your training to get your job done, and then as an instructor, you're helping others build those habits so that one day when your students are faced with challenges, they can rely on their training as well.   Ted Robertson  34:01 We've talked a bit about your experiences and how they shape the way you think about preparing leaders, not just to perform but to endure. And now let's bring it right down to the direct connection between Task Force Hope and why you are here talking about this program to attendees at NCLS. When we talk about Task Force Hope, it's a program that is really designed to prepare leaders to navigate crisis and recover from both emotional and moral injury. What can you tell me about a gap that a workshop like this fills, that traditional leadership education sometimes or often misses?   Maj. Tara Holmes  34:38 Task Force Hope is preventative in nature. It's training to prevent people from letting their burdens get the best of them so that they can show up. They have the tools to show up fully charged when stuff hits the van. And not only that they do that for themselves, but then they can help their teammates or their subordinates also get there. It's self-awareness, because we all perform self-care differently, and what you need to recharge your batteries is different from the way that I would do it. So it's being intentional and having some tools to be able to identify what works for you and then how to make space in your life, and building that commitment to yourself, to make that space so that the next time that you face a crisis, you're not facing it at 10%, you're full up, you're ready to go. So it's that sustained self-care, if that's what you want to call it. And it's important to say that you know, in a 75-minute session, we're really doing our best to provide exposure to key concepts and these tools. What we hope is that people walk out with the start of something. It's not it's not the end of their work to be done.   Ted Robertson  35:54 How often do you hear the question, “Why didn't I hear this earlier in my career?”   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:00 Every workshop. Last year, after the workshop, we had a 1970-something graduate say that exact thing. For me personally, I had four people say something, you know, “Hey, I was a cadet here in '90-something, '80-something, 2000-something. And, you know, I really wish that I would have had this earlier.” So that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to bring it as early as we can.   Ted Robertson  36:26 OK, so our last question of our visit, if cadets take just one lesson from Task Force Hope and NCLs this year, what is your hope for that lesson to be?   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:39 My hope is that they're worth it. No problem is too big or too small to be dealt with, and like we talked about earlier, I think often people keep things to themselves because they feel like they shouldn't bother others, or there's their supervisors or their teammates with what's going on in their lives. And that's a drain. Like, that's a drain on the system. It eats up your energy, right? But our cadets are worth it. Whatever they're dealing with, big or small, is worthy of being addressed. I hope that's the takeaway, and that we all deal with things, right? We don't always know what other people are dealing with.   Ted Robertson  37:22 Maj. Holmes. Thank you for the work you're doing to prepare future leaders, not just to lead in moments of clarity, but to stand firm in moments of crisis. We appreciate you being here.   Maj. Tara Holmes  37:32 Thanks, Ted.   Ted Robertson  37:33 That focus on preservation, resilience and moral courage brings us to our next conversation, one shaped by combat, captivity and a life of service under the most demanding conditions. Coming up next, my conversation with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier. Gen. Mechenbier, welcome to the podcast. It is a huge honor having you here, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 37:56 I hope you feel that way in a half hour so well,   Ted Robertson  37:59 Well, the conversation does promise to be interesting, because your life is… interesting. That was a pregnant pause, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:07 Yeah, I've enjoyed it. It's different.   Ted Robertson  38:11 Just to sort of frame things, you retired as a major general, and what year was that, sir,   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:15 2004   Ted Robertson  38:16 And you were USAFA Class of '64. You're a Vietnam-era pilot, having flown F-4s, you were shot down on your 113th combat mission, but that was you also your 80th over North Vietnam. OK, prisoner of war. Then for almost those entire six years following that, being shot down. You come with 3,600 flying hours across lots of different aircraft.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:42 I was privileged fly either for primary capability or for familiarization with 43 different airplanes.   Ted Robertson  38:49 And now you describe yourself as a lifelong advocate for veterans and public service.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:56 Well, yeah, I mean, I go to a couple prisons in Ohio, and “work with” is probably overstating my role. Veterans who are incarcerated for long periods of time. But my role is just to go there, spend some time, shoot the breeze with them, no agenda, no desired learning objective and let them know that somebody outside knows that they're there.   Ted Robertson  39:19 What I want to do is spend some time in your background. All right, I want to start with combat and captivity and how that tests leadership in its most extreme forms. And this is in course in keeping with the theme of NCLS here, what did character mean to you when circumstances were entirely beyond your control?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  39:38 The Vietnamese kept us in small groups of one and two or three guys. I mean, we never really until near the end and later on when we got a little organization. But it got very down, very personal, when at one time, I was in a cell with four guys, three Class of 1964 Air Force Academy graduates and one poor Oklahoma State University graduate, and amongst the four of us, we had a senior ranking officer. And of course, you got the same rank, you go alphabetical. And so we made Ron Bliss the senior ranking officer in our room. We had a communication system. We had guidelines that, you know, which were basically consistent with the code of conduct. You know, name, rank, serial number, date of birth, don't answer further questions. Keep faith with your fellow positions. That was the key. Keep faith. Never do anything that you'd be embarrassed to tell somebody you did.   