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We recently covered the topic of "all killer, no filler" albums, but what about the perfect single side of a record? If the physical time and space limitations of a vinyl LP or a cassette must exist, why not do something compelling? Is it all poppycock...or cockypop?!? You make the call! Our Third Lad for this exploration is frontman/saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Dan Voznick, aka Alec Tension from underground '80s post-punk band Afterimage. Referred to in the Los Angeles Times as "LA's Joy Division" back in the day, Afterimage created a sound that was hypnotic, skittery and chilly, but is also adventurous, playful and complex. The original lineup of the band (Alec Tension, A Produce, Rich Evac and Holland DeNuzzio) only stayed together for a couple of years and released a scant discography of one single ("Strange Confession"/"The Long Walk") and an EP (Fade In), both in 1981. Those original recordings, plus a generous helping of unreleased demos and live tracks, are now available from Independent Project Records on the new retrospective compilation Faces to Hide. Out now on double LP (available in both black and opaque white), special edition CD and digital formats, Faces to Hide proves as scathing, urgent, taut, angular and gripping as Afterimage's scarce but unforgettable output must have sounded more than forty years ago. Packaged with extensive, career-spanning liner notes by noted journalist Richie Unterberger and previously unseen band photos, Faces to Hide also features Independent Project Records' signature hand letterpress-printed custom design for the vinyl and CD packaging. Thanks to Josh Mills from It's Alive Media for the introduction and coordination! Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, you’ll get to discover what’s really happening in the food industry—and how one mission-driven founder is working to clean it up from the inside out. Nick Green, co-founder and CEO of Thrive Market, shares an unfiltered look at the gaps in the American food system and what it takes to make healthy, clean food more accessible. A Harvard graduate and serial entrepreneur, Nick has raised over $240 million to scale Thrive Market while investing in breakthrough companies like Liquid Death and Blueland. Whether the goal is to simplify grocery shopping, make more informed choices, or stay ahead of the trends shaping nutrition and wellness, this episode delivers the insight and clarity needed to navigate the modern food world with confidence. Full show notes: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/nickgreen Episode Sponsors: Vandy Crisps: Vandy Crisps are traditional potato chips hand-made in small batches with only three very high-quality ingredients: heirloom naturally grown potatoes, grass-fed beef tallow, and sea salt. Made the way chips were 100 years ago. Try them for yourself and get 20% off when you go to vandycrisps.com/BENGREENFIELD. Ketone-IQ: Ketones are a uniquely powerful macronutrient that can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase brain energy and efficiency. With a daily dose of Ketone-IQ, you'll notice a radical boost in focus, endurance, and performance. Save 30% off your first subscription order of Ketone-IQ at Ketone.com/BENG. Quantum Upgrade: Recent research has revealed that the Quantum Upgrade was able to increase ATP production by a jaw-dropping 20–25% in human cells. Unlock a 15-day free trial with the code BEN15 at quantumupgrade.io. BEAM Minerals: If you want to up your mineral game, give BEAM Minerals a try. Go to beamminerals.com and use code BEN at checkout for 20% off your order. Calroy: Head on over to calroy.com/ben and save over $50 when you purchase the Vascanox (a breakthrough product providing nitric oxide support for up to 24 hours with a single dose) and Arterosil (a premier supplement to support the endothelial glycocalyx—the fragile inner lining of the entire vascular system) bundle at calroy.com/ben. Plus, you'll receive a free canister of 2-in-1 Nitric Oxide Test Strips with a 3-pack bundle purchase.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, we're on location at Tigerflow in Dallas, TX, taking you inside the full build process of a packaged pump skid—from raw steel to a fully enclosed, job-site-ready system. I'm joined by Kasey Mitchell from Insight Partners and Leonel Amparano from Tigerflow as we walk through each phase: welding, painting, pump installation, VFDs, filtration, final assembly, and more. You can see the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel HVAC TV.
This week, we discuss McSweeney's new quarterly issue: McSweeney's 78: The Make Believers, featuring writers of the Vietnamese diaspora. We are joined by contributors and guest editors of the issue, Thi Bui and Vu Tran, as well as McSweeney's Quarterly Editor Rita Bullwinkel. You can learn more about their work in the episode description below.During the episode, Thi, Vu, and Rita mention upcoming events in celebration of this issue. You can learn more about these special events at the links below. We hope to see you at one of these!Asian Art Museum | San Francisco | May 1 | 3:45 pm Natasha Reichle, Associate Curator of Southeast Asian Art, leads a special curator's choice discussion with McSweeney's 78: The Make Believers co-guest editor Vu Tran and contributing author Doan Bui.Tenderloin Museum | San Francisco | May 1 | 6:00 pm A block party in the heart of Little Saigon. Readings by Vu Tran and Doan Bui, plus a DJ set by Topazu.University of Chicago | Chicago | May 15 | 5:00 pm Co-editors Vu Tran and Thi Bui will be joined by fellow contributor Isabelle Pelaud for a reading and celebration of the issue's publication.This conversation originally took place April 7, 2025 and was recorded via Zoom. We hope you enjoy entering the Mind of a Writer.AWM PODCAST NETWORK HOMEMore about The Make Believers:In McSweeney's 78: The Make Believers (guest edited by Thi Bui and Vu Tran), ten writers of the Vietnamese diaspora write from the eclectic hodgepodge that is their shared imagination of what it means to be "Vietnamese." Packaged in a beautiful foil-stamped cigar box (with art by Bui on each and every surface), and including two booklets, one menu, and a glossary of broken Vietnamese, the work in this issue spans from highbrow to lowbrow, proper to naughty, logical to absurd, and painful to funny. Published on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, its contributors work across perspectives and multiple languages. In this completely singular, nothing-else-of-its-kind anthology, these artists write (and illustrate!) from a place of collective loss and joy.Featuring work by: Doan Bui, Thi Bui, H'Rina DeTroy, Anna Moï, Hoài Huong Nguyen, Vaan Nguyen, Isabelle Thuy Pelaud, Bao Phi, Paul Tran, and Vu Tran. Order your copy of McSweeney's 78: The Make Believers here.About our guests:THI BUI is a writer and artist from Viet Nam, California, and New York, now planting roots in New Orleans. Best known for her graphic memoir, The Best We Could Do, she has also been a longtime educator in public high schools, a professor of comics, an organizer and artist-activist, an ambivalent sculptor and puppeteer, and a fledgling screenwriter. She received a Caldecott Honor as the illustrator of her first children's book, A Different Pond, by Bao Phi.VU TRAN is the author of Dragonfish and a forthcoming novel, Your Origins. His other writing has appeared in publications like The O. Henry Prize Stories 2007: The Best Stories of the Year, The Best American Mystery Stories, Ploughshares, and Virginia Quarterly Review. He is the recipient of a Whiting Award and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, MacDowell, Yaddo, and the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. Born in Sài Gòn, Việt Nam, and raised in Oklahoma, Vu received his MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and his PhD from the Black Mountain Institute in Las Vegas, and he is an associate professor of practice in the arts at the University of Chicago, where he directs undergraduate studies in creative writing.RITA BULLWINKEL is the author of Headshot and Belly Up, a story collection that won the Believer Book Award. She is a 2022 recipient of a Whiting Award, the editor of McSweeney's Quarterly, a contributing editor at NOON, the creator of Oral Florist, and a Picador Guest Professor of Literature at Leipzig University in Germany, where she teaches courses on creative writing, zines, and the uses of invented and foreign languages as tools for world building.
In this episode of Clemenz With a Z, I dig into the quiet, heavy weight so many of us carry: the pressure to be who we're supposed to be. From labels like “gifted” to the roles we're assigned in school, church, and family, I unpack how early expectations can shape our sense of worth—and how hard it is to break free from the “land of should.” I talk about the pressure to lead, to be the strong one, the good one, the faithful one—and what it means to start asking who am I, really? This episode is about healing, honesty, and slowly walking away from the roles we never chose. If you've ever felt like you're performing your life instead of living it, this one's for you. If this episode hit something in you—or if you've been carrying a story, a label, or a weight you're finally trying to lay down—I'd love to hear from you. You can reach me by email at clemenzwithaz@gmail.com, or send me a DM on Instagram at the Clemenz With a Z podcast page. And if there's something you wish you could say out loud—something you've been sitting with but haven't found the space to share—I'd be honored to hold that space for you. As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please rate and review—it helps more people find these stories. And don't forget: I'm just a channel, I ain't the source. If you'd like to support the podcast financially, you can follow this link: https://gofund.me/7ebb0524. Or you can head over to clemenzwithaz.com and grab a sticker or something cool from the shop. Every little bit helps keep this going, and I'm deeply grateful for it.
A shocking 90% of Australian baby and toddler foods fail to meet international guidelines, yet manufacturers employ deceptive marketing tactics to make us believe they're healthy choices. In this eye-opening episode, paediatric dietitian Kareena Savage reveals how "organic" labels and Health Star Ratings can mislead parents, with some toddler snacks containing more sugar than white chocolate. Learn practical strategies for decoding food labels, avoiding nutritional traps, and creating healthier, more affordable lunchboxes your kids will actually eat. Quote of the Episode: "We as parents in 2025 have it tougher than any other parent has ever had it in terms of trying to understand what is a healthy food choice for our child or for our family." Key Points: Food manufacturers use deceptive marketing, with 90% of Australian baby/toddler foods failing international guidelines. Many products marketed as healthy (like "97% fruit and yoghurt") contain more sugar than white chocolate. When reading food labels, check the ingredients list first—shorter is better. Avoid products with sugar in the top three ingredients. For packaged foods, aim for less than 20g sugar per 100g. Keep sodium under 350mg per 100g. The Health Star Rating system has significant flaws—companies know how to "game" the system. Packaged foods are typically more expensive and less nutritious than whole foods. Homemade treats are healthier than commercial versions, even with similar ingredients. Setting clear boundaries around packaged foods helps children develop better eating habits. Resources Mentioned: Visit nourishwithkarina.com for free recipes and nutrition information. Nourishing Kids support program Black bean brownie recipe Action Steps for Parents: Examine ingredient lists—choose products with shorter lists and recognisable ingredients. Check sugar content—aim for less than 20g per 100g in cereals and snacks. Monitor sodium levels—keep under 350mg per 100g. Be sceptical of Health Star Ratings, especially on highly processed foods. Limit children to 1-2 packaged items per day in lunchboxes. Buy in bulk to reduce costs of healthier packaged options. Batch-cook healthier versions of treats on weekends (using wholemeal flour and less sugar). Set clear family boundaries around packaged food consumption. Modify recipes by adding nutritious ingredients (extra egg, chia seeds, wholemeal flour). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tadifi's legendBook 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.Meanwhile, Elsa was quietly amused. It wasn't like I could request the SD to force my House Guard to not do something they had been told to do by someone in my hierarchy. That would lead to chaos, and it was unfair to Juanita."Fine," I decided. "Get us three some water. Elsa and I will be practicing."Now Juanita was stuck. I wasn't asking her to leave the room, just leave me alone. I was technically her leader, respect notwithstanding."It is good to see you have not become drunk with power," Elsa smirked once Juanita had left on her errand."Your mockery is unappreciated," I glared back. I was only kidding. "I haven't seen you around recently. It is good to see you.""It is good to see you too," Elsa said in a voice far softer and compassionate than I would have preferred. After all, she had me drugged, beaten, then beaten me up again in the not so distant past.Of course, I had also sexed her up, bringing her to orgasm with my fingers alone. We had also exchanged a burning French kiss in Katrina's office that Buffy was aware of. Then there was the Buffy-Elsa personal feud and the Elsa-Rhada family feud. Balancing that was Elsa's super-hot body and intriguing personality. Sex with her promised to be memorable, more memorable than normal."What have you been up to? I'd like to say I've been behaving myself, but I don't want to advance our relationship by lying (right now, about this).""You are largely responsible for what I've been up to the past two weeks," she stepped back. She tossed her spear aside and entered her fighting stance. How nice of her to warn me, and get rid of her weapon. How erotically odd of her to give me the illusion of a chance."I deny everything," I rocked back. She was blindingly fast. The fact that I was able to block most of the blow was a testament to how much I had learned in the past two and a half months."Watashi wa nihongo o hanashimasu', 'Wǒ shuō pǔtōnghu ', 'Wǒ shuō guǎngdōng hu ' and 'Aku isa basa jawa'," she lectured me as she maneuvered me into a corner with a series of kicks and feints. She spoke Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Javanese. That was nice to know."Wait," then she kicked me off the mat."Amazons don't have a 'time out'," she smiled. I cautiously worked my way back onto the practice area."What part did you play?" I readied myself. This time, I went on the offensive. I used my greater strength and reach to compensate (rather poorly) for her superior reflexes."Someone had to ride herd on those disparate forces. My status was respected by the Amazons, I had experience dealing with outsiders, plus your person Addison nominated me, and Katrina suggested that you and I were close. That was enough for the Khanate. Your embassy and earlier aid to the Seven Families brought the 9 Clans along.""And you stole the carrier?""It was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to humiliate the Seven Pillars," she grinned. "Riding in a nuclear submarine was interesting, right up there with running around, spray painting translations next to all the markings onboard the captured vessel. Herding regular civilians wasn't nearly as much fun.""In the annals of the SD, that is going to be a victory hard to surpass," I got out right before my legs were swept out from under me. Before I could roll over, she landed on top of me. She didn't go for a pin. Elsa simply sat there, straddling my hips and looking down at me. We were both breathing heavily."I owe you for that," she patted me on my bare chest."Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?""I'll let you figure that out during the Great Hunt," she gave a sliver of a smile."Not you too," I groaned."Who else are you worried about?""You and twenty-nine other Amazons. By name, Rachel. She's pretty upbeat about her chances and believes she has a score to settle.""Rachel will be a tough one," Elsa acknowledged."Comfortable?" Juanita muttered."Yes, I am," Elsa grinned her way. "Thank you for asking." Juanita gave me a look that suggested I do something like protest, or actually try to fight her off."Why are you being nice to me?" I wondered."I've learned to appreciate your numerous qualities," Elsa enlightened me. "I am also honest enough to admit I was completely wrong about you. You make a good Amazon." That was huge praise indeed and more importantly, it was to a public audience. I was double fortunate that no one was close enough to see Elsa's camel toe resting against my lightly covered hard-on."Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you?""Aren't you engaged to someone?" Juanita reminded me. What she was really saying was 'don't you know you belong to the maidens of House Ishara?' Trust me, I know these things. Had she meant Hana, she would have said Hana."She has the patience of Job," I reasoned. "Oh, Elsa, Job is a figure in the Old Testament of the Bible." I doubted she knew."Oh. Is he a bloody-handed butcher, raging misogynist, or one of those pacifistic wimps?""He's a nice guy who gets swallowed by a whale.""That's Jonah," Juanita corrected me. "Job is the one who was tested by God. Job accepted God taking away all his family, wealth and health, only to be rewarded for his loyalty to God with more than he ever had before.""Wimp.""I would never turn away from Ishara," Juanita rumbled."Zorja would never feel the need to test my loyalty so," Elsa riposted."Oh look," I thrust my hips up. "I seem to need a shower." Elsa's expression was of superiority and lust combined into a lethal cocktail of my demise."Let's go. You can wash my back," she said as she rose over me. She even offered me a hand up. That was unexpected and accepted warily."Is there some battle wound that makes you incapable of bathing yourself?" Juanita got feisty. Holy Hell, she was my Caribbean Buffy-twin."None," Elsa smugly commented. "I like the feel of his hands on my body. He possesses non-threatening masculinity wed with sisterly solidarity. It is a unique experience that you seem woefully unaware of.""Yippee!" I whispered."You really are a man-whore," Juanita declared under her breath."Check," I gave her a thumbs-up. Sadly, Elsa gave me enough respect to walk at my side, not in front of me (so I could have been mesmerized by her buttocks.) As I was stripping down in the locker room, I noticed Juanita hovering close by. "Are you going to follow me into the shower?""Yes.""Why? I am not going to be in danger in the middle of Havenstone.""I'll be the judge of that," she insisted."You do realize I've had sex with an audience before, don't you?""I've been warned about that and know proper counter-measures.""What? What kind of measures?" I was now naked and, towel in hand, was making my way to the communal showers."Charlie horses, trips, stun-gun if applicable," she informed me with relish."You are threatening to damage my prestige," I enlightened her."Cáel, I was chosen for more than my martial skills. I was selected because I will not wilt before your childish ways.""Are you a lesbian?""No. Why would a woman have to be a lesbian to withstand your wiles?""You'll figure it out eventually," I chuckled. Actually, knowing what a playboy-cad I was turned out to be a counter-intuitive edge for me. Expecting me to be a letch just meant I totally ignored the woman. Then the doubt would set in. 