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Don’t miss the marketplace revolution! Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX: https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ In this episode of the Ultimate Partner Podcast, Vince Menzione sits down with AWS Marketplace leaders George Maroulakos and Arif Razvi to uncover the rapidly shifting ecosystem of technology procurement and partner transformation. They dive deep into the evolution of buyer experiences, the critical necessity of executive alignment, and how agentic AI is redefining software discovery and consumption. If you want to accelerate deal velocity and ensure your business isn’t left behind, this conversation outlines exactly why integrating the AWS Marketplace into your core co-sell motion is no longer optional. https://youtu.be/Avp0sIyxRU8 Key Takeaways Embracing the AWS Marketplace should be viewed as a natural extension of your co-sell motion, not an interrupt-driven exception. Successfully leveraging the marketplace requires top-down executive sponsorship to overcome internal friction across legal, finance, and revenue operations. Partners must prepare for global expansion by ensuring local entities and currencies are wired up to meet buyers where they are. Agentic AI and natural language queries are leveling the playing field for software discovery, moving beyond traditional SEO-driven presence. SaaS pricing models are shifting toward consumption and outcome-based structures, demanding highly detailed product metadata. The speed of deal closure is drastically increased when partners are prepared to transact seamlessly through the marketplace. If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags AWS Marketplace, partner transformation, buyer experiences, hyperscalers, co-sell motion, revenue operations, strategic alignment, agentic AI solutions, outcome-based pricing, metadata optimization, software discovery, private offers, global expansion, deal velocity, cloud centers of excellence. Transcript Arif Razvi and George Maroulakos Audio Episode [00:00:00] George Maroulakos: From my perspective, think about marketplace as a why not as opposed to a why. [00:00:06] Vince Menzione: You can feel it happening. The ecosystem is shifting beneath us, the way Hyperscalers are partnering, how AI is remaking the channel and what it means to win in 2026. [00:00:17] Arif Razvi: Welcome to the Ultimate Partner Podcast. I’m Vince Menzi, own your host. [00:00:22] Arif Razvi: And each week I sit down with leaders at the intersection of technology, [00:00:26] Vince Menzione: partnerships and outcomes. The voices shaping how ecosystems actually work. We talk about what’s real, what’s changing, and what it takes to lead in this era where the partner channel isn’t just part of the strategy. [00:00:39] Arif Razvi: It is the strategy because being in the room changes everything. [00:00:44] Arif Razvi: Let’s start. [00:00:48] Vince Menzione: I’m excited to, because we were talking about some of this earlier with Matt, but I thought this would be a great conversation. I’m gonna ask each of you to introduce yourselves, George and Arif, and your roles. ’cause you have two very unique roles. Uh. Contrasting roles, I would call it, within the AWS Marketplace Organization. [00:01:06] George Maroulakos: Yep. Happy to do so. So I think Vince just didn’t wanna say my last name, so that’s why I’m gonna introduce myself. Mayor. Very, very good. So Mayor Laki, George Meki, pleasure to meet. Hey, I can say that, uh, all of those that I haven’t met before, lots of familiar faces as well here. Uh, so it’s really great to see. [00:01:21] George Maroulakos: Uh, I’m part of the AWS Marketplace team and our center of excellence. That focuses on buyer experiences. So like why is a buyer guy here in this partner session? And I think, you know, I’m gonna help to try to bring some perspective around what our buyers see as the value for using marketplace and. [00:01:40] George Maroulakos: Working with all of these great partners that are here in the room and, uh, you know, the experiences that we see in helping to drive, you know, the blood to all organs. I’m using that a lot, Alison, to copyright it. It’s, it was really good. I love that, that analogy. But, um, for, but for both our partners as well as for our customers. [00:01:59] Vince Menzione: That’s awesome. [00:01:59] Arif Razvi: Hey everybody. I’m Arif Roski. I’m based here in New York City, although I’m a Celtics fan. Um, uh, go, go. I, I still supported the Knicks through the championship and I’m very happy for them. So excited to be here. Excited to be among, uh, other channel and alliance leaders. I’ve spent my entire 25 plus career in channels and alliances. [00:02:20] Arif Razvi: The last seven years, uh, on AWS marketplace where I lead, uh, a couple of functions. One is I support all of Matt Ian’s feature launches. So from a go-to market perspective, uh, I support his launches. I also focus on international expansion of marketplace. So, uh, Matt alluded to this earlier. I’ll mention some, I’ll talk about some stuff in a little bit. [00:02:39] Arif Razvi: And then, uh, we do some deep engagements with some of our most strategic partners to help them accelerate and unblock their marketplace business. By embedding a subject matter expert from my team into their organization to really help drive, uh, adoption of marketplace. [00:02:55] Vince Menzione: So important. Both of your roles. [00:02:56] Vince Menzione: By the way, this is standout roles. I, you know, I. I don’t want to get into trouble here. I talk about other hyperscalers, but I said this with Matt on stage earlier. You guys have been at the forefront of driving marketplace in such a strong way, having somebody who’s customer focused, right? And that lens is so important. [00:03:15] Vince Menzione: I don’t feel, I feel like that’s missed so many times. And then you also have. You know, quite a bit of an important role here in terms of what you’re doing in embedding resources. ’cause a lot of times people get lost in the process and it seems to be the, the common currents. So, um, really great both sides of the same equation here, right? [00:03:33] Vince Menzione: Buyer led, partner built, uh, let’s start George here. Um. Let’s talk about how buying has changed. Right. We go back to the early days of marketplace. It felt like it was a listing at first and it started to become important. Organizations like Work Span started to come to fruition and started to drive, at least in my part of the world. [00:03:53] Vince Menzione: And then we started talking a lot more about Marketplace. And of course the, the cus customer commits really started driving things in a different direction. You’ve got the customer, so talk about what your journey’s been like. [00:04:05] George Maroulakos: So I’ve been with Marketplace nine and a half years, which is pretty long time since the beginning of it, and watching the evolution of, of where things have come and where they started. [00:04:15] George Maroulakos: And I remember, uh, I was covering the, the northeast region when I very first started and working with, uh, you know, different enterprise accounts and financial services and, and, and healthcare and life sciences, and talking about this. This creation that occurred called, called AWS Marketplace, and even folks within AWS didn’t really know what that meant or how to talk about it or sell it. [00:04:38] George Maroulakos: So there was this creation of a infield based business development function to help supplement the account teams and the value and the importance of marketplace as a part of a customer’s AWS journey. And when I first started the, the, the highest, uh, or most frequently subscribed to products that existed were. [00:04:57] George Maroulakos: Uh, Amazon machine images a amis and it’s very specifically open source amis. So think of Bantu or Cintas as the predominant things that were being subscribed out of marketplace. So, um, by definition, not really revenue generating. You’re, these are not the a hundred million dollar transactions or the billion dollar club that we talk about today. [00:05:19] George Maroulakos: It was very much helping. The builders go again, go back 10 years, uh, who are just getting started with the cloud and how could they find partner solutions that they trusted or that they felt were secure and helping them to start to build out and migrate their workloads into, into AWS. Um, so I existed before the. [00:05:39] George Maroulakos: Very first private offer was transacted. Nice. Um, there’s actually a, a gentleman towards the back, uh, who helped with one of our very first private offers. I see you back there, Joe. Nice, nice. Um, so we, we worked on, uh, uh, uh, really big transaction with, uh, with, at the time AppDynamics, uh, and, and helping to get. [00:05:58] George Maroulakos: You know, a customer really up and running with their implementation that, so watching over the 10 years from, you know, the builder mentality of, of getting started with the cloud to really embracing all kinds of partner based, um, solutions that go along with AWS. It’s really been, uh, you know, a, a rocket ship you referenced earlier, moving to the top right quadrant, if we want to use the, the Gartner analogy, and I think we’re at another. [00:06:24] George Maroulakos: Inflection point because with what’s going on with Ag agentic solutions, the way that our customers are finding and discovering different partner solutions is better than ever I would think. And I think it gives much more of a equal opportunity in playing field for all partners of all shapes and sizes because you’re not driving your presence based on SEO or whether or not you have the best Google search results. [00:06:53] George Maroulakos: With AgTech and how you differentiate your solutions, you’re gonna be able to really get yourself in front of more customers more quickly. And as Matt talked about earlier, the, the, the really big penetration that we’ve seen thus far is real, is on the discovery piece, the, the research area, the pre-purchase activity, so validate what’s available. [00:07:13] George Maroulakos: So I think marketplace has really evolved over the 10 year, nine and a half years-ish that I’ve been there. And I think it’s gonna continue to change here in the coming months ahead. Yeah. [00:07:23] Vince Menzione: Any predictions? [00:07:25] George Maroulakos: Yeah, I, I think, you know, the, I, the, the importance of marketplaces is only going to continue to grow. [00:07:32] George Maroulakos: Uh, and I think we’re going to see, you know, even more innovation and expectation from our customers on being able to find the right solutions and being able to procure and deploy them as quickly as possible. [00:07:44] Vince Menzione: Nice. Arif, from your side. Partner transformation. So, you know, embedding resources with the partners. [00:07:51] Vince Menzione: Right. So you basically help kickstart a lot of the, the efforts, right? George? George is looking at it from the customer side, and then you’re kick-starting it on the partner side. [00:08:00] Arif Razvi: Yeah. Either kickstarting it, uh, on the initial stages with a strategic partner. Yeah. Or accelerating their adoption of something that’s already there. [00:08:07] Arif Razvi: Right. So what we’re seeing, what I’m seeing a lot of more recently is partners who say, I didn’t know you had capabilities for us to sell into Korea or Japan, or we just, we just launched India. Yep. Matt alluded to this easier, uh, earlier that we’re making it easier for partners to expand globally. And now partners are realizing, wait a minute, I can match my. [00:08:26] Arif Razvi: Uh, my business processes on marketplace, so revenue recognition, tax collection, locally, local invoices, and now they’re starting to set up multiple entities outside the US to meet those buyers, uh, where they are. [00:08:41] Vince Menzione: Nice. And you mentioned having these resources. How do you determine who gets resources and who? [00:08:47] Arif Razvi: Well, there’s, uh, staging and there’s, uh, there’s qualification mechanisms we use. We work with the PDMs for the partners. So any PDM, uh, any pd DM managed partner can be nominated for, uh, what, what we call a compensation. [00:08:59] Vince Menzione: So you’re overlaying that organization sense. [00:09:00] Arif Razvi: We’re overlaying the PDs. We’re not replacing, we’re only doing time bound sprints to unlock very specific activities. [00:09:05] Arif Razvi: Very [00:09:06] Vince Menzione: cool. So it’s not a poll. Yeah. Cool. You’re not, you’re not there forever. [00:09:08] Arif Razvi: No. [00:09:08] Vince Menzione: You’re there to get the job done. We [00:09:09] Arif Razvi: did that before. Uh, yeah, we’re, we’re doing short sprints now. [00:09:12] Vince Menzione: Yep. Let’s talk about how the buyers are using marketplace. You’ve done some really in, we talked about this earlier with Matt, but we’ve talked about some of the innovative things you’ve done. [00:09:21] Vince Menzione: You know, being, being able to embed into a website and in the storefronts. All these things seem to be unique to AWS. Talk to us about how the buyers are using the marketplace today. And [00:09:31] George Maroulakos: yeah, I think, you know, Matt talked about earlier the. Pre the, the preconception around why customers use marketplaces for the financial incentives, the, the financial benefits that go along with it, whether it’s direct incentives that are associated with the individual product that’s out there, or the Association of Marketplace to our private pricing agreements and the ability for. [00:09:55] George Maroulakos: Transactions that occur in marketplace to count towards those commits. Um, I’m gonna amplify a, a particular point that Matt made, uh, in his talk that, you know, we have many more customers who do not have PPAs with AWS than those that do. And the volume of transactions that take place in marketplace. [00:10:11] George Maroulakos: Dwarf, uh, in volume from those that, uh, are occur from our PPA customers. So yes, there are very large transactions that occur and there is Ben financial benefit that goes along with it. But there’s many other value points that our customers find from discovery. From ease of use, from consolidated billing, from post-purchase, um, you know, management and governance that goes along with it, and reconciliation that’s available, that’s, that exists. [00:10:36] George Maroulakos: Um, you mentioned storefronts. I’m really excited. That was one of the most exciting launches. That’s why I reminded him when he was talking about it, uh, around, you know, what that means. And it’s both a presence for, um, our partners and being able to create their own storefronts on behalf of, of customers or within their own property, but also for our buyers directly too. [00:10:54] George Maroulakos: Take that next generation of something that was previously, you know, our private marketplace and curate a catalog that is very specific and intentional for the things that they’re interested to innovate with and the partners that they’re interested in using. And so I think meeting our customers where they’re at. [00:11:10] George Maroulakos: And being, you know, marketplace anywhere and everywhere is I think really important for our customers. And then the other aspect, you know, in terms of how our customers use marketplace, there’s more than one persona at our customer that we need to be, be, be aligning with. Right. Interesting. We typically talk about procurement and the value points that procurement find in marketplace, but just as important as, as the technologists. [00:11:32] George Maroulakos: It’s the Cloud centers of Excellence. It’s the innovators who are looking for those business applications or those infrastructure solutions that exist and making sure that we have the right things from the right partners available to them. So we see value all over the place with our customers and how they inter interface with [00:11:47] Vince Menzione: more. [00:11:47] Vince Menzione: You brought up something really interesting, insightful, is the fact that all the different personas in the organization that are touching the marketplace, right? [00:11:54] George Maroulakos: And it’s at different points of the journey, right? Yeah. So while there may be early discovery and research and experimentation going on from, you know, the technologists or, or, or the, or the, the, the business application owners, um, as it progresses through the, the, the. [00:12:09] George Maroulakos: The opportunity lifecycle procurement and sourcing and legal, and the shared services then become a more important part of, of making sure that we get those opportunities closed and launched. [00:12:18] Vince Menzione: Yeah, and that was one of the things we were talking about earlier is the fact that how, how, uh, it, it, the work arduous it could be. [00:12:25] Vince Menzione: To go through that whole process at a customer side. Right? ’cause they have to. [00:12:29] George Maroulakos: It is, and and you know, I think when Cloud first got started, it was quite scary for procurement, right? It became another version of Shadow it. And we were seeing things that were getting purchased on P cards because they could quickly stand up infrastructure versus waiting for the IT team to do it. [00:12:44] George Maroulakos: And so now you introduce all of these other things that. Procurement kept near and dear to their heart, and here comes another wave of, is this truly positive disruption? Is it going to affect what’s, what I’m doing affect really my goals and objectives of supporting the company. And as you, you know, you continue to express the value of marketplace, they start to see, hey, this is actually very complimentary and helped me can get better control and governance in a way that I. [00:13:11] George Maroulakos: Perhaps didn’t have before with what was going on inside the cloud. [00:13:15] Vince Menzione: So this is a question for both of you actually, but I was thinking about these partners in the room and what did they get wrong? Like what are they doing? Like what are the things we always talk about, things that they’re doing right? [00:13:26] Vince Menzione: We’re having the happy talk about all the great success that’s been going on, but what is your advice to partners that maybe are not getting it right? Like what, what, what are the things you see that. The easy stumbling blocks that could be fixed. [00:13:38] Arif Razvi: Yeah. Well, probably the easiest is, uh, waiting to talk about marketplace at the last minute and not making it part of the full commercial journey [00:13:45] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:13:45] Arif Razvi: That the sellers will go through. Right. So, um, but that includes being able to have those internal conversations from the executive level, getting that executive sponsorship from marketplace upfront. That filters down through the rest of the organization. So you’ve gotta get rev ops teams, finance, legal, you know, the marketplace terms, the, the standard, uh, contract that goes into your listing has to be approved by legal. [00:14:08] Arif Razvi: Uh, and then you get down to the sales teams, making sure that you’re not penalizing sales teams for doing transactions on marketplace, which will create friction, then meeting buyers where they are, right? So local entities, local currency, um, having all that wired up. Uh, I met with a, a partner yesterday at Summit who is literally wiring up 10 new regions, 10 new entities in 10 new locations on marketplace in advance of what they know is a pipeline that’s going to be building into those regions. [00:14:37] Arif Razvi: So they’re getting ready and not waiting for the last minute for marketplace. [00:14:40] Vince Menzione: I love it. And the internal, go ahead. [00:14:43] George Maroulakos: Yeah, I, I echo definitely what Arif was saying and I think the, the other aspect of that is that our customers