Ted Robertson  40:34 What you're explaining is how different leadership looks, and even how you describe it, how different it is from command. So now it comes down to trust and accountability and courage, and how do those show up in those conditions?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  40:51 It was really a matter of, we always knew we were still in the fight. That was one thing that was with us, and so you just kind of conducted yourself with, OK, I'm not going to let myself be used. Now, we also knew that the more you resisted pushed back, the less likely they were to make you go meet an antiwar delegation or write a confession or do something else like that. So they tend to pick on, if you will, the low-hanging fruit or the easier guy to get to. So we always wanted to set the bar just a little bit out of their reach.   Ted Robertson  41:25 All right, having gone through all of that, it really can change people quite profoundly. So when you look back at it, what leadership lessons stayed with you long after you got out of captivity?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  41:39 In the movie Return of Honor. Capt. Mike McGrath, Navy guy, describes the guys in their ability to resist torture and do things. And that's what you learn. Everybody's got a breaking point. If mine's here and somebody else's is there, that doesn't make me better or worse than them. So you learn to appreciate the talents and the weaknesses. If you know the foibles, the cracks in everybody around you and not to exploit them, but to understand them, and then to be the kind of leader that that they need.   Ted Robertson  42:12 Sir, one of the recurring themes when you're discussing leadership with leaders right is knowing something about each of your people so that you can relate to them in a way that that works for them and motivates them.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:23 Yeah. Mark Welch, who's also a graduate and he is a chief of staff of the Air Force, always had a saying: “If you don't know what's going on, it's because you didn't ask.”   Ted Robertson  42:32 Now we're going to roll all that into your long journey between captivity and your visit here to NCLS this year. When you're speaking to the cadets at this year's event, what's your main hope? What do you hope they understand about courage before they even ever face combat?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:54 Well, courage is a reaction to a clear and present threat. Nobody knows how they're gonna — know he's gonna say, OK, I'm gonna go to Vietnam and I want to get shot down, and when the Vietnamese capture me, I'm going to give them a middle finger and I'm going to be the meanest bad ass and hardest-to-break prisoner. Yeah, it's how you respond to the to the immediate perception of bodily harm or being used or something else like that. So courage is, yeah, it just happens. It's not something that you can put in a package and say, “OK, I've got courage.” It's how you respond to the situation, because you might respond quite differently than what you think.   Ted Robertson  43:35 And I have to say, you presented your story and you delivered your message in kind of a unique way. You drew from some contemporary references, specifically three clips from a movie that you like, that I was curious. How did you sum up your entire life in three movie clips from Madagascar? How did you do that?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  43:57 Well, the three movie clips — when I watched the movie, I was looking at it, I have got two favorite movies. Madagascar is one, and the other is a Kelsey Grammer movie, Down Periscope. I mean, I think that is a perfect study in in leadership. But in the movie Madagascar, the premise was penguins can't fly, but yet it opens up with them applying resource, innovation imagination, and they eventually get this airplane to fly. OK, great. Success. Well, like everything else in life, things go wrong, and you got to have, No. 1, a backup plan, an exit ramp or a control mechanism for the disaster that's pending. So that's the second movie clip we saw. And then the third one was towards the end of the movie, when the crash landing has happened and the skipper asks for an accounting, and he's told that all passengers are accounted for, except two. And he says, that's the number I can live with. And the message there is, you go through life — you're going to have successes, but you're going to have failures, and failure has a cost, and it's not always pleasant, but that's OK, because that's life.   Ted Robertson  45:15 How do you explain how leaders can prepare themselves morally and mentally for moments they can't predict or control.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  45:25 Watch movies like Madagascar and Down Periscope. You know, there's a breadth of unintentional, if you will, guidance on how to be a leader, if you know where to look or if you're looking for it. I mean, that's part of the whole progress program at the Academy. Nobody's going to say, OK, here's a scenario, lead these resources to a proper conclusion. It's kind of like, OK, here's the situation. What do we do? What can we do? What can't we do? It's like, in my presentation, I talk about being able to run across a pasture in nine seconds, in 10 seconds, but if the bull can do it, you're in trouble. So you got to realign your thinking, you got to realign your goals and you got to realign the application of resources. So that's the leadership part, right there. It's a realization of what you can and what you can't do. It's a realization of what you, your people, your resources, can and can't do. It's a realization of what the technology you have at your disposal to do your mission can and can't do. So it's all about workarounds and being flexible. And then the other thing is, we live in a world that just seems to be everything's got a prescription and a protocol on exactly how to do everything. Doesn't work that way. You got to be able to go left and right. You got to be able to be a little imaginative.   