'Why wasn't I hitting on her?' she would think. She'd go through the phase of her not being good enough for me to knowing that wasn't the case, definitely, and would come at me to prove herself right. Wham-bam, another one in the can. Oink.Step One: reduce the amount of time talking to her as a fellow human traveler of life. From here on out, I would address her by her name when I wanted something and otherwise treat her like furniture ~ furniture I was comfortable with. In this case, I treated her like a towel rack. She promptly dropped it. That was okay, I was planning to get dressed wet anyway.I rinsed off my hair quickly as Elsa settled underneath the showerhead beside me. As soon as I finished, she handled me a bottle of (scentless) body soap. It was probably one of those the jaguar will smell me coming ten miles away excuses Amazons used to avoid being girlie. I got my hands all sudsy and began working on her shoulders and neck from behind.Wordlessly, Elsa followed my physical directions, allowing me to wash her arms before working my way down her back in languid, amorous circles. Around the 10th thoracic vertebrae, Elsa gave me a deep, cleansing exhalation. I dug my fingers into her taut back muscles, racking them down to her buttocks, deftly ran them along the sides of her glutes and finished up caressing them along the line between her thighs and ass.I worked her buttocks apart, worked my fingers along her perineum, tickling the back of her labia then up, across her anus and back to her tailbone and the small of her back. A crazy idea came to me: maybe I could talk her into a tramp stamp; something like If you are reading this, know I'll kill you next. That would be so Elsa.I lathered her ass up for another half-minute before working my way down to her thighs, starting with the hip joints and then coaxing of her parted lips. I knelt down so that I was resting on the balls of my feet. Elsa obliged me by parting her legs, standing on her toes with her feet over a foot apart, then placing her hands against the shower stall while arching her back so that her hips were thrust back."Oh, come on," Juanita protested. "What kind of bath is this?""Did you hear something?" Elsa looked down at me."Nope. I was focusing all of my attention on you," I smiled up at her. I was really liking the way her muscles were stressed through her exertions. I couldn't seem to pay enough attention to her robust calves. I didn't pass up the opportunity to plant gentle kisses on each cheek either.Elsa's ankles and feet happened all too fast and the pretense of a bath was complete. She looked at me while she soaped up her breasts then let the water cascade all over her body."Thank you, Cáel," she gave me a regal nod of her damp head, turned and left. "Train harder for the Hunt. You are going to need every edge you can get.""I'm stalking oysters over the weekend. They are cunning and stealthy adversaries," I replied sagely. Elsa snorted, then started toweling off as she left, going toward her own locker. I walked past my soaked towel on the floor without a single glance. Juanita stalked behind me, clearly with a lot on her mind she was now waiting for the proper moment to share. I got dressed."Not going to dry off?" she grumbled."I never use towels," I lied. "I like the rain-washed feel." By ignoring her act of defiance, I really steamed her. I wasn't done. As we headed toward the elevator, I opened up with my next jibe. Buffy really shouldn't challenge me so. I'm a past-master of dealing with clingy, bossy women."Regretting you made that bet?" I mused while we waited."What bet?" she simmered."The bet where you assured Buffy and whomever else was in the room that you wouldn't break down and physically harm me ~ punishing me for my wicked ways?""What? How did," she groused then, "You are playing me.""Yep.""You really are full of yourself," she seared me with her gaze."No, but I know what I'm good at and I'm good at frustrating women. I've been working at it for the past four years and I've got over 200 women who would agree that I'm very good at doing it.""Why are you doing this to me? I'm on your side," she turned all pouty and hurtful."Because if I don't, I'll go mad, Juanita," I enlightened her. "You want to protect me, right?""Yes," she sensed a verbal trap. The elevator opened and we stepped in."See, I don't want to be protected," I started."That's,""Let me finish, please," I stopped her. She gave me the visual 'go-ahead'. "I don't want to live a life where I need to be protected. I don't want to worry that women I hang out with could be cornered by some unsavory types at an eatery because those women happen to know and like me.""I admire what you are doing, I really do. This is not the life I wanted, though. This is not what I wanted to be doing four months after leaving college. I wanted to be some corporate worm, barely scraping by on my work reviews and being, as you said, 'a man-whore'.""You don't have that luxury," she pointed out."Am I not doing my job?" I countered."I guess you are," she grudgingly admitted."Yet you feel you have the right to critique my personal life and how I approach it," I related. "I'm not beating you up by playing the I am Ishara bullshit. I certainly don't expect anyone to be grateful to me for the opportunity to be in a House. I don't because I believe that every member of House Ishara has already proven they belong here before I ever meet them. I believe in you. Sometimes I would appreciate it if my sisters would give me the same respect."She looked away because my harpoon had struck home."Unlike the rest of you, I inherited my place in this madhouse. Unlike every other Amazon here, I am only a part of House Ishara because I am the choice of a thousand ancestors to be our leader. Notice that no one asked me if I wanted to do this. And I don't think I ask too much of you because frankly, there are times when I feel unworthy to be in your company.""You are still Ishara and I must still be your guardian," she held her ground. I glared at her. She glared back. I coughed. She kept glaring."What's my name?""Oh," she shrugged. "Cáel Wakko Ishara.""That may sound silly you to, but I have chosen the designations for myself, my First Ancestor and the Goddess for a good reason."We rode in silence. When we got to the ground floor, we made our way to our bikes and got ready to head home."What is the reason?""To never take ourselves too seriously. The worst thing I can think to befall my House is we become as humorless as the rest of the bitches around here. 'Laugh at Death' should be our motto.""Isn't that a bit childish?""Of course it is," I groaned. "You clearly haven't been paying attention to a damn thing I've been saying. I swear I'm thinking about bringing back 'National Clown Nose Day'.""We had a 'National Clown Nose Day'?" she pedaled to keep up."God help me," I muttered.(Where is my Serge?)"You are not going to let me go through my door first?" I sighed in exasperation. Juanita insisted that she go through every door first, because today was so very different than yesterday, when I had Pamela, perhaps I protest too much."You have a gun," a somewhat familiar voice said from inside my/Timothy's apartment. Oh, fuck. Ya know, because Juanita was as pretty as she was lethal, which is to say 'too much for the given company'."Don't make any sudden moves unless you want to see it," Juanita cautioned her."Oh, it's okay," Odette intervened. "This is Anais Saint-Armour. She's a Mountie.""Oh, she's on the List too," Juanita grumbled. "What has he done wrong this time?""Why don't you tell me who you are first?" Anais growled at Juanita while I pushed my way into the room."I don't like your attitude," Juanita glared."Anais, this is Juanita Leya Antonio Garza; she's my latest bodyguard. Juanita, this is Anais, a good friend of mine who helped save my life in Hungary when the 'terrorists' were closing in," I somewhat exaggerated,, she had helped me catch up with the rest of the team when Pamela and I got sidetracked."Why did he chose you?" Anais fumed. Did I mention she's insanely jealous with an aching need to know why I was marrying anyone else, but her."What list?" Odette proved to be on the ball."He didn't chose me. I volunteered for the spot.""Buffy made an anti-girlfriend list. Elsa is on it too," I mumbled."I bet you did," Anais (responding to Juanita)."It is not like that," I moved to interpose myself between my Mountie and my non-mounted (for now) guardian. "I'm on the board of directors for Havenstone now and,""How did that happen?" Anais turned 'The Force' on me. (That's Canadian for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, really) "You insisted (reference back in the days we were seeing one another) you were impoverished.""I inherited it from my Father,""He's poor too. I ran a background check when we first started dating," Anais kept up the pressure."My Mother?""She's dead.""Okay, it was my Father through a convoluted meandering of genetics," I went back to attempting the truth (shame on me)."Which is it?" she glowered."My Father, but it's too complicated to get into now," I tried to touch her. She recoiled. She was still pissed with me."He's telling the truth this time," Odette rose to my defense."Why didn't you tell me this when you were in Hungary? For that matter, if you are rich, why didn't you use those resources to get yourself out of trouble instead of involving me?" She really was a great cop."I had to make a call to someone I trusted and who couldn't be traced back to me, or Havenstone, or the Irish Embassy," I fibbed."What have you gotten yourself into?" Anais thawed somewhat."I believe I promised you dinner," I reminded her."You did.""Where are we going?" Juanita stressed our lack of privacy."'We' aren't going anywhere. Ms. Anais Saint-Armour and I are going to a restaurant of her choosing. Don't worry about it. She carries a gun.""I'm not carrying a gun," Anais torpedoed my plan."Where are we going?" Juanita repeated herself. I had to switch mental gears quickly to take in the new looks I was getting from Anais. I shouldn't have ignored those cues."I can't get around my personal security service," I sighed. Why did I give in? Anais was all about gathering evidence and then drawing conclusions from the facts in available.I had been involved in some significant bad-assery in Europe that was way beyond anything she would have associated with the old me. Terrorist cells duking it out with me (and others) in a Budapest metro station? A rustic inn being reduced to ashes after a suspected firefight? Bomb threats? A full-scale military operation in Romania?I had been kidnapped with a resultant massive manhunt for me then returned under highly mysterious circumstances. There had been a young girl with me, we were close for reasons not really gone into and I had saved her despite all forms of parenthood had been anathema to me.I was a man who others deemed necessary to protect, thus a man making secretive phone calls, getting snippets of information and being involved in the deaths of way too many people to be the old, playboy me. Who had I become?I therefore might be a man who 'needed' to marry a billionairess due to some unspeakable political reasons, not out of any romantic/sexual desire of my own. Anais knew that I was a commitment-phobe, not a gold-digger. That meant she could be involved with me without it really being cheating. I needed her help, I had reached out to her when I was in crisis and she was in the people-helping business, right?There was clearly more evidence out there for her to discover and she had the good fortune to be able to have me in a spot where I could be interrogated."Where do you want to go?" I disengaged and went to my room. The door was only partially shut as I changed."Eleven Madison West," I was told."Oh," Odette cooed, "that place is expensive.""I know," Anais remarked."Why did you pick it?" Odette inquired."To remind Cáel that meals can be very expensive." That was my 'date' reminded me that I'd cheated with her over the course of a home-cooked meal, cooked not-by-her in someone else's home. I wondered how Maya was doing.Eleven Madison West meant I pulled out one of my Havenstone suits. They were tailored after all and I suspected that getting into this place at this time of night was going to take some charisma and finagling. Dressing as causal-me wouldn't do. When I stepped out, jaws dropped ~ I do look good all gussied up. Odette dispelled the shock by jumping into my arms."You look hot," she squealed. "Too bad I'm not going out with you.""You might want to remember that," Anais griped."We need to stop by Havenstone so I can attempt to dress up for this affair," Juanita stated."How about we call in a replacement? Give you the night off?" I suggested."Who?""Chaz?""You want that British SSR non-commissioned officer to be your personal bodyguard for tonight? You've got balls," Juanita coughed. I took out my phone and got ready to give him a call."Hey, Anais, why didn't you call me to tell me you were coming over?" I carefully avoided the word 'warned' as she would take that the wrong way."I don't have your personal phone number. I called your home phone and got the answering service, last night and again this morning," she narrowed her eyes."Odette, did Timothy get lucky last night?" I looked past the Mountie."No. A good friend of his rolled his motorcycle and he went to the hospital to help him out," Odette shook her head. Poor Timothy. My roomie/fuck-buddy misinterpreted Anais's pique. "Timothy is gay, not a sexual enabler.""Huh?" Juanita wondered."Wingman," I translated. "Sometimes the three of us go to gay clubs where I act as his wingman,""And they feed me to lesbians," Odette sounded enthusiastic. Thanks to me she was hardly a same-sex virgin."If there are three people living here and two bedrooms, who sleeps on the sofa?" Anais skewered Odette with her eyes."If Cáel has company and isn't sharing, I sleep with Timothy," Odette refused to wilt, or cut me some slack with Anais."Isn't sharing?" those ocular death orbs flicked my way."Hmm, if we are going to Elven Madison West, I had better make that call," I evaded. I rang Chaz."Nyilas," he answered. "How are you doing this evening?""I'm good. I have an ex-girlfriend from out of town visiting, she wants to go to a swanky place and Juanita isn't dressed for the detail so,""You want me to double date?""No, I need a bodyguard.""You are assuming I have something appropriate to wear.""You are British!" I protested. "Even your chicks have tuxedos.""Very well. Will this be a personal protection detail, or close support?""Aahhh,""Close support," said Anais."Personal Protection," countered Juanita."The one most likely to save me from being stabbed with a steak knife," I muttered."I am not going to physically attack you," Anais simmered. Yeah, right, I had heard that one before, and not just from her."Personal Protection it is," Chaz informed me."Oh, and she's a Mountie.""Is she armed?""No," I thanked the goddesses."Does she want to be?""Huh? Are you going to arm her?" I panicked."No. You have a NYPD liaison. Give Officer Kutuzov a call and make a formal request. If she is a law enforcement officer in good standing, it shouldn't be a problem.""Oh, I can do that?, I'm not sure that's the best idea," I prevaricated."Man up, Nyilas," he chided me. "You should work on making it so women don't want to shoot you instead of thinking of ways to disarm them.""Spoken like a man who wisely prefers the company of other men," I grumbled."Good use of the word 'wisely'. Next question: what are we using as a means of conveyance?""Umm,""I have my motorcycle," Anais was less than helpful."If you weren't one of the bravest human beings I'd ever met, I would determine at this moment that you are a dolt. Call Havenstone and arrange for one of those Mercedes Armored GL550s. Bring your license. I drive on the correct side of the road and I'm not keen on having a distraught paramour driving into a storefront at 80 kph.""Man, I like the way you speak," I joked."I took advantage of a proper English education.""I was joking with you.""I know.""Can I date your sister?" I didn't know if he had a sister, but he'd hinted there were multiple Tomorrow's out there. Anais' mood didn't improve."Yes. I like you. You are a good bloke.""Does your sister know how to kill people?""Yes. I'd say she's relatively proficient with a variety of small arms and hand-to-hand techniques," he enlightened me."Just checking.""Cáel, every woman you are interested knows how to kill people, or how to have people killed," Chaz reminded me."What about Odette? She's neither well connected nor lethal.""Odette is indeed an enigma. She counters that by being well liked by people who are capable of killing others who hurt her, except where you are concerned. You live a treasured life.""Have you made dinner reservations? If you need me for a black tie event it has to be, what is the American for it, swanky.""That's more of a Cael/Pamela thing," I corrected him. "American's say 'high class', expensive, or 'hot spot'.""Thanks for the update. Make those calls.""O-kay. Will do. I'll meet you at Havenstone in thirty minutes. Does that work for you?""Yes. Make those calls. I'll see you at, 7:52 pm, EDT. Mark.""Huh?""Goodbye Cáel," and he hung up."Who is this 'Chaz' character?" Anais questioned me."He is Color Sergeant Charles Tomorrow of the British Army's Special Reconnaissance Regiment, he's a badass and he's delicious," Odette answered for me."How do you know him, either of you?" came next."He was with," Odette began blabbing 'National Security' stuff."Odette, don't. Anais, he is member of the Joint International Khanate Interim Taskforce along with me. Odette helps out in an auxiliary role," I answered."Cáel, how did you end up doing this kind of work?" she was perplexed. "You were devoid of anything approaching civic responsibility when we were last together. Quite frankly, I didn't think you cared for anyone but yourself.""Hey now," Odette got feisty. She was my friend after all."We can talk about that over dinner?" I suggested. She didn't like that answer, so I lied. "I grew up," which was what she wanted to hear. I was spared any more interrogation at the moment by the necessity of making those three phone calls. Nikita liked hearing from me again, though she was less pleased that it was official business. She did agree to contact the appropriate agency for me, despite me making it for a different female law enforcement agent.I'd wised up about Havenstone. I called Executive services to have the car delivered to my door step. I cautioned the operative that, in my neighborhood, they might be stopped on suspicion of purchasing guns, drugs, and/or a good time. I would have the car in fifteen minutes and agreed to take the delivery driver back to work afterwards. I'd have done it even if I wasn't meeting Chaz.At Eleven Madison West, I got a snooty 'exactly who do you think you are?' followed by 'you will be placed on the waiting list, a spot may open up around 9:50'. Was I going to inform Chaz and Anais of this? Of course not. I planned to beg like a big dog, suggest that while I was a nameless face, I actually knew people, a person, and we'd see how far that got me.While waiting for the S U V to arrive and on the drive back to Havenstone, this is pretty much what followed:"Do you know who was behind your father's murder yet?""Yes, but I can't talk about it.""Was that the reason people are trying to kill you?""Yes. That and other reasons.""What other reasons?""Things I can't talk about.""Why can't you talk about it?""Secret society stuff ~ decoder rings, secret handshakes, writing in cyphers, holding clandestine meetings in public places after dark, and various other things world governments don't want me talking about.""Are you pulling my leg?" I wished I was running my hands over her legs. This wasn't the time for that revelation."No. Most of what I am telling you is the truth.""Were you in a shootout at the Chicago Medical Examiner's morgue?""Yes. I was unarmed at the time.""Was your life in danger?""It depends on what you mean by 'danger'. My allies had guns and were expert shots. I was shot at, but they missed me, so I not sure how much my life was at risk.""Can you please be serious?""I'm trying. You scare me.""You don't need to be afraid of me. I only want to help." That was mostly true. She was a diligent, hard-working incorruptible public servant,well, as long as you overlooked her charging me with bestiality when she was truly pissed with me."I'm not afraid of you hurting me. I'm afraid for you. You are an excellent peace officer and I'm worried that you will learn too much. Then your life will be as screwed up as mine.""I can take care of myself.""The reality that you are going out with me unarmed speaks volumes about what you don't know, Anais.""Don't think this line of questioning is over, Cáel.""Don't worry. I know you are not done.""Very well. How is your aunt?" The crab-fisherwoman, not the Irish menagerie."Happy as a clam, working a real job and living life on her own terms.""Where did you go wrong?" That was a loaded question. I had to tread carefully."A girl humiliated me in high school. I decided to take control of my life and somehow, despite my best intentions to be an unreliable lothario, I've ended up with people closer to me than family,and this constant need for physical protection.""Why are you engaged?" Finally, the real reason she was here. Had she come by to pick up her accoutrements, she would have been gone by the time I came home. She wanted answers, answers that allowed her to be in charge of our relationship again. It was the double-barreled impact of exceptional sex and wondering why she wasn't 'the one'.