Podcasts about Pennsylvania State University

Deepfake voice technology is rapidly advancing, but how well do current detection systems handle differences in language and writing style? Most existing work focuses on robustness to acoustic variations such as background noise or compression, while largely overlooking how linguistic variation shapes both deepfake generation and detection. Yet language matters: psycholinguistic features such as sentence structure, complexity, and word choice influence how models synthesize speech, which in turn affects how detectors score and flag audio. In this talk,  we will ask questions such as: "If we change the way a person writes, while keeping their voice the same, will a deepfake detector still reach the same decision?" and "Are some text-to-speech and voice cloning models more vulnerable to shifts in writing style than others?" We will then discuss implications for designing robust deepfake voice detectors and for advancing more trustworthy speech AI in an era of increasingly synthetic media. About the speaker:  Thai Le is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Indiana University's Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. He obtained his doctoral degree from the college of Information Science and Technology at the Pennsylvania State University with an Excellent Research Award and a DAAD Fellowship. His research focuses on the trustworthiness of AI/ML models, with a mission to enhance the robustness, safety, and transparency of AI technology in various sociotechnical contexts. Le has published nearly 50 peer-reviewed research works with two best paper presentation awards. He is a pioneer in collecting and investigating so-called text perturbations in the wild, which has been utilized by users and researchers worldwide to study and understand effects of humans' adversarial behaviors on their daily usage with AI/ML models. His works have also been featured in ScienceDaily, DefenseOne, and Engineering and Technology Magazine.

Chen examines the Chinese Nationalist government's distinctive support for private Muslim teachers schools between the 1920s and 1940s, and explores the complex relationship between these institutions and the Chinese state during the Republican period. In 1933, the government issued the Teachers Schools Regulations, mandating that all teachers schools be state-run. However, the Nationalists viewed private Muslim teachers schools as valuable allies in their efforts to assert influence in China's Muslim-dominated northwestern frontier region and deliberately refrained from enforcing the 1933 Teachers Schools Regulations on them. Instead, the government applied the 1933 Amended Private Schools Regulations, which did not specifically address teachers schools, to govern Muslim teachers schools. By charting the evolving dynamics between the Nationalist state and Chinese Hui Muslims, Hui Muslims in the Shaping of Modern China: Education, Frontier Politics, and Nation-State (Routledge, 2025) reevaluates the Hui Muslims' role in shaping modern China. Offering crucial context on the role of Islam in modern China, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Chinese history, as well as for policymakers and journalists interested in religion in China. Bin Chen is Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University, and his research interests include China's modern transition and Islam in China. His publications have appeared in The Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Modern Chinese History, International Journal of Asian Studies, and others. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Chen examines the Chinese Nationalist government's distinctive support for private Muslim teachers schools between the 1920s and 1940s, and explores the complex relationship between these institutions and the Chinese state during the Republican period. In 1933, the government issued the Teachers Schools Regulations, mandating that all teachers schools be state-run. However, the Nationalists viewed private Muslim teachers schools as valuable allies in their efforts to assert influence in China's Muslim-dominated northwestern frontier region and deliberately refrained from enforcing the 1933 Teachers Schools Regulations on them. Instead, the government applied the 1933 Amended Private Schools Regulations, which did not specifically address teachers schools, to govern Muslim teachers schools. By charting the evolving dynamics between the Nationalist state and Chinese Hui Muslims, Hui Muslims in the Shaping of Modern China: Education, Frontier Politics, and Nation-State (Routledge, 2025) reevaluates the Hui Muslims' role in shaping modern China. Offering crucial context on the role of Islam in modern China, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Chinese history, as well as for policymakers and journalists interested in religion in China. Bin Chen is Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University, and his research interests include China's modern transition and Islam in China. His publications have appeared in The Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Modern Chinese History, International Journal of Asian Studies, and others. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Chen examines the Chinese Nationalist government's distinctive support for private Muslim teachers schools between the 1920s and 1940s, and explores the complex relationship between these institutions and the Chinese state during the Republican period. In 1933, the government issued the Teachers Schools Regulations, mandating that all teachers schools be state-run. However, the Nationalists viewed private Muslim teachers schools as valuable allies in their efforts to assert influence in China's Muslim-dominated northwestern frontier region and deliberately refrained from enforcing the 1933 Teachers Schools Regulations on them. Instead, the government applied the 1933 Amended Private Schools Regulations, which did not specifically address teachers schools, to govern Muslim teachers schools. By charting the evolving dynamics between the Nationalist state and Chinese Hui Muslims, Hui Muslims in the Shaping of Modern China: Education, Frontier Politics, and Nation-State (Routledge, 2025) reevaluates the Hui Muslims' role in shaping modern China. Offering crucial context on the role of Islam in modern China, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Chinese history, as well as for policymakers and journalists interested in religion in China. Bin Chen is Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University, and his research interests include China's modern transition and Islam in China. His publications have appeared in The Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Modern Chinese History, International Journal of Asian Studies, and others. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

Chen examines the Chinese Nationalist government's distinctive support for private Muslim teachers schools between the 1920s and 1940s, and explores the complex relationship between these institutions and the Chinese state during the Republican period. In 1933, the government issued the Teachers Schools Regulations, mandating that all teachers schools be state-run. However, the Nationalists viewed private Muslim teachers schools as valuable allies in their efforts to assert influence in China's Muslim-dominated northwestern frontier region and deliberately refrained from enforcing the 1933 Teachers Schools Regulations on them. Instead, the government applied the 1933 Amended Private Schools Regulations, which did not specifically address teachers schools, to govern Muslim teachers schools. By charting the evolving dynamics between the Nationalist state and Chinese Hui Muslims, Hui Muslims in the Shaping of Modern China: Education, Frontier Politics, and Nation-State (Routledge, 2025) reevaluates the Hui Muslims' role in shaping modern China. Offering crucial context on the role of Islam in modern China, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Chinese history, as well as for policymakers and journalists interested in religion in China. Bin Chen is Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University, and his research interests include China's modern transition and Islam in China. His publications have appeared in The Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Modern Chinese History, International Journal of Asian Studies, and others. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/islamic-studies

Chen examines the Chinese Nationalist government's distinctive support for private Muslim teachers schools between the 1920s and 1940s, and explores the complex relationship between these institutions and the Chinese state during the Republican period. In 1933, the government issued the Teachers Schools Regulations, mandating that all teachers schools be state-run. However, the Nationalists viewed private Muslim teachers schools as valuable allies in their efforts to assert influence in China's Muslim-dominated northwestern frontier region and deliberately refrained from enforcing the 1933 Teachers Schools Regulations on them. Instead, the government applied the 1933 Amended Private Schools Regulations, which did not specifically address teachers schools, to govern Muslim teachers schools. By charting the evolving dynamics between the Nationalist state and Chinese Hui Muslims, Hui Muslims in the Shaping of Modern China: Education, Frontier Politics, and Nation-State (Routledge, 2025) reevaluates the Hui Muslims' role in shaping modern China. Offering crucial context on the role of Islam in modern China, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Chinese history, as well as for policymakers and journalists interested in religion in China. Bin Chen is Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University, and his research interests include China's modern transition and Islam in China. His publications have appeared in The Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Modern Chinese History, International Journal of Asian Studies, and others. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies

Chen examines the Chinese Nationalist government's distinctive support for private Muslim teachers schools between the 1920s and 1940s, and explores the complex relationship between these institutions and the Chinese state during the Republican period. In 1933, the government issued the Teachers Schools Regulations, mandating that all teachers schools be state-run. However, the Nationalists viewed private Muslim teachers schools as valuable allies in their efforts to assert influence in China's Muslim-dominated northwestern frontier region and deliberately refrained from enforcing the 1933 Teachers Schools Regulations on them. Instead, the government applied the 1933 Amended Private Schools Regulations, which did not specifically address teachers schools, to govern Muslim teachers schools. By charting the evolving dynamics between the Nationalist state and Chinese Hui Muslims, Hui Muslims in the Shaping of Modern China: Education, Frontier Politics, and Nation-State (Routledge, 2025) reevaluates the Hui Muslims' role in shaping modern China. Offering crucial context on the role of Islam in modern China, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Chinese history, as well as for policymakers and journalists interested in religion in China. Bin Chen is Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University, and his research interests include China's modern transition and Islam in China. His publications have appeared in The Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Modern Chinese History, International Journal of Asian Studies, and others. Yadong Li is an anthropologist-in-training. He is a PhD candidate of Socio-cultural Anthropology at Tulane University. More details about his scholarship and research interests can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/education