Ted Robertson  46:42 What parting thought did you leave the cadets with?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  46:45 That failure is part of life. It's not death. And I'm part of an organization called American 300 — we go around and talk to young enlisted people and all the services to get them to understand that failure is a learning opportunity. It's not a dagger in the heart, and don't be afraid or ashamed to try, because if you don't, you'll never know what your true potential is. So with the cadets, we close with that last part from the movie Madagascar that basically said, OK, success comes with a price. Be aware and accept it.   Ted Robertson  47:23 All right, we've got to close it out here, but recap, if you would one more time that message that you want cadets to leave here with from having heard you speak.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  47:32 You are now a living, breathing, viable, productive part of our United States Air Force. You bring talents that are unique. Apply them, but understand that they're all very transitory, and you have part of a larger community. If you stick with a community rather than the “I did,” “I want,” I have,” you'll go a long way.   Ted Robertson  47:54 All right, and stepping outside of that very briefly for your final thoughts, what would you like to leave listeners with today.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:01 Be proud of the young men and women who are in our military now, not just those at the Air Force Academy. You know, our whole military structure has changed over the years. You know, it's a dynamic world. You got to be flexible and embrace change. We're so reluctant to change. Change is fine, except when you try to change me, is the old saying, but we all have to change. We have to be part of the world in which we live.     Ted Robertson  48:26 Gen. Mechenbier, I want to thank you from all of us for being here sharing those leadership lessons of yours and a lifetime of service that will continue to shape others — future leaders — for a very, very long time to come. We appreciate you very much.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:43 Thank you much.   Ted Robertson  48:44 Our final conversation brings us to leadership at the strategic level, where decisions affect institutions, alliances and the nation itself. Capt. Charles Plumb, welcome to the podcast today, sir.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  48:56 Thanks, Ted. Appreciate being here.   Ted Robertson  48:59 It is a privilege to have you. You retired as a Navy captain in 1991 and you have not slowed down, not one inch since. We're going to talk a little bit about the work that you're doing in some very interesting spaces. And what informs all of that. Naval Academy, Class of '64.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:15 Yep, the Great Class of '64.     Ted Robertson  49:17 The great —that's how you express class pride?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:20 Everybody knows the Great Class of '64.   Ted Robertson  49:23 So you are an Annapolis man.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:25 I am, in fact.   Ted Robertson  49:26 No doubt. And a pilot. You flew F-4 Phantoms, and you are a Vietnam-era pilot. You spent most of your time over North Vietnam. Sometimes you got sent to South Vietnam, depending on what was going on. But you said that you have flown 74 combat missions.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:45 Actually 74 and a half, Ted. I have one more takeoff and I have landings.   Ted Robertson  49:50 We should remember that, because it's a very important part of your life we haven't talked about yet. Since you got out of captivity, and then you retired a few years later, you became a published author and a speaker, and as such, you have been to every state, several countries, 5,000 presentations you've delivered in the leadership and character development space. Is there any reason you should not be here at NCLS?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:24 Well, I appreciate that. You know, this is a great symposium, and I'm really proud to contribute to it.   Ted Robertson  50:32 Captain, you are a former POW.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:36 Yes, I was shot down on my 75th mission and captured, tortured and spent the next 2,103 days in communist prison camps.   Ted Robertson  50:49 You said you got moved around a lot.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:52 We did. I was in six different camps, and some of those camps more than once. We never really understood why. We kind of suspected that they wanted to try to deny any fraternization with their guards, and they wanted to keep us on our toes, because they recognized that being military guys, we were going to have leadership, and we were going to have organization and community and we were going to organize, to fight them, and they didn't want that. So they moved us around and kind of shuffled us up, which didn't work. We always had a military organization in every camp that I ever went to.   Ted Robertson  51:31 You found ways to support each other. You found ways to have a leadership structure, even in captivity.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  51:39 We were all fighter pilots or air crews and most of us were we, you know, we had 10 Air Force Academy grads from '64 in five Naval Academy grads from '64 and so we had in a lot of other academy grads. I don't remember how many, but probably 70 total academy grads. And so, you know, we were, we were dedicated. We were lifers. We were, you know, we were very focused guys, which helped out a lot that we knew a lot about military leadership.   Ted Robertson  52:11 You grew up in the Midwest, and you married a Midwestern girl.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:15 I did, my high school sweetheart the day after I graduated from Annapolis, we got married in the chapel, and my buddies were holding up their swords as we came out of the chapel. So it was a beautiful day.   Ted Robertson  52:27 Let's go back to how you found your way to the Naval Academy.