(Me) "Are you seeing somebody?""You didn't answer my question.""I've answered plenty of your questions. Answer mine.""No. Men expect too much from a career woman." Translation: 'I'm a bitch that, regardless of my dynamite looks and raunchy sex drive, repels men because I'm a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.'"You do put your career first." Translation: 'I've totally forgotten that you are a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.' It was what she wanted to hear."Your turn.""Put on your tin-foil hat. I did it to save lives in Central Asia when the anthrax strikes were going on. I have this friend over there that people listen to.""Who? The Great Khan?"I didn't respond which wasn't the answer she was expecting."How?" as in how could I possibly be good friends with the master of arguably the third or fourth most powerful nation on the face of the Earth"That's one of those things I can't talk about.""Do you love her?""I don't know. I'm lousy at relationships. I get along with her daughter. Her father wants to bury me alive in the Nevada desert. The rest of the family seems to be coming around to the idea that I might be one of them.""That isn't a 'yes'.""No, it isn't.""Do you think you can ever love someone?" If you need translated, sigh, okay, 'why don't you love me?'"Do you mean 'when am I going to stop stumbling from botched relationship to botched relationship and make something constructive of my personal life?'""Yes.""Did I mention that I've discovered I have a grandfather?""No. That isn't answering my question.""It is in a way. Did I mention that Mom had ten sisters I wasn't aware of? I had an uncle, but he died in my arms.""No. My condolences on your uncle. What does this have to do with you becoming more of an adult and becoming accountable for your life?""Did I mention I have an adopted grandmother who is my spiritual twin?""No.""Don't worry about my uncle. He died trying to kill me. My aunts murdered him, though I can never prove it.""Oh.""My grandfather? He was the one who sent those terrorists to kill me. It was his litmus test to see if I was worthy of being in his family. I passed.""Are you serious?""Yes. My spiritual grandma? She's a retired professional assassin. Daily I interact with a half-dozen people who have killed multiple human beings in their lifetimes. You want to know why I'm not behaving responsibly? I am acting responsibly. I'm trying to not get the decent civilians around me killed."She took awhile digesting that. By that time, we had returned to Havenstone and picked up Chaz. I made introductions."So, are you really with the SRR?" she asked him."Yes.""Why are you with Cáel?""My mandate contains multiple answers. Suffice it to say, since my RAF contemporary will not be returning from the UK until tomorrow, I am presently chief liaison officer for Her Majesty's government with JIKIT.""Why are you coming along as Cáel's bodyguard? Don't you have something better to do with your Friday evenings?" Subtle and polite, Anais ain't. Why was I putting up with her? She was a sexual tornado who would try anything once. She was a real prize."First question: Cáel is a friend, his life is in perpetual danger and I consider it my duty to keep him alive. He would do the same for me. Second question: the nature of my present assignment doesn't leave much room for any meaningful romantic associations.""Hmm," I contemplated what wasn't being said. "Chaz, you are nailing one of my security chicks, aren't you?""Yes.""Which one?""A man of character doesn't brag about such things."Chaz was getting some Amazon nookie. I had to find a way to tell him how dangerous that was. She might decide he's make good father material, not a good thing where Amazons were concerned."Are all of his security personnel women?" Anais pressed."Miss Saint-Amour, Havenstone is a corporation that employs over ten thousand people. There are precisely five men currently on their payroll. All their security personnel are woman. Cáel has very limited, if any, input on the matter.""Are you sure about that?""Yes, Miss Saint-Amour. Who would trust a man of Cáel's dubious experience with his own security?" Chaz pointed out."Oh." She hadn't thought of that."Can you tell me why you think his life is in danger?""He is far more likely to be kidnapped than murdered. He possess certain sensitive data that powerful entities would like to access, thus I am his bodyguard tonight. Considering the quality of the women who normally guard him, I consider it an honor.""To guard Cáel, on a date?""He was kidnapped visiting a child at a playground. Yes, we believe his life is in constant peril. The training and experience of his security service is top flight and it has been a pleasure to serve among them.""Were you with him in Budapest and Romania?""The metro station?""Yes.""Yes.""Romania?""Do you mean the counterterrorism action south of Miercurea Ciuc?""Yes.""Yes."Wow, these two were lousy communicators. I could imagine Chaz propositioning one of my Amazons.Chaz: 'You have a superior feminine physique which I find appealing. Want to fuck?'Amazon: 'You look like you have the prerequisite stamina and battle scars to be part of the New Directive. Sure.'"Were you involved in the actual combat? The SRR is normally an intelligence gathering unit.""I was gathering battlefield intelligence, Miss. That required my close proximity to armed and actively hostile enemy aliens (as in they were in Romania illegally, not that they were all supernatural beings). My involvement resulted in two KIA's and one WIA.""Damn Chaz, you rock.""I am a professional.""How many did Pamela gak?""One KIA.""Just one? Whoa, that's so unlike her.""She kept trying to bracket the cell leader (aka Ajax). He had the Devil's Own Luck.""Cáel, why are you making light of all those deaths?" Anais chastised me. "How many terrorists did you wound, or kill?""I wounded one guy.""That is disingenuous," Chaz chided me. "You orchestrated the operation, showed tactical expertise in seizing the most critical terrain feature and engineered the death of the terrorist leader.""My Cáel did that? When I knew him, he was adverse to violence," Anais shook her head."Considering the considerable number of people he's killed, he's still adverse to physical confrontation where his own life is involved. But God help you if you threaten someone he is close to, though. He's the man who can get things done when the team is in a pinch.""Cáel, what happened to you?" she didn't sound upset at all."I learned to care for people beyond my immediate interest, you know, actual long-term relationships," with the unspoken 'as opposed to women I'm currently having sex with'."It took you long enough," she snipped. Reference her being a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.The interrogation was put on hold while we entered the restaurant and,"Mr. Nyilas?" the maytre dee greeted me."Yes.""We will get you a table right away," he nodded obsequiously. What the hell was up with that? Where was my two hour wait time? Oh yeah, I was a minor, fifteen seconds of fame celebrity."Will Ms. Sulkanen be joining you this evening?""No. She had to oversee a packaged Erythrosine-monosaccharides explosion in Boca Raton. Flaming plastic pink flamingo bits were raining down everywhere. I imagine it is taking an Everest-sized load of hush money to keep this out of the media," I replied. I was so eerily sincere, he bought it and a look of horror snuck over his face. I had become the public face of corporate malfeasance."Your table (gulp) is ready, Sir," he began to sweat. He took us to our table for four then beat a hasty retreat. Undoubtedly his civic-mindedness would have him calling up TMZ within a minute. After all, it was unlikely he owned any plastic pink flamingos, or invested in their construction. Once he was gone, Chaz let a thin smile break through his hard-earned military unfazed-ability."What exactly are packaged Erythrosine-monosaccharides?" he inquired."Packaged is self-explanatory. Erythrosine is pink food coloring and monosaccharides are,""Sugar," Anais frowned."Exploding pixie sticks, I have nieces and nephews. You are a genius at misdirection, Mr. Nyilas," he nodded."Thank you, Color Sergeant Tomorrow. It is nice to be appreciated for my bizarre and useless preoccupation," I grinned."You practice lying?" Anais' view of me dimmed."Miss, he excels at extraneous, outrageous utterances. No harm is intended.""Things like I was helping her find her contact lenses?" That had been my excuse when caught coming out of Maya's apartment. Sadly, Anais is highly perceptive and knew the lady didn't wear contacts. The copious female aroma wafting off me certainly hadn't helped."That's unfair," I countered. "Back then, I was a college nitwit suffering from undiagnosed nymphomania. I'd like to think I'm getting better."" tes-vous mieux?" she retorted in French."Je suis assez intelligent pour aller vers vous lorsque des vies taient sur la ligne." That's right, Anais. When my life and the lives of others were on the line, she was the first one I thought to call. Letting a woman know that you admire her profession, professionalism and reliability never hurts."Are you really a nymphomaniac?" she returned to English. French is the language of sex, as is any derivative of Sanskrit, Farsi and Portuguese. Reference the multitude of Indians, the hotness of Persian women and the outpouring of lust that is Brazil."I had a magnetoencephalography recently. The neuroscientists didn't know what to make of my brain patterns. I appear to be somewhat unique in my madness."She didn't believe me. I didn't blame her. No one really likes hearing a truth they don't want to accept."Here," I leaned forward and pointed to the tiny divot in my forehead. "I was stabbed with a needle in the skull. That is why they looked at me, not because of my sexual malfunction."She touched it to makes sure. We were interrupted by the waiter stopping by to see if we were ready to order yet."We will have three of the most expensive appetizers, dinners, deserts and wines," Anais preempted us. Ugh. I was either a millionaire by the wonders of Havenstone accounting, or broke. I foolishly never looked into such things, never having had much money before. I needed a distraction."Hey Chaz, nice suit," was what came to mind. It was a swell masterpiece of the tailoring arts I hadn't expect from a ground-pounder from a family of ground-pounders serving Queen and Country for generations."Thank you. Pamela picked it out for me, suspecting an event such as this would transpire. She told me you paid for it," Chaz answered."I did?""I made the reasonable deduction that she forged your signature on whatever medium was used for payment," he shrugged, "in the same way she exhibits a criminal tendency toward every other aspect of her life.""What does Pamela look like?" Anais glowered."She's his grandmother," Chaz responded politely. "They make quite the pair. Normally we don't let them alone in the same room. Bad things happen.""Bad things?""Things like that scenic hostel being reduced to ruin," he enlightened her."This is the supposed assassin?""Retired assassin," Chaz corrected her. "So far she's only, what is the term you two use?" he looked at me."Sending a Get-Well card to their next of kin? Pumping up the volume? Making a critical attitude adjustment? Retroactively revoking their lease on life? We have a few.""Yes, those. Pamela has assured the team director that she no longer accepts assignments of a murderous nature. These days she only practices her skills on those we determine are a threat to the greater endeavor," he explained."She murders people? You all murder people?" Anais furrowed her brow. "Cáel, do you engage in these activities?""What? Who? Me? No!" I waved off any conspiratorial associations. "The vast majority of people I've killed was totally by accident.""How do you accidently kill people?" she pierced my soul with her voice."Okay, I let them kill themselves because warning them would have resulted in me and some friends meeting very immediate violent ends," I pleaded."Miss Saint-Amour, I've talked to trustworthy people who were on the scene when this happened. It was a paramilitary action with the lives of children on the line. Cáel acted to save the lives of innocents," Chaz defended me. That is what Anais wanted to believe; that I was basically a decent human being. I was a pig, but a courageous one. I had confronted her after my infidelity, on the other side of the US/Canadian border where her jurisdiction didn't apply.I knew my revelations were hideously hard to believe. In my favor, I had been in dangerous places doing dangerous things. The Metro firefight had been captured on the place's security system (which had been leaked to the public thus leading to some delusional admirers into thinking I would make a great new King of Hungary even though they hadn't had a monarch since 1918 nor was I from the right (Hapsburg) family. In case this whole Havenstone thing came crashing down in flames, I needed to keep my options open).There had been a bomb threat at Mindszent which I had reputable sources call in (and where I had admittedly hung out with a few of the women who saved me from an earlier disaster) and Miercurea Ciuc had made the international news. Well over 100 people had died and some of the terrorists were still at large. The Romanian government declared I had been 'instrumental' in the confrontation without saying what 'instrumental' meant.I was heroically vague, more mature than where we left off and clearly incited pussy-twitching memories. We'd once fucked so continuously hard and long one weekend that neither one of us could stand until an hour after we stopped. Anais was well worth the pain I was contemplating. Sex with her wasn't the pain I was worried about. It was dodging all her calls afterwards. Once again reference her being a compulsive control freak with abysmal trust issues.Oh, how did I know she was reveling in our past coital moments? She hadn't walked out on me yet. She hadn't walked out when she found Odette in my domicile, when she met Juanita, or when she found out that I worked with highly experienced killers as part of my new daily routine.Normally Anais was smarter than this and had a career in law enforcement to contemplate. Lastly, she hadn't asked to be armed, despite getting permission from the NYPD. Had she decided to get a gun, Anais was sure in her hormonally-cascading mindset she would have shot me by now. I incite all kinds of passion in women. It is a curse.The rest of dinner was unremarkable. Anais continued to interrogate Chaz who proved that he was both skilled in counter-interrogation techniques and not willing to spill anymore secrets about what anyone at JIKIT did. However he had provided her with every logical reason to beat feet back across the Canadian border and she hadn't taken the hints about what a disaster sleeping with me could be.We drove Anais back to her motel, then Chaz and I headed home in silence. Despite his earlier declarations, he knew how to drive the 'right' way all along. As he was letting me out in front of my building, he gave me this pleasant warning."I'm not going to lecture you about not going back there, or avoiding the crazy ones. You already know better and are going back by her place anyway. I do advise that whatever you do, don't let her restrict your movements in any way. She's likely to make you pay double for your past indiscretions and take payment out on your cock. Good luck, Mate.""Wait," I stopped him. "Can you help me hotwire her bike? I can use that as an excuse to darken her doorway.""Dolt," he muttered. He helped me anyway because that's what really good friends do ~ assisting you in your self-destruction so we could joke about it later. At least that was what I hoped was going on. Chaz being a closet sadist was an unsettling idea. I didn't get to immediately pursue my plan because,(We work for you, don't we?)At 9 am, the President of the United States of America, after a late night briefing and a good night's sleep, decided that for the sake of world peace he had to intervene in Southeast Asia ~ Thailand to be specific, though he had some vague notion that a summit of regional leaders was in the offing and the US needed to establish some sort of game plan instead of looking impotent and disinterested.Based on carefully selected bits of information supplied to him by us (JIKIT), he ordered two carrier taskforces to move to the Gulf of Thailand to enforce an anticipated UN arms embargo and 'No-Fly Zone'. It would take four days (September 3rd) for Carrier Strike Group Nine (built around the USS Ronald Reagan) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (2,200 souls) to take up a position in the South China Sea close to the Gulf of Thailand. By fortuitous circumstance, 500 Marines and sailors were already deployed to Malaysia on a joint training mission with the Malaysian Marines.The second one, the USS Carl Vinson's Carrier Strike Group One wouldn't arrive until the 9th, six days later. What the US government wanted to know was what the Khanate and Vietnam would do in those long, lonely six days. The Khanate had as many modern, up-to-date combat aircraft on Woody Island as the Reagan could send up. The Vietnamese could add another 48 planes worth worrying about.There was the added complication that Thailand hadn't asked for help yet. His experts (us again) were suggesting that he was about to wake up one morning and find Khanate tanks rolling down the streets of Bangkok, which
Today, we're diving into a topic raising concerns in the food world—microplastics. They're tiny, they're everywhere, and they're making their way into our diets. So, let's break it down into three essential things you need to know about microplastics.Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, usually less than five millimeters in size. They come from various sources, including broken-down plastic waste, synthetic fibers from clothing, and even microbeads once used in personal care products. Over time, plastics degrade due to sunlight, heat, and mechanical stress, breaking down into smaller and smaller particles. And here's the kicker: once they're in the environment, they don't just disappear. They accumulate.2. How Are Microplastics Getting Into Our Food?Microplastics have infiltrated the food chain in ways we might not even realize. Studies have found them in seafood, bottled water, salt, honey, beer, and fresh produce. Fish and shellfish ingest microplastics in the ocean, and when we eat them whole—like oysters or sardines—we're also consuming those particles. But it doesn't stop at seafood. Plastics in soil and water affect crops; even our packaging can shed microplastics into food. In short, we're likely consuming plastic in small doses every day.3. What Does This Mean for Our Health?Now, this is where things get a bit murky. While research is ongoing, early studies suggest that microplastics could carry harmful chemicals, disrupt hormones, and even cause inflammation when they accumulate. Scientists are concerned about long-term exposure, and while the exact risks aren't entirely known, minimizing our intake of microplastics seems like a wise precaution.What Can We Do About It?As consumers and culinary professionals, we can take a few steps to reduce our exposure: • Filter your water – Many microplastics are found in tap and bottled water so that a high-quality filter can help. • Reduce plastic packaging – Opt for glass, stainless steel, or natural materials for food storage. • Eat fresh, unprocessed foods – Packaged foods often contain microplastics from processing and packaging. • Support sustainable practices – Reduce single-use plastics and support brands actively working to minimize plastic pollution.More podcasts and videos from Chef Walter
Welcome to EP17 of Beyond The Balls! Dr. Hugh Porter is an obstetrician, husband, legend and father of two! He's experienced an amazingly varied career and quite a lot of life, so we thought there was no one more qualified to help us out with some Q&A from our audience. We answer questions as sticky as ‘my wife wants a Caesarean but I think she can do it naturally' all the way to ‘what's the weirdest pregnancy craving you've heard of?' with entertaining results. We thank Dr. Porter for his time and I can guarantee you he'll be back for round 2! This was an amazing interview and he blew us away with his knowledge, candour and approach to obstetrics. Thank you to all the Ballers who submitted questions via Instagram. Resource links: Dr. Hugh Porter's Instagram Beyond the Balls is a fatherhood podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Chi Lo, a Beyond The Bump production. This podcast is targeted at dads, dads to be, their partners and anyone interested in the journey of fatherhood. We believe that every dad wants to be the best they can be so our purpose is to entertain, educate and empower our audience. We promise to have open and honest discussions in the hope to leave you feeling more supported after every listen. Join us in celebrating the ups and downs of fatherhood today! Yeah the dads! Follow us on Instagram: @beyondtheballs.podcast Follow Jayde on Instagram: @londonxboston Follow Chi on Instagram: @chi_lo Follow @yummmchi for some cooking adventures! This episode is proudly sponsored by Bubka Breastfeeding Essentials for Aussie Mums. Bubka is an Aussie family business helping new mums regain their independence by making pumping simple. Bubka have just released Breast Pump Eco Wipes which are the ultimate on-the-go cleaning solution for breastfeeding mums. Designed in Australia and an Aussie first, these hygienic wipes effortlessly remove tough breast milk residue from your breast pump without the hassle of washing in soap and water while you're out and about. The unscented, chemical-free formulation contains no alcohol or bleach, providing a gentle clean every time. Packaged in a convenient resealable pouch of 40 wipes, they're perfect for travel and quick clean-ups. Beyond breast pump parts, these versatile wipes are designed to clean a variety of baby accessories, making them an essential addition to any parent's toolkit. https://www.bubka.com.au/products/breast-pump-wipes?srsltid=AfmBOooIIIJSQcki42QCiUo6F6g0W0jmnyH3u6nYs8FgnrkmLoJf5b4 Use the promo code BALLS when you buy a 2-pack of Breast Pump Wipes, and you'll get a FREE "Running Late" Mum + Dad Cap valued at $25.