shouldn’t feel like it’s more painful. To use marketplace versus they would any other way. [00:14:54] George Maroulakos: And so whether that shows up in pricing, it shows up in awareness of what marketplace is and isn’t, or what it can or cannot do. Um, whether it’s introducing it naturally or it’s this, oh, by the way, on the end, like the, the more. Integrated marketplace is as a part of your co-sell motion, whether you’re doing it directly on your own or through a reseller or with AWS or all of the above. [00:15:17] George Maroulakos: Um, it’s, it should be a natural extension and a value point that you’re bringing to your respective customers, not some. Interrupt driven or, or exception based activity that goes along with selling your, your, your, your solution. [00:15:31] Vince Menzione: Why do you think customer, some customers or some partners are held back or what, what, what is, is it a mindset? [00:15:38] Vince Menzione: I mean, I talk about the principles, you know that, but like, is it mindset? What is it? Is it, [00:15:42] Arif Razvi: it’s, it’s internal. Friction. Yeah. A a a lot of what I see, especially in these, in, in embedded engagements is the amount of, you know, I have a lot of empathy for this room, right? Because you are the ones that have to go internally and navigate all of these stakeholders to be able to convince them that marketplace is the route to market. [00:16:01] Arif Razvi: It’s the preferred route to market, and it’s the way that a AWS wants to co-sell. With its partners. And that’s a hard thing to do if you don’t speak the same language that the tax legal, rev ops, finance, accounting, because everything changes. When you start doing transactions on marketplace, your revenue is booked differently, right? [00:16:20] Arif Razvi: It’s booked as a w from AWS and not from the, you know, from the, so things change and having that conversation is often challenging. Uh, we are working on some tools that will help make that conversation easier. Um, and we’ve already written blogs, and again, there are mechanisms that your partner managers have internally that they can request support and guidance. [00:16:43] Arif Razvi: Uh, and we’re happy to provide that. [00:16:45] Vince Menzione: What needs to change so that marketplace becomes a true go to market engine. [00:16:49] Arif Razvi: Top down, top down, top down where, where I’ve seen the most success. From a partner is where they’ve gotten strategic alignment at the executive level. That marketplace is the way we are going to, uh, sell globally. [00:17:02] Arif Razvi: Right? Then that starts to filter down, as I mentioned earlier, into the different teams and yes, it is a journey and you may start with the US or if you’re EMEA based. Partner, you may start with just amea, but eventually you will start to expand your, you’ll want to expand your business. Um, and marketplace is a great place to do that because we have all of those mechanisms globally to help you scale without adding incremental resources to handle the tax or the compliance or the invoicing and collection and all that stuff. [00:17:30] George Maroulakos: Yeah. I’ll add to that because I’m gonna steal a second thing you said, Allison, about centering around a customer. I, I loved a lot of Allison. Come on now. I’ll be your hype guy. I absolutely, but, but, but the but demand will drive supply. And I think to what you were talking about, Arif, when are customers, when. [00:17:46] George Maroulakos: Our customers come to you about wanting to use marketplace. Yeah. How are you ready to adapt to that? How are you ready to respond to it? And if it becomes a disjointed, not centered around a customer, bespoke based, independently based interaction with the customer, everybody loses. Versus if you’re ready to embrace what that means and how to make that as good of an experience, if not better, versus how they might have traditionally procured your solution and deployed it. [00:18:13] George Maroulakos: Um, now we have a much better together story. So I think understanding that customers more and more are going to use marketplaces, particularly AWS marketplace, and want to make use of partner solutions that embrace marketplace as a part of their way to procure and deploy. You have a much better chance of being successful with them. [00:18:33] Vince Menzione: You know, it made me think about this. Is there a seminal event? Like I think about, I think back to COVID changing buying behavior, right? I’m, we’ll use AWS, an example, three boxes show up in my house every day, right? That didn’t happen before. We used to go to the store. Is there a seminal event we’re waiting to happen? [00:18:50] Vince Menzione: I, I know that the millennial buyer, we talked about this earlier with Matt, is the new buying persona. Over 50% of buyers are millennial and they’re used to doing comfortable with phones and trust Is all there. Is there something else we’re missing or what do, what do you think’s gonna happen? [00:19:03] George Maroulakos: I really think it’s what in front of us right now. [00:19:05] George Maroulakos: Yeah. Vince, I think what. Agen solutions, what Agen SaaS offers, what the power of information and research that’s now directly available to customers versus maybe indirectly available through consultancies or deeper research. Um, the velocity of what our customers are going to be able to do and with partners that they may not have even heard of right before. [00:19:32] George Maroulakos: You know, they started their journey. I, I think this is a present day. Inflection point. Yeah. Um, going back, you know, over the past several years, the advent of supporting private offers I think was a pretty big milestone for marketplace. It allowed for our partners to be able to. Work through customized terms and conditions and commercials that were important for a particular opportunity in a customer. [00:19:54] George Maroulakos: But today, the here and now I think becomes the next inflection point for the success of marketplace. [00:19:59] Arif Razvi: That would [00:19:59] Vince Menzione: Go ahead. [00:20:00] Arif Razvi: I was just gonna add on top of that, but partners need to be ready for that. Right? And if they’re not ready to accelerate a deal and get it closed in days versus stalling it for weeks to negotiate. [00:20:11] Arif Razvi: Yes. Like they’re not gonna stand. Customers are not gonna stand for that. So partners need to be ready to move quickly. If you think about all the innovations that Matt is delivering for Marketplace and Partner Central. They’re about accelerating co-sell. They’re about accelerating deal velocity. They’re about, we know f from, from the Forrester studies and others that we presented, that we’ve made public that the deal value goes up when you’re dealing with marketplace and co-selling with AWS. [00:20:36] Arif Razvi: So how can we just accelerate that? Yeah. Partners need to be ready for that and move quickly. [00:20:40] Vince Menzione: And you use partners in sort of a, you know, plural sense, but I think about those organizations as so many multifaceted. We talked about finance, we talked about all of different functions in the organization. [00:20:51] Vince Menzione: What are you doing to help that? I mean, we talked about you’re doing a lot of readiness work, but I do feel like there’s a lot of evangelism still to be done internally with those organizations. How do you think about [00:21:02] Arif Razvi: that? Yeah, we, um, obviously events like this are fantastic mechanisms to at least get the conversation started and get your head thinking about what you need to think about. [00:21:10] Arif Razvi: But we have other activities. We have, uh, rev Ops squads, right? So revenue operations teams, and we bring them together, uh, around the world op, uh, ops squad, which is operational teams, so deal desks and others that help them, uh, understand the capabilities that marketplace can bring to accelerate deal velocity. [00:21:28] Arif Razvi: And then we have, like, obviously other events like the, the, uh, marketplace Seller Conference in September where we bring marketplace sellers together and give them, you know. Guidance. And so there are ways to get this information beyond just like getting somebody from my team, of which there are very few as you, you know, as we start to, to consolidate down. [00:21:47] Arif Razvi: But um, but they are available and there’s other mechanisms and we’re happy to share those out. [00:21:50] Vince Menzione: Nice, nice. Well coming here doing this and we’ll make a podcast episode out of this as well. Can you hear. I hear us all, uh, because I do think it’s important to get in front of, especially the Chief Finance Officer and operations and all those different departmental heads who aren’t really embedded into, like, they don’t come to these events. [00:22:07] Arif Razvi: Yeah. And they also don’t log into Partner Central. That’s right. So how do they get this information right? Yeah. So we have to one to one it with them. Yeah. But that doesn’t scale when you think about what’s gonna happen now with this next wave of GSIs and sis and, and others coming onto Marketplace who hadn’t been there. [00:22:22] Arif Razvi: Yes, they’re gonna need the same guidance. Yeah. So we have to start thinking about what we’re building is AI tooling to help with those conversations. [00:22:28] George Maroulakos: Well, and, and you know, if, when I think about it from, from our buyer’s perspective, even just yesterday we held a, a couple of round table discussions with some procurement leaders that were, we’re here for the summit and, you know, we do a lot of enablement and, and awareness. [00:22:42] George Maroulakos: With alliance leaders at our partners, and that’s certainly a, the tip of the spear of getting the conversation started, but it’s not enough. And one of the things that we hear from our customers is. Well, you may have a great partnership with particular partner A, but the individual experience that I had with that sales rep doesn’t match that. [00:23:02] George Maroulakos: And so yeah, the evangelism and the awareness, yes, and the understanding of marketplace has to go beyond just the alliance team. You guys are the amplifier to it. But the folks that not only are in the back office and all the, the, the operational teams, but on the front lines and field sales need to also understand and embrace, not understand all the features and capabilities of marketplace. [00:23:25] George Maroulakos: AWS needs to handle that, but understand how marketplace fits into the co-sell strategy in what’s going on for that particular customer is very, very important to make sure our customers get the right experience. [00:23:37] Vince Menzione: Well, I think Arif, you mentioned this earlier about compensation models. And that’s a, that’s a factor too. [00:23:42] Vince Menzione: ’cause people, people, um, they’re fearful of change. They’re fear, fearful of compensation changing. Especially, especially sellers. I, um, again, that’s a coaching area. [00:23:54] Arif Razvi: Yeah, it’s a coaching area. Um, it, it, it is, um. It’s probably one of the easier ones to solve. Um, and, and, and, you know, we have these conversations with partners about net, uh, cost neutral or uh, seller neutrality and things like that. [00:24:06] Arif Razvi: Once you show them the economics of how AWS can increase their deal value, those economics sort of, they go away. The problems go away, but they, you have to get in front of those. Uh, you know, senior leaders, the CROs and the CFOs, to have that conversation to then go, okay, I get what’s going on here. I get why I’m paying. [00:24:23] Arif Razvi: The listing fee is, is about funding all of these marketing activities that we do for our partners, right? [00:24:29] George Maroulakos: Well, and then you use the word neutrality. The other end of that neutrality problem or, or, or challenge is the pricing that goes along with the opportunities that are made available to customers. [00:24:38] George Maroulakos: And so to one of your earlier questions on points of friction or what, what stops it from taking off further? When, when partners and our customers have a disconnect on. What they’re expecting to pay when they use marketplace, or if there is a unnatural cost that goes along with procuring that solution through marketplace. [00:24:57] George Maroulakos: That also tends to bring a, a pretty bad experience, not only for that opportunity in front of them, but for respective opportunities that may, may be in play thereafter. So thinking about not, you know, having an a, an unnatural experience for our customers relative to pricing as well as compensation and, and everything else is, is also very important. [00:25:17] Vince Menzione: So we’ve got a few minutes left, and we haven’t really touched on ag agentic AI and agen AI solutions. A little bit different than the SaaS solutions per se. How, how are these solutions brought and sold differently than SaaS? [00:25:30] Arif Razvi: Uh, well, as Matt said, the SaaS apocalypse is not real. [00:25:34] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:25:34] Arif Razvi: Um, he doesn’t, I’m glad to hear that, nor nor do I. [00:25:37] Arif Razvi: Um, I, I think what, you know, where, where SaaS has been very user seat based, you’re moving now to a world that’s gonna be more consumption based or outcome-based pricing. And so that’s really changing the dynamic and I think partners need to think about what does an outcome-based, uh, pricing model look for My particular. [00:25:55] Arif Razvi: Um, product, uh, Zendesk is a good example of, Matt published a blog, uh, earlier this week, I think it was, where we, we referenced Zendesk pricing on closed tickets or, or resolutions to tickets, right? For, for outcome-based pricing. So I think we need to think about on the pricing side, how to reprice, how to think about pricing. [00:26:13] Arif Razvi: But on the discovery side, thinking about what your, what your listing looks like, it’s no longer about marketing copy. It’s about, it’s almost, I was talking yesterday about being an API contract. ’cause the agent needs to have all the details that a person doesn’t necessarily need to have in order to make a recommendation that your product is the best fit based on the technology that’s underlying that, where it’s gonna fit in the infrastructure. [00:26:37] Vince Menzione: So three and a half minutes left lightning round. Um, but seriously, what, what if I’m in the room or even any, any partner that’s listening today, what do I need to change in the next 30 days? [00:26:50] George Maroulakos: From my perspective, think about marketplace as a why not as opposed to a why. And if you change your mindset around marketplace can be better together in helping to accelerate and expand your opportunities with our mutual customers. [00:27:03] George Maroulakos: You’ll get a whole lot more value out of it. You’ll get away from the fud in the system or some of the traditional roadblocks that you either have been or could be encountering when you think about marketplace, uh, together with your, with your solution. So think about the why not think about the value that the, the, the total solution can bring to our mutual customers and integrate it much more naturally into your total sales motion. [00:27:26] Vince Menzione: Nice. [00:27:27] Arif Razvi: I would say maybe three things. One, um, don’t just sell globally. Operate locally. Think about how your buyers wanna buy and then meet them there, right? As a partner, even if you’re doing CPPO transactions, um, you know, meet them in the location. Number two, top down, go get that executive alignment so the problems start to disappear, or at least are easier to manage when you’ve got that executive alignment. [00:27:51] Arif Razvi: And the third was, uh, don’t wait till the last minute to introduce marketplace. Work with your sales teams to make sure it’s part of the early conversation versus no procurement leader wants to know at the end of the day, oh wait, it’s coming. I gotta deal with this marketplace thing. They don’t wanna deal with it on the buyer side. [00:28:06] Vince Menzione: No, absolutely. Alright, we’ve got time for like one question in the back. Is that Eric? Yeah, that’s [00:28:12] Guest: me. [00:28:13] Vince Menzione: Hey. [00:28:14] Guest: Hi, Eric Rosenstein, um, with Cornerstone Strategy XAWS. So George, you talked about, uh, tools around that customers can use to research for self discovery. So what guidance, uh, first of all, like what capabilities are these tools gonna bring and what guidance would you give an industry specific ISV? [00:28:36] Guest: So someone that’s focused on law enforcement or private equity. That solution may be Angen solution, or it may be something more SaaS related. What guidance would you give an ISV to think about how to best leverage those tools? Is it metadata? Is it like. The outcome that your solution’s gonna drive, how would you tell ’em to best utilize those coming tools? [00:28:58] George Maroulakos: Yeah, excellent question and, and I think this is gonna, going to continue to emerge in the days, literally in weeks, weeks ahead. But recently, I, I’d say over the last six months, the advent of agent mode I think has been a game changer and the ability for our customers to use marketplace directly to research. [00:29:18] George Maroulakos: Efficiently what’s in our catalog. Prior to that, we had a category based. Old school based, search based category, click through way, which became very buried beyond the first page for any solution that was out there. Now with natural language query and the ability to propose, what am I specifically looking for, it gives partners that were on the first page or the last page in equal opportunity to be surfaced. [00:29:48] George Maroulakos: So then for a partner being able to do many of the things you just enumerated. Better metadata, better keywords, better description and differentiation for what your solution offers allows for the Ag agent search, whether it’s natively within AWS or outside of AWS through Claude Chat, GBT Crock Pick your, your, your agent of choice. [00:30:10] George Maroulakos: To be able to identify and know that your solution’s available. [00:30:13] Arif Razvi: And from a partner side to your question, I would say, uh, rich metadata, uh, both so that agent mode can find it. Yeah. Use cases, problems, it solves, you know, uh, technical specifications, pricing where you can, right. So that agents can really understand the solution, uh, that the buyer is, um, is looking for. [00:30:33] Vince Menzione: GEO is. [00:30:37] Guest: Perspective should be like as detailed as saying, so this agent is gonna act on these various data sources. [00:30:44] Arif Razvi: Yes. [00:30:45] Guest: Bringing it all together to drive that outcome that you want the agent [00:30:48] Arif Razvi: drive, if you can include what it needs to connect to in order to deliver that outcome as part of the listing. [00:30:53] Arif Razvi: Absolutely. ’cause the agent will want to know. For sure. [00:30:57] Guest: Thanks. [00:30:58] Vince Menzione: Alright, we are at time and this was a great session. [00:31:01] Arif Razvi: Thank you Vince. [00:31:01] Vince Menzione: Great to see you, George. George and I grew up, uh, five miles away from each other and went to the same college. I love it. Great to, great to spend some [00:31:09] Arif Razvi: time with you, George. [00:31:11] Vince Menzione: Thanks for listening to the Ultimate Partner Podcast. If today’s conversation resonated, share it with a partner leader in your network. Subscribe where you listen, and head over to the ultimate partner.com. For show notes related content and the resources for this episode, and if you haven’t already, now’s the time to register for the Ultimate Partner Live Event in Reston, Virginia, October 26th through October 28th. [00:31:38] Vince Menzione: Until next time, keep showing up in the rooms that matter because being in the room changes everything.