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:32 I was a farm kid from Kansas. Never seen the ocean, never been out of the four states of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri. Never been in an airplane, and I needed an education. Found that the Naval Academy offered me an education.   Ted Robertson  52:50 Outside of Air Force Academy circles, you probably already know that we think of, you know, salty sea dog sailors when we think of people going in the Navy, but you chose aviation.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:02 I did. As a kid, I would see these Piper Cubs fly over and I was fascinated by flight, and wondered if I'd ever be able to ride in an airplane. That was my thought when I was a kid. I didn't have any hopes of ever being a pilot, you know, let alone a fighter pilot. That was, I was out of the realm. Nobody, as I grew up, ever told me that I could do that, or I should do that, or, you know, it would be a hope of mine to ever pilot an airplane. But I went to the Naval Academy and found out that was one of the options, and I took advantage of that option.   Ted Robertson  53:43 Yeah, and it led you, of course, to over North Vietnam, and the rest is that part of your history   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:51 Launched on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk on my wife's birthday, the 5th of November, wave goodbye to her, and promised her I'd be back in eight months. I didn't make it.   Ted Robertson  54:04 Hard. Very hard story to hear. Let's talk about all of that informing your presentation now, again, 5,000 of these delivered in the leadership and character development space, but you talk a lot about, in your presentation — and you keynoted here at NCLS — the mental game side of this, the integrity, the choices that you have to make, and character that sort of frames all of that.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  54:38 My message to the cadets, and really to most of my audiences, is around challenge and adversity. And I tell the cadets that they work awfully hard trying to get a degree. They study, they go to computers, they read books all to get a degree. And what I point out to them is that more important than the degree that they will get from the Air Force Academy is a character that they build while they are here. That the integrity first, you know, is part of their motto. And if, in fact, they can learn and live that integrity, if they can learn and live the commitment that they have, if they can learn in and live these kind of ethereal things, the things that you can't measure, things you can't define, the things that, you know, that crop up in your in your mind, in the back of your mind, are more important than the lessons they learn from a computer. And so that's kind of my message.   Ted Robertson  55:49 You know, we're in a leadership laboratory here. The art and the science is character development. And you're talking about a kind of character that leads people to make good decisions and make those decisions with integrity in mind. How did that play into your captivity and getting you through that?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  56:09 You know, of course, I studied leadership at the Naval Academy, and I think that my period of experience more than teaching me anything, it validated what I had learned. And the whole idea — and I love the fact that this is called, you know, the Character and Leadership Symposium, because lots of times you see leadership without character, that's a negative kind of leadership. And if a leader does not have character, he doesn't last very long, and he's not very effective. And so if you can keep your character up front, the leadership can follow easily. And that's pretty much what we had in the prison camps. Several of the qualities of leadership that I promote are the things that almost came natural in a prison camp. First of all, we had to find a focus, a reason. We had to find, you know — and that was developed by our leadership in the prison camp. Return with honor — that was our motto, return with honor. And we all rallied around that.   Ted Robertson  57:22 So all of that said, you're standing here in front of a really big group of people as a keynote speaker, lot of cadets, mostly cadets, yeah.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  57:31 Now there were cadets. I'm speaking on a panel with Ed Mechenbier, my good buddy, and we're on a panel with mostly cadets. The first presentation, the keynote was by invitation only. So there were a number of civilians in the audience, number of cadets. There were Naval Academy midshipmen in my audience today. And we had ROTC people, and, you know, from all over the country. So it was quite a wide audience.   Ted Robertson  58:04 Quite a wide audience. And so if we were just focusing on what you leave with cadets, what do you want them to take away from their experience today?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  58:15 I hope they understand my message, that more important than the degree that they graduate with, is the character that they graduate with, and the importance of the integrity that that they learned here, because that was vital in the prison camp, is integrity. We had to have each other's back, and when we when we finally were released, we refused to be released until all the sick, injured and enlisted men had gone home, and it was a question of integrity, is a question that this is the right thing to do. It's not the easy thing to do. Largely, the integrity thing to do is not the easiest thing to do, and that's what I wanted to leave with the cadets. In addition, I want them to know that regardless of what situation they're in, they still have a choice, and their choice is the way they respond to the surrounding adversity situation that they're in.   Ted Robertson  59:21 An Annapolis grad of '64, Midwest kid from Kansas who makes it into the cockpit, and like you said, 74 and a half flights, then some time in captivity, then to a published author with thousands of presentations all over the country, and some in in other countries. What final thoughts would you like to leave today, sir?