Jonathan Ivory is the Chief Investment Officer at Packaged Living where he leads on investment across all strategies. Jonathon is a member of The British Property Federation Build to Rent Sub-Committee, The Urban Land Institute Residential Council, Commercial Real Estate Finance Council Europe, Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government Build to Rent Committee and a director of The UK Apartment Association. I sat down with Jonathan to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics: * Early career moves, muesing & reflections * The birth of the UK institutional PRS/BTR market * How Jonathan, alongside Ed and Mark, launched Packaged Living * Subsectors and product types - multifamily, single-family, and garden-style homes * Business model changes & need to be vertically integrated * The biggest challenges and 3 ideas for Rachel Reeves * Exclusive news… find out first about Packaged Living international expansion plans! Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Jonathan would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal. Catch the full episode which is live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW! If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: Rod Lochart - CEO LendInvest - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xB8F2GNUAky7GMIZRlXGn?si=pLDlzSlARTqfyC-fFgvzDw Ian Marcus - Senior Advisor Eastdill Secured - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vHMFEIMe8xLmSJ0iA0LhH?si=e4828de1173f42da James Lock - Founder Rotation Real Estate - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fnRxXZzdrNvWgQhm7enHC?si=dn0EezvjTm6phgzbMrMamQ Catherine Webster - CEO Thriving Investments - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6PRFdiSZh15qSugpDV3WXk?si=pJkA11ioQ3eH39aA683Sog Richard Croft - Founder Martley Capital - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RBihWA63enwyaMLlumPE1?si=e1e4d13a35324e79 The People Property Place Podcast
In this episode, I am sharing a few areas of focus that my client worked on to land her 2nd $60K client, these areas (not everything we worked on) around packaging, positioning & pricing can be applied to any offer whether you are offering 1:1 services, group masterminds, consulting services or digital products. For more details of how you can enter my world, keep reading, my signature 6 month mastermind Elevate is officially SOLD OUT to get on the waitlist make sure you are on the newsletter and if you are wanting to join a mastermind group we are currently enrolling in The 12 Month VIP Inner Circle Mastermind, you can message me on social media or email my team for an application and more details. The Brunch Business & Bergdorf's NYC event currently has a waitlist but if you would still like to join the waitlist message my team brunch for more details. Make sure you head to www.KellyLynnAdams.com are you subscribed yet? This is the place to be for incredible exclusive VIP events, ways to work within my world and so much more. For female founders, entrepreneurs & executives please join us every 1st Wednesday of the month for the complimentary Inner Circle celebrations, connections & collaborations call; for more exclusive opportunities, trainings and coaching with Kelly Lynn you can join the paid version of The Inner Circle Exclusive Community or The 12 Month VIP Inner Circle Mastermind. For further support in coaching & mentorship and more make sure you are subscribed to the newsletter. Subscribe here www.KellyLynnAdams.com Make sure to subscribe to this podcast, leave a review and share with your friend, network and community.
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Friday, February 21st, 2025. This is Nelson John, let's get started. Your daily cup of coffee is set to become more expensive. Global coffee prices have surged due to supply shortages in major producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam. Brazil faces its worst drought in over four decades, severely impacting coffee yields. Similarly, Vietnam has been hit by typhoons and erratic rainfall, disrupting harvests and lowering bean quality. These challenges have pushed Robusta futures to a record high of $5,849 per tonne, with Arabica prices rising about 70% in 2024. In India, coffee consumption is steadily rising, making price hikes more impactful than ever, reports Suneera Tandon. Specialty coffee chains like Blue Tokai have already increased prices and may implement further hikes. Packaged coffee brands are also feeling the squeeze, with the Indian Coffee Roasters' Association announcing a ₹200 per kilo hike in powdered Arabica and Robusta. Major brands like Nestlé, which sells Nescafé, acknowledge the impact of skyrocketing coffee costs, with coffee prices up 75% year-on-year. While some chains strive to avoid passing the burden onto consumers, the sustained rise in global coffee prices makes it challenging to absorb the increased costs. As a result, your morning brew is likely to see a price increase in the near future. Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, (MayoRANA) a breakthrough quantum chip that could bring industrial-scale quantum computing within years, not decades. Built with an innovative material called a topoconductor, this chip is designed to scale up to a million qubits on a single processor—potentially transforming computing as we know it. Unlike classical computers, which process information in binary (0s and 1s), quantum computers leverage qubits, which can exist in multiple states at once. This enables them to perform complex calculations exponentially faster, with potential applications in AI, financial modeling, drug discovery, and climate research. Microsoft's approach relies on Majorana particles, a unique type of theoretical particle that could make quantum computing more stable and scalable. While tech giants like Google and IBM have also made strides in quantum computing, Microsoft's announcement signals that commercial quantum applications could be closer than anticipated. With this breakthrough, the race to harness quantum power is accelerating, bringing us one step closer to solving problems beyond the reach of today's computers. When switching jobs, you probably focus on transferring or withdrawing your provident fund (PF), assuming all your savings are covered. But what if part of your money was stuck—unclaimed and inaccessible? That's what happened to Mr. A. While he successfully withdrew his PF, his Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) contributions remained unmerged. Without linking past EPS accounts, his withdrawal request was denied. Unlike PF, EPS doesn't transfer automatically—it requires an extra step that many employees overlook. Here's the rule: Employers contribute 8.33% of your salary to EPS. If you've worked with both private PF trusts (exempt) and EPFO-managed (non-exempt) employers, your pension funds could be scattered. To withdraw or claim benefits, EPS must be transferred and merged. If you've worked for less than 10 years, you can withdraw your EPS—but only if it's properly linked. Cross the 10-year mark, and withdrawal isn't an option. Instead, you'll need a pension scheme certificate to claim benefits at retirement. To avoid complications, always transfer EPS when changing jobs. Staying proactive ensures you don't lose your hard-earned pension savings! Read Aparajita Sharma's detailed report on this in today's Mint Money.
Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Gabbi Brondani a Writer and Travel Correspondent about choosing between DIY travel or pre-packaged tours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michael Thompson is a career coach, lecturer at EAE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, and strategic communication advisor to top business leaders worldwide. Growing up, Michael's stutter and social anxiety kept him reserved and reluctant to pursue his goals. Over time he challenged his supposed weaknesses by putting himself out in the world and discovered the person he did not know he could become. Michael developed a system of principles to help people express themselves more confidently and build meaningful relationships without sacrificing their nature. He brings those principles to life in his book Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out. His writing has also appeared in numerous publications, including Fast Company, Insider, Forbes, INC, MSN, and Apple News. He recounts his professional evolution from a barback to a successful sales manager, his transformative experiences in teaching and coaching, and his eventual success as a writer and published author. Michael offers valuable insights on self-discovery, the importance of vulnerability, and the power of going slow and steady in one's career. As a kid, Michael allowed his shyness, severe stutter, and crippling social anxiety to dominate his internal dialog and undermine his hopes and dreams. He was mocked by his peers and even some teachers, reinforcing the self-limiting belief that he was better off tucked away in a corner, safe from harm's way. Yet, while some people focus on their strengths to win the life they want, Michael chose to pursue the opposite path and pushed himself, making a commitment to collect blisters instead of chasing bliss. He stepped into the person he didn't even know he was capable of becoming. In Shy by Design, Michael shares his inspiring journey of moving from being riddled with self-doubt to becoming a sought-after career coach, university leadership lecturer, and strategic communication advisor for top global business executives and entrepreneurs. He chronicles his transformation from feeling left out to leading others, all the while staying true to his shy and quiet nature. Through numerous examples, from embracing our imperfections to questioning our "perceived" weaknesses, Michael offers strategies we can all use to cement our own principles that are authentic to who we each are and amplify your impact without sacrificing your shy nature. Packaged into 12 easy-to-grasp principles, Shy by Design will teach you to: Grow your confidence and strengthen communication skills on your own terms and at your own pace. Create meaningful connections and foster a close-knit community that supports personal growth. Lead with quiet conviction that uplifts others on the climb toward success. Michael's story of navigating the often loud world of sales and communication – while staying true to his shy way of being – will inspire you to embrace your unique strengths and see your “perceived” weaknesses through a more empowered lens. Learn more and connect with Michael here: https://michaelthompson.art/book/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikethompsonblog/ https://medium.com/@michael-thompson https://www.instagram.com/mikethompsonblog/ https://twitter.com/leadwithstories
Someone has to say it: Expo West isn't for everyone. One host makes a case on why some folks should skip the Super Bowl of CPG… while three others try to prove them wrong. We also sit down with Trevor Burns of Leisure Hydration, an emerging brand of electrolyte drinks making waves in Southern California. Show notes: 0:25: A Better Name. Han Jones & His Scotch. Press Pass Rescinded. Killer Soda. Spicy Pod & Sauces. – The hosts recall a past edition of BevNET's New Beverage Showdown, before Ray questions an alignment between a legacy Scotch brand and a popular, if aging, movie star. Then the sh_t hits the fan. The hosts engage in a debate about the value of some early-stage founders attending and/or exhibiting Expo West, until everyone agrees on one thing. John and Mike crack open cans of Liquid Death's new soda-flavored sparkling waters, Ray highlights a “sacred” drink brand, Jacqui gets spicy and everything starts to feel saucy. 29:13: Interview: Trevor Burns, Head of Sales, Leisure Hydration – Launched in 2022, Leisure Hydration markets “electrolyte refreshers” that are infused with vitamins, minerals and adaptogens. Packaged in 16 oz. cans, and available in three flavors, the drinks are distributed throughout California, including at Bristol Farms, Gelsons and Erewhon stores, and also has a presence in several other parts of the U.S., including Texas and the Pacific Northwest. At a recent event hosted by Naturally San Diego, Trevor talked about Leisure Hydration's methodical retail strategy, the impact of an adjustment to its brand name and how the company landed a big time partnership at seven major airports. Brands in this episode: Leisure Hydration, Glenmorangie, Glonuts, Maazah, Grounded, Liquid Death, Mate Party, Sacred Bev, PODI Life, Tierra Negra, Cleveland Kitchen, Tari
Send us a textBefore launching into the funding freeze that didn't happen this week, Hannah shares from the counseling room. Who frequently suffers because of parents' poor life choices, whether it be because of infidelity, addiction, spending problems, etc? The children. Again and again, Hannah sees children suffering because of their parents' choices. It isn't fair, but it is reality and instead of excusing the parents' poor behavior, it should spur all of us towards righteousness. What about the funding freeze that was frozen? Hannah covers what happened, why it happened, and what should happen from here. Namely, was it Constitutional? Speaking of funds, let's talk about 14 ways Trump could get the ball rolling on spending cuts. Lastly, in her Homeschool Hints segment, Hannah covers the last approach to homeschooling. This approach is titled, "Packaged Programs" and may benefit parents who find themselves lacking confidence in their homeschool journey or maybe they just don't have the time and energy to give proper oversight. Hannah covers this approach and helps parents decide if this is a good homeschooling method for their family. https://www.thehannahmillershow.com/podcasts/https://bobslone.com/contact/bob@bobslone.com
Jason invites you all to Empowered Investor LIVE this coming April for a great time of learning and fun! Get early bird rates today! https://empoweredinvestorlive.com/ Given the recent tragedies in Los Angeles, North Carolina, Florida and others, and thus the tremendous need to build new houses across the country, Jason wanted to discusses the Hartman Risk Evaluator and the importance of packaged commodities investing for real estate investors. The Hartman Risk Evaluator highlights the benefits of investing in real estate as a means of gaining exposure to commodities, which have intrinsic value. Unlike fiat currencies that depreciate over time, commodities such as lumber, drywall, concrete, steel, and petroleum-based products are essential and globally traded. Rather than investing directly in raw commodities, real estate investors can leverage fixed-rate financing, tax benefits, and appreciation by purchasing "packaged commodities" in the form of homes and apartments. Rising costs of construction materials, driven by supply chain issues and inflation, further support real estate as a strong hedge against currency devaluation. The Hartman Risk Evaluator helps investors minimize downside risk by focusing on markets where the land-to-improvement ratio is lower, meaning more of the investment is in tangible commodities rather than volatile land values. Linear markets, characterized by stable appreciation and landlord-friendly laws, offer the best long-term returns, as opposed to risky cyclical markets with boom-and-bust cycles. Ultimately, investing in packaged commodities via real estate provides a safeguard against inflation while capitalizing on the global demand for essential building materials. #RealEstateInvesting #CommoditiesInvesting #RiskManagement #HartmanRiskEvaluator #InflationHedge #LinearMarkets #CyclicalMarkets #HybridMarkets #InvestmentStrategy #MarketAnalysis #FinancialEducation #AssetDiversification #PropertyInvestment #FinancialLiteracy Key Takeaways: 1:36 https://empoweredinvestorlive.com/ and the race to construction materials and labor Risk Evaluator and packaged commodities investing 4:00 Producer prices up in Feb 12:52 Baselane.com/Jason 16:03 PPI: softwood lumber and other materials 19:20 3 types of markets and LTI ratio Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class: Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com
Clive Langer in conversation with David Eastaugh https://newclang.bandcamp.com/album/new-clang Best known as one of the UK's most successful record producers with a string of high-profile credits in his portfolio, CLIVE LANGER returns in the new year with a second album from his band project, THE CLANG GROUP.A belated follow-up to 2016's Practice, the Group's maiden outing for Domino Records, New Clang was recorded with Deaf School co-conspirators John Wood (aka Max Ripple) and Gregg Braden, along with former Klaxons bassist Jamie Reynolds. Written and recorded in the aftermath of Clive's 70th birthday, New Clang is adeeply personal but incredibly vibrant album; catching Clive in reflective mode, the songs address the process of ageing and the state of the world,as well as confronting his own addiction to alcohol.“ After the pandemic, the dust settled, it felt like it was time, a new time, to play again,” he explains. “Not to revisit but to write and rehearse with my Clang Group mates. We were missing a bass player and fortuitously I met Jamie Reynolds and he filled the vacancy. The songs started to flow, we were back in the groove!”“The new album is the first sober songwriting I think I've done in almost 50 years,” he adds. “I've known and accepted that I was an addict for decades... I just didn't do anything about it. I thought I could live with it, I still enjoyed it. Someone once asked me ‘What do you do?' I replied ‘I drink'. Anyway, making an album sober was like making an album drunk except I wassober!!” Packaged in spare black-on-white, suggesting a tabula rasaof sorts, New Clang's distinctive sleeve artis the work of British artist Edwin Burdis, whom Clive met during his time with Domino Records. “Clive asked me to a studio in London to listen to his new album, still a work in progress,” recalls Edwin. “I was struck by the contrast between the upbeat music and its underlying melancholy, evoking clowns and cartoon characters and a nostalgia for London's recent past. At the time, I had been drawing simple cartoon motifs that aligned perfectly with Clive's songs. I wanted the campaign to be cohesive—black-and-white graphics that blend humour with a sense of tragedy and sadness.” A founder member of pioneering Liverpool art-rockers Deaf School, Langer is noted for a string of production credits (usually in collaboration with Alan Winstanley) on hits forthe likes of Dexys Midnight Runners (the no.1 single and album ‘Come On Eileen' and Too-Rye-Ay)andDavid Bowie(‘Absolute Beginners') plus numerous landmark releasesfor Elvis Costello, Madness, Morrissey, The Teardrop Explodes, China Crisis, Bush, They Might Be Giants, The Rockingbirds and, more recently, Fat White Family.