For most of my career, I've been focused on two things: Operating businesses and Multifamily real estate. The strategy has been pretty simple. Take money generated from higher-risk, active businesses… and move it into more stable, long-term assets like apartment buildings. That shift—from risk to stability—is how I've tried to build durability over time. Now, to be fair, the sharp rise in interest rates a few years ago put a dent in that model. But zooming out, it's still worked well for me overall. So I'm sticking with it. That said, there are other ways to think about real estate. In some cases, the real opportunity is when you combine real estate with an operating business. We've done that before in the Wealth Formula Investor Club with self-storage, and the results were excellent. Storage is operationally simple, relatively boring—and that's exactly why it works. But there's another category that sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. Hotels. They're sexier.They're more volatile.And yes—they're riskier. But the upside can be dramatically higher. One of my closest friends here in Montecito has quietly built a fortune doing boutique hotels over the past few years. He started with a no-frills hotel in Texas serving the oil drilling industry. Over time, he combined his operational experience with his talent as a designer—and eventually created some of the highest-rated boutique hotels in the world. He's absolutely crushing it. Of course, most of us aren't world-class designers or architects. I'm certainly not. Still, his success made me curious. Hotels have been on my radar for a while now—not because I understand the business, but because I don't. When I asked him how he learned the hotel industry, his answer was honest: “I figured it out on the fly—starting with my first acquisition and a great broker.” That's usually how real learning happens. So this week on the Wealth Formula Podcast, I brought on an expert in hospitality investing to educate both of us. We cover the basics: How hotel investing actually worksWhere the real risks are (and where they aren't)How returns differ from multifamilyAnd what someone should understand before ever touching their first hotel deal If you've ever thought about buying or investing in hotels—but didn't know where to start—welcome to the club. You don't have to jump in tomorrow. But you do have to start somewhere. This episode is a good starting point. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/545-should-you-invest-in-hotels/id718416620?i=1000748759003 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Lx5Rp4x704lWRazWLqDOK Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GMFf6-g8w_0 Transcript Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI and may not be 100% accurate. If you notice any errors or corrections, please email us at phil@wealthformula.com. Welcome everybody. This is Buck Joffrey with the Wealth Formula Podcast coming to you from Montecito, California. Before we begin today, I wanna remind you, if you’ve not done so and you are an accredited investor, go to wealthformula.com, sign up for our investor club. Uh, the opportunity there is really to see private deal flow that you wouldn’t otherwise see because it can’t be advertised. And, uh, only available to those people who are deemed accredited. And then what does accredited mean as a reminder? Well, if you’re married, you make $300,000 per year combined for at least two years with a reasonable expectation, continue to do so, or you have a net worth of a million dollars outside of your personal residence. Or if you’re single like me, $200,000 per year or a million dollars net worth. Anyway, that’s probably, uh, most of you. So all you gotta do is go to wealth formula.com, sign up for investor club because hey, who doesn’t wanna be part of a club? And, uh, by the way, it’s a great price. It’s free. So join it. Just get onboarded and all you gotta do is just wait for deal flow. What a deal. Now let’s talk about different kinds of things to invest in. For most of my career, I, I have really focused on two things I’ve focused on. Either operating businesses, uh, in my case, those operating businesses largely have been medical and multifamily real estate. Uh, the strategy itself, theoretically the way I think about it, take money from sort of these active businesses, a higher risk, move them into more stable long-term assets like apartment buildings. Okay? The idea is that’s how you build some durability over time. Now, to be fair, okay, to be fair. Sharp rise in interest rates a few years ago. Put a little bit of a dent in that model. But here’s the thing is that you can’t throw out the, uh, baby with the bath water. ’cause when I zoom out, still worked well for me overall. So I’m sticking with it and, uh, that’s my story. I’m sticking with it. That said, there are always other ways to think about real estate, right? Real estate is not just multifamily. Um, in some cases, the real opportunity is when you combine real estate and operating businesses. So. We’ve actually done that before in our wealth formula investor club. Um, and we’ve done that through self-storage, for example, and the results were really good. Storage is operationally, generally pretty simple. Probably not that simple, but you know, but more so than other things, relatively boring. Boring is good, and that’s exactly why it works. There’s another category that sits at the opposite end of the spectrum of boring, and it’s sexier and it’s more volatile and it’s riskier. And uh, that is the area of hotels, right, like leisure, that kind of thing. But the upside in those things can be dramatically higher. You know, one of my closest friends here. Montecito, I talk about him all the time. He’s a, he is a little bit of an inspiration to me, although I wouldn’t tell that to in space. He’s built a fortune doing boutique hotels over the past few years and the way he started, you know, and I think it was only about a decade ago because he bought like this no frills hotel in Texas that was serving the oil industry. There was a bunch of guys, you know, drilling needed a place to say, and you know, he had this and he actually. I don’t know that I would recommend this, but he, he told me he bought it sight unseen just based on the numbers. Ah, man, I gotta tell you, I don’t think I’m that lucky. If I bought something sight unseen, it would not work great for me, but it did work great for him. But over time, what he did is he, he combined his operational experience with his talent as he’s like a designer, like designs, homes, an architect, uh, of sorts, although more than that. Um, and he, he used to build houses for like famous people in Hollywood. Anyway, he took that skill and so he combined it with hotels and he created some of the highest rated boutique hotels in the world. And he’s absolutely crushing it. Just crushing it. Of course, the reality is that most of us aren’t world-class designers or architects. I’m certainly not. I’m not artistic at all. Still, um, you know, the fact that he’s had so much success in this space and that he loves hotels. What got me curious? So, hotels have been on my radar for a while, not because I understand the business, but actually because I don’t. And when I asked him how he learned, uh, about the hotel industry, he just said, you know, I figured out on the fly and, uh, you know, started with my first acquisition, had a great broker who taught me everything I, you know, needed to know at the beginning and. That’s a great story. I mean, and ideally that’s how things happen. As you can tell, this guy is, uh, seems to just hit on everything. So good for him. So this week on Wealth Formula Podcast, I wanted to get a little bit of a hotel investing 1 0 1. So I brought on an expert in hospitality investing that could educate both you and me. So we’re gonna cover some of the basics, how hotel actually works, you know, what are the risks returns. Like, what should people do if they even consider, you know, buying their first hotel or investing in one? So if you’ve ever thought about investing, uh, in hotels, or maybe that’s the first time you’re hearing about it and you’re curious, uh, welcome to the club and uh, we will have a great interview for you right after these messages. Wealth formula banking is an ingenious concept powered by whole life insurance, but instead of acting just as a safety net, the strategy supercharges your investments. First, you create a personal financial reservoir that grows at a compounding interest rate much higher than any bank savings account. As your money accumulates, you borrow from your own. Bank to invest in other cash flowing investments. Here’s the key. Even though you’ve borrowed money at a simple interest rate, your insurance company keeps paying you compound interest on that money even though you’ve borrowed it. At result, you make money in two places at the same time. That’s why your investments get supercharged. This isn’t a new technique. It’s a refined strategy used by some of the wealthiest families in history, and it uses century old rock solid insurance companies as its backbone. Turbocharge your investments. Visit Wealth formula banking.com. Again, that’s wealth formula banking.com. Welcome back to the show, everyone. Today. My guest on Wealth Farm I podcast is, uh, John O’Neill. He’s a, a professor of hospitality management and director of the Hospitality Real Estate Strategy Group at Pennsylvania State University. Uh, he spent decades studying hotel valuation performance, Cabo flows and economic cycles in in the lodging industry. John, thanks for, uh, joining us. You’re welcome. So, you know, we’re talking offline. You’ve been in the hotel business for a long time. We’re trying to figure out how to frame this thing because you know, I mean there are, I know there are certainly people in. Uh, who in, in my group and my listeners, my community who are in the hotel space, but a lot of ’em aren’t. And you know, they’ve been thinking about, well, you know, we do a lot of apartment buildings, that kind of thing. Um, you know, what else should we be thinking about? And so, you know, when we hear, uh, hotel, um, they’re thinking of hospitality. But from an investor’s perspective, I guess the first question ask is what kind of real estate asset is a hotel? And, and may, may maybe just sort of fundamentally how different it is. From apartments office or retail? Yeah, that’s a great question because hotels are fundamentally different. But what I’ve seen over the past few years as well is hotels have increasingly been considered to be a component of commercial real estate. So we’ve always thought about office and retail and residential and industrial as being components of commercial real estate, but increasingly. Investors are thinking about hotels that way as well, because some of the high risk aspects of hotels have been moderated a little bit. So they are still considered to be a high risk and potentially high reward category, but they’re much more cyclical than those other types of businesses. So if we look at apartment leases, maybe being a year or two. Office leases may be being three to five years and retail leases could be five or 10 years. The leases in hotels are one or two nights, so there’s upside, but there’s risk involved in that as well. So when there’s pressure in a market to increase rates, like here where I am in University Park, Pennsylvania, when we have a home football game. We can see hotels with average daily rates of maybe a hundred to $200 a night charging seven, eight, $900 per night, and filling up on those rates. You can’t do that in an office building or in a retail center. And so there’s great opportunity when demand increases to push up rates and to greatly benefit from that. The flip side of courses on Sunday night when all those guests leave. You might be back to a hundred dollars a night and running 20 or 30% occupancy. Do hotels kind of follow the rest of real estate in terms of market cycles though? Yeah, it depends. I, I would say in many cases they’re actually leaders, which again, double-edged sword there. So for, yeah, when we plummeted in 2020 because of COVID hotels were probably the first category really to see it. Demand dried up overnight, and you go back to September 11th, 2001 on September 12th, 2001, a lot of hotels were empty and that wasn’t the case with office buildings and retail centers. The flip side, of course, is when the economy started improving, hotel operators could start pushing their rates very quickly. And so other categories of commercial real estate didn’t receive those benefits. Yeah, I mean, obviously there’s certainly gonna be. Real estate that’s often used that that’s often using debt and, you know, probably has the same sort of, uh, issues with regard to cap rate compression or decompression based on interest rates as well. Right, right. So, um, where are we? Right? What would you say right now, like, I mean, we know that. Our, we’ve been following very closely on the multifamily side. You know, prices are depressed. I mean, from 2022, we’re looking at probably 30% to 40%. Most, most, uh, large apartment complexes are not moving because people don’t wanna sell into a down market. But when they are, they’re being sold at 30, 40% discounts compared to 2022. Where is the, where is the hotel? Market at right now? It it, it’s challenged because right now we’re seeing discrepancies between where buyers wanna buy and sellers wanna sell. We’ve started to see some movement because some sellers have come down a bit in pricing because of what we’ve seen in 2025, the market really did soften as far as the hotel business is concerned. So in 2025. We really saw no increase in occupancy and in many markets we saw some decreases in occupancy. We are still seeing average daily rates going up a little bit, so yeah. Might be worth maybe a quick step backward that the two key indicators in terms of hotel lodging performance would be occupancy and average daily rate. With occupancy being the extent to which the guest rooms are occupied and average daily rate being the average price somebody is paying. We can talk about the mathematics of those, but, um, just I think conceptually, hopefully that makes sense. But, so, you know, at this point what we’re seeing is average daily rates are still going up a little bit, and the forecasts for 2026 are. Pretty much more of the same, where we’re not expected to see great occupancy increases, but we are anticipating that the average daily rates might go up a little bit. Uh, and, and in fact we might see occupancies decline slightly. And, uh, we might see, uh, average daily rates still possibly going up a little bit. That’s usually an indicator of being late in the cycle, you know, being somewhere near the peak and, and, you know, if the trough was 2020. Which was a pretty deep trough. 2021, we started seeing improvements and we saw great improvements in 22, 23, and 24, and so it’s looking like the end of a cycle. The thing we don’t really know for sure is, is there some reason that we’re going to really go into a substantial down period or are we actually in a situation where we’re going to have another upcycle? Yeah. You know, the other thing I was curious about too, like when you talk about these cycles for hotels, even within hotels, there are certainly, you know, different types of hotels. You know, there’s the boutiquey ones that are pe really pure tourism versus the ones that, okay, well maybe they are, you know, good for football games or. There’s others that are people use for, for, for work frequently, right? They’re, they’re just passing through for, for work trips. Do you, is there, um, is that difficult to extricate those types of different economies running at the same time? It’s not, I, I don’t know that it’s that difficult, you know, just to give you a little bit about my background, I’ve been a professor for some time, but prior to being a professor I worked for. Three of the four major hospitality organizations, namely Marriott, IHG, and Hyatt. Uh, and so going back into the 1980s when I was doing feasibility studies for proposed Marriott hotels, we, in most markets, analyzed three markets segments. And, and you essentially said what they are commercial business, which are your business travelers, leisure business, which are your pleasure travelers, and then groups, which includes conventions and, and those are still the three major market segments in most markets. In, in some markets. For example, if you’re approximate to a major international airport, there’s usually a fourth segment, which is that fourth segment is airline crew business, which is, is very different than the other three because. Whereas the other three go up and down throughout, not just the year, but throughout the week. Airline crew business tends to be stable throughout the year, so it, it, it’s in your hotel 365 nights outta the year. So it’s, it’s a very low risk, but also a very low rated market segment. So it, I don’t know if that’s that complicated, but it just needs to be broken out as you delineated it, which is that there’s. Three or four market segments in any market. And in terms of studying a hotel for development or for investment, it’s necessary to understand not just what’s going on on the supply side, in other words what’s going on in the hotels, but what’s going on in the demand side as well. So give you an example. I recently did a feasibility study in a market, which is a big pharmaceutical market. So I actually spent time with major pharmaceutical people talking about, where are you staying now? Why are you staying there? Are you a member of the Frequent traveler program? How does your business vary throughout the year? What rates are you paying? What facilities and amenities are you seeking? And things like that. So to really understand the demand because that demand segment. So important in that market. So it is ultimately a street corner business and what’s going on in a specific market in terms of the mix of commercial, leisure and group business and possibly other market segments. Really is something that we have to study in depth when we conduct a feasibility study or an appraisal for hotel. I, I don’t know if I mentioned, I’m a licensed real estate appraiser too, and although my licenses allow me to appraise any type of property, I only appraise hotels. Got it. Businesses fundamentally changed pre COVID and post COVID. I would assume that there’s probably less travel. Are you seeing impact? On those types of hotels from that kind of, you know, less travel, more zoom type activity. Yeah. And, and that’s a great, that’s a great follow up because with those market segments, although the segments are the same. The demand from each of those segments really has different, and, and as you said, it really changed substantially in COVID. It, it, it’s fascinating how once we were forced to use Zoom and, and other, you know, Microsoft teams and other technology like that, you know, we, we kind of did a kicking and screaming. But once we figured it out, we realized we didn’t get a lot done. Uh, now I spent last week in Los Angeles at America’s Lodging Investment Summit, and I go to this. Function every year, because I see many of the same people year after year, and the business cards might change, but it’s the same people involved in the hotel business, whether they’re brokers or investors or asset managers or consultants or appraisers. But in between. Each year I do a lot on Zoom with these people and you know, we can keep those relationships going. So it hasn’t eliminated, you know, in my personal case, my need to travel, but it has substantially reduced it. And I think a lot of other business people have seen the same thing. So if we look at the recovery since COVID, it was fascinating because the first market segment that recovered and recovered really strongly was leisure business and people, people see it as their right. To have a vacation and, and people were paying high rates, particularly in, in, in mountain locations and in beach locations. And so those rates came up really quickly. And then the group business followed. If people do wanna go to group functions like I did last week in la what has not recovered to the level of 2019 though is the business travel. Right. Interesting. So I, that’s probably a, uh, you know, and he, I can’t really see a particularly promising future for that Subsect either. Right. I think, in fact, bill Gates said it’s never going to be back to the, you know, he, he’s an investor in Four Seasons hotels, and he said it’ll never be back to the way it was in 2019. I don’t know if he’s right. I mean, because I, I still feel like we get a lot of things done. Face-to-face, person to person that we really can’t do in Zoom. I don’t think Zoom is great for establishing relationships. I, I still think that we need face-to-face, uh, personal contact. But, you know, that might be just my perspective because I’ve been working in hotels since I was a teenager and I’m really far from being a teenager now. And, you know, I, I’ve been indoctrinated in this philosophy of the importance of face-to-face contact. But yeah, you know, that might be generational. You with a younger generation. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Um, you know, just kind of going back to the difference differences, uh, with compared to other real estate hotels, ultimately the, one of the big differences, they’re operating businesses, right? I mean, they’re not that large. Apartment buildings aren’t, but they’re is I think, a specific sort of operational execution that matters a lot in hotels. So, you know, in invest, when investors are kinda looking at that, I mean, they, they should probably be not looking at it as nearly as passive as other real estate investments. Is that fair? I, I think that’s very fair because I think, you know, it, it shows what’s happened in terms of the market with real estate investment trust. Because I’ve sold my entire position in hotel real estate investment trust and, and as you probably know, if we look at real estate investment trust. Different categories in, in commercial real estate, hotels lag, which is fascinating because everything else we’ve been talking about explains why hotel returns tend to outperform other classes of commercial real estate. More volatility, but higher returns on average. If you can withstand the long period, uh, that you need to be an investor. On real estate investment trust, it’s the opposite. Hotels actually lag and, and I think it really is because of exactly what you’re talking about, which is that they really are like an operating business where there’s also real estate as opposed to a real estate play where it’s almost like there’s an annuity of rent that is very easily projected, uh, in hotels. You know, we, we. Project all the time how they’re going to perform. But you know, you know, I hope my projections are very good, but there’s always things that can COVID. For example, you know, now there’s a virus in, in India that you know might be coming and, you know, we don’t know, will this be substantial or will it be really minor in the Americas? We really don’t know. Uh, that won’t have a big effect on, on other classes of real estate investment trust, but. It could have a big effect in hotels, so, so the unknowns in hotels are very high. And then when you combine that with the fact that they are an operating business, which are very labor intensive and wage rates are going up. So the cost structure and the management of that cost structure becomes. Very important and the expertise of the hotel managers becomes very important. And so, yeah, like you say, other classes of commercial real estate or, or institutional real estate investments have an operational component. It’s much greater when it comes to hotels. So I actually have a friend who’s an, um, owns, uh, a few boutique hotels here in, in California, and he was telling me one of the things that he’s kind of worried about is, um, you know, they, they’re, they have some, um. Some mandates coming up with regard to, you know, minimum wage and, and all these things that, uh, hotel workers have to get, uh, give you just outta curiosity. I mean, most of my audience is not in California. I am, but have you heard about this? Can you tell us a little bit about those pressures? Yeah, I have heard about it. And there’s, there’s forces on the other side as well, namely the American Hotel and Lodging Association, which represents hotel owners, managers, and franchisers. And so they have a voice in these things as well. But the, the, the forest, particularly in places like California and, and in the west coast in general, we’ve seen it in Seattle as well. Um, you know, in, in terms of increasing minimum wages to rates that, that are shocking to me. Um, you know, that’s, that’s a big issue. You know, you don’t see it as much in the middle of the country, but you do see it on the coast and particularly in the, on the West Coast. So, you know, if we’re looking at projections, say into 2026 and, and perhaps beyond, we expect in many cases to be seeing higher growth in wage expenses than we expect to see growth in RevPAR, which is room revenue, preoccupied room, which is just occupancy times average daily rate. So the, the overall revenue is expected, at least in the short term, to grow more slowly. Than expenses and, and wages are really driving a lot of it. And then anything that’s affected by wages, so insurance, for example, property taxes, other expenses are really growing at this stage more than what we’ve seen in terms of revenue growth. So that’s, that’s a challenge right now. The, the question I think really then is how much will AI affect that and to what extent will guests become more comfortable with checking in? On an iPad type of a situation as opposed to seeing a person face to face, and there’s probably generational differences there. What it is forcing hotel operators to do is the same kinds of things that restaurant operators have been forced to do, which is find ways to use technology and actually have the guests face the technology and get the guests comfortable with that. In terms of things like check in and check out, you know, but still in hotels the rooms have to be cleaned and, and although there’s robots that. You know, they’re nowhere near what, where they need to be to actually clean Hotel guestroom jet, at least in any sort of economically viable way. But, you know, the long-term question is to what extent will the industry be adopting AI and other technology in order to address that issue? Because that’s what’s going to happen. It’s, it’s, you know, it’s not just going to be a situation where. The operators will accept paying higher wages and have the same number of employees in each hotel. Right. Um, branding, you know, sort of confusing to a lot of people. Not in the space, but you know, what role do hotel brands actually kind of play in, in protecting revenue and value? Um, and I guess when does a brand help an owner versus become a constraint? Yeah. You know, brands have been very important and, and I, I forget if I mentioned but of the, the big brand companies I’ve worked for three of them and, um. You know, they, they, they typically started as management companies. So originally companies like Hilton and Marriott primarily generated revenue through management fees. And so they own some of the real estate, although they’ve become asset light over the years and own very little, if any, anymore. Uh, but they do still manage hotels. So one thing that the brand companies do have is expertise in terms of management. That’s one of the fees that a branded hotel and a non-branded hotel would have as well, would be a management fee, which is usually expressed as a percentage of revenue. And sometimes there’s an incentive structure in there as well. But then there’s a franchise fee, which is just paying for the brand, and, and that’s usually as a percentage of total revenue, higher than the management fee. But what it does is it, it, it. Puts the property in a global distribution system, so the global distribution systems that brands like Marriott and Hilton and IHG and, and HIA have, uh, they. Generate heads and beds. You know, that’s, that’s the term we always, when I worked at Hyatt and Merritt, we always talked about heads and beds. Every night you’re trying to, trying to get people in the rooms. The brands do a lot to put heads and beds, you know, in a typical hotel with a good brand affiliation. Somewhere between probably a third and two thirds of the occupy rooms actually came in through the brand global distribution system, which historically was a toll free reservation system. And although the, you know, those still exist now, it’s really more of a focus on the online system and, and, and sometimes toll-free reservations and direct reservations. But, but that’s what the brand does. It, it, it ultimately is a generator of. So kind of just focusing on somebody who’s potentially thinking about hotels as an investment. So far, what I gleaned from you, and, and correct me if I’m wrong, is that timing probably isn’t perfect right now. We’re probably, you know, we’re probably in a, you know, a peak and you generally not a great idea to buy in peaks. Um. I personally, from what I understand, would stay outta California. You know, uh, you know, like my friend was saying that it was gonna make it very difficult for a lot of hotels to have their, you know, hotel restaurants even. And so he foresees like a lot of them having to close those down. Um, and then the, the next thing I think is, gosh, you really have to be cognizant of the, of the fact that, you know, work patterns are changing. And so maybe that’s not a good. Way to go, either. What other, what are some other big picture things that you think people ought to be thinking about as they evaluate the space? Yeah. Well, I think there’s a couple of things. One of which is. That is a street corner business. So it really depends on what street corner you’re in. Uh, I’ve done some research just on how hotels perform in university towns versus other locations because, for example, there are brands now called graduate hotels, which eventually was acquired by Hilton, uh, and, uh, scholar Hotels and, and these properties are university town hotels. They’re doing okay. You know, they’re, they’re doing okay. If you look at how universities operate, we’ve seen some Ivy League schools pay 60, $80 million or more just to make sure they keep that billion dollars a year coming in from the federal government that they, they get for research grants and, and we’ve seen, you know, look at what’s going on with NIL now in terms of, of university sports. Universities clearly are willing to. You gen willing to spend a lot of money to keep doing what they do, which is, you know, they, they generate a lot of research and I’m talking about. Big universities now, uh, you know, a lot of research and, and there’s a sporting business aspect to universities as well. So university towns are okay, and, and what I ultimately found in my research is they’re much less cyclical than the average. So, you know, we talk about the risk of hotels as things go up and things go down and things go up and down. That doesn’t happen as much in university towns. You know, big universities don’t close and, and don’t even substantially change their business model. So it really depends on, on where you’re located. And then there’s certain cities as well, you know, people, you know, I, I don’t have to go into detail about my last visit to San Francisco and how weird it was, and I was with students and, and told my female students don’t go out at night alone. I mean, it was, it was, it was really freaky, but. San Francisco now might be a place to invest. Now San Francisco probably has bottomed out. Uh, and the same might be true with New York. So, you know, it really depends on where you’re going. I, I think in general, yeah, you know, there’s, there’s concerns, but even so, you know, I think it’s still might be a good time to invest in. Good quality hotel companies, just, you know, in terms of the stock market and, and equity in, in businesses like Marriott and, and Hilton because their franchise fees and their management fees are a percentage of total revenue. So hotels that are not profitable, that are a member of those brand affiliations are still paying. Into those systems and you know, hopefully the goal is that these properties become profitable, but even while they’re not profitable, they owe franchise fees and in some cases management fees as well. So I think there are a lot of ways to still invest in the hotel business. It’s just what vehicles are being used and where. So, you know, it sounds a little overwhelming, um, for someone who, again, who’s new to the space. Any suggestions on how somebody might just learn more about this ecosystem and, you know, start to go down this path of potentially becoming, you know, a hotel investor? Yeah. Well, first thing is, you know, we talked about ai. AI is pretty good for helping people to learn. So if you wanna learn about the hotel business, you can go and have a really good conversation with chat GPT about what makes it click and where could the opportunities lie today. Uh, you know, I’ve gone over the past year from essentially not using AI at all to using it essentially every day. And so that’s a great way because that’ll access a lot of, there, there’s trade journals, for example, but it’ll access those things. Uh, the conference, like I went to last week, the America’s Lodging Investment Summit, which is in LA every year is a. Is a great place to learn as well. There’s, there’s wonderful sessions and that conference is attended by everybody from Anthony Capano, who’s the CEO of Marriott, down to people involved in real estate and investments in the hotels and, and who essentially make their living. Off of those as brokers, appraisers, consultants, asset managers and things like that. So, so there’s ways online to do it and there’s ways to do it actually by attending conferences as well. Yeah. A good broker as well. Right. I mean, you know, going back to my, my friend who, who’s become a very successful hotelier, the first one he bought, he threw a broker and he said he learned everything about hotels that he knows from that guy. Um. So that’s probably, it probably tells you something as well. Yeah. And, and there are some excellent hotel brokers. There’s some who are national in scope and some who are local in scope. So again, it depends on where you’re thinking you might wanna be investing. Uh, but, but there’s some great local brokers, but then there’s national firms like JLL and CBRE and Hunter, uh, that, you know, they have really good people who are very knowledgeable about the hotel business. Yeah. John, thanks so much for, uh, joining us here on Wealth Formula Podcast and giving us sort of an overview of the, uh, um, hotel, uh, real estate, uh, uh, asset class. You bet you make a lot of money, but are still worried about retirement. Maybe you didn’t start earning until your thirties. Now you’re trying to catch up. Meanwhile, you’ve got a mortgage, a private school to pay for, and you feel like you’re getting further and further behind. Now, good news, if you need to catch up on retirement, check out a program put out by some of the oldest and most prestigious life insurance companies in the world. It’s called Wealth Accelerator, and it can help you amplify your returns quickly, protect your money from creditors, and provide financial protection to your family if something happens to. The concepts here are used by some of the wealthiest families in the world, and there’s no reason why they can’t be used by you. Check it out for yourself by going to wealth formula banking.com. Welcome back to the show everyone. Hope you enjoyed and again, uh, hey hotels. Think about it. I guess. Uh, I continue. I will continue to do so, uh, especially given my buddy’s success in this space. Um. Although, I will tell you, I probably am not a boutique hotel guy. Um, you know, I don’t, I don’t know that I could make it super fancy, you know? And then on the other hand, you hear about these, uh, hotels that are. For the people traveling through and they’re not doing this so great. So maybe wait till that we hit that, um, that trough that he was talking about, he said we’re kind of at a peak right now. Anyway, that’s it for me. Uh, this week on Wealth Formula Podcast. This is Buck Joffrey signing off. If you wanna learn more, you can now get free access to our in-depth personal finance course featuring industry leaders like Tom Wheel Wright and Ken McElroy. Visit well formula roadmap.com.