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  59:47 Well, you know, I think I've already told you, you know, you're a great interviewer, Ted, and I appreciate your questions. I think, finally, this whole idea of self-determination and I think that we all, and not just the cadets, but graduates and families and business people, families. You know that we all have choices, and sometimes when we deny the choice and give up that ability to make our life better for ourselves. And you know, we do it sometimes even when we're not even thinking about it. It's just automatic to blame somebody else for the problem, and in doing so, we give away that choice.   Ted Robertson  1:00:34 Don't give away the choice. Yeah, build that character and stick by your integrity all the time. Capt. J. Charles Plumb, what a privilege it is to meet you, sir. Glad that you're here at NCLs and keynoting like you are, and I do hope that our paths cross again.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  1:00:52 Ted, thank you very much. I appreciate your willingness to tell my story. Thanks for that.   Ted Robertson  1:00:57 You're welcome, sir. Thank you. Ted Robertson Close As we've heard throughout these conversations, courage isn't a single moment. It's a lifelong practice, from cadets just beginning their journey to leaders shaped by combat and crisis to senior commanders responsible for forces and futures. Character is tested when certainty disappears and it's revealed by how we choose to lead. That's the challenge of the National Character and Leadership Symposium, and it's a challenge that extends far beyond these walls. I'm Ted Robertson, thank you for joining me for our Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. This podcast was recorded on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.         The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

It's the Ranch It Up Radio Show Herd It Here Weekly Report!  A 3-minute look at cattle markets, reports, news info, or anything that has to do with those of us who live at the end of dirt roads.  Join Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt, the Boss Lady Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC' by subscribing on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel. EPISODE 122 DETAILS Smaller Inventories Of Cattle On Feed According to Derrell Peel, Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist and Agricultural Economist with Oklahoma State University, the latest United States Department of Agriculture Cattle on Feed report placed feedlot inventories at 11.505 million head as of February 1. That total is 1.8 percent below year-ago levels and marks the fifteenth straight month of year-over-year declines. January placements fell 4.7 percent compared to last year, while marketings were down 13.0 percent, likely due in part to a winter storm late in the month that pushed some marketings into February. Overall, the report came in largely as expected and offered no significant surprises to the market. Peel also emphasized the structure of the cattle feeding sector. Of the nation's 26,082 feedlots, approximately 24,000 have capacities under 1,000 head. While these smaller operations make up 92 percent of all feedlots, they accounted for only 12.9 percent of total marketings in 2025, averaging fewer than 126 head sold per feedlot. Meanwhile, the 2,082 feedlots with capacities exceeding 1,000 head were responsible for 87.1 percent of the 23.483 million head marketed. Among them, just 7.1 percent — those with more than 32,000 head capacity — marketed 58.8 percent of fed cattle in 2025. In fact, the 82 largest feedlots, each with capacity above 50,000 head, marketed 8.39 million head combined, averaging more than 102,000 head per operation for the year. Reference:  https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/u-s-cattle-report Upcoming Feeder Cattle, Bull & Cow Sales On RanchChannel.Com Lots of feeder cattle, steers & heifers, bulls, and cow sales coming up on the RanchChannel.Com sale calendar.  Check out the full line up HERE. SPONSORS Jorgensen Land & Cattle https://jorgensenfarms.com/ @JorLandCat Ranch Channel https://ranchchannel.com/ @RanchChannel Questions & Concerns From The Field? Call or Text your questions, or comments to 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420 Or email RanchItUpShow@gmail.com FOLLOW Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow SUBSCRIBE to the Ranch It Up YouTube Channel: @ranchitup Website: RanchItUpShow.com https://ranchitupshow.com/ The Ranch It Up Podcast is available on ALL podcasting apps. https://ranchitup.podbean.com/ Rural America is center-stage on this outfit. AND how is that? Because of Tigger & BEC... Live This Western Lifestyle. Tigger & BEC represent the Working Ranch world by providing the cowboys, cowgirls, beef cattle producers & successful farmers the knowledge and education needed to bring high-quality beef & meat to your table for dinner. Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner aka BEC here: TiggerandBEC.com https://tiggerandbec.com/    

Flies, ticks, and parasites don't just annoy cattle—they steal gain and profit. Recorded live at the Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference in Stillwater, OK, this episode features Dr. Jonathan Cammack (OSU Extension livestock entomology & parasitology) breaking down what producers should know about common pests like horn flies, how researchers test control tools, and why day-to-day management matters more than most folks think. The team also tackles two headline issues: New World screwworm and the invasive Asian longhorned tick. Dr. Cammack explains why screwworm is such a serious wound pest, how sterile insect technique works, and why animal movement can spread risk faster than the fly ever could. Then they pivot east—where Asian longhorned ticks have been detected in Oklahoma—and discuss why explosive tick populations and tick-borne disease threats are a growing concern across the region. Top 10 takeaways for producers Pests “steal” performance quietly—stress and blood-feeding divert energy away from gain. Screwworm isn't a nuisance fly: it targets living tissue in wounds and can escalate fast. Time matters: screwworm eggs can hatch in 12–24 hours, so delayed checks can get costly. Animal movement beats fly movement—trailers move risk hundreds of miles in a day. Sterile insect technique works because females mate once; scale and logistics are the challenge during outbreaks. Asian longhorned tick can explode in numbers because it can reproduce without mating (parthenogenesis). High tick loads can cause real blood loss, and tick-vectored disease is a growing regional concern. Feedlots are a special concern due to animal density and the difficulty of visually monitoring every animal. Good management beats extremes: not “once a year,” not necessarily “daily,” but consistent eyes-on and quick response. Research behind the scenes is constant—colonies, susceptible/resistant strains, and field tests inform what works on your operation.   