In the highly anticipated 100th episode of the Stronger Sales Team podcast, host Ben Wright brings you an unmissable blend of expertise from three powerhouse professionals: Steve Plummer, Akeem Shannon, and Nick Capozzi. This special milestone episode dives deep into the game-changing skills of storytelling, persuasive communication, and cutting-edge marketing strategies – all packed with insights that will supercharge your sales team's performance and engagement. Get ready for an eye-opening conversation as Steve Plummer reveals how powerful words can work magic in the world of sales and marketing. Then, Akeem Shannon takes you on his journey from entrepreneur to success with Flipstick, showing how personal and customer stories can create unbreakable bonds. Finally, Nick Capotzi unwraps the secrets behind video marketing and how personalised videos are revolutionising the sales landscape and boosting customer interaction. Key Takeaways: Steve Plummer emphasizes the power of language in sales, suggesting that the words we choose can significantly influence the outcome of business communications. Akeem Shannon illustrates the importance of personal and customer narratives in creating a meaningful connection with the audience. Nick Capozzi highlights the value of personalized video messages in enhancing sales pitches and cementing relationships with clients. The episode offers rich, actionable insights on copywriting, storytelling, and video strategies tailored for sales leaders. Through his anecdotes, Akeem Shannon exemplifies how overcoming rejections can lead to unexpected opportunities in business ventures. Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro 1:03 100th Episode!!!! 1:52 Steve Plummer 12:55 Akeem Shannon 26:06 Nick Capozzi 50:11 Outro Rate, Review, & Follow If you're liking what you're hearing, make sure you ‘follow' the show wherever you listen to your podcasts…so you never miss an episode! I'd also love to hear what you think, so drop us a review after you close that next deal…tell me what you're liking, and what you want more of so I can look to cover it in a future episode.
Coffee lovers, rejoice! What if your morning brew connected you to the multifamily world? Mike Brewer brings us an exciting coffee review in this special holiday episode. Introducing MMM's Grounds for Connection, a premium coffee brand launched in 2024 by M&M's! This rich, full-bodied blend combines chocolatey sweetness with beans from Central America, South America, and Indonesia. Packaged in Tallahassee, Florida, this coffee proudly carries the label "Multifamily Approved," reminding us to stay caffeinated and connected. But there's more! MMM also unveiled custom coffee mugs featuring their signature logo. These mugs are sturdy, stylish, and perfect for sipping this exceptional brew. Want to try it yourself? Visit multifamilymediumnetwork.com to grab a mug and a bag of coffee at near cost. Taste the chocolatey notes. Enjoy the smooth finish. And stay connected with every sip. Ready to elevate your coffee game? Head over to our website to grab your MMM coffee and mug today. Already received your package? Share your thoughts—we'd love to hear from you! For more engaging content, explore our offerings at the https://www.multifamilycollective.com and the https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com. Join us to stay informed and inspired in the multifamily industry!
In the wine industry, it is difficult to plant to demand. At the time of this recording in December 2024, the industry finds itself in a state of oversupply. Audra Cooper Director of Grape Brokerage and Eddie Urman, Central Coast Grape Broker at Turrentine Brokerage discuss the challenges ag faces from a lighter crop to regulatory restrictions to inflation. To remain viable, they stress the importance of farming a quality product that can be made into good wine and sold profitably to continue to support all aspects of the industry. Resources: 185: Why You Need to Talk About Sustainability 221: Future Proof Your Wine Business with Omnichannel Communication Turrentine Brokerage Turrentine Brokerage - Newsletter United States Department of Agriculture Grape Cruse Report Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team – Become a Member Get More Subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode on the latest science and research with the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. Since 1994, Vineyard Team has been your resource for workshops and field demonstrations, research, and events dedicated to the stewardship of our natural resources. Learn more at www.vineyardteam.org. Transcript [00:00:00] Beth Vukmanic: In the wine industry, it is difficult to plant to consumer demand. At the time of this recording, in December 2024, the industry finds itself in a state of oversupply. Welcome to Sustainable Wine Growing with the Vineyard Team, where we bring you the latest in science and research for the wine industry. [00:00:23] I'm Beth Vukmanic, Executive Director at Vineyard Team. And in today's podcast, Craig Macmillan, Critical Resource Manager at Niner Wine Estates, with longtime SIP certified Vineyard and the first ever SIP certified winery, speaks with Audra Cooper, Director of Grape Brokerage, and Eddie Urman, Central Coast Grape Broker. At Turrentine Brokerage, [00:00:45] They discuss the challenges ag faced in 2024 from a lighter crop to regulatory restrictions, to inflation, to remain viable. They stress the importance of farming a quality product that could be made into good wine and sold profitably to continue to support all aspects of the industry. [00:01:04] Do you want to be more connected with the viticulture industry, but don't know where to start? Become a Vineyard Team member. Get access to the latest science based practices, experts, growers, and wine industry tools through both infield and online education so that you can grow your business. Visit vineyardteam.org To become a member today. [00:01:25] Now let's listen in. [00:01:31] Craig Macmillan: Our guests today are Audra Cooper and Eddie Urman. Audra is director of grape brokerage with Turrentine brokerage. And Eddie is a grape broker for the central coast, also with Turrentine. Thanks for being on the podcast. [00:01:42] Audra Cooper: Thank you for having us. We're excited. [00:01:44] Eddie Urman: yeah, thanks for having us, Craig. [00:01:46] Craig Macmillan: What exactly is a wine and grape brokerage? [00:01:49] Audra Cooper: It's a really fancy term for matchmaking and finding homes for supply. Whether that's through growers having fruit available and needing to sell in a specific year or finding multi year contracts, or that's bulk wine that has been made in excess or maybe a call for a winery needing to find a way of A pressure release valve. [00:02:11] Craig Macmillan: And so you match buyers with sellers, basically. [00:02:13] Audra Cooper: Exactly. [00:02:14] Craig Macmillan: On both sides of the fence. Both the wine and the grape side. Do you have specialists for the grape side? Specialists for the wine side? [00:02:21] Audra Cooper: We do. , you're talking to our newest hire on the grape side, Eddie, who's going to be focused on the Central Coast. We also have Mike Needham in the Central Valley on grapes. Christian Clare in the North Coast specializing in Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino on grapes. And then we have three bulk wine brokers, Mark Cuneo, William Goebel, and Steve Robertson. [00:02:40] Craig Macmillan: Your world is very dependent on the marketplace. Obviously, that's what you do. You're brokers. The simple model of quote unquote the market. I think for most people is that you have a consumer who buys wine, wineries make wine, and they sell it to those people who buy it. Vineyards grow grapes up to wineries. [00:02:57] So if there's more demand from consumers, that means there's , more grapes in demand, there's more wine in demand, and there should be higher prices. Or the opposite. That's probably really oversimplified given the unique nature of the wine industry, because , it's not a widget, you know, I don't make a widget, sell it, then go, Ooh, I can make more widgets. [00:03:16] So because of the nature of the business things are on much larger timeframes, right? Audra, [00:03:23] Audra Cooper: They are. I mean, agriculture by nature is, a little bit more of a, what we call an on ramp and off ramp. There's kind of that distance from the time that something is needed versus the time it can be produced. And in the wine industry, it's really difficult to plant to demand. And oftentimes we miss the boat regards to meeting demand with our current supply needs. [00:03:44] So it's really difficult to not only predict, but figure out where consumption is going. And you talked about kind of the simplicity of it and it is true. You can kind of look at the macro market in a very simplistic way, but the reality is in particularly with California, it's very segmented. From value tier up to premium to ultra premium to luxury, and all of those different tiers have different timelines, and some of them converge at moments, depending upon whether there were oversupplied or undersupplied, . So yeah, it can get really complicated and very, very multifaceted. [00:04:18] Craig Macmillan: What's your comment on that, Eddie? [00:04:21] Eddie Urman: Well, I think Audra summed it up pretty well, but yeah, it's a very complex integration of all these things, and planting grapes oftentimes, like Audra said, we tend to overdo it. And we then tend to overdo pushing them out. And it's just kind of a cyclical thing through history where we go from undersupply to oversupply. And right now we're obviously in a pretty large state of oversupply. [00:04:44] Craig Macmillan: Over supply in terms of grapes? [00:04:46] Eddie Urman: Correct [00:04:47] Audra Cooper: and bulk wine. [00:04:48] Craig Macmillan: And bulk wine [00:04:49] what are the kinds of things that are going to lead to a market correction there? Are people going to have to pull out vines? Are they going to have to say, Well, I was planning to sell this wine for 20 bucks a gallon, now I'm going to sell it for 10. [00:05:00] What are some of the dynamics that are going to happen during this time? [00:05:04] Eddie Urman: Well, I think the third rung is consumption, right? Unfortunately the trend over the last two years is consumption is going down in general. And we don't see any signs of it at this time. That's showing it's necessarily going up. We're optimistic and hopeful that it will. And we look forward to seeing the data after the holiday season, but that rung is going to be really important. [00:05:25] The other part is still supply. So pushing vineyards. And we are seeing a lot of people push vineyards. There's no clear number yet of what's been pushed or what will be pushed, but it does seem like there's a lot of parties that will be either ceasing to farm or will be removing vineyards. [00:05:41] Craig Macmillan: This is for either of you to pick up. Are there particular segments where we're seeing this more than in others? Premium versus luxury example. [00:05:48] Audra Cooper: The removal seemed to be really heavily weighted towards the Valley specifically, more of the value tier, because that's our largest volume by far. So we see a lot of removals, particularly in the South Valley that really started to occur even before we felt really oversupplied, and then it started to move north from there, pushed into the Central Coast and even to some degree the North Coast as well. [00:06:10] So you're seeing removals throughout the state of California, and you could even argue that you've seen removals in the Pacific Northwest as well, there's been an oversupply position there, particularly in Washington, and the only two areas that we don't see that dynamic is perhaps Texas to a degree, as well as Oregon. [00:06:27] But there again, they're starting to feel oversupplied as well. They're kind of on the back end of this [00:06:31] the Central Valley is the furthest ahead. And so we may actually see a little bit of a slowdown in removals. They're coming up after the 26th vintage. However, it remains to be seen. I mean, water , constrictions and regulations are going to play a huge factor in that as well, as it will be in the central coast in the near future. [00:06:48] Craig Macmillan: Are there alternate or other crops that may go in, into place instead of grapes? [00:06:53] Audra Cooper: Unfortunately, right now, there's not a good answer for that. In the past, you'd say yes. And there were several alternative crops, particularly in the valley and the central coast, especially when you think of Santa Barbara and Monterey County. Paso Robles is in a little bit of a different position without, you know, a true crop to turn over to. But all of agriculture in California is struggling and has been really affected in the last 24 months, [00:07:16] Craig Macmillan: why the last 24 months, do you think? [00:07:18] Audra Cooper: you know, that's a good question. Part of it is kind of weather patterns in regards to some larger crops and oversupply consumers have certainly had some. Tighter budgets in a lot of respects to the economy. Inflation has played a huge role in that. When we talk about the wine industry, the wine industry is not a necessity as far as the goods. There is certainly a movement towards, you know, what they call no amount of alcohol is healthy for any individual of drinking age. So that certainly has affected our industry, but it's also affected other crops as well and other, other beverages, specifically alcohol. [00:07:53] Craig Macmillan: Eddie, in the Central Coast, what, what have you been seeing? [00:07:56] Eddie Urman: As far as vendor removals or as [00:07:57] Craig Macmillan: Yeah, as far as vineyard removals, things like that. [00:08:01] Eddie Urman: I mean, there are a large number of vineyards that are being pushed out. It's substantial both in Monterey County in Paso Robles, there's parties we're talking to that are also talking about pushing. This upcoming year and not replanting for a year or two. Some are potentially considering alternate other options where they can. But to segue on that, unfortunately it is exceedingly difficult right now to go to any other crop. Cause none of them are necessarily performing super well. [00:08:28] Craig Macmillan: Right. One thing that I'm kind of surprised by based on what you said, Audra, was that we're having the most removal in that value segment where we have the most supply. It would seem to me that if demand out there in the marketplace and folks don't have a lot of money, it seems like there'd be more demand for those value products. [00:08:48] Like, I would think that the contraction would be at the higher level, the expensive level, as opposed to the lower price level. Is there a mechanism there that I'm missing? [00:08:56] Audra Cooper: I think there's not necessarily a mechanism per se. I think there's a layer of complication there that doesn't make it a simple apples to apples position in regards to where consumers are spending their money. A lot of consumers who are brought by, you know, ultra premium to luxury, they may have not been as affected in a relative sense by the economy and inflation is someone who is perhaps playing in more of that value tier. [00:09:21] Okay. Whether it was bag in a box, larger liter, whatever it may have been, you know, that tier that's 12.99 and below had already started to see some impacts during pre immunization. And that was from 2012 until about 2020. And then it's just been really wonky since 2020 in our industry and really difficult to read the tea leaves and as far as where things were going. And I think a lot of the new plantings that we did, In 2011 through 2016 really came online in the central valley as well. So it just, it was almost a perfect storm, unfortunately, for the value tier. But that's not to say that these other tiers haven't been impacted as well, just to a lesser degree. [00:10:01] Craig Macmillan: Right, exactly. Is this also true on the bulk wine side, Audra? [00:10:04] Audra Cooper: Oh, certainly. I think anytime that you look at our industry, the bulk wine market actually leads the trend in regards to the direction we're going. So anytime we start to see multiple vintages, Or one vintage really start to increase in volume and availability in all likelihood. We're about 12 months, maybe eight behind the market with grapes. [00:10:25] So bulk will start to kind of slow down, stack up on inventory. Prices will start to drop. We'll still be doing just fine on grapes. We'll get multi year contracts. Prices are at least sustainable, if not profitable. And then suddenly we'll start to see the same trend on grapes. [00:10:39] Craig Macmillan: How many, or, and Eddie might be able to answer this for the Central Coast. How many folks on the grape side are having wines made from their grapes? Like under contract strictly for bulk. I've got a hundred tons of Sauvignon Blanc unsold. That's a lot, but unsold. I'm going to go ahead and take my chances on the bulk market. [00:11:00] Eddie Urman: you're saying Specking it. [00:11:01] So yeah, crushing it and specking it on the bulk market. Surely there are parties that did that, but I would say there is definitely a lot less parties that did that this year. In 2024 specifically. multiple reasons. One, specifically in Paso Robles, the crop was quite light which increased some late demand for some Cabernet specifically. [00:11:22] Sauvignon Blanc was one of the other varieties that was , in demand because of how light it was. Monterey in Santa Barbara County, it seems like there were parties that decided to just leave grapes on the vine. even in internal vineyards for companies that produce their own wine rather than turn it into bulk. And Audra, please add anything if you feel. [00:11:43] Audra Cooper: I think from a specific standpoint, you know, that was a great way of answering that. I think one of the things to keep in mind is I, I know that we should definitely be mindful of educating and being informative in a general sense, right? The rule of thumb when you're a grape grower and you're trying to sell fruit is if it is difficult to sell as grapes, It will typically be exponentially more difficult to sell as bulk wine. [00:12:07] And so taking that position as a way of bringing profit back , to your vineyard, nine times out of 10 is not going to work out. And that one time is technically a lightning strike and it's extraordinarily difficult to predict that [00:12:20] Craig Macmillan: So not a lot of folks wouldn't be wise to do that for a lot of folks. [00:12:23] Audra Cooper: generally. No, I mean, I think most growers, particularly independent growers do not have the wherewithal or the risk adversity to be able to play the bulk market in any significant way. Okay. Mm [00:12:37] Craig Macmillan: Well, let's talk about wineries playing the bulk market. I've got extra stuff. Now, if it's all internal, if I'm growing my own grapes and turning them into my products, it sounds like I would want to maybe leave things on the vine, or just simply not put my investment into producing those wines. Where do bulk wines come from if they're not coming from spec grower spec operations, if they're coming from wineries in particular? [00:13:01] Things that are cut out for quality, things that are cut out for volume [00:13:04] Audra Cooper: Yeah, a multitude of reasons. I mean, the wineries typically use the bulk wine market as what I had alluded to earlier, which is a pressure release valve, right? When they are short or they are long, they're looking to the bulk market, whether that's to buy or sell. Now, that's certainly not every single winery that does that. Particularly some boutique operations, or even a lot of the DTCs would prefer not to play on the bulk wine market, but at times dabble in it. [00:13:27] Another reason to go to the bulk wine market as a buyer is to start a program. If you've gotten, you know, interest from a retailer, for example, for, you know, a control label that's an easy way to research whether or not it is an economic profitable project for your winery, as well as whether or not you can actually