In this episode of the Conscious Fertility and Beyond Podcast, Dr. Lorne Brown speaks with Dr. Garret Yount, a molecular neurobiologist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Dr. Yount shares his groundbreaking research on consciousness, biofield science, and self-healing. From personal experiences with clairvoyance at age 13 to NIH-funded research on Qigong and energy healing, his journey bridges rigorous science with ancient practices. The conversation explores lucid dreaming as a healing tool for PTSD, the placebo effect at the genetic level, and why cultivating awareness of our “vibes” can transform health and wellbeing.Key Takeaways:Biofield science explained: A modern scientific framework for understanding chi, prana, and subtle body energies.Placebo power: Belief and intention can regulate gene expression, proving the mind's profound healing potential.Qigong in the lab: Experiments show possible effects of emitted Qi on cell cultures, but reproducibility challenges highlight the mysterious “trickster” nature of consciousness research.Lucid dreaming for PTSD: Structured workshops reduced symptoms significantly, showing subconscious healing potential through dreamwork.Vibes matter: Conscious, subconscious, and superconscious vibes shape our interactions, health, and sense of connection.Dr. Garret Yount's Bio:Garret Yount, PhD, is a molecular neurobiologist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) where his research focuses on laboratory-based models of exceptional human abilities. He obtained his BS from the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the Pennsylvania State University and his PhD from the Department of Neurobiology & Behavior at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He began his formal studies in consciousness research with a small grant from the Institute of Noetic Sciences in 1995, which allowed him to work with biofield practitioners and spiritual healers in the laboratory. Since then, Dr. Yount has conducted carefully controlled laboratory experiments with spiritual healers and biofield practitioners from around the world, including China, Brazil, Canada, USA, Japan, India, Russia, Hungary, and Sri Lanka, and was fortunate to be among the first scientists to be awarded a Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health to study energy healing. He is the author of Why Vibes Matter: Understand Your Energy and Learn How to Use it Wisely.Where to find Dr. Garret Yount:Website: https://noetic.org/profile/garret-yount/Book “Why Vibes Matter” : https://noetic.org/why-vibes-matter-book/ Online Course - The Energy of People, Places, and Spaces -

Theo Newbold featured in a 2022 careers article about sizeism in science which discussed some accommodations that could make a difference in the workplace. Some follow-up comments on the discussion platform Reddit questioned whether Newbold and other interviewees in the article were suited to a career in academia.Newbold, a PhD student in plant pathology and diversity, equity and inclusion advocate at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, says the feedback made her feel “as someone who doesn't want to be perceived as the complaining fat person.”They are joined by Katharine Hubert, who was diagnosed by Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, shortly after starting a PhD at the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2019. The two researchers discuss some of the workplace accommodations and attitudinal changes that could make academia a more welcoming environment.This is the third episode of Off Limits, a podcast series exploring topics that are often perceived as taboo in the workplace.Previous episodes feature activist academics who join campus protests and civil disobedience activities. Future episodes will include the experiences of religious scientists at work, and bereavement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen McGarvey is Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology at Brown University School of Public Health and Professor of Anthropology (Courtesy) at Brown University. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and on the editorial board of the American Journal of Human Biology. He was the recipient of the 2025 Franz Boas Distinguished Achievement Award from the Human Biology Association. McGarvey earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Pennsylvania State University in 1980, and an M.P.H. in Epidemiology from Yale University in 1984. McGarvey is concerned with issues of human population biology and global health, specifically modernization-related induced socio-economic and behavioral changes, genetic and environmental influences on obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factor, and child nutritional status. His research involves low and middle income countries now focused on Samoa, American Samoa, and South Africa. In this episode we discuss his concluding chapter of Princeton University Press book on Samoa research. ------------------------------ Contact Dr. McGarvey: stephen_mcgarvey@brown.edu ------------------------------ Contact the Sausage of Science Podcast and the Human Biology Association: Facebook: facebook.com/groups/humanbiologyassociation/, Website: humbio.org, Twitter: @HumBioAssoc Chris Lynn, Co-Host Website: cdlynn.people.ua.edu/, E-mail: cdlynn@ua.edu, Twitter:@Chris_Ly Courtney Manthey, Guest-Co-Host, Website: holylaetoli.com/ E-mail: cpierce4@uccs.edu, Twitter: @HolyLaetoli Anahi Ruderman, SoS Co-Producer, HBA Junior Fellow, E-mail: ruderman@cenpat-conicet.gob.ar