Detailed timestamped rundown 00:00–01:06 Dave Deken tees up Episode 507: flies, ticks, parasites; guest Dr. Jonathan Cammack; recorded at the Central Oklahoma Cattle Conference in Stillwater.01:06–02:42 “Trip around the table” intros: Brian Arnall and Josh Lofton; setting the scene at the Payne County Expo Center.02:42–06:56 Cammack's role: OSU Extension livestock entomology/parasitology; what he covers across livestock species; why they keep fly colonies (houseflies, blowflies) for research and pesticide trials.06:56–10:51 Colony realities: genetic bottlenecks, refreshing genetics from field populations; why “susceptible” vs “resistant” strains matter for chemical testing.10:51–14:54 How trials work: planning population numbers; counting flies on cattle with visual estimates + photos; students doing image-based counts; “2000+” becomes the practical ceiling.14:54–20:01 Screwworm basics: obligate parasite of living tissue; eggs hatch fast (12–24 hours); damage can be severe; regulatory questions around response/harvest are still evolving.20:01–27:44 Control strategy: sterile insect technique; females mate once; sterile males overwhelm wild males; program history and why scaling facilities matters as the “front” widens northward.27:44–30:40 Beyond cattle: wildlife, pets, and people can be affected; reminder that wildlife movement can complicate containment; key deer example in Florida Keys (2016–2017) discussed.30:40–33:36 Other big concern: Asian longhorned tick found in northeast Oklahoma (summer 2024); parthenogenetic reproduction; potential for heavy infestations and disease-vector risk.33:36–35:27 Wrap-up: “safe from the west (for now)” tone; thanks to guest; where to find resources (reddirtagronomy.com). RedDirtAgronomy.com

In part two of Safety on Location at Oklahoma State University, we dive deeper into one of the country's most unique safety programs. Join us as Dr. Virginia Charter describes how a degree program that started in a campus fire station has grown into a powerhouse with a 100% job placement rate and endless career paths. We also hear from senior Caleb Pierce, a BCSP scholarship recipient, who shares why he switched from aerospace engineering to fire protection and safety—and why this tight-knit, hands-on field has him excited for the future. From real-world projects to career-ready skills, this episode demonstrates why safety education at OSU is anything but ordinary.

Cattle Market Movement Contributors Importance of Phosphorus in Mineral Faces in Agriculture: Anita Clubine   00:01:05 – Cattle Market Movement Contributors: Beginning the show is Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock economist, with his cattle market outlook where he discusses the Cattle on Feed report and what factors have been contributing to market movement.   00:12:05 – Importance of Phosphorus in Mineral: K-State Extension beef cattle specialist, Justin Waggoner, continues today's show as he reminds cattle producers about the importance of mineral supplementation, especially phosphorus.  ASI Newsletter - Feedlot Facts   00:23:05 – Faces in Agriculture: Anita Clubine: Anita Clubine from Montgomery County ends today's show with a segment of Faces in Agriculture where she explains how her operation has evolved and expanded.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

On this episode I sat with Lance Walker. Lance is one of the most respected human performance experts in the world — a physical therapist and coach who has trained Olympians, NFL players, and elite athletes across the globe. What makes Lance a uniquely Oklahoma story is how he's using that world-class expertise right here at home to help build a healthier, more resilient state. At HPNRI, he's leading groundbreaking work that ranges from: Physical literacy for Oklahoma children — helping kids move better, feel better, and build lifelong healthy habits. Movement and aging research — studying how older adults can maintain strength, mobility, and independence. Human performance innovation — taking principles once reserved for elite athletes and applying them in schools, clinics, workplaces, and communities across Oklahoma.  https://go.okstate.edu/hpnri/lance-walker Huge thank you to our sponsors. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum telling Oklahoma's story through its people since 1927. For more information go to www.oklahomahof.com and for daily updates go to www.instagram.com/oklahomahof The Chickasaw Nation is economically strong, culturally vibrant and full of energetic people dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage. www.chickasaw.net Dog House OKC - When it comes to furry four-legged care, our 24/7 supervised cage free play and overnight boarding services make The Dog House OKC in Oklahoma City the best place to be, at least, when they're not in their own backyard. With over 6,000 square feet of combined indoor/outdoor play areas our dog daycare enriches spirit, increases social skills, builds confidence, and offers hours of exercise and stimulation for your dog http://www.thedoghouseokc.com  #ThisisOklahoma 

In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Alex Diamond, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University, about his book 'Governing the Excluded: Rural Livelihoods Beyond Coca in Colombia's Peace Laboratory.' They explore the complexities of Briceño, a rural community in Colombia that serves as a peace laboratory for the coca substitution program. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by local farmers, the importance of infrastructure, the dynamics of authority between state and guerrilla forces, and the impact of national politics on local communities. Through personal anecdotes and ethnographic insights, Diamond shares his experiences living in Briceño and the hopes and struggles of its residents as they navigate the transition from coca cultivation to legal livelihoods.   The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.  