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (8/16/26). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v7c32cm","div":"rumble_v7c32cm"}); Source Links (In Chronological Order): Trump Creates State-Backed Private Cyberattack Force Trump Deputizes Private Companies for Offensive Cyber Strikes Against Foreign Criminals Meet the Spyware Companies Preparing to Unleash Their Tech During Trump's 2nd Term Former Israeli spies now overseeing US government cybersecurity - The Grayzone Pentagon raised threat of Israeli spying on U.S. to highest level, sources say 15 Israel-based companies added to US financial watchdog's 'red list' | The Times of Israel Israeli spyware firms are fueling the global surveillance state - The Grayzone New Tab FinCEN Permanently Ends Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements for Millions of Small Business Owners | U.S. Department of the Treasury Trump Delivers a Win for Crooks - The Atlantic New Tab The Prince and The Spy - The Last American Vagabond   The Prince And The Spy Israel Blurs the Line Between Defense Apparatus and Local Cybersecurity Hub - CTech The Prince and The Spy - The Last American Vagabond Comframe Solutions - Company Profile & Staff Directory | ContactOut Funding Next-Generation Defense Technologies Team Protego: "The prime time is deep tech, defense tech, and dual use" | Ctech New Tab The Unit That Ate Cybersecurity: From Stuxnet to a $32 Billion Exit, How Israel's 8200 Became the Backbone of Global Cyber Defense — and a 'Critical' Threat | Breached.Company How Microsoft became a hub for Israeli intelligence - The Grayzone Revealed: The Former Israeli Spies Working in Top Jobs at Google, Facebook and Microsoft Hundreds of Former Israeli Spies Are Working in Big Tech, Database Shows Unit 8200 - Powerbase (15) The Last American Vagabond on X: "Well this is Shlomi Lior, Algorithm & Systems Engineer for Flock, and he spent 7 years with Israeli Military Intelligence before ending up with Flock. https://t.co/JY2Es2eDLn https://t.co/4Bvyo4u1Eg" / X State Dept Revealed To Be Using Israeli Intelligence-Linked Chat App Involved In Trump Admin Hack Trump Releases White House App With Dangerous Spyware & Israeli Spyware's Quiet Comeback Under Trump New Tab New NDAA (Further) Integrates US and Israeli Militaries & The Ongoing Axios/Iran War Deception The National Defense Authorization Act FY 2027 (Sec. 219 and Sec. 1217) — A New Policy (13) A New Policy on X: "While Congress seeks to expand Israel's access to U.S. quantum technologies, the White House is issuing a new order identifying quantum as a top target of foreign espionage operations." / X The Israel Shaped Quantum Back Door & Trump's Iran Deal Predictably Spins Out New Tab An Israeli Trojan Horse - CounterPunch.org Israeli Spying in the United States - CounterPunch.org Shady Companies With Ties to Israel Wiretap the U.S. for the NSA | WIRED US seen removing spy stigma from Israeli tech cos - Globes How the U.S. Came to Use NSO Spyware It Was Trying to Kill - The New York Times Spyware Maker NSO Group Is Paving a Path Back Into Trump's America | WIRED Silicon Valley's Hot Talent Pipeline Is an Israeli Army Unit - WSJ The Data Queen: Meet the Israeli Ambassador of Wall Street's Fastest-Growing Company - Forbes Israel New Tab Inside Israel's ‘Esther Project': DOJ filings reveal paid US influencer campaign amid AI-powered PR blitz - Jewish Telegraphic Agency Israel funds front websites in attempt to manipulate ChatGPT Israeli PR wants to answer your ChatGPT questions - POLITICO (15) Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt on X: "BREAKING: Apartheid Israel doesn't just fake content to cover its crimes; it now pays to launder them through AI with the proIDF feeds of the fake think tank "Hanover Institute". Legacy media enabled this inganno for decades.Will @OpenAI,@perplexity_ai, @claudeai etc,do the same?" / X (15) GBC on X: "