Mary E. Stuckey, the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, has a brilliant new book that dives into the question of who we are as Americans, a theme that Stuckey has long researched and considered in much of her work (Defining Americans: The Presidency and National Identity, University Press of Kansas, 2004; For the Enjoyment of the People: The Creation of National Identity in American Public Lands, University Press of Kansas, 2023), but she traces this idea of American identity through Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, key author of the Declaration of Independence, architect, and enslaver. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are is an exploration not so much of Thomas Jefferson the person, but Thomas Jefferson as he has become iconic within the American imagination and what that position explains about not only Jefferson himself, but also what it says about the United States at any particular period in the course of American history. Stuckey traces the symbolic and iconic Jefferson in a number of distinct areas, each of which communicate different presentations or representations of Jefferson himself but also how we, as citizens, consume the idea of Jefferson. All of these are avenues to understand American national identity. As a scholar of presidential rhetoric, Stuckey begins the research by exploring how other presidents have used Jefferson in their speeches and their rhetoric, finding that the vast majority of presidents have referenced Jefferson in some form or in some way to legitimize their own policies. Many presidents have integrated Jefferson's own words (and he wrote many, many words over a long life, especially for the time) as a way to authorize what they were doing while in office. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are then traces the many memorials and monuments that integrate Jefferson in some capacity. But this section is split into two pieces, one that specifically focuses on the Jefferson-centric presentations, and the other part that integrates Jefferson with other Founders or other presidents (like Mt. Rushmore). Stuckey makes clear the key dimension around the building of these kinds of memorials and monuments: they are as much about the people choosing to build them and how they are to look and exist as they are about the individual, in this case Jefferson, being honored within them. The next section of Remembering Jefferson examines Jefferson in popular culture, particularly in televisual and cinematic popular culture. And while Jefferson is, again, in many places, he comes across in fascinating ways in these renderings, since his relationship to slavery—that he had over 500 enslaved individuals over his lifetime, that a number of those who were enslaved were also his children—is often portrayed as incidental and as a kind of footnote. Jefferson is often hazy and romantic in these narratives. The final section of the book assesses Jefferson within children's literature, since this is also a realm where Jefferson is taking on a civic teaching, and the presentation is about communicating a kind of citizenship to young people. Mary Stuckey has produced an important reading of the United States by reading Thomas Jefferson in all the places and spaces where he turns up. Remembering Jefferson: Who He was, Who We Are is a delight to read, and discusses the complex ideas of national identity, enslavement, race, power, citizenship, and civic virtue. Lilly J. Goren is a professor of political science at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

An ICE officer's fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good last week in Minneapolis—and the Trump administration's response — have stirred both outrage and fear across the country. The shooting has renewed concerns in California about immigration agents' aggressive tactics. And it's raised questions about whether ICE officers are receiving proper training as the agency rapidly expands its ranks to carry out President Trump's immigration crackdown. We analyze ICE's tactics and hear about efforts to rein in the agency, and about what the future may hold as federal authorities set their sights on more American cities. Guests: Rep. Ro Khanna, Congressman for California's 17th Congressional District (Silicon Valley) Jill Cowan, reporter covering Southern California, New York Times Scott Savage, police training consultant; recently retired California law enforcement officer with 24 years of experience Ben Jones, assistant professor of ethics and public policy, Pennsylvania State University; author of the forthcoming book, "Protecting Life: The Ethics of Police Deadly Force" Noah Hurowitz, reporter covering federal law enforcement, The Intercept Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary E. Stuckey, the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, has a brilliant new book that dives into the question of who we are as Americans, a theme that Stuckey has long researched and considered in much of her work (Defining Americans: The Presidency and National Identity, University Press of Kansas, 2004; For the Enjoyment of the People: The Creation of National Identity in American Public Lands, University Press of Kansas, 2023), but she traces this idea of American identity through Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, key author of the Declaration of Independence, architect, and enslaver. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are is an exploration not so much of Thomas Jefferson the person, but Thomas Jefferson as he has become iconic within the American imagination and what that position explains about not only Jefferson himself, but also what it says about the United States at any particular period in the course of American history. Stuckey traces the symbolic and iconic Jefferson in a number of distinct areas, each of which communicate different presentations or representations of Jefferson himself but also how we, as citizens, consume the idea of Jefferson. All of these are avenues to understand American national identity. As a scholar of presidential rhetoric, Stuckey begins the research by exploring how other presidents have used Jefferson in their speeches and their rhetoric, finding that the vast majority of presidents have referenced Jefferson in some form or in some way to legitimize their own policies. Many presidents have integrated Jefferson's own words (and he wrote many, many words over a long life, especially for the time) as a way to authorize what they were doing while in office. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are then traces the many memorials and monuments that integrate Jefferson in some capacity. But this section is split into two pieces, one that specifically focuses on the Jefferson-centric presentations, and the other part that integrates Jefferson with other Founders or other presidents (like Mt. Rushmore). Stuckey makes clear the key dimension around the building of these kinds of memorials and monuments: they are as much about the people choosing to build them and how they are to look and exist as they are about the individual, in this case Jefferson, being honored within them. The next section of Remembering Jefferson examines Jefferson in popular culture, particularly in televisual and cinematic popular culture. And while Jefferson is, again, in many places, he comes across in fascinating ways in these renderings, since his relationship to slavery—that he had over 500 enslaved individuals over his lifetime, that a number of those who were enslaved were also his children—is often portrayed as incidental and as a kind of footnote. Jefferson is often hazy and romantic in these narratives. The final section of the book assesses Jefferson within children's literature, since this is also a realm where Jefferson is taking on a civic teaching, and the presentation is about communicating a kind of citizenship to young people. Mary Stuckey has produced an important reading of the United States by reading Thomas Jefferson in all the places and spaces where he turns up. Remembering Jefferson: Who He was, Who We Are is a delight to read, and discusses the complex ideas of national identity, enslavement, race, power, citizenship, and civic virtue. Lilly J. Goren is a professor of political science at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

Come for the catchy episode title, stay for the wide-reaching discussion about spatial data, visualization, and cartography. We're joined this time by Anthony Robinson, from Pennsylvania State University, for a conversation about what cartographers do, what cartography looks like in the 21st century, what makes a map, and the challenges of "personal cartography." We've even got some requisite hot takes on spatial analysis and data (...and cartography!).

Mary E. Stuckey, the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, has a brilliant new book that dives into the question of who we are as Americans, a theme that Stuckey has long researched and considered in much of her work (Defining Americans: The Presidency and National Identity, University Press of Kansas, 2004; For the Enjoyment of the People: The Creation of National Identity in American Public Lands, University Press of Kansas, 2023), but she traces this idea of American identity through Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, key author of the Declaration of Independence, architect, and enslaver. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are is an exploration not so much of Thomas Jefferson the person, but Thomas Jefferson as he has become iconic within the American imagination and what that position explains about not only Jefferson himself, but also what it says about the United States at any particular period in the course of American history. Stuckey traces the symbolic and iconic Jefferson in a number of distinct areas, each of which communicate different presentations or representations of Jefferson himself but also how we, as citizens, consume the idea of Jefferson. All of these are avenues to understand American national identity. As a scholar of presidential rhetoric, Stuckey begins the research by exploring how other presidents have used Jefferson in their speeches and their rhetoric, finding that the vast majority of presidents have referenced Jefferson in some form or in some way to legitimize their own policies. Many presidents have integrated Jefferson's own words (and he wrote many, many words over a long life, especially for the time) as a way to authorize what they were doing while in office. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are then traces the many memorials and monuments that integrate Jefferson in some capacity. But this section is split into two pieces, one that specifically focuses on the Jefferson-centric presentations, and the other part that integrates Jefferson with other Founders or other presidents (like Mt. Rushmore). Stuckey makes clear the key dimension around the building of these kinds of memorials and monuments: they are as much about the people choosing to build them and how they are to look and exist as they are about the individual, in this case Jefferson, being honored within them. The next section of Remembering Jefferson examines Jefferson in popular culture, particularly in televisual and cinematic popular culture. And while Jefferson is, again, in many places, he comes across in fascinating ways in these renderings, since his relationship to slavery—that he had over 500 enslaved individuals over his lifetime, that a number of those who were enslaved were also his children—is often portrayed as incidental and as a kind of footnote. Jefferson is often hazy and romantic in these narratives. The final section of the book assesses Jefferson within children's literature, since this is also a realm where Jefferson is taking on a civic teaching, and the presentation is about communicating a kind of citizenship to young people. Mary Stuckey has produced an important reading of the United States by reading Thomas Jefferson in all the places and spaces where he turns up. Remembering Jefferson: Who He was, Who We Are is a delight to read, and discusses the complex ideas of national identity, enslavement, race, power, citizenship, and civic virtue. Lilly J. Goren is a professor of political science at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Mary E. Stuckey, the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, has a brilliant new book that dives into the question of who we are as Americans, a theme that Stuckey has long researched and considered in much of her work (Defining Americans: The Presidency and National Identity, University Press of Kansas, 2004; For the Enjoyment of the People: The Creation of National Identity in American Public Lands, University Press of Kansas, 2023), but she traces this idea of American identity through Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, key author of the Declaration of Independence, architect, and enslaver. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are is an exploration not so much of Thomas Jefferson the person, but Thomas Jefferson as he has become iconic within the American imagination and what that position explains about not only Jefferson himself, but also what it says about the United States at any particular period in the course of American history. Stuckey traces the symbolic and iconic Jefferson in a number of distinct areas, each of which communicate different presentations or representations of Jefferson himself but also how we, as citizens, consume the idea of Jefferson. All of these are avenues to understand American national identity. As a scholar of presidential rhetoric, Stuckey begins the research by exploring how other presidents have used Jefferson in their speeches and their rhetoric, finding that the vast majority of presidents have referenced Jefferson in some form or in some way to legitimize their own policies. Many presidents have integrated Jefferson's own words (and he wrote many, many words over a long life, especially for the time) as a way to authorize what they were doing while in office. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are then traces the many memorials and monuments that integrate Jefferson in some capacity. But this section is split into two pieces, one that specifically focuses on the Jefferson-centric presentations, and the other part that integrates Jefferson with other Founders or other presidents (like Mt. Rushmore). Stuckey makes clear the key dimension around the building of these kinds of memorials and monuments: they are as much about the people choosing to build them and how they are to look and exist as they are about the individual, in this case Jefferson, being honored within them. The next section of Remembering Jefferson examines Jefferson in popular culture, particularly in televisual and cinematic popular culture. And while Jefferson is, again, in many places, he comes across in fascinating ways in these renderings, since his relationship to slavery—that he had over 500 enslaved individuals over his lifetime, that a number of those who were enslaved were also his children—is often portrayed as incidental and as a kind of footnote. Jefferson is often hazy and romantic in these narratives. The final section of the book assesses Jefferson within children's literature, since this is also a realm where Jefferson is taking on a civic teaching, and the presentation is about communicating a kind of citizenship to young people. Mary Stuckey has produced an important reading of the United States by reading Thomas Jefferson in all the places and spaces where he turns up. Remembering Jefferson: Who He was, Who We Are is a delight to read, and discusses the complex ideas of national identity, enslavement, race, power, citizenship, and civic virtue. Lilly J. Goren is a professor of political science at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Mary E. Stuckey, the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, has a brilliant new book that dives into the question of who we are as Americans, a theme that Stuckey has long researched and considered in much of her work (Defining Americans: The Presidency and National Identity, University Press of Kansas, 2004; For the Enjoyment of the People: The Creation of National Identity in American Public Lands, University Press of Kansas, 2023), but she traces this idea of American identity through Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, key author of the Declaration of Independence, architect, and enslaver. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are is an exploration not so much of Thomas Jefferson the person, but Thomas Jefferson as he has become iconic within the American imagination and what that position explains about not only Jefferson himself, but also what it says about the United States at any particular period in the course of American history. Stuckey traces the symbolic and iconic Jefferson in a number of distinct areas, each of which communicate different presentations or representations of Jefferson himself but also how we, as citizens, consume the idea of Jefferson. All of these are avenues to understand American national identity. As a scholar of presidential rhetoric, Stuckey begins the research by exploring how other presidents have used Jefferson in their speeches and their rhetoric, finding that the vast majority of presidents have referenced Jefferson in some form or in some way to legitimize their own policies. Many presidents have integrated Jefferson's own words (and he wrote many, many words over a long life, especially for the time) as a way to authorize what they were doing while in office. Remembering Jefferson: Who He Was, Who We Are then traces the many memorials and monuments that integrate Jefferson in some capacity. But this section is split into two pieces, one that specifically focuses on the Jefferson-centric presentations, and the other part that integrates Jefferson with other Founders or other presidents (like Mt. Rushmore). Stuckey makes clear the key dimension around the building of these kinds of memorials and monuments: they are as much about the people choosing to build them and how they are to look and exist as they are about the individual, in this case Jefferson, being honored within them. The next section of Remembering Jefferson examines Jefferson in popular culture, particularly in televisual and cinematic popular culture. And while Jefferson is, again, in many places, he comes across in fascinating ways in these renderings, since his relationship to slavery—that he had over 500 enslaved individuals over his lifetime, that a number of those who were enslaved were also his children—is often portrayed as incidental and as a kind of footnote. Jefferson is often hazy and romantic in these narratives. The final section of the book assesses Jefferson within children's literature, since this is also a realm where Jefferson is taking on a civic teaching, and the presentation is about communicating a kind of citizenship to young people. Mary Stuckey has produced an important reading of the United States by reading Thomas Jefferson in all the places and spaces where he turns up. Remembering Jefferson: Who He was, Who We Are is a delight to read, and discusses the complex ideas of national identity, enslavement, race, power, citizenship, and civic virtue. Lilly J. Goren is a professor of political science at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textThomas Gaffney is the COO of OFA Group ( https://www.ofacorp.com/ ), which through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Office for Fine Architecture Limited, is a premier architectural firm that provides comprehensive architectural services, including design and fit out services for commercial and residential buildings. OFA's mission is to leverage not just expertise in architectural design, but also tools like AI and digital assets, to maximize the potential of every property, ensuring that its unique attributes are highlighted and enhanced. The OFA Group is focused on innovation, efficiency, and scalability in it's business model and service offerings.Mr. Gaffney is a seasoned startup financing attorney with over a decade of experience representing and advising technology startups throughout their growth journey, from seed stage through to IPO or strategic acquisitions. His expertise encompasses venture capital financing, equity structuring, and navigating the complex legal landscape of the tech industry. Mr. Gaffney holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctor from the Wake Forest University School of Law.#ThomasGaffney #OFAGroup #OfficeForFineArchitectureLimited #ArchitecturalServices #AI #DigitalAssets #Architecture #Regulation #Compliance #Sustainability #RealEstate #ArtificialIntelligence #PlanAid #BuildingCodes #RealWorldAsset #Hearth #Tokenization #DigitalTokens #Blockchain #Web3 #QikBIM #SeniorHousing #SeniorCare #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show