If the last U.S. herd rebuild can be described as a “jackrabbit” rebuild, this current period is completely the opposite, says Oklahoma State University economist Darrell Peel.The beef industry is on pace for a slow rebuild, and this episode of The Angus Conversation dives into the “why.”Cattle feeder Steve Sunderman and stocker-operator Gene Copenhaver join Peel to discuss tight supplies, margin pressures and how producers are adapting. From heavier finishing weights to rising capital requirements for the next generation, the guests explore what's shaping today's dynamics and long-term outlook. The guests share why they're “cautiously optimistic” and yet emphasize the importance of risk management.HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCullyGUESTS:Derrell Peel is an ag econ professor at Oklahoma State University, holding the Charles Breedlove Professorship of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics. He has served as the extension livestock marketing specialist since 1989, focusing on livestock market situation and outlook and marketing/risk management education for producers.His work covers all areas of livestock production economics and marketing for beef cattle including meat supply chain and international cattle and beef trade with an expertise in the Mexican cattle and beef industry.Gene Copenhaver is a fifth-generation cattleman whose family dates to the 1850s in Washington County, Va. Copenhaver currently manages his family's stocker operation in southwest Virginia with his son, Will. He was an agriculture loan officer for 38 years and served his clients who were primarily cattle producers in five East Coast states.Copenhaver is currently serving as National Cattlemen's Beef Association president.He has been married to his wife, Jodi, for more than 35 years, and they have three grown children, Brad, Will and Jaymee, and one granddaughter.Steve Sunderman is a sixth-generation farmer rancher who works alongside his parents near Norfolk, Neb. Sunderman Family Farms is a farming, cow-calf and cattle feeding operation. Steve has served the board of the Nebraska Cattlemen Association and is currently vice chair of the taxation committee as well as past chair of the marketing & commerce committee and past member of their executive committee. He is also a past chair and vice chair of the National Cattlemen Beef Association's live cattle marketing committee.Steve is a co-founder and president of Sunderman Investments, an investment firm focused on rural downtown development and value-added ag investments.SPONSOR:Angus Media: Are you ready to find your next influential Angus sire? Angus Journal subscribers will receive a free copy of the Angus Bull Book: Spring 2026 Angus Sire Directory, mailed right alongside their March edition. Visit www.AngusJournal.net to subscribe to the Angus Journal today.Angus Media: A sale book isn't just a sale book. You have options. Big or small, private treaty or live auction, Angus Media's Pasture to Publish online portal is here to serve you. Visit www.AngusMedia.org to learn more.  Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

Erin Oldfield joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in November 2017 and takes immense pride in the Thunder's community initiatives that impact thousands of Oklahomans every year. Erin has a dual-leadership position, providing exceptional vision, operational excellence, and the ability to align multiple entities under a shared commitment to purpose-driven initiatives. Erin leads the team's extensive community outreach efforts. The Thunder Cares platform supports the community 365 days a year by investing in Education, Healthy and Vibrant Communities, Workforce Development and Basic Needs. Beyond the organization's charitable priorities, she works closely with basketball operations to better understand each player's areas of interest and helps align them with causes they are passionate about to enable them to personally impact their community. Prior to the Thunder, Erin was the Director of Education and Public Programming at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center where she played a key role in the strategic planning and fundraising for a $26M arts campus in downtown Oklahoma City. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma and has earned multiple certifications in leadership, sports philanthropy, and management. Erin is involved in the community beyond the Thunders' efforts, serving on the Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, Latino Community Development Agency, Oklahoma City Public School Foundation and serves on the Development and Outreach Committee at Catholic Charities. Erin resides in Oklahoma City with her husband Ryan. They have two sons, both attending Oklahoma State University. Huge thank you to our sponsors. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum telling Oklahoma's story through its people since 1927. For more information go to www.oklahomahof.com and for daily updates go to www.instagram.com/oklahomahof The Chickasaw Nation is economically strong, culturally vibrant and full of energetic people dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage. www.chickasaw.net Dog House OKC - When it comes to furry four-legged care, our 24/7 supervised cage free play and overnight boarding services make The Dog House OKC in Oklahoma City the best place to be, at least, when they're not in their own backyard. With over 6,000 square feet of combined indoor/outdoor play areas our dog daycare enriches spirit, increases social skills, builds confidence, and offers hours of exercise and stimulation for your dog http://www.thedoghouseokc.com  #ThisisOklahoma 