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gregory Richardson. A cybersecurity expert and AI consultant. The conversation explores cybersecurity best practices, the rise of AI, and how Gregory is helping churches and nonprofits leverage technology to spread the gospel.

Here’s about an hour of brand new audio things I put together, brought to you by Fun Society Arcade, IT Joey, Lord and…

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gregory Richardson. A cybersecurity expert and AI consultant. The conversation explores cybersecurity best practices, the rise of AI, and how Gregory is helping churches and nonprofits leverage technology to spread the gospel.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gregory Richardson. A cybersecurity expert and AI consultant. The conversation explores cybersecurity best practices, the rise of AI, and how Gregory is helping churches and nonprofits leverage technology to spread the gospel.

“The way the law is working — the Workday case is exhibit A here — is that vendors are going to be on the hook if their systems are producing biased outcomes. Period.”— Marc WeinsteinEpisode OverviewIn this episode I'm joined by Marc Weinstein, an attorney with 27+ years of practice focused on organizations that use tests to make high-stakes decisions about people — licensure, certification, admissions, and employment selection. His work centers on the legal rights of people impacted by AI systems and the organizations that use them.The legal ground under AI hiring is moving fast. In the past few months a state AI law got sued into a rewrite, a court handed down a ruling that shields bias audit data from view, and a new lawsuit opened a line of attack nobody was watching. If you buy, sell, or use AI hiring tools, this episode helps you stay on top of the shifting sands.Topics Discussed & Key Insights1. First, how to roll: governance before headlines.Marc's advice starts above the regulations. Your own governance is the key to successful risk mitigation. Get this part right and the rest gets much easier.* Before you track any law, ask why you want to use AI in the first place. If you have good answers, then ask how* Set principles for your organization — not for the whole world, for your organization. Let them drive your use cases, your vendor selection, and your evaluation criteria* Operate by them for real. A policy that lives on paper is worth nothing* Do this and you're already in compliance with most of the laws that could touch you. Everything below is what's shifting underneath that foundation2. Vendor liability is shifting fast — get ready now.For a long time, vendors selling hiring tools got a pass. How the customer used the tool was the customer's problem. That arrangement is breaking down.* In Mobley v. Workday, the court is letting claims proceed on the theory that the platform acts as an agent of its employer customers — which puts the same federal anti-discrimination laws that apply to employers on the platform* Plaintiffs go where the deep pockets are. Mega vendors like Workday and 8fold are the deep pockets* Employers are still independently on the hook. Vendor liability adds to yours, it doesn't replace it* Newer legislation points the same direction, and California's new regulations make bias testing itself evidence in court — more on that below* Since we recorded: the court refused to dismiss most of the remaining claims against Workday. The case keeps moving, and the core theory keeps surviving3. Bias audit data can be withheld — and that says a lot.A discovery ruling in the Workday case protected the company's bias testing data from the plaintiffs. Worth sitting with what that means.* The court held the data was privileged because lawyers curated it and the testing was done to provide legal advice — not for business use* Publicly advertising that you conduct bias testing did not waive the privilege* So the people alleging harm from the system may never see the data that would show whether the system harmed them* The bigger question: if the most important evidence about how these tools perform can be shielded, what does accountability actually look like? Proof may have to come from other directions4. There are new ways to hold these tools accountable.The Eightfold case shows creative lawyering finding routes into AI hiring that didn't exist a year ago.* The claim is built on the Fair Credit Reporting Act and privacy law — the argument is that AI-generated candidate scores are consumer reports, compiled without the required disclosures and consent* These theories don't require proving discrimination as a legal element, which makes them easier cases to bring* The target hasn't changed. It's still about how these tools treat people. There are just more ways to get there now5. Colorado is the cautionary tale: get aggressive, get crushed.Colorado passed the most rigorous state AI law in the country — mandatory risk management, impact assessments, a real duty of care. Then it got taken apart.* xAI sued to block the law. The DOJ intervened on xAI's side — the first time the federal government moved to invalidate a state AI law* The legislature rewrote the law under pressure. The replacement is a notice-and-transparency framework, delayed to January 2027* The lesson for everyone else: states that regulate AI aggressively are going to get sued by the federal government and the private sector. Plan around that reality6. Meanwhile, California quietly became the strictest.While everyone watched Colorado, California put real requirements on the books — and nobody has sued to stop them.* Under the FEHA regulations, conducting a documented bias test supports an employer's defense in discrimination litigation. Not conducting one supports the plaintiff. Records must be kept four years* The privacy agency's automated decision-making rules take effect January 2027: pre-use notice to applicants and employees, opt-out rights, and the right to demand how a system reached a decision about you* That last one matters. Can anyone actually explain how a frontier AI model reached its decision? For most of these tools, the honest answer is noFinal TakeawayThe laws will keep shifting. Colorado got rewritten, California's deadlines are coming, and the courts are redrawing vendor liability case by case. You can't chase all of it. Build the governance foundation, make vendors show you their evidence — your data, not just their study — and treat every recommendation a machine makes as the decision it really is. Good governance gets you more than 90% of the way there, as long as it's not just lip service. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charleshandler.substack.com

Operate on every high-risk early oesophageal cancer after endoscopic resection and more than 80% of those patients gain nothing. Roos Pouw, Ana-Maria Bucalau and Jessie Elliott on strict endoscopic follow-up, the shift from chemoradiation to perioperative FLOT, and what ENSURE showed about surveillance after oesophagectomy.

When case information, vendor requirements, and compliance data live in separate systems, even a small gap can create major delays. In Episode 2 of "Operate in Harmony," Brendan Shaw from ReadySet and Jay McDonald from Green Security join us to explore how connected technology can bring greater clarity to the people, products, and processes supporting every surgical case. From linking EHR, ERP, scheduling, and vendor credentialing systems to reducing duplicate work and identifying missing requirements before the day of surgery, this conversation reveals how real-time visibility can help teams stay compliant, prepared, and ahead of costly disruptions. Tune in today to discover how connected technology can help your team spend less time chasing information and more time focusing on patient care. Over the next four weeks, this series explores what it takes to align people, process, and technology across the surgical supply chain. From strengthening clinical partnerships and vendor collaboration to optimizing workflows and embracing innovation, we'll explore the ideas and insights that help healthcare teams build best practices that last. A special thanks to our sponsor, ReadySet, for making this series possible. #PowerSupply #ReadySet #OperateInHarmony #HealthcareSupplyChain #Vendor #Clinical #Operational #Partnership #BestPractices #Technology

Special Offer: Get 15% OFF your first FIGS order with code FIGSUK at checkout.Shop now at https://www.wearfigs.com/———————————————————————UK Dentists: Collect your verifiable CPD for this episode here >>> https://courses.dentistswhoinvest.com/smart-money-members-club———————————————————————Most dentists can tell you what they earned last month. Far fewer can tell you what they earn per hour once the real costs of running a surgery are taken off, and that blind spot quietly wrecks pricing, confidence, and work-life balance. We sit down with Dr Pav Khaira to get brutally practical about dental practice profitability, from implants and oral surgery to everyday restorative work.We talk about the uncomfortable bits too: the personal cost of business mistakes, why “it feels unethical to charge properly” is often just conditioning, and how patients actually decide who to trust. The big shift happens when you stop thinking in months and start thinking in chair time. If you know your hourly operating margin, you can decide when to put fees up, when to streamline, and when a so-called high-ticket treatment is actually paying less than simpler work.From there we get into real tactics that stay ethical: how to structure volume pricing so patients genuinely save while your hourly rate rises, how anchoring affects patient perception, and why you are medico-legally obliged to discuss implants after many extractions. We also cover the four levers Dr Papkerer uses to scale results capability, efficiency, volume, and sedation plus a look at where AI in dentistry is heading, including AI-assisted complication pathways and stronger clinical notes.———————————————————————Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute an investment recommendation or individual financial advice. For that, you should speak to a regulated, independent professional. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. The views expressed on this channel may no longer be current. The information provided is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment, you should speak to a regulated, independent professional. Investment figures quoted refer to simulated past performance and that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results/performance.Send us Fan Mail

David Daoud: A recent drone attack on an IDF vehicle near the Ali Taher Ridge highlights the fragility of the current ceasefire in Lebanon. The IDF maintains control over the ridge's surface, yet Hezbollah continues to operate within a vast underground tunnel network. Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has boasted that ceasefires are used primarily to rearm and redeploy its proxies. Hezbollah's regeneration efforts, including weapons shipments through Syria and recruitment via the IRGC's Imam Hussein division, reportedly outpace Israeli interdiction. While the Lebanese government denies these activities, evidence suggests Hezbollah remains a significant fighting force south of the Litani River. (6)1868 NAZARETH