This episode's Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow' Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HEREEpisode Overview: Healthcare still doesn't truly know "who is who" — and that identity crisis is costing health systems patients, trust, and growth.Our next guest, Clay Ritchey, is tackling this challenge head-on as CEO of Verato.With more than two decades of experience driving growth and innovation across market-leading healthcare technology organizations, Clay brings a unique perspective on why identity intelligence is the hidden driver of patient loyalty and better outcomes.Scaling his previous company through hyper-growth and a successful merger, he understands what it takes to seamlessly implement solutions that transform how healthcare organizations engage with consumers.Join us to discover how Verato is powering a single source of truth for identity across healthcare and why being "impatient as hell" is exactly what this industry needs. Let's go!Episode Highlights:Be impatient as hell — Clay's advice to healthcare innovators is to maintain urgency and not let the slow pace of the industry get in your way.Healthcare's identity crisis is blocking digital transformation — The High Tech Act moved healthcare off paper records, but we missed solving identity, leaving fragmented data that prevents a true 360-degree patient view.7 in 10 healthcare leaders are losing patients due to poor experiences — Verato's national study revealed that fragmented identity data is directly driving patient attrition and eroding loyalty.Consumerism is reshaping healthcare — Less than 25% of millennials have a primary care physician, and patients are increasingly willing to drive past hospitals for better experiences elsewhere.Identity intelligence is foundational for AI success — Organizations are investing in identity data quality now because high-fidelity data is essential to trustworthy AI outcomes.About our Guest:Clay brings more than 20 years of experience driving growth and innovation in market-leading healthcare technology organizations to Verato.As CEO, Clay is passionate about working with healthcare, life science, and government organizations across the care continuum to transform the way that consumers and patients engage with them to build deeper relationships resulting in improved outcomes and sustainable growth for our customers.Prior to joining Verato, Clay served as CEO of Evariant, a healthcare SaaS CRM and big data analytics company, achieving hyper-growth of the organization and leading them to a successful merger.Prior roles also include Chief Marketing Officer at Imprivata, CEO at Maryland-based Equinox Healthcare, and Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Hill-Rom IT Solutions. Clay received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his BSEE, with Highest Distinction, from The Pennsylvania State University.Links Supporting This Episode: Clay Ritchey LinkedIn page: CLICK HERE

Matthew Restall is an historian and author of over forty books, focusing on the Spanish Conquest era in the Americas; on Aztec and Maya history; on the history of colonial Mesoamerica, primarily Yucatan but including Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; on the historical African diaspora in the Americas; and on the history of popular music. Matthew is most recently the author of The Nine Lives of Christopher Columbus, the topic of and inspiration for this conversation. Finally, he is Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of History and Anthropology, and Director of Latin American Studies, at Pennsylvania State University. We discussed the phenomenon of “Columbiana,” the vast mythology that has befogged the history and biography of Christopher Columbus, the man, almost entirely for purposes that he himself would not have understood.  His book, which I quite recommend, addresses nine such “lives” and the historical mysteries around them.  We touch on the four of those that I thought would most appeal to longstanding and attentive listeners – his early life and his pitching for the funding for the “Enterprise of the Indies” – which are the first two lives, and the curious resurrection of Columbus in the 19th century as the founding “grandfather” of the United States, followed by his last “life” – so far – as the great hero of Italian-Americans. This last leads to a discussion of the perception of Columbus today.  Along the way we go down numerous rabbit holes, including that there is, even today, a direct descendant of Columbus who bears the title “Admiral of the Ocean Sea.” Other relevant links Matthew Restall, The Nine Lives of Christopher Columbus History Impossible Podcast, “War for the Frontiers of History and America (w/ Jack Henneman of The History of the Americans)”: Apple and Spotify Samuel Eliot Morison, Admiral of the Ocean Sea: A Life of Christopher Columbus X – @TheHistoryOfTh2 – https://x.com/TheHistoryOfTh2 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfTheAmericans

Kellie Grutko, known as the "Spark Strategist," is a transformative leader dedicated to empowering accomplished women to navigate life's transitions with clarity, confidence and purpose. As the Founder and Chief Pivot Officer of Purposeful Pivot, LLC, she leverages her personal journey of reinvention—from a high-level corporate executive to a certified transition coach—to guide women through their own transformative journeys. Her mission is to help women move from burnout to brilliance, rediscover their passions and chart fulfilling paths beyond the boardroom.With over 35 years of executive leadership experience, Kellie has held key marketing and strategic roles across media, advertising and manufacturing industries. She served as Marketing Excellence Leader at Trane Technologies, where she championed innovative marketing training programs across the global marketing enterprise. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President of Marketing at Comcast Spotlight, the advertising division of Comcast Cable Communications, leading brand strategy, demand generation and multimillion-dollar marketing initiatives. She also honed her expertise in consumer engagement and experiential marketing as Director of Marketing at King of Prussia Coventry Malls.Kellie's impressive career has been defined by her ability to build high-performing teams, rebrand organizations and drive significant revenue growth. She has led customer engagement strategies, marketing innovation and brand transformations, making her a sought-after expert in strategic leadership and purpose-driven marketing.Despite her corporate success, Kellie found herself at a crossroads, questioning what's next in her own life. Determined to redefine her future with purpose, she pivoted from corporate leadership to certified life coach and founder of Purposeful Pivot, a coaching and retreat-based business that helps accomplished women transition into their next chapter.As a speaker, coach and strategist, Kellie is approachable, engaging and focused on human connection. She believes in the power of sisterhood, reinvention and authenticity, guiding women to embrace change with confidence.Beyond her business, Kellie is a dedicated community leader, actively involved with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Healthy Heart Association and Make-A-Wish Foundation, where she has contributed to long-standing fundraising efforts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from The Pennsylvania State University and has pursued continued education in life coaching, public speaking, Nonprofit Essentials and Women's Executive Leadership.Kellie's mission is clear: to help women navigate life's transitions with purpose, confidence and a bit of sparkle. Through her speaking engagements and coaching programs, she inspires audiences to embrace their next steps—one intentional and empowering move at a time.Learn more and follow Kellie:WEBSITE: www.purposefulpivot.netLINKEDIN PAGE: https://bit.ly/LinkedIn-PurposefulPivotLINKEDIN GROUP:  bit.ly/PurposefulPivotLinkedInGroup PERONAL LINKEDIN – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-grutko FACEBOOK PAGE: bit.ly/PurposefulPivot-FB

Chad Whyte, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain at Utz Brands, Inc. In this episode, Donna and Tom sit down with Chad Whyte, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at Utz Brands, Inc. to discuss his career journey and the evolution of supply chain management in the consumables industry. Chad shares how his Penn State education prepared him for leadership, the challenges facing modern supply chains, and strategies for building agility and resilience in today's dynamic landscape. He provides insight into Utz's new state-of-the-art logistics center and how it's advancing supply chain efficiency, while also offering valuable perspectives on workforce development and student preparedness. Listeners will gain practical advice on supply chain flexibility, the importance of cross-functional expertise, and Chad's guiding principles for career success.  Takeaways:  Career progression from Penn State to Executive VP of Supply Chain  Challenges and opportunities in consumables supply chain management  Building agile and resilient supply chains in a changing landscape  Utz's state-of-the-art logistics center and its impact on efficiency  Stay connected with CSCR on LinkedIn (Center for Supply Chain Research) and Instagram (@pennstatesupplychain), and be sure to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you are tuning into Unpacked: Insights hosted by the Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research™. Thank you for joining us!  Visit our website: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr  Guest Bio:  Chad Whyte was appointed to Executive Vice President, Supply Chain for Utz Brands, Inc. in June 2022. As EVP, Supply Chain, he has responsibility for Procurement, Supply and Demand Planning, Distribution, Transportation and the Customer Logistics functions. Chad joined Utz in January 2022 as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Planning and Logistics. He joined Utz with 25 years of experience in supply chain roles, most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of Aloe Group, a consulting firm that has been working closely with Utz on several value creation initiatives. Prior to Aloe, Chad was Vice President, Supply Chain at Pinnacle Foods, where he was responsible for all transportation, warehousing and network optimization for a $3.5 billion revenue business. Prior to Pinnacle Foods, he was Senior Director, Logistics at Campbell Soup Company; Director, Logistics North America at Reckitt Benckiser; and Director, Supply Chain Planning at Church & Dwight Company.  Chad received a B.S. in Supply Chain and Information Systems, as well as an M.B.A., from The Pennsylvania State University. He was also an adjunct faculty member for Penn State's Executive Education Program on Achieving Supply Chain Transformation. 

In "Penske's State of Logistics: Leasing, Tech, and Loss Prevention with Andy Moses", Joe Lynch and Andy Moses, Senior Vice President of Solutions and Sales Strategy for Penske Logistics, discuss the critical findings from the State of Logistics Report, the strategic advantage of integrating leasing and logistics services, and the operational necessity of combating escalating threats like cargo theft and cyber fraud. About Andy Moses Andy Moses is the senior vice president of solutions and sales strategy for Penske Logistics. He leads the organization's engineering solutions team and heads corporate sales strategy, advising Penske's product line leaders on sales and development. He was most recently senior vice president of sales and solutions, and previously held the role of senior vice president of global products. He has a distinguished career in the transportation industry in product and sales leadership roles, including prior experience as vice president of sales at Penske Truck Leasing. A member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and a supply chain author, Moses has spoken at industry conferences and guest lectured at top universities. A Master Black Belt in Six Sigma, Moses holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Brooklyn College and a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University in leadership development. About Penske Logistics Penske Logistics  is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. The company is a leading provider of innovative supply chain and logistics solutions. Penske offers solutions including dedicated transportation, distribution center management, 4PL and lead logistics, transportation management, freight brokerage, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeLogistics.com to learn more. Key Takeaways: Penske's State of Logistics In "Penske's State of Logistics: Leasing, Tech, and Loss Prevention with Andy Moses", Joe Lynch and Andy Moses, Senior Vice President of Solutions and Sales Strategy for Penske Logistics, discuss how integrated services and proactive technology are building a more secure and agile supply chain. Cyber Security, Cargo Theft, & Freight Fraud: Digital and physical security threats are escalating, making loss prevention a strategic imperative. Logistics providers must invest in robust cyber defenses for operational technology (OT) systems and implement advanced tracking, authentication, and security protocols to mitigate both physical cargo theft and sophisticated freight fraud schemes. The State of the Market (CSCMP/Penske Report): The industry is defined by persistent uncertainty and disruption, requiring a shift from short-term cost-cutting to long-term strategic resilience. The CSCMP/Kearney/Penske State of Logistics Report highlights that while capacity is balancing, geopolitical and economic headwinds, including shifts in trade and the $2.6 trillion U.S. business logistics costs, continue to drive complexity and require agility. Penske's Cross-Over Advantage (Leasing & Logistics): Penske's unique position—providing both truck leasing and logistics services—offers customers a unified and adaptable solution. This cross-over provides superior scale, equipment access, maintenance support, and integrated market intelligence on transportation capacity and emerging market needs. Technology as a Solution Driver: Penske's ClearChain® Technology Suite leverages data, analytics, and AI to provide end-to-end visibility, orchestration, and control. This technology allows companies to move beyond reacting to problems and engage in predictive modeling to proactively address issues before they impact the network. Problems Penske Solves: Penske leverages its engineering and sales strategy to solve critical business problems, including optimizing network design, providing compliant dedicated transportation, offering rapid scalability, and delivering the data-driven transparency required for consumer trust and regulatory adherence. Learn More About Penske's State of Logistics Andy's LinkedIn Penske Logistics CSCMP/Penske State of Logistics Report Penske ClearChain® Technology Suite The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube  

In this episode, our hosts sit down with John Burke, Executive Chairman of ARMADA Sunset Holdings, to explore his over 30 year journey with one of the largest players in the food service supply chain. John shares insights into ARMADA's critical role in supporting the restaurants we frequent weekly, the biggest challenges facing the food service industry today, and the company's most successful strategies for overcoming them. He discusses how customer needs are evolving, lessons learned from the COVID era, and the supply chain technologies shaping ARMADA's future. As a Penn State graduate and long-time supporter of the Center for Supply Chain Research, John also reflects on advice he'd give his younger self and the guiding principles that have defined his remarkable career. Takeaways: ARMADA's role in the food service supply chain ecosystem Navigating industry challenges and customer evolution COVID-era lessons applied to modern supply chain planning Technology priorities for future supply chain success Stay connected with CSCR on LinkedIn (Center for Supply Chain Research) and Instagram (@pennstatesupplychain), and be sure to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you are tuning into Unpacked: Insights hosted by the Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research™. Thank you for joining us!  Visit our website: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr  Guest Bio:  As the Executive Chairman of Armada Sunset Holdings, John leads a supply chain management enterprise that support its clients competitive market positions by optimizing their supply chain networks. By emphasizing data-lead innovation and strategic partnerships, the companies of Armada Sunset Holdings work hard to improve operational processes, simplify logistics, and reduce costs. As a supply chain industry professional for over three decades, he has dedicated his career to developing and implementing creative supply chain solutions for national retail brands. John came to Armada in 1992, co-founded Hub One Logistics in 1996, and established LXP in 2006. Both companies were consolidated under Armada in 2011. Following the strategic acquisitions of Sunset Transportation in 2022 and ATEC in 2023, Armada Sunset Holdings has evolved into a comprehensive, fully integrated supply chain service provider, boasting operations and offices spanning North America. He holds a BS from Pennsylvania State University and an MSIA from the Tepper School at Carnegie Mellon University. John has served on the advisory boards of the Penn State Center for Supply Chain Research, Women's Foodservice Forum, the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation. He formerly served on the Pennsylvania State Workforce Investment Board and on the Board of Directors of the American Textile Company.