find the varietal. And the volume needed for that project. [00:13:49] So there is a multitude of reasons for the bulk wine market to essentially exist and be utilized. But the traditional model is to sell excess on the bulk wine market to someone else who actually needs it. The challenge right now is, we hit about 29 million gallons of actively listed bulk wine for California back in April or June, and that number really didn't decrease until recently. It's the highest inventory that we'd ever seen going into harvest, and when we have those dynamics, that bulk wine market's utilization becomes a little bit, shall I say, sludgy, in the sense of, Most everyone's trying to sell they're not trying to buy. [00:14:29] Craig Macmillan: Eddie, do you have anything to add? [00:14:30] Eddie Urman: no, I think Audra summed it up pretty good. I mean, you asked, how does it end up on the bulk market? I don't think at this point, there's a ton of players that are planning to put it on the bulk market per Audra's point, but wineries are in their best faith trying to secure the amount of fruit they need to then make wine. That they have a home for IE sale, you know, some sort of sales, but as we've seen contraction in sales, unfortunately for some parties, they're forced to make decisions to put it on the bulk market. That'd be correct. Audra. [00:14:59] Audra Cooper: be a correct way of saying it. And also to have to remember, we're essentially making wine for the future when we're harvesting fruit, right and putting it in tank. And so it's really difficult to predict exactly how much 2024 someone's actually going to be able to put out on the shelf and ship. So I think that's the other element to is, by their model , what they purchased and what they received now, of course, 24 is going to be a poor example of that with how light the crop was, but in general, they're buying for what they predict to be their demand and needs [00:15:30] and in all reality, when it's bottled. Packaged and shipped out, those numbers may look dramatically different. Hence the reason why it's going to end up on the bulk market. If it in fact is already in excess. There are some negotiants that may actually in some years where they think the market's pretty good and they can be profitable, we'll go out and spec, but that kind of business model is few and far between compared to say 15 years ago, [00:15:54] Craig Macmillan: Interesting and that kind of leads us to where we are now. You've already touched on it a little bit. We just finished, this is November of 2024, we're just wrapping up the harvest in California. Obviously it's a crystal ball thing, but basically, at the moment, how are we looking? It sounds like we had a light harvest. I'm going to ask you about that. A light harvest. And it sounds like that was pretty much true throughout the coast of California. Is that right? [00:16:20] Audra Cooper: generally, yes, there were regions and AVAs that did better than others. For example, parts of the North Coast with the exception of Sonoma and Napa, so Mendocino Lake and Sassoon, they were not as light as, say, Paso Robles on Paso Robles Cabernet or Sauvignon Blanc, but they were still below expectations in most cases. There's just certain areas that were impacted further. far more and may actually be at historical low yields. And I'll let Eddie touch upon kind of his experience specifically in Paso, because I think it's one of the more impacted regions in California. [00:16:55] Craig Macmillan: Yeah, yeah. Go ahead, Eddie. [00:16:56] Eddie Urman: Yeah. I think kind of extrapolate on what Audra was speaking to. Paso Robles was exceptionally light last year. I think, you know, our numbers are fluctuating and we'll, we'll see what was actually processed, but potentially 50 percent down from the five year average on Paso cab. And potentially one of the lightest crops we've seen in, potentially 20 years, or at least for sure in my career. Luckily 2024 for Paso was light. And because of that, there were people trying to secure extra cab and South Blanc towards the end of harvest. Unfortunately to, to Audra's point, the rest of the state wasn't as light in other areas. It's going to be pretty interesting to see how it all unfolds because it's probably more regional. [00:17:39] Craig Macmillan: And so we're saying fortunately light because the longterm impact would be that we will have less wine going into an already crowded marketplace. [00:17:50] Eddie Urman: But we also came off 2023, which was probably historically one of the largest crops we've ever seen in the state. So if we would have had a crop like that back to back, that would have been devastating. [00:18:01] Audra Cooper: Yeah, man, that's, that's so very true. And I think it's really important too, to hit upon, you know, the late season purchasing and the run that we saw on grapes. specifically in Paso for Cabernet and to some degree Sauvignon Blanc as well. But I'm going to really kind of lean towards Cab and even some of the red blenders. A lot of that was replacement demand. So it was demand that had been met by a current contract, but because the crop was so extraordinarily light, It had to be made up for somewhere. So there was a need for the fruit that was contracted, but if we didn't have that dynamic with available grapes, we probably would have had grapes left on the vine. [00:18:38] And we did to some degree, but just far less than what was predicted in 2024. [00:18:44] Craig Macmillan: This reminds me also of the, the concept of volatility. How volatile is the bulk wine grape grape market? We talked about these long time frames, which means your price changes you would think would be slow. Is, is there a lot of jumping around just in the course of a calendar year? [00:18:59] Audra Cooper: Yes and no. It really depends on the year. I would certainly say that in very light years we will see more volatility on price. Then in years where it's way oversupplied, or we have a large crop that creates more stability, good or bad, with a heavier crop. But it's not as volatile as maybe some other markets that people are trying to, you know, short on, for example, with the Wall Street guys. It's not quite like that either. So there is a little bit more stability built into it. [00:19:27] I think the challenge Happens often is a lot of people build their business models off of the district averages and the district averages don't show as much volatility as the, you know, yearly spot market does. [00:19:40] And unfortunately, it used to be a rule of thumb that about 10 percent of California supply was on the spot market every single year. Now I think that's closer to probably 30 something percent. I mean, it's really jumped in the last few years. [00:19:54] We have to remember our industry has been in a really interesting and an unfortunate position of retracting over the last couple of years with consumer demand declining, with the economic impacts with inflation, with lack of, you know, operating loans being readily available like they were. [00:20:10] I mean, things have changed pretty dramatically. I have a strong belief. I won't even say hope because hope's not a strategy. I have a strong belief that, you know, as we go through some of these challenges, We'll essentially build back and we'll get to a healthier position. And I do think that some of the worst things are some of the bigger pain points we either, recently have gone through and are over with or that we're in currently. So I don't think it's going to get much worse, but it remains to be seen. That one's a hard one to kind of figure out. But my, my thought is that with the lighter crop, it's certainly going to help the bulk wine market, not stack up, you know, a large fifth vintage, cause we have currently five vintages stacked. Stacked on top of each other in bulk wine market, which again, is the most amount of vintages I've seen in the 18 years I've been doing this. And that does show, you know, we met with a client yesterday and they said, our industry is sick. And I think that's actually a really great way of putting it. We're we're kind of in a sick position and we just need to figure out how to get to a healthier spot. [00:21:10] Craig Macmillan: five vintages stacked up that, so we're talking, there's like 2019 that are still in the market. Then [00:21:16] Audra Cooper: There is a little tiny bit of 2019, there's a tiny bit of 2020, and then you get into 21, 22, 23, and then the 24s are starting to come on. [00:21:25] Craig Macmillan: is there a home for something that's that old, even [00:21:30] 2020, [00:21:31] Audra Cooper: I mean, 2022 is about the oldest vintage back that I would say, in all likelihood, there's a reasonable wine based home, and even that's starting to get a little bit long in the tooth when we talk about 21 and 2020. Forget about 2019, that should have gone somewhere at some point long ago. Those vintages in all likelihood, again, they're smaller amounts, I think they're less than 100, 000 gallons each. [00:21:57] They're gonna have to go somewhere, whether it's destroyed or they go to DM. [00:22:01] Craig Macmillan: right? What's DM. [00:22:03] Audra Cooper: Distilled materials. [00:22:04] Craig Macmillan: There we go. Perfect. [00:22:06] Eddie, if you were advising a grape growing, what is your view? Looking ahead, what's your crystal ball say as far as removals, planting, varietal changes, clone changes, rootstock changes, anything like that? [00:22:20] Eddie Urman: Yeah, well we get that question a lot and it's pretty difficult to answer. At this point, you know, growers should really be considering which blocks they should be farming. They should be strongly considering pushing out blocks that are older or have no chance at receiving a price sustainably farm it. economically. And as far as planting goes right now, it's all over the board. It depends on the region, you know, where you're at within the central coast. That's which is my region specifically. And even then it's pretty hard to justify to somebody right now. It's a good time to plant. [00:22:56] That's [00:22:57] Craig Macmillan: that does make sense, I am thinking about other interviews that I've done with, with plant, plant pathology. Where it seems like everything is going to someplace bad in a hand basket because vines are dying. Do I replant that? You would think that diseases, like trunk disease, for instance, would alleviate some of this. [00:23:15] Vines would need to come out of production. Do you see that kind of thing happening? Do you think people are picking not just older, but maybe damaged or diseased or infested vineyards, taking those out of production and then not replanting those? [00:23:27] Eddie Urman: Yeah, they definitely are. The, difficult thing with vineyards compared to certain other crops is the fixed costs that go into installing a vineyard, which has gone up drastically in the last 15 years. So it's really difficult for a grower to push a vineyard you know, spend $2,000 an acre to push a vineyard or whatever it may be, and then decide, okay, we're just going to replant next year and spend 45, 000 or 40, 000. On reinstalling a vineyard. It's, it's a lot of money. Especially if it's on spec and, and honestly, sometimes it can't even get financing to do it. [00:23:59] So unfortunately, a lot of these players will need to say, we'll try to stick it out and say, okay, what if we just weather the storm one more year, the eternal optimist, the eternal optimist. View. I think we're finally starting to see that some people are, are making some tough decisions and it's, it's sad to see, but it's what needs to happen as far as pushing some of these vineyards that are diseased or too old to be productive. [00:24:20] Audra Cooper: I think he did a, you know, a service to everyone by talking about that, because the older plantings for as long as people had to hold on to them you know, we, talk a lot about, you know, oh, the 1990s plantings and they need to go away. Well, that's really easy to say it's a little more difficult to do, particularly again, if you're an independent grower. Relatively small, maybe your 20 acres, you know, the likelihood of you being able to get a planting contract and or getting financing to redevelop is slim to none. So you're going to hold on as long as you can. And that really has kind of added to the bottom line of supply as well. We have a lot of acreage that is finally starting to get removed that should have been removed years ago. [00:25:01] Craig Macmillan: And again, thinking in like classical high school economic terms It seems like grape prices have been going up, at least on Paso and some of those kind of more luxury areas. Is that true? Or is there a real cap on price compared to what it could have been? Or are we in decline? What, what's, what's happening right now? [00:25:24] Ha [00:25:24] Audra Cooper: I think that's actually a very loaded question in some respects because [00:25:30] Craig Macmillan: yeah, it [00:25:31] Audra Cooper: It's highly dependent on what we're talking about, right? If we're talking about Westside and we're talking about some of the Rhone Whites that are now in vogue, yeah, their pricing has started to increase even in spite of the market, right? Because they are in demand, but they're more of a niche market as well. They're not part of the macro market. Whereas you look at Paso Cab, The district average was starting to kind of climb back up again, but if you look at the spot market, it has declined dramatically over the last two years. And I think we're in our third decline now, as far as per year per vintage you look at, for example, Monterey County, Pinot, and I think you can easily make the argument prices dramatically decreased over the last several years. You know, it had a great run post sideways and unfortunately we way over planted and we planted it in a time where there was a lot of virus material that unfortunately got put into the ground and then we oversaturated the market on the shelves as well from a national distribution standpoint, if you want to talk about maybe some cool climate, Sarah, yeah, pricing continues to go up, but they're again, very nichey. So I guess the long winded thing is macro sense. Prices have been on the decline. Niche, it depends on what it is and where it is. [00:26:46] Craig Macmillan: And I, I got this from you, Audra, from another interview you did. What is the difference between a light harvest and a short harvest? And the reason I ask this is because it, on the wine side, talking to people, it's like, Oh, it's going to be a short harvest, coming up short. As in, I don't have enough. [00:27:02] I'm coming up short. It's like, I don't have dollar bills in my pocket. That's totally different than having not a lot of grapes. [00:27:09] Audra Cooper: Yeah, I mean, from a market perspective in which we operate, those two words have very different definitions. Light to me is regarding your yield per acre, your production. It's a light year. We're below average thresholds. Short on the other hand is more of an economic demand supply term that we utilize when The actual crop being delivered falls short of the actual demand. And that's a little bit tricky this year because a lot of people were saying the crop is short. Well, it was in only some cases. For example, Sauvignon Blanc, specifically in Paso, it was short. There's, I don't think there's really any arguing that. Paso Cab, I think it depends on what winery and which grower you are. There were growers who were sold out and fully contracted that were not able to meet their contracts and their wineries would have taken every single time they could have delivered. That's a short situation. Now, on the other hand, I've got some other stuff that say is like a 1997 planting that, you know, didn't have a whole lot of demand. They were light in their crop yield, but they were not short in their supply. [00:28:18] Craig Macmillan: What are things that growers in particular can do to set themselves apart in the marketplace? You mentioned niche, we've mentioned county average pricing, wherever you would like to be selling their grapes for more than that. And they do. What are things that people can do to kind of set themselves apart? Eddie. [00:28:35] Eddie Urman: That's a great question. It's a very difficult question. I think I'll start on the other end of the spectrum. You hear somewhat frequently people talk about minimal farming, or can they do just to get you by this year, get you into the next year what we've discussed with multiple people and what my belief is, unfortunately, if you decide to minimally farm or do the absolute bare minimum, you're boxing yourself into a area of the market. Where there's no chance you're gonna get a price that's really gonna even break even. I think most parties would agree to that. The best thing for our industry, and specifically Paso Robles, the Central Coast, is we need to continue to deliver quality products that, you know, a winery can make into good wine and sell at a good price. Right. So we need to continue to improve on our farming techniques, improve on our utilization of the resources we have to provide that product and reach a sustainable point of price to where vineyards can sustain, growers can continue to stay in business, and wineries can then take that product and sell it in a bottle profitably at a store or restaurant or whatever it may be. [00:29:45] So I kind of danced around your question, but my personal opinion is, if you want to be in this business and you want to create a product, you know, create a grape that people want to buy, you have to put the money into it to farm it. It sounds easy to say it's extremely difficult for the people making these decisions right now. [00:30:03] Craig Macmillan: You may have to spend a little money. [00:30:05] Audra Cooper: you definitely do. I mean, I think, Anytime that you slow down on what you spend, unfortunately you start to decrease your marketability. And that is so difficult in years like this, where as a broker, you watch someone cut their budget and their spending in half and you immediately notice, I can't sell your fruit. And that's a difficult thing because you can't necessarily guarantee that you can sell their fruit either. So how do you justify someone spending, you know, their normal budget? [00:30:37] One of the things that growers specifically can do is they can identify their value proposition. And for many, it's going to be unique, and some of them are going to have similarities. Part of that is, and I'm probably going to get myself in trouble a little bit here, the old kind of lead with, you know, I've gotten these gold medals for the wine that I produced off of my vineyard at these, you know, county fairs or this competition. Unfortunately, they just don't count anymore with marketing winemakers that are, you know, new on the scene, or perhaps with a new corporation, or, Somebody who's been through kind of the ropes, these things don't have any weight anymore. [00:31:17] But what does have weight is understanding what your buyer's needs are and how your vineyard actually fits those needs. So really understanding, where you fit into the market. Not everyone's going to have the best grapes in the region. And that's okay because maybe that is already oversaturated. [00:31:34] Maybe you need to hit a middle tier winery that's selling at 15. 