Episode OverviewIn this episode of The Uncertainty Edge, host Sam Sivarajan sits down with Matt Granados, CEO of Life Pulse Inc. and productivity coach to Fortune 500 leaders, financial advisors, and professional athletes. Matt challenges the cult of high performance — arguing that most people operate at only 40–60% of their true capacity, not because they lack ability, but because they're chasing the wrong target. His framework: truth leads to tension, and tension leads to transformation. The result is what he calls optimal performance — high output at a sustainable pace — and it changes everything about how you lead, plan, and live. Key Quote“No one has ever accidentally become fulfilled. Fulfillment takes intentionality.” — Matt GranadosKey Takeaways•       High performance is overrated. It's high output at an unsustainable pace compared to others. Optimal performance — high output at a sustainable pace compared to your own ability — is the real goal.•       Stop solving symptoms. Address root causes and people, like bones properly set, will heal themselves.•       Operate at 80% capacity — not 100%. That buffer is what lets you surge when needed and recover without burning out.•       Identity, calling, and assignment are not the same thing. Tie your identity to your role and you're one job loss away from a crisis. Know who you are first.•       Plan weekly, act daily. Days are too short, months too long — the week is the right unit of execution. Sound Bites•       “You can't manage time. You can only choose what you do with the time you have.”•       “Nice avoids conflict. Kindness loves someone enough to keep them in order.”•       “Excuses end with the problem. Reasons come with a solution.”•       “When you experience fulfillment in its truest form, nothing else will match it.” Topics Discussed00:02 — Introduction: Life Pulse & the Inefficiency Epidemic08:16 — Symptoms vs. Causes: Why Most Performance Fixes Don't Stick13:47 — Truth, Tension & Transformation: The Framework26:28 — From 40% to 80%: Closing Your Performance Gap36:13 — Identity vs. Assignment: Who You Are vs. What You Do Resources MentionedLearn more about Matt Granados and Life Pulse Inc.:lifepulseinc.comFree resources for Uncertainty Edge listeners:lifepulseinc.com/TUE Stay Connected with The Uncertainty E.D.G.E.•       Join the conversation on LinkedIn — share your thoughts and connect with other forward-thinking leaders.•       Explore more insights on Sam's website.•       Check out Sam's Two Free Substack newsletters: theuncertaintyedge.com and thegoodhumanpractice.com

Clinical teams, supply chain leaders, and vendor partners all play a critical role in surgical success, but getting everyone aligned isn't always easy. In Episode 1 of our brand-new podcast series, "Operate in Harmony," Geoff Gates from Cleveland Clinic and Matt Rechin from ReadySet join us to explore how stronger partnerships create the foundation for lasting best practices. From strengthening clinical engagement and streamlining vendor communication to leveraging technology and data to reduce manual steps, they'll break down how stronger alignment can drive safer, smarter, and more consistent processes. If your teams are working side by side but not always in sync, this episode will help you bring every part of the surgical supply chain into harmony. Tune in today! Over the next four weeks, this series explores what it takes to align people, process, and technology across the surgical supply chain. From strengthening clinical partnerships and vendor collaboration to optimizing workflows and embracing innovation, we'll explore the ideas and insights that help healthcare teams build best practices that last. A special thanks to our sponsor, ReadySet, for making this series possible. #PowerSupply #ReadySet #OperateInHarmony #HealthcareSupplyChain #Vendor #Clinical #Operational #Partnership #BestPractices #Technology

Existing FedRAMP certification is no longer required for Department of Veterans Affairs contractors to win bids, a top agency IT official said Tuesday in a memo obtained by FedScoop. Any acquisition documents, including requests for information, proposals or quotations, should not state or imply that a cloud company must have already completed the governmentwide security check, Zack Schwartz, principal deputy assistant secretary in the VA's Office of Information and Technology, said in the memo. Schwartz wrote that the “memo supports VA's ability to sustain momentum with mission needs to provide secure technology solutions in a dynamic cyber risk environment, while avoiding unnecessary delays in the procurement of critical systems and services.” He added that the “distinction is intended to preserve acquisition flexibility while maintaining VA's risk management and operational security standards.” Instead, cloud systems, services and solutions companies must fully comply with other security requirements — including those from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, VA directives and handbooks — and receive a VA Authorization to Operate, which could be granted in 60 days. The Department of Homeland Security is expanding its AI use for FOIA processing in response to a sizable backlog and increasing number of requests, per the agency's annual report. In fiscal 2025, DHS started with 221,068 pending FOIA requests. After receiving more than 1 million requests and processing nearly the same amount, the agency ended the year with 245,572 pending requests. Despite the uptick, DHS said it maintained its backlog — defined as the number of requests or administrative appeals at the end of the fiscal year that are beyond the statutory time for a response — at just 16% of total requests received. Technology could help the agency make a bigger dent in the years to come. “The DHS Office of Privacy continues to invest, develop, implement, and deploy new technological advances in FOIA processing,” the agency said in its 2025 FOIA report, published Thursday. “It expects to launch additional automation tools this coming year to further improve efficiency and reduce administrative redundancies. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Amazon's Zoox robotaxis can now operate without steering wheels. AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.

You can spend years building a successful company and lose everything through one preventable mistake. Protection is not optional when the stakes are this high. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why business insurance is essential for protecting your company, personal assets, and long-term legacy from lawsuits, cyberattacks, and unexpected losses. Good intentions will not protect you from liability. Every business carries risk. One employee mistake, professional error, data breach, or major claim can threaten everything you have built if the proper coverage is not in place. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why optimism is not a substitute for proper business protection• How liability and Errors and Omissions coverage protect against major claims• Why key-person and cyber insurance should be part of your risk strategy• How strong protection gives founders the confidence to pursue bigger opportunities The truth is simple: You did not work this hard to lose everything because you cut corners on protection. Audit your vulnerabilities. Work with an experienced broker. Secure the coverage your business actually needs. Pay the premium. Protect the assets. Operate with confidence. Defense wins championships. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQLinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you: www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buy/Stream: https://overview.fanlink.tv/OVR133-Javeon Acclaimed vocalist and key Bristol proponent Javeon arrives on Overview Music with his debut artist release 'Lay Low EP' Out 31.07 Javeon Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/javeonmusic Soundcloud → https://soundcloud.com/javeonmusic Operate Soundcloud → https://soundcloud.com/operatednb Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/operateuk Overview Music Patreon → https://patreon.com/c/overview Facebook → https://facebook.com/overviewuk Instagram → https://instagram.com/overviewuk Soundcloud → https://soundcloud.com/overviewuk YouTube → https://youtube.com/@OverviewMusic

David Daoud and Bill Roggio report the IDF recently shot down an unarmed Hezbollah drone gathering intelligence over strategic ridges in southern Lebanon. Daoud highlights that Hezbollah continues to operate freely despite the presence of the Lebanese Armed Forces in pilot zones. The segment questions why Western leaders trust the Lebanesegovernment, given its failure to demand nationwide disarmament and its history of coordinating with Hezbollah to hide military infrastructure from international monitors. (7)

The definitive treatment for adult acquired buried penis is surgery, but successful treatment depends on having a well-coordinated network of patient support, multidisciplinary care teams, and reconstructive urologic surgery expertise. This episode of Backtable Urology overviews this multifaceted disease and dives into reconstructive surgery techniques, featuring Dr. George Koch and Dr. Paul Rusilko. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction04:10 - History of Buried Penis Treatment08:47 - Grafts Versus Flaps11:34 - Hidden Pathologies and Informed Consent13:46 - Research and Insurance Approval18:24 - Delayed Care and Disease Burden22:31 - Deciding When to Operate and Temporizing Procedures30:23 - Building Referral Networks33:13 - Future Directions36:42 - Infection Risk 41:15 - Technique Evolution45:57 - Preop Evaluation Essentials50:50 - Intraop Keys to Success and Graft Protection59:26 - Postop Pathway and Teamwork01:02:54 - W-Plasty Video Walkthrough01:13:52 - Wrap Up --- More about this episode The doctors explore the nuances of surgical treatment, emphasizing the importance of thorough preoperative counseling given the high likelihood of unexpected intraoperative findings and the need to adjust the surgical plan. Dr. Rusilko also discusses the broader burden of disease, including depression, strictures, occult penile cancer, and the high rate of postoperative complications, most of which are low grade. He stresses that earlier referral may improve patient care. The episode concludes with practical surgical tips, guidance on building a buried penis practice, strategies for setting realistic recovery expectations, and an in-depth case review of his novel W-plasty technique. --- Resources W-plasty: A novel procedure for the repair of adult-acquired buried penis https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urolvj.2023.100219 --- BackTable Urology is the go-to podcast for urologists, urologic oncologists, and urogynecologists. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

Send us Fan MailIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, Nim and Adrianne dig into just how common brain injury really is in neonates with critical congenital heart disease. Pooling 31 studies spanning two decades, the authors found that nearly 70% of these babies show some form of ischemic brain injury, split roughly between pre-operative and post-operative timing. Counter to what most clinicians would predict, kids who went to surgery earlier (days 4-6) had higher rates of white matter injury than those who waited longer. MRI remained the most sensitive tool for picking up these lesions, well ahead of ultrasound or CT. But the data stops well short of proving these findings predict long-term outcomes, and Nim pushes back on the idea that an abnormal scan alone should steer decisions about whether to operate.----Prevalence of Ischemic Brain Injury in Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Kim C, Chetan D, Kazazian V, Alzamil J, Chau V, Seed M, Miller SP, Selvanathan T.Neurology. 2026 Feb 10;106(3):e214569. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000214569. Epub 2026 Jan 9.PMID: 41512205Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.Enjoy!

I don't operate from assumptions or emotions. I question my own beliefs, compare them to first principles, and accept when I'm wrong, even if it's uncomfortable. Thinking this way requires effort, independent thought, and the willingness to let go of long held conclusions. That's how I stop following what I've always believed and start building from what's actually true. Show Notes: [05:38]#1 People default to social proof. [10:48]#2 Questioning assumptions creates discomfort.  [15:14]#3 Shortcut thinking replaces deep analysis. [17:22] Recap Next Steps: --- Execution is not a talent.   It is a standard. If your results don't match your ability, something in your approach is out of alignment. Most people do not have a motivation problem.   They have a consistency problem. Power Presence is the system for operating with greater discipline, clarity, structure, and execution under pressure. Learn more: → http://www.PowerPresenceProtocol.com  Know what to do but not always doing it?  Measure your execution at → http://RateMyExecution.com. Get Dre's free Daily Game email at http://WorkOnMyGame.com. Every day you'll receive one practical lesson on leadership, mindset, discipline, and execution to help you perform at a higher level. No fluff. Just game

We're revisiting this important episode about what we call BAM, an essential financial metric for dental practices. BAM stands for the Basic Amount of Money Needed to Operate the Practice, a monthly cash flow target that covers not only overhead and loan payments but also the doctor's take-home, retirement contributions, and other foreseeable necessary expenses. The conversation explains why BAM is not the same as breakeven or net income and highlights common mistakes dentists make when evaluating practice finances.We talk about the practical steps for calculating BAM, noting the importance of using both historical and projected figures. Listeners learn to account for staffing changes, equipment purchases, rent adjustments, loan payments, and anticipated growth. The episode also addresses how BAM serves as a basis for staff bonus systems and why it should be reviewed annually to remain accurate and fair. Other considerations include handling unique expenses like retirement plan changes, owning versus leasing property, and whether to include discretionary spending.Key Topics Discussed:What BAM (Basic Amount of Money Needed) means for dental practicesThe difference between BAM, breakeven, and net incomeWhy BAM is a monthly cash goal based on collections, not productionHow BAM factors into staff bonus systemsAnnual recalculation of BAM and handling large changes (“baby BAM”)Adjusting BAM for new hires, anticipated expenses, and growth projectionsThe treatment of rent, including owner-occupied propertyAccounting for loan payments, including deferred or interest-only periodsWhether to include retirement contributions and discretionary spendingThe effect of BAM calculation on practice planning and financial management