Is this the answer to burnout? How are mini-retirements even possible? Kira Schabram, PhD, is the Assistant Professor in management & organization at Pennsylvania State University & historian of work who has been studying the details & impacts of a phenomenon called micro-retirement – people treating breaks from work of three or more months.In this episode, you'll hear how others are doing this idea, why it's worth talking about & how it could be the solution to widespread burnout among American workers. We compare American attitudes on work compared to our European counterparts, what makes a micro-retirement “successful” & why what we call it matters. If you like this episode, you'll also like episode 190: DOES A CAREER CHANGE MEAN YOU'RE A FAILURE? Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/ meredith@meredithforreal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert  Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/  00:00 — Why “micro-retirement” even matters00:27 — The work-first culture problem01:41 — “Cute but inaccessible?”02:10 — Who actually takes micro-retirements02:46 — The two paths into a micro-retirement04:33 — Life milestones as wake-up calls04:59 — Why reflection only happens off the treadmill05:27 — Is micro-retirement just rebranding unemployment?05:56 — Why the word matters more than you think06:30 — The need for a new term07:53 — Why nonprofit leaders burn out fastest10:39 — Training future leaders by stepping away11:12 — Sabbatical-as-benefit on a shoestring budget11:40 — Why employers resist the idea12:07 — The costs of quiet quitting12:34 — Why micro-retirements can increase productivity13:02 — Sabbatical vs micro-retirement: the naming problem13:35 — Why “3 months minimum” actually matters14:29 — Why Americans don't recognize their own burnout16:18 — The France comparison that changes everything16:46 — “Where do you vacation?” as identity17:18 — Pandemic shifts in work culture18:22 — Could the US ever adopt the August model?19:57 — What Europe gets right—and wrong—about work21:20 — Has work become meaning or misery?21:55 — The generational gap in purpose24:48 — What happens if cynicism wins25:54 — A German lens on work meaning28:12 — FIRE vs micro-retirement mindsets29:05 — The “aunt at Thanksgiving” argument30:01 — The burnout-pushed retirement pattern30:29 — The “do nothing” phase no one expects30:58 — When nothingness reveals burnout severity32:02 — Skill-building in the wild33:40 — The danger of over-planning time off34:40 — Handling the “yeah but my bills” barrier35:06 — Micro-retirements aren't résumé gaps38:01 — What would happen if 60% of employers offered this?40:19 — Could mini-retirements reshape whole industries?41:00 — The hidden cost of burnout recovery42:46 — Closing reflections on culture, work & wellbeingRequest to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Some animals have a very different relationship to aging than we do: They don't get cancer, they never go through menopause, and they live absurdly long lives. For instance, one bat species can live for more than 40 years, which may not sound like very long but that's about nine times longer than expected based on its size. For comparison, if we aged on that scale, we'd live for hundreds of years. These bats aren't the only animal super-agers—there's a whole menagerie of them.So what's their secret? And can we learn anything from them that might help us live longer, healthier lives? Host Flora Lichtman talks with longevity researchers Vera Gorbunova and Juan Manuel Vazquez about what animals are teaching us.Guests:Dr. Vera Gorbunova is a biologist and professor at the University of Rochester, and a co-director of the Rochester Aging Research Center.Dr. Juan Manuel Vazquez is a biologist and assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University studying the evolution of aging.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

According to just about every survey I could find, attorneys are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence tools. Most of these professionals report significant benefits. Some attorneys continue to fumble through without reading the manual. I only hope they do better with lawn mowers and hedge clippers. In this episode, my guest falls in the former camp, finding AI to be an invaluable asset to trial teams. Adam Massaro, an accomplished litigator in intellectual property and high-stakes commercial disputes, explained how artificial intelligence is transforming trial preparation and courtroom strategies. Adam described leveraging AI to enhance expert cross-examination, streamline evidence management, and improve witness preparation. He is particularly optimistic about AI's predictive capabilities, whether evaluating case prospects before trial or refining overarching litigation approaches. He emphasized that the true potential of AI is realized when it is provided with structured, reliable data and guided by well-crafted prompts that specify the desired outcomes. By adhering to these principles, AI can efficiently summarize complex arguments, identify weaknesses in a case, and support attorneys in refining their strategies ahead of trial. In the area of witness preparation, AI is proving invaluable, enabling attorneys to anticipate challenging questions and help witnesses present more effective testimony. Adam is a partner at Reed Smith in Denver. With more than a decade of experience, he has handled multimillion-dollar cases, securing significant jury verdicts and defense wins at trial. His practice spans trade secrets, copyright, class action, and appellate matters. Adam is also a former appellate law clerk with experience in post-judgment and appellate proceedings. Adam earned his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and holds a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University. Alongside his legal work, he is involved in community service. He is an active member of the Denver Active 2030 Children's Foundation (2010–present), where he has served as Vice President, Charity Review Committee member, and President. Adam has also contributed as a board member for Elder Justice Colorado and Denver Kids Inc. Thanks to Adam for such a candid conversation. Had I known he is also an archer I would have made a much bigger deal about it. The potential puns and metaphors, well, boggles the mind. At least mine.  ______________________________________ Thanks for listening! If you like what you hear please give us a rating. You'd be amazed at how much that helps. If you have questions for Tom or would like to participate, you can reach him at Editor@LitigationConferences.com. Ask him about creating this kind of content for your firm -- podcasts, webinars, blogs, articles, papers, and more. Tom on LinkedIn Emerging Litigation Podcast on LinkedIn Emerging Litigation Podcast on the HB Litigation site

Reducing carbon emissions in the cement and concrete industry is a complex, multifaceted challenge. Juan Pablo Gevaudan, assistant professor of architectural engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, talks about how his childhood desire to protect the environment led to his eventual work in cement, describes some of the research taking place in the cement industry to reduce carbon emissions, and shares how his identity as a Latino and Hispanic scientist plays a role in his approach to learning and teaching.View the transcript for this episode here.About the guestJuan Pablo Gevaudan is assistant professor of architectural engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. As head of the D/Carb Group at Penn State, JP works with students on developing solutions to reduce carbon emissions in the cement and concrete industry by taking a whole lifecycle approach to the challenge. He is actively involved in the ACerS Cements Division, currently serving as secretary for the 2025–2026 term.About ACerSFounded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

In this week's episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Neha Khanna and Ruohao Zhang about how government shutdowns prevent active air-pollution monitoring—and end up leading to more air pollution from coal-fired power plants while monitoring is on hiatus. Professor Khanna from Binghamton University and Assistant Professor Zhang from Pennsylvania State University published a related study, with another coauthor, examining the impact of the 2018–2019 government shutdown on pollution emissions from federally regulated coal-fired power plants. The authors found that the hiatus on pollution monitoring by federal employees, who were furloughed during the shutdown, led to an increase in the types of pollutants that required manual regulation at power plants. In this podcast episode, Khanna and Zhang reflect on how these findings may likewise inform how pollution rates may have changed during the government shutdown that ended just last week. References and recommendations: “Monitoring and Enforcement and Environmental Compliance: Power Plant Emissions During the 2018–19 Federal Government Shutdown” by Ruohao Zhang, Huan Li, and Neha Khanna; https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/733758 “Coal plants emitted more pollution during the last government shutdown, while regulators were furloughed” by Ruohao Zhang, Huan Li, and Neha Khanna; https://theconversation.com/coal-plants-emitted-more-pollution-during-the-last-government-shutdown-while-regulators-were-furloughed-267696 “The Conversation” online platform; https://theconversation.com/us “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/43157/the-lorax-by-dr-seuss/

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Bryan Grim from the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation about his influential research on global religious freedom. Grim recounts how his personal experiences living in the Muslim world, particularly during 9/11, led him to develop the groundbreaking framework that measures religious restrictions through two distinct lenses: government actions and social hostilities. He argues that this nuanced understanding is crucial for the workplace, asserting that accommodating and respecting employees' diverse faiths fosters a more productive and engaged environment, drawing a parallel between inclusive national policies and successful corporate cultures. The conversation explores the practical challenges of accommodating various religious practices, the importance of universal religious freedom for all faiths to ensure it for any, and the critical role of data in providing perspective, informing policy, and navigating the complexities of religious persecution beyond mere anecdotes. Dr. Bryan J. Grim is a globally recognized expert on the socio-economic impact of religious freedom. He is the Founding President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF) and serves as the Global Chair of Dare to Overcome, an initiative that fosters mutual respect and engagement among diverse faith-and-belief groups in workplaces worldwide. With a Ph.D. in quantitative sociology from Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Grim has authored numerous academic articles and books. His pioneering work at the Pew Research Center led to the development of global indexes measuring Government Restrictions on Religion (GRI) and Social Hostilities Involving Religion (SHI), which are now key tools for monitoring religious freedom worldwide. Dr. Grim's research has shown that religion contributes approximately $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, surpassing the combined revenues of top tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google. His approach to religious freedom emphasizes building inclusive environments for people of all faiths and those without religious affiliation. He has lived and worked extensively across China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the former USSR, where he helped establish the first Western-style business school in the Soviet Union. His global influence included advisory roles with the World Economic Forum, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Notre Dame University Law School's Religious Liberty Initiative, Brandeis University's Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, and affiliations with Boston University and Baylor University. Dr. Grim is also known for organizing the Global Business & Intercultural Peace Awards, held in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi, and Washington, D.C., with support from global leaders and organizations including the United Nations Global Compact and American Airlines. He and his wife, Julia Beth, are co-authors of Grims' New Fairy Tales of Love Overcoming Evil (https://grimsfairytales.com/), parents of four and grandparents of 18.

Partners in PROMISE is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to Protect the Rights of Military children in Special Education and disability communities to ensure they receive equal access to an education.  Listen as Dr. Jenna Kremkow and Carla Wyrsch discuss how the PROMISE advocates for military children with special and exceptional needs.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Luke Spouses' Club. To learn more, visit https://www.lukespousesclub.org/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources:   Partners in PROMISE https://thepromiseact.org/   Partners in PROMISE Special Education & EFMP Binder  https://thepromiseact.org/binder/   Educator Report https://thepromiseact.org/educators-report-partners-in-promise-2022-research-findings/   Bio: Jenna Kremkow is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Elmhurst University. She completed her MS and PhD at The Pennsylvania State University with an emphasis in autism, augmentative and alternative communication, child language disorders, and stakeholder training and perspectives. Clinically, Jenna has worked as a speech-language pathologist in elementary schools, outpatient clinics, and early intervention settings. Jenna teaches courses in augmentative and alternative communication, autism, language disorders in children, and research methods. One of her research areas focuses on the experiences of military families with children with autism and the use of technology to improve communication outcomes and quality of life for children with autism and their families. Her goal is to use research to support data-driven recommendations and policy changes to improve special education services for military families.     Carla Wyrsch is the spouse of a retired United States Marine and mother of two. She has devoted her career to educating and advocating for children with disABILITIES. Her experience spans a variety of settings, including residential treatment facilities, military bases, public schools, and the Lerner School for Autism at the Cleveland Clinic. Currently, she is a School Operations Director with MIYO Health. In addition to her work with MIYO Health, Carla enjoys volunteering with Best Buddies of Greater Memphis, the Organization for Autism Research, and Partners in PROMISE as a content creator and advisory board member.

Dr. Jonathan Payne is a Professor and Chair of Geological Sciences at Stanford University. He also holds a courtesy appointment in Biology, is a Member of Stanford's interdisciplinary biosciences institute Bio-X, and is an Affiliate of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Jonathan studies the history of life on Earth. He is interested in the interactions between the changes in earth's environments and the evolution of life on Earth. In particular, Jonathan focuses on large extinction events like asteroid impacts and volcanic eruptions, and how these impacted life in the oceans. When not working, Jonathan is often going to sporting events, traveling, and playing Nerf basketball in his house with his wife and two kids. He also enjoys hiking and working out at the gym. Jonathan received his B.A. in Geosciences from Williams College. Afterwards, he worked as a high school math and science teacher in Switzerland for two years before returning to graduate school. Jonathan was awarded his Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Harvard University, and he conducted postdoctoral research at Pennsylvania State University before joining the faculty at Stanford. Jonathan has received many awards and honors for his work, including the Stanford University Medal for excellence in advising undergraduate research, the Charles Schuchert Award from the Paleontological Society, and a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation. He has also been named a Fellow of the Geological Society of America as well as a Fellow of the Paleontological Society. In this podcast interview, Jonathan spoke with us about his experiences in life and science.