99 and you know that you can be sustainable at $1,500 because this is your budget XYZ and it fits. You know, you don't necessarily have to be the 3, 000 or 4, 000 guy on the west side in Adelaide or Willow Creek. That's not going to be for everybody. [00:31:54] So really finding your position is really important and also what you provide to that buyer. And it's really simple, and I know it's actually probably very elementary to say, but what can you do to help make the people you work with at that winery make them look good? Because they'll also do that for you in return. [00:32:11] Craig Macmillan: and specifically in your experience, especially to start with you Eddie are there particular practices management styles, management philosophies that seem to be attractive to wineries that they're more likely to maybe buy from that grower? [00:32:25] Eddie Urman: Yeah, I'll just probably give a little more detail here, but my experience comes mostly from larger scale farming. At the end of the day, I think the more you put into farming it appropriately, IE you know, good pruning techniques good cultural practices, whether they be shoot thinning leafing, depending on your trellis style wire moves second crop drop or, or green drop. Those are all things that, you know, wineries are going to think are a positive thing. [00:32:54] Now, is it going to match every single program to Audra's point? And you don't always have to be the person selling $3,000 per ton cabernet. Some people can make just fine in those middle tiers. [00:33:03] And we need those people too, because there's bottles that need to go on the shelves there. So if you can have an open, reasonable discussion with your winery and what their expectations are and what you can actually provide at a certain price point and yield I think that's really important place to start. [00:33:18] Craig Macmillan: Audra? [00:33:18] Audra Cooper: Yeah, I think there's a couple things. Again, this is very elementary, but say what you do and do what you say. Following through with your word and what your plan is, is very, very important and being very consistent with your practices and the end product that you try to provide. I mean, consistency in agriculture, particularly in growing wine grapes, is very difficult, but those who achieve it are the ones that typically don't have as much volatility in their ability to sell fruit. on, you know, a term contract, typically. [00:33:46] I think the other thing, too, keeping in mind is managing personalities, too, and understanding, you know, who's the right fit for each other. I think that's really important, I think, from a practice's standpoint and I think this is becoming more and more commonly acceptable, but shoot thinning, when I first arrived in Paso even Monterey County, for that matter, is, was not very common. [00:34:10] It's becoming more and more common, and I think it's actually very important. And Eddie has kind of reaffirmed and reassured me since he started with Turrentine Brokerage, and I kind of failed to remember my basics. Pruning is everything. And I think sometimes often more than not, you know, pruning actually kind of gets It's in my mind kind of degraded and, you know, people try to make up for things later on and we start with the right foundation, usually have some consistency. [00:34:36] Craig Macmillan: So that's somewhere you may want to pay more attention and spend some more of your money there than in some other things. [00:34:42] Audra Cooper: Well, and your plan starts there, right? [00:34:43] So whatever you start with at pruning, that's your beginning plan. In all likelihood, you need to write that out. [00:34:49] Eddie Urman: , be intentional with your pruning plan. From the time you start the season, you should have a plan. Okay. This is what we're going to target this year and you got to stick to it. . [00:34:57] Craig Macmillan: What about, , certifications? There was a time not that long ago when going for whether it's SIP or organic we've got regenerative now a lot of folks looked at that and said, hey, this is going to help set me apart. This is going to help and with buyers, buyers are going to be interested in wanting these types of products. [00:35:18] Have you seen that take place? [00:35:20] Audra Cooper: Yeah, I have a really, really strong opinion on sustainable certification. And I'm sure a lot of our clientele is probably tired of me hitting this drum too loudly, but the reality is at one point, sustainable certification, regardless of which it is. Was a nice to have and the occasional request now. It's a it's a need to have must have [00:35:39] if you are not sustainably certified you are cutting your marketability I wouldn't say in half but pretty close now a lot of our buyers are requiring it and even if they don't require it suddenly asking at the end of harvest Oh, did they have a certification? and then the answer is no well now you may be on the chopping block of we may not re sign that fruit because Our retailers are asking us, what are we doing in regards to, you know, our kind of our social impacts in our economic and our environmental impacts? And it may not be on the bottle per se, but it's in the conversation. And so to be able to provide that information to the end user is really important [00:36:19] when it comes to the other certifications. Certainly organic is trending. It is trended off and on in our industry. Unfortunately, we don't see a big premium being paid for, for grapes that are organically certified with some exceptions. [00:36:33] And so that's really hard, I think, from an industry to, to really grow in that manner. Regenerative is certainly another trend. I think we're on the beginning cusp of it, so I don't see it as, you know, impactful as sustainably certified on macro level. As I do sustainable. So it'll be interesting to see where that goes. [00:36:53] I think organic those probably going to trend a little bit more in 26 and 27 just based on the players that are currently asking about it. [00:37:01] Craig Macmillan: What do you have to add, Eddie? [00:37:02] Eddie Urman: Yeah, I think Audra's absolutely right. We are in a state of excess or oversupply. So wineries are more intensely looking at. How can we differentiate one vineyard or one grower versus the next? And sustainability comes up in most conversations regarding that. So it's turning more from an option to more of a necessity. [00:37:24] I think one thing that there's a trend for unfortunately too, or it can be unfortunately for some people, is they're herbicide free. So there are some people that are interested in herbicide free. It's not a certification, [00:37:34] Craig Macmillan: Yeah, just simply as a practice. Yeah, I, agree with you. I'm hearing more and more about that all the time. And that's a, that's a big shift for a lot of growers. That's a very costly change to make. But you're absolutely right. That is a topic of conversation. That is definitely something that people are talking about in, in the broader world. There's a lot of news attention to that, especially around places like France and stuff, or that's going to be kind of a requirement probably in the future. [00:38:01] Audra Cooper: I just want to add really quick. One of the challenges that we see is Oftentimes wineries will come to the market requesting these differentiation points, right, in regards to practices, and it's really difficult because when they come to the market, a lot of these processes and procedures needed to have already been put into place, right? They would have already had to be intended or implemented in the field. And so we're, again, almost a bridge behind in regards to what demand currently is and, and this particular trend. Especially when we talk about organic herbicide free. These are very intentional, time intensive planning processes that we've got to get ahead of. [00:38:43] And I don't have a great answer because the market doesn't support a higher price per ton right now. And the reality is there are capital intensive changes in farming, but we're going to need to find a solution here soon because I do see this as a challenge in the market moving forward. [00:38:59] Craig Macmillan: and I think there's some research that kind of bears that out even at the consumer level where if I'm presented with two products that are the same price and one has a desirable quality, whether it's a practice or certification or something like that, you would say, you know, Which one would you like? [00:39:14] You say, well, I want the sustainable one. And then you ask the consumer, well, how much would you pay? And there's very little willingness to pay difference in some of these studies. In others, they show a meaningful amount, but a lot of them, a lot of the studies don't. And so I think we're kind of moving towards a standard operating procedure that's gonna be around these things and that's gonna raise costs and that's gonna be a real financial challenge for people, I agree. [00:39:38] Eddie, what is one thing you would tell growers around this topic of the market and everything else? [00:39:43] Eddie Urman: I think it was , the statement I made earlier is be intentional, like have a plan going into this year. We farmers tend to be optimistic and we tend to just think, okay, well, this year it's going to turn, you know, we've had a couple of bad years. It's going to get better this year. There's no guarantee that's going to take place this year. And we'd love to sit here and say it will. So make sure you have a plan that makes sense. And has a reasonable chance at having a positive outcome. If it's farming your 30 year old vineyard, 35 year old vineyard, that's for sure, only going to get three tons an acre or less on a best case scenario, no weather influences, no outside factors, no heat spells, and it's going to cost you 5, 000 an acre to farm it. You're not going to make your money back in most instances, unfortunately, not even break even. [00:40:29] Craig Macmillan: Audra, what is one thing you would tell growers? [00:40:31] Audra Cooper: That's a good question. And I think it's highly dependent on the grower and the clientele and where they are and what they have. I think that planning for your future is critical right now, not taking it year by year. And making changes in advance of needing to make changes is a huge one. Honestly, it's really getting sharp with your business pencil and in your business intention, your business plan. It's not just farming right now. I think you have to plan on how do you survive the current marketplace and how do you get to the other side? And unfortunately, it's not a cookie cutter plan for everyone. It's very customized and it's very specific. [00:41:11] And the other thing that I mentioned earlier, really understanding your value proposition in the market. That is critical because I can't tell you the number of times I've had people And very wonderful, good growers who are very intelligent, but they were very misguided by whether it was, you know, a real estate agent or a consultant or just people surrounding who also had good intentions, but they weren't knowledgeable about the marketplace. And, you know, those growers either planted wrong, entered the market wrong, had to have high expectations built into their budget on the price per ton long term, all these things matter. And all these things really matter for success. [00:41:48] Craig Macmillan: Where can people find out more about you two? Audra. [00:41:51] Audra Cooper: Yeah you can go to our website, www. TurrentineBrokerage. You can of course call myself or Eddie or email us. You'll often see us up on, you know, a stage or in a room speaking on behalf of the marketplace. I've got something coming up soon in February as well. Yeah, there's, there's a multitude of ways of getting a hold of us. [00:42:10] Probably our website's the easiest because it has all the information. [00:42:13] Craig Macmillan: Fantastic. Well, thank you both for being on the podcast. Really interesting conversation. lot to think about. A lot to think about. Intentional farming, I think that's one of the key things we're taking away here is what's your intention. And that's not always such an easy thing to decide upon. You know, it's tough. [00:42:31] Audra Cooper: It is tough. We thank you and we appreciate it. It was a pleasure talking with you as well. [00:42:36] Eddie Urman: yeah, thank you very much, Craig. [00:42:37] Craig Macmillan: You bet. So our guest today, Audra Cooper, she is director of grape brokerage and Eddie Urman, who is central coast grape broker for Turentine brokerage. Thank you both for coming out and to our listeners, keep downloading those episodes. There's lots of great information there. Check the show page or there's lots of resources and look for other podcasts. [00:42:55] We have tons and tons of episodes on all kinds of topics and please keep coming back and thank you. [00:43:01] Audra Cooper: Thank you. [00:43:02] Beth Vukmanic: Thank you for listening. Make sure you check out the show notes for links to Turrentine brokerage crush reports, and sustainable wine growing podcast episodes, 185, why you need to talk about sustainability. And 221 future proof your wine business with Omnichannel communication. [00:43:27] If you liked this show, do us a big favor by sharing it with a friend, subscribing and leaving us a review. You can find all of the podcasts at vineyardteam.org/podcast. And you can reach us at podcast at vineyardteam.org. [00:43:40] Until next time, this is sustainable wine growing with the vineyard team. Nearly perfect transcription by Descript
Bottled water is the world's most-consumed packaged beverage, but movements to protect water quality and to ensure the right to water are fighting back hard against its commercial exploitation. Now, the water bottling giant BlueTriton has announced it will close Canada's largest water bottling plant and its entire operations in Ontario after sustained opposition by Water Watch and its allies. We speak with professor Daniel Jaffee, of Portland State University. Jaffee is the author of Unbottled: The Fight against Plastic Water and for Water Justice.https://theconversation.com/bluetritons-exit-from-ontario-shows-the-effectiveness-of-bottled-water-opposition-movements-243863
For a brand with a diminutive name, Small Town Cultures has big ambitions. Based in upstate New York, Small Town Cultures was founded by entrepreneur Cori Deans in 2017. The company uses regional ingredients to make fermented foods that contain no vinegar nor added sugar. Packaged in clear glass jars with minimalist labels designed to showcase the vegetables' natural color and crispness, Small Town Cultures sells a variety of probiotic-rich products, including its Red Onions, Turmeric Kimchi and Traditional Sauerkraut. The brand is distributed nationally at a variety of natural, conventional and independent retail chains, including Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Earth Fare and Central Market. Cori, who created the brand after struggling with a personal illness and later realizing the health benefits of fermented foods, has sought to build Small Town Cultures as a company that can expand the appeal and accessibility of gut-healthy products among consumers across the country. In this episode, Cori discusses how her passion for probiotics led to the development of Small Town Cultures and how she sought to create a brand that stood out from both legacy and upstart players. She also talks about her response to actress/entrepreneur Jessica Alba's DM on Instagram, how she manages the complexity of both production and sales and marketing, and how she assesses new retail and distribution opportunities for fermented foods. Show notes: 0:25: Cori Deans, Founder & CEO, Small Town Cultures – Cori and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif speak amid NOSH Live Winter 2024, where the entrepreneur explains why she “did everything the opposite” when it came to package design and sought to make the use case for Small Town Cultures obvious and accessible. She also talks about how the brand's logo was inspired by Nike, why she was “waiting for someone else to create a brand for me” before launching her company, and how she began the business in the kitchen of her sister's restaurant. Cori also discusses the challenge in finding a co-packer that could make products to her standards, the target consumer for Small Town Cultures and why was determined to get the brand carried by conventional grocery chain Price Chopper. She also explains why she wishes that she had a co-founder, how she talks about the company to new and prospective hires, working with angel investor firm Point Positive and why she's excited about every day. Brands in this episode: Small Town Cultures, Once Upon A Farm
Driving the BMW iX3 M-Sport SUV today – the more affordable electric version ofits best-selling mid-size X3 range, introduced earlier this year at $89,100. Nicelyspecified despite being nearly $16,000 more affordable to the top spec iX3 M-Sport Pro. So how does it drive. Featuring a 80kWh battery powering a210kW/400Nm single electric motor driving the rear wheels only via a singlespeed transmission. A very rewarding EV with a slight hum in a very wellinsulated and torsionally stiff body giving it a classy edge – I found I was usingenergy consumption on average around 18kWhours per 100 kilometres not quiteachieving BMW’s stated range of 460kms but not far off. Charging time on my11kW home charger ran to around 7/12 hours overnight but with the ability to takea 150kW charge rate BMW suggesting a 10-80 percent charge could be as quickas 34 minutes. A good level of safety technology but disappointingly lacking rearcross traffic alert. But as a rear drive only surprisingly nimble and with BMW’swheel slip control system and adaptive suspension very controlled irrespective ofroad surface. The BMW iX3 M Sport a generally well packaged and extremelycomfortable prestige electric SUV. I’m David BerthonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The fitness and health industry thrives on lies upon lies. From saying that you'll lose 30 pounds in 30 days to saying that weightlifting is dangerous as a woman. So many of these ideas shaped the younger me and I want women to know the truth about what they can do to live a fit life. Key Takeaways: [4:57] Strength training makes you bulky [6:40] Cardio training burns fat and you have to sweat [7:30] Working out everyday is the only way [11:35] Your health is defined by your weight [12:32] Exercise is hard and never fun [14:20] 30 day fitness challenges will change your life [15:51] Fat and carbs are bad [18:45] Calories in, calories out mindset, eating less doesn't mean you lose weight [20:07] Sweat equals a good workout and more fat burned [20:48] Clickbait, take this supplement, and lose 30 pounds in 30 days [22:11] Targeted fat loss is possible [23:40] Taking supplements and diet pills will make everything better [25:00] Intermittent fasting will make a huge difference [25:42] Packaged healthy foods are better for you [27:02] Women should not train like men [29:51] Low intensity cardio won't help you lose fat [30:39] You should stretch before you work out [31:45] Treadmills are better for your knees and muscle turns into fat [32:59] The lies that are hard not to believe [35:47] Weightlifting is bad for older people especially for women [37:49] Deep squats are bad for you [39:34] Weights and cardio should never be done on the same day [40:42] Spot training will help you and so will detoxes [42:45] There's no one way to workout [43:52] High intensity training is the best for fat loss [45:27] CrossFit is all about competition [46:49] CrossFit isn't good for older people [49:07] Trying new things is what CrossFit is all about [48:58] What do you think is true in fitness? Resources: Yes Fit Sasquatch Strength Southside Barbell Lunge Ladies Redefining Strength Connect with Barb: Website Facebook Instagram Be a guest on the podcast YouTube The Molly B Foundation
In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Chuck Ulie talks with Ken Rash, senior category manager of packaged beverages at Stinker Stores, and Scott Johnson, executive vice president at beverage partnership consulting firm Enliven and former senior vice president of Keurig Dr Pepper. Stinker Stores is No. 66 on CSP's 2024 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by size. Topics include challenges and trends for convenience stores in the world of packaged beverages. The two also talk about the stiffest competition that c-stores face today in this category—and more.
Hannah is on for Group Therapy to talk about dating with a child. She doesn't think she should advertise herself as a "package deal," is she wrong?
Hannah is on for Group Therapy to talk about dating with a child. She doesn't think she should advertise herself as a "package deal," is she wrong?
Hannah is on for Group Therapy to talk about dating with a child. She doesn't think she should advertise herself as a "package deal," is she wrong?