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually treated like a wrist problem. Brace the wrist. Inject the wrist. Operate on the wrist. But the median nerve does not begin at the wrist.It starts in the neck and travels through the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and into the hand. That means numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, or pain in the hand may involve more than one area along the nerve pathway. This is where the idea of a “double crush” comes in. A nerve may be irritated higher up near the neck or shoulder while also being compressed at the wrist. If only the wrist is treated, part of the problem may still be there.We also break down what carpal tunnel surgery actually does. The surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament—the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel—to create more space for the median nerve.Sometimes surgery is necessary, especially when there is severe nerve damage, muscle wasting, constant numbness, or progressive weakness.But before permanently altering the structure of the wrist, shouldn't someone evaluate the entire path of the nerve?In this episode, we discuss:• What carpal tunnel syndrome really is• How double crush syndrome may contribute• What happens during carpal tunnel surgery• Why symptoms may continue or return• How the neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, and wrist can all play a role• Why conservative chiropractic care may be worth exploring before surgeryThe wrist may be where the symptoms end, but it may not be where the problem begins.Sign up for our newsletter: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/AwGmSeQ/ChiropracticIsSexyCONNECT w Dr. Ruffin!https://drruffin.com/https://www.instagram.com/drpaularuffin/https://www.facebook.com/drpaularuffinCONNECT w Dr Peabody:https://www.cafeoflifefenton.com/meet-the-doctors/ https://www.instagram.com/drericapeabody/https://www.facebook.com/erica.peabodyDisclaimer: The contents of this video are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor to replace medical care. The information presented herein is accurate and conforms to the available scientific evidence to the best of the author's knowledge as of the time of posting. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding any medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information contained in video content by Dr. Paula Ruffin DC and Dr. Erica Peabody DC!---Carpal Tunnel: Get Relief Without SurgeryIn this video, I walk you through soil biology, organic gardening, and growing healthy plants.⏱ TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro6:00 [section 1]12:00 [section 2]18:00 [section 3]24:00 [section 4]31:00 Final thoughts

Inspired Choices for Business Growth with Christine McIver  Most business owners don't fail because they lack talent, they struggle because they're still operating like the hardest-working employee in the company instead of the CEO. In this episode, Christine McIver, Business Growth Specialist and CEO of ICN INC., challenges entrepreneurs to recognize where they're trapped in day-to-day operations and reveals what it truly means to lead a business with vision, authority, and intention. Growth doesn't happen by doing more—it happens by leading differently. If you're constantly overwhelmed, making every decision yourself, and wondering why your business isn't scaling, this episode will help you identify the habits keeping you stuck. You'll discover how to shift your focus from tasks to leadership, from reacting to creating, and from surviving to building a business that supports both your success and your life. It's time to stop working in your business and start leading it like the CEO you set out to become.   CEO Without Apology Author Christine McIver   Amazon.com – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1997615045 Amazon.ca – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1997615045     ~ More About Inspired Choices for Business Growth with Christine McIver ~  Christine McIver is a Business Growth Specialist, Inspirational Speaker, TV & Radio Personality, and the Founder & Owner of Inspired Choices Network, ICN Summits & ICN Publishing. Christine is highly successful at inspiring individuals and businesses to make choices that will bring them increased success, greater joy, self-confidence and remarkable inspiring change.  All of which increased the abundance in their lives and businesses. Christine lives her life out loud and is a natural cheerleader.  She believes in the abilities of others to change their lives quickly and easily. Christine entices clients to show up more in their life, businesses & relationships than they ever have. She invites them to make all that they once knew was possible, possible. Christine believes that you can be living & loving your life with ease!  Her kind, direct and joy filled approach is both comforting and stretching.  Christine has impacted thousands of individuals with her enthusiastic message of possibilities.  Christine invites all into knowing that all things are possible beyond what is present in your life right now. https://christinemciver.com/ ~  christine@christinemciver.com https://www.facebook.com/InspiredChoicesCA ~  https://www.youtube.com/@InspiredchoicesBusinessGrowth   To get more of Inspired Choices for Business Growth ~ Christine McIver, be sure to visit the podcast page for replays of all her shows here: https://www.inspiredchoicesnetwork.com/podcast/inspired-choices-for-business-growth-christine-mciver/

A startup lecture recommended by Sam Altman calls people "ammunition" and tells you to work 80-hour weeks.Brian and Om dissect Keith Rabois' (in)famous "How to Operate" talk, exposing the dehumanizing logic behind "barrels and ammunition," the cult of heroic effort, and why grading managers on output-per-head creates a fear-based culture.What Brian and Om get into:• Why the "people are irrational" premise is a condescending excuse for bad system design• The truth behind 80-100 hour work weeks and the duct-tape engine myth• What "build a company idiots can run" really means for your career• The "barrels and ammunition" metaphor and its Taylorist roots• Why "expand responsibilities until they break" destroys psychological safety• The output-per-head metric and how it incentivizes burning out your teamFor product managers, engineers, and anyone who's ever been called a "resource" by someone who read too much Ayn Rand.#ToxicLeadership #StartupCulture #ManagementAdviceKeith Rabois, Sam Altman, Y Combinator, Andy Grove, High Output Management, Warren Buffett, Square, PayPal, W. Edwards Deming, The Goal by Eliyahu GoldrattLINKSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arguingagileSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596INTRO MUSICToronto Is My BeatBy Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

A profitable med spa can still be hard to scale, and even harder to sell. When the owner is responsible for every major decision, key patient relationships, team oversight, and day-to-day problem solving, the business carries more risk than the financials may initially show.  In this episode, I sit down with Annie Robertson Hockey, president of Skytale Group, to talk about what makes a medical aesthetics or wellness practice more valuable over time. We cover owner dependence, scalable systems, clean financial reporting, revenue concentration, team incentives, and the operational work that gives practice owners more options as they grow.  A Valuable Practice Can't Depend on One Person  Many practice owners become the center of the business without realizing how difficult that makes the next stage of growth. They approve the decisions, solve the team problems, manage important relationships, and step in whenever something breaks. That may work for a period of time, but eventually the owner becomes the bottleneck.  Start paying attention to where the practice still relies heavily on you. Which decisions come back to your desk? Which patients only want to see you? What happens when you take a week off? Those questions matter whether you are thinking about a future exit, adding locations, or simply trying to create more space in your own role.  From a buyer's perspective, owner dependence is risk. From an operator's perspective, it also limits how much the practice can handle without adding more stress at the top.  Build Systems Before Growth Exposes the Gaps  A process that works for one location or a small team may fall apart at twice the volume. Practice owners need to look ahead and ask whether the current operation could support two, five, or even 10 times the activity without creating chaos.  That means taking a closer look at the parts of the business that affect consistency, risk, and repeatability:  Reduce dependence on a single provider, location, treatment, or revenue stream  Document the operational systems that drive consistent patient experiences  Track where new patients come from instead of relying on assumptions about marketing performance  Build HR and sales processes that can function without constant owner involvement  Review key performance indicators over time instead of reacting to isolated monthly results  Automate repetitive processes when technology can improve consistency and reduce administrative burden  Assign clear ownership to major functions across the team  Pick an area that is creating friction, give it focused attention, and improve the process before moving on to the next one. A quarter spent strengthening one important function can be far more productive than trying to fix 10 things at the same time.  (00:07:54) Framework for expansion and exit (00:10:25) Building enterprise value (00:16:48) Thinking in scalable systems (00:20:37) Managing revenue concentration risk (00:24:44) Defining clean financial data and metrics (00:37:20) Tying incentives to controllable actions (00:42:51) Managing HR and sales processes  Your Financial Reports Should Help You Explain the Business  Clean financials are not just about accurate bookkeeping. You should be able to look at your reports, identify the major trends, and explain what is driving the numbers. A buyer will want to understand whether growth came from a stronger marketing cohort, a new provider, one unusually productive location, a change in treatment mix, or something else entirely. You should want that same clarity as the owner. Without it, you are making decisions based on a snapshot instead of understanding how the business is actually changing.  This is where trend analysis and a focused set of key performance indicators become useful. Track the metrics that help you make decisions, review them consistently, and stop collecting data simply because you can. More reporting does not automatically create better management.  The Team Has to Be Able to Carry More of the Business  Scaling exposes team issues that are easier to work around when the practice is smaller. Hiring, training, performance management, HR processes, and incentive plans all need more structure once the owner can no longer oversee every interaction. Pay particular attention to incentives. Employees should be rewarded for outcomes they can actually influence, with clear expectations and measurable responsibilities behind the plan.   As the practice matures, capable leaders, documented processes, reliable financials, and a team that can operate without constant owner involvement make the business easier to expand, easier for a buyer to evaluate, and less dependent on you. Follow Shannon & Keep What You Earn:   Shannon Weinstein is the founder of a fractional CFO firm specializing in helping 7-figure aesthetics and wellness practices scale with clarity, cash flow, and confidence.  Shannon is committed to helping med spa owners understand, fix, and maximize their business's enterprise value, offering actionable advice and resources, including a popular free video series specifically for aesthetics practice owners.  Connect with Shannon: Fractional CFO Services and Executive Financial Review: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/  Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein  Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@KeepWhatYouEarn  Listen on your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1580071347  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/  The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not individualized financial advice. Aesthetics practice owners should consult a qualified professional before implementing financial strategies discussed here.  About Annie Robertson Hockey:  Annie Robertson Hockey is the President of Skytale Group, a boutique investment banking, management consulting, and private capital firm. Prior to Skytale, Annie co-founded and served as co-CEO of Column, a nationally chartered infrastructure bank, where she currently serves as an Advisor and Board Member. She previously worked at Bain & Company, Goldman Sachs, and was an early employee at several Silicon Valley startups. Annie graduated with honors from both Stanford University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was an Arjay Miller Scholar. She also serves on the board of a nonprofit focused on remediating youth economic inequality and advises the Stanford Technology Ventures Program and Stanford Women in Tech Entrepreneurship, supporting the development of female leaders.  Connect with Annie and Skytale Group:  Website: www.skytalegroup.com  Email: info@skytalegroup.com  Phone: (945) 235-7850 

Hospitals are sitting on hundreds of hours of unwatched surgical video. Residents and attendings simply do not have the time to review it together. The footage sits on thumb drives and gathers dust.Dr. Chloe Nobuhara is a general surgery resident at Stanford. She sat down with Healthcare IT Today to discuss a new AI application built specifically for laparoscopic surgery. This tool watches the footage and analyzes surgeon performance. It automatically chunks the operation into distinct steps. Viewers will learn why generic large language models fail in the operating room. You will discover how a highly specific model gives educators their time back and helps surgeons master complex skills.