November 2025 marks 200 years since the founding of Choctaw Academy, the first boarding school for Native Americans in the United States. Located in Great Crossings in Scott County, Choctaw Academy educated more than 600 students from across 17 nations. The academy, however, was more than a boarding school. It was a place where larger debates over imperialism, slavery, and Native American policy played out. Join us today for a discussion with Dr. Christina Snyder, author of the 2017 book Great Crossings: Indians, Settlers, and Slaves in the Age of Jackson. Dr. Christina Snyder is the McCabe-Greer Professor of History at The Pennsylvania State University. Snyder earned her Ph.D. in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Snyder is the author of Great Crossings: Indians, Settlers, and Slaves in the Age of Jackson and Slavery in Indian Country: The Changing Face of Captivity in Early America. These books received a wide range of accolades, including the Francis Parkman Prize, the John H. Dunning Prize, the James H. Broussard Prize, and the John C. Ewers Prize. Her research has been supported by the American Council of Learned Societies, the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, the National Humanities Center, and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Kentucky Chronicles is inspired by the work of researchers worldwide who have contributed to the scholarly journal, The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, in publication since 1903. history.ky.gov/explore/catalog-r…istorical-society Hosted by Dr. Allen A. Fletcher, associate editor of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society and coordinator of our Research Fellows program, which brings in researchers from across the world to conduct research in the rich archival holdings of the Kentucky Historical Society. history.ky.gov/khs-for-me/for-re…earch-fellowships Kentucky Chronicles is presented by the Kentucky Historical Society, with support from the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation. history.ky.gov/about/khs-foundation This episode was recorded and produced by Gregory Hardison, with support and guidance from Dr. Stephanie Lang. Our theme music, “Modern Documentary,” was created by Mood Mode and is used courtesy of Pixabay. To learn more about our publication of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, or to learn more about our Research Fellows program, please visit our website: history.ky.gov/ history.ky.gov/khs-podcasts

Penn State Football isn't just a sport; it's a tradition, a community, and a way of life. That same mindset should guide how we think about B2B marketing.That's why in this episode, we're taking lessons from Penn State's legacy with the help of our special guest Jill Ransome, SVP of Marketing and Communications at Unite Us.Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from building a brand people rally behind, leaning into differentiation, and playing the long game with consistency to drive lasting impact.About our guest, Jill RansomeJill Ransome is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience leading brand, communications, and growth strategies for technology and software companies. Currently SVP of Marketing at Unite Us, Jill previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at Jitterbit, where she led global brand transformation and demand generation efforts. She's spent much of her career in high-growth environments, bringing a passion for storytelling, strategic execution, and building scalable marketing engines. Jill holds a B.S. in Global Marketing from Pennsylvania State University and lives in Fairfield, Connecticut.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Penn State Football:Build a brand people rally behind. Penn State thrives on pride, emotion, and community, and Jill says B2B brands need the same. “Build a brand that your fans, your followers, your constituents really believe in and rally behind. What Penn State does really well is it's consistent. It's emotional and it's human.” Even in B2B, you need advocates who feel connected enough to share, refer, and champion your story.Lean into differentiation. Just as Penn State owns its “Linebacker U” reputation, companies must find what sets them apart. “From a marketing strategy perspective, you always need to be… thinking about what is your differentiation in the market that's going to set your brand apart.” In crowded B2B categories, leaning into your unique story is what attracts the right buyers.Play the long game with consistency. Penn State football hasn't changed its brand for decades, and that repetition builds equity. Jill points out: “They have been the same navy, blue and white design for decades upon decades… it comes back to brand… You don't see success overnight. It's something that's built over time with consistency.” Marketing results don't happen instantly; they come from committing to your identity and showing up over time.Quote“ I think good marketers are great storytellers, but you can't be a great storyteller unless you're a good listener. You have to listen and learn from your buyers. You have to listen and learn from your frontline. You have to listen and learn from the world around you.”Time Stamps[00:55] Meet Jill Ransome, SVP of Marketing and Communications at Unite Us[01:53] Why Penn State Football?[02:50] Role of SVP of Marketing at Unite Us[03:53] Penn State Football: Tradition and Identity[19:08]  B2B Marketing Lessons from Penn State Football[26:39] Brand and Marketing Strategies at Unite Us[29:47] Effective Content and Campaigns[36:24] Advice for CMOs[38:02] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Jill on LinkedInLearn more about Unite UsAbout Remarkable!Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we're welcoming Dr. Rick Kubina, who is Director of Research at CentralReach as well as Professor of Special Education at The Pennsylvania State University. A trailblazer in precision teaching and the science behind human behavior, we talk about his journey from volunteering at a mental health asylum when he was 16 years old to becoming a pivotal figure in education. Dr. Kubina explains the balance between teaching and entrepreneurial ventures, sharing candid insights from his journey in integrating consulting within his academic career. Our discussion also explores the impact of AI in teaching, the ethical considerations behind it, and the importance of human interaction. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why Dr. Kubina is at the forefront of Precision Teaching and Behavior Science. How his education at Youngstown State University shaped his career. How PrecisionX (formerly known as Chartlytics) revolutionizes Precision Teaching and data analysis. Why balancing teaching and business ventures was pivotal for Dr. Kubina. How AI can transform data analysis and prediction in Precision Teaching. Why ethical considerations are crucial in integrating AI in education and healthcare. Why digital charting offers advantages over traditional paper charts in Precision Teaching. Why responsible AI usage is essential to prevent misuse in fields like ABA. How low code platforms enable non-technical users to create functional applications. Why the human element remains irreplaceable despite technological advancements in education. How systemic issues prevent the widespread adoption of Precision Teaching tools like the Standard Celeration Chart.   Dr. Kubina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickkubina CentralReach: https://www.centralreach.com Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abaandptpodcast Join our The ABA and PT Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397478901376425 The Standard Celeration Society Papers on Destandardization: https://celeration.org/charting-standards/  

Dicken Bettinger, Ed.D., received his undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence University and began his career teaching high school students.  Many students came to Dicken with problems that they were experiencing.  This began his search for something to teach people that would increase their well-being.  He received his master's degree from Pennsylvania State University and his Doctoral degree in counseling psychology from Boston University.  He became licensed as a clinical psychologist in 1983 and retired from his psychotherapy practice after working as a psychologist for 31 years. Thirty-three years ago, he met Sydney Banks who had an enlightenment experience where he realized the Three Principles that underlie all human experience. Dicken had finally found universal principles that he could teach anyone.  He was grateful to find something that was simple in nature yet had the profound effect of raising the quality of a person's life.  He feels fortunate that for 23 years he was able to learn directly from Sydney Banks.  In 2008 Dicken received a Certificate of Competency from Mr. Banks authorizing him to teach the Three Principles.Dicken co-founded and was the director of a center in Vermont that was the first center in the Northeast to teach the Three Principles.  He served as one of the original nation-wide Core Three Principles Faculty and is currently a faculty member for the Three Principles Global Community.  In 1996 Dicken joined Pransky and Associates, a Three Principle-based institute in La Conner, Washington.  Dicken was instrumental in developing and teaching leadership and staff development programs for universities, hospitals, publishing companies, defense contractors, health departments, banks, and non-profit organizations. He taught company employees what it takes to be resilient and agile in the face of today's business challenges and rapidly changing environments.  He mentored CEOs and their leadership teams in raising the bar on their productivity, teamwork, and business success.  He now specializes in developing 3 Principle practitioners, as well as leading group seminars on the Principles and their relationship to spiritual/psychological well-being.In January of 2012 Dicken founded Three Principles Mentoring to deepen peoples' understanding of the 3 principles, develop 3P practitioners globally, and offer seminars in countries throughout the world. Dicken wrote a book with Natasha Swerdloff, Coming Home: Uncovering the Foundations of Psychological Well-being​ which is now available in 10 languages.Dicken also deeply values his work as a director on the board of the Three Principles Glogal Community. This organization was formed to spread the teachings of Sydney Banks around the world.  Dicken enjoys public service work and has worked with refugees from South and Central America. He was an integral part of the Tibetan Resettlement Project in Vermont. Dicken has been happily married for 55 years and loves teaching 3P Practitioners and running seminars worldwide on spiritual/psychological well-being. He has two adult children, Nina and Ben, and adores spending time with his four grandchildren.  He enjoys photography, hiking, canoeing,  traveling, and his dog, Oliver. 

Aspire Commercial's Topher Stephenson explains how brokers can start using AI today with clear workflows, decisive onboarding, and intentional automation.The Crexi Podcast connects CRE professionals with industry insights built for smart decision-making. In each episode, we explore the latest trends, innovations and opportunities shaping commercial real estate, because we believe knowledge should move at the speed of ambition and every conversation should empower professionals to act with greater clarity and confidence.  In this episode of The Crexi Podcast, host Shanti Ryle, Director of Content Marketing at Crexi, delves into Topher's experience, who offers a decade's worth of insights from of working in CRE operations, AI, and marketing and discusses the transformative power of artificial intelligence for the industry. The conversation covers Topher's journey into commercial real estate, the importance of operationalizing excellence, the various AI and automation tools beneficial for CRE, and the evolving role of technology in shaping the future of the industry. Highlights include practical applications, common misconceptions, and strategic recommendations for integrating AI into CRE practices. The episode emphasizes the critical balance between formalized processes and the necessity of flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing CRE landscape.Meet Topher Stephenson: Head of Operations at Aspire CommercialTopher's Journey into Commercial Real EstateInnovative Marketing Strategies in CREThe Importance of CRM and Project Management ToolsOperational Leadership and AI IntegrationComparing Investment DecksCustomizing AI for AutomationExcitement About AutomationPhilosophical Thoughts on AICommon Misconceptions About AIImportance of Documenting ProcessesDeciding Between AI and Human SolutionsBalancing Formal Processes and FlexibilityRapid Fire QuestionsFuture of AI in Commercial Real EstateConclusion and Contact InformationFor show notes, past guests, and more CRE content, please check out Crexi's blog.Looking to stay ahead in commercial real estate? Visit Crexi to explore properties, analyze markets, and connect with opportunities nationwide.Follow Crexi:https://www.crexi.com/​ https://www.crexi.com/instagram​ https://www.crexi.com/facebook​ https://www.crexi.com/twitter​ https://www.crexi.com/linkedin​ https://www.youtube.com/crexi About Topher Stephenson:Topher Stephenson joined Aspire Commercial, a commercial real estate brokerage based in Houston, Texas,  in 2024 as Head of Operations. He directs company operations and marketing strategy, while leading efforts to leverage AI technology in CRE workflows. Topher also provides keynote presentations on how to use AI in CRE and industry conferences and private company trainings both online and in-person around the country, and provides AI & automation consulting services to select partners. With over a decade of experience, he brings expertise in brokerage management, CRE marketing, and operations, specializing in practical applications of AI and emerging technologies.Previously, Topher served as Managing Director at The Boulos Company, Northern New England's largest commercial real estate brokerage. He began his career as Director of Real Estate Marketing at Atlantic National Trust, pioneering innovative marketing strategies for commercial properties nationwide.Topher holds a B.S. in Health Policy & Administration from Pennsylvania State University and a Master's in Business Analytics from the University of Maine. For show notes, past guests, and more CRE content, please check out Crexi's blog.Looking to stay ahead in commercial real estate? Visit Crexi to explore properties, analyze markets, and connect with opportunities nationwide. Follow Crexi:https://www.crexi.com/​ https://www.crexi.com/instagram​ https://www.crexi.com/facebook​ https://www.crexi.com/twitter​ https://www.crexi.com/linkedin​ https://www.youtube.com/crexi

In 2017, news of a disturbing crime began to spread across the campus of Pennsylvania State University. A student named Timothy Piazza had been found dead inside of a fraternity house... but what could have possibly happened here? As investigators and the public began to probe into the real story behind Timothy's death, they ended up unraveling a web of crime and darkness, much more disturbing than they could have ever imagined. - Listen to our new show, "THE CONSPIRACY FILES"!: -Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5IY9nWD2MYDzlSYP48nRPl -Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conspiracy-files/id1752719844 -Amazon/Audible - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ab1ade99-740c-46ae-8028-b2cf41eabf58/the-conspiracy-files -Pandora - https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-conspiracy-files/PC:1001089101 -iHeart - https://iheart.com/podcast/186907423/ -PocketCast - https://pca.st/dpdyrcca -CastBox - https://castbox.fm/channel/id6193084?country=us - Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701 If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamerica Instagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmerica TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowen Feeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel - (c) BLOOD IN THE SINK PRODUCTIONS 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matters Microbial #108: Neanderthal Oral Health, Ancient Bacteria and DNA September 19, 2025 Today, Dr. Laura Weyrich, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Pennsylvania State University,  joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the paleo oral microbiome! We will learn if our ancestors had the same kind of resident microbes as we do. In addition, we will learn about ancient DNA and what it can tell us. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Laura Weyrich Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An obituary for my late and much missed microbiologist friend, Dr. Kimberly Walker. A link to Episode #9 of #MattersMicrobial, with Sebastian Cocioba.  The ethics of collecting samples from deceased humans, both ancient and modern. An overview of the efforts to study ancient DNA.  Here is another review on that topic. The importance of proper controls for the study of low DNA abundance samples—the famous “kitome” often observed.  Here is an article by Dr. Weyrich and colleagues on this topic, as well. A recent article using human bones to detect Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague.  An overview of the oral microbiome. An article describing how dental calculus can be used to recover ancient DNA. An article by Dr. Weyrich and colleagues describing the human oral microbiome pre and post Industrial Revolution in Great Britain. A video describing our Neanderthal ancestors. An article by Dr. Weyrich and colleagues describing the Neanderthal oral microbiome and related issues. A fine video by Dr. Weyrich describing her research program. Dr. Weyrich's faculty website. Dr. Weyrich's research team website (SO INTERESTING). Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ronald Mallett, a Professor Emeritus of Physics in the Department of Physics at the University of Connecticut. As a theoretical physicist, academic professional, and author, Dr. Mallett's research interests are fascinating: general relativity and gravitation, black holes, relativistic astrophysics, and quantum cosmology… Dr. Mallett earned his Ph.D. in physics from Pennsylvania State University, where he was honored with the Graduate Assistant Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1975. A distinguished physicist, he is a member of both the American Physical Society and the National Society of Black Physicists. In recognition of his contributions to science, he was named an honorary member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2005. Dive in to find out: The difference between special and general relativity.  Whether time travel might one day move from science fiction to reality. The relationship between time and movement. Is time travel possible? How do black holes shape our understanding of the universe? Whether you're a science enthusiast, a curious skeptic, or fascinated by the mysteries of space and time, this episode is sure to expand your perspective. Want to learn more about Dr. Mallett and his work? Click here now! And be sure to read his intriguing book, Time Traveler, to deepen your understanding of this subject.