In this episode of Accelerating Careers in Real Estate ESPRESSO, host Nick Carman revisits the career journey of Mark Woodrow recorded in the winter of 2020, then joint Managing Director of Packaged Living. The discussion reflects on Woodrow's experience during the 2008 financial crisis while working at Grainger, where he witnessed significant challenges but also embraced opportunities that shaped his career. Mark and co-founder Ed Ellerington navigated these tumultuous times, leading to the establishment of Packaged Living, a leading BTR development investment company. The episode highlights Woodrow's resilience, the evolution of the build-to-rent sector, and the strategic growth ambitions of Packaged Living, set against the backdrop of the 2020 pandemic.00:00 Introduction to Accelerating Careers in Real Estate00:45 Mark Woodrow's Early Career and the 2008 Recession03:07 Grainger's Recovery and the Rise of Build to Rent06:42 The Formation of Packaged Living08:42 Ambitions and Future of Packaged Living10:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Featuring daily highlights from The Afternoon Mix with McCabe and Jenny 2-7 PM on 101.9fm The Mix | WTMX Chicago. McCabe and Jenny dive into relationships, entertainment news, trending topics from pop culture and social media, new music, and more. McCabe and Jenny debated whether or not it's better to splurge on packaged deals to save more money in the long run. Who's The Bobo Head? Dealbreaker Drama: Christian found out that a girl he's been talking to doesn't have any girlfriends and wonders if she's a mean girl. Would that be a dealbreaker for you? Jenny read a random story about a new Starbucks fall drink that came out today. Listen live at wtmx.com or with the free Mix App available in the App Store and on Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Featuring daily highlights from The Afternoon Mix with McCabe and Jenny 2-7 PM on 101.9fm The Mix | WTMX Chicago. McCabe and Jenny dive into relationships, entertainment news, trending topics from pop culture and social media, new music, and more.McCabe and Jenny debated whether or not it's better to splurge on packaged deals to save more money in the long run. Who's The Bobo Head? Dealbreaker Drama: Christian found out that a girl he's been talking to doesn't have any girlfriends and wonders if she's a mean girl. Would that be a dealbreaker for you? Jenny read a random story about a new Starbucks fall drink that came out today.Listen live at wtmx.com or with the free Mix App available in the App Store and on Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Home Theater News 8.27.24 links and notes: Join our home theater community at AVNirvana.com. Build relationships with other Home Theater Enthusiasts and talk shop about speakers, processors, projectors, TVs, and more. We look forward to having you join our community! On this week's HTNR Podcast, we take a ride in the time machine back to the early 1900s; then we turn to the news where some big names like Epson, Kaleidescape, Just Video Walls, and Bluesound have announced exciting Pre-CEDIA products. Also, Meze Audio has a new accessory that can take your gaming and conference call experiences to the high end, and we'll discuss news coming from well-known TV manufacturers. Of course, we'll also check in on the movie scene, disc reviews, and more! *Win a FREE Trip to CEDIA with FAQNatics* https://youtu.be/N3pK62tp4YI?feature=shared *CePro Women to Watch in the Home Electronics Industry* https://www.cepro.com/business-support/ce-pros-40-women-to-watch-in-the-home-electronics-industry-for-2024/ *Link to Trinnov on AV Nirvana Live* https://youtube.com/live/bdcgWIKy4S4?feature=share *Link to Brett Bjorkquist and the FAQNatics CEDIA Giveaway on AV Nirvana Live* https://youtube.com/live/HO3wENmJikU?feature=share *Link to StormAudio, JL Audio, and madVR on AV Nirvana Live* https://youtube.com/live/wtlhE6TzQEU?feature=share *DISC DEALS on AMAZON* - 1917 4K: https://amzn.to/3WVHnzC - Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Director's Cut) 4K: https://amzn.to/3MjL1P8 - The Fifth Element 4K: https://amzn.to/3AAUy1u *Gear Deal of the Week* Buy the Panasonic UB820 4K Disc player at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z3bDLD *Forum Links* -For the latest disc reviews, go to: https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/blu-ray-media-reviews.12/ -For the latest news, including stories covered in this episode: https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/av-industry-news.6/ -To see the Top 20 Disc Releases of 2023, go to: https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/holiday-gift-guide-top-20-movie-discs-of-the-year.12847/ *PODCAST LINKS* -Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XZc1WVL7gGazxGLiURw0E Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/av-nirvanas-home-theater-news-review-htnr/id1715862636 Please Note: AV Nirvana may make a small commission from affiliate links... thanks for your support!
[Original airdate: 4/26/24] Mary welcomes back Chris Quintana live in studio to talk about a particularly troubling pulpit "curriculum" that teaches that the answer to spiritual maturity issues in the churches is "emotionally healthy spirituality". Who is the author of this program, and what are his beliefs? Is it something churches can benefit from or should they run for their "spiritual" lives? We address recent concerns on it. Also, we talk to Chris about the antisemitism on campuses that shows no sign of letting up, and how authorities seem to be clueless on how to stem the tide of hate. There is no other group or culture that the tolerant left would allow to be shown such rancour - except Christians, of course. Are these evil mobs really terrorists at heart? Also, in Ezekiel we look at the "peace and safety" clause of the timing of the Gog and Magog war. You can find Chris online here; you can also subscribe to his YouTube channel and stay current on all his bible studies. No video podcast will be available for today's show. Shameless plug for swag for our listeners/donors! https://www.redpillprints.com/stand-up-for-the-truth - Thanks for YOUR Support!
Suzanne Ciani - "10th voice: Sound of a Lighted Window" - Voices of Packaged Souls [1970] [Voices Of Packaged Souls" was the first album recorded by Suzanne Ciani, originally pressed up in 1970 as a private edition of just 50 copies.] Stelvio Cipriani - "Seq.17" - L'Uomo Più Velenoso Del Cobra (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack In Full Stereo) Tujiko Noriko - "Endless End" - Shojo Toshi Roland Hollinger - "Entre Les Colonnes De Pierre Figées Par L'éternité" - Bardo Thodol / Prométhée... Aujourd'Hui Phillipe Blanchard - "Variation sur un Horizon Perdu" - Prix International Noroit-Léonce Petitot 1997 v/a Kamal Hassan - "Vikram" - Fire Star: Synth Pop & Electro-Funk From Tamil Films 1985-1989 Lapre - "Septer" - Eins Und Zwei Und Drei Und Vier 2 - Deutsche Experimentelle Pop-Musik 1978-87 (V/A) Camille Sauvage - "Knockin' Bells" - 7 Drums Concerto :Zoviet:France: - "Neptune" - Eostre David Rosenboom - "Initial State (excerpt)" - Systems Of Judgment Luciano Berio - "side 2 (excerpt)" - Laborintus 2 Tuty Subarjo & Onny Surjono - "Janjimu" - Album Nostalgia https://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/143275
As a woman leading a service-based business, you might often wonder, “How can I offer my services to different clients at different price points without compromising on value?”The truth is, it's not about offering the same service at varying prices—instead, it's about crafting distinct offers that speak to the unique needs of your diverse audience.In this episode of Live with The Pricing Lady, we dive into what you should consider before deciding if packaged and tiered pricing strategies are a good fit for your business. We'll explore how these approaches can help you connect with different customer segments, add layers of value, and justify different pricing levels—all while avoiding the pitfalls of confusion, complexity, or diminishing your brand's worth.I'll share with you some of the essential considerations—from market trends and customer expectations to financial implications and alignment with your business goals. Whether you're looking to differentiate your offerings or streamline your pricing strategy, this episode will provide the insights you need to make informed decisions.Join me as we uncover whether packaged or tiered offers are the right fit for your business, and how to implement them in a way that resonates with your clients and supports your growth.What to Listen out for:00:21 Benefits of Packaging Offers05:24 Considerations for Implementing Packages09:44 Differentiation and Complexity12:43 Financial and Pricing Implications17:25 Final Thoughts and Recap*********Reach Out, Connect or Book a Call with JaneneGet started improving your business. Sometimes it's difficult to know where to begin. I suggest you Download the the self assessment Pricing Scorecard (www.thepricinglady.com/pricing-scorecard). Get a view of what's working and what's not working when it comes to pricing in your business. Figure out where to start making improvements.Get in touch with Janene. If you've got a question that needs answering, a challenge you're facing or you have suggestions for future topics or guests, let me know. Contact Janene (https://thepricinglady.com/contact/)Transform your business and life. My business is about helping you build a better business. One that's profitable and where you can confidently charge for the value you deliver. Let's see how we can work together.
Set the context for a joyful, exuberant day with a short, powerful message from Sadhguru. Explore a range of subjects with Sadhguru, discover how every aspect of life can be a stepping stone, and learn to make the most of the potential that a human being embodies. Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.org Sadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app Official Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org Sadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Set the context for a joyful, exuberant day with a short, powerful message from Sadhguru. Explore a range of subjects with Sadhguru, discover how every aspect of life can be a stepping stone, and learn to make the most of the potential that a human being embodies. Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.org Sadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app Official Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org Sadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Serial entrepreneur Eunique Jones Gibson founded The Happy Hues Co., maker of inclusive baby essentials Big Ups training pants and Wipe Me Down wipes
Morgan Wallen obviously had one too many drinks before he tossed that chair from the Nashville rooftop bar…but my inside sources are telling me those cups were filled Ryl Tea. It's unlikely the upstart “tea plus” brand will use that fake information for its next advertising campaign, but it does seem the country singer turned functional beverage investor is all-in from being involved in buyer meetings to creating behind-the-scenes business content. And that high level of involvement is essential to Ryl Tea's success. Because when you hit on the “right celebrity + right product” element, you can pull forward brand awareness to an ungodly level…but you “can't market to empty shelves” in the CPG industry. So, the top Ryl Tea strategic focus needs to be on making sure product availability is increased quickly before consumer attention wanes. FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS LINKEDIN YOUTUBE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joshua-schall/support
Online: http://www.quilltheory.com/highlyunreasonable/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlyunreasonableTwitter: @UnreasonablePodInstagram: @UnreasonablePodEmail: highlyunreasonable@gmail.comCreditsMusic: “All My People” by Brandon McCoyEdited by Adi Stein
Jenny's guest for this segment is Pastor Jack Hibbs, the senior and founding Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, based in Southern California, Founder & President of Real Life Network, and a nationally syndicated TV & Radio host. They are talking about his book, “Living in the Daze of Deception: How to Discern Truth from Culture's Lies.” He shares with us how Jesus warned that deception would grow worse as we draw nearer to the end times, saying, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4). Distinguishing truth from error has become an increasingly challenging task—even in the church. We live in a time when falsehoods assault us from every direction. Packaged with just enough truth to make them appear trustworthy, these counterfeits have grown more and more difficult to detect and avoid. "Living in the Daze of Deception” explores the many ways error is masquerading as truth—and how you can discern the difference. The greatest antidote to deception is truth. Equip yourself now to grow in discernment so that you can protect yourself from error and remain steadfast in your faith! Jenny had the opportunity to sit down with him at this year's NRB - the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. The audio has some distorted areas due to where we were recording, but this interview was far too important not to hear.
My NEW BOOK, "Unstuck" is coming out on August 6th! Pre-Order now!If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and make sure you subscribe!You can WATCH the RTK Podcast on YOUTUBEFollow RTK on INSTAGRAMIf you are interested in advertising on this podcast or having Kim as a guest on your Podcast, Radio Show, or TV Show, reach out to podcast@yeanetworks.comABOUT THE RTK PODCAST:Pastor Kimberly Jones, known as Real Talk Kim, travels the world fulfilling her passion and purpose of loving people back to life. She is a mother, pastor, entrepreneur, best-selling author, entertainer and most importantly a worshiper after God's own heart. Pastor Kim is the Senior Pastor at Limitless Church and has two sons. She is a human rights advocate with a passion for giving back and believes in the compassion of the Holy Spirit, delivering it to those who need it most. Pastor Kim has been featured on The Doctor Oz Show, Oxygen's Network Series Preachers of Atlanta, Your World with Creflo Dollar on BET, ABC's Nightline, The Word Network, CNN, Praise in the Park' Atlanta and numerous magazines and radio shows.
Packaged foods (obviously) have ingredients lists. Our favorite beauty products have ingredients lists. And those cleaning products under the kitchen sink? Yup, they've got ingredients lists, too.Ever wonder why our clothes don't have ingredients lists? While we'd *like* to think our favorite garments are made of woven fibers and nothing more, the sad truth is there are countless unregulated toxic chemicals in our closet go-tos (and these chemicals are likely harming our health).On today's show investigative journalist Alden Wicker explains why synthetic fashion and dyes made from fossil fuels are so deeply intertwined with the rise of autoimmune disease, infertility, asthma, eczema, and more; she also suggests concrete action steps for curating a clean(er) closet.* The book we're discussing today is our June Book Club selection. If you want in, please join us via Substack! https://sustainableminimalists.substack.com/ Here's a preview:[7:00] Uncovering the chemicals in our clothes and what they're doing to our health[10:30] Taking a special look at the especially problematic petrochemical-based azo dyes (often used on petrochemical-based fibers)[17:00] If all this stuff is in our clothing, why don't garments have ingredients lists?[22:00] Carter's, Victoria's Secret, and victim body blaming[31:00] Why 'organic' doesn't mean much when it comes to clothing[36:00] For subscribers! Action steps for curating a clean(er) closet Resources mentioned:To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick — And How We Can Fight BackPlastic-Free Activewear? Here are 15 Brands That Use Natural Instead of Synthetic Fibers (via Eco Cult)The Best Non-Toxic Fashion Brands For Chemically Sensitive People (via Eco Cult)Future Card Resources mentioned:This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!Join our (free!) Facebook community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalistsSay hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to Equilibria! Use code SUSTAINABLE for 15% off sitewide: http://www.myeq.com* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Manchester City stand on the brink of history, providing they can find a way past West Ham on the final day of the 2023-24 season. David Mooney is joined by City fan Adam Keyworth and journalist Martin Blackburn to discuss the upcoming game - and the week that's got City into this position. They look at nerves and anxiety, both in beating Fulham and Tottenham - and in preparing for the Hammers on Sunday. We hear from James Jones from We Are West Ham to get the opposition perspective on the final day, too. Sports psychology consultant Martin Robert Hall joins the show to discuss superstitions - for fans, managers and players - after Guardiola revealed he wore his woolly jumper at Fulham in spite of the heat because it had been working for him previously. We also hear from Nick from the Man City Fans Foodbank Support group, who can tell us how influential City fans have been this season in helping to provide for those most in need in Manchester - as he and the team prepare for their final collection of the campaign. ========== To get more podcasts or to listen without the ads, join our Patreon. It's just £2 per month for all the extra content and you can get a 7-day free trial first: https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast
Mary welcomes back Chris Quintana live in studio to talk about a particularly troubling pulpit "curriculum" that teaches that the answer to spiritual maturity issues in the churches is "emotionally healthy spirituality". Who is the author of this program, and what are his beliefs? Is it something churches can benefit from or should they run for their "spiritual" lives? We address recent concerns on it. Also, we talk to Chris about the antisemitism on campuses that shows no sign of letting up, and how authorities seem to be clueless on how to stem the tide of hate. There is no other group or culture that the tolerant left would allow to be shown such rancour - except Christians, of course. Are these evil mobs really terrorists at heart? Also, in Ezekiel we look at the "peace and safety" clause of the timing of the Gog and Magog war. You can find Chris online here; you can also subscribe to his YouTube channel and stay current on all his bible studies. No video podcast will be available for today's show. HAVE YOU BEEN TO OUR STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH GEAR WEBSITE YET?
Jason Hartman discusses the inflationary cycle and its impact on investments, particularly real estate. He highlights the stickiness of certain economic factors like wages and shortage-induced inflation. Despite global staff shortages, he notes benefits for real estate investors due to inflation indexing and debt devaluation. Hartman emphasizes self-reliance in financial security, citing examples of corporate job loss and the importance of real estate investments. He also analyzes mortgage market trends, noting decreasing delinquencies and foreclosures, and rising prepayment activity, underscoring the resilience of the real estate market. #RealEstateInvesting #InflationaryCycle #EmpoweredInvestors #FinancialWellbeing #EconomicTrends #MarketAnalysis #MortgagePerformance #HousingMarket #ForeclosureRates #InvestmentOpportunities #PropertyAppreciation #IncomeProperty #AssetDiversification #WealthCreation #FinancialSecurity #LeveragedInvesting #AssetClass #InflationInducedDebtDestruction #ResilientMarkets Key Takeaways: 1:26 Inflation and global staff shortages 5:01 Wage inflation is sticky 10:57 Baselane.com/jason 11:33 The baby boomers did not have enough children 12:46 Eclipse party 13:47 ICE first look at mortgage performance 20:35 Where's the distress 21:58 ICE Home Price Index (HPI) 22:45 National delinquency rate of first lien mortgages 23:38 Packaged commodities investing 28:24 Come join the Empowered Investor Pro and the cruise https://jasonhartman.com/wednesday https://empoweredinvestorlive.com/ Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class: Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com
Jason discusses the Hartman Risk Evaluator and the importance of investing in commodities for real estate investors. He highlights the significance of packaged commodities, such as lumber, concrete, and steel, in real estate investments. By analyzing the producer price index, He emphasizes how fluctuations in commodity prices affect the housing market and investor risk. Jason contrasts linear markets with cyclical ones, advocating for investing in stable, commodity-driven markets to mitigate risk. He stresses the long-term benefits of prudent investing over speculation, underscoring the reliability of linear markets. #RealEstateInvesting #CommoditiesInvesting #RiskManagement #HartmanRiskEvaluator #InflationHedge #LinearMarkets #CyclicalMarkets #HybridMarkets #InvestmentStrategy #MarketAnalysis #FinancialEducation #AssetDiversification #PropertyInvestment #FinancialLiteracy Key Takeaways: 1:24 Risk Evaluator and packaged commodities investing 5:57 Producer prices up in Feb 10:52 Baselane.com/Jason 14:03 PPI: softwood lumber and other materials 17:20 3 types of markets and LTI ratio 23:55 What Zimbabwe can teach investors about jurisdictional diversification Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class: Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com
Steven Lassan and Braden Gall talk college football. The SEC and Big Ten have successfully strong-armed a new playoff format, TV contract and revenue sharing model into place. Packaged with a new ACC lawsuit, what does it all mean for college football? Texas A&M steals a Nebraska alumni, will we change how we evaluate head coaches and how many legit QB battles are taking place this spring?
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