Eric Triplett and Mike Garvey discuss the complex transition from a side hustle to a legitimate business. Eric reflects on his decision to pause a coaching venture to refocus on his primary passion for aquatic ecosystem design and filtration technology. The conversation contrasts their professional journeys, highlighting how Mike built a business while serving as a state trooper, whereas Triplett turned a lifelong obsession with fish breeding into a career. They explore the motivations behind pursuing supplemental income, noting that some ventures serve as financial safety nets while others are purely for personal fulfillment.  Key Takeaways: Start planning your post-career business years in advance to ensure you have a thriving foundation to step into when you retire. Operate your side hustle as a legitimate business from day one by securing proper licensing, insurance, and professional branding. Develop the discipline to step away from good opportunities when they begin to pull time and focus away from your primary mission. Leverage your personal passions and deep expertise to create a unique professional position that sets you apart from your competitors. Utilize a side hustle to provide creative fulfillment and joy if your primary career focuses mainly on stability and financial security.

Caleb Weiss explains the complex counterterrorism landscape in the Horn of Africa, where al-Shabaab and ISISoperate. He details how the semi-autonomous Puntland region is rejecting Mogadishu's authority. US policy faces significant hurdles as funding for African Union missions reaches a critical crossroads. (3)

What operating system are you making your decisions from? Before I talk about operating from a value system as a secure woman, I think we first have to understand what is already leading us. In this episode, I define what a value system is, how insecurity quietly shapes the way we think and make decisions, and why so many of us look outside ourselves for our worth. I also share how living from your values creates direction, boundaries, self respect, and the evidence needed to build genuine confidence. Kate Hastings herformation.com Mission Med+ | Dr. Kristin Oakes Website: www.missionmedplus.com Text 24/7 or Call: 786-692-9775 "Coach Kate" for 10% off all services

In this episode of The Better Leadership Team Show, I sit down with negotiation expert Rick Czaplewski to explore how leaders can turn difficult conversations into winning outcomes.Rick shares lessons from a remarkable career spanning finance, operations, project management, and high-stakes negotiations that have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in closed deals and cost savings. We discuss why negotiation is about far more than price, how leaders negotiate every day without realizing it, and the common mistakes that cause organizations to leave value on the table.Rick introduces his OPERATE negotiation framework, explains the four major sources of leverage using his DEAL model, and shares practical strategies for building trust, improving outcomes, and preserving relationships during challenging conversations.Whether you're negotiating with customers, vendors, employees, or business partners, this episode provides actionable tools to help you prepare effectively, communicate with confidence, and create win-win outcomes.Website: https://noonewalksalone.com Thanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

Lean in to your strengths & how you best operate! Let's talk last minute dot com, thriving under pressure or needing everything finished before you can take action. Tomorrow's audio will follow on perfectly from this as we'll be talking perfectionism! Throughout the 31 days of July, I'll be dropping daily audio trainings on all things mindset, money, sales, marketing, brand building and the courageous action required to blow your own mind! Join 31 to Thriving here if you'd like to be in the vibes, ask your questions, get accountability and smash the start to the second half of the year! Enjoy! If you'd love to learn more about the work I do, check out my website here. If you have any takeaways or learnings please do drop me an email tara@thethrivingbusinesswoman.com or drop me a DM on Instagram. I always love to hear your thoughts on each episode! You can find me here.   See you next week for another episode! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a rating or review so more people can find this podcast, and if it helped you today, please do share with someone who could benefit from it.   Keep thriving!

Horlicks: Have a desire to quit smoking? Horlicks can help. Often those quitting can put on weight, just take a healthy snack in the form of Horlicks tablets to cope…

Send us Fan MailHave you ever felt like teaching has become one long marathon...where everyone expects you to sprint?In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa shares an unexpected lesson from a 3,000-mile solo road trip. She planned to write, record podcasts, and make progress on her business. Instead, she spent most of the trip managing recovery, sleep, hydration, and a very opinionated knee.That experience led to a realization that many educators desperately need to hear:You can't always be at your best. Otherwise, it wouldn't be your best—it would be your normal.This episode explores why experienced teachers are sometimes unfairly labeled "bitter” and why learning to adapt is more sustainable than simply enduring.Whether you're planning to remain in education or considering a career transition, this episode offers practical strategies for protecting your energy, building career capacity, and preparing for your future one step at a time.In This EpisodeWhy sprinting is a terrible strategy for a marathonThe hidden cost of expecting teachers to operate at 110% every dayWhy experienced teachers aren't "bitter"—they've become efficientHow schools unintentionally prevent veteran teachers from benefiting from experienceThe difference between activity and impactWhy experience is supposed to pay dividendsThe importance of recovery as part of professional excellenceThe Teacher Hack: Budget Bumper TimeCareer Transition Strategy: Build capacity before you need itWhy you shouldn't "buy new running shoes on marathon day"Practical ways to prepare for a career transition without overwhelming yourselfHow strategic upskilling can help you prepare for your next career before you need itResources Mentioned• Teachers in Transition: https://teachersintransition.com• Schedule a free Discovery Call:https://teachersintransition.com/calendar• Find Your Bearings (career direction program):https://teachersintransition.com• LinkedIn Learning:https://www.linkedin.com/learning/• Coursera:https://www.coursera.org• Udemy:https://www.udemy.comHave a question or an idea for a future episode?Email Vanessa:Vanessa@TeachersInTransition.comIf this episode encouraged you...Please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and share it with a teacher who needs the reminder that sustainable excellence isn't about sprinting every day.Sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn't push harder.Sometimes it's learning to pace ourselves wisely. Support the Podcast!If you enjoy this scrappy little indie podcast, please consider:sharing the episode with a teacher friendleaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotifysupporting the show financially starting at just $3/month Support Teachers in Transition  Connect with Vanessa Jackson

In this episode, Bentley Peabody shares his extensive experience in real estate operations, asset management, and investment strategies. Discover insights on scaling property management, building resilient teams, and leveraging systems for success.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Northwest Bible Church - July 5, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge Not!” Intro A. WHAT JUDGING DOES NOT MEAN. 1. It is always wrong to pass an unfavorable judgment on the conduct or opinions of others.     1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:6; 18:15-18; Ephesians 5:11; Luke 3:19 2. It does not mean that we should abolish all civil courts.  Romans 14; 1 Peter 2:13-14  B. WHAT JUDGING DOES MEAN. 1. Judging with a fault-finding spirit.      2. “Do not judge” is a present imperative which suggests currents acts.   C. PRINCIPLES OF JUDGING OTHERS. 1. The way you judge is the way you will be judged (Matthew 7:2).     a. being judged by others.        b. being judged by God.  James 2:13; 4:11-12 2. Before you judge your brother, examine yourself (Matthew 7:3-4).   3. Hypocrisy is the problem (Matthew 7:5).     a. Puts our righteous actions on display for the praise of men (6:1, 2, 5, 16).     b. Is self-righteous, and BLIND to their own sins.  Luke 18:11; Isaiah 65:5 4. The remedy for judging as a hypocrite (Matthew 7:5).   a. Operate on yourself before you operate on someone else.       b.  Then you will be able to see clearly to help your brother.   Conclusion

The Administrative State and Constitutional Oversight. Guest: John Yoo. Yoo continues his assessment of federal power, focusing on the role of the administrative state. He provides a critical look at how government agencies operate within the constitutional framework, discussing the necessity of judicial oversight to ensure that executive actions remain consistent with the rule of law and democratic principles. 101900 FREMONT HOTEL LA

In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross sits down with Matt Symes, founder of Symplicity, to unpack why AI transformation fails when companies focus on tools, data, or privacy before fixing broken workflows. Matt shares a practical, workflow-first approach to using AI for sales, marketing, leadership, and business growth while helping founders avoid scaling chaos faster. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Why AI Won't Fix a Broken Business - Matt explains why the “data problem” is often a stall tactic, not the real blocker to AI ROI. - Companies need to start with outcomes and workflows before buying AI tools or hiring AI leaders. - AI scales what already exists so broken systems become faster, messier, and more expensive if left unaddressed. 2. Workflow-First AI Transformation - The best first AI use case is a repetitive, time-consuming workflow that matters but does not create much strategic value. - Matt shares how an AI-powered dossier workflow replaced 10–15 hours of weekly admin work with an automated research process. - Leaders should identify the biggest business constraint—sales, marketing, delivery, or operations and use AI to improve that specific workflow. 3. Using AI to Improve Sales Conversion - Ross and Matt break down how AI can reduce sales cycle time and touchpoints. - Matt shares a real-world example of using open source intelligence and ChatGPT to prepare for a sales conversation, identify likely business problems, and close a deal in three touches. - The key lesson: AI can improve trust, relevance, and conversion when integrated directly into the sales process. 4. Strategy Before Speed - Matt emphasizes that every business must clearly define the problem it solves, who it solves it for, and the value of solving it. - The V8 example shows why businesses can lose growth opportunities when they define themselves by product category instead of customer problem. - Before making anything faster with AI, leaders must clarify their value proposition and target customer. 5. Why CEOs Should Lead AI Adoption - Matt argues that hiring a “Head of AI” too early can be a mistake if the CEO is not actively leading the mindset and workflow transformation. - AI should be treated as a teammate in value creation, not just another technology tool. - Leaders should delegate workflow ownership while staying accountable for the overall AI transformation strategy. 6. Agentic AI Use Cases for Leaders - Matt shares how he uses AI agents to monitor trusted sources, scan newsletters, and update keynote decks with timely research. - He explains how AI can support CEO responsibilities like business performance tracking, leadership coaching, 360 reviews, and scenario planning. - The conversation highlights why leaders should use AI to practice, prepare, and make better decisions, not just automate tasks. 7. Escaping the Founder's Trap - Matt defines the founder's trap as building a business that cannot operate without the founder playing a critical role. - He explains how founders can design businesses around their best life instead of becoming trapped by their own company. - Symplicity and Levership help companies build strategic cadence, improve workflows, and scale with more structure. Resources & Tools:

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.

The calls get heated as listeners argue with each other's viewpoints on the new Highmark Stadium lacking a dome.

Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, where we travel the globe talking with creative professionals who turn ideas into impact.In recent episodes, we've explored creativity through design, dance, music, and innovation—how ideas come to life across disciplines.Today, we're taking that conversation inside the organization. Because creativity isn't just about what you make—it's about how you lead, how you adapt, and how you bring people with you.We're focusing on what it really means to perform at your very best, especially during moments of transition, uncertainty, and transformation.Our guest is Stephen Frenkel, a coach and consultant with more than 25 years of experience in leadership development, team optimization, conflict resolution, and change management. He brings a systems-thinking approach to help organizations clarify where they're going, what's getting in the way, and how to move forward with purpose.Stephen is also a contributing author to Lives Lost and Leadership Found, a powerful collection exploring how grief and loss shape leadership.Stephen's Websitehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-frenkel-voyager/1. Defining “At Their Very Best”Stephen, you help leaders and teams “be their very best.” That's a powerful phrase—but it can mean different things to different people.How do you help leaders define what “their very best” actually looks like—and why is that clarity so critical before any real progress can happen?2. What Gets in the Way Once that vision is clear, the next step is identifying what's getting in the way.From your experience, what are the most common obstacles—whether at the individual, team, or organizational level—that prevent people from performing at their best?And how do you begin to surface those issues in a way that people are willing to address?3. Systems Thinking + Team Performance You take a systems-thinking approach, which I find really compelling.How does looking at the whole system—instead of just individuals or isolated problems—change the way leaders approach team effectiveness, culture, and performance?Can you share an example where that shift in perspective made a meaningful difference?4. Conflict, Change, and Creative Tension You've spent a lot of your career working in conflict resolution and change management.Many leaders try to avoid conflict—but I suspect you see it differently.How can leaders reframe conflict as something productive—or even creative—and what are some practical ways to navigate tension during periods of change? Stephen says he often refers to the book, Getting To Yes by Roger Fisher and William L. Ury.https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Yes-Negotiating-Agreement-Without/dp/01431187575. Leadership, Loss, and Perspective You contributed to a recent book, Lives Lost and Leadership Found, where leaders reflect on how loss shapes their leadership.What inspired you to share your story—and what did that process unlock for you, personally or professionally?And how has that experience influenced how you show up today as a coach, advisor, and leader?Closing QuestionStephen, for leaders listening today—especially those navigating change or uncertainty—what's one question they should be asking themselves right now to move closer to being “at their very best”?Thanks for joining us on Your World of Creativity.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review.And remember — creativity isn't just about ideas. It's about how you lead, adapt, and move forward.