Elle Russ chats with Holly Perkins, BS, CSCS, CISSN - an established expert and thought leader in women's health issues. For 30 years, Holly has educated and guided thousands of women through her in-person and virtual practice. She is the author of Lift to Get Lean (Rodale, 2014), and an established expert in women's health with an emphasis on physical performance, nutrition, and mindset management. Holly's second book, Muscle & Bone (Simon & Schuster) will be released early 2026. This title will help women of all ages understand the importance of the musculoskeletal system, with Holly's protocols for building strong muscle and healthy bones.  Holly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). She has worked with many women, professional athletes, and a Presidential candidate as well as with celebrities, including Howard Stern, Adrian Grenier, Karlie Kloss, Kelly Klein, Carole Radziwill, Billy Crystal, and Petra Ecclestone. Her programs and advice are featured weekly in  major health and wellness publications, including Women's Health, Shape, SELF, LIVESTRONG, BuzzFeed, Prevention, Redbook, Fitness, Men's Health, and others. Holly lives in California and Pennsylvania with her husband, Dave, and their two dogs Buckley and Bear. When she's not hiking or hitting the gym, Holly loves spending time in the kitchen developing new recipes, reading up on mindset and habits, and taking long baths.    Click the link below to sign up for Holly's FREE 3-day event Midlife Muscle Mastery (September 18th, 23rd, and 25th):  https://www.hollyperkins.com/a/2148039728/6qQuoXaz   FREEBIES: Free Thyroid Guide + Video Series: https://www.elleruss.com/thyroid-guide Free Confidence eBook & Workbook: https://www.elleruss.com/7secrets Elle's newsletter: https://www.elleruss.com/newletter   #theellerussshow

Send us a textIn episode #151 we discuss the science behind fermented foods with researcher Dr. Maria Marco:The role of microbes in gut health and their potential benefits for humanity and the planet.Insights into the fermentation process of sauerkraut and its impact on gut barrier function.The difference between probiotics and friendly microbes found in fermented foods like sauerkraut.The potential for fermented foods to offer health benefits beyond just probiotics, focusing on the metabolites produced during fermentation.Dr. Maria Marco is a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis. She earned her bachelor's degree at The Pennsylvania State University and PhD in microbiology at the University of California, Berkeley. She performed her postdoctoral research at the Wageningen University and NIZO food research, The Netherlands. Dr. Marco started her lactic acid bacteria and gut health laboratory at the University of California, Davis in 2008 and has built an internationally recognized research program on fermented foods, probiotics, and dietary modulation of the gut microbiome. Dr. Marco is currently President of the International Society of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) Board of Directors and is a fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology.Connect with Dr. Maria Marco:IG: Eat Lac Project, UC Davis: www.instagram.com/eat.lac.project/Web: /marcolab.ucdavis.edu/Mentioned:Trifecta Nutrition (save 50% your 1st order with code NR50): https://trifectanutrition.llbyf9.net/qnNk05Study discussed on the podcast: The Fermented Cabbage Metabolome and its Protection Against Cytokine-Induced Intestinal Barrier Disruption of Caco-2 Monolayers: journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.02234-24International Scientific Assn. for Probiotics and Prebiotics: isappscience.org/Other studies mentionedA Review of Fermented Milks: Potential Beneficial Effects on Human Nutrition and Health: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11225442/ Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut Improves Symptoms in IBS Patiences Independent of Product Pasteurisation - A Pilot Study: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30256365/MORE NR New customers save 10% off all products on our website with the code NEWPOD10 If you would like to work with our practitioners, click here: https://nutritional-revolution.com/work-with-us/ Save 50% off your 1st Trifecta Nutrition order with code NR50: https://trifectanutrition.llbyf9.net/qnNk05 Save 20% on all supplements at our trusted online source: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell Join Nutritional Revolution's The Feed Club to get $20 off right away with an additional $20 Feed credit drop every 90 days.: https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution If you're interested in sponsoring Nutritional Revolution Podcast, shoot us an email at nutritionalrev@gmail.com.

The Theological Metaphors of Marx (Duke UP, 2024) by Enrique Dussel – A Conversation with Camilo Pérez-Bustillo and Eduardo Mendieta In The Theological Metaphors of Marx, Enrique Dussel provides a groundbreaking combination of Marxology, theology, and ethical theory. Dussel shows that Marx unveils the theology of capitalism in his critique of commodity fetishization. Capitalism constitutes an idolatry of the commodity that undergirds the capitalist expropriation of labor. Dussel examines Marx's early writings on religion and fetishism and proceeds through what Dussel refers to as the four major drafts of Capital, ultimately situating Marx's philosophical, economic, ethical, and historical insights in relation to the theological problems of his time. Dussel notes a shift in Marx's underlying theological schema from a political critique of the state to an economic critique of the commodity fetish as the Devil, or anti-God, of modernity. Marx's thought, impact, and influence cannot be fully understood without Dussel's historic reinterpretation of the theological origins and implications of Marx's critiques of political economy and politics. Enrique Dussel (1934–2023) was Emeritus Professor, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, and the author of many books, including Twenty Theses on Politics and Ethics of Liberation: In the Age of Globalization and Exclusion, both also published by Duke University Press.Camilo Pérez-Bustillo is coauthor of Human Rights, Hegemony, and Utopia in Latin America.Eduardo Mendieta is Professor of Philosophy and Latina/o Studies at Pennsylvania State University. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

From its crude and uneasy beginnings thirty years ago, Chinese sperm banking has become a routine part of China's pervasive and restrictive reproductive complex. Today, there are sperm banks in each of China's twenty-two provinces, the biggest of which screen some three thousand to four thousand potential donors each year. Given the estimated one to two million azoospermic men--those who are unable to produce their own sperm--the demand remains insatiable. China's twenty-two sperm banks cannot keep up, spurring sperm bank directors to publicly lament chronic shortages and even warn of a national ‘sperm crisis' (jingzi weiji). Ayo Wahlberg book Good Quality: The Routinization of Sperm Banking in China (U California Press, 2018) explores the issues behind the crisis, including declining sperm quality in the country due to environmental pollution, as well as a chronic national shortage of donors. In doing so, Wahlberg outlines the specific style of Chinese sperm banking that has emerged, shaped by the particular cultural, juridical, economic and social configurations that make up China's restrictive reproductive complex. Good Quality shows how this high-throughput style shapes the ways in which men experience donation and how sperm is made available to couples who can afford it. Victoria Oana Lupascu is a PhD candidate in dual-title doctoral program in Comparative Literature and Asian Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. Her areas of interest include 20th and 21st Chinese literature and visual art, medical humanities and Global South studies.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Dr. Tess Russo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at The Pennsylvania State University. Tess is a hydrologist which means she studies water. Her research examines how water moves, how much of it there is in the world, and how the actions of humans change how water moves in the world. Tess has been spending a lot of time doing home renovations. When she's not working on her house, she likes to visit family and travel. She received her PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Her fantastic work is already getting a lot of attention. Last year, Tess was featured by the Green Sense Podcast, Scientific American, and she is a guest on an upcoming episode of Startalk Radio with the wise and wonderful Neil Degrasse Tyson. Tess is with us today to tell us all about her journey through life and science.

My guest in the episode is Fred Hubler. Fred is the founder and CEO of Creative Capital Wealth Management Group, a boutique advisory firm specializing in advanced financial planning strategies for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and family offices.With over two decades of experience in wealth management, Fred is known for bringing innovative, often little-known strategies to the mainstream—helping successful people go beyond the traditional 60/40 portfolio and create smarter, more tax-efficient ways to build and preserve wealth.He's a nationally recognized speaker and trusted consultant to professionals across the legal, medical, and executive leadership space, with a focus on alternative investments, tax planning, and legacy-focused financial design.Fred holds an MBA from the Pennsylvania State University, a Certified Wealth Strategist® designation, and has been featured in multiple media outlets for his contrarian yet results-driven approach to wealth strategy.Interview Links:Creative Capital Wealth Management Group: https://ccwmg.com/Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter:The Wealth Dojo: https://subscribe.wealthdojo.ai/Download all the Niches Trilogy Books:The 21 Best Cashflow NichesDigital: ⁠⁠https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-best-cashflow-niches-book⁠⁠Audio: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-best-cashflow-niches⁠The 21 Most Unique Cashflow NichesDigital: ⁠⁠https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-most-unique-cashflow-niches⁠⁠Audio: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-most-unique-niches⁠The 21 Best Cash Growth NichesDigital: ⁠https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-best-cash-growth-niches⁠⁠Audio: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/21-cash-growth-nichesThe 21 Next Level Cashflow NichesDigital: https://www.cashflowninjaprograms.com/the-21-next-level-cashflow-niches-book-free-downloadAudio: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-21-next-level-nichesListen To Cashflow Ninja Podcasts:Cashflow Ninja⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflowninja⁠Cashflow Investing Secrets⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflowinvestingsecrets⁠Cashflow Ninja Banking⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cashflow-ninja-banking⁠Connect With Us:Website: http://cashflowninja.comPodcast: http://cashflowinvestingsecrets.comPodcast: http://cashflowninjabanking.comSubstack: https://mclaubscher.substack.com/Amazon Audible: https://a.co/d/1xfM1VxAmazon Audible: https://a.co/d/aGzudX0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashflowninja/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mclaubscherInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflowninja/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cashflowninjaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclaubscher/Gab: https://gab.com/cashflowninjaYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/c/CashflowninjaRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-329875

Dr. Ganesh Anand is an Associate Professor of Chemistry as well as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The Pennsylvania State University (or Penn State University) at the University Park campus. He is also an elected Board Member of the International Society for Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS). Research in Ganesh's lab examines molecular switches. He wants to know how molecules interact with one another and how they switch from one state to another. These tiny molecular switches act almost like electrical switches turning on and off the functions of different molecules. He also does research on viruses and how they change shape to infect their hosts. Beyond his scientific interests, Ganesh has also been passionate about music for as long as he can remember. He takes voice lessons now and enjoys singing in choirs in his free time. He received his bachelor's degree in pharmacy and his master's degree in biological sciences from Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India. Next, Ganesh attended Rutgers University where he earned his PhD in biochemistry. Afterwards, he conducted postdoctoral research as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellow at the University of California San Diego. Ganesh served on the faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore for over a decade before accepting a faculty position at Penn State where he is today. His lab is recognized as a Waters World Center of Innovation in Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry. Ganesh is founding member and former Director of the Singapore National Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry (SingMass) and the former Vice President of the Singapore Society for Mass Spectrometry. In this interview, he shares more about his life and science.

Last summer, former military officials testified to Congress about UFOs, and once again the nation's imagination was ignited. Greg Eghigian, professor of history and bioethics at Pennsylvania State University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history of America's fascination with UFOs — an obsession that spread globally — and what it all means for our civilization back here on Earth. His book is “After the Flying Saucers Came: A Global History of the UFO Phenomenon.”This episode originally aired June 20th, 2025. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Lyn Ulbricht : Mother Of Ross Ulbricht "Silk Road" FreeRoss.orgUlbricht grew up in the Austin metropolitan area. He served as a Boy Scout,[5] attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.[6] He attended West Ridge Middle School,[7] and Westlake High School, Austin, Texas. He graduated from high school in 2002.[8]He attended the University of Texas at Dallas on a full academic scholarship,[6] and graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in physics.[8] He then attended Pennsylvania State University, where he was in a master's degree program in materials science and engineering and studied crystallography. By the time Ulbricht graduated he had lost interest in his major and was interested in libertarian economic theory. In particular, Ulbricht adhered to the political philosophy of Ludwig von Mises and supported Ron Paul, and participated in college debates to discuss his economic views.[7][9]Ulbricht graduated from Penn State in 2009 and returned to Austin. By this time Ulbricht, finding regular employment unsatisfying, wanted to become an entrepreneur, but his first attempts to start his own business failed. He eventually partnered with a friend to help build an online used book seller, Good Wagon Books. His limited business success, combined with a breakup with his on-and-off girlfriend from Penn State, left Ulbricht deeply dissatisfied with his life.[7][10]Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.