It's Witness Wednesday! Join Todd once again on campus at Oklahoma State University as he makes a powerful presentation about faith, philosophy, worldviews, and apologetics. He wraps up with a question-and-answer session, pointing students towards Christ and His gospel of grace. Segment 1 • Discover how postmodern thought has shaped your worldview—even if you've never read a philosophy book. • Feelings have replaced facts in our culture, and it's wrecking spiritual foundations. • Disney movies and TikTok might be doing more “deconstructing” than your college professor. Segment 2 • Todd dismantles the top 10 reasons students reject Christianity—with humor and logic. • You'll hear the wild syllogisms (like “Trump is bad = Jesus isn't real”) that people believe without realizing it. • Learn how rejecting or deconstructing a false version of Christianity doesn't mean the real one is false. Segment 3 • Jesus isn't a life coach—He's the King who came to serve, save, and reign in love. • You'll finally understand what makes Christianity not just true, but beautiful and soul-satisfying. • Be blown away by the picture of King Jesus—who knows your name, prepares your seat, and serves you at His table. Segment 4 • Hear a student wrestle with: “How can I have a real relationship with God if I can't see or hear Him?” • Todd's answer shows how knowing God isn't distant or vague—it's deep, personal, and more intimate than anything else. • Discover the one thing you might be missing if your faith feels cold or uncertain. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Our coverage of NCBA's CattleCon in Nashville continues, sponsored by Bimeda. Professor Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, joins us to discuss the complex cattle market. And Shalene McNeill, executive director of nutrition science at NCBA, talks about the new food pyramid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 5th, 1981, Jeff Neilson returned to his home in Moore, Oklahoma, from a day of classes to find his wife of five months, Tracey Neilson, dead from multiple stab wounds. Over four decades later, Tracey's murder remains unsolved. Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the murder of Tracey Neilson. Tracey was a native of Texas who met and fell in love with Jeff at Oklahoma State University. Everyone who knew her said she was a loving and caring person. Not a single person knew who would have wanted her dead. The authorities had two important pieces of evidence related to the crime but they did not disclose them until almost 35 years after Tracey's murder.You can help support the show at patreon.com/truecrimeallthetimeVisit the show's website at truecrimeallthetime.com for contact, merchandise, and donation informationAn Emash Digital productionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do Native Americans need more encouragement to consume saturated fats? Native nutritionists are wondering how the new federal dietary guidelines just unveiled by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. intersects with decades of scientific research urging the population with the highest rates of heart disease to limit their saturated fat intake. The new federal food pyramid shows up in recommendations for programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Head Start, Indian Health Service, and the National School Lunch Program. Tribes in the Pacific Northwest are stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to seals taking a bite out of the salmon populations they worked decades to preserve. The seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. They feast on fish that on which the tribes rely. We will look at how this situation affects tribal treaty rights and what tribes are doing in response. A handful of organizations are working to strengthen traditional connections between urban Native residents and buffalo. Organizers in Chicago and Denver are among those working to put the animals closer to Native people who might not otherwise have exposure to a significant traditional source of food. GUESTS Dr. Tara Maudrie (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), assistant professor at the University of Michigan in the School of Social Work Cecilia Gobin (Tulalip), conservation policy analyst with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Dnisa Oocumma (Eastern Band of Cherokee), community engagement coordinator for the American Indian Center Lewis TallBull (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma), co-founder and president of Sacred Return Dr. Valarie Jernigan (Choctaw), professor of medicine and director of the Center for Indigenous Health Research and Policy at Oklahoma State University's Center for Health Sciences Carley Griffith-Hotvedt (Cherokee), executive director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative

It's Witness Wednesday! Questions of deep theology and practical application are addressed in a must-hear question and answer segment during Todd's recent trip to Oklahoma State University. If you want to see the Christian worldview brought to bear in real-time on real-world questions, you've come to the right place. Segment 1 • Bishop Tom Brown questions the trend of evangelical deconstruction, and asks if there can be a positive element to it. • Todd explains that most who deconstruct are not interested in putting the pieces back together again. • A young man in the audience asks how we can feel RIGHTLY - how we can balance our emotions without denying them totally. Segment 2 • Laney asks Todd how we can reach the portion of society that isn't interested in actually finding the truth - and may not think it exists at all. • A young man asks how husbands should rightly lead their families in the era of post-modernity and radical subjectivity that we live in. • Ben asks how to reach the agnostics in society who don't care what Christianity has to say. Segment 3 • Student Brennan asks about the weighty question of God's sovereignty and goodness when considered against the pain and suffering that is allowed in this world. • Todd goes in depth showing how the existence of evil in this world, far from disproving God, actually necessitates God's existence. • Alec asks: how can we dispel the notion in the minds of unbelievers that Christianity is just a bunch of stuff we have to do to get on the “nice list”? Segment 4 • Todd continues his answer to the last question, showing how Christianity is not burdensome but, rather, the most liberating thing for God's creatures. • Todd is asked a heavy philosophical question about the metaphysical presuppositions of the ancient world, and how Christ shows us truth in every area - even philosophy. • As helpful as apologetics can be in certain circumstances, Todd shows us the primacy of Christ and sharing the gospel in attempting to win souls - not arguments. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!