Rest is not weakness. It is a weapon. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why recovery, sleep, and physical health are not optional when you are building at a high level. Let's be real… If you are bragging about sleeping four hours… Running on caffeine… Skipping recovery… And making major decisions while exhausted… You are not being disciplined. You are operating compromised. In this episode, you'll learn: Why burnout is not a badge of honor How sleep deprivation hurts focus, judgment, and execution Why your body is one of the most important assets in your business How elite recovery creates sharper thinking, better leadership, and stronger performance The truth is simple: You cannot build an empire on an empty battery. Your brain needs recovery. Your body needs restoration. Your emotions need regulation. And your business needs you operating at full capacity. High-level entrepreneurs do not destroy their health to prove they are working hard. They protect the asset. They prioritize sleep. They train their body. They guard their energy. Because a fully rested CEO can make better decisions, move faster, and lead with more control. Stop treating exhaustion like a flex. Prioritize recovery. Protect your energy. Operate at the highest level. And keep leveling up. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQLinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you: www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary In this episode of Business Coaching Secrets, Karl Bryan and Road Dog get real about what separates truly elite business coaches from the rest. Karl unpacks the mindsets, systems, and beliefs that drive top coaches—and why persistence, identity, and serving before selling are the real secret weapons. The duo also dive into the controversies around billionaire entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, using them as powerful lessons in mindset, resilience, and value creation. If you want a step-by-step breakdown of what it actually takes to get more coaching clients, boost results, and build confidence (for yourself and your clients), this episode delivers the playbook. Key Topics Covered What Makes an Elite Business Coach Three Levels of Coaches: Hiders (avoidant), Wingers (improvising), and Installers (system-driven). Patterns of Success: Top coaches are "all in," keep it simple, focus on systems, and are resilient in the face of setbacks. Embracing Delayed Gratification: Like treasure hunter Mel Fisher, elite coaches believe in the long-term payoff and stick with it when others quit. Thinking in Percentages: Why tracking improvements as percentages—not raw numbers—is a pro's approach to growth and client results. The Mindset Ladder: From Identity to Lasting Results Winning the Battle in the Locker Room: Your mindset isn't just about positive thinking; it's about upgrading your core identity, beliefs, and values. Identity Drives Performance: What you believe about yourself shapes your daily behaviors and long-term outcomes. Action vs. Self-Sabotage: Without an identity shift, short-term wins won't stick open the door for self-sabotage. Lessons from Elon Musk: Mindset, Reinvestment, and Critics The All-In Mindset: Elon's willingness to risk it all, learn from failure, and reinvest in his vision is a playbook for business coaches. Serving Before Taking: Real wealth is created by solving big problems—focus on value and impact over comfort or luxury. Overcoming Fear, Doubt, and Limiting Stories Change How You Talk to Yourself: The stories you repeat about who you are become your reality. Three Powerful Beliefs: (a) It's possible, (b) I am the person for this, (c) It will be worth it. Don't Practice to Practice—Practice to Improve: 1% better every day creates exponential growth over time. Taking Real Action: "Three Conversations a Day" Empathy Isn't Enough: Are you actually reaching out to business owners in pain, or just feeling bad for them? Three Bone System: Always come prepared with three value bombs for every interaction. Serve from a Place of Love and Urgency: Operate from your deepest "why"—not just sales tactics. Notable Quotes "You just gotta go all in, right? Don't practice to practice. Practice to improve." —Karl Bryan "Optimists run the world. The end." —Karl Bryan "If your why doesn't make them cry, you're not done establishing it." —Karl Bryan "What you say to yourself about yourself when you're by yourself absolutely matters." —Karl Bryan "Empathy is great, but are you going to do anything about it?" —Karl Bryan Actionable Takeaways Pick Your Level: Get honest—are you hiding, winging it, or installing a real system with clients? Choose "installer." Track Progress as Percentages: Frame client wins as percentage improvements for real, motivating progress. Upgrade Your Identity: Audit the stories you tell yourself. Change "I struggle to get leads" to "I'm a person who always finds a way." Practice 1% Better Daily: Focus on continuous improvement rather than perfection. Serve Before You Sell: Make three real, solution-focused conversations daily your habit; lead with value, not desperation. Have Three Value Bombs Ready: Be prepared to drop actionable strategies with every prospect, no matter the direction of the conversation. Operate from Your "Why": Reconnect to the deeper reason you started coaching, and let that urgency propel action and outreach. Don't Let Setbacks Stop You: See obstacles as learning moments, not permanent failures. Resources Mentioned Books: Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill Software & Tools: Profit Acceleration Software™ (by Karl Bryan) – for demonstrating instant, tangible value to clients Platforms: Focus.com – For Karl Bryan's daily emails and strategies

A recent series of arrests shows that Antifa is not an idea. It's a highly organized group, and it has broad programs for training, coordination, and political violence. We'll discuss that topic and others in this episode of Crossroads.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Joel Kotkin Joel Kotkin examines AI's economic impact, noting that AI companies operate with small staffs and high capital. This trend leads to significant growth for firms but widespread layoffs for well-educated professionals in other industries.1945

The Networking Conversation Strategy That Leads to Clients   Have you ever been at a networking event and completely blanked when someone asked, "So, what do you do?"   Or maybe you found yourself rambling through an explanation of your business, hoping the other person would somehow connect the dots and become a client.   In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch shares a simple yet powerful communication framework to transform the way you approach networking conversations.   Instead of feeling pressured to deliver the perfect elevator pitch, Nikki introduces a practical NLP-based strategy called TOTE: Test, Operate, Test, Exit.   The goal is not to pitch harder. The goal is to create enough curiosity with the right people so that conversations naturally move to the next step.   Nikki explains how to answer the "What do you do?" question in a way that sparks interest, how to recognize buying signals when they show up, and how to confidently extend invitations without feeling pushy or salesy. She also shares a real-life story about a networking connection that became a coaching client after multiple invitations all in one conversation.   When networking feels awkward, forced, or unproductive, this episode offers a new approach to conversations with more confidence, strategy, and ease.   In this episode, learn:   Why your networking conversations should focus on curiosity, not pitching How to use the TOTE framework in real-time conversations A better way to answer the question, "What do you do?" How to recognize buying signals during networking events Why short, concise responses create better engagement How to issue invitations without feeling pushy The role persistence plays in turning conversations into clients     A question to consider: Are you trying to impress people at networking events? Or are you creating enough curiosity for the right people to want to know more?   Selling gets easier when you stop trying to perform and start paying attention. Listen in to learn how a simple framework allows you to navigate networking conversations with confidence while creating more opportunities for meaningful client relationships.   Did this episode resonate with you? Please subscribe to the Sales Maven Show and share it with another entrepreneur who wants to turn networking conversations into business opportunities.     Next Steps: You are invited to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then check out and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!   For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.   Find Nikki: Find Nikki: Nikki Rausch nikki@yoursalesmaven.com Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram Sales Maven Society https://calendly.com/salesmaven/work-with-nikki-discussion       Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:57 The TOTE Networking Framework 03:01 Create Curiosity, Not Confusion 05:10 Spot Buying Signals Early 07:37 When to Extend an Invitation 10:38 The Client Who Needed Seven Invitations 15:39 Turn Networking Into More Clients

Most companies hire and promote based on IQ and productivity — but what if emotional intelligence is the real driver of lasting success? In this episode of Anatomy of Success, Steve Wolinhaus breaks down the nine defining behaviors of emotionally intelligent people and why identifying them can transform your team, your leadership, and your organization. Inspired by his father — a pioneer in championing EQ long before it was mainstream — Steve makes a compelling case for why emotional intelligence is the rarest and most valuable skill in today's workplace, and why so many companies are consistently promoting the wrong people. In this episode, you'll discover the 9 things emotionally intelligent people do: Manage stress in healthy ways that don't bleed into the workplace Stay assertive without being obnoxious — and set firm boundaries with toxic people Communicate feelings clearly without being defensive or accusatory Avoid taking things personally and let thoughts settle before responding Refuse to be vindictive and release negative emotions instead of holding grudges Own their mistakes and focus on solutions rather than blame Lead with genuine empathy and consider the impact of their words on others Take full responsibility for their personal and professional outcomes Operate with confidence and thick skin — without needing external validation Whether you're hiring, building a team, or working on your own personal growth, this episode will give you a clear framework for recognizing and developing emotional intelligence where it matters most.

1. Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical maritime choke points in the world. Over 20% of the global oil supply passes through it daily, not including broader commercial shipping. Although often perceived as narrow and easily controlled, the strait is ~21 miles wide at its narrowest, making comprehensive surveillance extremely difficult. Large commercial vessels are confined to two-mile-wide shipping lanes due to depth requirements, making them predictable and vulnerable. 2. Vulnerability of Commercial and Naval Shipping Massive oil tankers and cargo ships: Cannot maneuver quickly or stop. Take miles to change course. Become “sitting ducks” within narrow sea lanes. The remaining waters outside the main lanes provide cover for hostile actors. 3. Iranian Asymmetric Naval Strategy Iran avoids direct, conventional naval confrontation with the U.S., which it previously lost decisively. Instead, it relies on small, fast, low-profile attack boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These boats: Are often smaller than recreational boats. Use multiple engines for high speed. Are armed with heavy machine guns, rockets, and anti-ship missiles. Operate in swarms from multiple directions. 4. Concealment and Tactical Advantage Iranian fast boats: Operate in shallow waters close to shore. Blend in with fishing vessels and heavy commercial traffic. Remain difficult to detect by radar until moments before attack. The Persian Gulf’s dense maritime traffic makes threat identification even harder. 5. Recent Military Developments The U.S. reportedly sank six Iranian fast attack boats attempting to harass vessels. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated: Iran typically deploys 20–40 such boats, but only six were observed in this clash. U.S. naval and air assets (Apache and Seahawk helicopters) are heavily positioned in the area. Iran’s naval capabilities have been significantly degraded. 6. U.S. Position and Policy The U.S. frames its role as defensive, focused on: Protecting commercial shipping. Ensuring freedom of navigation. Hundreds of ships from 87 different countries are currently backed up in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. has offered escorted passage through the strait. 7. Escalation Risks and Political Messaging President Trump issued strong warnings to Iran, threatening overwhelming retaliation if U.S.-flagged or escorted ships are attacked. Iran insists ships must coordinate with Tehran before transiting the strait. Recent incidents include: A South Korean vessel explosion and fire. A Panama-flag cargo ship engine fire. A UAE oil tanker reportedly targeted by an Iranian drone. These events raise questions about: The durability of a fragile ceasefire. Whether strikes could expand to Iranian territory or leadership targets. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.